Patent ID: 8376044

Claim:
A plug device for closing a pipe bore, the plug device comprising: a sleeve made of elastic material; a shaft axially extending through the sleeve; a curved body; a setting mechanism that moves first and second sets of wedges along an outer surface of the curved body between an active position for extending the sleeve to plug the pipe bore and a passive position to unplug the pipe bore; wherein each wedge in the first and second sets of wedges has a first end that is pivotably coupled to a respective link arm, a second end, and an inside surface between the first and second ends, the inside surface abutting the outer surface of the curved body during movement between the active and passive positions; wherein during movement toward the active positions the second end of each wedge is displaced radially along a curved path towards the shaft; and wherein during movement toward the passive position the second end of each wedge is displaced radially along the curved path away from the shaft.