GB2618608A

GB2618608A - A stopper for closing a hole

Info

Publication number: GB2618608A
Application number: GB2207003.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fox David (deceased); O'Donoghue Shaun
Original assignee: Shaun Odonoghue
Current assignee: Shaun Odonoghue
Priority date: 2022-05-13
Filing date: 2022-05-13
Publication date: 2023-11-15
Also published as: GB202207003D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to stopper for closing a hole, especially to a flue stopper. The stopper has an elongate body that is received in a hole and an end cap arranged on a proximal face of the elongate body. The body has at least one securement means for preventing removal of the stopper from the hole after insertion. The securement means may be in the form of deformable barbs arranged helically on the out surface of the body. The cap may have an aperture with a cover member. The body may be insulated and may carry an O-ring for sealing with the hole. A displaceable cover may be attached to a distal end of the body. The body may be formed from two or more interlocking sections to allow its length to be adjusted the modular sections may be disc shaped.

Description

A STOPPER FOR CLOSING A HOLE

Field of Invention

The pictured embodiment of the invention provides a stopper for plugging a hole, in particular but not exclusively for closing an unused hole such as a hole left by removal of a flue such as boiler ventilation pipe.

Background

It is common for holes to be made through walls to receive a flue or to allow ventilation. Often when a product such as a boiler is upgraded or changed, the flue requirements may change, or the location of the flue exit must be changed. This leaves a hole that must be filled, requiring reinstatement or all or part of the wall which takes time and is costly. The present invention provides a quick an easy way to fill a hole.

Summary of Invention

According to a first embodiment of the invention there is provided a stopper for closing 20 a hole comprising: an elongate body that is received in a hole and an end cap arranged on a proximal face of the elongate body; wherein the body has at least one securement means for preventing removal of the stopper from the hole after insertion In this way the stopper provides a fast and safe way for a user to repair holes, such as 25 holes left in walls when ventilation flues have been removed. Advantageously this means that a user can spend very little time on a ladder working at height and still achieve effective results, thereby improving safety.

The body is intended to fill the hole diameter and length. The stopper may be provided 30 in different sizes to accommodate different holes. Additionally it may be possible to cut down the length of the body to match the thickness of the wall.

The end cap locates the stopper in the hole by engaging with the wall and preventing further insertion of the stopper into the hole.

In some embodiments the body has at least one channel passing through the body between the proximal end cap to a distal end of the body. In an embodiment with a channel the end cap preferably has an aperture that corresponds to the location of channel through the body. It is appreciated that a cover may be provided to cover the aperture if access to the channel or flow through the channel is not required. In some embodiments the cover may be a filter, for example including a mesh portion, to permit air flow, but to prevent objects such as insects passing through.

If the body is provided with a channel this provides a conduit that is smaller than the 10 diameter of the old hole through the body.

Preferably the elongate body is substantially cylindrical so as to correspond to standard cylindrical flues.

Typically the securement means is one or more projection that extends from the body and engages with the surface of the hole so as to fix the stopper in place and prevent it from being pulled out after insertion. Ideally the securement means are provided at a plurality of locations over the outer surface of the body so as to provide multiple points of engagement.

In preferred embodiments the securement means is a plurality of resiliently deformable barbs extending from an external surface of the body. For example the body may have an outer shell with cut sections that are folded outwards and able to deform when pushed through the hole. In this way the cut sections engage with the surface of the hole.

The outer shell may be a sheet of metal or synthetic plastics with cut sections punched out and deformed outwards so as to project from the body. The resiliently deformable barbs can deform from a first position to a second position when force is applied, such as when the barb engages with the wall of the hole, and reform to the first position to engage with the wall of the hole.

Ideally the resiliently deformable barbs are provided in rings or in a helical arrangement over an external surface of the body. Advantageously this configuration provides a 35 spread of engagement points over the external surface of the body.

In preferred embodiments the end cap is a plate connected to a distal end of the body. Ideally the end cap extends radially from the body to engage with and cover a surface surrounding the hole. In this way the end cap prevents the body from passing through the hole as well as fully covering the edges of the hole so that there are no gaps. It is appreciated that a filler material such as an expanding foam, a sealant or adhesive may be used to fill any gaps between the end cap and the wall.

In some embodiments the end cap is formed from a flexible material, or may include a layer of flexible material to enable better attachment against the surface of the wall. 10 Advantageously having a flexible end cap may also enable the end cap to from a seal against the wall.

In some embodiments the end cap may be circular. In other embodiments the end cap may be square, rectangular or another multi-angled shape such as hexagonal.

The end cap may be produced in a variety of different colours or finishes to match existing external building façades. It is appreciated that the end cap may also be suitable for being painted to match the exterior finish of a building.

In some embodiments the end cap is domed. In other embodiments the end cap may be flat or concave The body is preferably formed from an insulative material that ensures that the hole is filled with a material that provides thermal insulation suitable for a wall. For example 25 the body may be formed from a cellular material such as a closed cell polyurethane foam that is formed as the body through foam moulding.

In some embodiments the body has an inner core. The core may be a solid portion, or a hollow portion that defines the at least one channel, that is arranged in an outer 30 insulative layer of the body. In this way the body is formed from two substantially concentric layers of material.

If the core is provided in the form of a channel this may provide a conduit that is smaller than the diameter of the original channel through the body.

In some embodiments the inner core may be removable from the body, thereby allowing a user to select the required core, for example to either have a closed body or a body with a channel. It is also appreciated that inner cores may be provided with channels of different diameters and arrangements.

The core is preferably formed from a strong durable material so that the channel is not 5 damaged during insertion of the body through a hole and/or during insertion/removal of the core from the body.

In some embodiments the core is screw threaded so that the core can be removably inserted by twisting the core during insertion or removal.

The core may provide a support surface for a wall covering component, such as a plasterboard patch, to make repair easier. It is appreciated that the body may also provide a support surface for a wall covering component.

In embodiments of the invention having a core, the outer layer of the body that surrounds the core is preferably formed from an insulative material ensures that the hole is filled with a material that provides thermal insulation suitable for a wall.

In some embodiments the body, an outer layer of the body, or an outer layer 20 surrounding a core, is formed from a resiliently deformable material so that the body, or part of the body, may deform during insertion and reform when in position to assist with closing the hole.

In a preferred embodiment an outer surface of the body is adapted to support at least one 0-ring to create a seal between the body and the hole. In some embodiments a plurality of 0-rings may be provided along the length of the body to provide additional engagement points with the hole. Typically the 0-rings are resiliently deformable, for example being formed from rubber or silicone.

According to a second aspect of the invention the body is formed from two or more interlocking modular sections to enable length of the body to be adjusted by addition or removal of modular sections. In this way the length of the body can be easily adjusted without wastage of materials.

In some embodiments the modular sections connect by a twist lock mechanism.

It is appreciated that the twist lock mechanism enables connection in a first direction of rotation and a user may by instructed to insert the body by rotating the body into the hole in a second opposite direction to prevent disengagement of the modular sections.

In another embodiment the modular sections may be connected by adhesive.

Preferably the modular sections are substantially disc shaped to form the cylindrical body. Preferably each section has a core, an outer layer with an external shell including a securement means.

In some embodiments the stopper may include a displaceable cover for fitting over the distal end of the body after the body has been inserted into the hole. The displaceable cover is typically of a larger diameter than the body so that any gap between the body and the hole is covered. The cover has an aperture that corresponds to the location of channel through the body. In use the body is first fitted through the hole and the cover is then attached to a distal end of the body. For example the cover may be adhered to a distal end of the body, or may be connected using attachment means.

In use the stopper is located in the hole, either by being tapped through the hole, and/or 20 by twisting the stopper during insertion. The securement means engage with the hole during insertion.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the stopper from below; Figure 2 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a diagrammatic view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 in use; and Figure 4 shows an isometric sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 in 35 use.

Detailed Description of the Embodiment

With reference to the figures there shown an embodiment of the stopper 99 having a body 21 and an end cap 4.

The body 21 is cylindrical with a central channel 12. In the pictured embodiment, the body 21 is formed from an insulative material such as polystyrene to provide insulation that limits heat loss through the hole.

The end plate 4 is plate shaped having a substantially planar inner face 44 and a domed outer surface 24.

The stopper enables a user 200 to repair holes 300 left in walls 400 and visible from the outside when ventilation flues etc. have been removed. A distal end of the body 15 21 is inserted to the hole to be filled and the end cap 4 prevents a proximal end of the body from passing through the hole 300.

The end cap 4 extends radially from the body 21 and the inner face 44 is substantially or wholly orthogonal the body's axis of extension away from the end cap 4.

The end cap 4 is formed from a flexible material such as silicone so as to have some flexibility and therefore when pushed against the wall 400 it can create a fight seal between the wall 400 and the end cap 4.

The end cap 4 is designed to be painted over, for example to match rendering on an outer wall.

The silicone cap 4 may be manufactured through injection moulding and bonded to the body 21 as flexible part.

The body 21 has two securement means, a plurality of barbs 14 and two 0-rings 32.

The barbs 23 are formed from a strong durable material such as metal or from plastics so that protrusions are provided at regular intervals extending substantially radially in 35 multiple sets of bands 22 around the body. The barbs 23 prevent the body 21 from being removed once installed.

In the pictured embodiment the barbs 23 are formed from barbed sheets 22. The barbs 23 are manufactured through a stamping process that forms the barb 23 that is cut-out portion bent outwards from the sheet. Preferably the barbed sheet 22 is formed from strong durable material such as metal, metal alloys or plastics. For example the barbed sheet may be formed from stainless steel.

Once the barbed sheet has been manufactured it is wrapped around the body 21 and bonded in position.

The pictured barbs 23 are spaced at intervals in a helical pattern, allowing the product to be located regardless of different wall thicknesses. It is appreciated that different configurations of barbs 23 may be provided on different embodiments, for example the barbs may be formed at lOmm spacings.

In a second embodiment 99 shown in Figure 4 the body 21 includes a core 11. The core is comprised by a solid bar 11 that is displaceable from the body.

In some embodiments the core 11 is screw threaded so that the core 11 can be 20 removably inserted. The core may provide a support surface for a wall covering component, such as a plasterboard patch, to may repair easier.

This core comprises a Nylon (RTM) rod 11 runs down the middle of the body. This may be formed in other rigid material such as wood, metal, alloy or other 25 thermoplastics.

The rod 11 provides a surface for fixing screws to through plasterboard.

Advantageously the core creates rigidity and also creates a fixing point to aid with the repair of the internal wall.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims 1 A stopper for closing a hole comprising: an elongate body that is received in a hole and an end cap arranged on a proximal face of the elongate body; wherein the body has at least one securement means for preventing removal of the stopper from the hole after insertion.
2. A stopper according to claim 1 wherein the body has at least one channel passing through the body between the proximal end cap to a distal end of the body to provide a conduit therethrough.
3. A stopper according to claim 2 wherein the end cap has an aperture that corresponds to the channel.
4. A stopper according to claim 3 including a cover for closing the aperture.
5. A stopper according to any preceding claim wherein the elongate body is substantially cylindrical.
6. A stopper according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one securement means is a plurality of resiliently deformable barbs extending from an external surface of the body.
7. A stopper according to claim 6 wherein the resiliently deformable barbs are provided in a helical arrangement over an external surface of the body.
8. A stopper according to any preceding claim wherein the end cap is a plate connected to a distal end of the body and that extends radially from the body to engage with a surface surrounding the hole.
9. A stopper according to claim 8 wherein the end plate is formed from a flexible material.
10. A stopper according to any preceding claim wherein the body has an inner core and an outer insulafive layer.
11. A stopper according to any preceding claim when dependent on claim 2 wherein the inner core defines the at least one channel.
12. A stopper according to any preceding claim wherein an outer surface of the body is adapted to support at least one 0-ring to create a seal between the body and the hole.
13. A stopper according to any preceding claim including a displaceable cover that is attached to a distal end of the body.
14. A stopper according to any preceding claim wherein the body is forms from two or more interlocking modular sections to enable length of the body to be adjusted by addition or removal of a modular section.
15. A stopper according to claim 14 wherein the modular sections are substantial disc shaped.