An apparatus includes a hub and multiple thin, flat, deformable panels. Each panel is a trapezoid with parallel base and top. The panels are foldably connected together base-to-top to form a closed ring. A proximal end portion side of each panel is attached the hub. A proximal portion of each panel is wound around the hub; a distal portion of each panel extends tangentially away from the hub. Proximal portions of each panel winding around the hub decreases an apparatus outer diameter; proximal portions of each panel unwinding from around the hub increases the apparatus outer diameter.

The tool comprises a front plate for closing the open end of a pipe. A pair of clamping devices are positioned around the pipe and frictionally engage its outer surface. Nut and bolt assemblies connect the front plate with the clamps. These assemblies pull the front plate tight against the pipe end face. A back plate is positioned transversely within the bore of the pipe. The plate has a stem that slidably projects forwardly through a central aperture in the front plate. The back plate carries an O-ring. A nut is threaded onto the stem and functions to draw the back plate forward so that the O-ring seals the interface of the front plate and pipe end face.

An assembly includes a tubular body having an axis, an axial end, a bore that is axial an aperture and a retainer groove formed in the bore and contiguous with the aperture. The assembly also includes a retainer mounted in the retainer groove. The retainer has a debris shield located external to the tubular body. The retainer includes a nominal configuration wherein the debris shield is configured to close off access to the aperture and the retainer groove to prevent debris from accumulating therein. In addition, the retainer includes an expanded configuration wherein the debris shield is not configured to completely close off access to the aperture and the retainer groove.

The present invention relates to an expandable plug structure for use in high pressure applications. The expandable plugs, such as pneumatic plugs, are preferably constructed of a multi-layered, reinforced elastomeric cylindrical body, i.e., of reinforced natural rubber, and having an inflator member at one end. The multi-layers include various rubber layers, rubber coated aramid, which subsequent to vulcanization provides a unitary plug with shoulders that resist delamination. The cylindrical body may incorporate metal end plates as well as end plate weldment structures which cooperate with a high pressure flow-through conduit which allows the completed high pressure test plug to simultaneously seal a pipeline and to direct fluid therethrough. The high pressure plug obtains its strength in part based upon high frictional resistance forces generated by the external rubber layer(s), and further by the manner in which the external rubber layer8s) are molded into the metallic structures in the plug.

The device (1) allows the locking of a plug (2) to a fitting (3) and comprises: two locking blades (10), having the outer edge (10B) in an arc of circumference, arranged symmetrically opposite and coplanar to a annular groove (31) of the plug (2), sliding parallel to the latter; actuation means (4) defined by a toothed pinion (13) with which two racks (120) provided in the locking blades (10) are engaged, determining for the same corresponding and synchronized translations in opposite directions, so that the arched edges (10B) are displaced outwards to engage said annular groove (31), locking the plug (2) to the fitting (3). The toothed pinion (13) has a hexagonal head (130) at the top which is engaged by an operating member (15).

The present invention relates to an expandable plug structure for use in high pressure applications. The expandable plugs, such as pneumatic plugs, are preferably constructed of a multi-layered, reinforced elastomeric cylindrical body, i.e., of reinforced natural rubber, and having an inflator member at one end. The multi-layers include various rubber layers, rubber coated aramid, which subsequent to vulcanization provides a unitary plug with shoulders that resist delamination. The cylindrical body may incorporate metal end plates as well as end plate weldment structures which cooperate with a high pressure flow-through conduit which allows the completed high pressure test plug to simultaneously seal a pipeline and to direct fluid therethrough. The high pressure plug obtains its strength in part based upon high frictional resistance forces generated by the external rubber layer(s), and further by the manner in which the external rubber layer8s) are molded into the metallic structures in the plug.

An assembly includes a tubular body having an axis, an axial end, a bore that is axial an aperture and a retainer groove formed in the bore and contiguous with the aperture. The assembly also includes a retainer mounted in the retainer groove. The retainer has a debris shield located external to the tubular body. The retainer includes a nominal configuration wherein the debris shield is configured to close off access to the aperture and the retainer groove to prevent debris from accumulating therein. In addition, the retainer includes an expanded configuration wherein the debris shield is not configured to completely close off access to the aperture and the retainer groove.

A method of installing an exhaust tube is implemented by inserting an exhaust tube into an exhaust pipe that leads from the inside of a building to the outside thereof. Utilizing an already-placed exhaust pipe, a new exhaust tube is inserted into this exhaust pipe. The exhaust tube is installed according to a procedure of: performing, on the inside of the building, an operation of inserting a new exhaust tube into the already-placed exhaust pipe; performing, on the outside of the building, an operation of fixing the inserted exhaust tube to the exhaust pipe; and performing, on the inside of the building, an operation of connecting the fixed exhaust tube to an exhaust vent of a combustion apparatus.

A tool is provided for closing and sealing the open end of a pipe in connection with hydraulic pressure testing. The tool is inserted into the pipe lumen and can be operated from outside. It comprises inner and outer, opposed circumferential clamps; a front plate braced against the pipe end face; a movable back plate internal of the pipe lumen; and an O-ring, carried by the back plate, which can be squeezed by pressing the back plate against the inner clamp. Ports extend through the back plate to the upper and lower ends of its peripheral surface, for bottom filling and top venting of the pipe lumen.

A conduit locking device includes a housing having a first end, a second end, and a sidewall disposed between the first end and the second end. The conduit locking device may further include a slide engaged with the sidewall of the housing, the slide including an extension arm and an end portion structurally configured to engage with an inner wall of a conduit. The slide may be extendable via the extension arm from a first position substantially adjacent to the sidewall of the housing to a second position disposed away from the sidewall of the housing, where, when in the second position, the slide is configured to retain the conduit locking device at a fixed position within the conduit through the engagement of the end portion with the inner wall of the conduit.