Self-locking, high pressure service stopper

A method of plugging a pipe, comprising the steps of:

• providing an insertion tool;
• providing a stopper system for plugging the pipe, the stopper system comprising:
• a stopper body having a first end portion adapted for engagement by an insertion tool and a second end portion;
• at least one o-ring surrounding a portion of said stopper body intermediate said first end portion and said second end portion;
• at least one locking tab housed at least in part within said second end portion of said stopper body, said at least one locking tab being adapted to engage a shoulder within the pipe to be plugged to thereby secure the stopper system in place within the pipe to be plugged;
• and
• an insertion tube comprising a tubular portion having a first and a second end and an annular flange positioned at said first end of said tubular portion;
• securing the stopper system to the insertion tool;
• inserting the stopper system into the pipe to be plugged until said at least one locking tab engages the shoulder within the pipe to be plugged to thereby secure the stopper system in place within the pipe to be plugged;
• and
• disengaging the insertion tool from the stopper system.

A method of plugging a pipe, comprising the steps of:

• providing an insertion tool;
• providing a stopper system for plugging the pipe, the stopper system comprising:
• a stopper body having a first end portion adapted for engagement by an insertion tool and a second end portion;
• a first o-ring surrounding a portion of said stopper body intermediate said first end portion and said second end portion;
• a second o-ring surrounding a portion of said stopper body intermediate said first end portion and said first o-ring, said second o-ring being spaced apart from said first o-ring to allow said stopper body to be sawed through intermediate said first o-ring and said second o-ring;
• and
• at least one locking tab housed at least in part within said second end portion of said stopper body, said at least one locking tab being adapted to engage a shoulder within the pipe to be plugged to thereby secure the stopper system in place within the pipe to be plugged;
• securing the stopper system to the insertion tool;
• inserting the stopper system into the pipe to be plugged until said at least one locking tab engages the shoulder within the pipe to be plugged to thereby secure the stopper system in place within the pipe to be plugged;
• and
• disengaging the insertion tool from the stopper system.

A stopper system for plugging a pipe, the stopper system comprising:

• a stopper body having a first end portion adapted for engagement by an insertion tool and a second end portion;
• at least one o-ring surrounding a portion of said stopper body intermediate said first end portion and said second end portion;
• at least one locking tab housed at least in part within said second end portion of said stopper body, said at least one locking tab being adapted to engage a shoulder within the pipe to be plugged to thereby secure the stopper system in place within the pipe to be plugged;
• and
• an insertion tube comprising a tubular portion having a first and a second end and an annular flange positioned at said first end of said tubular portion, the insertion tube retaining said at least one locking tab in said second end portion of said stopper body during insertion of the stopper system into the pipe to be plugged.

A stopper system for plugging a pipe, the stopper system comprising:

• a stopper body having a first end portion adapted for engagement by an insertion tool and a second end portion, wherein said first end portion of said stopper body comprises a narrowing waist portion positioned intermediate first and second large diameter portions;
• at least one o-ring surrounding a portion of said stopper body intermediate said first end portion and said second end portion;
• and
• at least one locking tab housed at least in part within said second end portion of said stopper body, said at least one locking tab being adapted to engage a shoulder within the pipe to be plugged to thereby secure the stopper system in place within the pipe to be plugged.