Offset Nipple Breakaway Closure for Plumbing Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing breakaway closure members for plumbing systems, such as laundry boxes, face difficulties in being easily removed due to limited space for impact and challenging connections for pressurized fluid testing, especially in applications like laundry boxes where space is constrained.

Innovation Solution

A breakaway closure member with a circular closure disc and a hollow nipple offset from the central axis, featuring a weakened ring that can be broken by radial compression, allowing easy removal and facilitating connection of a pressurized fluid conduit for testing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a centrally positioned nipple is used in the closure disc, then connection of pressurized test fluid source is improved, but accessibility in constrained spaces like laundry boxes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection of pressurized test fluid sourceVSAvoidaccessibility in constrained spaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The nipple is repositioned from a central location to an offset position near the outer periphery of the closure disc. This asymmetric arrangement allows the nipple to extend through the side wall of the laundry box, making it accessible from the exterior for connection of pressurized test fluid sources while maintaining proper sealing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The nipple configuration transitions from a central in-plane arrangement to a peripheral out-of-plane extension. By positioning the nipple near the outer periphery and allowing it to extend through the side wall, the design utilizes the third dimension (depth/height) to resolve the accessibility conflict in constrained spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If a weakened ring is used for breakaway function, then ease of removal is improved, but sufficient impact force application deteriorates in limited space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of removalVSAvoidspace for impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The closure disc is pre-configured with a weakened ring that has reduced thickness or structural integrity at a specific location. This preliminary preparation allows the disc to break away easily when subjected to impact force, eliminating the need for complex removal tools or extensive maneuvering space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The closure disc is designed as a disposable component with a built-in breakaway feature. The weakened ring ensures that the disc can be easily fractured and removed after serving its purpose of sealing the drain opening during installation and testing, eliminating the need for complex removal mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If test cap is sealed in place to prevent leakage, then testing reliability is improved, but removal without damage or loss deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting reliabilityVSAvoidremoval without damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The closure disc is segmented into distinct functional zones: a sealing portion that contacts the drain opening to prevent leakage during testing, and a breakaway portion with the weakened ring that is designed to fracture and separate. This segmentation allows the sealed portion to remain intact while the breakaway portion is easily removed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The breakaway functionality is extracted as a separate structural feature (the weakened ring) within the closure disc. This extracted feature allows the disc to be easily fractured and removed after testing, separating the permanent sealing function from the temporary closure function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient pressure testing and easy removal of the closure member without damaging the plumbing system, improving accessibility and usability in constrained spaces like laundry boxes.

Implementation Method 1

radially compressing the hollow nipple, such as by squeezing it with a pair of pliers, will draw a portion of said peripheral rim radially inward, thereby forming a crack in the weakened ring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadial compression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS7854337B1Breakaway closure member with offset nipple

Publication Date: 2010.12.21 SIOUX CHIEF MFG CO INC

AI summary

A breakaway closure member for removably covering an opening in a plumbing device, such as a laundry box, pressure test cap, floor drain, shower drain, closet flange, or the like includes a circular disc with a peripheral rim and a hollow nipple extending outwardly from the circular disc. The peripheral rim is connected to the plumbing device by a thin web or area of reduced thickness. The nipple is radially outwardly offset from the center of the disc so as to be generally adjacent or tangent to the peripheral rim. If the nipple is radially compressed, such as by squeezing with a pair of pliers, the peripheral rim is pulled radially inward in an area proximate the nipple, thereby creating a crack in the area of reduced thickness.