# US 10,865,572 B2 · Hole protector device for mechanical, plumbing, and electrical (MPE) systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,865,572 B2 - Document ID: US10865572B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/428,391 - Filed: 2019-05-31 - Published: 2019-12-05 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2018-05-31 - Assignees: Dima Building Innovators LLC - Applicants: Dima Building Innovators LLC - Inventors: Manuel Altero-Marquez; David Cruz; Issael Altero-Marquez; Andres Sandoval; Aaron Watson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10865572B2 ## CPC - E04F 17/08: for receiving utility lines, e.g. cables, pipes (covers giving access to the ducts or channels, covers of inspection holes E04F19/08) - E04F 19/08: Built-in cupboards; Masks of niches; Covers of holes enabling access to installations ({inspection openings in bathtub aprons A47K3/1615; covers for electrical distribution boxes H02G3/14; movable ceiling parts E04B9/003; removable wall partitions E04B2/74; } clean-out doors of chimneys F23J) - E04G 21/3252: {Protections, e.g. cover, caps, against impaling on starter reinforcement bars} - F16L 5/00: Devices for use where pipes, cables or protective tubing pass through walls or partitions (installations of electric cables or lines through walls, floors or ceilings H02G3/22) - E04F 2290/02: for accommodating service installations or utility lines, e.g. heating conduits, electrical lines, lighting devices or service outlets - E04F: FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS (windows, doors E06B) - E04G: SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL ## Abstract A building is constructed by providing a subfloor and forming a hole in the subfloor. A hole protector includes a cylinder, a skirt disposed around the cylinder, and a cap disposed on the cylinder. The hole protector is disposed over the hole with the cylinder extending into the hole. The hole protector is fastened to the subfloor. The cap is removed from the hole protector. An MPE is disposed through the cylinder. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of building construction, comprising: providing a subfloor; forming a hole in the subfloor; providing a hole protector including, a cylinder, a skirt disposed around the cylinder, and a cap disposed on the cylinder; disposing the hole protector over the subfloor after forming the hole in the subfloor, wherein the cylinder extends into the hole; fastening the hole protector to the subfloor; forming a wall frame over the hole protector and within a height of the cylinder; removing the cap of the hole protector; and disposing an MPE through the cylinder. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further including disposing a fire-retardant material between the MPE and cylinder. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further including forming the wall frame by disposing a piece of lumber on the subfloor adjacent to the hole protector, wherein a height of the cylinder above the subfloor greater than a height of the piece of lumber above the subfloor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, further including disposing the piece of lumber directly on the subfloor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the subfloor and wall frame are both formed from wood. ### Claim 6 A method of building construction, comprising: providing a subfloor; forming a hole in the subfloor; and disposing a hole protector over the hole, wherein the hole protector includes a first cylinder, a skirt, and a cap formed from a continuous piece of plastic material forming a wall frame over the subfloor and within a height of the hole protector after disposing the hole protector over the hole. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further including attaching the hole protector to the subfloor using a fastener. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further including removing the cap of the hole protector after forming the wall frame. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further including removing the cap by breaking a tab between the first cylinder and the cap, wherein the tab is formed from the continuous piece of plastic material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the hole protector includes an internal ridge formed around an internal diameter of the first cylinder. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further including: removing the cap from the hole protector disposing a clamp around an MPE; disposing the MPE through the hole protector after removing the removable portion, wherein the clamp sits on the internal ridge; and disposing a fire-retardant material between the hole protector and the MPE, wherein the fire-retardant material fills a gap between the MPE and first cylinder above the clamp and internal ridge, and wherein the clamp and internal ridge slow the flow of fire-retardant material through the first cylinder. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further including selecting a size of the hole protector based on a size of the hole. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further including attaching an extension to the first cylinder, wherein the extension includes a second cylinder and a second cap. ### Claim 14 A method of building construction, comprising: providing a first hole protector comprising, a cylinder, a skirt disposed around the cylinder, a cap disposed within the cylinder with a gap between the cap and cylinder, and a tab extending from the cylinder to the cap across the gap to hold the cap within the cylinder; attaching the first hole protector to a substrate; removing the cap by breaking the tab; and disposing an MPE through the cylinder. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further including forming a wall frame over the substrate, wherein a portion of the wall frame extends to within a height of the cylinder. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the wall frame includes: a first lower plate disposed completely within a height of the cylinder; and a second lower plate disposed on the first lower plate and only partially within a height of the cylinder. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the skirt and wall frame are both disposed directly on a top surface of the substrate. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further including disposing a second hole protector over the substrate opposite the first hole protector. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further including forming the cylinder, skirt, cap, and tab from a single continuous piece of plastic material. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further including an internal ridge formed within the cylinder, wherein the ridge is formed using the single continuous piece of plastic material.