Patent ID: 7877821
Filing Date: 2011-02-01
Classification: E03C,E03D

Abstract:
1. A portable hand-held device for unclogging and clearing a soft stoppage from a single non-vented drain, said hand-held device comprising: a substantially L-shape configuration including a hollow handle portion and an air chamber connected to and in fluid communication with said hollow handle portion, said hollow handle portion houses a battery power and a small air compressor, wherein said battery power provides sufficient power for operation of said air compressor, and wherein said air compressor supplying compressed air to said air chamber via a manually-operated on-off switch, a one way valve positioned between said air compressor and said air chamber, wherein said one way valve allows compressed air only to flow from said air compressor into said air chamber, a pressure switch positioned between said air compressor and said air chamber, wherein said pressure switch monitors air pressure in said chamber and deactivates said air compressor if the pressure inside said air chamber exceeds a pre-selected threshold amount needed, a PSI setting dial or display used for selectively setting of a desired air pressure level, said PSI setting dial or display disposed on said hollow handle portion and connected with said air compressor; said air chamber configured and constructed for holding compressed air, said air chamber comprises a sealed chamber for holding compressed air and an air-flow passage, said air-flow passage having a first end that is in fluid communication with said sealed chamber and a second end, said second end of said air-flow passage having a main discharge opening with a built-in pin secured by braces, wherein said main discharge opening comprising male threads, wherein said air chamber is positioned perpendicular to said hollow handle portion such that said main discharge opening is not in linear alignment with said air compressor, an air-release button disposed at said second end of said air flow passage on said air chamber, wherein when said air-release button is manually actuated, compressed air from said sealed chamber of said air chamber flows into said air-flow passage and exits from said main discharge opening to produce a forceful air burst toward the stoppage to remove it; said air chamber further comprises a recess formed on a side of the air chamber, said recess is used to receive a detachable handle for facilitating operator leverage of the hand-held device during its operation, a one-way tire valve formed though a wall of said sealed chamber of said air chamber for releasing compressed air to inflate a tire, a tire valve attachment having an attachment proximal end for engaging said one-way tire valve and an attachment distal end adapted to engage the tire, an air pressure gauge positioned on said sealed chamber and configured for visual identification of the air pressure inside said sealed chamber of said air chamber, a safety-release valve disposed on said sealed chamber and configured for releasing excess air pressure inside said sealed chamber of said air chamber; and drain-sealing adapter equipped with a proximal end having female threads configured for engagement with said male thread of said main discharge opening, said drain-sealing adapter connects to said main discharge opening of said air chamber via said proximal end, interacts with said built-in pin, and allows one-way air flow from said air chamber to said drain-sealing adapter, said drain-sealing adapter also being equipped with an opposed distal end configured for providing substantially airtight sealing of a drain opening of the single non-vented drain and further adapted for allowing air entering said proximal end to travel to said distal end without diminishment, so that when said proximal end of said drain-sealing adapter is connected to said main discharge opening of said air chamber and operation of said air compressor has caused air pressure build-up in said air chamber at least to said desired air pressure level established by said PSI setting dial or display, and said hand-held device is held by an operator with said distal end of said drain-sealing adapter covering the drain opening of the single non-vented drain and providing a substantially airtight seal over the drain opening, manual activation of said air-release button releases a forceful air burst from said seal chamber of said air chamber that travels through said air-flow passage and said drain-sealing adapter and subsequently enters the drain below the covered drain opening, thereafter forcefully contacting any soft stoppage in the drain to move the soft stoppage and clear it from the drain.