Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Obstruction remover – Force cup
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-12
2001-02-27
Recla, Henry J. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Obstruction remover
Force cup
Reexamination Certificate
active
06192525
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates to an improved water and sewage drain plunger for use with household drains such as those in kitchen sinks or garbage disposals. However, the plunger of the present invention can be used equally well with a variety of sizes and shapes of drains.
2. Background Art
There are various problems associated with plunging a clogged drain. Some of these problems are related to the drain configuration, while other problems are related to the design of the plunger itself.
By way of background, drain openings such as those in sinks, tubs, and toilets are typically unclogged by using a toilet plunger comprised of a large deformable cup mounted on the end of an elongated handle or shaft. During the plunging operation, the plunger cup is held over the mouth of the drain while the plunger handle is reciprocated in an upward and downward motion that alternately contracts and enlarges the space within the cup. Preferred plunging action creates an alternating pressure and suction force in the drain passage that is often sufficient to dislodge an obstruction.
A common problem associated with use of existing plunger devices in typical drain openings of various sizes and shapes is the tendency of the bottom end of the plunger cap to slide about over the surface surrounding the drain opening being cleared. As a result, splashing and/or spillage of standing wastewater from within the basin above the drain are common. Further, the suction force applied by the plunger is often reduced or eliminated by such slippage. Another problem associated with conventional plunger devices is the limited volume of the plunger cap. This small volume limits the amount of pressure and suction that may be applied to a drain obstruction. Consequently, conventional plungers are often unable to provide sufficient pressure or suction for the purpose of dislodging the obstruction which is blocking the drain. Another problem typically seen with these cup-type plungers is the tendency for wastewater to spray out with great force from between the plunger cup and the surface surrounding the drain opening. The wastewater then often splashes up and outside of the basin surrounding the drain and onto the operator and nearby walls and floors. This phenomenon is called “splash back.”
Therefore, in order to overcome the limitations of prior plunger devices, what is needed is a plunger that will seat securely in or around a drain opening to avoid the problems of splashing and spillage of wastewater, and of reduction in suction force. Further, the plunger should have a large volume that smoothly and slowly compresses to a relatively small volume during use. This feature serves the dual purpose of providing the maximum possible pressure and suction force to an obstructed drain while avoiding splash back. Finally, such a plunger should be simple, capable of being easily fabricated and used, and should be inexpensive and durable.
SUMMARY
The drain plunger of the present invention satisfies all of the foregoing needs. The plunger is adapted for use with a wide variety of sizes and shapes of drain openings such as are common in sinks, tubs, and toilets. The design of the plunger embodied in the present invention is such that the problems of slippage, splashing, spillage and splash back are lessened. Furthermore, the plunger can be easily and inexpensively molded, preferably of durable rubber or plastic. The plunger is also lightweight and easy to use.
The plunger of the present invention consists of an elongated handle attached to the upper end of a “head” section, and a seal section which is attached to the lower end of the head section. The handle can be either permanently or releasable attached to the head section. The head section of the plunger is a pleated bellows consisting of two sections, an upper section which is conical and of increasing diameter from top to bottom, and a smaller lower section, also conical, and of decreasing diameter from top to bottom which depends from the bottom of the upper section. The bottom end of the plunger consists of two levels of seals which depend from the bottom of the lower section of the bellows. The first and bottommost seal is designed to fit snugly into a typical kitchen sink drain opening. This first seal will provide a mechanical seal with the kitchen sink drain hole being cleared by the plunger. Further, the first seal is also designed to be placed around a small drain hole opening such as is typically seen in a bathroom sink or tub to provide a pressure/suction seal with the drain opening. The first seal is of a bulbous ring configuration, the bottom of which is an annular flat ring defining a central void which is open to the bellows. The aforementioned second seal is disposed between the bellows and the top of the first seal, and has a slightly tapered short cylindrical wall that is larger in diameter than the first seal. This second seal is designed to fit snugly into a typical garbage disposal opening and will provide a mechanical seal with that opening. In addition, the bottommost pleat of the bellows forms a third seal which is designed to form a pressure/suction seal with the surface surrounding a drain opening. This third seal is useful when it is necessary to clear an obstruction from a drain which is larger diameter than a typical garbage disposal opening.
As pressure is applied downward on the handle, the bellows compresses and the portion of the seal in contact with the drain opening forms a mechanical and/or a pressure/suction seal with the surface surrounding the drain opening. As a result, the pressure generated by the compression of the bellows is directed through the sealing structures and into the drain in the direction of the obstruction. As the handle is then pulled upwards, a suction force is applied to the obstruction in the drain. The obstruction can thus be effectively dislodged.
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deVore Peter
Lyon Richard
Lyon, Harr & DeFrank
Recla Henry J.
Tash Family Trust
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