U.S. patent number RE42,909 [Application Number 11/416,474] was granted by the patent office on 2011-11-15 for knock-out pressure test cap with breakaway nipple plug.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Sioux Chief Mfg. Co., Inc.. Invention is credited to Duane R Condon, Frank D Julian.
United States Patent |
RE42,909 |
Julian , et al. |
November 15, 2011 |
Knock-out pressure test cap with breakaway nipple plug
Abstract
A pressure test cap includes a mounting collar with an outer rib
to limit depth of insertion of the cap into a pipe. A closure disc
which seals the mounting collar is connected to the collar through
an inner rim by a weakened ring. An outer rim section registers
with the inner rim so that impacts to the outer rim are transferred
to the weakened ring to separate the disc from the collar. The
closure disc includes a centrally positioned nipple for connection
of a conduit of a pressurized test fluid source. The nipple is
closed by a break-away nipple plug. The nipple plug has a centrally
located indentation for piercing to bleed trapped air from the
system and resealing by a screw.
Inventors: |
Julian; Frank D (Kansas City,
MO), Condon; Duane R (Ramona, CA) |
Assignee: |
Sioux Chief Mfg. Co., Inc.
(Perculiar, MO)
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Family
ID: |
32771415 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/416,474 |
Filed: |
May 2, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
10370225 |
Feb 19, 2003 |
6769291 |
Aug 3, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
73/49.8; 138/90;
73/49.5; 73/49.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01M
3/022 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G01M
3/04 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;73/49.1,49.5,49.8
;138/90 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
2001 Sales Catalog of Sioux Chief Manufacturing Company, Inc.,
specifically p. 155 showing the T.K.O. Knockout Closet. cited by
examiner.
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Primary Examiner: Larkin; Daniel S
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Erickson, Kernell, Derusseau &
Kleypas, LLC
Claims
What is claimed and desired to secure by letters patent is:
1. A pressure test cap assembly for use in pressure testing a
piping installation including a pipe and comprising: (a) a
cylindrical mounting wall .[.sized for insertion into and sealing
engagement with a pipe, said mounting wall.]. defining a cap axis
extending axially therethrough; (b) a closure disc removably
connected to said mounting wall .[.and cooperating therewith to
seal a pipe when said mounting wall is positioned in sealing
engagement with the pipe with said closure disc connected
thereto.]. .Iadd.to prevent flow therethrough.Iaddend., said disc
having an inner disc surface and an opposite outer disc surface;
(c) said closure disc having a peripheral rim which is cylindrical
about said cap axis and includes an inner rim portion projecting
axially inward from said inner disc surface and an outer rim
portion projecting axially outward from said outer disc surface;
and (d) said closure disc being connected to said mounting wall by
said inner rim portion in such a manner that impacts of a selected
strength to said outer rim portion, in a direction substantially
parallel to said cap axis, are operative to rupture a connection of
said closure disc to said mounting wall to thereby enable removal
of said disc from said mounting wall.
2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 and including: (a) a tubular
nipple extending from said outer disc surface and having an open
nipple end opening through said closure disc; (b) said nipple
having an opposite connection end which is sized and shaped to
enable connection of a source of pressurized fluid thereto; and (c)
a breakaway nipple plug removably connected to said nipple
connection end by a weakened ring so as to be separable from said
nipple by a shearing force to enable flow therethrough.
3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 and including: (a) said
breakaway nipple plug having an indentation configured for piercing
to create an opening through said closure .[.member.].
.Iadd.disc.Iaddend..
4. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein: (a) said mounting
wall .Iadd.is sized for insertion into a piping and
.Iaddend.includes a radially outwardly extending circumferential
shoulder wall positioned to limit depth of insertion of said
assembly into .[.a.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.pipe.
5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein: (a) said shoulder
wall has a radial thickness which is less than an outer diameter of
a first pipe into which said assembly is installed to avoid
interference with a fitting which is telescoped over .[.such a.].
.Iadd.the .Iaddend.first pipe.
6. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein: (a) said shoulder
wall has a shoulder outer end surface; and (b) said inner rim
.Iadd.portion .Iaddend.has such an axial length as to space said
inner disc surface axially outward of said shoulder outer end
surface.
7. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein: (a) said inner rim
.Iadd.portion .Iaddend.is connected to said mounting wall along a
weakened circumferential break line; and (b) said inner rim
.Iadd.portion .Iaddend.has such an axial length as to space said
inner disc surface axially outward of said break line.
8. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein: (a) said
cylindrical mounting wall has a mounting wall inner diameter; (b)
said peripheral rim has a peripheral rim diameter; and (c) said
peripheral rim diameter is greater than said mounting wall inner
diameter.
9. A pressure test cap assembly for use in pressure testing a
piping installation including a pipe and comprising: (a) a mounting
structure sized and shaped to enable connection to a .[.pipe.].
.Iadd.piping installation.Iaddend.; (b) a separable closure member
connected to said mounting structure to prevent flow therethrough,
said closure member being separable from said mounting structure to
enable flow therethrough; (c) said closure member including a
tubular nipple having an open nipple end opening through said
closure member and an opposite nipple connection end, said nipple
being sized and shaped to enable connection of a source of
pressurized fluid thereto; and (d) a breakaway nipple plug
connected to said nipple by a weakened ring, said nipple plug
normally closing said nipple connection end to prevent flow
therethrough, said .[.closure member.]. .Iadd.nipple plug
.Iaddend.being separable from said nipple by applying a shear force
to said weakened ring to enable flow therethrough.
10. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein: (a) said mounting
structure includes a cylindrical mounting wall .[.having an inner
end sized for insertion into and sealing engagement with a pipe,
said mounting wall.]. defining a cap axis; (b) said closure member
includes a closure disc connected to said mounting wall .[.and
cooperating therewith to pressure seal a pipe when said mounting
wall sealingly engages such a pipe with said closure disc intact.].
.Iadd.to prevent flow therethrough.Iaddend., said disc having an
inner disc surface and an opposite outer disc surface; (c) said
closure disc has a peripheral rim which is cylindrical about said
cap axis and includes an inner rim portion projecting inwardly from
said inner disc surface and an outer rim portion projecting
outwardly from said outer disc surface; and (d) said closure disc
is connected to said mounting wall by said inner rim portion in
such a manner that impacts of a selected strength to said outer rim
portion, in a direction substantially parallel to said cap axis,
are operative to rupture a connection of said closure disc to said
mounting wall to thereby enable removal of said disc from said
mounting wall.
11. An assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein: (a) said mounting
wall .Iadd.is sized for insertion into a pipe and .Iaddend.includes
a radially outwardly extending circumferential shoulder wall
positioned to limit depth of insertion of said assembly into
.[.a.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.pipe; (b) said shoulder wall has a
shoulder outer end surface; and (c) said inner rim .Iadd.portion
.Iaddend.has such an axial length as to space said inner disc
surface axially outward of said shoulder outer end surface.
12. An assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein: (a) said inner
rim is connected to said mounting wall along a weakened
circumferential break line; and (b) said inner rim has such an
axial length as to space said inner disc surface axially outward of
said break line.
13. An assembly as set forth in claim .[.9.]. .Iadd.10
.Iaddend.wherein: (a) said cylindrical mounting wall has a mounting
wall inner diameter; (b) said closure disc has an outer disc
diameter; and (c) said outer disc diameter is greater than said
mounting wall inner diameter.
14. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 and including: (a) said
.[.closure member.]. .Iadd.nipple plug .Iaddend.having a test
indentation configured for piercing.
15. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein: (a) said mounting
.[.wall.]. .Iadd.structure .Iaddend.includes a radially outwardly
extending circumferential shoulder wall positioned to limit depth
of insertion of said assembly into a pipe.
16. An assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein: (a) said shoulder
wall has a radial thickness which is less than an outer diameter of
a first pipe into which said assembly is installed to avoid
interference with a fitting which is telescoped over .[.such a.].
.Iadd.the .Iaddend.first pipe.
17. A pressure test cap assembly for use in pressure testing a
piping installation including a pipe and comprising: (a) a
cylindrical mounting collar .[.having an inner end sized for
insertion into and sealing engagement with a pipe, said mounting
collar.]. defining a cap axis and a mounting collar inner diameter
relative to said cap axis; (b) a closure disc connected to said
mounting collar .[.and cooperating therewith to pressure seal a
pipe when said mounting collar sealingly engages such a pipe with
said closure disc intact.]. .Iadd.to prevent flow
therethrough.Iaddend., said disc having an inner disc surface and
an opposite outer disc surface; (c) said closure disc having a
peripheral rim which is cylindrical about said cap axis and
includes an inner rim portion projecting axially inward from said
inner disc surface and having a rim diameter and an outer rim
portion projecting axially outward from said outer disc surface;
(d) said closure disc being connected to said mounting collar by
said inner rim portion in such a manner that impacts of a selected
strength to said outer rim portion, in a direction substantially
parallel to said cap axis, are operative to rupture a connection of
said closure disc to said mounting collar to thereby enable removal
of said disc from said mounting collar; (e) said closure disc
including a tubular nipple having an open nipple end opening
through said closure disc and an opposite nipple connection end,
said nipple being sized and shaped to enable connection of a source
of pressurized fluid thereto; (f) a breakaway nipple plug connected
to said nipple by a weakened ring, said nipple plug normally
closing said nipple connection end to prevent flow therethrough,
said .[.closure.]. .Iadd.nipple .Iaddend.plug being separable from
said nipple by applying a shear force to said weakened ring to
enable flow therethrough; and (g) said rim diameter being greater
than said mounting collar inner diameter.
18. An assembly as set forth in claim 17 and including: (a) said
.[.closure.]. .Iadd.nipple .Iaddend.plug having a test indentation
configured for piercing.
19. An assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein: (a) said mounting
collar .Iadd.is sized for insertion into a pipe and
.Iaddend.includes a radially outwardly extending circumferential
shoulder wall positioned to limit depth of insertion of said
assembly into .[.a.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.pipe; (b) said shoulder
wall has a radial thickness which is less than an outer diameter of
a first pipe into which said assembly is installed to avoid
interference with a fitting which is telescoped over .[.such a.].
.Iadd.the .Iaddend.first pipe; (c) said shoulder wall has a
shoulder outer end surface; (d) said inner rim .Iadd.portion
.Iaddend.has such an axial length as to space said inner disc
surface axially outward of said shoulder outer end surface; (e)
said inner rim .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.is connected to said mounting
collar along a weakened circumferential break line; and (f) said
axial length of said .Iadd.inner .Iaddend.rim .Iadd.portion
.Iaddend.is sufficient to space said inner disc surface axially
outward of said break line.
20. A pressure test cap for use in pressure testing a piping
installation including a pipe and comprising: (a) a mounting collar
.[.having a mounting wall sized for insertion into and sealing
engagement with a pipe, said mounting collar.]. defining a cap axis
extending axially therethrough; (b) a closure disc connected to and
extending across an outer end of said mounting collar to close said
.[.mounting collar.]. outer end .Iadd.of said mounting
collar.Iaddend.; (c) said closure disc having an inner rim
projecting axially inward from an inner surface thereof; and (d)
said inner rim of said closure disc being connected to said
mounting collar along a break line which is spaced inwardly from
said outer end of said mounting collar; said break line being more
susceptible to shear than said inner rim and said mounting collar,
at least when said mounting .[.wall.]. .Iadd.collar .Iaddend.is
secured .[.within a pipe.]. .Iadd.to a piping
installation.Iaddend..
21. A pressure test cap for use in pressure testing a piping
installation including a pipe and comprising: (a) a mounting collar
.[.having a mounting wall sized for insertion into and sealing
engagement with a pipe, said mounting collar.]. defining a cap axis
extending axially therethrough; (b) a closure disc connected to and
extending across an outer end of said mounting collar to close said
.[.mounting collar.]. outer end .Iadd.of said mounting
collar.Iaddend.; (c) said closure disc having an inner rim
projecting axially inward from an inner surface thereof; and (d)
said inner rim of said closure disc being connected to said
mounting collar by a region of reduced thickness positioned in
.Iadd.an .Iaddend.inwardly spaced relationship from said outer end
of said mounting collar; said region of reduced thickness being
thinner than said inner rim of said closure disc and thinner than a
portion of said mounting collar to which said region of reduced
thickness is connected.
22. A pressure test cap assembly for use in pressure testing a
piping installation including a pipe and comprising: (a) a mounting
collar .[.sized for insertion into sealing engagement with a pipe,
said mounting collar.]. defining a cap axis extending axially
therethrough and having an outer end; (b) a closure disc having
inner and outer disc surfaces, and an inner rim projecting axially
inward from said inner disc surface and spacing said inner disc
surface axially outward from said mounting collar outer end;
wherein: (c) said inner rim is connected to said outer end of said
mounting collar at a weakened circumferential break line such that
impacts of a selected strength applied to said closure disc, in a
direction substantially parallel to said cap axis, are operative to
rupture said weakened circumferential break line to thereby enable
removal of said disc from said mounting collar.
23. An assembly as set forth in claim 22 wherein said mounting
collar has a uniform inside diameter and said closure disc has an
outside diameter greater than said uniform inside diameter of said
mounting collar.
24. An assembly as set forth in claim 22 wherein said weakened
circumferential break line is an area of reduced thickness formed
at .[.the.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.base of an annular groove formed in
said outer end of said mounting collar adjacent said inner rim of
said closure disc.
25. An assembly as set forth in claim 22 .Iadd.wherein said
mounting collar is sized for insertion into a pipe .Iaddend.and
further .[.including.]. .Iadd.includes .Iaddend.a radially
outwardly extending circumferential shoulder wall positioned to
limit depth of insertion of said assembly into .[.a.]. .Iadd.the
.Iaddend.pipe.
26. An assembly set forth in claim 22 wherein said closure disc
further includes an outer rim projecting axially outward from said
outer disc surface.
.Iadd.27. A pressure test cap assembly for use in pressure testing
a piping installation including a pipe and comprising: (a) a
mounting collar; (b) a closure member connected to said mounting
collar to prevent flow therethrough and including a tubular nipple
having an open nipple end opening through said closure member and
an opposite nipple connection end, said nipple being sized and
shaped to enable connection of a source of pressurized fluid
thereto; and (c) a breakaway nipple plug connected to said nipple
by a weakened ring, said nipple plug normally closing said nipple
connection end to prevent flow therethrough, said nipple plug being
separable from said nipple by applying a shear force to said
weakened ring to enable flow therethrough. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.28. An assembly as set forth in claim 27 wherein said closure
member is separable from said mounting collar to enable flow
therethrough. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.29. An assembly as set forth in claim 28 wherein: (a) said
mounting collar defines a cap axis; (b) said closure member
includes a closure disc connected to said mounting collar, said
disc having an inner disc surface, an opposite outer disc surface,
and a peripheral rim which is cylindrical about said cap axis and
includes an inner rim portion projecting inwardly from said inner
disc surface and an outer rim portion projecting outwardly from
said outer disc surface; and (c) said closure disc is connected to
said mounting collar by said inner rim portion in such a manner
that impacts of a selected strength to said outer rim portion, in a
direction substantially parallel to said cap axis, are operative to
rupture a connection of said closure disc to said mounting collar
to thereby enable removal of said disc from said mounting collar.
.Iaddend.
.Iadd.30. An assembly as set forth in claim 28, wherein: (a) said
mounting collar defines a cap axis and has an outer end; (b) said
closure member includes a closure disc having inner and outer disc
surfaces, and an inner rim projecting axially inward from said
inner disc surface and spacing said inner disc surface axially
outward from said mounting collar outer end; wherein: (c) said
inner rim is connected to said outer end of said mounting collar at
a weakened circumferential break line such that impacts of a
selected strength applied to said closure disc, in a direction
substantially parallel to said cap axis, are operative to rupture
said weakened circumferential break line to thereby enable removal
of said disc from said mounting collar. .Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Piping systems are used in structures to supply liquids and gasses
and to-carry sewage and other wastes away. Common household piping
or plumbing systems include water supply piping, drain piping, and
possibly gas piping. Water supply pipes carry water from a water
supply pipe to plumbing fixtures such as sinks, baths and showers,
toilets, sprinkler systems, spigots, and the like. Drain piping
carries human wastes, ground garbage from disposers, and waste
water to sewers or septic tanks. Gas piping, if present, carries
fuel gases such as natural gas or propane gas to appliances such as
furnaces, ranges, gas fireplaces, and the like. A particularly
necessary quality of all types of piping is integrity of the pipes
and joints such that the liquids or gases carried do not leak.
In order to ensure that a piping system does not leak, pressure
testing is often conducted and may be required by some local codes.
Plumbing is preferably installed, tested, and joints repaired, as
needed, prior to closing access to the piping and joints by the
installation of wallboards. Testing often involves pressurizing the
piping system with compressed air, or alternatively filling it with
water, and detecting any leaks. Testing is usually done before any
fixtures, appliances, or the like have been connected to the piping
system.
Plastics, such as PVC or polyvinyl chloride and others, are used in
many types of plumbing, including waste plumbing. It is common
practice, during testing, to install removable test plugs or caps
on pipe stubs to which fixtures, such as toilets, will be
subsequently connected. After testing is completed, the caps are
removed. The test caps need to be sealed in place such that they do
not leak during testing. When the test caps are no longer needed,
they need to be removed in such a manner that the test cap is not
lost in the waste plumbing, such that the remaining plumbing is not
damaged by removal of the test cap, and such that no remaining
parts of the test cap assembly interfere with the fixture to be
installed. Additional features which would be desirable in such a
test cap include the capability of conveniently connecting a source
of pressurized fluid to the cap and resealable structure for
conveniently testing that the piping system is pressurized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a knock-out pressure test cap with a
break-away nipple plug which provides increased functionality in
such a test cap. The cap includes a cylindrical mounting collar or
wall sized to be sealingly positioned within a pipe. A mounting
shoulder on the mounting wall limits the depth of insertion of the
cap into the pipe. A closure disc closes the space surrounded by
the mounting wall and is connected to the mounting wall by a
weakened break line to enable separation of the closure disc from
the mounting wall subsequent to testing.
The closure disc has a peripheral rim including an inwardly
projecting inner or connection rim portion which connects the
closure disc to the mounting wall by way of the break line. The
peripheral rim also has an outwardly projecting outer or impact rim
portion which is circumferentially aligned with the inner rim
portion. Impacts, such as by a hammer, are transferred through the
rim to the break line, causing it to fail or rupture such that
impacts around the outer rim portion cause the closure disc to be
separated from the mounting wall. The outer diameter of the inner
rim is slightly greater than the inner diameter of the mounting
wall so that the closure disc, once separated, cannot be knocked
into the pipe and made difficult to recover.
A nipple with a removable nipple plug is formed on the closure
disc. The nipple facilitates grasping of the cap with a user's
fingers or with a wrench while applying cement to the cap mounting
collar or insertion of the cap within a pipe to be sealed. The
nipple plug is connected to the outer end of the nipple by a
weakened break line, to facilitate separation of the nipple plug
from the nipple. When the nipple plug is removed, a hose may be
connected to the nipple to supply air or water to the pipe through
the cap to pressurize the plumbing system for testing.
Various objects and advantages of this invention will become
apparent from the following description taken in relation to the
accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration
and example, certain embodiments of this invention.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification, include
exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and illustrate
various objects and features thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a knock-out pressure test
cap with a breakaway nipple plug which embodies the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is .[.an enlarged cross sectional view of the pressure test
cap shown installed in a pipe stub.]. .Iadd.a perspective view
similar to FIG. 1 and illustrates removal of the breakaway nipple
plug from the pressure test cap to enable fluid communication with
the pipe.Iaddend..
FIG. 3 is .[.a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 and illustrates
removal of the breakaway nipple plug from the pressure test cap to
enable fluid communication with the pipe.]. .Iadd.an enlarged cross
sectional view of the pressure test cap shown installed in a pipe
stub.Iaddend..
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. .[.2.]. .Iadd.3 .Iaddend.and
illustrates the pressure test cap installed in a pipe stub and
further details of removal of the breakaway nipple plug.
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. .[.2.]. .Iadd.3 .Iaddend.and
illustrates the pressure test cap installed in a pipe stub with a
pressurized fluid supply conduit connected to a nipple of the
cap.
FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged cross sectional view taken at detail
6-6 of FIG. .[.2.]. .Iadd.3 .Iaddend.and illustrates details of
connection of a closure disc of the pressure test cap with a
mounting collar.
FIG. 7 is a greatly enlarged cross sectional view taken at detail
7-7 of FIG. .[.2.]. .Iadd.3 .Iaddend.and illustrates details a
sealing screw positioned in the breakaway closure plug of the
nipple of the pressure test cap.
FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. .[.2.]. .Iadd.3 .Iaddend.and
illustrates use of a hammer to strike an impact rim of the closure
disc to separate the closure disc from the mounting collar of the
pressure test cap.
FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view showing the mounting collar of the
pressure test cap after removal of the closure disc and its
non-interference with a fitting sleeved onto the pipe stub
previously sealed by the pressure test cap.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are
disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which
may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural
and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted
as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the present invention in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure.
Referring to the drawings in more detail, the reference numeral 1
generally designates a knock-out pressure test cap assembly with a
breakaway nipple plug. The assembly 1 generally includes a mounting
collar 2 and a closure disc 3 which is separably connected to the
collar 2. The assembly 1 is used to seal a pipe stub 4 during
pressure testing of a plumbing system including the pipe 4. After
testing is completed, the closure disc 3 is removed to enable
connection of a fixture to the pipe 4.
The mounting collar 2 is formed by a cylindrical wall 7, defined
relative to a cap axis 8 (FIG. 1), and has a radially projecting
and circumferentially extending rib 10 which includes an inner wall
or shoulder which limits the depth of insertion of the collar 2
into the pipe 4. The rib 10 also includes an outer surface 12. The
wall 7 has an external diameter sized to fit snugly into the pipe 4
to which the cap assembly 1 may be secured by gluing to form a
pressure tight seal. The rib 10 has an outer diameter which
preferably is smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe 4 to
avoid interference with any structure, such as another pipe, which
is sleeved over the end of the pipe 4, as will be described in more
detail below.
The closure disc 3 includes a flat disc wall 13 which has a
circular outer periphery and includes an outer rim formed by an
inner rim section or portion 14 and an outer rim section or portion
15 (See FIG. 6). The inner rim section 14 projects inwardly from an
inner surface 16 of disc wall 13, and the outer rim section 15
projects outwardly from an outer surface 17 of the disc wall
13.
The inner rim section 14 provides a structure for connecting the
closure disc 3 to the mounting collar 2. The inner rim section 14
is connected to the mounting collar 2 by a weakened circumferential
break line, weakened ring or region of reduced thickness 18 (FIG.
6) which is formed to be thinner than the inner rim section 14 and
the cylindrical wall 7 to cause shearing of the inner rim section
14 from the mounting collar 2 along the break line 18 upon the
application of a shearing force, which then enables removal of the
closure disc 3 to provide access to the pipe 4. A circumferential
groove 19 extends inward from the outer surface 12 of the rib 10
between the inner rim section 14 and rib 10 to space the weakened
break line 18 axially inwardly of the outer surface 12 of the rib
10 of mounting collar 2.
The outer-rim section 15 is adapted for receiving impacts from a
tool, such as from a hammer 20 (FIG. 8.), mallet, or the like, to
transfer the force from the impacts as a shearing force through the
inner rim section 14 to the weakened ring 18 to thereby cause the
closure disc 3 to separate from the mounting collar 2 along the
weakened ring 18. It is believed that the inward spacing of the
weakened break line 18 helps direct the shearing force to the
weakened line 18 to facilitate breaking away of the closure disc 3
along the weakened break line 18. Preferably, the outer diameter of
the rim sections 14 and 15 are each slightly greater than an inner
diameter of the mounting collar 2 to prevent the closure disc 3
from advancing past the inner surface of the mounting collar 2 and
being lost within the pipe 4 when it is separated from the mounting
collar 2.
A central region of the closure disc 3 has a cylindrical nipple 23
formed therethrough. The nipple 23, shown in cross-section in FIG.
7, has an end wall 25 through which is formed a nipple aperture 27.
The aperture 27 is normally closed by a breakaway nipple plug 29
which is connected to the wall by a break line or weakened ring 31
(FIG. 7). The weakened ring 31 is formed to be thinner than the a
sidewall of the nipple plug 29 and the end wall 25 of the nipple 23
to cause shearing of the nipple plug 29 from the nipple 23 along
the break line weakened ring 31 upon the application of a shearing
force to provide access to the nipple aperture 27.
The nipple 23 provides for connection of a conduit 33 (FIG. 5) to
the assembly 1. The conduit 33 is connected at an opposite end to a
source (not shown) of a pressurized fluid, such as compressed air
or a liquid, which is used to pressure test the piping system 5.
The illustrated conduit 33 is connected to the nipple 23 by a
threaded connector set 37 which compresses an O-ring 39 into
sealing engagement with an outer surface of the nipple 23 when
parts of the connector set 37 are rotated relative to one another.
The nipple plug 29 is separable from the end wall 25 of the nipple
23 by breaking it away using a tool, such as the pliers 41
illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Alternatively, the plug 29 could be
separated by an impact tool, such as the hammer 20 or cut off with
a saw or knife. Use of a pair of pliers 41 is preferable in that a
sufficient amount of shear force can be applied at the weakened
break line 31 of the plug 29 to separate it from the nipple 23 by
crushing and twisting it with the pliers 41 without applying
sufficient shear force to the weakened break line 18 of the closure
disc 3 to cause it to separate from the mounting collar 2.
The nipple plug 29 includes an end wall 44 (FIG. 7) with a conical
test indentation or dimple 46 formed therein. The indentation 46 is
a thinning of the end wall 44 at a centered location on the wall 44
which can be punctured, as by a screw 48 or a sharp tool (not
shown), to test whether the piping system 34 is pressurized. The
indentation 46 can then be plugged by the screw 48 to reseal the
nipple plug 29.
The pressure test cap assembly 1 is typically installed in a pipe
stub 4 using an adhesive, glue or cement between an outer surface
of the collar 2 and an inner surface of the pipe stub 4. Assemblies
1, thus, are installed in all the pipe stubs 4 of a home,
apartment, office, or other system 5 of pipes 4. Prior to
connection of the system 5 to an outside fluid supply or sewer
system, a nipple plug 29 of one of the assemblies 1 is removed, and
a supply conduit 33 is connected to the nipple 23 to supply a
pressurized fluid to the system 5. If the fluid is a liquid, the
liquid is preferably introduced into the piping system 5 at the
lowest level available. While pressurized, some of the indentations
46 may be pierced to bleed trapped air from the plumbing system to
displace the trapped air with water. The indentations 46 may also
be pierced to test for pressurization of the system 5. Once the air
is bled from the line the cap may be resealed by securing a screw
48 in the hole pierced in the indentation 46. The piping system 5
is then inspected to detect any leakage. Instruments of various
kinds may be employed in leak testing or, alternatively, visual
inspections may be conducted. If leaks are detected, after
depressurization of the system 5, the leaking parts are repaired,
and the system 5 may be repressurized for testing. The
pressurization, inspection, and repair cycles may be repeated as
often as necessary to certify the piping system 5 leak-free.
Once the pressure tests have been completed, the closure discs 3
can be removed prior to installation of each fixture to its
respective stub 4. A tool such as the hammer 20 is used to apply
impacts about the outer rim 15 of the disc 3 to thereby break the
inner rim 14 from the mounting collar 2 and separate the closure
disc 3 from the collar 2. The closure disc 3 cannot be lost in the
pipe 4 because the outer diameter of the inner rim 14 is slightly
greater than the inner diameter of the pipe 4.
Alternatively, the cap assembly 1 is designed to facilitate use of
a saw or other cutting instrument to separate the closure disc 3
from the mounting collar 2. The length of the inner rim section 14
spaces the disc wall 13 outward from the outer surface 12 of the
rib 10 and from the mounting collar 2. The length of the inner rim
section 14 is selected in part to allow a saw blade to be
positioned between the outer surface 12 of rib 10 and an inner
surface of the disc wall 13. Using the outer surface 12 of rib 10
generally as a guide, a saw or other cutting device can be used to
cut through the inner rim section 14 to thereby separate the disc
wall from the mounting collar 2 to provide access to the pipe 4.
Again, the closure disc 3 cannot be lost in the pipe 4 because the
outer diameter of the inner rim 14 is slightly greater than the
inner diameter of the pipe 4.
As shown in FIG. 9, the rib 10 forming the shoulder 11 has an outer
diameter less than the outer diameter of the pipe 4. Thus, a
fitting, which might also be referred to as a second pipe section,
50 can be telescoped over the pipe stub 4 without interference by
the rib 10 of the mounting collar 2. For this reason, there is no
need to remove the mounting collar 2 from the pipe stub 4.
The thickness of the weakened ring 18 connecting the closure disc 3
to mounting collar 2 and weakened ring 31 connecting nipple plug 29
to nipple 23 are selected to prevent shearing thereacross due to
the internal pressure to which the pressure test cap is subjected
during pressure testing, without requiring an unreasonable amount
of shearing force to be applied to .[.separated.]. .Iadd.separate
.Iaddend.the components using a hammer or a wrench.
When using pressure test caps with PVC .[.pipe.].
.Iadd.piping.Iaddend., the cement used generally functions as a
solvent, dissolving a portion of the pipe before resetting to form
a pressure tight seal. Care must be taken with such pressure test
caps to keep the cement from being mistakenly applied on the
weakened areas of pressure test caps. With the pressure test cap
assembly 1 shown and described herein, a user may grasp the cap
assembly 1 using the nipple 23 to facilitate the application of
cement to the outer wall 7 of the mounting collar 2. Rib 10
provides a barrier to assist in keeping cement from migrating onto
the weakened ring 18 of the cap assembly 1. In addition, spacing
the weakened ring 18 inward from the outer surface 12 of the rib 10
further protects the weakened ring 18 from cement which may flow
out of the end of the pipe when the cap is inserted therein.
Grasping of the cap assembly 1 by the nipple 23 also facilitates
insertion of the mounting collar 2 into the end of a pipe 4.
It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present
invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to
be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts described
and shown. For example, it is foreseen that the nipple plug could
be solid or that the cap assemblies could be provided without a
nipple plug and the end of the nipple would simply be closed or
opened by puncturing the end wall of the nipple or cutting off the
end wall of the nipple. It is also foreseen that the nipple could
be a solid stem to facilitate grasping by a user and not designed
to allow connection of a supply hose thereto.
The cap assemblies could be provided without the circumferentially
extending rib 10. Without the rib 10 the cap assembly 1 could be
slid far enough into a pipe 4 to recess the nipple 23 and nipple
plug 29 within the pipe 4. Recessing the nipple 23 and nipple plug
29 reduces the likelihood that someone might inadvertently shear
off the nipple plug 29 or the closure disc 3 by accidentally
dropping something on or striking the nipple 23 or nipple plug 29.
The nipple 23, plug 29 and the disc 3 may also be colored to help
locate the installed cap assemblies 1.
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