Plumber's tool

Abstract

A plumber's tool having a hand operated bulb at one end and an inflatable distal end with and intermediate smaller diameter hose portion for easy insertion into a water pipe or the like for repair thereof and the method of using same.

1 . A plumber's tool for blocking flow of liquid in a conduit having a break therein comprising the combination of an elongate hose configured member having a continuous unitary structure including a first end adapted to be connected to a source of gas outside said conduit, a second end configured to fit within said conduit, and an elongate flexible portion extending integrally therebetween; said second end being inflatable from an uninflated state to an inflated state, said second end being adapted to maintain said uninflated state during manipulation and positioning within said conduit, said second end in both said uninflated and inflated state thereof forming a bulbous termination for said elongate flexible portion, said second end adapted in said inflated state to fill said conduit and for sealing said conduit at an area adjacent said break.  
   
   
       2 . The tool in accordance with  claim 1  including a hand-operated bulb connector pump for inflating said second end with ambient air.  
   
   
       3 . The tool in accordance with  claim 2  including a one-way air-releasable valve in operable association with said hand operated bulb connector.  
   
   
       4 . The tool in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said source of gas is a can of pressurized air.  
   
   
       5 . The tool in accordance with  claim 3  wherein said tool is fabricated of high temperature resistant rubber.  
   
   
       6 . The tool in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said high temperature resistant rubber is of commercial grade silicone rubber and has a temperature rating of about 350°-450° Fahrenheit and has a wall thickness of about 0.055-0.060 inch at said other end and is easily inflatable by hand.  
   
   
       7 . The method of effectuating repair in a water pipe or the like comprising the steps of: 
 a. locating the rupture in the pipe or conduit;    b. shutting off flow of water in said pipe or conduit so that flow of water is not under usual water pressure in said conduit;    c. providing an elongate tube having a continuous unitary structure including an outer end, an inflatable end and an elongate flexible portion extending integrally therebetween; said inflatable end being inflatable from an uninflated state to an inflated state, said inflatable end being adapted to maintain said uninflated state during manipulation and positioning within the pipe or conduit, said inflatable end in both said uninflated and inflated states thereof forming a bulbous termination for said elongate portion;    d. inserting said elongate tube having said inflatable end in said uninflated state through an access way into said conduit or pipe to position the inflatable end thereof in the proximity of said break;    e. inflating the inflatable end of said tool to stop the flow of residual fluid in said conduit or pipe; and    e. effectuating a repair of said pipe or conduit at said break.    
   
   
       8 . A plumber's tool for blocking flow of liquid in a conduit having a break therein comprising the combination of an elongate hose configured member having a continuous unitary structure including a first end, a second end, and an elongate flexible portion extending integrally therebetween; said second end being inflatable from an uninflated state to an inflated state, said second end being adapted to maintain said uninflated state during manipulation and positioning within said conduit, said second end in both said uninflated and inflated states thereof forming a bulbous termination for said elongate portion; said elongate hose configured member being about 24 inches in length said second end being expandable relative to said elongate portion, said first end being connected to a source of gas outside said conduit, and said second end being configured to fit within said conduit and adapted to be inflated to fill said conduit for sealing said conduit at an area adjacent said break; wherein a hand operated bulb air pump member is connected to the first end of said elongate hose configured member, and a one-way air-releasable valve is disposed in operable association with said hand operated bulb air pump member, the wall thickness of said second end being much smaller than the wall thickening of said elongate flexible portion.