Clean out plug

A method of removably plugging a clean out access opening in a fluid carrying line such as a sewer line or the like comprising;

• providing a clean out plug having a plug body and a reversable key being orientable in reverse first and second positions;
• said clean out plug body having an upper surface with an upwardly opening key housing cavity therein presenting a top opening in said cavity;
• said cavity having a bottom;
• said cavity being configured to removably and reversibly house said reversable key in both its first and second reverse positions;
• said reversable key having a smooth bottom surface and an upper surface having a tool engageable projection projecting upwardly from said upper surface;
• said cavity being configured to house said reversable key said first position with said smooth bottom surface at said top opening of said cavity and presenting a flush surface with said key upper surface of said clean out plug body;
• and said cavity also being configured to house said key in its said second position with said upper surface of said key at said top opening of said cavity, with said tool engageable projection projecting above said upper surface of said clean out plug body, whereby in said first position said key presents a flush surface with said clean out plug body thus helping to prevent either projections or recesses which might collect dirt and debris, or create a trip hazard in the floor, and/or and make removal of said key form said plug body and removal of said clean out plug from said access opening in said fluid carrying line more difficult, and in said second position provide said upwardly projecting tool engaging projection such that a clean out plug removal tool can be applied to said projection and used to remove said clean out plug from said access opening in said fluid carrying line;
• in normal use, maintaining said cleanout plug in said clean out access opening in said first position which presents a flush surface to said clean out plug and to said fluid carrying line in which it is inserted, helping to prevent either projections or recesses on the sewer line which might collect dirt and debris, or create a trip hazard in the floor, and/or which would make it more difficult to remove the clean out plug when necessary, and removing said key from said key housing cavity and inserting back in its reverse direction, such that said projection extends upwardly above said upper surface of said clean out plug, and applying a removal tool to said projection and removing said clean out plug from said access opening such that said fluid carrying line can be cleaned.

The clean out plug of the present invention has an externally threaded body with an upper surface having an opening into a cavity in the body;

• the cavity houses a key which is removeable from said body;
• the key has a base with a bottom surface and an upper surface and a projection projecting upwardly form said upper surface of said base;
• the cavity is configured such that it will house the key in two different positions;
• in one position, the base is positioned at the top of the cavity, with the bottom surface of the base and the upper surface of the clean out plug body being flush with each other and the projection projecting downwardly into said cavity;
• in the other position, the base is seated in the cavity with the projection projecting out of the opening in, and beyond the bottom surface of the clean out plug body;
• said clean out plug being reversibly configured to present a flush surface when inserted into said clean out access opening in a first orientation, and to present a tool engaging projection when inserted into said clean out access opening in a second orientation fluid line in which it is inserted, helping to prevent either projections or recesses on the sewer line which might collect dirt and debris, or create a trip hazard in the floor, and/or which would make it more difficult to remove the clean out plug when necessary;
• then when necessary to remove the plug, the key portion of the plug is removed from the cavity and inserted back in its reverse direction, such that the projection is extends upwardly above the upper surface of the clean out plug such that a wrench can be applied to the key projection and used to twist the clean out plug out of its position in the sewer line;
• thus in normal use, the cleanout plug of the present invention presents a flush surface to the clean out plug and to the sewer line in which it is inserted, helping to prevent either projections or recesses on the sewer line which might collect dirt and debris, or create a trip hazard in the floor, and/or which would make it more difficult to remove the clean out plug when necessary;
• then when necessary to remove the plug, the key portion of the plug is removed from the cavity and inserted back in its reverse direction, such that the projection is extends upwardly above the upper surface of the clean out plug such that a wrench can be applied to the key projection and used to twist the clean out plug out of its position in the sewer line.