Patent Abstract:
The present invention discloses a sealing device for sealing a pipe passing through a wall. The device includes a first member and second member. The first member is substantially flexible, has an exterior surface and two axially aligned and opposed orifices, wherein the first orifice has a diameter less than the second orifice. The second member is disposed annularly on the exterior surface of the first member and the second member is operably configured to engage a first side of the wall when the sealing device is in use. The first orifice is operably configured to sealably engage a conduit such that the first orifice is accessible from a second opposing side of the wall when the sealing device is in use.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation application of U.S. nonprovisional application 1/340,909 filed Jan. 27, 2007 and of U.S. provisional application No. 60/647,912, filed on Jan. 27, 2005, which are both incorporated, in their entirety, herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0003]    This present invention relates to sealing devices for tubes that extend through walls and the mounting devices thereof. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Numerous conventional sealing devices exist that provide a means for sealing a conduit that extends through a wall or a tank. Additionally, in the underground tank environment many times an internal and external seal are required. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is the object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks and shortcomings of conventional sealing devices. This present invention allows a sealing boot to be installed on a flange mounted on a side of a tank or wall through which a conduit penetrates and allows access to the sealing boot from an opposite side. The sealing boot of the present invention has two sealing members, a first sealing member for the flange and a second inverted sealing member for the conduit, such that the second sealing member is directed towards the conduit opening and may penetrate the tank. Additionally, the present invention provides for the securing of other protective devices used in covering underground plumbing. 
         [0007]    In convention underground boot applications, a sealing boot is installed on the external side of the tank. And, if a double seal is required, a second sealing boot is installed on the internal side of the tank. If the conduit, which the boot seals needs to be replaced, the earth external to the tank must be removed in order to remove the external boot. 
         [0008]    Similarly, if the application is for above ground tanks requiring conventional double boot protection, a worker would have to enter the tank to disconnect the internal boot from the conduit. 
         [0009]    Another deficiency with conventional sealing devices is that in applications with underground conduits, the conduit requires a protective shield or guard. Current conventional sealing boots lack a mean to mount such a protective guard. 
         [0010]    The present invention provides a sealing device for attaching to a flange on a tank wall and for sealing a conduit extending through the wall. The device includes first, second and third annular portions and a connecting portion. The first annular portion is substantially flexible and has a length, a diameter, first and second ends. The first end is operably configured to sealably engage the conduit and when in use. The connecting portion is substantially flexible and has first and second ends, the first end being connected to the second end of the first annular portion. The second annular portion is substantially flexible and coaxially aligned with the first annular portion. The second annular portion has a length, a diameter, an exterior surface, first and second ends, the first end of the second annular portion is connected to the second end of the connecting portion and the diameter of the second annular portion is greater than the diameter of the first annular portion and the conduit passes through the second annular portion when the sealing device is in use and the second end of the second annular portion is operably configured to receive a second conduit. The third annular portion is substantially flexible and includes a first side, a second side, an outer diameter, a first end being annularly disposed along the length and the exterior surface of the second annular portion and the outer diameter of the third annular portion being greater than the first and second annular portions. The third annular portion is operably configured to engage the flange on a first side of the wall such that the second side is disposed against the flange when the device is in use and the first annular portion is accessible from a second opposing side of the wall. 
         [0011]    The present invent also provides a sealing device for sealing a pipe passing through a wall comprising a first member being flexible and having an exterior surface and two axially aligned and opposed orifices, wherein the first orifice has a diameter less than the second orifice and a second member being disposed annularly on the exterior surface of the first member and the second member being operably configured to engage a first side of the wall when the sealing device is in use. The first orifice is operably configured to sealably engage a conduit such that the first orifice is accessible from a second opposing side of the wall when the sealing device is in use. 
         [0012]    Still further, the present invention discloses a conduit sealing device for sealing a conduit that penetrates a wall comprising: a first hollow annular portion having a diameter, an orifice, a length, first and second ends and a sealing portion, wherein the sealing portion is flexible and operably configured to seal to the conduit and the first end and a portion of the length of the first hollow annular portion penetrates the wall when the device is in use; a second hollow annular portion having a length, a flexible first end and a second end having a diameter axially aligned with and greater than the diameter of the first hollow annular portion, wherein the flexible first end of the second hollow annular portion is flexibly engaged to the second end of the first hollow annular portion; and, a mounting portion disposed annularly along the length of the second hollow annular portion, wherein the mounting portion is operably configured to removably attach device to the wall. 
         [0013]    These and other features and advantages of this invention are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the devices and methods according to this invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THF DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Various exemplary embodiment of this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein; 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a quick fitting flexible boot consisting of one integrated member, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the quick fitting flexible boot of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the quick fitting flexible boot of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a cross-section view of taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 2  depicting the one-piece construction; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a cross-section of taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 2  depicting the installation of this present invention, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a side view of an alternative embodiment made in accordance with the present invention; and, 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a cross-section view of another alternative embodiment made in accordance with the present invention shown in use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]      FIGS. 1 through 5  show a quick fitting flexible boot device  100 , made in accordance with this invention. The device  100  is designed to be operably configured to provide a seal for flanges installed on tanks, walls, etc. in an underground environment. 
         [0023]    The device  100  is preferably fabricated as a one-piece construction. The device  100  includes three annular portions,  110 ,  130  and  140  and a connecting portion  120  as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5 . The device  100  is operably configured to fit over a mounting flange  30 , common to the art as shown in  FIG. 5  installed on a tank or wall  15 , so as to cover the mounting flange  30  and provide a seal to the mounting flange  30  and seal a conduit  20  which penetrates the flange  30 . The device  100  can be use internally or externally to the tank  15 . It should be appreciated that mounting flange  30  can be any known or later developed mounting flange for attaching to tanks or walls. 
         [0024]    The device  100  is preferable constructed out of a single piece of flexible material. It is preferred that the device  100  be made out of a molded flexible pellethane compound such that annular portions  110 ,  130  and  140  and the connecting portion  120  are integral to each other. It should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the device  100  can be made out of other flexible materials. Further, it should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the annular members are not integral to each other. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , the first annular portion  110  includes an interior and exterior surface  114  and  116 , a clamp mounting area  118  disposed on the exterior surface  116  and a first and second end  117  and  119 . The first annular portion  110  is operably configured to receive the plumbing conduit  20 . In operation the conduit  20  would extend through the first annular portion  10 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The conduit  20  can be any type of conduit. 
         [0026]    It should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the first annular portion could include a stiffener encapsulated within the flexible pellethane providing the first annular portion greater rigidity. The stiffener could be but not limited to hardened plastic or steel for example. 
         [0027]    Further, first annular portion  110  is operably configured to provide a seal around the conduit  20  used in the tank  15 , thus preventing materials or fluids from the external environment leaking into the tank  15  or fluids from inside the tank  15  leaking out into the external environment. The first annular portion  11 . 0  further includes a diameter  113  that has a dimension that is just slightly greater then the outside diameter of the conduit  20  that will be used. When the device  100  is in use the conduit  20  is in contact with the interior surface  114  of the first annular portion  110 , thus forming a seal around the conduit  20 . It should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the diameter of the first annular portion could be slightly less then the diameter of the conduit causing a natural compression of the flexible material. 
         [0028]    The clamp mounting area  118  is operably configured to receive a circular banding device  115 , shown in  FIG. 5 , for securing the device  110  to the conduit  20 . It is preferred that the circular banding device  115  is a hose clamp used to attach first annular portion  110  to the conduit  20 . It should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, other circular banding devices that are common in the art may be alternatively utilized. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the first annular portion further includes a length  112 . In the preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the length  112  is such that the first annular portion  110  extends from the side of the tank wall  15  upon which the device  100  is mounted to the opposite side of the tank wall  15 . This extension allows the device  100  to be disconnected from the conduit  20  form the interior of the tank wall  15 . It should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the first annular portion may not extend pass the tank wall. 
         [0030]    The connecting portion  120  connects the first annular portion  110  to the second annular portion  130 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the connecting portion  120  includes a first and second end  127  and  129 , wherein the first end surface  127  is connected to the second end  119  of the first annular member  110 . The connecting portion  120  is integral to the first annular portion  110  and constructed out of the same flexible material. 
         [0031]    The connecting portion  120  further includes a length, not shown, wherein the length is compressed to form an “S” shaped coil. The coil allows for all degrees of freedom of movement of the first annular portion  110 . This is of interest in the underground environment where shifting of the earth around a tank is a common occurrence. 
         [0032]    The second annular portion  130  includes a length  132 , an interior and exterior surface  134  and  136 , a first and second end  137  and  139 , wherein the first end  137  is connected to the second end  129  of the connecting portion  120 . The second annular portion  130  is integral with the connecting portion  120  and is preferably constructed of the same flexible material. The second annular portion  130  further includes a diameter  133 . The diameter  133  of the second annular portion  130  has a dimension that is greater than the dimension of the diameter  113  of the first annular portion  110 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0033]    The second annular portion  130  further includes a clamp mounting area  138 . The second annular portion  130  is operably configured engage an underground plumbing protective conduit  25  such that the interior surface  134  is in contact with the protective conduit  25 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The second annular portion  130  provides a location to secure the underground plumbing protective conduit  25 . It should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the second annular member may be used in connection with other types of conduits common in the art. Additionally, it should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the protective conduit could engage the second annular portion such that the protective conduit mates with the exterior surface of the second annular portion and a banding device is use to secure the second annular portion to the protective conduit. Still further, it should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the second annular portion is not configured to engage the protective conduit. 
         [0034]    It should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the second annular portion could include a stiffener encapsulated within the flexible pellethane providing the second annular portion greater rigidity. The stiffener could be but not limited to hardened plastic or steel for example. 
         [0035]    The third annular portion  140  is disposed on the exterior surface  136  of second annular portion  130  and is operably configured to engage the flange  30 . In the preferred embodiment, the third annular portion  140  is disposed generally about the midpoint of the length  132  of the second annular portion  130 . It should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the third annular portion may be disposed any where along the length of the second annular portion. The third annular portion  140 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , includes a first member  149 , a second member  151 , a first side  144  on first member  149 , a second side  146  on second member  151 , a clamp mounting area  148  disposed on the second side  146 , a first end  147 , wherein the first end  147  connects to the exterior surface  136  of the second annular portion  130 , such that the first member  149  is generally perpendicular to the second annular portion  130  and the second member  151  is generally parallel to the second annular portion  130 , and does not engage the second annular portion  130 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , the third annular portion  140  further includes a diameter  143 . The diameter  143  is larger than the diameter  113  of the first portion  110  and the diameter  133  of the second portion  130 . 
         [0036]    The third annular portion  140  is operably configured to cover the outside of a mounting flange  30  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The third annular portion  140  is operably configured to provide a seal around the flange  30  used in the tank  15  thus preventing materials or fluids from the external environment leaking into the tank  15  or fluids from inside the tank  15  leaking out into the external environment. 
         [0037]    The clamp mounting area  148  of the third annular portion  140   148  is operably configured to receive a circular banding device  145 . The third annular portion  140  is attached to the outer surface of mounting flange  30  as shown in  FIG. 5 , via the circular banding device  145 . It is preferred that a hose clamp be used to attach the third annular portion  140  to mounting flange  30 . It should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, other banding devices common in the art may be used to secure the third annular portion to the flange  30 . 
         [0038]    In many underground tanks with a conduit penetrating the tank wall, a requirement exists to double seal the conduit. A sealing boot must be installed on the interior as well as the exterior of the tank. In common practice, one conventional flexible sealing boot  35 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , in connected to a second flange  31  and the conduit  20  located on the internal side of the tank. Normally, a second conventional sealing boot, not shown, is installed on the external side of the tank  15 . With this conventional arrangement, to disconnect conduit  20  from the conventional sealing boot external to the tank  15 , the earth outside of the tank  15  must be removed. The device  100  of the present invention allows for the removal of the conduit  20  without having to dig out the earth outside of the tank  15 . 
         [0039]    The excavation of earthen material is a problem because of the extra man-hours and costs required to complete the excavating. The device  100  solves this problem. The device  100  is mounted external to the tank  15  and connects to the conduit  20  via the first annular portion  110 , such that the first annular portion  110  is accessible from the interior of the tank  15 . This advantage allows the device  100  to be disconnected from the conduit  20  without digging the ground on the exterior of the tank  15 . 
         [0040]    Further, when the conventional sealing boot is installed on the exterior of the tank  15 , not shown, the conventional sealing boot does not provide a location to mount the underground rock guards  25  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The use of the underground rock guards  25  are required by most state environmental laws in the application of underground hazardous material tanks. The device  100  provides a convenient location on the second annular portion  130  to mount the under ground rock guard  25 . 
         [0041]    Additionally, for applications where a boot is required to seal a conduit on the interior of a wall, (e.g. an above ground tank) the device  100  may be installed on the interior of the wall allowing access from the exterior of the wall. This is useful just to ease accessibility and in hazardous applications, such as for example a tank that stores toxic substances and would require extensive fumigation prior to entry. 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , which is a side view of a device  200 , presents an alternative embodiment of the device  100 . The device  200  incorporates all the characteristics of the device  100 , specifically in that device  200  comprises a first annular portion  210 , a second annular portion  230 , a third annular portion  240  and a connecting portion  220 . A difference in device  200  is that the third annular portion  240  does not include a clamp mounting area like device  100 . The third annular portion  240  includes a plurality of mounting orifices  249 . Further the third annular portion  240  is operably configured to engage a flange between the flange and a tank wall, not shown in  FIG. 6 , 
         [0043]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of device  300 , which is another alternative embodiment made in accordance with this invention. The device  300  incorporates all the characteristics of the device  100 , specifically in that the device  300  comprises a first annular portion  310 , a second annular portion  330 , a connecting portion  320 , second annular portion interior and exterior surfaces  334  and  336  and a clamp mounting area  348 . The device  300  differs from device  100  in that the device  300  does not have a third annular portion. Further, the clamp mounting area  348  is disposed on the interior surface  334  rather than the exterior surface  336  as in device  100 . The device  300  further includes a clamp  335 , which is similar to clamp  135  in  FIG. 5  and a clamp  345 , however, unlike clamp  145  used for device  100 , clamp  345  is an expansion clamp, such that clamp  345  exerts force outwardly vice inwardly. 
         [0044]    While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5