QUICK SEAL PLUG

Abstract

A plug that quickly seals a hole in cement is provided. The plug may include a top cap having a top surface and a bottom surface. The plug may further include a shaft having a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the shaft may be attached to the top cap and extends from the bottom surface of the top cap in a substantially perpendicular position relative to the top cap. The present invention may further include a plurality of compressible fins that extend from the shaft. The fins may be substantially perpendicular relative to the shaft. The plug may be pushed into the hole and the fins may apply pressure against the cement, thereby securing the plug within the hole.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/828,322, filed May 29, 2013 the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a quick seal plug and, more particularly, to a plug used to quickly seal a hole left in cement after drilling.

Termite treatment may include drilling holes into concrete foundations and applying a liquid into the drilled holes. Once the liquid has been applied, the drilled holes are usually patched up using cork and quick drying concrete. The current method of patching up the drilled holes takes a lot of time to finish, looks unprofessional, and breaks down over a short period of time. Further, the holes drilled may vary greatly in size. Therefore, a various amount of different sized corks must be carried by the technicians.

As can be seen, there is a need for a plug that may quickly and easily seal the hole left in the cement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a plug comprises: a top cap comprising a top surface and a bottom surface; a shaft comprising a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end is attached to the top cap and extends from the bottom surface of the top cap, wherein the shaft is substantially perpendicular relative to the top cap; and a plurality of compressible fins extending from the shaft, and substantially perpendicular relative to the shaft.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of plugging concrete comprises: drilling at least one hole in a concrete surface; providing a plug comprising a top cap, a shaft extending from the top cap and a plurality of compressible fins extending substantially perpendicular to the shaft, wherein at least one of the compressible fins comprises a length larger than the diameter of the at least one hole; placing the shaft within the at least one hole of the concrete surface; and applying force against the plug so that a bottom surface of the cap is pressed against to the concrete surface around the at least one hole

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a section view of the present invention taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a section view of the present invention taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The present invention may include a plastic manufactured plug that quickly seals holes left in cement. The present invention may be used after liquid termite treatments. The present invention allows the technician to cover each hole in just seconds, saving a lot of time on each and every job. Also, the plug may be both water resistant and thereby may outlast the current method by years. The finished product may look very clean and professional. Further, the plugs are also easily removable for future treatments.

The present invention includes a plug 10. The plug 10 may include a top cap 14 having a top surface and a bottom surface. The present invention may further include a shaft 16 having a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the shaft 16 may be attached to the top cap 14 and extends from the bottom surface of the top cap 14 in a substantially perpendicular position relative to the top cap 14. The present invention may further include a plurality of compressible fins 18 that extend from the shaft 16. The fins 18 may be substantially perpendicular relative to the shaft 16.

The top cap 14 of the present invention may be substantially flat. In certain embodiments, the top cap 14 is circular. The top surface of the cap 14 may be rounded and may taper towards the bottom surface. In certain embodiments, the cap 14 may include at least one channel formed on the bottom surface. As illustrated in the Figures, the present invention may include two channels formed on the bottom surface of the cap 14. The channels may span across the entire cap 14. Therefore, the channels may form from a first edge of the bottom surface to a second edge of the bottom surface of the cap 14. The two channels may be substantially parallel to one another and may each form on opposite sides of the shaft 16.

As mentioned above, a plurality of fins 18 extend from the shaft 16. Each of the compressible fins 18 may include a length (l) greater than a width (w). Therefore, the compressible fins 18 may be an oval or rectangular shape. The length (l) of the compressible fins 18 may be substantially less than the diameter of the circular cap 14. In certain embodiments, the length of the compressible fins 18 decreases from the top end of the shaft 16 to the bottom end of the shaft 16. The compressible fins 18 may be made of any suitable compressible material, such as a polymer. For example, the fins 18 may be made out of plastic.

The plug 10 of the present invention may be placed within a hole 20 in concrete 12. The plug 10 of the present invention may snuggly fit within standard hole sizes from about ¼″ to about ¾″ in diameter. The plug 10 may be fitted into the drilled hole 20 with the shaft 16 facing down. The plug 10 is then forced into the hole 20 with either a foot or finger until the top cap 14 is flush with the ground. As the plug 10 makes its way down the hole, the fins 18 catch the cement, which forces them to bend upward, thus exerting pressure on the walls of the drilled hole 20. Since the cement is rigid, the plastic fins 18 dig into the walls, making for a very sturdy fit. As mentioned above, the fins 18 may include a length greater than the width, and thereby may not encompass a full circle. Further, the bottom surface of the cap 14 may include channels, thereby allowing any gas or water build up to pass through the fins 18, and channels and out of the plugs 10 without dislodging the plug 10.

The present invention may include a method of plugging concrete after treating for termites. First, a hole is drilled within the concrete surface. A liquid is applied within the hole to treat the infestation of termites. The plug described above is provided. The length of the fins protruding from the shaft of the plug is greater than the diameter of the hole formed in the concrete. The shaft of the plug is placed within the hole. The cap is then pushed inward towards the hole so that the bottom surface of the cap is pressed against the concrete surface around the hole. To remove the plug (if needed for future treatments), the technician may pry the top cap using a flat object. Once the plug is up high enough, the technician may grab the plug with their fingers and pull it out.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A plug comprising:

a top cap comprising a top surface and a bottom surface;

a shaft comprising a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end is attached to the top cap and extends from the bottom surface of the top cap, wherein the shaft is substantially perpendicular relative to the top cap; and

a plurality of compressible fins extending from the shaft, and substantially perpendicular relative to the shaft.

2. The plug of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of compressible fins comprises a length greater than a width of the compressible fin.

3. The plug of claim 1, wherein the top cap is circular and substantially flat.

4. The plug of claim 3, wherein the each of the plurality of compressible fins comprises a length less than a diameter of the top cap.

5. The plug of claim 4, wherein the length of the compressible fins decreases from the top end of the shaft to the bottom end of the shaft.

6. The plug of claim 1, wherein the comprisable fins are made of a polymer.

7. The plug of claim 1, wherein at least one channel is formed on the bottom surface of the top cap from a first edge of the bottom surface to a second edge of the bottom surface.

8. The plug of claim 7, wherein the at least one channel is two channels formed on the bottom surface substantially parallel to one another and each channel is disposed on opposite sides of the shaft.

9. A method of plugging concrete comprising:

drilling at least one hole in a concrete surface;

providing a plug comprising a top cap, a shaft extending from the top cap and a plurality of compressible fins extending substantially perpendicular to the shaft, wherein at least one of the compressible fins comprises a length larger than the diameter of the at least one hole;

placing the shaft within the at least one hole of the concrete surface; and

applying force against the plug so that a bottom surface of the cap is pressed against to the concrete surface around the at least one hole

10. The method of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of compressible fins comprises a length greater than a width of the compressible fin.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein a length of the compressible fins decreases from the top end of the shaft to the bottom end of the shaft.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the compressible fins are made of a polymer.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one channel is formed on a bottom surface of the top cap from a first edge of the bottom surface to a second edge of the bottom surface.

14. The plug of claim 13, wherein the at least one channel is two channels formed on the bottom surface substantially parallel to one another and each channel is disposed opposite sides of the shaft.