Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Implements
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-28
2001-08-21
Till, Terrence R. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Implements
C015S104095, C015S104330
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276018
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a device and system for cleaning the interior of conduits, pipes, or gun barrels including drain pipes. The pipe cleaning device of the present invention is capable of both (a) penetrating and removing restrictions that block flow, (b) scouring the interior wall of conduits or pipes to remove the buildup of undesirable solids that result in flow restriction, and (c) coating the wall of the pipe with a suitable substance. The present invention comprises a connecting member housed within a bendable or flexible conduit, a retraction handle attached to one end of the connecting member, and elastic or flexible strands attached to the opposite end of said connecting member. The strands are outwardly expandable in a radial dimension when said connecting member is retracted.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The presence of solids in pipes intended to permit fluid flow can lead to flow restriction or blockage that is undesirable. In drain pipes such blockage often results from solids or other particulate matter entering the pipes through a drain opening. Three methods employed by the prior art for cleaning clogged or blocked pipes involve the use of chemical cleaners intended to dissolve flow restrictions, pressurized fluids, and the use of mechanical cleaning devices, known as augers or plungers.
Chemical cleaners often use liquids that are strong acids or strong bases. Such liquids can cause corrosive damage to metallic pipes or result in severe injury if they come in contact with exposed portions of the human body, or if they are ingested. Such cleaners are particularly dangerous in households with young children. Pressurized fluid methods can also result in the splashing of liquids on the operator, thereby causing bodily harm to the operator.
Prior art augers comprise a bendable or flexible member coupled to a penetrating member that is attached to the distal end and rotatable handle attached to the proximal end. Prior art augers are designed to be inserted into a clogged pipe to the point that the penetrating member contacts the flow blockage. The handle is then rotated to cause the flexible member to rotate.
Such rotational motion facilitates the penetration or drilling of the flow blockage by the penetrating member.
Prior art augers function to remove blockages that substantially block the cross sectional flow area of a pipe or conduit. One of the many drawbacks of prior art augers is that they have little utility in reducing or cleaning the buildup of impurities on the inner walls of pipes or conduits. Such impurities serve as flow restrictors and may eventually result in total flow blockage if allowed to continue to propagate.
An advantage of the present invention is that the main shaft or flexible conduit can be firmly held in one hand by a user while the user's other hand rotates a retraction device which causes rotation of the flexible strands. This rotational functionality is provided by a rotatable coupling member. This is an improvement over prior art pipe cleaning devices wherein the flexible strands will rotate only if the main shaft or flexible conduit to which they are attached rotates.
The present invention overcomes the drawbacks and limitations of prior art augers by providing a device that can (a) remove flow blockages that block the cross sectional area of a flow path, (b) scour the inner wall of flow paths to remove the buildup of impurities, or other undesirable material, and (c) be rotated while the conduit is firmly gripped by a user in one hand. The present invention also provides for easy reciprocating operation that can be accomplished using minimal finger movement. The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of chemical cleaners by providing a pipe cleaning device that is not environmentally hazardous or poisonous.
The present invention offers several additional advantages over the prior art. It pulls plugs or flow restrictions apart, allowing breakup of the restrictions. It is capable of grabbing all or portions of a plug or restriction in order to remove it. The present invention further utilizes intermittent or constant expansion and contraction action of elastic strands to disrupt the integrity of a plug or a flow restriction. The present invention enables a coating material to be applied to the inner surface of a conduit, gun barrel, or pipe.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed toward a device and system for cleaning the interior of conduits, gun barrels, or pipes, including drain pipes. The device embodiment of the present invention comprises a flexible conduit having a proximal end and a distal end, a flexible connecting member slidably housed within the conduit, at least two elastic strands having proximal and distal ends, a rotatable coupling member mounted adjacent to the distal end of said conduit, and a retraction handle attached to the proximal end of the connecting member such that pushing and pulling the handle results in a reciprocating motion of the connecting member. The connecting member comprises a proximal connecting end region protruding beyond the proximal end of the conduit and a distal connecting end region protruding beyond the distal end of the conduit.
The proximal end of each elastic strand is attached to the coupling member. The distal end of the strands are attached to the distal end region of the connecting member such that when the connecting member is retracted, the strands are displaced outward and when the connecting member is not retracted, the strands are displaced in a substantially close configuration with respect to each other.
The system embodiment of the present invention may also comprise a pressure/suction source coupled to the proximal end of the conduit. The pressure/suction source is capable of either injecting pressurized fluid into the conduit or creating a pressure or suction in the conduit.
The present invention may be used to break up a flow restriction into smaller pieces. The injection of pressurized fluid can then be used to dissolve or blow the smaller pieces away. Alternatively, the suction source that can be used with the system embodiment of the present invention can be used to suck the smaller pieces out of the pipe or conduit.
The present invention further comprises a retraction device. The retraction device is connected to the proximal end of the flexible conduit and to the proximal end region of the connecting member such that axial displacement of the retraction device results in axial displacement of the connecting member. In one embodiment, rotation of the retraction device causes rotation of the connecting member, coupling member and flexible strands. The invention may further comprise a handle attached to the retraction device and to the tubular housing such that when the handle is rotated, the housing is rotated.
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Basic Plumbing, Sunset Books, pp. 8-9, 28-32, (date unknown).
Home Plumbing Projects & Repairs, Black & Decker Home Improvement Library, pp 88-89, (Cy DeCosse Incorporated 1990).
Do your Own Plumbing, Popular Science, pp 12, 43 (Popular Science books 1987, reprinted in 1991 by Sterling Publishing Company, Inc).
Butler Bruce D.
Leiman Basil C.
Duane Morris & Heckscher LLP
Till Terrence R.
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