US 12,072,054 B2
Gripping apparatus and devices for plugging of pipes, orifices or connecting
Casey Sue, Baytown, TX (US); Armando Garza, Jr., Houston, TX (US); John Rey De Leon, Pearland, TX (US); Richard Sallee, Liberty, TX (US); Austin Cornelius, Houston, TX (US); and Tracy Sue, Houston, TX (US)
Assigned to USA Industries, LLC, South Houston, TX (US)
Filed by USA INDUSTRIES, LLC, South Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Feb. 18, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/675,608.
Application 17/675,608 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/911,162, filed on Jun. 24, 2020, granted, now 11,408,548.
Application 16/911,162 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/956,498, granted, now 11,391,404, previously published as PCT/US2018/067165, filed on Dec. 21, 2018.
Application 16/911,162 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/852,239, filed on Dec. 22, 2017, granted, now 10,746,339, issued on Aug. 18, 2020.
Application 15/852,239 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/356,206, filed on Nov. 18, 2016, granted, now 9,927,058, issued on Mar. 27, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/866,320, filed on Jun. 25, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/771,723, filed on Nov. 27, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/366,591, filed on Jul. 25, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/313,376, filed on Mar. 25, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/258,311, filed on Nov. 20, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2022/0170581 A1, Jun. 2, 2022
Int. Cl. F16L 55/128 (2006.01); F16L 55/132 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 55/1283 (2013.01) [F16L 55/132 (2013.01)] 23 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A gripping plug for use in a pipe wherein the pipe defines an inside radius, comprising:
a wedge cone;
a first plurality of discrete gripping devices slidably engaged with the wedge cone;
a second plurality of discrete gripping devices slidably engaged with the wedge cone;
a first plurality of studs connected to each of the first plurality of discrete gripping devices, where each of the first plurality of studs define a first stud length;
a second plurality of studs connected to each of the second plurality of discrete gripping devices, wherein each of the second plurality of studs define a second stud length; and
wherein the second stud length is greater than the first stud length.