GB2486244A - Temporary stopcock - Google Patents

Abstract

A temporary pipe stopcock comprises a clamp 6 tightened around a pipe 1 and a water tight seal provided by a rubber washer 7. The pipe 1 is then pierced by hollow boring cutter , passing through the washer 7. Within the cutter is a deflated rubber balloon 2 connected to a hollow needle 4. When the hole has been cut, the balloon 2 is inflated by twisting a CO2 cartridge 3 which is pierced by the needle 4. The balloon 2 expands and stops the flow of water within the pipe 1.

Description

Temporary Stopcock This invention relates to a device that stops the flow of water through domestic plumbing supply pipes (copper and plastic) without turning the water off at a mains stopcock.

Most domestic premises have a stopcock for the mains water supply, usually located under the sink, the stairs or around the front door area. Failing this, the water can be turned off in the street using the relevant water authorities mains stopcock. Household stopcocks are infrequently used and are therefore susceptible to malfunction due to corrosion of the parts or build up of lime-scale. The same can be said of stopcocks in the street which in addition are exposed to various other elements such as a build up of mud, grit, snow, ice and vandalism. Multiple occupancy buildings sometimes share stopcock facilities which can be inconvenient and sometimes dangerous to turn off. Within a household some appliances such as radiators ase supplied by an open vented heating circuit, which are supplied from a storage tank and can be turned off, however will not stop the flow of water until the tank is empty. My invention solves the problem of stopping the flow of water very close to the source of the leak. It also eliminates the emergency, of mending faulty plumbing at inconvenient times of the day and allows the householder more time to arrange permanent plumbing repairs.

The device 1 have invented consists of a clamp, which is tightened around the pipe and a water tight seal is made using a rubber washer. The pipe is then pierced using a hollow boring cutter, passing through the rubber washer. Contained within the cutter is a deflated rubber balloon connected to a hollow needle at the open end. Once the hole has been created the balloon is inflated by a twisting action of a co2 cartridge with a screwed thread, which is pierced by the other end of the needle. The inflated balloon expands within the pipe and instantly stops the flow of water. Once the source of the leak has been rectified, the balloon can be deflated, however the water tight clamp must remain, to seal the hole that has been made.

The only alternative process that I am aware of to stop a flow of water in domestic pipes is by freezing, which is somewhat specialist, requires specialist apparatus and can only be done on a suitable length of straight pipe. My invention is very much aimed at householder use as well as plumbers, and only requires enough straight pipe to fit the clamp (approx 20mm).

The advantages to my invention mean that water leaks can be almost instantly sealed with only localised isolation of the water supply. Householders are then in a position to shop around for a plumber instead of paying out on emergency fees. It will also prevent extensive water damage whilst searching for a way to turn off the water, which could have huge cost savings especially in flats or multiple occupancy establishments.

I have produced a working prototype of the emergency stopcock. It has been constructed using various of the shelf' plumbing fittings and cannibalisation of various other devices. The clamping assembly and sell-cutting technology of the pipe, already exists in various forms, and has been modified by myself to suit this application.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I shows a cross section side elevation of the stopcock (without the clamping device) and its component parts attached to a piece of pipe number I, inflatable balloon number 2, Co2 canister nuniber3,hollow needle number 4, threaded coupling number 5.

Figure 2 shows a cross section plan and is component parts attached to piece of pipe number 1, inflatable balloon number 2, Co2 canister nwnber 3, hollow needle number 4, threaded coupling numbers, clamping device number 6, rubber washer number 7.

Figure 3 shows the side elevation of the clamping bracket, two clamping brackets number 1, the tightening bolt number 2 Figure 4 shows the plan of the clamping bracket, two clamping brackets number 1, the tightening bolt number 2, the rubber washer 3, serragated teeth (to grip the pipe) number 4 FigureS shows the co2 canister number I, the coupling number 2, the hollow cutter number 3.

Figure 6 shows the co2 canister with a male thread number 1, the coupling with a female thread number 2, the hollow piercing needle number 3, the deflated balloon number 4, the hollow cutter number 5 Figure 7 shows the hollow needle number I, thread at needle end for means of securing balloon figure 2, piercing end of needle figure 3, deflated balloon figure 4