Patent ID: 7765626
Filing Date: 2010-08-03
Classification: E03C,E03F

Abstract:
1. A drain-clearing device, comprising: a first hollow tube having opposed first and second ends; a plunger head coupled to said first end of said first hollow tube; a second hollow tube having opposed first and second ends, said first end of said second hollow tube being operatively coupled to said second end of said first hollow tube, said first and second hollow tubes being configured for telescoping movement between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration; a crank handle coupled to said second end of said second hollow tube; a cap coupled to said crank handle and said second end of said second hollow tube; a snaking member coupled to said crank handle for selective rotational movement and being housed within said first and second hollow tubes, said telescopic movement of said first and second hollow tubes between said extended and retracted configurations moving said snaking member between a storing configuration and an operating configuration, respectively; wherein said snaking member has a spring construction; said snaking member is selectively removable from said hollow tubes for cleaning; and a plug selectively coupled to said first end of said first hollow tube for sealing an inner area of said first hollow tube from an inner area of said plunger head; wherein said first hollow tube defines a groove adjacent said first end of said first hollow tube; and said plug having a configuration complementary to a configuration of said groove, said plug being selectively coupled with said groove for separating said inner area of said first hollow tube and said inner area of said plunger head; wherein said second hollow tube includes a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of said first hollow tube; and said second hollow tube is selectively inserted inside said first hollow tube when said first and second hollow tubes are at said retracted configuration; wherein said first hollow tube is parallel with said second hollow tube when said first and second tubes are at said extended configuration; said second end of said second hollow tube is located between said first and second ends of said first hollow tube when said first and second tubes are at said extended configuration; and a bracket selectively maintains said first and second tubes at said extended configuration in said parallel relationship when said first and second tubes are at said extended configuration; wherein said cap having a configuration complementary to a configuration of said second end of said first hollow tube for selectively coupling said cap to said second end of said first hollow tube when said first and second tubes are at said retracted configuration.