Abstract: An expansion coupling connecting a first pipe with a second pipe includes an imperforate expansion member having a first cylindrical end capable of fitting to and forming an impervious fluid seal with the first pipe and a second cylindrical end capable of fitting to and forming an impervious fluid seal to the second pipe. Integrally formed with and interspaced between the first and second cylindrical ends is an expandable, contractable bellows. A sliding sleeve fits over the expansion member and both protects it and prevents distortion of the bellows portion of the expansion member. The sliding sleeve has a first sleeve member, a portion of which connects to the first pipe and a portion of which extends over the bellows, and a second sleeve member, a portion of which connects to the second pipe and a portion of which slides over that portion of the first sleeve member located over the bellows. As the bellows expands and contracts the respective sleeve members slide with respect to each other.

Abstract: A roof flashing structure for use in sealing the tubes and wires leading to and from a solar collector where said tubes and wires pass through the roof has a generally flat plate with an upstanding housing integrally formed with the plate, both of a rigid material. The flat plate has an opening in it where the housing meets with the plate and the upper end of the housing has an opening wherein a resilient elastomeric sealing member is located. The elastomeric sealing member has an upper surface and a lower surface and includes a plurality of generally circular apertures extending upwardly from the lower surface. Formed with the upper surface over the top of each of the apertures is an upstanding boss which seals the apertures. Within the interior of each of the apertures are a plurality of sealing flanges located one above the other along the length of the aperture between the lower surface and the sealed end.

Abstract: A roof flashing structure of the type having a generally flat plate with an upstanding housing integrally attached thereto can be improved by forming the upmost periphery of said housing such that it has an inner wall and an outer wall with a channel in between these walls. An elastomeric sealing member has a support wall with a plurality of annular pipe sealing flanges extending from said support wall. Also attaching to the support wall is a skirt which extends downward from the annular wall. The skirt is shaped and dimensioned to mimic the shape of the interior of the channel. The skirt is attached to the channel via mechanical locking passageways in conjunction with a thermal bonding. The thermal bond is formed by a process wherein the elastomeric sealing member is molded into the housing using a compatible plastic for the housing and a compatible rubbery material for the sealing member.

Abstract: A sewer backflow preventer is adapted to fit on the top of a sewer cleanout pipe. The sewer backflow preventer has an upstanding pipe which attaches to the upper most end of the sewer cleanout pipe. Projecting radially from the top of the upstanding pipe are a series of rigid spokes which terminate at and attach to a ring. A cap having an impervious side wall and a top integrally formed with the side wall is attached to the ring near the bottom of the cap. Within the interior of the cap and attached between the ring and the bottom of the cap are a series of flexible rubber straps which radiate inwardly toward the center of the cap. Integrally formed with and attached at the ends of the straps is a half sphere. The convex surface of the sphere faces downward and mates with and reversibly seals the opening of the upstanding pipe. When sewage is backed up in the sewer, the half sphere lifts off the top of the upstanding pipe and allows the sewage to discharge to the ambient environment.

Abstract: A water closet protector stabilizer of the type used to permanently affix plastic soil pipe into concrete slabs and to provide protection against the infusion of wet concrete into the pipe during the pouring of the slab can be constructed utilizing a collar having a cylindrical section for mating with and attaching to the soil pipe and a flange attached to this collar which has a series of slots near the outer edge of the flange. A cover of a generally frustrum shape formed by a continuous wall has a series of fingers on the bottom most portion thereof. The cover is reversably attached to the collar by inserting the fingers into the slots on the flange. The cover has a top detachably mounted to the walls of the cover by a series of breakable bridgepoints. The top of the cover is composed of a flat disk having a series of sections mounted to each other by breakable bridgepoints.

Abstract: To form a seal between a roof and a pipe projecting through this roof, it is known to construct roof flashing structures having a flat plate which has a centralized opening and an upstanding tapered housing attached to the flat plate and extending around said opening. Such roof flashing structures can be improved by providing the top of the housing with an annular sealing ring seat which has an external wall formed as an extension of the housing wall, an interior wall, parallel to the exterior wall, and a top wall connecting the exterior and interior walls. These three walls define a channel within the housing. The channel opens in a downward direction toward the plate and a rib on a sealing ring fits into this channel and seats the sealing ring into the sealing ring seat.

Abstract: A washing machine outlet box of the type having a water impervious plastic cabinet and a bottom sloping to a drain outlet can be improved by providing the washing machine outlet box with a detachable drain pipe, adjustable mounting brackets and variable size knockout plugs. The detachable drain pipe is secured to the cabinet by matching screw threads on both the drain pipe and the cabinet. The adjustable brackets allow the washing machine outlet box to be mounted in a wall in a variety of positions, while the variable size knockout plugs can accommodate hot and cold water inlets of either copper tubing or galvanized pipe in such a manner as to form a water-tight seal with either type pipe.

Abstract: A check valve structure for use in a drain such as a floor or pavement drain can be constructed utilizing an annular elastomeric member positioned between two rigid end plates. These plates are connected so that they can be moved toward one another when they and the member are inserted in a drain or drain housing in order to compress the member to cause the member to expand in outer diameter into contact with the interior of the drain or drain housing in order to mount the structure in an operative position. A valve seat is located on the lower plate and a buoyant valve member is movably supported on the upper plate so as to be capable of being moved with respect to the valve seat. In the event of accumulation of water in the drain or drain housing or in the event of back flow into the drain or drain housing the valve member will move against the seat.

Abstract: A roof flashing structure for use in forming a seal around a pipe on either flat roofs or roofs pitched at various common angles can be constructed utilizing a generally flat, imperforate plate having a centrally located opening. Such a plate carries an upstanding, imperforate housing extending outwardly from one side of the plate, this housing terminating in an open end located remote from the plate of larger dimension than the pipe. An annular retainer is carried by this end of the housing; a resilient elastomeric sealing member is carried by the retainer. This sealing member engages the exterior of the pipe in such a manner as to form a seal against the pipe, and in such a manner as to permit the plate to be adjusted relative to the pipe so as to fit against either a flat roof or a roof at any commonly used pitch.