An Improved Combination Drain Plug and Testing Apparatus.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Mar., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 21st Dec., 1891-Accepted, 30th Jan., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Combination Drain Plug and Testing Apparatus.
I, THOMAS PRATT Junr. of 34 Clarendon Street Leamington Bricklayer do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to form a simple testing apparatus and drain plug
combined.
With this object I construct my drain stopper or plug of any suitable dimensions
and material, but preferably of metal. As a foundation I take a length of metal
In the
tube or pipe having one end thickened preferably of a conical form.
interior of this thickened end a screw thread is cut and a solid plug of metal or
other material is fitted therein. On the exterior of this pipe or tube a screw is cut
from its open end nearly to the enlarged or conical portion, and a loose tapered
flange slipped on till it engages on the conical enlargement, forming a water tight
joint. A second tapered Hange corresponding to the one already on the tube is
also placed thereon and between these two flanges, a solid rubber or other flexible
ring of any dimensions. A ring thumb screw, or fly nut is then screwed on for
tightening the whole to any required degree. The opposite end of the tube may
be fitted with any description of air tight union, for attaching same to a coned or
other pipe as required.
On inserting the apparatus into the mouth of the drain or other pipe, the ring
thumb screw or fly nut is screwed down forcing the two flanges together and
squeezing the rubber or other flexible substance used, against the sides of the pipe
until an air tight joint is obtained. By the insertion or removal of the solid
screwed plug before fixing the apparatus in the pipe, it can either be used as a plug
or stopper, or for testing the drain.
The apparatus may be supplied with any number of pairs of tapered flanges and
flexible rings, to fit all sizes of pipes.
Dated this 21st day of March 1891.
GRAHAM & GRAHAM,
Agents for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Combination Drain Plug and Testing Apparatus.
I, THOMAS PRATT, Junior of 34 Clarendon Street Leamington do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relates to drain plugs and testers and is designed to provide an
efficient apparatus in which the twofold uses of a drain plug and tester are
combined.
For the carrying out of my invention, I construct, my drain stopper and testing
suitable
apparatus as follows:-I take a length of stout metal or other tube, of any
dimensions on the exterior of which, a screw thread of any convenient pitch is cut,
such screw thread extending its entire length with the exception of one extremity
which is enlarged in the form of a conical flange.
On this tube or pipe, two loose metal rings or collars of the requisite form and
dimensions are placed, one of which fits the above mentioned conical enlargement
or flange. Between these metal rings or collars, a stout ring or washer of solid

page_text: india rubber or other flexible and elastic material is placed, of such dimensions,
that it will rest between them with about half its diameter projecting beyond the
metal. A ring thumb screw or hexagon nut is screwed on the pipe and engages
with the second ring or collar thus tightening the whole to any requisite degree.
This apparatus is inserted in the mouth of the drain or other pipe to be plugged or
tested and the thumb screw or like device is tightened until the two metal collars
are forced together sufficiently to press the flexible ring tightly against the interior
of the pipe, thus forming an air tight plug or stopping.
The opposite end of the screw threaded tube of the apparatus may be made of
any convenient form on which a force pump, funnel or other required appliance can
be easily affixed by any suitable union or other device.
Where it is required to use the apparatus simply as a plug the open end is closed
either by a screw cap engaging with its external screw, or by a solid plug screwed
into its interior, on which a screw thread may be cut if desired for that purpose.
My plug and drain tester may be fitted with any number of extra pairs of loose
collars or flanges with their corresponding flexible rings, to fit pipes of varying
diameters.
My invention is represented in the accompanying drawings in which ;
Fig. 1. is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the testing apparatus affixed in
position; and
Fig. 2 a longitudinal section of one end fitted with a cap or closing device.
Figs. 3 and
scale.
show slight modifications of my invention on a slightly enlarged
Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts through the several figures
of the drawings..
A. is the tube or foundation of the apparatus, having a screw thread cut on its
external surface, and a conical flange or enlargement B. at one end. C. C' are the
loose metal rings or collars, one of which C. fits accurately against the conical
flange or enlargement B. as shown. D. is the rubber or other flexible ring or washer
which expands, when the collars C. C' are forced closer together by the thumb
screw or other like device E. thus fitting the interior of the drain or other pipe F.
and forming an air tight joint therewith.
The end G. of the pipe A can be of any suitable form most convenient for
affixing such apparatus as it may be necessary to use with the same, but that
shown in the figure will be found a generally useful one as almost any required
instrument, can be easily fitted thereon by means of the union H. or other similar
device.
In Fig. 1. the testing apparatus is shown in position forming a tight joint in the
mouth of the pipe F. and having a funnel shaped extension I. affixed thereto by the
union H.
Fig. 2. shows a convenient method of closing the end G. when a plug only is
required, the screw threaded cap J. fitted with a leather or other washer K. is
screwed tightly on the end of the pipe. The interior of the pipe A. may however
be screw threaded if preferred and a solid plug of any suitable form inserted
therein.
Fig. 3. illustrates in section a modification of the junction at G. (Fig. 1). The
ends of the tube A. and the funnel or other appliance I. being formed flat, instead
of conical, and having a flexible washer or ring L inserted between them, the two
surfaces being forced tightly together as before by a nut or union M.
Fig. 4. is a sectional elevation of a modification of my invention the respective
parts of which are similar to those illustrated in Fig. 1. with the exception that the
conical flange or enlargement B (Fig. 1.) is replaced by the plain collar N. against
which the loose metal collar C. is formed to fit closely as shown. A leather or
other washer may be inserted between the two metal surfaces of N. and C. if
preferred.
By the use of this my invention, a simple, light and efficient apparatus is obtained
that can be adjusted to fit all sizes of pipes and can be used either as a simple plug,

page_text: or as a testing apparatus. By the use of the flexible and elastic ring an air tight
joint is always ensured, even in a badly formed pipe.
The apparatus can be easily inserted, affixed and removed as often as required,
and, being simple in construction, is not liable to get out of order or costly in its
manufacture.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
The combined plug and testing apparatus, constructed substantially as herein
described, and illustrated in the annexed drawings, and for the purposes above
specified.
1001
GRAHAM & GRAHAM,
Agents for Applicant.