Pipe flange protective cover

Claim 2

A protective cover for attachment to a machined surface of the flanged end of a pipe or valve section and adapted for cooperating with bolt apertures in the flange for securing the cover in place, comprising in combination: a circular plate of a plastic material having a diameter substantially the same as the diameter of the flange and having at least a circumferentially spaced apart pair of apertures therethrough; said apertures being radially disposed adjacent the outer edge of the plate and concentrically aligned with corresponding bolt apertures in the flange when said plate is aligned over the machined surface of the flange; and at least a pair of removable retaining plugs of an elastic material, each having a cylindrical body section and an enlarged head section, said body section having a plurality of outwardly extending circumferential flexible ribs adapted for insertion through said pair of plate apertures and into snug frictional engagement with the inner surfaCe of the flange bolt apertures while said head section frictionally engages said plate for holding said plate in snug protective contact with the machined surface of the flange, said plugs each having an axial cavity communicating with the end of said body section for facilitating the insertion of a tool for removal of said plugs from said pipe flange apertures.

Claim 3

The retaining plug as described in claim 1, wherein said retaining plug comprises: a cylindrical body section having a first diameter and first and second ends and a cylindrical cavity having a second diameter smaller than said first diameter concentrically disposed therein and communicating with said first end, said cylindrical body section further having a plurality of projecting truncated ribs disposed circumferentially about said cylindrical body in a spaced-apart relationship for frictionally engaging the inner surface of the bolt apertures; said ribs having slanted planar surfaces projecting from the surface of said body section toward said second end and terminating in an outer rib surface parallel to the axis of said body section; a neck section having a third diameter smaller than said first diameter of said body section and greater than said second diameter of said cavity, said neck section axially projecting from said second end of said body section; and a relatively flat circular head section having a fourth diameter greater than said first, second and third diameters and projecting concentrically from said neck section, said head section having a beveled outer surface and a flat inner surface integrally connected with said neck for contacting the outer surface of said circular plate and firmly holding the plate against the machined surface of the flange.

Claim 4

A unitary retaining plug cooperating with bolt apertures disposed in the flanged end of a pipe or valve section for holding a protective plate snugly in contact with the machined surface of the flange, comprising: a cylindrical body portion having a first diameter and first and second ends and a cylindrical cavity having a second diameter smaller than said first diameter concentrically disposed therein and communicating with said first end, said body portion being insertable through apertures in the protective plate into the bolt apertures; a plurality of projecting ribs disposed circumferentially about said cylindrical body in a spaced-apart relationship for frictionally engaging the inner surface of the bolt apertures, said ribs having outer slanted surfaces projecting from the surface of said body portion toward said second end and terminating in a truncated rib surface; said outer surface of said ribs being slanted at an angle with respect to the axis of said body portion for facilitating entry of said body portion and ribs into said bolt aperture; a relatively flat circular head portion having a third diameter greater than said first and second diameters, said head portion having beveled outer surfaces for deflecting glancing blows striking said surfaces, and a flat inner surface for contacting the surface of said protective plate and holding the plate snugly against the machined surface of the flange; and a neck portion having a fourth diameter smaller than said first and third diameters of said body portion and head portion, respectively, and greater than said second diameter of said cavity, said neck portion axially projecting from said second end of said body portion for interconnecting said head and body portions.

Claim 5

A unitary retaining plug cooperating with bolt apertures disposed in the flanged end of a pipe or valve section for holding a protective plate snugly in contact with the machined surface of the flange, comprising: a cylindrical body portion having a first diameter and first and second ends and a cylindrical cavity having a second diameter smaller than said first diameter concentrically disposed therein and communicating with said first end, said body portion being insertable through apertures in the protective plate into the bolt apertures; a plurality of projecting ribs disposed circumferentially about said cylindrical body in a spaced-apart relationship for frictionally engaging the inner surface of the bolt apertures, said ribs having outer slanted surfaces projecting from the surface of said body portion toward said second end and terminating in a truncated rib surface; said outer surface of said ribs being slanted at an angle with respect to the axis of said body portion for facilitating entry of said body portion and ribs into said bolt aperture; a relatively flat circular head portion having a third diameter greater than said first and second diameters, said head portion having beveled outer surfaces for deflecting glancing blows striking said surfaces, and a flat inner surface for contacting the surface of said protective plate and holding the plate snugly against the machined surface of the flange; and a neck portion having a fourth diameter smaller than said first and third diameters of said body portion and head portion, respectively, and greater than said second diameter of said cavity, said neck portion axially projecting from said second end of said body portion for interconnecting said head and body portions.