Patent Application
20230392398
This application relates generally to devices for buildings and other structures, and more specifically, to devices that are configured to at least partially plug or otherwise close openings in walls or other portions of building and other structures.
Finished surfaces of buildings have an aesthetic value for owners and occupants of buildings. As a result, there is a need to cover any openings (or other discontinuous features) that may be created on the exposed surfaces of a building. The process of covering a hole can be time consuming, expensive and disruptive to building occupants and those performing the work. One such example is when a contractor creates a relatively small hole in the exterior of a building for inspection purposes. For instance, an opening can be created along a wall of a residential or commercial building to allow a borescope inspection tube to pass within one or more interior or otherwise hidden portions of the building. Thus, a need exists for improved devices, systems and methods for at least partially plugging or otherwise closing openings in buildings and other structures.
According to some embodiments, a plug or an insert device for use in closing an opening along an external surface of a structure comprises a main body including a first end to a second end, the main body extending from the first end to the second end along a longitudinal axis, a first surface located along the first end of the main body, wherein the first surface is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a second surface located along the second end of the main body, wherein the second surface is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and at least one opening or feature along the first surface, wherein the first opening or feature is configured to permit a user to manipulate the plug without directly contacting the plug, wherein the first surface comprising a non-smooth finish, wherein the plug comprises a setting or a hardening material, wherein the plug is configured to be placed within a corresponding opening of a wall or other structural component of a building, and wherein the plug is configured to remain fixed within the corresponding opening using at least one adhesive.
According to some embodiments, the non-smooth finish of the first surface comprises a textured surface. In some embodiments, the textured surface comprises a stucco exterior finish. In some embodiments, the textured surface comprises a plurality of bumps, other protrusions and/or recesses.
According to some embodiments, the setting or the hardening material comprises a cement, a concrete and/or another cementitious or hardening material. In some embodiments, the main body comprises a cylindrical shape. In some embodiments, the at least one adhesive is positioned along at least one exterior surface of the plug. In some embodiments, at least one exterior surface of the plug that receives the adhesive is located along an exterior of the main body. In some embodiments, the plug is manufactured by, using and/or in a casting process.
According to some embodiments, a method of closing an opening in a wall or other member of a building or other structure comprises inserting a plug device within the opening, wherein the plug device comprises a plug device according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein or equivalents thereof. The method further comprises securing the plug device within the opening using at least one securement technology.
According to some embodiments, a method of closing an opening in a wall or other member of a building or other structure comprises inserting a plug device within the opening, wherein the plug device is shaped, sized and otherwise configured to be positioned within the opening, and securing the plug device within the opening using at least one securement technology, wherein an exposed surface of the plug device is configured to match or substantially match a surface of the wall or other member of the building or other structure immediately adjacent the opening.
According to some embodiments, the at least one securement technology comprises an adhesive positioned along an exterior surface of the plug device. In some embodiments, the opening in the wall or other member is created using a drill or other coring device. In some embodiments, the opening in the wall or other member is 0.5 to 2 inches in diameter, and wherein a diameter of the plug device is between 0.5 to 2 inches.
According to some embodiments, the opening in the wall or other member is configured to allow for a scope (e.g., borescope), other visualization tool or instrument and/or any other device, tool or instrument to be positioned therethrough. In some embodiments, the opening in the wall or other member is used for inspection purposes.
According to some embodiments, a clearance exists between the outside of the plug device and an interior of the opening in the wall or other member. In some embodiments, the plug device in inserted into the opening using a handling device. In some embodiments, the handling device comprises an elongated member that is configured to removably secure to a hole along a surface of the plug device.
According to some embodiments, the plug device comprises a cement, a concrete (e.g., expansive concrete) or another cementitious material, sand and/or other additives.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present application are described with reference to drawings of certain embodiments, which are intended to illustrate, but not to limit, the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the attached drawings are for the purpose of illustrating concepts disclosed in the present application and may not be to scale.
The various embodiments of a plug device disclosed herein are configured for use in the construction inspection space or construction space generally. For example, as discussed herein, the plug devices can be used to quickly and conveniently close openings in external walls or other members of a building or other structure. In some embodiments, such openings can be created in the first place as a result of inspections, such as inspections of balconies, decks and other structures susceptible to water damage (e.g., from water intrusion), seismic damage and/or the like. The openings can be sized, shaped and/or otherwise created to permit a borescope, other scope or other visualization tool or instrument to be positioned therethrough, as desired or required.
According to some embodiments, once the opening has been created and the desired inspection or other activity performed using the opening, a plug device in accordance with the configurations disclosed herein, or equivalents thereof, can be inserted into (at least partially) and be secured to the opening and adjacent portions of the wall or other member of the building or structure. In some arrangements, the plug device is secured within the opening using an adhesive and/or any other attachment method or technology, as desired or required. In some embodiments, the plug device is inserted and secured within a circular (e.g., cylindrical) opening of an external building wall such that the outer surface of the plug device is flush or substantially flush with adjacent portions of the wall or other member of the corresponding building or structure. In some embodiments, the exposed or external surface of the plug device matches or substantially matches the surface features (e.g., contour, patterns, texturing, etc.) of adjacent portions or sections of the wall or other portion of the building or structure (e.g., stucco (e.g., textured stucco, smooth stucco, etc.), other cement or mortar-based exterior surface, fiber cement siding, composite siding, vinyl siding, stone veneer, stone (e.g., natural or manmade), brick, other masonry and/or the like.
The embodiments of a plug device disclosed herein offer one or more advantages or benefits vis-à-vis existing devices, methods and/or other solutions for closing openings in external walls or other members or portions of buildings and/or other structures. For example, in some arrangements, a plug device can be inserted into an opening to seal the opening without the need to return to the site to perform additional preparatory and/or other finishing steps or procedures. For instance, in some embodiments, as discussed below, the plug can be inserted and secured to the wall or other member or portion of the building or structure in a single visit (e.g., the same visit during which the opening is created or otherwise used) without having to return (e.g., on a later day) for surfacing, grouting and/or the like. In some embodiments, once the plug is inserted and secured (e.g., using an adhesive, fasteners, etc.) to the wall or other portion of the building or structure, it can be painted. Accordingly, in such arrangements, the plug can be painted on the same day as the corresponding hole or other opening is made and the plug is secured within the opening. This can be accomplished while avoiding the need to return to the site (e.g., on a different day, a different visit, etc.) to perform any additional work on the plug and/or adjacent portions of the building. In some embodiments, the plug device can be installed into a wall or other member or portion of a building or other structure and painted (e.g., primed and painted, painted, etc.) within a particular time period (e.g., within 1 hour, within 2 hours, within 3 hours, within 4 hours, 0 to 1 hours, 0 to 2 hours, 1 to 2 hours, 0 to 3 hours, 0 to 4 hours, 2 to 3 hours, 3 to 4 hours, 4 to 5 hours, 4 to 8 hours, 4 to 10 hours, 0 to 5 hours, 0 to 10 hours, 0 to 12 hours, time periods between the foregoing values or ranges, etc.) without the need to return to the site and/or without the need to perform any additional work on the plug device.
As illustrated in
The plug device 10 can provide a fast and simple solution to closing holes or other openings created in exterior walls or other surfaces of a building or other structure. As noted above, such openings can be created for one or more reasons during and/or following the completion of the construction of a structure. For example, such holes or other openings can be created for inspection of an interior portion or areas of a structure (e.g., for possible water or other structural damage, for termite damage or other damages caused by insects or other pests, etc.), for at least temporarily securing scaffolding or another structure or system to the building and/or the like. In some embodiments, the openings are made or created by drilling or otherwise boring (e.g., completely, partially) through a wall or other surface (e.g., exposed surface) of a building or other structure. Thus, the openings can include a cylindrical shape (e.g., having a circular cross-sectional shape). Accordingly, the plug device can include a corresponding cylindrical shape that is sized to fit within the corresponding opening.
In some embodiments, the plug devices 10 are manufactured or otherwise produced in one or more standard shapes or sizes according to the shapes and sizes of the holes, openings or other orifices into which the plug devices are configured to be positioned and secured. As discussed in greater detail herein, the plugs or plug devices can comprise at least one cementitious material and/or other materials that are configured to set over time. For example, the plugs can comprise cement, sand, other aggregate, color, other fillers and/or additives and/or the like, as desired or required.
In some arrangements, the plug devices 10 are cast or molded (e.g., in a mold or similar device) or can otherwise be manufactured in advance of the creation (e.g., or existence) of the opening O in the structure. However, any other method of manufacture can be used to produce the plug devices. In some arrangements, the plug device 10 is used to close holes or other openings in structures relatively quickly and easily. For instance, in some arrangements, the plugs 10 can allow a user to create an opening and close it on the same day or visit (e.g., in one day, in less than one day, within 0 to 10 hours, etc.).
According to some embodiments, the face or surface of the plug devices include a textured, patterned and/or other non-smooth surface. The textured surface can be designed and otherwise configured to match (e.g., approximately, substantially, etc.) the surface finish of the adjacent portions or surfaces of the structure. For instance, the textured surface of the plug device 10 can include a stucco-like or similar pattern (e.g., traditional stucco, textured or roughened stucco, smooth stucco, etc.). In other embodiments, the textured or exposed surface of the plug device 10 is configured to match or substantially match or otherwise at least partially resemble one or more other types of wall finishes, including without limitation, other cement or mortar-based exterior surface, fiber cement siding, composite siding, vinyl siding, veneer, stone (e.g., natural or manmade), brick, cinderblock, other masonry and/or the like. Accordingly, the plug 10 can provide an eloquent and seamless (or substantially seamless) exterior finish to the exterior or exposed surface of the structure in the vicinity of a hole or other opening. This can help conceal, at least partially, the creation of the opening and the existence of the opening with a plug inserted therein.
With reference to
At least one of the ends surfaces 22, 24 of the plug or insert 10 can include a textured surface. As noted above and discussed in greater detail throughout this application, the textured surface can be configured to match or substantially match or otherwise at least partially resemble one or more other types of wall finishes, including without limitation, other cementitious or mortar-based exterior surface, fiber cement siding, composite siding, vinyl siding, veneer, stone (e.g., natural or manmade), brick, cinderblock, other masonry and/or the like. By way of example, additional embodiments of plug devices 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D having a textured end surface 22 are illustrated in
With continued reference to the texturized or textured surface 22 on at least one end surface 12, as illustrated in
Therefore, in some embodiments, the end surface 22 of the plug device or insert 10 can include a non-planar and/or non-smooth finish. The pattern, shape, height, density of elements and/or other features of the patterning along the textured end surface 22 can be customized in any desired or required manner. For example, as discussed below, in some configurations, the pattern 22 can be created using molds that accurately or approximately match a pattern of known patterns of common or standard exterior finishes (e.g., traditional or roughened stucco, smoot, stucco, rock or stone, brick, block, other masonry, wood or composite siding, etc.).
According to some embodiments, the textured surface 22 includes an uneven or non-smooth surface. The textured surface can include one or more features 26, such as, for example and without limitation, dimples, cavities and/or other recesses, bumps (e.g., smooth or non-smooth), other protrusions, undulations and/or the like. The pattern of such elements (e.g., recesses, protrusions, etc.) 26 can be uniform or non-uniform, as desired or required. Further, any other aspect of the textured surface 22 can be modified in accordance with a desired look and feel. For example, the density, spacing, maximum extent of bumps or other protrusions 26 (e.g., relative to any adjacent features, relative to a plane formed along the distal most end of the features, etc.) can be varied.
The plug devices or inserts 10 can be manufactured to include such surface features. For example, as discussed below, the device 10 can be manufactured using casts, molds and/or other similar processes or technologies. Such molds or other devices can create the desired textured surfaces by having corresponding mold surfaces with the desired non-smooth configuration. For instance, the molds can include a dimpled, roughened and/or surface such that a cementitious or other setting material inserted within the mold cavity or cavities will adopt a corresponding (e.g., mirror image) surface pattern along the textured end surface 22.
In other arrangements, either in lieu of or in addition to utilizing casting or molding technologies, the textured end surface 22 of a plug device can be created during and/or after the manufacture of the device 10. By way of example, the textured features (e.g., bumps, other protrusions, gaps, recesses, etc.) 26 along the end surface 22 can be created by roughening (e.g., scratching, grinding, etc.) the surface. Such roughening activities can be performed while a plug device is curing or otherwise setting in a mold (e.g., along an exposed surface of the mold) and/or after the curing or setting has been completed or substantially completed, as desired or required.
In some embodiment, the non-smooth elements or other elements that help create a textured end surface 26 (e.g., bumps, other protrusions, plateaus, recesses, peaks, valleys, undulations, etc.) can have a uniform and/or consistent shape, height, cross-sectional shape, distribution, spacing, density and/or other properties. See, by way of example, the plug device embodiments illustrated in
As schematically illustrated in the front perspective view of
With continued reference to the schematic of
Relatedly, the ratio of length H to diameter (or other cross-sectional dimension) D to the plugs or plug devices or inserts 10 can be 1.0:1 to 1.5:1 (e.g., 1.0:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.3:1, 1.4:1, 1.5:1, 1.0:1-1.5:1, 1.0:1-1.4:1, 1.0:1-1.3:1, 1.1:1-1.5:1, 1.1:1-1.4:1, 1.1:1-1.3:1, ratios between the foregoing values or ranges, etc.). In other embodiments, the ratio of length H to diameter (or other cross-sectional dimension) D to the plugs or plug devices or inserts 10 is less than 1.0:1 (e.g., 0.8:1-1.0:1, 0.9:1-1.0:1, 0.7:1-1.0:1, 0.5:1-0.7:1, 0.5:1-1.0:1, less than 0.5:1, etc.) or is greater than 1.5:1 (e.g., 1.5:1-1.6:1, 1.6:1-1.7:1, 1.7:1-1.8:1, 1.8:1-1.9:1, 1.9:1-2:1, 2.0:1-2.5:1, greater than 2.5:1, etc.).
As schematically depicted in
The height of the bumps or other features 26 relative to a base 25, which may be referred to as the relief R1, R2, can be 1 mm to 3 mm (e.g., 1 to 3, 1 to 2, 2 to 3, 1.5 to 2.5, 0 to 1, 0 to 2, 1 to 5, 2 to 5, 0 to 5, 1 to 5, 2 to 5, 0 to 4, 0 to 3 mm, lengths between the foregoing values or ranges, etc.). In other embodiments, the relief R1, R2 is greater than 5 mm, as desired or required. As schematically depicted in
According to some embodiments, a plug or insert device 10 (e.g., a cylindrical plug) includes texturing (e.g., bumps, other protrusions, recesses, etc.) 26 along each of its end surfaces 22, 24. The texturing 26 on one end 22 can be different than the texturing on the opposite end 24. For example, the texturing 26 on the end surfaces 22, 24 can vary in type (e.g., types of bumps, other protrusions, recesses, etc.), pattern, density, distribution, uniformity, relief and/or in any other way, as desired or required.
Such embodiments of the plugs or insert devices 10 can offer certain advantages. For instance, a single insert 10 can be reversible to allow it to be used on different types of building surfaces. In some embodiments, a kit is provided that includes a plurality of insert devices 10 having different texturing on each of their end surfaces 22, 24. Such insert devices or plugs 10 can vary from one another, providing a user with a larger number of texturing options to match, substantially match or otherwise resemble the corresponding surface (e.g., exterior surface) of a building or other structure. In other embodiments, a kit can include a plurality of insert devices or plugs 10 with texturing 26 along only one end surface 22, 24. In such kits, the texturing 26 can vary (e.g., in or more manners) to provide the user options when trying to match or approximate the texturing of an adjacent building surface.
As discussed in greater detail below with reference to examples of how the plug devices are handled, installed and/or otherwise used, the plug device 10 can include one or more holes or other openings 28. For example, as shown in
In some arrangements, the opening 28 extends 20% to 80% (e.g., 20 to 80, 30 to 70, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80%, percentages between the foregoing values or ranges, etc.) of the main body portion 30 (e.g., in a direction along the longitudinal axis L of the device). In certain embodiments, the opening 28 extends less than 20% or more than 80% of the main body portion 30 (e.g., in a direction along the longitudinal axis L of the device). The device 10 can include a single opening 28 (e.g., an opening along the center or centerline of the corresponding end surface 22). However, in other embodiments, the quantity, location, size shape, length and/or other details of the opening can be varied, as desired or required.
As discussed in greater detail herein and illustrated in
In some embodiments, the plug devices 10 comprise concrete (e.g., cement, sand, other binders or fillers, color, other additives, etc.). In one configuration, for example, the devices 10 are manufactured from a mix that includes an expansive cementitious material (e.g., expansive cement or concrete), sand and water. Other materials, including other non-shrink and expansive materials (e.g., expansive cementitious materials) can also be used to create a cementitious slurry than can then be used to create the plugs 10 (e.g., in a mold or using some other casting process). Dyes or other coloring components, waterproofing components, other components configured to facilitate in the setting, storage, transport, installation, protection (e.g., against sunlight, salt or other substances, other environmental conditions, etc.), longevity and the like can also be added to the mix. The exact composition of the materials, the ratio of each component and/or other characteristics of the mix or other components can vary as required or required.
In some embodiments, the plugs or insert devices 10 are made using a molding or casting process. For example, a cementitious mix (e.g., the mixes disclosed herein, equivalents thereof, etc.) or other setting or hardening material(s) can be directed into a mold device. As illustrated in
In some embodiments, the mold device 100 comprises one or more rigid, semi-rigid and/or flexible materials. For example, in one arrangement, the mold device comprises silicone rubber. The cavities 120 of the mold device 100 can be formed or otherwise created using one or more technologies or methods. For example, a mold device 100 can be manufactured with the cavities formed or cast in the device (e.g., using a molding or casting process, using three-dimensional printing technologies, etc.). Alternatively, the cavities 120 can be formed from removing material from the mold main body. Such removal can be accomplished using coring devices, laser or other cutting devise and/or any other technology or method.
With reference to
The texturing or patterning along the bottom ends 124 of the cavities 120 can be formed using one or more technologies or methods. In one embodiment, the mold device 100 is formed by casting or molding the device with one or more cavities 120 that include such texturing or patterning at the time the mold device is manufactured. For example, the texturing or patterning can be created using three-dimensional printing, other printing or forming technologies and/or the like. In other embodiments, positive casting members shaped, sized and otherwise confirmed to match the exterior of the desired plug can be used when molding the mold device 100.
The positive casting members used to create the mold device 100 can be formed using any type of technology, such as, three-dimensional printing, creating the desired casting member with at least some manual contribution, etc. In some embodiments, a positive casting member includes a cylindrical member within one or more components, features and/or the like along one of its end surfaces. In some arrangements, one or more items can be secured to the end surface of the positive casting member to create the desired texturing or patterning. By way of example, such items can include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: steel or other metallic or rigid bearing, other rigid or semi-rigid manmade items (e.g., plastic pieces, scraps, etc.), rigid or semi-rigid natural materials (e.g., quinoa seeds, other seeds, beans, rice, rock dust, wood chips, pebbles, stones, other plant-based seeds, etc.). Items can be secured to the positive casting member using glues or other adhesives. In some embodiments, one or more coatings and/or other treatments are applied to the positive casting members. In other embodiments, the desired texturing along the end surface of the positive casting member can be created by the removal and/or other manipulation of material and/or by otherwise creating the desired patterning.
Irrespective of how a mold device 100 is manufactured, the geometrical shape of the plug or insert device 10 can closely follow or match the shape of the mold cavity 120 from which it is formed. For example, in some embodiments where the plug 10 is cylindrical, as shown in
With continued reference to
In some embodiments, a slurry, mix or other forming, setting, solidifying or hardening material (e.g., a cementitious mix with added water) can be directed into one or more of the cavities of a mold device 100 (e.g., through an open top end 122). Sufficient material can be directed in the cavities 120 to fill the entire cavity (e.g., from the bottom end 124 to the top end 122 of the cavity). Such a volume of material directed within the cavity 120 to completely fill the cavity can be referred to as the filling volume of the cavity. In some embodiments, a volume less than the filling volume is directed into the cavity. For example, this can be done for the purpose of creating shorter plug devices 10 relative to the devices for which the mold device was specifically designed.
The transfer of the cementitious slurry or other filling mix into the mold device 100 can be performed automatically (e.g., using a material transfer device, an injection device, etc.), manually (e.g., with the assistance or contributions of a human) and/or a combination of the foregoing. Once a desired amount of filling material has been directed into the cavities 120 of the mold device, the material can be permitted to set for a desired or required time period. In some embodiments, the formed devices 10 are removed from the cavities 120 of the mold device 100 within one hour (e.g., within 15 minutes, within 30 minutes, within 45 minutes, within 60 minutes, 0 to 10 minutes, 10 to 20 minutes, 20 to 30 minutes, 30 to 40 minutes, 40 to 50 minutes, 50 to 60 minutes, etc.) of the time that the cavities were filled. Depending on the types of materials that were used to form the plug device 10, the devices 10 can be ready for transportation, storage and/or installation 1 day following the time that material was directed into the mold device or the time that the devices 10 were removed from the mold device.
In some embodiments, one or more coatings and/or other treatments are applied to the formed plug devices after removal from the mold device. Such coatings can provide one or more benefits to the finished devices. For example, coatings can assist with enhancing the strength of the devices, protecting against cracking, protecting against damage resulting from exposure to light or other ambient conditions or elements, protecting the devices during storage, transport and/or other activities and/or the like.
As depicted in
In some embodiments, the plug devices 10 disclosed herein are used to at least partially close or block holes or other openings that are created in walls (e.g., exterior walls or surfaces) of buildings or other structures (e.g., residential, commercial, industrial buildings or other structures). Such openings O can be created for one or more reasons, such as, by way of example, for inspections, to secure one or more components (e.g., scaffolding members, other support or reinforcing members, other removable devices, components or members, etc.) to the building or other structure and/or any other reason or purpose. For instance, an opening can be drilled through an exterior wall of a residential or commercial building to inspect one or more portions behind the wall for possible water intrusion or damage, termite or other pest-induced damage, infestation by rodents and other pests, cracks, earthquake-induced or structural damage, etc.
According to some embodiments, inspections include the passage of one or more scopes, visualization devices or tools, cameras, light sources, material extractors (e.g., for sample collection) and/or the like. For example, in one arrangement, an opening is made within a wall of a building and a borescope is inserted through the opening to inspect for possible water or other damage. Therefore, the hole or other opening O in the structure S (e.g., in the wall of a building) can be sized and shaped to accommodate any tools, instruments or other devices that a user may need to advance or otherwise move into and out of the opening. In some embodiments, the opening is created using a drill bit or any other coring device that may be needed or that is desired for the particular application or use. In some embodiments, the diameter or other cross-sectional shape of the opening O is 0.5 to 1.0 inches (e.g., 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.9, 1.0, 0.5 to 1.0, 0.5 to 0.6, 0.6 to 0.7, 0.7 to 0.8, 0.8 to 0.9, 0.9 to 1.0, 0.7 to 0.9, 0.8 to 1.0, 0.6 to 0.8 inches, diameters between the foregoing ranges or values, etc.). In other arrangements, the diameter or other cross-sectional shape of the opening O is less than 0.5 inches (e.g., 0.01 to 0.1, 0.1 to 0.2, 0.2 to 0.3, 0.3 to 0.4, 0.4 to 0.5, 0.01 to 0.5, 0.1 to 0.5, 0.2 to 0.3 to 0.5, diameters between the foregoing values or ranges, etc.) or greater than 1.0 inches (e.g., 1.1, 1.2, 1.3. 1.4, 1.5, 1 to 1.2, 1 to 1.3, 1 to 1.4, 1 to 1.5, 1.5 to 2, 2 to 3, 3 to 4, 4 to 5, 5 to 6 inches, diameters between the foregoing values or ranges, greater than 6 inches, etc.), as desired or required.
According to some embodiments, drilling or coring through a wall of a structure comprises drilling through an exterior stucco wall or other exterior surface. In some embodiments, as illustrated in
After the opening O has been created through the targeted wall or other member of the building or other structure S, the necessary steps can be taken. For example, one or more borescopes, other types of scopes, cameras, other visualization devices, illumination devices, material retrieving devices, other tools or instruments, connection members (e.g., for scaffolding and similar systems that need to be at least temporarily secured to the structure, etc.) and/or the like can be passed into and out of the opening O. In some embodiments, for example, a borescope is passed through the opening O to inspect for possible water damage, terminate damage and/or any other potential issue.
Once the necessary procedures and activities have been completed, a plug device 10 in accordance with any one of the embodiments disclosed herein can be inserted within the opening O to close the opening. For example, as illustrated schematically in
In some embodiments, once secured to the building or other structure, the exterior surface of the plug device 10 (e.g., the end surface 22) is configured to be flush or substantially flush with the adjacent exterior surfaces of the wall W. In other embodiments, once secured to the building or other structure, the exterior surface of the plug device 10 (e.g., the end surface 22) is configured to be recessed or proud relative to the adjacent exterior surfaces of the wall W, as desired required. For example, in one arrangement, the plug device 10 can be secured to the wall W such that it is recessed to the adjacent portions of the wall W. Accordingly, in such configurations, additional grout or other material (e.g., a relatively thin layer of grout or similar material) can be used to fill in the recess and make that portion of the wall flush or substantially flush.
As illustrated in
According to some embodiments, the handling device 200 is configured to secure to the hole or opening 28 of the plug device 10 using a friction fit or press fit connection. However, in other arrangements, the handling device 200 is configured to secured (e.g., removably) to the plug device 10 using one or more other securement technologies or methods, such as, for example, threaded connection, other releasable locks or similar features, adhesives that are configured for compromise and detachment after a particular time period or after a particular occurrence (e.g., temperature change, light activation, additional of a chemical or other material, etc.).
In some embodiments, the handling device 200 comprises one or more rigid or semi-rigid materials, such as, for example, thermoplastics, metals, alloys, wood, wood or paper-based materials, composites, other natural or synthetic materials and/or the like.
With continued reference to
Once the insert or plug device 10 has been coated with a desired or required amount of adhesive, the user can advance the device 10 within the opening O to secure the device to the wall or other portion of the building or structure. This can be accomplished with the assistance of a handling device 200 secured within an opening 28 of the device 10, as described herein. However, the use of such a handling device or member 200 is not required.
According to some embodiments, the adhesive that is applied to the exterior surfaces of the plug device 10 comprises a curable adhesive. For the example, adhesive can include an adhesive that is curable in the presence or application of ultraviolet (UV) light, another light source, heat (or a cooling effect or heat removal), another energy source, chemicals or other materials, etc. The application of such energy (e.g., UV light) can accelerate the sealing time of the adhesive, thereby speeding up the process of securing the plug device 10 to the wall W or other surface of the structure. The application of light or other energy/material source can be performed using one or more separate devices or system (e.g., a handheld UV light source, a heat source, a fan or other fluid transfer device, etc.), as desired or required for a particular application or use.
Once the plug device 10 has been secured to the structure (e.g., the wall of a building), the user can prime and/or paint the outside of the device 10 and/or adjacent portions of the wall W. In some embodiments, the process of making an opening O in a wall, conducting the necessary activity (e.g., inspection using a borescope or other device), closing the opening O (e.g., by inserting and securing a plug device 10 within the opening) and performing any finishing steps (e.g., priming, painting, grouting, etc.) can be accomplished on a single visit to the structure. In some embodiments, in such arrangements, the need to return to the site for a separate procedure and/or a different day are eliminated. In some embodiments, all the necessary steps mentioned above can be advantageously performed within one day (e.g., within 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 hours, less than 1 hour (e.g., 0 to 15, 15 to 30, 30 to 45, 45 to 60 minutes, times between the foregoing ranges, etc.), 8 to 10, 10 to 12, 12 to 18, 18 to 24, 8 to 24, 0 to 24, 2 to 24, 4 to 24, 6 to 24, 8 to 24 hours, times between the foregoing values or ranges, etc.).
In some embodiments, there is a gap or clearance provided between the outside of the plug device 10 and the interior of the opening O. For example, the size of the gap or clearance G can be 0 to 5 mm (e.g., 0 to 0.1, 0.1 to 0.2, 0.2 to 0.3, 0.3 to 0.4, 0.4 to 0.5, 0.5 to 0.6 to 0.7, 0.7 to 0.8, 0.8 to 0.9, 0.9 to 1, 1 to 1.5, 1.5 to 2, 2 to 2.5, 2.5 to 3, 3 to 3.5, 3.5 to 4, 4 to 4.5, 4.5 to 5 mm, values between the foregoing ranges, etc.). In other embodiments, the gap or clearance G is greater than 5 mm, as desired or required. In some embodiments, the size of the gap or clearance G is 0 to 5% (e.g., 0 to 0.1, 0.1 to 0.2, 0.2 to 0.3, 0.3 to 0.4, 0.4 to 0.5, to 0.6, 0.6 to 0.7, 0.7 to 0.8, 0.8 to 0.9, 0.9 to 1, 1 to 1.5, 1.5 to 2, 2 to 2.5, 2.5 to 3, 3 to 3.5, 3.5 to 4, 4 to 4.5, 4.5 to 5%, percentages between the foregoing ranges, etc.) of the diameter or cross-sectional dimension of the plug device 10 and/or the opening O.
The systems, apparatuses, devices and/or other articles disclosed herein may be manufactured or otherwise formed through any suitable means. The various methods and techniques described above provide a number of ways to carry out the disclosed inventions. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all objectives or advantages described may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment described herein. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the methods may be performed in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objectives or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
Furthermore, the skilled artisan will recognize the interchangeability of various features from different embodiments disclosed herein. Similarly, the various features and steps discussed above, as well as other known equivalents for each such feature or step, can be mixed and matched by one of ordinary skill in this art to perform methods in accordance with principles described herein. Additionally, the methods which are described and illustrated herein are not limited to the exact sequence of acts described, nor are they necessarily limited to the practice of all of the acts set forth. Other sequences of events or acts, or less than all of the events, or simultaneous occurrence of the events, may be utilized in practicing the embodiments of the inventions disclosed herein.
Although several embodiments and examples are disclosed herein, the present application extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the inventions and modifications and equivalents thereof. It is also contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the inventions. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.
While the embodiments disclosed herein are susceptible to various modifications, and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the inventions are not to be limited to the particular forms or methods disclosed, but, to the contrary, the inventions are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the various embodiments described and the appended claims. Any methods disclosed herein need not be performed in the order recited. The methods disclosed herein include certain actions taken by a practitioner; however, they can also include any third-party instruction of those actions, either expressly or by implication. The ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all overlap, sub-ranges, and combinations thereof. Language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” “between,” and the like includes the number recited. Numbers preceded by a term such as “about” or “approximately” include the recited numbers. For example, “about 10 mm” includes “10 mm.” Terms or phrases preceded by a term such as “substantially” include the recited term or phrase. For example, “substantially parallel” includes “parallel.”
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/339,502, filed May 8, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63339502 | May 2022 | US |
