Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Obstruction remover – Force cup
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-04
2001-06-19
Phillips, Charles E. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Obstruction remover
Force cup
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247190
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a plunger apparatus. More particularly, it relates to an improved plunger apparatus with a one way valve that prevents unintended removal of sludge and waste from a drainage line.
STATEMENT OF THE PRIOR ART
Various types of apparatus for clearing clogged drains are known in the plumbing art. One of the most common of these is a plunger. Typical plungers have a smooth walled, flexible, bell shaped plunger portion with an elongated handle attached thereto which allows the user to position the opening of the plunger portion over the drain. With the opening of the plunger portion positioned over the drain opening and in fluid communication with the drain pipe, the user may thrust downward forcing the plunger portion to collapse which in turn forces air down into the drainpipe with sufficient force to eventually push the “clog” down and clear the drain. The problem with these plungers is that when the handle is released and the plunger portion is allowed to expand, the resulting vacuum tends to pull the “clog” up, in effect creating a backflow that may carry other debris along with it, thus reducing the overall effectiveness of the plunger and exposing the user and the environment to potentially hazardous biological waste.
Several attempts have been made to alleviate this problem. U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,139 issued to Jeng discloses a plunger having a piston element. A vent, which is in fluid communication with the hollow handle allows air to be pulled in through the handle into the suction cup to prevent backflow. The drawback with this mechanism is that it has a complicated assembly, including the piston, which may become stuck with extended use. Also, the unconventional shape of the suction cup, along with the relatively large diameter of the handle do not allow for retrofit with conventional plunger components.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,641 issued to Tash discloses another ventilated plunger assembly. The assembly is adapted specifically for plunging toilet bowls and includes a bellows type plunger portion. The handle has a central bore that is in fluid communication with the plunger portion. An aperture at the top end of the handle may be selectively opened to allow for the flow of air therethrough and into the plunger portion. The drawback with this assembly is that there is no mechanism for preventing air from entering the central bore when the user engages in the downward thrust motion. Some air contained in the collapsible plunger element is forced into the drain, but a small amount is forced into the central bore, thus reducing the effectiveness of the plunger element. Also, the extent to which air is allowed to enter the aperture at the top of the handle is not variable and thus the user cannot choose an opening that is particularly effective for a given application. Finally, contaminants may enter the central bore and collect therein.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a plunger assembly that has a plunger portion and an elongated handle having a central bore. The plunger portion has a bottom opening sized for fluid communication with a drain opening. The top end of the plunger portion has a threaded opening sized to receive the threaded end of the elongated handle, and allowing for fluid communication with the central bore. A check valve assembly rests on an annular seat formed inside the bottom of the elongated handle proximate the opening formed in the top end of the plunger portion. The check valve serves to allow airflow into the top end of the plunger portion while preventing airflow out of the top end of the plunger portion to prevent undesired backflow. Providing a cap achieves further regulation of the air flow into the plunger portion at the top of the elongated handle for selectively allowing airflow into and through the central bore. The cap, in cooperation with a sealing means, allows for variable control of how much air that can enter the central bore and therefore the plunger portion. An adapter element may be used to allow connection of the handle to a conventionally sized threaded plunger portion. A portable carrying case provides a sanitary enclosure which allows for movement of the plunger between rooms without contaminating other rooms with potentially hazardous biological waste and debris.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a new and improved plunger.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved plunger which has means to prevent the occurrence of backflow.
It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improved plunger having a hollow elongated handle in fluid communication with the plunger portion.
It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improved plunger having a check valve positioned between the plunger portion and the hollow elongated handle to prevent backflow into the hollow elongated handle.
It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improved plunger having an adjustable air valve positioned at the top of the elongated handle to allow for selectively adjusting the amount of airflow into the handle.
It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improved elongated handle for a plunger which may be retrofit with a conventional plunger portion or suction cup.
It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improved plunger apparatus which includes a sanitary carrying case.
Finally, it is a general object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1734206 (1929-11-01), Fisch
patent: 3336604 (1967-08-01), Lacey et al.
patent: 4768237 (1988-09-01), Torti
Hoyte, Jr. Alfred F.
Phillips Charles E.
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