Method and apparatus for sealing a bathtub overflow port for testing purposes

Abstract

A method of sealing an overflow fluid port of a bathtub against fluid flow for testing for leaks in the water system which includes the overflow fluid port, comprising, inserting into the overflow fluid port an expandable plug, mechanically expanding the expandable plug to engage an interior surface of the port to seal the port against fluid flow; thence conducting the water system for leaks; thence mechanically moving the expandable plug to a non-expanded condition, and removing the expandable plug from the port. The structure for sealing a bathtub overflow port for testing purposes, includes an expandable plug removably mounted in the overflow port of a bathtub.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An overflow system for a bathtub which has a bottom, and adjacent side and endwalls, a drain port in the bottom, and overflow port in an endwall, with said overflow port being in communication with a vent pipe, comprising, 
 a drain pipe adapted to be in communication with said drain port and said overflow port,    said drain pipe having an inverted L-shape, including a horizontal leg extending into and through the overflow part of the bathtub, and a vertical leg extending downwardly for connection to a fluid drain system,    and an expandable plug removably positioned in the interior of the horizontal leg and expanded to seal the horizontal leg against fluid flow.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the expandable plug has a resilient expandable washer which can be slidably moved into and out of the horizontal leg in its non-expanded condition, with means on the expandable plug to expand the resilient washer radially to seal against an inside surface of the horizontal leg to seal the horizontal leg against fluid flow.  
     
     
         3 . A method of sealing an overflow fluid port of a bathtub against fluid flow for testing for leaks in the water system which includes the overflow fluid port, comprising, 
 inserting into the overflow fluid port an expandable plug,    mechanically expanding the expandable plug to engage an interior surface of the port to seal the port against fluid flow,    thence conducting the water system for leaks,    thence mechanically moving the expandable plug to a non-expanded condition, and    removing the expandable plug from the port.