Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
Pipe Cap.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the general field of caps and is
5particularly concerned with a cap for blocking a pipe.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In many industries, there is a need to block an opening, such as an
opening in a pipe. For example, in the fuel distribution industry, there is a
need to
prevent unauthorized access to fuel tanks. Indeed, underground storage tanks
for gas
10in gas stations need to be protected against such unauthorized access for
safety
reasons, among others.
[0003] Currently, such storage tanks include a filling pipe to which a filling
tube is attachable for refuelling the tank. When the tank is not refilled,
there is a need to
protect the opening of the pipe so that unauthorized persons cannot access
this
15opening. In currently existing caps for such pipe openings, the cap is
typically affixed to
the pipe and a lock is secured to the cap so as to prevent an unauthorized
person from
releasing the cap from the pipe.
[0004] However, the locks that are typically used are relatively easy to
break.
In addition, such locks are exposed to water infiltration and therefore are
prone to rust.
20[0005] Also, when an authorized user wishes to access the pipe, there is a
need to locate the key to the lock. If the key is not readily available there
is a loss of
time looking for the key or in trying to break the lock. In this
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last case a replacement lock also has to be provided.
[0006] Although the above example relates to the fuel distribution
industry, there are also many other industries into which there is the need to
block an opening in a pipe so that access by unauthorized persons is
prevented.
[0007] Against this background, there exists a need in the industry to
provide a novel cap for blocking a pipe.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An object of the present invention is therefore to provide an
improved cap for blocking a pipe.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In a first broad aspect, the invention provides a cap for
blocking a pipe. The pipe has a rim at an end thereof. The rim defines a pipe
aperture. The cap includes a body for blocking the pipe aperture, the body
including a bore having a threaded bore portion. A latch is movably mounted
on the body for movement between a latched position wherein the latch
engages the rim, and an unlatched position wherein the latch disengages the
rim. A plug is provided for threaded engagement with the threaded portion and
converts a rotational movement of the plug relative to the bore into a
translation
movement of the plug relative to the bore between a plug first position and a
plug second position. The plug is operatively coupled to the latch for moving
the latch between the latched and the unlatched positions in response to the
plug being moved between the first plug position and a second plug position.
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[0010] In a variant, a top surface of the plug defines a mating portion
for mating with the tool and selectively allowing a rotation of the plug in
response to a rotation of the tool.
[0011] Advantageously, the cap includes an integrated lock. The
lock is defined by the mating portion. Also, if the plug, and more generally
the
whole cap, is made of a rust proof material, rusting problems associated with
locking the cap are reduced.
[0012] In some embodiments of the invention, the mating portion is
designed so as to be relatively hard to open without having access to the tool
that mates with the mating portion. Therefore, if this tool is kept at a
secure
location, the cap provides for a relatively secure locking of the cap to the
pipe
aperture.
[0013] Furthermore, the cap is relatively inexpensive to manufacture
and relatively easy to operate and install.
[0014] Yet furthermore, the cap provides a relatively secure manner
of blocking the pipe aperture.
[0015] Other objects, advantages and features of the present
invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-
restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of
example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] In the appended drawings:
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[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cap according to the
invention, the cap having latches that are in a latched position;
[0018] Figure 2 is a top elevation view of the cap of Figure 1;
[0019] Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the cap of Figure 1,
taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2;
[0020] Figure 4 is the perspective view of the cap of Figure 1 with
the latches in an unlatched position;
[0021] Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of the cap of Figure 4,
taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2;
[0022] Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of an alternative
embodiment of the cap of Figure 1, with the latches in the latched position;
[0023] Figure 7 is a cross sectional view of the cap of Figure 6, with
the latches in the unlatched position;
[0024] Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the cap of Figure
1;
[0025] Figure 9A is a perspective view of a tool for mating with a
mating portion of a plug of the cap of Figure 1;
[0026] Figure 9B is an exploded view of the tool of Figure 9A;
[0027] Figure 10A is a bottom perspective view of a body of the cap
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of Figure 1; and
[0028] Figure 10B is a top perspective view of the body of the cap of
Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] Figure 1 illustrates a cap 10 for blocking a pipe 12. As better
seen in Figure 5, the pipe 12 includes a rim 14. The rim 14 defines a pipe
aperture 16 (better shown in Figure 8).
[0030] Referring to Figure 3, the cap includes a body 18 for blocking
the pipe aperture 16. The body 18 includes a bore 20 having a threaded bore
portion 22. The cap 10 further includes at least one latch 24 mounted to the
body 18 and a plug 26 for threaded engagement with the threaded bore portion
22.
[0031] As shown in Figure 1, the cap 10 shown in the drawings
includes four latches 24. However, it is within the scope of the invention to
have caps having any other number of latches 24.
[0032] Each of the latches 24 is movably mounted on the body 18
for movement between a latched position, wherein the latch 24 engages the rim
14, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, and an unlatched position wherein the
latch
24 disengages the rim 14, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.
[0033] The plug 26 converts a rotational movement of the plug 26
relative to the bore 20 between a plug first position and a plug second
position.
The plug is operatively coupled to the latches 24 for moving the latches 24
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between the latched and unlatched positions in response to the plug 26 being
moved between the plug first position and the plug second position.
[0034] Accordingly, a rotation of the plug 26 allows latching and
unlatching the latches 24. This in turn allows for the removal of the cap 10
from
5the pipe 12 in order to access the aperture 16 when the latches 24 are
unlatched
from the rim 14. When the latches 24 are in the latched position, the cap 10
is
secured to the pipe 12 and is therefore relatively hard to remove therefrom.
[0035] As better seen in Figure 5, the bore 20 defines a bore peripheral
surface 28 and a bore bottom surface 30 extending substantially inwardly from
the
10bore peripheral surface 28. The plug 26 defines a plug peripheral surface
32, a
plug top surface 34 extending substantially inwardly from the plug peripheral
surface 32, and a plug bottom surface 36 extending substantially inwardly from
the
plug peripheral surface 32. The plug bottom surface 36 is substantially
opposed to
the plug top surface 34 and substantially annular in shape. The plug
peripheral
15surface 32 includes a plug threaded portion 35 for threaded engagement with
the
threaded bore portion 22.
[0036] The plug peripheral surface 32 further includes a circumferential
groove 38 extending substantially inwardly within the plug 26. The
circumferential
groove 38 is for receiving a collar 40 that is rotatably mounted therein. The
collar
2040 is connected to the latches 24 and will be described in further details
hereinbelow.
[0037] Referring to Figure 2, the plug top surface 34 defines a mating
portion 42 for mating with a tool 44, shown in Figures 9A and 9B, and
selectively
allowing a rotation of the plug 26 in response to the rotation of the tool 44.
The
25tool 44 is described in further details hereinbelow.
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[0038] The mating portion 42 includes a generally frustoconical section
46 extending substantially outwardly from the plug 26. The frustoconical
section is
substantially collinear with the rest of the plug 26.
[0039] In a specific embodiment of the invention, the frustoconical
5section 46 is a frustum of a cone having a longitudinal-axis-to-external-
surface
angle selected from an interval of about 30 to about 60 . The longitudinal-
axis-to-
external-surface of a cone is an angle between a longitudinal axis of the cone
and
a sidewall of the cone. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the
longitudinal-
axis-to-external-surface angle is about 45 . However, in alternative
embodiments
10of the invention, the longitudinal-axis-to-external-surface angle takes any
other
suitable value.
[0040] It is advantageous in some embodiments of the invention, to
have an apex half angle selected such that an unauthorized person would
experience great difficulty in securing a tool different from the tool 44 to
the mating
15portion 42. Therefore, a functionality provided by the mating portion 42 is
to
prevent unauthorized removal of the cap 10 from the pipe 12.
[0041] The frustoconical section 46 is provided with a plurality of
substantially inwardly extending notches 48 extending from a periphery 50 of
the
frustoconical section 46 towards a center 52 of the frustoconical section 46.
20[0042] In a specific embodiment of the invention, between 8 and 12
notches are provided. In a very specific embodiment of the invention, 8
notches
are provided, as shown in the drawings. However, in alternative embodiments of
the invention, any other suitable number of notches is provided. Each of the
notches 48 includes an apex portion 54 connecting two accurate notches
sidewalls
2556.
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[0043] In some embodiments of the invention, the angle of the two
sidewalls 56 at the apex 54 is from about 45 degrees to about 90 degrees. In a
specific embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, this angle is
about 60
degrees. However, it is within the scope of the invention to have this angle
taking
5any other suitable value.
[0044] The accurate notches sidewalls 56 define a plurality of
peripheral petals 58. These petals 58 engage an engagement portion 109 of the
tool 44, shown in Figures 9A and 9B.
[0045] Referring to Figure 8, the collar 40 includes a substantially
10annular portion 62 and a plurality of latch attachments 64 extending
substantially
outwardly therefrom. The latches 24 are connected to the latched attachments
64.
[0046] In a specific embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings,
the collar 40 includes two half collar portions 66 and 68 that are assembled
together to form the collar 40. However, in alternative embodiments of the
15invention, the collar 40 is manufactured and shaped in any other suitable
manner.
[0047] Still referring to Figure 8, each of the latches 24 includes first
and second pivotably connected latch members 70 and 72. The first latch
member 70 is pivotably connected to one of the latch attachments 64. Each of
the
second latch members 72 is pivotably connected to the body 18.
20[0048] Manners of pivotably connecting latch members to each others
and to attachments and bodies are well known in the art. For example, such a
manner includes the use of a rivet. Another manner of effecting such a
pivotable
connection includes the use of nuts and bolts. However, it is within the scope
of
the invention to have pivotable connections that are made in any other
suitable
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manner.
[0049] The second latch member 72 includes first and second ends 74
and 76. The second end 74 is for engaging the pipe 12.
[0050] In some embodiments of the invention, the pipe 12 includes a
5flange 80 extending substantially outwardly from the rim 14. In this case the
second end 74 includes a hook 82 for hooking the flange 80. In alternative
embodiments of the invention, the second member 72 and the rim 14 are shaped
in any other suitable manner.
[0051] The second latch member 72 is mounted to the body 18 at a
10location intermediate the first and second ends 74 and 76. Also, the first
and
second members 70 and 72 are pivotably interconnected at respective
extremities
thereof. The first latch member 70 is itself pivotably connected to the collar
40 at
the other extremity thereof.
[0052] As shown respectively in Figures 10B and 10A, the body 18
15includes top and bottom substantially opposed body surfaces 84 and 86. The
bore
20 extends within the top body surface 84. Referring to Figure 10B, the top
body
surface 84 includes a plurality of channels 88. The channels 88 each receive
at
least in part a respective latch 24 when the latch 24 is in the latched
position.
However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the surface 84 does not
20include channels 88.
[0053] Each of the channels 88 is defined by two channel walls 90
extending substantially radially within the top body surface 84. Each of the
channel walls 90 further defines accurate indentation 92 extending within the
body
18 between the channels 88.
I I
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[0054] The channels 88 receive the latches 24 and help reduce the risk
that an unauthorized user forces open the cap 10 by engaging the latches 24
and
applying a leverage thereto.
[0055] The indentations 92 are shaped to facilitate the flow of any water
5that might come in contact with the cap 10. Therefore, the indentations 92
reduce
the risk that water will become trapped in the cap 10 and freeze, thereby
applying
large stresses onto the cap 10. Such stresses might cause, in extreme cases,
the
cap 10 to fail. In addition, the shape of the indentations 92 reduces stress
concentrations within the body 18 and therefore increases the structural
rigidity of
lOthe cap 10.
[0056] The body 18 further includes a plurality of attachment
protrusions 94 for pivotably attaching the latches 24 to the body 18. The
attachment protrusions 94 extend substantially outwardly from the body 24. In
some embodiments of the invention, the attachment protrusions 94 are provided
15pairwise and received therebetween the second latch members 72.
[0057] Referring now to Figure 10A, the bottom body surface 86
includes a substantially centrally located protrusion 98 that is positionable,
at least
in part, within the pipe 12. The protrusion 98 defines the bore 20 at least in
part.
In addition, the bottom body surface 86 includes a circumferential
substantially
20peripherally located flange 100 extending from the body 86. The flange and
the
central protrusion 98 define a substantially annular body groove 102
therebetween. In some embodiments of the invention, as shown in Figure 3, the
annular body groove 102 receives a substantially annular gasket 104.
[0058] In some embodiments of the invention, the pipe 12 includes a
25pipe rotation-inhibiting protrusion 21 (shown in Figure 8) extending
substantially
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radially within the pipe 12. In addition, the body 18 includes a substantially
radially
extending body rotation-inhibiting protrusion 19 (shown in Figure 10A)
provided
within the body groove 102 for engaging the pipe rotation-inhibiting
protrusion 21
and inhibiting a rotation of the body 18 with respect to the pipe 12.
Therefore, the
5body and pipe rotation-inhibiting protrusions 19 and 21 allow the user to
turn the
plug 26 with respect to the body 18 even in cases wherein frictional forces
between the body 18 and the pipe 12 are not sufficient to prevent a rotation
of the
body 18 with respect to the pipe 12. The reader skilled in the art will
readily
appreciate that in other embodiments of the invention, the pipe 12 does not
10include a pipe rotation-inhibiting protrusion 21 and the body 18 does not
include a
body rotation-inhibiting protrusions 19.
[0059] Referring to Figure 5, in some embodiments of the invention, the
plug 26 includes a central recess 106 extending within the plug 26 from the
plug
bottom surface 36. Also, the bore 20 includes a protrusion 108 extending
15substantially outwardly from the bore bottom surface 30. The protrusion 108
engages the central recess 106 upon the plug 26 being threaded within the bore
20 towards the bore bottom surface 30.
[0060] In some embodiments of the invention, the protrusion 108 is
configured and sized for centering the plug 26 within the bore 20. To that
effect,
20the protrusion 108 is substantially frustoconical. However, in alternative
embodiments of the invention, the protrusion 108 adopts any other suitable
configuration. Also, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the bore
does not
include a protrusion 108 and the plug 26 does not include a central recess
106.
[0061] The tool 44 is described hereinbelow with reference to Figures
259A and 9B. The tool 44 includes an engagement section 110, a stick 111, a
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handle 113, a stick-to-handle coupler 115, and a fastener 117. The engagement
section 109 is connected to the stick 111. The coupler 115 receives the handle
113 and the stick 111 and attaches together the handle 113 and the stick 111
through the fastener 117 blocking the coupler 115 with the handle 113 and the
5stick 111. To that effect, the coupler 115 includes a coupling section 119
from
which a flange 120 extends substantially outwardly therefrom and peripherally
thereto. The coupling section 119 is substantially cylindrical and includes a
handle
receiving aperture 122 and a fastener receiving aperture 124.
[0062] The handle 113 is substantially elongated and substantially
lOcylindrical with a fastening aperture 126 provided substantially midway
between its
two extremities.
[0063] The stick 111 is also substantially elongated and includes an
engagement section coupling portion 128 for attaching the engagement section
109 thereto. In addition, the stick 111 includes a handle receiving aperture
130
15and a fastener receiving aperture 132.
[0064] In some embodiments of the invention, the stick 111 is
substantially tubular and the handle receiving aperture 130 is substantially
perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stick 111. Also, the fastener
receiving
aperture 132 is also substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of
the stick
20111 and is also substantially perpendicular to the handle receiving aperture
130.
[0065] When assembled, the engagement section 110 is fastened to
the engagement section coupling portion 128 in any suitable manner, for
example
through soldering or through the use of screws, among others. Also, the
coupler
115 is inserted within the stick 111 and the handle 113 is subsequently
inserted
25within the handle receiving apertures 118 and 130. The fastening aperture
126 is
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substantially aligned with the apertures 124 and 132, which allow the
insertion of
the fastener 117 therewithin. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the
fastener 117 includes a nut and a bolt, in alternative embodiments of the
invention,
the fastener 117 includes screws or any other suitable fastening device.
5[0066] In use, the cap 10 is provided onto the rim 14 with the latches 24
in the unlatched configuration. Subsequently, the tool 44 is manipulated by an
intended user so that the engagement section 110 engages the mating section 42
of the plug 26. Then, the user rotates the plug 26 so that the plug 26 is
threaded
into the bore 20. This causes the collar 40 to be pushed towards the pipe 12
and
10therefore moves the latches 24 toward the latched configuration. Indeed,
when
the collar 40 is moved towards the pipe 12, an angle between the first latch
member 70 and the rim 14 comes closer to 90 degrees. Consequently, this pushes
the end 76 of the second latch member 72 away from the plug 26. In turn, this
causes the other end 74 of the second member 72 to be pushed towards the pipe
1512.
[0067] In some embodiments of the invention, as shown in Figure 1, the
latches are in the latched configuration when the first latch members 70
arrive
substantially flush with an upper part of the channels 88. Also, in this
embodiment
of the invention, the top surface 34 of the plug 26 also arrives substantially
flush
20with these channels 88. Therefore, in this configuration, only the mating
section 42
protrudes from the cap 10.
[0068] To remove the cap 10, the above described operations are
performed in reverse sequence.
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[0069] Figure 6 and 7 illustrate cross sections of a cap 10' that is
very similar to the cap 10. The cap 10' differs from the cap 10 only in the
configuration of the bore of the body and the plug. In the cap 10', a bore 20'
defines a substantially smooth bore peripheral surface 28' and a bore bottom
surface 30' extending substantially inwardly from the bore peripheral surface
28'. The bore further includes a mast 110 extending substantially outwardly
from the bore bottom surface 30'. The mast 110 includes a mast peripheral
wall 112 and a mast top wall 114 extending substantially inwardly therefrom. A
threaded bore portion 22' is provided within the mast peripheral wall 112.
[0070] A plug 26' similar to the plug 26 includes a plug peripheral
surface 32', a plug top surface 34 extending substantially inwardly from the
plug peripheral surface 32' and a plug bottom surface 36 extending
substantially inwardly from the plug peripheral surface 32'. The plug top
surface 34 is substantially opposite the plug bottom surface 36. In addition,
the
plug 26' includes a plug central recess 27 extending within the plug 26' from
the
plug bottom surface 36. The plug central recess 27 includes a threaded plug
portion 29 for threaded engagement with the threaded bore portion 22'.
[0071] In some embodiments of the invention, the plug peripheral
surface includes a circumferential notch 116 extending substantially inwardly
within the plug 26'. The plug 26' is for receiving a gasket that allows to
substantially seal the bore from water infiltration. In some embodiments of
the
invention, the gasket is an annular gasket. In alternative embodiments of the
invention, the gasket is any other suitable gasket.
[0072] The operation of the cap 10 is substantially similar to the
operation of the cap 10' and will therefore not be described.
[0073] Although the present invention has been described
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hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it can be modified,
without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as
defined
in the appended claims.
