Improvements in and relating to Drain Stoppers suitable for Stopping any Pipe.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Apr., 1894
(omplete Specification Left, 5.h Jan., 1895-Accepted, 9th Feb., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Drain Stoppers suitable for
Stopping any Pipe.
FREDERICK ALFRED BARTH 47 King Square London E.C., Sanitary
Inspector do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows-
The stopper is made partly of metal and partly of india rubber-The india rubber
cushion is hollow and its outside circumference is made a little larger than the
drain, or other pipe, to be stopped; this cushion is supported between metal disks
fixed at a certain distance apart and a little smaller than the drain or pipe to be
stopped, one metal disk having an aperture with a nozzle in centre to which is
attached an india rubber tube of any suitable length having a stop valve at the
other end.
The stopper being inserted in the drain or pipe, and placed in the position
required, air is then pumped in by means of a force pump which expands the india
rubber cushion between the metal disks, securely fitting the drain or pipe and
preventing the passage of water, air, gas, or fluid whatsoever.
The stopper is easily removed when finished with by letting out the air by means
of the stop valve on end of tubing.
Dated this Ninth day of April 1894.
Improvements in and relating to Drain Stoppers suitable for
Stopping any Pipe.
FREDERICK ALFRED BARTH 47 King Square London E.C. Sanitary Inspector
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 or pipe stoppers or plugs more especially for testing
drains by water.
The principal is the adaptation of a pneumatic cushion or ring of india rubber or
other suitable material supported by and fixed between a ring and two disks or
plates of metal (as illustrated in the drawing attached hereto) having one or two
nozzles upon the face of one of the plates, to one of which nozzles is attached a
flexible tube of any suitable length (with a stop valve at end) for the purpose of
inflating the cushion or ring with air by means of an air pump when fixed in position
in the pipe and so preventing the removal of the stopper or the passage of any fluid
or gas through the pipe or past the stopper. The second nozzle or orifice is made
to communicate with the other side of the stopper and is secured by a cap against
the contents of the pipe flowing out. This is to allow of the pipe being emptied
of its contents gradually if required by removing the cap, or for filling the pipe or
testing the height of water and consequent waste if any. The stopper is easily

page_text: withdrawn by turning the stop valve and allowing the compressed air inside the
stopper to escape.
The accompanying drawings and description more fully explain the principal.
Fig. 1 is a general view of my stopper fixed in a pipe with flexible tube and stop-
valve, the flexible tube may be of any suitable length. Fig. 2 is a section, and
Fig. 3 a plan.
A is the cushion made of india rubber (lined with canvas for strength) or other
suitable material, B is the front and B¹ the back plates of metal and C the ring of
metal in the centre, the cushion A being firmly held between the ring C and the
plates B and B¹, K is an orifice or hole in the ring C to allow the air to obtain
access to the cushion.A, G is the nut securing and holding the plates B and B¹
together and working upon the centre nozzle D which communicates with the
inside of the pipe and is capped by E screwed upon the end; this is for emptying
the pipe gradually if required or can be used for various purposes as explained
above, F is the nozzle communicating with the inside of stopper and to which is
attached the flexible tube for inflating the stopper when placed in position in the
pipe, this nozzle is fitted with an union for convenience, a stop valve may here be
placed if found desirable (it is not shewn upon the drawing) this will enable one
piece of flexible tubing to serve for several stoppers as the connections are all
made of one size and pattern.
Fig. 4 is a drawing showing the adaptation of a ring of india rubber or other
suitable material supported upon a metal ring and plates as shewn and inflated in a
similar manner to Fig. 2 viz. by an air pump with flexible tube and connections as
in Figs. 2 and 3.
H is the ring or bag and J the connection leading to the nozzle which would be
fixed similar to F in Fig. 2.
I however prefer the stopper as shewn in Figs. 1, 2, and 3.
The same letters refer to similar parts in all the figures.
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 1
claim is
1. An improved stopper or plug for testing drains or pipes with water or for
similar purposes the principal substantially as described in the Specification and
illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
2. The cushion or ring supported by and between the metal ring and plates and
the use of an air pump to inflate the cushion or ring and a stop valve or valves
substantially as described in the Specification and illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this Fifth day of January 1895.
FRED. A. BARTH,
Applicant.