Clean-out repair plug
View Patent ↗The present invention addresses provides a clean-out plug that seals a pipe system clean-out that includes a clean-out end and an inner surface, a portion of which is threaded. In general, the clean-out plug includes a compressible sealing member that is retained by the clean-out plug and that seals against an inner surface of the clean-out and/or the back side of the threaded portion of the clean-out. The clean-out plug may also include a cover plate that is secured to the clean-out plug via a second retaining member that engages a first retaining member of the clean-out plug. By sealing against the inner surface and/or back side of the threaded portion of the clean-out, various embodiments of the present invention do not seal within the treaded portion of the clean-out, which is often damaged by cross-threading from previous removals and reinsertions of threaded clean-out plugs. Additionally, by retaining the sealing member, the sealing member remains with the clean-out plug when the clean-out plug is removed from the clean-out.
1. A clean-out plug for use with a pipe system clean-out, the clean-out defining a clean-out end and having an inner surface, a portion of which is threaded, said clean-out plug comprising:
a first plate configured to allow a portion of a retaining member to pass therethrough and comprising:
a flange, the flange defining an outer end surface and a radially disposed inner contact surface, the inner contact surface configured to abut the clean-out end; and
a core extending from the flange and configured to fit inside the clean-out, the core further defining a radially disposed retaining recess;
a compressible ring-shaped sealing member configured to be removably attached to the first plate by the retaining recess and defining a peripheral sealing surface and an angled contact surface extending inward from the peripheral sealing surface; and
a second plate, opposing the first plate and defining an end surface and a radially disposed angled contact surface extending inward from the end surface, the second plate configured to receive a portion of the retaining member such that when the retaining member engages the second plate, the first and second plates are drawn together, and
wherein the angled contact surfaces of the second plate and the sealing member are configured such that upon drawing the first and second plates together, the sealing member is compressed between the first plate and the second plate and extends outwardly to seal against the inner surface of the clean-out behind is the threaded portion.
2. The clean-out plug according to claim 1 , wherein the retaining recess defines a groove configured to retain a ring located on the sealing member.
3. The clean-out plug according to claim 1 , wherein the threaded portion defines an end thread, and wherein the sealing member is further configured to seal against a back side of the end thread.
4. The clean-out plug according to claim 1 , wherein the first plate is further configured to receive an end of the retaining member.
5. The clean-out plug according to claim 4 , wherein the outer end surface of the first plate is substantially planar.
6. The clean-out plug according to claim 1 , wherein the end surface of the second plate is substantially planar.
7. The clean-out plug according to claim 1 , wherein the second plate receives the threaded portion of the retaining member in a threaded bore.
8. The clean-out plug according to claim 7 , wherein the threaded bore does not extend through the end surface of the second plate.
9. The clean-out plug according to claim 1 , wherein the core of the first plate further comprises a substantially cylindrical cavity and the second plate further comprises a substantially cylindrical neck extending from the angled contact surface, such that when the first and second plates are drawn together the cavity of the first plate receives the neck of the second plate.
10. The clean-out plug according to claim 1 , wherein the ring-shaped sealing member is constructed of an elastomeric material.
11. A clean-out plug for use with a pipe system clean-out, the clean-out defining a clean-out end and having an inner surface, a portion of which is threaded, said clean-out plug comprising:
a first plate configured to allow a portion of a retaining member to pass therethrough and comprising:
a flange, the flange defining an outer end surface and a radially disposed inner contact surface, the inner contact surface configured to abut the clean-out end; and
a core extending from the flange and configured to fit inside the clean-out, the core further defining a radially disposed retaining recess;
a compressible ring-shaped sealing member configured to be retained by the retaining recess and defining a peripheral sealing surface and an angled contact surface extending inward from the peripheral sealing surface; and
a second plate, opposing the first plate and defining an end surface and a radially disposed angled contact surface extending inward from the end surface, the second plate configured to receive a portion of the retaining member such that when the retaining member engages the second plate, the first and second plates are drawn together, and
wherein the angled contact surfaces of the second plate and the sealing member are configured such that upon drawing the first and second plates together, the sealing member is compressed between the first plate and the second plate and extends outwardly to seal against the inner surface of the clean-out behind the threaded portion, and further comprising a second retaining member and a cover plate configured to allow a portion of the second retaining member to pass therethrough, wherein the first retaining member is configured to receive a portion of the second retaining member such that when the second retaining member engages the first retaining member, the cover plate covers the first plate.
12. The clean-out plug according to claim 11 , wherein the first retaining member receives the second retaining member in a threaded bore disposed approximately in the center of the first retaining member.