Pipes and tubular conduits – With closures and plugs – Inflation stem type
Patent
1994-06-16
1996-09-24
Bryant, III, James E.
Pipes and tubular conduits
With closures and plugs
Inflation stem type
138 98, F16L 5512
Patent
active
055581307
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a pipe stopper, stopper kit and method, and more particularly to a pipe stopper, stopper kit and method adapted to effect a seal within a fluid-carrying pipe.
2. Description of Related Art
In the maintenance or renewal of domestic low pressure gas supply systems it is frequently necessary to cut off the gas supply temporarily at a distance remote from the access point, to allow such maintenance or renewal to be carried out. Typically such a requirement arises, for example, when exchanging or repairing a meter control cock, or an elbow, under "live" conditions, or when stopping off a gas supply at a point outside the consumer's premises. In some circumstances it is also necessary to cut off the gas supply from a premises for an extended period, for example, if the gas supply is to be withdrawn from a consumer for some reason.
It has previously been proposed to insert into the pipe a hollow tube having at one end an inflatable sack which is pushed down the pipe in a deflated condition and then inflated to block the pipe. However, with such a device it is still necessary for the inflation tube to remain in position, and this is often an inconvenience when carrying out repair work. There is therefore a continuing requirement for a system which will enable a pipe to be blocked at a distance remote from the access point without leaving any part or fitting in the pipe protruding from or interfering with the access point.
In addition to the above requirement, the point at which it is required to block the pipe is often beyond one or more pipe bends or elbows, and therefore desirably any blocking system should be able to negotiate at least one, and preferably two or more such bends or elbows.
In certain circumstances an improvement in the sealing capability of the known blocking system would also be desirable. For example, a public utility now requires that a seal for a domestic gas pipe should be able to withstand a pressure of up to 100 millibars for a minimum of 5 minutes with a maximum pressure loss of 1% over that time, and this is difficult to achieve with existing blocking methods.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a first aspect the invention provides a pipe stopper which comprises an elongate resilient body member, sealing means arranged circumferentially of the body member and guide means to assist in guiding the stopper around a bend and/or an elbow in the pipe.
In accordance with this first aspect of the invention there is provided:
a pipe stopper adapted to be moved along a pipe to provide a block therein at a point remote from an access point, comprising
an elongate resilient body member comprising a resilient and/or elastomeric material,
circumferential sealing means spaced along the length of the body member,
resilient reinforcing means for the body member, and
guide means extending from the front or leading end of the pipe stopper to assist in guiding the pipe stopper around a bend and/or an elbow in the pipe.
In a second aspect the invention provides a stopper system which provides means for placing a stopper at a distance remote from an access point and means for retrieving the stopper at a later time if necessary.
In accordance with this aspect of the invention, there is provided a stopper kit adapted to block a pipe at a point remote from an access point thereof which comprises a stopper means adapted to be an interference fit within the pipe and to be moved along the pipe from an access point to a point remote therefrom, a placement means adapted to move the stopper means along the pipe from the access point to a point remote therefrom, a retrieval means adapted to move the stopper means from the remote point to the access point, the stopper means and the retrieval means being provided with cooperating engagement means so arranged that on engagement the stopper means can be moved by the retrieval means from the remote point to the access point, and sealing means comprising a circumferential flange and a sealing washe
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patent: 3763896 (1973-10-01), Horne et al.
patent: 4462430 (1984-07-01), Anthony et al.
patent: 4715747 (1987-12-01), Behrens
patent: 5213727 (1993-05-01), Gargiulo
patent: 5282494 (1994-02-01), Elgar et al.
McCabe Martin B.
Saunders Anthony C.
Bryant III James E.
Synthotech Marine Limited
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