PIPE CLEANOUT SYSTEM

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

This invention relates generally to a pipe clean-out device and more particularly to a method of using a pipe clean-out device.

State of the Art

Pipes, particularly household drain pipes get easily clogged. A cup or flange plunger is commonly used to remove pipe blockages in kitchens and bathrooms by physically plunging and loosening a clog. A manual drain snake may also be used to unclog a clogged drain or toilet by physically pushing through a clog. Further issues arise in drain pipes that are clogged in a location that is difficult to reach with a drain snake. In these situations, high pressure water, through a process called hydro jetting, may be utilized to clear the clog. This is a costly repair and does not always yield the results desired.

Accordingly, there is a need for an easy to use and simplified device for unclogging drains without the extensive manual and/or physical labor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pipe clean-out device and method of using a pipe clean-out device. The pipe clean-out device creates a seal on a drain. The pipe clean-out device may be attached to a wet or wet/dry vacuum in order to remove a clog from the drain pipe. The pipe clean-out device may also be attached to an air compressor in order to dislodge a clog in the drain pipe.

An embodiment includes a pipe clean-out device comprising: an elongate tubular member having an outer cylindrical wall surface and an inner cylindrical wall surface; a frustoconical stopper member having an inner cylindrical wall portion, wherein the inner cylindrical wall portion is secured to an end portion about the outer cylindrical wall surface of the elongate tubular member; and an outer frustoconical wall portion provided on the frustoconical stopper member, wherein the outer frustoconical wall portion is provided with a primary outer frustoconical wall portion and a secondary outer frustoconical wall portion.

The end portion may be a first end portion and a tubular adapter member may be received within a second end portion of the elongate tubular member. The tubular adapter member may be provided with a first cylindrical end portion and a second cylindrical end portion. An angled step portion may be provided between the first cylindrical end portion and the second cylindrical end portion. An outer annular flange portion may be provided about the second cylindrical end portion. The frustoconical stopper member may be a first frustoconical stopper member and a second frustoconical stopper member may be provided on a tubular adapter assembly. The second frustoconical stopper member may be received within a second end portion of the elongate tubular member. The elongate tubular member may be a first elongate tubular member and the tubular adapter assembly may be provided with a second elongate tubular member. A spherical cover member having inner and outer spherical surfaces may be provided on the second elongate tubular member. A tubular wall portion may be extended from the outer spherical surface of the spherical cover member and may receive the second elongate tubular member therein.

Another embodiment includes a method of using a pipe clean-out device comprising: placing a pipe clean-out device in a drain hole of a drain pipe, wherein the pipe clean-out device comprises an elongate tubular member having an outer cylindrical wall surface and an inner cylindrical wall surface; a frustoconical stopper member having an inner cylindrical wall portion, wherein the inner cylindrical wall portion is secured to a first end portion about the outer cylindrical wall surface of the elongate tubular member; and an outer frustoconical wall portion provided on the frustoconical stopper member, wherein the outer frustoconical wall portion is provided with a primary outer frustoconical wall portion and a secondary outer frustoconical wall portion; attaching a tubular adapter member to the pipe clean-out device, wherein the tubular adapter member is received within a second end portion of the elongate tubular member; attaching a wet or wet/dry vacuum to the tubular adapter member; and drawing a vacuum through the pipe clean-out device and tubular adapter member to remove a clog in the drain pipe.

The tubular adapter member may be provided with a first cylindrical end portion and a second cylindrical end portion. An angled step portion may be provided between the first cylindrical end portion and the second cylindrical end portion. An outer annular flange portion may be provided about the second cylindrical end portion.

A further embodiment includes a method of using a pipe clean-out device comprising: placing a pipe clean-out device in a drain hole of a drain pipe, wherein the pipe clean-out device comprises an elongate tubular member having an outer cylindrical wall surface and an inner cylindrical wall surface; a frustoconical stopper member having an inner cylindrical wall portion, wherein the inner cylindrical wall portion is secured to a first end portion about the outer cylindrical wall surface of the elongate tubular member; and an outer frustoconical wall portion provided on the frustoconical stopper member, wherein the outer frustoconical wall portion is provided with a primary outer frustoconical wall portion and a secondary outer frustoconical wall portion; attaching a tubular adapter assembly to the pipe clean-out device, wherein the tubular adapter assembly is received within a second end portion of the elongate tubular member; attaching an air compressor apparatus to the tubular adapter assembly; compressing air within the air compressor apparatus; and allowing the compressed air to travel through the pipe clean-out device and tubular adapter member to dislodge a clog in the drain pipe.

The frustoconical stopper member may be a first frustoconical stopper member, a second frustoconical stopper member may be provided on the tubular adapter assembly, and the second frustoconical stopper member may be received within the second end portion of the elongate tubular member. The elongate tubular member may be a first elongate tubular member, the tubular adapter assembly may be provided with a second elongate tubular member, and a spherical cover member having inner and outer spherical surfaces may be provided on the second elongate tubular member. A tubular wall portion may extend from the outer spherical surface of the spherical cover member and may receive the second elongate tubular member therein.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar items throughout the Figures, and:

FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of a pipe clean-out device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a rearward perspective view of a pipe clean-out device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a side, partial cross sectional view of a pipe clean-out device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a side, partial cross sectional view of an adapter for a pipe clean-out device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a side, partial cross sectional view of an adapter for a pipe clean-out device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view an adapter and a pipe clean-out device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view a pipe clean-out device and an adapter in use according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view a pipe clean-out device and an adapter in use according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8B is a partial cross sectional view of a sink and drain pipe with a pipe clean-out device in use according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view a pipe clean-out device and an adapter in use according to an embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view a pipe clean-out device and an adapter in use according to an embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view a pipe clean-out device and an adapter in use according to an embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of a method of use of a pipe clean-out device and an adapter according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of a method of use of a pipe clean-out device and an adapter according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a pipe clean-out device and a method of using a pipe clean-out device. The pipe clean-out device creates a seal on a drain of a drain pipe. The pipe clean-out device may be attached to a wet or wet/dry vacuum in order to remove a clog from the drain pipe. The pipe clean-out device may also be attached to an air compressor in order to dislodge a clog in the drain pipe. The wet or wet/dry vacuum relies on suction while the air compressor relies on pressure in order to clean out the drain pipe.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, a pipe clean-out device 10 is provided with a first elongate tubular member 12 and a first frustoconical stopper member 14 secured thereto. The first frustoconical stopper member 14 is provided with a first inner cylindrical wall portion 16 and a first outer frustoconical wall portion 18. The first outer frustoconical wall portion 18 is provided with a primary outer frustoconical outer wall portion 20 having a first inner end portion 21. A secondary outer frustoconical wall portion 22 is provided on a first outer end portion 23 of the first frustoconical stopper member 14. The first elongate tubular member 12 is provided with a first outer cylindrical wall surface 24 and a first inner cylindrical wall surface 26. The first elongate tubular member 12 has a first end portion 28 and a second end portion 30.

In FIG. 4, a tubular adapter member 32 is provided with a first cylindrical end portion 34 and a second cylindrical end portion 36. An angled step portion 38 is provided between the first cylindrical end portion 34 and the second cylindrical end portion 36. An outer annular flange portion 40 is provided on the second cylindrical end portion 36.

In FIG. 5, a tubular adapter assembly 42 is provided with a second frustoconical stopper member 44 having a second inner cylindrical wall portion 46 and a second outer frustoconical wall portion 48. The second frustoconical stopper member 44 is provided with a second inner end portion 49 and a second outer end portion 50. The second frustoconical stopper member 44 receives a second elongate tubular member 52 through the second inner end portion 49. The second elongate tubular member 52 is provided with a second outer cylindrical wall surface 54 and a second inner cylindrical wall surface 56. The second elongate tubular member 52 is provided with a second outer cylindrical end portion 55 and a second inner cylindrical end portion 57. A spherical cover member 58 is provided about the second elongate tubular member 52 adjacent the second frustoconical stopper member 44. The spherical cover member 58 is provided with an inner spherical surface 60 and an outer spherical surface 62. A tubular wall portion 64 is provided in a central portion 65 of the spherical cover member 58 to receive the second elongate tubular member 52 therein. The spherical cover member 58 may be clear or otherwise transparent to allow viewing through the cover member 58 for a user to see the second frustoconical sopper member 44 engage a the second end portion 30 of the first elongate tubular member 12. The spherical cover member 58 also provides a shield for instances where debris may be ejected through the first elongate tubular member 12 during operation of the cleanout device 10.

Referring to FIGS. 6-9, the tubular adapter member 32 is received within the second end portion 30 of the first elongate tubular member 12. The tubular adapter member 32 receives a tubular connector 68 within the second cylindrical end portion 36. A flexible hose member 66 is secured to the tubular connector 68 and a wet or wet/dry vacuum apparatus 70.

Once the pipe clean-out device 10 is secured to the flexible hose member 66, the first frustoconical stopper member 14 having secondary outer frustoconical wall portion 22 is placed in a drain hole 72 of a sink 74. The wet or wet/dry vacuum apparatus 70 is operated to draw a vacuum to remove a stoppage or clog 76 residing in a drain pipe 73 extending below the drain hole 72.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the tubular adapter assembly 42 having the second frustoconical stopper member 44 is received within the second end portion 30 of the first elongate tubular member 12 of the pipe clean-out device 10. The tubular adapter assembly 42 receives a tubular extension 78 of an air compressor nozzle 76 within the second outer cylindrical end portion 55 of the second elongate tubular member 52.

Once the tubular adapter assembly 42 is secured to the first elongate tubular member 12 of the pipe clean-out device 10, the first frustoconical stopper member 14 having secondary outer frustoconical wall portion 22 is placed within drain hole 72. The air compressor nozzle 76 is connected to an air compressor apparatus 82 via a compressor hose 84. The air compressor nozzle 76 is provided with an on/off switch handle 80 to control compressed air through the air compressor nozzle 76. The on/off switch handle 80 of the air compressor nozzle 76 is operated to allow compressed air to flow through the tubular adapter assembly 42 and through the first elongate tubular member 12 to unclog or dislodge any stoppage or clog 76 within the drain pipe 73 below drain hole 72 of the sink 74.

In one embodiment, FIG. 12 is a block diagram of steps of a method 100 of using a pipe clean-out device. Method 100 comprises placing a pipe clean-out device in a drain hole of a drain pipe, wherein the pipe clean-out device comprises an elongate tubular member having an outer cylindrical wall surface and an inner cylindrical wall surface; a frustoconical stopper member having an inner cylindrical wall portion, wherein the inner cylindrical wall portion is secured to a first end portion about the outer cylindrical wall surface of the elongate tubular member; and an outer frustoconical wall portion provided on the frustoconical stopper member, wherein the outer frustoconical wall portion is provided with a primary outer frustoconical wall portion and a secondary outer frustoconical wall portion (Step 110); attaching a tubular adapter member to the pipe clean-out device, wherein the tubular adapter member is received within a second end portion of the elongate tubular member (Step 120); attaching a wet or wet/dry vacuum to the tubular adapter member (Step 130); and drawing a vacuum through the pipe clean-out device and tubular adapter member to remove a clog in the drain pipe (Step 140). Some sinks and tubs include an overflow drain. When using the pipe clean-out device on sinks and subs with an overflow drain, the method 100 may include plugging the overflow drain prior to Step 140. This ensures that the vacuum is completely directed to the pipe with the clog.

The tubular adapter member may be provided with a first cylindrical end portion and a second cylindrical end portion. An angled step portion may be provided between the first cylindrical end portion and the second cylindrical end portion. An outer annular flange portion may be provided about the second cylindrical end portion.

In one embodiment, FIG. 13 is a block diagram of steps of a method 200 of using a pipe clean-out device. Method 200 comprises placing a pipe clean-out device in a drain hole of a drain pipe, wherein the pipe clean-out device comprises an elongate tubular member having an outer cylindrical wall surface and an inner cylindrical wall surface; a frustoconical stopper member having an inner cylindrical wall portion, wherein the inner cylindrical wall portion is secured to a first end portion about the outer cylindrical wall surface of the elongate tubular member; and an outer frustoconical wall portion provided on the frustoconical stopper member, wherein the outer frustoconical wall portion is provided with a primary outer frustoconical wall portion and a secondary outer frustoconical wall portion (Step 210); attaching a tubular adapter assembly to the pipe clean-out device, wherein the tubular adapter assembly is received within a second end portion of the elongate tubular member (Step 220); attaching an air compressor apparatus to the tubular adapter assembly (Step 230); compressing air within the air compressor apparatus (Step 240); and allowing the compressed air to travel through the pipe clean-out device and the tubular adapter assembly to dislodge a clog in the drain pipe (Step 250). Some sinks and tubs include an overflow drain. When using the pipe clean-out device on sinks and subs with an overflow drain, the method 200 may include plugging the overflow drain at some point prior to Step 250. This ensures that the compressed air is completely directed to the pipe with the clog.

The frustoconical stopper member may be a first frustoconical stopper member, a second frustoconical stopper member may be provided on the tubular adapter assembly, and the second frustoconical stopper member may be received within the second end portion of the elongate tubular member. The elongate tubular member may be a first elongate tubular member, the tubular adapter assembly may be provided with a second elongate tubular member, and a spherical cover member having inner and outer spherical surfaces may be provided on the second elongate tubular member. A tubular wall portion may extend from the outer spherical surface of the spherical cover member and may receive the second elongate tubular member therein.

The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit and scope of the forthcoming claims.