Knock-out pressure test cap with breakaway nipple plug

Abstract

A pressure test cap includes a mounting collar with an outer rib to limit depth of insertion of the cap into a pipe. A closure disc which seals the mounting collar is connected to the collar through an inner rim by a weakened ring. An outer rim section registers with the inner rim so that impacts to the outer rim are transferred to the weakened ring to separate the disc from the collar. The closure disc includes a centrally positioned nipple for connection of a conduit of a pressurized test fluid source. The nipple is closed by a break-away nipple plug. The nipple plug has a centrally located indentation for piercing to bleed trapped air from the system and resealing by a screw.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Piping systems are used in structures to supply liquids and gasses and to-carry sewage and other wastes away. Common household piping or plumbing systems include water supply piping, drain piping, and possibly gas piping. Water supply pipes carry water from a water supply pipe to plumbing fixtures such as sinks, baths and showers, toilets, sprinkler systems, spigots, and the like. Drain piping carries human wastes, ground garbage from disposers, and waste water to sewers or septic tanks. Gas piping, if present, carries fuel gases such as natural gas or propane gas to appliances such as furnaces, ranges, gas fireplaces, and the like. A particularly necessary quality of all types of piping is integrity of the pipes and joints such that the liquids or gases carried do not leak.

In order to ensure that a piping system does not leak, pressure testing is often conducted and may be required by some local codes. Plumbing is preferably installed, tested, and joints repaired, as needed, prior to closing access to the piping and joints by the installation of wallboards. Testing often involves pressurizing the piping system with compressed air, or alternatively filling it with water, and detecting any leaks. Testing is usually done before any fixtures, appliances, or the like have been connected to the piping system.

Plastics, such as PVC or polyvinyl chloride and others, are used in many types of plumbing, including waste plumbing. It is common practice, during testing, to install removable test plugs or caps on pipe stubs to which fixtures, such as toilets, will be subsequently connected. After testing is completed, the caps are removed. The test caps need to be sealed in place such that they do not leak during testing. When the test caps are no longer needed, they need to be removed in such a manner that the test cap is not lost in the waste plumbing, such that the remaining plumbing is not damaged by removal of the test cap, and such that no remaining parts of the test cap assembly interfere with the fixture to be installed. Additional features which would be desirable in such a test cap include the capability of conveniently connecting a source of pressurized fluid to the cap and resealable structure for conveniently testing that the piping system is pressurized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a knock-out pressure test cap with a break-away nipple plug which provides increased functionality in such a test cap. The cap includes a cylindrical mounting collar or wall sized to be sealingly positioned within a pipe. A mounting shoulder on the mounting wall limits the depth of insertion of the cap into the pipe. A closure disc closes the space surrounded by the mounting wall and is connected to the mounting wall by a weakened break line to enable separation of the closure disc from the mounting wall subsequent to testing.

The closure disc has a peripheral rim including an inwardly projecting inner or connection rim portion which connects the closure disc to the mounting wall by way of the break line. The peripheral rim also has an outwardly projecting outer or impact rim portion which is circumferentially aligned with the inner rim portion. Impacts, such as by a hammer, are transferred through the rim to the break line, causing it to fail or rupture such that impacts around the outer rim portion cause the closure disc to be separated from the mounting wall. The outer diameter of the inner rim is slightly greater than the inner diameter of the mounting wall so that the closure disc, once separated, cannot be knocked into the pipe and made difficult to recover.

A nipple with a removable nipple plug is formed on the closure disc. The nipple facilitates grasping of the cap with a user's fingers or with a wrench while applying cement to the cap mounting collar or insertion of the cap within a pipe to be sealed. The nipple plug is connected to the outer end of the nipple by a weakened break line, to facilitate separation of the nipple plug from the nipple. When the nipple plug is removed, a hose may be connected to the nipple to supply air or water to the pipe through the cap to pressurize the plumbing system for testing.

Various objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in relation to the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification, include exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a knock-out pressure test cap with a breakaway nipple plug which embodies the present invention.

FIG. 2 is separated separate the components using a hammer or a wrench.

When using pressure test caps with PVC pipe piping, the cement used generally functions as a solvent, dissolving a portion of the pipe before resetting to form a pressure tight seal. Care must be taken with such pressure test caps to keep the cement from being mistakenly applied on the weakened areas of pressure test caps. With the pressure test cap assembly 1 shown and described herein, a user may grasp the cap assembly 1 using the nipple 23 to facilitate the application of cement to the outer wall 7 of the mounting collar 2. Rib 10 provides a barrier to assist in keeping cement from migrating onto the weakened ring 18 of the cap assembly 1. In addition, spacing the weakened ring 18 inward from the outer surface 12 of the rib 10 further protects the weakened ring 18 from cement which may flow out of the end of the pipe when the cap is inserted therein. Grasping of the cap assembly 1 by the nipple 23 also facilitates insertion of the mounting collar 2 into the end of a pipe 4.

It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts described and shown. For example, it is foreseen that the nipple plug could be solid or that the cap assemblies could be provided without a nipple plug and the end of the nipple would simply be closed or opened by puncturing the end wall of the nipple or cutting off the end wall of the nipple. It is also foreseen that the nipple could be a solid stem to facilitate grasping by a user and not designed to allow connection of a supply hose thereto.

The cap assemblies could be provided without the circumferentially extending rib 10. Without the rib 10 the cap assembly 1 could be slid far enough into a pipe 4 to recess the nipple 23 and nipple plug 29 within the pipe 4. Recessing the nipple 23 and nipple plug 29 reduces the likelihood that someone might inadvertently shear off the nipple plug 29 or the closure disc 3 by accidentally dropping something on or striking the nipple 23 or nipple plug 29. The nipple 23, plug 29 and the disc 3 may also be colored to help locate the installed cap assemblies 1.

Claims

1. A pressure test cap assembly for use in pressure testing a piping installation including a pipe and comprising:

(a) a cylindrical mounting wall sized for insertion into and sealing engagement with a pipe, said mounting wall defining a cap axis extending axially therethrough;

(b) a closure disc removably connected to said mounting wall and cooperating therewith to seal a pipe when said mounting wall is positioned in sealing engagement with the pipe with said closure disc connected thereto to prevent flow therethrough, said disc having an inner disc surface and an opposite outer disc surface;

(c) said closure disc having a peripheral rim which is cylindrical about said cap axis and includes an inner rim portion projecting axially inward from said inner disc surface and an outer rim portion projecting axially outward from said outer disc surface; and

(d) said closure disc being connected to said mounting wall by said inner rim portion in such a manner that impacts of a selected strength to said outer rim portion, in a direction substantially parallel to said cap axis, are operative to rupture a connection of said closure disc to said mounting wall to thereby enable removal of said disc from said mounting wall.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 and including:

(a) a tubular nipple extending from said outer disc surface and having an open nipple end opening through said closure disc;

(b) said nipple having an opposite connection end which is sized and shaped to enable connection of a source of pressurized fluid thereto; and

(c) a breakaway nipple plug removably connected to said nipple connection end by a weakened ring so as to be separable from said nipple by a shearing force to enable flow therethrough.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 and including:

(a) said breakaway nipple plug having an indentation configured for piercing to create an opening through said closure member disc.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

(a) said mounting wall is sized for insertion into a piping and includes a radially outwardly extending circumferential shoulder wall positioned to limit depth of insertion of said assembly into a the pipe.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein:

(a) said shoulder wall has a radial thickness which is less than an outer diameter of a first pipe into which said assembly is installed to avoid interference with a fitting which is telescoped over such a the first pipe.

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein:

(a) said shoulder wall has a shoulder outer end surface; and

(b) said inner rim portion has such an axial length as to space said inner disc surface axially outward of said shoulder outer end surface.

7. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

(a) said inner rim portion is connected to said mounting wall along a weakened circumferential break line; and

(b) said inner rim portion has such an axial length as to space said inner disc surface axially outward of said break line.

8. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

(a) said cylindrical mounting wall has a mounting wall inner diameter;

(b) said peripheral rim has a peripheral rim diameter; and

(c) said peripheral rim diameter is greater than said mounting wall inner diameter.

9. A pressure test cap assembly for use in pressure testing a piping installation including a pipe and comprising:

(a) a mounting structure sized and shaped to enable connection to a pipe piping installation;

(b) a separable closure member connected to said mounting structure to prevent flow therethrough, said closure member being separable from said mounting structure to enable flow therethrough;

(c) said closure member including a tubular nipple having an open nipple end opening through said closure member and an opposite nipple connection end, said nipple being sized and shaped to enable connection of a source of pressurized fluid thereto; and

(d) a breakaway nipple plug connected to said nipple by a weakened ring, said nipple plug normally closing said nipple connection end to prevent flow therethrough, said closure member nipple plug being separable from said nipple by applying a shear force to said weakened ring to enable flow therethrough.

10. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein:

(a) said mounting structure includes a cylindrical mounting wall having an inner end sized for insertion into and sealing engagement with a pipe, said mounting wall defining a cap axis;

(b) said closure member includes a closure disc connected to said mounting wall and cooperating therewith to pressure seal a pipe when said mounting wall sealingly engages such a pipe with said closure disc intact to prevent flow therethrough, said disc having an inner disc surface and an opposite outer disc surface;

(c) said closure disc has a peripheral rim which is cylindrical about said cap axis and includes an inner rim portion projecting inwardly from said inner disc surface and an outer rim portion projecting outwardly from said outer disc surface; and

(d) said closure disc is connected to said mounting wall by said inner rim portion in such a manner that impacts of a selected strength to said outer rim portion, in a direction substantially parallel to said cap axis, are operative to rupture a connection of said closure disc to said mounting wall to thereby enable removal of said disc from said mounting wall.

11. An assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein:

(a) said mounting wall is sized for insertion into a pipe and includes a radially outwardly extending circumferential shoulder wall positioned to limit depth of insertion of said assembly into a the pipe;

(b) said shoulder wall has a shoulder outer end surface; and

(c) said inner rim portion has such an axial length as to space said inner disc surface axially outward of said shoulder outer end surface.

12. An assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein:

(a) said inner rim is connected to said mounting wall along a weakened circumferential break line; and

(b) said inner rim has such an axial length as to space said inner disc surface axially outward of said break line.

13. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 10 wherein:

(a) said cylindrical mounting wall has a mounting wall inner diameter;

(b) said closure disc has an outer disc diameter; and

(c) said outer disc diameter is greater than said mounting wall inner diameter.

14. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 and including:

(a) said closure member nipple plug having a test indentation configured for piercing.

15. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein:

(a) said mounting wall structure includes a radially outwardly extending circumferential shoulder wall positioned to limit depth of insertion of said assembly into a pipe.

16. An assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein:

(a) said shoulder wall has a radial thickness which is less than an outer diameter of a first pipe into which said assembly is installed to avoid interference with a fitting which is telescoped over such a the first pipe.

17. A pressure test cap assembly for use in pressure testing a piping installation including a pipe and comprising:

(a) a cylindrical mounting collar having an inner end sized for insertion into and sealing engagement with a pipe, said mounting collar defining a cap axis and a mounting collar inner diameter relative to said cap axis;

(b) a closure disc connected to said mounting collar and cooperating therewith to pressure seal a pipe when said mounting collar sealingly engages such a pipe with said closure disc intact to prevent flow therethrough, said disc having an inner disc surface and an opposite outer disc surface; (c) said closure disc having a peripheral rim which is cylindrical about said cap axis and includes an inner rim portion projecting axially inward from said inner disc surface and having a rim diameter and an outer rim portion projecting axially outward from said outer disc surface;

(d) said closure disc being connected to said mounting collar by said inner rim portion in such a manner that impacts of a selected strength to said outer rim portion, in a direction substantially parallel to said cap axis, are operative to rupture a connection of said closure disc to said mounting collar to thereby enable removal of said disc from said mounting collar;

(e) said closure disc including a tubular nipple having an open nipple end opening through said closure disc and an opposite nipple connection end, said nipple being sized and shaped to enable connection of a source of pressurized fluid thereto;

(f) a breakaway nipple plug connected to said nipple by a weakened ring, said nipple plug normally closing said nipple connection end to prevent flow therethrough, said closure nipple plug being separable from said nipple by applying a shear force to said weakened ring to enable flow therethrough; and

(g) said rim diameter being greater than said mounting collar inner diameter.

18. An assembly as set forth in claim 17 and including:

(a) said closure nipple plug having a test indentation configured for piercing.

19. An assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein:

(a) said mounting collar is sized for insertion into a pipe and includes a radially outwardly extending circumferential shoulder wall positioned to limit depth of insertion of said assembly into a the pipe;

(b) said shoulder wall has a radial thickness which is less than an outer diameter of a first pipe into which said assembly is installed to avoid interference with a fitting which is telescoped over such a the first pipe;

(c) said shoulder wall has a shoulder outer end surface;

(d) said inner rim portion has such an axial length as to space said inner disc surface axially outward of said shoulder outer end surface;

(e) said inner rim portion is connected to said mounting collar along a weakened circumferential break line; and

(f) said axial length of said inner rim portion is sufficient to space said inner disc surface axially outward of said break line.

20. A pressure test cap for use in pressure testing a piping installation including a pipe and comprising:

(a) a mounting collar having a mounting wall sized for insertion into and sealing engagement with a pipe, said mounting collar defining a cap axis extending axially therethrough;

(b) a closure disc connected to and extending across an outer end of said mounting collar to close said mounting collar outer end of said mounting collar;

(c) said closure disc having an inner rim projecting axially inward from an inner surface thereof; and

(d) said inner rim of said closure disc being connected to said mounting collar along a break line which is spaced inwardly from said outer end of said mounting collar; said break line being more susceptible to shear than said inner rim and said mounting collar, at least when said mounting wall collar is secured within a pipe to a piping installation.

21. A pressure test cap for use in pressure testing a piping installation including a pipe and comprising:

(a) a mounting collar having a mounting wall sized for insertion into and sealing engagement with a pipe, said mounting collar defining a cap axis extending axially therethrough;

(b) a closure disc connected to and extending across an outer end of said mounting collar to close said mounting collar outer end of said mounting collar;

(c) said closure disc having an inner rim projecting axially inward from an inner surface thereof; and

(d) said inner rim of said closure disc being connected to said mounting collar by a region of reduced thickness positioned in an inwardly spaced relationship from said outer end of said mounting collar; said region of reduced thickness being thinner than said inner rim of said closure disc and thinner than a portion of said mounting collar to which said region of reduced thickness is connected.

22. A pressure test cap assembly for use in pressure testing a piping installation including a pipe and comprising:

(a) a mounting collar sized for insertion into sealing engagement with a pipe, said mounting collar defining a cap axis extending axially therethrough and having an outer end;

(b) a closure disc having inner and outer disc surfaces, and an inner rim projecting axially inward from said inner disc surface and spacing said inner disc surface axially outward from said mounting collar outer end; wherein:

(c) said inner rim is connected to said outer end of said mounting collar at a weakened circumferential break line such that impacts of a selected strength applied to said closure disc, in a direction substantially parallel to said cap axis, are operative to rupture said weakened circumferential break line to thereby enable removal of said disc from said mounting collar.

23. An assembly as set forth in claim 22 wherein said mounting collar has a uniform inside diameter and said closure disc has an outside diameter greater than said uniform inside diameter of said mounting collar.

24. An assembly as set forth in claim 22 wherein said weakened circumferential break line is an area of reduced thickness formed at the a base of an annular groove formed in said outer end of said mounting collar adjacent said inner rim of said closure disc.

25. An assembly as set forth in claim 22 wherein said mounting collar is sized for insertion into a pipe and further including includes a radially outwardly extending circumferential shoulder wall positioned to limit depth of insertion of said assembly into a the pipe.

26. An assembly set forth in claim 22 wherein said closure disc further includes an outer rim projecting axially outward from said outer disc surface.

27. A pressure test cap assembly for use in pressure testing a piping installation including a pipe and comprising:

(a) a mounting collar;

(b) a closure member connected to said mounting collar to prevent flow therethrough and including a tubular nipple having an open nipple end opening through said closure member and an opposite nipple connection end, said nipple being sized and shaped to enable connection of a source of pressurized fluid thereto; and

(c) a breakaway nipple plug connected to said nipple by a weakened ring, said nipple plug normally closing said nipple connection end to prevent flow therethrough, said nipple plug being separable from said nipple by applying a shear force to said weakened ring to enable flow therethrough.

28. An assembly as set forth in claim 27 wherein said closure member is separable from said mounting collar to enable flow therethrough.

29. An assembly as set forth in claim 28 wherein:

(a) said mounting collar defines a cap axis;

(b) said closure member includes a closure disc connected to said mounting collar, said disc having an inner disc surface, an opposite outer disc surface, and a peripheral rim which is cylindrical about said cap axis and includes an inner rim portion projecting inwardly from said inner disc surface and an outer rim portion projecting outwardly from said outer disc surface; and

(c) said closure disc is connected to said mounting collar by said inner rim portion in such a manner that impacts of a selected strength to said outer rim portion, in a direction substantially parallel to said cap axis, are operative to rupture a connection of said closure disc to said mounting collar to thereby enable removal of said disc from said mounting collar.

30. An assembly as set forth in claim 28, wherein:

(a) said mounting collar defines a cap axis and has an outer end;

(b) said closure member includes a closure disc having inner and outer disc surfaces, and an inner rim projecting axially inward from said inner disc surface and spacing said inner disc surface axially outward from said mounting collar outer end; wherein:

(c) said inner rim is connected to said outer end of said mounting collar at a weakened circumferential break line such that impacts of a selected strength applied to said closure disc, in a direction substantially parallel to said cap axis, are operative to rupture said weakened circumferential break line to thereby enable removal of said disc from said mounting collar.