Removable closure system
US6286553A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 9, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 11, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 9, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16L55/1125
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A closure for an opening extending through a tubular member, the opening having a first cylindrical surface of a first internal diameter and a second cylindrical surface of an enlarged internal diameter providing a circumferential ledge, and, in the second cylindrical surface an increased internal diameter circumferential slot, the closure being formed of a cylindrical plug removably positioned within the tubular member and in engagement with the circumferential ledge and including an expandable snap ring having a collapsed and an expanded condition and receivable when in the expanded condition within the circumferential slot to capture the plug between the circumferential ledge and the snap ring. In one embodiment the snap ring is a unitary circumferential member having opposed, spaced apart first and second ends and wherein the snap ring is radially inwardly collapsed by moving the first and second ends towards each other. In another embodiment the snap ring is formed of first and a second leaf portions, each portion having a first end and a second end, each leaf portion being hinged to the plug body adjacent the first end thereof, the leaf portions being radially positioned by m…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.