Method and apparatus for point-repair of sewer and other utility lines

A collapsible point-repair insertion head which comprises:

• a circular plate;
• a plurality of hollow cylindrical sections, each section having an inner radius which is the same as the radius of said circular plate and having a radially extending support member, the cumulative circumference of said sections being less than 345.degree.;
• and
• means loosely connecting each cylindrical section to said plate.

A point-repair insertion tool which comprises:

• a section of polyolefin pipe, said pipe having a nose end and a base end;
• a collapsible point-repair head at the nose end of said pipe, said head including
• a circular plate;
• a plurality of hollow cylindrical sections, each section having an inner radius which is the same as the radius of said circular plate and having a radially extending support member, the cumulative circumference of said sections being less than 345.degree.;
• and
• means loosely connecting each cylindrical section to said plate;
• a collapsible point-repair head at the base end of said pipe, said head including
• a circular plate;
• a plurality of hollow cylindrical sections, each section having an inner radius which is the same as the radius of said circular plate and having a radially extending support member, the cumulative circumference of said sections being less than 345.degree.;
• and
• means loosely connecting each cylindrical section to said plate;
• and
• a cable which extends through each plate of said collapsible heads for collapsing said heads.