Patent ID: 8359696
Filing Date: 2013-01-29
Classification: B08B

Abstract:
1. A drain snake device for removing obstructing debris from piping structures, comprising: a. a reusable handle having: b. a disposable snake segment having an elongated distal section for contacting and collecting obstructing debris in the piping structure, the snake segment including c. a cylindrically shaped sleeve having a distal and a proximal end, and a notch in the proximal end, the sleeve being rotatably mounted on the distal section of the handle and the sleeve being movable along and coaxially with the distal section of the handle between a locked position and a release position; wherein, the contoured distal end of the handle is engagable with and interlockable with the corresponding contour profile at the proximal end of the snake segment, such that the notch has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the bend portion between the intermediate section and the distal section of the handle, and, such that, when the sleeve is in the release position, the notch engages the bend portion of the handle, thereby blocking the handle from rotation, and, alternatively, when the sleeve is in the locked position, the notch is disengaged from the bend portion and the handle can be rotated by a user, and, such that, after the handle engages a corresponding snake segment, the sleeve can be moved to the locking position to interlock the handle to the snake segment; and, alternatively, the sleeve can be moved to the release position, to permit the snake segment to engage with or be disengaged from the handle, and, wherein, when the handle is engaged with the snake segment and the sleeve is in the locked position, the handle can be rotated, thereby rotating the snake segment.