Removable plug for pipe junction, and method and apparatus for installing

Claim 2

In a device for plugging a pipe having a frusto-conical seat therein, the combination of: a frusto-conical plug member adapted to seat on the pipe seat in fluid-tight relation therewith; a generally circular plate member axially aligned with said plug member and threaded thereinto and axially movable relative thereto in one direction; and an annular locking collar axially aligned with said plate member and carried thereby and axially movable thereby in said direction, adapted to engage and cooperate with the pipe when said collar is moved in said direction to lock the plate member and plug member against axial movement away from the seat of the pipe.

Claim 3

A device as defined in claim 1, including installation means detachably connected to said plug means, said installation means including axial movement means for moving said plug means axially into the pipe and into seating relation with the pipe seat from a position exterior of the pipe, and rotational means for rotating said locking collar relative to the pipe while therein.

Claim 4

A device as defined in claim 2, in which said installation means is adapted to be detachably connected to the pipe in axial alignment therewith.

Claim 5

A device as defined in claim 1, including: rod means having a threaded end adapted to thread into said plate member; a tubular member concentric with said rod means and journalling the same, said tubular member having pin means on an end thereof and extending longitudinally through said locking collar and said plate member to prevent rotation of said tubular member relative to said plate member; means for moving said tubular member, said rod means, and said plug member longitudinally relative to the pipe seat; and means for rotating said tubular member, said rod means, and said plate member.

Claim 6

A device as defined in claim 1, including: a tubular barrel adapted to be detachably connected to the pipe and in axial alignment therewith; a tubular member within and concentric with said tubular barrel; an actuating member rigidly connected to one end of said tubular member, having pins means extending longitudinally through said locking collar and said plate member; rod means within and extending longitudinally through said tubular member having one end detachably threaded into said plate member; means for clamping said tubular member and said rod means together, but releasable to permit relative rotation therebetween; means carried by said tubular barrel and adapted to move said tubular member longitudinally in both directions in said tubular barrel; and means carried by said tubular member for rotating it relative to said tubular barrel.

Claim 7

A device as defined by claim 5, in which said tubular member, said rod means, said actuating member, said locking collar, said plate member, and said plug member may be clamped together to permit rotation of the same as a unit relative to said tubular barrel to rotate said locking collar relative to the pipe, but releasable to permit said rod means to be rotated relatvie to said tubular member to partially unscrew said plate member from said plug member to longitudinally separate said locking collar and said plug member and to unscrew said rod means from said plate member to permit said tubular member, said rod means, and said actuating member to be detached from said locking collar, said plate member, and said plug member to leave the latter in the pipe in fluid sealing relation therewith.

Claim 8

In a pipe plugging device, the combination of: a pipe having a frusto-conical pipe seat therein, and having a fixed semicircular locking ledge axially aligned with and longitudinally spaced from said seat; plug means adapted to be seated on said pipe seat in fluid-tight relation therewith, said plug means including a frusto-conical plug member adapted to seat on the pipe seat in fluid-tight relation therewith, locking collar means movable away from said plug member and adapted to cooperate with said locking ledge to lock said plug means on said pipe seat and against longitudinal movement relative thereto when so moved, in which said plug means includes a generally circular plate member between said locking collar and said plug member, said plate member being axially aligned with said plug member and threaded thereinto and carrying said locking collar.

Claim 9

In a pipe plugging device, the combination of: a pipe having a frusto-conical pipe seat therein, and having a fixed semicircular locking ledge axially aligned with and longitudinally spaced from said seat; plug means adapted to be seated on said pipe seat in fluid-tight relation therewith, said plug means including a frusto-conical plug member adapted to seat on the pipe seat in fluid-tight relation therewith, locking collar means movable away from said plug member and adapted to cooperate with said locking ledge to lock said plug means on said pipe seat and against longitudinal movement relative thereto when so moved, in which said plug means includes a generally circular plate member between said locking collar and said plug member, said plate member being axially aligned with said plug member and threaded thereinto and carrying said locking collar.

Claim 10

A device as defined in claim 7, including installation means detachably connected to said plug means, said installation means including axial movement means for moving said plug means axially into said pipe and into seating relation with said pipe seat from a position exterior of said pipe, and rotational means for rotating said plug means relative to said pipe while therein.

Claim 11

A device as defined in claim 8, in which said installation means is adapted to be detachably connected to said pipe in axial alignment therewith.