SEALING ELEMENT FOR PIPES

Abstract

A sealing element for pipes has a central rod section with a circular head region with a grip area. The rod section includes in a downward direction from the head region, a first centering region with an inverted frustoconical shape, a second region with a discoidal outer contour that has flexible fins formed from a pair of diametrically opposed grooves and a third positioning region with a discoidal outer contour, the second region being larger in diameter than the first and third regions, including at least two extensions spaced apart from each other, protruding perpendicular to the central rod section, which have a length equal to or less than the diameter of the third positioning region. A fourth region has a discoidal outer contour with flexible fins formed from a pair of diametrically opposite grooves. The fourth region is located between the second region and the third region.

Claims

1. A sealing element for pipes, the sealing element comprises: a body of injection-mouldable plastic material, being formed by a central rod section that has at one end a circular plan head region that acts by way of a grip area, the rod section including in a downward direction from said head region, a first centering region with a generally inverted frustoconical shape, a second region with a discoidal outer contour that is defined by at least two flexible fins formed from a pair of diametrically opposed grooves and a third positioning region with a discoidal outer contour, the second region being larger in diameter than the first and third regions, including at least two extensions spaced apart from each other, protruding in the same direction perpendicular to the central rod section, which have a length equal to or less than the diameter of the third positioning region, wherein a fourth region with a discoidal outer contour defined by at least two flexible fins formed from a pair of diametrically opposite grooves, said fourth region being located between the second region and the third positioning region.

2. The sealing element for pipes according to claim 1, wherein the second region and the fourth region are dimensionally identical to each other.

3. The sealing element for pipes according to claim 1, wherein the grooves of the second and fourth regions are aligned in the longitudinal axis of the sealing element.

4. The sealing element for pipes according to claim 1, wherein the grooves provided in the second and fourth regions have a substantially triangular contour, in a plan view.

5. The sealing element for pipes according to claim 1, wherein each of the extensions is located in a region close to the two opposite ends of the central rod section.

6. The sealing element for pipes according to claim 1, wherein the central rod has a cross-section in the shape of a cross.

7. The sealing element for pipes according to claim 1, wherein the cross-section in the shape of a cross comprised between the first region and second region has a tapering configuration in a downstream direction from the first region towards the second region.

8. The sealing element for pipes according to claim 2, wherein the grooves of the second and fourth regions are aligned in the longitudinal axis of the sealing element.

9. The sealing element for pipes according to claim 2, wherein the grooves provided in the second and fourth regions have a substantially triangular contour, in a plan view.

10. The sealing element for pipes according to claim 3, wherein the grooves provided in the second and fourth regions have a substantially triangular contour, in a plan view.

11. The sealing element for pipes according to claim 2, wherein the central rod has a cross-section in the shape of a cross.

12. The sealing element for pipes according to claim 3, wherein the central rod has a cross-section in the shape of a cross.

13. The sealing element for pipes according to claim 4, wherein the central rod has a cross-section in the shape of a cross.

14. The sealing element for pipes according to claim 5, wherein the central rod has a cross-section in the shape of a cross.

15. The sealing element for pipes according to claim 6, wherein the cross-section in the shape of a cross comprised between the first region and second region has a tapering configuration in a downstream direction from the first region towards the second region.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a sealing element for pipes according to the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 2a is a side elevation and FIG. 2b is plan view from below the sealing element shown in FIG. 1; and

[0020] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the sealing element shown in the previous figures.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0021] In light of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the adopted numbering, one may observe therein a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.

[0022] The shown embodiment of the sealing element for pipes comprises a body (1) made of injection-mouldable plastic material, for example, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), with a degree of elasticity such that it facilitates the assembly of the plug for the operator, since it requires less effort for the placement thereof in the holes of a tube. Although this task is simple, it must be taken into account that this aspect is relevant when the operator must place a large number of sealing elements during a working day.

[0023] The body (1) is made up of an elongated central rod section (2), with a cross-section in the shape of a cross, which has at one end a head region (3) with a circular plan and a flat surface that acts by way of a grip area for the user in the operations of placing and removing the sealing element at one end of the conduit, as well as a stop against the side wall of the tube, once it is assembled.

[0024] As can be seen, the head (3) protrudes radially notably with respect to the central rod section (2).

[0025] The central rod section (2) includes along the same and in a downstream direction from said head region (3) and separately, a first contour centering region (4) with a general inverted frustoconical shape intended to facilitate the fitting and therefore the centering of the sealing element inside the conduit to be plugged, a second region (5) with a discoidal outer contour that is defined by two flexible fins (50), which are formed from a pair of diametrically opposed grooves (51) and a third positioning region (7) with an external contour with a general inverted frustoconical shape, the second region being of greater diameter than the first and third regions.

[0026] The cross-section in the form of a cross comprised between the first and second regions has a tapering configuration in a downstream direction from the first region towards the second region, as can be seen more clearly in FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 3.

[0027] Additionally, it includes at least two extensions (8) spaced apart from each other, which protrude in the same direction perpendicular to the central rod section (2), which have a length equal to or less than the diameter of the third positioning region (7). It should also be mentioned that these extensions (8) are parallel to the grooves (51), which also enables them to be used as reference or guide points during the action of inserting the sealing element into a corresponding hole.

[0028] To provide a greater degree of flexibility during the placement of the sealing element inside one end of the pipe or conduit, a fourth region (9) is provided with a discoidal outer contour defined by at least two flexible fins (90) formed from a pair of diametrically opposed grooves (91), said fourth region (9) being located between the second region (5) and the third region (7). The second region (5) and the fourth region (9) are dimensionally identical to each other.

[0029] Note that the grooves (51, 91) of the second and fourth region, respectively, are aligned in the longitudinal axis of the sealing element.

[0030] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the grooves (51, 91) provided in the second and fourth regions have a substantially triangular contour, in a plan view.

[0031] The details, shapes, dimensions and other accessory elements, used to manufacture the sealing element of the invention, may be suitably substituted for others which do not depart from the scope defined by the claims which are included below.