WO2012041318A1

WO2012041318A1 - Closure plug

Info

Publication number: WO2012041318A1
Application number: PCT/DK2011/000105
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lars Laigaard
Original assignee: Laigaard Kloakservice Aps
Priority date: 2010-09-30
Filing date: 2011-09-26
Publication date: 2012-04-05

Abstract

A closure plug (2) comprising a basically cylindrical and radially expandable membrane (8) sandwiched between an upper closing plate (4) and a lower closing plate (6). The upper closing plate (4) and the lower closing plate (6) are mechanically connected to a connector element (26) extending through the membrane (8), the upper closing plate (4) and the lower closing plate (6). A connector element (26) extends parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the closure plug (2). The closure plug (2) comprises means (16, 18, 22, 30) axially shortening and hereby radially expanding the membrane (8). The membrane (8) is a one piece body and that the membrane (8) is a hollow cylinder.

Description

Closure plug

Description

Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to a closure device for drains and pipes. The invention more particularly relates to a mechanical pressure and vacuum closure device configured to be sealingly inserted into an opening (e.g. a drain or a pipe).

Background of the Invention

In many situations closure of openings or holes is imperative and the closure is typically done by use of a closure plug. One typical example is when water rises from the drain to the floor in a basement. When water enters the basement floor through a drain, e.g. due to heavy rain, it is of great importance to be able to prevent water from keep entering the basement floor through the drain. Closure plugs must be of a design such that they provide for a sealing effect that ensures that water cannot pass through the opening or hole. A great number of various closure plugs have become known. These closure plugs are generally intended for closing pipes and accordingly, they are not able to resist vacuum or pressure.

Accordingly, they are not intended for drain plugs in which vacuum and pressure may occur. Some known closure plugs have been designed to resist vacuum or pressure. The prior art closure plugs that are adapted to resist vacuum or pressure have a rather complex construction and consist of a large number of parts. Object of the Invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an easy usable closing plug that has a simple construction and comprises few parts.

Summary of the Invention

The object of the present invention can be achieved by a closure plug having the features defined in claim 1. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependant sub claims and explained in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The closure plug according to the invention comprises a basically cylindrical and radially expandable membrane sandwiched between an upper closing plate and a lower closing plate, where the upper closing plate and the lower closing plate are mechanically connected to a connector element extending through the membrane, the upper closing plate and the lower closing plate, where the connector element extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the closure plug, where the closure plug comprises means for axially shortening and hereby radially expanding the membrane. The membrane is a one piece body and the membrane is a hollow cylinder.

Hereby, a closing plug that is easy to use and that has a simple construction and comprises few parts can be achieved.

The membrane may be made of any suitable elastic material, e.g. an elastomer such as rubber. Advantageously, the lower closing plate has an outer fold rim extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the closure plug towards the upper closure plate so that the outer fold rim is configured to prevent the bottom portion of the membrane from being displaced radially outwards.

Hereby the bottom portion of the membrane can be secured to lower closing plate.

It may be beneficial that the upper closing plate comprises a stop member extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the closure plug and that the stop member is configured to prevent the top portion of the membrane from being displaced radially inwards.

Hereby it is achieved that the top portion of the membrane can be secured to upper closing plate. It may be an advantage that the connector element is a bolt and that the bolt is attached to a nut member arranged to receive the distal end of the bolt. The distal end of the bolt is the opposite end of the bolt head. The distal end of the bolt is preferable threaded and designed to mate with a complementary internal thread of the corresponding nut member.

Beneficially, the closure plug comprises two handles rotable mounted about the one common rod so that both handles have the same axis of rotation, where the handles are arranged to be reversibly pivoted about the rod to forcibly engage the upper closing plate towards the lower closing plate and hereby axially compress and radially expand the membrane.

The two handles may be arranged in such a way that the force applied from the handles towards the upper closing plate towards the lower closing plate is directed in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the closure plug. This may be achieved by having two handles each pivoted about a common rod to forcibly engage the upper closing plate towards the lower closing plate and hereby axially compress and radially expand the membrane. Preferable, the forces exerted by the handles, towards the lower closing plate, are basically symmetric so that the resulting force is directed in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the closure plug.

Advantageously, each handle comprise a lever arm having a longitudinal axis and a base member having a locking edge extending parallel to the longitudinal axis and a pressing edge arranged to forcibly engaging the upper closing plate towards the lower closing plate when one or two of the lever arms are moved towards the upper closing plate.

The lever arms make it easy for the user of the closure plug and provide the required force to axially shortening and hereby radially expanding the membrane by using the handles. Preferable, both lever arms are moved towards the upper closing plate during the use of the closure plug.

It may be beneficial that a plurality of parallel ridges is provided circumferentially around the membrane. The ridges can provide a positive seal to the opening (e.g. a drain opening) that the closure plug is intended to plug.

Advantageously, the upper plate comprises a flat peripheral plate member extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the closure plug and a flat circular central plate member axially displaced towards the lower closing plate and extending parallel to the flat peripheral plate member. Hereby, the top portion of the membrane can be axially secured bearing against the flat peripheral plate member. Preferable the lower closing plate comprises a central arced plate member and a flat peripheral plate member. The bottom portion of the membrane can be axially secured bearing against the flat peripheral plate member. Moreover, the central arced plate member can prevent the bottom portion of the membrane from being moved radially inwards.

Advantageously, a washer is arranged between the upper closing plate and the nut member. The washer can be used to distribute the load from the nut member towards the upper closing plate.

Preferable a washer or a resilient member is arranged between the upper closing plate and the nut member. The washer or a resilient member can spread the load exerted or prevent damage to the surface being fixed. The washer or a resilient member may be a spring washer having axial flexibility so that fastening loosening due to vibrations can be prevented.

Description of the Drawing

The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below. The accompanying drawings are given by way of illustration only, and thus, they are not limitative of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 shows one embodiment of a closure plug according to the invention;

Fig. 2a) shows an embodiment of a closure plug according to the

invention, where the handles are arranged in a locked position;

Fig. 2b) shows an embodiment of a closure plug according to the

invention, where the handles are arranged in an unlocked position and Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of another embodiment of a closure plug according to the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring now in detail to the drawings for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention, a closure plug 2 according to the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 1. In Fig. 1 the closure plug 2 has a longitudinal axis X and consists of a membrane 8 sandwiched between an upper closing plate 4 and a lower closing plate 6.

Four parallel ridges 10 are provided circumferentially around the membrane 8. The ridges 10 extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the closure plug 2. A bolt 30 extends all the way through the lower closing plate 6, the membrane 8 and the upper closing plate 4. The bolt 30 is fastened to a nut member 28 that bears against a washer 14 arranged adjacent to the upper closing plate 4. The washer 14 is used in order to distribute the load from the nut member 28 towards the upper closing plate 6.

The closure plug 2 further comprises two handles 16, 18 each consisting of a lever 52', 52" and a base member 54', 54". The handles 16, 18 are arranged in an "unlocked" position in which the closure plug 2 is ready to be "locked" by pressing the handles 16, 18 towards the upper closing plate 4. The handles 16, 18 are rotable mounted about a common rod 22 so that both handles 16, 18 have the same axis of rotation. The rod 22 extends through each handle 16, 8 and the underlying nut member 28. The rod 22 extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the closure plug 2 and the handles 16, 18 are arranged to be reversibly pivoted about the rod 22 in order to forcibly engage the upper closing plate 4 towards the lower closing plate 6 and hereby axially compress and radially expand the membrane 8.

The handles 16, 18 each have a pressing edge 24 and a locking edge 26 as well as a resting edge 25. In Fig. 1 the locking edge 26 extend parallel to the axes Y', Y" of the handles 16, 18, while the resting edges 25 extend perpendicular to axes Y', Y" of the handles 16, 18.

A notch 20 is provided in each of the handles 16, 18 so that the handles 16, 18 can be rotated and brought to an upright position, in which the resting edge 25 of each handle 16, 18 bears against the washer 14. In this position the axes Y', Y" of the handles 16, 18 are parallel to the axis X of the closing plug 2. When the handlers 16, 18 are pressed towards the upper closing plate 4 to the maximum extent, the locking edges 26 will bear against the washer 14. The handles 16, 18 are locked in this position and the axes Y', Y" of the handles 16, 18 extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the closure plug 2.

Rubber washer 2 is provided between the lower closing plate 6 and the head of the bolt 30.

The membrane 8 is preferable made in a rubber material. It is essential that the membrane 8 is capable of being axially shortening and hereby radially expanded so that the closure plug 2 is having the desired sealing effect. This is achieved when the ridges 10 of the membrane 8 provide a positive seal to the opening (e.g. a drain opening) that the closure plug 2 is intended to plug. The handlers 16, 18 can easily be handled by the hand of the operator (the user of the closure plug 2). In the principle, the bolt 30 may be any suitable type of bolt. The bolt 30 is preferable made of metal in order to achieve the desired mechanical strength.

The upper closing plate 4, the lower closing plate 6 as well as the washer 14 are preferable made of metal, however, it is possible to user other materials e.g. fibre reinforced plastic or another suitable material.

Fig. 2a) and Fig. 2b) illustrates the closure plug 2 in two different states of operation.

In Fig. 2b) the handles 16, 18 are angled relative to the longitudinal axis X of the closure plug 2. The angle a between the first handle 16 and the longitudinal axis X of the closure plug 2 and the angle β between the second handle 18 and the longitudinal axis X of the closure plug 2 is about 45 degrees. The membrane 8 is only slightly compressed axially and radially expanded, however in Fig. 2a) the handles 16, 18 extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the closure plug 2.

When the handles 16, 18 are moved from the position shown in Fig. 2b) to the position shown in Fig. 2a) the membrane 8 is axially compressed and radially expanded. It can be seen that, in Fig. 2b) the distance D" between the upper closing plate 4 and the lower closing plate 6 is larger than the distance D' between the upper closing plate 4 and the lower closing plate 6 in Fig. 2a). Due to the axial displacement and radial expansion of the membrane 8 the radial distance d' between the ridges 10 of the membrane 8 and the longitudinal axis X of the closure plug 2 shown in Fig. 2a is larger than the distance d" between the ridges 10 of the membrane 8 and the longitudinal axis X of the closure plug 2 shown in Fig. 2b. The membrane 8 is intended to seal against an opening, e.g. a drain (not shown) that has to be closed. The closure plug 2 can easily be inserted into the drain and the closure plug 2 will seal against the drain when the handles 16, 18 are pressed into the position shown in Fig. 2a. The closure plug 2 will be "locked" in this position.

Fig. 3 illustrates an exploded cross-sectional view of closure plug 2 according to the invention. The closure plug 2 comprises a hollow cylindrical membrane 8 having three parallel ridges 10 extending circumferentially around the membrane 8. The ridges 10 are adapted to provide a positive seal to the opening the closure plug 2 is intended to close.

The membrane 8 is configured to be sandwiched between an upper closing plate 4 and a lower closing plate 6. The upper closing plate 4 has a flat central plate area 34 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the closure plug 2. The flat central plate area 34 is arranged adjacent to a washer 14 having a central aperture 38'. The washer 14 is configured to distribute the load from a nut member 28 towards the upper closing plate 4. The nut member 28 has threaded hole and the thread 40" of the nut member 28 corresponding to the outer thread 40' of the distal end 50 of a bolt 30. Preferable, the nut member 28 has a hexagonal shape and it is adapted to opposite the mating bolt to 30 to fasten the stack of parts 6, 8, 4 together.

The nut member 28 is configured to axially shorten and radially expand the membrane 8. This may be achieved by turning the nut member 28 e.g. by means of a tool. Accordingly, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 the nut member 28 is responsible of moving the upper closing plate 4 towards the lower closing plate 6. The upper closing plate 4 is provided with an aperture 38" through which the bolt 30 can be inserted. The upper closing plate 4 has a peripheral plate area 32 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the closure plug 2 and a stop member 36 extending along the longitudinal axis X of the closure plug 2. The stop member 36 is configured to function as a radial stop for the top portion 46 of the membrane 8, while the peripheral plate area 32 secures the top portion 46 of the membrane 8 in axial direction. The lower closing plate 6 has an aperture 38"', through which the bolt 30 extends. This aperture 38"' may have a specific geometry (e.g. a square geometry) that corresponds to the locking geometry 58 of the bolt 30, so that the bolt is prevented from rotating when the locking geometry 58 of the bolt 30 enters the aperture 38"'. The lower closing plate 6 has an outer fold rim 44 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the closure plug 2 towards the upper closure plate 4. The outer fold rim 44 is configured to prevent the bottom portion 48 of the membrane 8 from being displaced radially outwards. The lower closing plate 6 comprises a central arced plate member 56 and a flat peripheral plate member 42. Accordingly, the bottom portion 48 of the membrane 8 is secured in axial direction (due to the flat peripheral plate member 42). The central arced plate member 56 prevents the bottom portion 48 of the membrane 8 from being moved radially inwards.

A rubber washer 12 is arranged between the lower closing plate 6 and the head of the bolt 30. This rubber washer 12 can take up tolerances. The closure plug 2 can be constructed in various ways. The length and width of the closure plug 2 can easily by changed by using parts having other geometries such as a longer membrane 8 and a longer bolt 30. In Fig. 4 another embodiment of a closure plug 2 according to the invention is illustrated. The closure plug 2 comprises an upper closing plate 4, and lower closing plate 6 and a rubber membrane 8 arranged between the upper closing plate 4 and the lower closing plate 6. Three parallel ridges 10 are provided circumferentially around the membrane 8.

Two handles 16, 18 are rotable mounted to a nut member 28 by a through going rod 22. The bolt 30 extends through the closure plug 2. This is indicated by two dotted lines.

List of reference numerals

2 Closure plug

4 Upper closing plate

6 Lower closing plate

8 Membrane

10 Ridge

12 Resilient member

14 Washer

16 Handle

18 Handle

20 Notch

22 Rod

24 Pressing edge

25 Resting edge

26 Locking edge

28 Not member

30 Connector element

X Longitudinal axis of the closure plug

32 Peripheral plate area

34 Central plate area

36 Stop member

38', 38", 38"' Aperture

40', 40" Thread

42 Flat peripheral plate member

44 Rim

46 Top portion of the membrane

48 Bottom portion of the membrane

50 Distal end of the connector element

52', 52" Lever 54', 54" Base member 56 Arced plate member

D\ D", d', Distance

α, β Angle

58 Locking geometry

Claims

1. A closure plug (2) comprising a basically cylindrical and radially expandable membrane (8) sandwiched between an upper closing plate (4) and a lower closing plate (6), where the upper closing plate (4) and the lower closing plate (6) are mechanically connected to a connector element (30) extending through the membrane (8), the upper closing plate (4) and the lower closing plate (6), where the connector element (26) extends parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the closure plug (2), where the closure plug (2) comprises means for (16, 18, 22, 28, 30) axially shortening and hereby radially expanding the membrane (8) characterised in that the membrane (8) is a one piece body and that the membrane (8) is a hollow cylinder.

2. A closure plug (2) according to claim 1 characterised in that the lower closing plate (6) has an outer fold rim (44) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the closure plug (2) towards the upper closure plate (4) and that the outer fold rim (44) is configured to prevent the bottom portion (48) of the membrane (8) from being displaced radially outwards.

3. A closure plug (2) according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that the upper closing plate (4) comprises a stop member (36) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the closure plug (2) and that the stop member (36) is configured to prevent the top portion (46) of the membrane (8) from being displaced radially inwards.

4. A closure plug (2) according to one of the preceding claims

characterised in that the connector element (26) is a bolt and that the bolt is attached to a nut member (28) arranged to receive the distal end (50) of the bolt (30).

5. A closure plug (2) according to one of the preceding claims

characterised in that the closure plug (2) comprises two handles (16, 18) rotable mounted about one common rod (22) so that both handles (16, 18) have the same axis of rotation, where the handles (16, 18) are arranged to be reversibly pivoted about the rod (22) to forcibly engage the upper closing plate (4) towards the lower closing plate (6) and hereby axially compress and radially expand the membrane (8).

6. A closure plug (2) according to claim (5) one of the preceding claims characterised in that each handle (16, 18) comprise a lever arm (52', 52") having a longitudinal axis (Υ', Y") and a base member (54' , 54") having a locking edge (26) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (Υ', Y") and a pressing edge (24) arranged to forcibly engaging the upper closing plate (4) towards the lower closing plate (6) when one or two of the lever arms (52', 52") are moved towards the upper closing plate (4).

7. A closure plug (2) according to one of the preceding claims

characterised in that a plurality of parallel ridges (10) is provided circumferentially around the membrane (8).

8. A closure plug (2) according to one of the preceding claims

characterised in that the upper plate (4) comprises:

a) a flat peripheral plate member (32) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X) of the closure plug (2) and

b) a flat circular central plate member (34) axially displaced towards the lower closing plate (6) and extending parallel to the flat peripheral plate member (32).

9. A closure plug (2) according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that the lower closing plate (6) comprises a central arced plate member (56) and a flat peripheral plate member (42).

10. A closure plug (2) according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that a washer (14) is arranged between the upper closing plate and the nut member (28).

11. A closure plug (2) according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that a washer (14) or a resilient member (12) is arranged between the upper closing plate (4) and the nut member (28).