Pipe plugging system

A pipe plugging system for plugging a pipe having an outer end which is open and accessible and having an inner portion, comprising:

• a plug-carrying tube having an outer end and an inner end, said inner end being insertable into a pipe, the inner end of said tube being straight, said tube having a central axis, an inflatable resilient flexible plug having inner and outer ends, said plug having its outer end open and has its inner end closed, the inner end of said plug being inflatable for plugging a pipe, said plug defining an enclosure with a hollow interior, said plug having a hollow neck at its outer end and attached to said inner end of said tube whereby said neck can receive fluid from said tube and can deliver fluid to said hollow interior of said plug, means attaching said neck to the inner end of said tube and capable of holding said neck onto said tube and of permitting an inflation means to deliver fluid under pressure into said plug to inflate an inner portion of said plug by a fluid from said tube whereby said pipe becomes plugged by expansion of said inner end portion of said plug, an annular flange surrounding said tube, connection means connecting said flange to the circumference of said pipe in a manner preventing fluid flow between said flange and said pipe, a gate valve having substantially a flow passage therethrough, said tube extending through said gate valve, connection means connecting said valve to said flange for fluid flow through said valve and through said flange.

A pipe plugging system for plugging a pipe having an outer end which is open and accessible and having an inner portion, comprising:

• a plug-carrying tube having an outer end and an inner end, said inner end being insertable into a pipe, the inner end of said tube being straight, said tube having a central axis, an inflatable resilient flexible plug having inner and outer ends, said plug having its outer end open and has its inner end closed, the inner end of said plug being inflatable for plugging a pipe, said plug defining an enclosure with a hollow interior, said plug having a hollow neck at its outer end and attached to said inner end of said tube whereby said neck can receive fluid from said tube and can deliver fluid to said hollow interior of said plug, means attaching said neck to the inner end of said tube and capable of holding said neck onto said tube and of permitting an inflation means to deliver fluid under pressure into said plug to inflate an inner portion of said plug by a fluid from said tube whereby said pipe becomes plugged by expansion of said inner end portion of said plug, a closable valve surrounding said tube and slidable along said tube, as a flange means for valve attachment to a pipe, said flange means surrounding said tube and attachable to the outer end of a pipe and being slidable along said tube and being disposed inwardly along said tube from said valve, said valve being closable by forces applyable against its exterior.