Abstract:
The present apparatus and method relates in general to sealing a hole in a floor with a precast plug. A precast plug is created by pouring a wet aggregate mix into a form mold and thereafter inserting a pre bent rod into the uncured mixture, positioning it such that the center of the rod rests in the center of the form mold and the ends of the rod extend outward near the top of the form mold. The mix is then cured. The precast plug may then be transported to the hole that it is destined to fix. Grooves may be carved on either side of the hole to accommodate the rod&#39;s ends. The interior of the hole and the exterior of the plug may then be covered with a sealant, after which the plug may be inserted into the hole. Once the sealant cures, the hole is fully repaired.

Description:
PRIORITY NOTICE 
     The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/650,179 filed on 22 May 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present apparatus and method relates in general to a plug that is used to repair and restore holes that a tenant drilled in the floor of the space that the tenant occupied during a tenancy. 
     COPYRIGHT &amp; TRADEMARK NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent application may contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever. 
     Certain marks referenced herein may be common law or registered trademarks of third parties affiliated or unaffiliated with the applicant or the assignee. Use of these marks is by way of example and should not be construed as descriptive or to limit the scope of this invention to material associated only with such marks. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Typically, a condition in a lease contract between a commercial building owner and a tenant is that at the end of the lease the tenant must return the leased premises in the same condition that it was in at the time the tenant took possession, save for normal wear and tear. During the course of a tenancy, a lessee will typically cause numerous holes to be drilled into the concrete floor and/or ceiling of his suite to accommodate the routing of electrical wires, plumbing pipes, voice cables, and other such items that run through the floors. In the great majority of mid and high rise office buildings, these floors are constructed of a lightweight aggregate poured on a metal underlayment or pan. This flooring assembly provides a fire break between floors. When the tenant vacates the premises, the drilled holes during the tenancy are left wide open as a result of the removal of the wiring, plumbing, etc. that had been previously installed. This is potentially a breach of the fire control properties of the flooring assembly. These holes are typically three to four inches in diameter, but can range up to twelve inches or larger. Until recently, most property owners did not recognize this as a problem, and as a result did not require the vacating tenant to repair and restore these holes. More recently, it has been recognized, however, as an issue that must be remedied before a new tenant can take possession of the property. 
     There are several products on the market that can be used to restore the fire break properties of the flooring assembly. Most utilize a mechanical closure of the hole by installing an expandable metal plug or cap, and require that they be installed through the bottom of the hole. This solution often requires that access to the underside of the floor be granted by another tenant or the owner. Such access may be disruptive, cause security and liability issues, necessitate that the repair work be performed after normal working hours, and cause possible damage to another tenant&#39;s property. The parts and labor associated with these products tend to be rather expensive as well. 
     Another problem with other products is that the final repair results in a protruding floor surface. This is a design flaw that complicates future use of the floor where the protrusion is located. 
     Yet another problem related to repairing holes after a lease has expired is shoddy repair work. To honor the lease, a tenant may merely stuff a rag or other such material in the hole and then fill it with a plaster, such as FIX-IT-ALL™. Such a repair is insufficient, as there is nothing to keep the rag and plaster from falling through the floor into the suite below. Moreover, such a repair may be prone to water leaks and likely does not conform to the fire code, and testing these properties would be overly burdensome, defeating the purpose of the repair in the first place. 
     It is to these ends that the present apparatus and method has been developed. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will be apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present apparatus describes a precast plug for sealing a hole in a floor comprising a concrete housing and at least one rod whereby the distal end of said at least one rod makes at least one protrusion from at least one edge of said concrete housing. 
     The present method and apparatus also describes a method for repairing a hole in a floor, comprising the steps of preparing a wet cement mixture, pouring said wet cement mixture into a form mold housing, installing into said form mold housing at least one rod whereby the distal end of said at least one rod makes at least one protrusion from at least one edge of said concrete housing, allowing said mixture to cure with said at least one rod in place, thereby creating a precast plug, grinding at least one groove into said floor to house the distal end of said at least one rod, coating said precast plug&#39;s edges with a sealant, placing said precast plug into said hole such that the distal end of said at least one rod rests in said at least one groove, and allowing said sealant to cure. 
     It is an objective of the present apparatus and method to seal a hole in a floor such as to make it fire resistant, water resistant, and structurally sound. 
     Is another objective of the present apparatus and method to allow for ease of installation, making a repair job quick and efficient. 
     It is yet another objective of the present apparatus and method to repair a hole in a floor, such that the apparatus is flush with the floor&#39;s surface. 
     These and other advantages and features of the present apparatus and method are described herein with specificity so as to make the present apparatus and method understandable to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Elements in the FIGS. have not necessarily been drawn to scale in order to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of these various elements and embodiments of the apparatus and method. Furthermore, elements that are known to be common and well understood to those in the industry are not depicted in order to provide a clear view of the various embodiments of the apparatus and method. 
         FIG. 1  is a three dimensional exploded cross-section view, depicting a precast plug housing one rod above a cutout section of a floor, before it is place in said floor. 
         FIG. 2  is a three dimensional cross-section view of a precast plug that has been placed in a hole in a cutout section of a floor. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a plan cross section view with a precast plug fully installed into a hole. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a front elevation cross section view of  FIG. 3  with a precast plug fully installed into a hole. 
         FIG. 5  is a plan cross section view of a precast plug in a floor depicting an alternative embodiment comprising two rods housed within a precast plug. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a front elevation cross section view of  FIG. 5  with a precast plug fully installed into a hole. 
         FIG. 7  is a plan cross section view depicting a further alternative embodiment utilizing two rods. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a front elevation cross section view of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a plan cross section view depicting an alternative embodiment of the system and method whereby a rectangular like rod is housed within a precast plug. 
         FIG. 10  depicts a front elevation cross section view of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following discussion that addresses a number of embodiments and applications of the present apparatus and method, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, where depictions are made, by way of illustration, of specific embodiments in which the apparatus and method may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the apparatus and method. 
       FIG. 1  is a three dimensional exploded cross-section view, depicting precast plug  101  before it is placed in hole  102 . This embodiment is a basic depiction of how precast plug  101  may function, namely to seal hole  102 . It also depicts the various components of precast plug  101  including rod  104 . 
     Precast plug  101  may be constructed off site, i.e., from where the hole it intends to repair is located. However, this is not to limit the scope of precast plug  101 . If a particular location required precast plug  101  to be made on site, such as a remote location and time was of the essence, this could be accomplished by making precast plug  101  at the site of hole  102 . 
     In either case, precast plug  101  may be constructed of the same material as floor  103 , which in the typical scenario will be a lightweight aggregate or other cement, which has fire and water resistant properties in addition to structural integrity, similar to floor  103 . For example, Rapid Set® Cement All™ may be used to construct precast plug  101 , but this is not to limit the scope of the apparatus and method. In another embodiment, precast plug  101  may be constructed of plastic, steel, or any other material suitable for filling a cavity. Where a cement like material is used to prepare precast plug  101 , it may be mixed with the requisite amount of water (and coloring if desired) to form a wet mixture. This mixture may then be poured into a form mold. 
     The shape and size of form mold, and therefore precast plug  101 , may vary depending upon the type of repair job. The embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1  shows precast plug  101  as having a cylindrical shaped housing with a slight inward taper from the top of precast plug  101  where logo  105  is located to the bottom of precast plug  101 . However, a straight cylindrical form mold may also be employed to create precast plug  101  with no taper. Other embodiments of precast plug  101  may be cast in square, rectangular, triangular, and other variable sized and shaped form molds to create variable sized and shaped precast plugs  101 . Precast plug&#39;s  101  diameter (or general width) is also variable depending upon the actual size of hole  102  to be repaired. A larger hole may necessitate a larger diameter form mold while a smaller hole may necessitate a smaller diameter form mold. Finally, the height of hole  102  is relevant to the size of the form mold to be used, which in the typical repair job may be three and one/half inches. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  depicts precast plug  101  to be of substantially the same height as the height of hole  102 , meaning from the top of floor  103  to the bottom of floor  103 , however the actual height of precast plug  101  may vary. 
     Before the cement mixture cures in the properly sized form mold, an appropriately sized rod  104  may be inserted into the wet cement housing of precast plug  101 . Rod  104  may be comprised of any number of materials, including steel, plastic, multiples of rods, etc., as will be further discussed below. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , rod  104  may be constructed of steel and may also be bent or molded such that it forms a “C” like shape in the center of rod  104 . This allows for the “C” portion of rod  104  to be fully embedded within the form mold cement mixture, and the ends of rod  104  to extend from either side of what is soon to become precast plug  101  after curing. The ends, or “wings” of rod  104 , may give precast plug  101  support when resting in hole  102  and prevent precast plug  101  from falling through the floor. 
     Precast plug  101  may also be embossed as depicted in  FIG. 1  with logo  105  before cement mixture cures. However this is not to limit the scope of the apparatus and method. Logo  105  may also be a stamp, painting, etching, or any other mark to indicate who made precast plug  101 . In  FIG. 1 , logo  105  consists of a capital “C” and a capital “P” indicating for example, a trademark. However, logo  105  may also consist of other combinations of letters, numbers, symbols, and/or pictures. 
     Precast plug  101  may also be stamped, as depicted in  FIG. 1 , with size indicator  106 . Again, size indicator  106  may also be embossed, painted, etched, or generally engraved in such a way that it clearly communicates information about precast plug&#39;s  101  and/or hole&#39;s  102  dimensions. In  FIG. 1 , it may be noted that size indicator  106  is represented by a “#30”. This may be a shorthand method of indicating that hole  102  is three inches for example. It could also be used to communicate that the width of precast plug  101  is three inches, if that would be a preferable method of measuring. However, other methods of communicating the size of precast plug  101  or the size of hole  102  may be employed such as a size indicator  106  depiction of “(3″)” or “3 In.”. 
     Logo  105  and size indicator  106  may also be used to communicate other desirable information, such as implied information. Implied information may be apprised from both logo  105  and size indicator  106  to indicate to appropriate authorities, such as a fire marshal, that the plug that is going to be installed or already has been installed into floor  103  is of such a quality and design that it meets appropriate fire codes and/or other safety regulations. 
     Further depicted in  FIG. 1  are grooves  107  on either side of hole  102 . Grooves  107  may not be preexisting. If not, grooves  107  may be ground out, for example, with an angle grinder, chiseled with a chisel, or carved out using some other device or mechanism to accommodate the “wings” of rod  104 . Once the appropriate number of grooves  107  are carved out (and in the proper places), precast plug  101  may be inserted into hole  102  such that each “wing” of rod  104  may rest snugly within its own groove  107  and the top of precast plug  101  may rest flush with floor  103 . 
     In another embodiment of the apparatus and method, rather than utilizing the technique of grooves  107 , holes may be drilled in either side of the wall of hole  102 , beneath the surface of floor  103 . Similar tools may be employed as may be used to carve out grooves  107 , including a right angle drill. Utilizing this technique, it would be possible not only to repair a hole in a floor below ones feet, but also a floor above one&#39;s head, i.e. a ceiling. In such a case, various embodiments of precast plug  101  may include logo  105  and size indicator  106  embossed or otherwise marked on the bottom side of precast plug  101 , or rather on both ends of precast plug  101  to make it visible to one viewing precast plug  101  from above or below. The “wings” of rod  104  may also extend from a more central portion of precast plug  101  rather than being substantially flush with the top of precast plug  101 . To accommodate the “wings” of rod  104  it may be necessary to drill deeper holes on either side of hole  102 . After drilling the holes, one “wing” of rod  104  may be fully inserted into said drilled hole such that the side of precast plug  101  and interior of hole  102  are flush and the other “wing” of rod  104  is fully within hole  102  and extended in the direction of the drilled hole that it is to occupy. The entirety of precast plug  101  may then be laterally moved in that direction such that it is centered in hole  102  and both “wings” of rod  104  come to rest in either drilled hole. 
       FIG. 2  is a three dimensional cross-section view of precast plug  101 , that has been placed in hole  102  in a cutout section of floor  103 . This embodiment is a basic depiction of how precast plug  101  functions, i.e. to seal hole  102  such that hole  102  is fire resistant, water resistant, and structurally sound.  FIG. 2  also depicts how the top portion of precast plug  101  may not protrude from floor  103 , but is relatively flush with floor  103 .  FIG. 2  further depicts how the bottom of precast plug  101  may be flush with the bottom side of floor  103 . 
     Before appropriately sized precast plug  101  is fitted into hole  102 , however, sealant  201  may be beaded around the exterior wall of precast plug  101  and the interior wall of hole  102 , after which precast plug  101  may be fitted into hole  102 . Once the “wings” of rod  104  are snugly within grooves  107 , sealant  201  may be inserted into any voids such that hole  102  is completely full and/or excess sealant  201  may be wiped away from the area of hole  102 . Sealant  201  may also be applied over the top of the “wings” of rod  104  to further secure rod  104  in place. After sealant  201  cures, what is left is a fire resistant, water resistant, and structurally sound repair job, which may be impliedly indicated by logo  105  as discussed above. As an example, 3M™ Fire Barrier Sealant IC 15WB+ may be used as sealant  201 , however, this is not to limit the scope of the apparatus and method. Other products with similar properties may be employed in lieu of said brand. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a plan cross section view with precast plug  101  fully installed into hole  102  in a cutout section of floor  103 .  FIG. 3  also introduces another aspect of the present apparatus and method, videlicet, the various dimensions of the apparatus and method. Before installation of precast plug  101 , it may be necessary to measure the size of hole  102  that is to be repaired. For example, size indicator  106  depicts a “#30”, which may mean that before installation, it was measured that the size of hole  102  to be repaired was three inches. In such a case, whatever the width of hole  102  may be, D 2  represents this dimension. D 1  represents the width of precast plug  101 . Finally, both d&#39;s represent the portion of how far rod  104  extends into floor  103 . Depending upon the nature of the repair to be made, any and all of these dimensions may be lengthened or shortened to accommodate the repair. 
       FIG. 3  also depicts sealant  201  surrounding precast plug  101 . Sealant  201 , however, may also be applied over the top rod  104  to give further stability to the system and method. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a front elevation cross section view of  FIG. 3  with precast plug  101  fully installed into hole  102  in a cutout section of floor  103 . The location of the cross section is indicated in  FIG. 3  by the  4 - 4  cross section line. As can be seen in this embodiment, rod  104  has a “C” shaped bend allowing for rod  104  to penetrate into the center of precast plug  101 . This bend into the center of precast plug  101  allows for rod  104  to lend structural support to precast plug  101 . Also seen from this view, the “wings” of rod  104  extend into floor  103  on either side of precast plug  101 , where grooves  107  may have been chiseled to allow for proper installation of precast plug  101 . This embodiment also depicts the slight inward taper of precast plug  101  at an unspecified degree. However, as mentioned above, this taper is not necessary, and in another embodiment, precast plug  101  may have an outward taper, which may make it easier to apply sealant  201 . Another dimension depicted in  FIG. 4  is the height h of floor  103 . As mentioned above, precast plug  101  may be adapted to accommodate the varying heights of concrete floors in different buildings. 
       FIG. 4  also depicts sealant  201  as extending from the bottom edge of floor  103  to the top edge of floor  103  and fully encompassing the space between floor  103  and precast plug  101 . In another embodiment, less sealant  201  may be applied such that enough is applied to fulfill its purpose, which is to seal hole  102 . 
       FIG. 5  is a plan cross section view depicting an alternative embodiment comprising two rods  104  housed within precast plug  101  rather than one as in previous figures. Two rods  104  may be suitable to lend further support for a larger precast plug  101  to repair a wider diameter hole  102  or a floor  103  of an increased height.  FIG. 5  depicts a different sized precast plug  101  as indicated by size indicator  106 . As discussed above, size indicator may refer to the size of precast plug  101  or the size of hole  102 . For example the “#65” in  FIG. 5  may indicate that hole  102  has a diameter of six point five inches. 
     The front elevation cross section view in  FIG. 6  of  FIG. 5  depicts a similar view as in  FIG. 4 . The location of the cross section is indicated in  FIG. 5  by the  6 - 6  cross section line. This embodiment generally depicts, however, how rod  104  may be lengthened in order to accommodate a larger precast plug  101  that may be situated in a deeper hole  102  as may be the case with floor  103  of a greater height, such that rod  104  may still penetrate the center of precast plug  104  and lend its full support. 
       FIG. 7  is a plan cross section view of another embodiment of the apparatus and method utilizing two rods. However, as shown and as clarified further by the  8 - 8  cross section line in  FIG. 8 , the two separate rods  104  act as their own “wings” and are not part of a single rod  104 . These separate rods  104  may be inserted into precast plug  101  in a similar fashion as described above, i.e., before the wet cement mixture fully cures within the form mold and such that the “wings” are substantially flush with the top of precast plug  101 . In another embodiment, rods  104  may be positioned such that the “wings” of said rod extend from a central or lower position on either side of precast plug  101 , rather than being flush with the top of precast plug  101 . Utilizing one of these embodiments, precast plug  101  may be inserted into a ceiling as described above. 
       FIG. 7  further depicts another potential embodiment as represented by size indicator  106 , which shows a “#45”. This may represent that either hole  102  or precast plug  101  has a width of four and one/half inches. 
     However, the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 7 and 8  are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present apparatus and method. For example, rods  104  in  FIG. 7  need not be within substantially the same plane as one another, but may be cured into precast plug  101  in a staggered fashion such that they are rather substantially parallel to one another. In another embodiment, four separate rods  104  similar to those used in  FIGS. 7 and 8  may be cured into a single precast plug  101  and arranged in a fashion such that there are two pairs of rods  104  (see  FIG. 7  for an example of an arrangement of one pair of rods) with each pair on substantially the same plane when viewed from above and the first pair being substantially parallel with the second pair. 
     In yet another embodiment, four separate rods  104  similar to the rods  104  depicted in  FIGS. 7 and 8  may be cured into precast plug  101  such that each “wing” when viewed from above would point in a different direction, such as twelve o&#39;clock, six o&#39;clock, three o&#39;clock and nine o&#39;clock substantially bisecting precast plug  101  both vertically and horizontally. With such an embodiment, the method of installation may be modified to account for the requisite number of grooves  107  to house such “wings”. 
       FIG. 9  is a plan cross section view depicting an alternative embodiment of the apparatus and method. Rather than a tubular shape as discussed above, rod  104  may take on a substantially rectangular shape. In this embodiment, rod  104  may be comprised of a plastic “T” bar with a break away joint at the “T” intersection, as can be seen in the  10 - 10  cross section line in  FIG. 10 . The break away joint and base of the “T” of rod  104  may be a cylindrical arrow-like shape. Such an embodiment allows for this breakaway joint and base to grip the housing of precast plug  101 , providing additional support so that precast plug  101  does not fall through hole  102 . Rod  104  in plastic form, is not to limit the scope of the present apparatus and method. Other embodiments may include iron, wood, silicone, or other durable composite materials. Also, as mentioned above sealant  201  may be applied between precast plug  101  and floor  103 , and over the top of rod  104  in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 9 . 
     Finally, in  FIG. 9 , size indicator  106  depicts a “#112”. This may indicate that either hole  102  or precast plug  101  may be eleven point two inches wide for example.  FIG. 10  also depicts precast plug  101  with no tapered edge, an alternative embodiment to the present apparatus and method. An even column of sealant  201  fills the space between floor  103  and precast plug  101 . In another embodiment, however, more or less sealant may be applied, e.g., if precast plug  101  were to taper outward or inward, or hole  102  were to taper inward or outward. In yet another embodiment sealant  201  may be applied such that it covers the bottom edge of precast plug  101  and/or the top edge of precast plug  101 , such as to give further protection to precast plug  101  and floor  103 .