Vent Plug And Method
AssigneeCustom Fabricating & Supplies
InventorBrian P. Asik
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vent plug and method are provide for isolating a feature of a part. The vent plug includes a plug receiveable in an opening in the part to form an airtight seal between the plug and the surface of the part. A stem is receiveable in a bore through the plug. The stem includes a cap and a collar. The cap has a sealing surface extending radially from an outer surface of the stem and engageable with a first surface of the plug such that sealing surface overlaps a vent hole extending through the plug. The collar extends radially from the outer surface of the stem and captures the plug between the collar and the cap.
Claims21
A vent plug for isolating a feature of a part having a surface defining an opening in the part, the vent plug comprising:
- a plug having a first surface and a second surface spaced by a thickness and a radially outer surface engageable with the surface of the part to form an airtight seal therebetween, the plug including a bore having a diameter and extending between the first and second surfaces and a vent hole extending between the first and second surfaces;
- a stem extending through the bore along an axis and having a first end, a second end and outer surface;
- a cap interconnected to the stem, the cap including a sealing surface extending radially from the outer surface of the stem and in engagement with the first surface of the plug, the sealing surface overlapping the vent hole in the plug;
- and
- a collar extending radially from the outer surface of the stem at a location spaced from the sealing surface of the stem by a distance, the distance being generally equal to the thickness between the first and second surfaces of the plug;
- wherein the plug is captured between the cap and the collar.
A vent plug for isolating a feature of a part having a surface defining an opening in the part, the vent plug comprising:
- a plug receiveable in the opening to form an airtight seal between the plug and the surface of the part, the plug including first and second surfaces spaced by a thickness, a bore having a diameter and extending between the first and second surfaces and a vent hole extending between the first and second surfaces;
- a stem receiveable in the bore along an axis and including:
- a cap having a sealing surface extending radially from an outer surface of the stem and in engagement with the first surface of the plug such that sealing surface overlaps the vent hole in the plug with the stem received in the bore;
- and
- a collar extending radially from the outer surface of the stem at a location spaced from the sealing surface of the stem by a distance and being configured to capture the plug between the collar and the cap, the distance being generally equal to the thickness between the first and second surfaces of the plug.
A method for isolating a feature of a part having surface defining an opening in the part, the method comprising the steps of:
- inserting a plug into the opening such that an airtight seal is formed between the plug and the surface of the part, the plug including first and second surfaces spaced by a thickness, a bore having a diameter and extending between the first and second surfaces and a vent hole extending between the first and second surfaces;
- inserting a stem through the bore in the plug, the stem including:
- a cap having a sealing surface extending radially from an outer surface of the stem;
- and
- a collar extending radially from the outer surface of the stem at a location spaced from the sealing surface of the stem by a distance;
- and
- capturing the plug between the collar and the cap.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.