Jeffrey Allen Bond

US Patent:

6684908, Feb 3, 2004

Filed:

Oct 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/267816

Inventors:

William Michael Hutton - Nazareth PA
Jeffrey Clinton Bond - Blakeslee PA
Michael David Ahner - Saylorsburg PA

Assignee:

Omega Tools, Inc. - Mt. Bethel PA

International Classification:

F16L 5510

US Classification:

138 89, 138 90, 138 97

Abstract:

A self-locking, high-pressure stopper is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of using the stopper. The stopper allows a branch pipe to be plugged from above ground using an elongated insertion tool. The self-locking stopper of the present invention includes a body having O-ring seals that is inserted into the branch pipe that is to be plugged. The self-locking stopper has outwardly biased locking tabs that are provided to engage a shoulder or step in the branching pipe in order to prevent the stopper from being pulled out, or pushed out by fluid pressure, once it is in place. The stopper system also includes a flanged insertion pipe used for inserting the stopper into the branch pipe. The stopper also has an adapter for engagement by an insertion tool that allows a user to insert the stopper from above ground.