GB2618159A

GB2618159A - A leak resolution device

Info

Publication number: GB2618159A
Application number: GB2206426.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Antonio Aguzzoli Marcos
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-04-29
Filing date: 2022-04-29
Publication date: 2023-11-01
Anticipated expiration: 2042-04-29
Also published as: GB2618159B; GB202206426D0

Abstract

A leak resolution device comprising a basal part 1 and an upper part 2, wherein at least one of the parts comprises an elongate rigid part having an inner face with an internal radius appropriate to a standard pipe diameter, the two parts joined at a hinge 3 at one longitudinal edge, wherein the opposing longitudinal edge is loose, wherein the inner face at least in part is resiliently deformable. Aspects include: the inner face comprises a strip of resiliently deformable material, wherein the strip of material is silicone; wherein the outer face comprises raised and lowered portions; a closure means with a male and female part, wherein the male parts comprise hooks on resilient stems; the closure means is arranged opposite the hinge; the closure means is a resilient clip closure means; the closure means comprises a plurality of clips arranged to fit a plurality of holes; the closure means is reversible such that the device is reusable.

Description

A LEAK RESOLUTION DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a leak resolution device, in particular a device to resolve, temporarily or semi-permanently, a leak in a pipe or tube; more particularly but not exclusively pressurised piping.

Background

Many people in many domestic and commercial buildings across multiple societies are increasingly dependent on piped water.

It can be highly problematic when pipes leak, causing significant chances of 15 disruption from water damage.

In particular, even when the source of the damage is located, it can be difficult to stop or even stem the water leakage from a pipe, wherein the pressure in the pipe will typically displace any temporary lagging or ffic such as tying cloth around the pipe.

Prior Art

CN 2022 52 611 (YEFA et al) discloses a rapid adhesive curing fixture for pipeline leaking stoppage, which comprises a pipe damp and two annular plugs connected to two ends of the pipe clamp. The pipe clamp comprises an upper half pipe clamp and a lower half pipe clamp which are respectively provided with an interlayer, an electric heating wire is arranged in each interlayer, each annular plug comprises an upper half ring and a lower hail ring, the inner diameter of a ring of each annular plug is smaller than that of the pipe clamp, and accordingly, an adhesive injection space is formed between the two annular plugs at the two ends of the pipe damp. Adhesives are injected into the fixture by a high-pressure injection gun.

WO 2011 45 608 (DICKINSON) discloses a closure means for containing fluid 35 leaking from a ruptured pipe comprising at least one housing suitable for placing on a surface of a pipe to define an enclosed cavity between the housing and the surface of the pipe, and a fastening means coupled to the housing, wherein the fastening means is operable to hold the housing in a sealed engagement with the pipe to produce a sealed joint therebetween.

JP 2000 035 183 (ENOMOTO et al) discloses a repairing member for plastic tube is arranged at a position for covering a damaged plastic tube, and one more repairing member is arranged while changing its attitude symmetrically in relation to the former reinforcing member, and bonding lug pieces of both the reinforcing members are overlapped with each other, and fastened by a bolt and nut With this structure, the damaged plastic tube is covered with two repairing members and when electricity is supplied from a connecting terminal so as to heat a heater, plastic of a corresponding part is melted so that the periphery of the plastic tube and the plastic cover materials are fused.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a leak resolution device comprises a basal part and an upper part, wherein at least one of the parts comprises an elongate rigid part, having an inner face with an internal radius appropriate to a standard pipe diameter, the two parts joined at a hinge at one longitudinal edge, wherein the opposing longitudinal edge is loose, wherein the inner face at least in part is resiliently deformable.

In some embodiments the inner face may comprise a strip of resiliently deformable material, which is adhered to the inner face. This material may comprise a strip of silicone or similar.

In addition or the alternative such strip of material may enable the device to more effectively accommodate hot water leaks.

In this way the resiliently deformable material becomes squashed and misshapen 35 against the surface of a pipe, to fill, cover or accommodate, and compensate any damage, deformities, and/or foreign matter, present in and/or on said pipe, in, at or in close proximity to a leak, thereby forming a seal.

In some embodiments the resiliently deformable material has an adhesive surface 5 and displaceable cover thereover. In this way the cover may be removed according to preference, whereby the adhesive may be used to adhere the device to the pipe, for example where it may be envisaged that the device is intended for a single use.

In some embodiments the outer face comprises raised and lowered portions, which 10 may be envisaged to provide a structurally rigid form with minimal material. It may be further envisaged that the raised and lowered portions may provide cut lines, so as to provide a device of a different length.

In some embodiments the inner face comprises a segment intermediate the hinge 15 and a closure means wherein the device may comprise two elongate parts each having a semicircular inner face.

In some embodiments the hinge comprises a living hinge, wherein the device may be envisaged to formed as a single moulding in plastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene 20 styrene (ABS).

In some embodiments the device comprises a closure means, which is arranged opposite the hinge. In other embodiments the device may be envisaged to be closed with a standard clip, such as a cable clip or pipe clamp or clip.

In some embodiments the closure means is a resilient clip closure means, for example wherein the male parts comprise hooks on resilient stems. In this way it may be envisaged that the resilient stems may enable the hooks to be stretched more effectively to be seated into the female closure parts, such that with a distal living hinge the device may be envisaged to accommodate more variation in pipe shape.

In some embodiments the closure means comprises a plurality of clips arranged to fit a plurality of holes. This may enable the device to be used on a length of pipe, as 35 well as improving integrity of closure onto the pipe.

In some embodiments the closure means is reversible such that the device is reusable.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example 5 only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Fiaures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in use on a length of pipe; Figure 2 shows a plan view of the embodiment of the device sown in Figure 1, opened and showing the inner face; Figure 3a shows a sketch of an isometric detail view of the hinge of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3b shows a sketch of an isometric detail view of the male part of the closure 20 means of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3c shows a sketch of an isometric detail view of the female part of the closure 25 means of the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the leak resolution 30 device 99 according to the present invention generally comprising a basal part 1 and an upper part 2, comprising elongate rigid parts, having an internal radius appropriate to a standard pipe diameter, the two parts joined at a hinge 3.

In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises two 35 elongate parts formed in a thermoplastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

The two parts have substantially semi-circular cylindrical inner faces and an outer face that is provided by a plurality of raised circumferentially arranged ribs 5 spaced apart by circumferential indentations indented to the diameter of the inner face, namely continuous indentations 4 between the hinge 3 and distal edge on the upper part 2, and discontinuous indentations 7 proximate the edge of the basal part 1 distal the hinge 3.

In some embodiments these indentations may allow bending of the device, andfor 10 provide separation locations.

On one of the parts, the basal part 1, in an intermediate segment 11 on one of the parts, intermediate between the hinge and closure clip means, there is a segment where the raised ribs are flattened to the height of the indentations, so as to provide an elongate segment of the inner face that is afl at the same diameter on one patrt, namely that of the pipe.

In this elongate segment 11 there is provided an elongate rectangular strip 12 of resiliently deformable material, such as silicone, which may be permanently adhered 20 on its lower face to the inner face of the part in use.

The upper face of the strip may be envisaged to be pressed against the leak, by the parts when closed around the pipe, and locked thereagainst by a closure means.

Additionally or alternatively the strip may comprise an adhesive material, for example with a displaceable cover.

As there is only a segment of one part in continuous contact with the leak or pipe it may be envisaged that a better more balked contact is achieved.

The closure means 73 comprises a plurality of male parts 10 fitting into female parts 8, wherein the closure means has male parts that comprise resilient stems 9 with distal hooks 78, spaced along the edge of the upper and basal parts respectively, distal the hinge 3.

The stems 9 are resilient so as to allow for twisting, stretching and other variation to allow fitting into the female holes of the other part of the closure means 73, enabling accommodation of a plurality of different pipe shapes.

The hinge 3 is provided by a plurality of individual hinge members so as to allow for twisting and stretching and accommodation of differing pipe shapes.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing 10 from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A leak resolution device comprises a basal part and an upper part, wherein at least one of the parts comprises an elongate rigid part, having an inner face with an internal radius appropriate to a standard pipe diameter, the two parts joined at a hinge at one longitudinal edge, wherein the opposing longitudinal edge is loose, wherein the inner face at least in part is resiliently deformable.
2. A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the inner face comprises a strip of resiliently deformable material.
3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the strip of material is silicone.
4. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the inner face comprises an adhesive surface and displaceable cover.
5. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the outer face comprises raised and lowered portions.
6. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the inner face comprises a segment intermediate the hinge
7. A device according to any preceding claim comprising two elongate parts having a semicircular inner face.
8. A device according to any preceding claim comprising a living hinge.
9. A device according to claim 8 wherein the living hinge comprise a plurality of individual living hinge members.
10. A device according to any preceding claim comprising a closure means with a male and female part.
11. A device according to claim 9 wherein the male parts comprise hooks on resilient stems.
12. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the closure means is arranged opposite the hinge.
13. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the closure means is a resilient clip closure means.
14. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the closure means comprises a plurality of clips arranged to fit a plurality of holes.
15. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the closure means is reversible such that the device is reusable.