Abstract:
A plunger device for unblocking a clogged drain or pipe, comprises a valve housing interposed between a handle and a suction cup; a valve seat having an opening for communicating the cup with the housing; a fluid outlet formed in the housing to provide a fluid path to the outside of the device; a valve ball positioned in the housing to close said opening of the valve seat and said fluid outlet when said ball is positioned on the seat, a bolt moveable in said housing to abut said ball for locking the ball between the bolt and said seat, thereby causing fluid under pressure to flow in one direction-into the clogged drain, the bolt being movable away from said ball to unlock the ball and open said fluid outlet, said ball moving freely inside the valve housing when said ball is unlocked, thereby enabling fluid to flow in the opposite direction only—out from the clogged drain; and switch means associated with the bolt and lock and unlock the valve ball when clearing the clogged drain.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to a plunger device for clearing a clogged drain or pipe; and more specifically relates to a plunger device that has the option for generating a fluid pushing force under pressure to flow into the drain, or for generating a fluid pulling force under pressure to flow out from the drain and into the cup only. 
     The conventional plunger device includes an elongated handle connected to a flexible hollow cup having an open bottom end defined by a circular lip. To properly use such known plungers, the handle is positioned so that only a portion of the lip of the cup initially contacts the surface surrounding the clogged drain at a suitable angle, about 45 degrees. The handle is then pushed downward to distort and collapse and reduce the size of the partially seated cup and thereafter moving the plunger handle in an arc so that the entire lip of the collapsed cup is in contact with the drain surface to create a seal of the lip of the cup with the drain surface. The handle is then pulled upward (or outward) to expand and straighten the cup and return the cup to its original shape. This causes fluid under pressure (suction) to rush outwardly from the clogged drain pipe and into the expanded cup, due to the vacuum created in the cup. This loosens and breaks apart the clogged impurities by inducing a force in the fluid of the drain such that the fluid attacks the clog from the opposite direction of drainage. This direction offers to break the clog from the opposite direction that it was formed, where it is weakest. This action often unseats the cup from the surface. The process is usually repeated in quick cycles order to sufficiently break apart the impurities clogging the drain and causing the blockage. The cycles must be rapid such that the fluid lifted from the drain should not to flow back into the drain by the onset of the next cycle. Utilizing the conventional plunger in this method is physically challenging, requires greater effort, and is unreliable at best. 
     A problem with the use of conventional plunger devices in the method of reorienting the plunger handle is that frequent sealing and distorting of the shape of the cup caused appreciable leakage of the forced fluid, thus decreasing and reducing the quantity of forced fluid available to act upon and free the clogged materials inside the drain pipe. 
     Moreover, the users of the known plungers often do not properly seal the lip of the cup to the surface around the inlet to the clogged pipe due to the range of motion involved for this method. Hence, a proper vacuum was not achieved for pulling the clogged material out from the drain pipe. 
     Another problem with the known plungers was that the fluid under pressure streamed inside the clogged drain when the handle was pushed inward for compressing the cup. At times it is necessary to induce force into the drain in attempt to move a clog free further into the drain. But, this often causes the clogged material to tighten and compact inside the drain pipe or the clogged material was pushed further inside the pipe, making it more difficult to free the clogged pipe. Thus, the operation of the known plungers was often counter-productive. 
     Canadian Patent No. 484,028, dated Jun. 17, 1952, entitled “Drain Opening Apparatus” to P. Larue discloses a manually operable plunger device having a ball positioned inside a hollow head, forming a valve. The valve seat has an open condition when the ball is spaced upward from the seat to permit fluid flow into the atmosphere, and a closed condition when the ball is seated on the seat to close or block any flow into the atmosphere. 
     After the cup is compressed or pressed flat and the valve ball is repositioned on the seat and the ball closes air flow out into the atmosphere. Upon raising or straightening the shape of the cup to increase the volume of the cup, a vacuum is created inside the cup and fluids inside the drain rush to fill the vacuum; and causes the valve ball to move upward and open the pathway to the outside. 
     The valve ball in the Larue device, however, cannot be locked in place on the valve seat when the user of the device is reducing the volume of the cup for providing a pushing force into the drain to clean the clogged drain because the valve ball is free floating. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a lockable plunger apparatus is disclosed for clearing clogged material from the inside of a drain pipe of a sink, tube or like having a fluid inlet surrounded by a surface. The apparatus includes a handle, an inverted cup, a valve housing connected between the handle and the cup, a valve seat having an opening for communicating the inside of the cup with the housing via the fluid outlet, and a valve ball positioned in the housing for opening and closing the opening of the valve seat. The opening is closed to prevent fluid from flowing to the outside when the ball is spaced from the valve seat, and a moveable bolt in the housing abuts the ball to lock the ball on the valve seat to close the opening. 
     The valve switches from a normally closed position to an open position in response to fluid under pressure generated when the cup is compressed or flattened, to provide a fluid pathway from the cup to the outside of the apparatus. Thus, when the valve is in the open position, the fluid flow is diverted away from the clogged drain pipe. 
     The valve is maintained closed in response to fluid under pressure flowing from the inside the clogged drain to the inside of the cup when the cup is caused to expand and thereby return to its original or normal shape. 
     At least one fluid outlet is formed in the housing of the valve to provide a passage to the outside when the valve is open. The fluid pathway to the aperture is closed when the valve is in the closed position. 
     In one embodiment, the plunger for clearing clogging material from a drainage pipe includes a flexible, hollow inverted cup having an open end for contacting a contact surface of a drainage pipe. The cup forms a cup chamber therewithin. An elongated handle is operatively coupled to the cup and is configured to transmit force to the cup to cause the cup to distort. The plunger includes a valve housing assembly operatively disposed between the cup and the handle, where the valve housing assembly includes a pathway within the valve assembly configured to permit fluid communication between the cup chamber and an external environment. A valve is disposed within the pathway for blocking the pathway. A valve position controller is configured to releasably retain the valve in a blocking position to block the pathway to prevent the fluid communication such that when the controller retains the valve in the blocking position, application of downward force on the handle creates a fluid flow under pressure from the cup chamber into the fluid inlet. When the controller does not retain the valve in the blocking position, application of downward force on the handle permits fluid flow from the cup chamber to the external environment, while application of upward force on the handle creates a fluid flow under suction from the fluid inlet into the cup chamber. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     FIG. 1 is an enlarged sectional view of the coupling for connecting the handle with the flexible inverted cup, to illustrate the operation of the fluid valve of a specific embodiment of the plunger device; 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the plunger device showing the operation of the device when used as a conventional plunger; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the plunger device showing operation of the device when used to generate a vacuum for pulling clogged material outward; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional enlarged view of a coupler for connecting the handle to the inverted cup; 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the discharge chamber showing the valve seat, viewed on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the housing just below the discharge vents and above the seat, and viewed in the direction from the female threaded end; 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the plunger device showing the operation of the device to generate a vacuum for pulling the clogged material outward with the cup in a collapsed state; 
     FIG. 7 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the invention illustrating a two piece housing utilizing a pin and bolt arrangement; 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the plunger device having a two piece housing; 
     FIG. 9 is a similar sectional view as in FIG. 8 illustrating operation as a conventional plunger device; 
     FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of an adapter housing for connecting a solid handle to the main housing and illustrating a substantially “Z” configuration for a channel guide to receive a pin and bolt locking mechanism; 
     FIG. 11 is side elevational view of a housing displaying the discharge vent and orifice; 
     FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the handle of the plunger device illustrating a moveable threaded bolt; 
     FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the “Z-like” configuration channel guide containing a pin locked in the upper containment section of the channel guide; 
     FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment of a “C-like” channel guide containing a pin located in the vertical window section of the channel guide; 
     FIG. 15 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the plunger device in a unified housing package; 
     FIG. 16 is a sectional view illustrating the location of parts when the device is used as a conventional plunger device; 
     FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the unified housing utilizing a pin and bolt arrangement in a unified housing package; 
     FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the assembled valve housing with pin, bolt and ball; 
     FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of the unified housing for connecting a solid handle to the main housing and illustrating a “Z-like” configuration for a channel guide; and 
     FIG. 20 is an enlarged prospective view of the pin and bolt. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In this written description, the use of the disjunctive is intended to include the conjunctive. The use of definite or indefinite articles in not intended to indicate cardinality. In particular, a reference to “the” object or thing or “an” object or “a” thing is intended to also describe a plurality of such objects or things. 
     It is to be further understood that the title of this section of the specification, namely, “Detailed Description of the Invention” relates to Rules of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and is not intended to, does not imply, nor should be inferred to limit the subject matter disclosed herein or the scope of the invention. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 though  6  and  12  of the drawings, the reference numeral  10  indicates a plunger device generally. The plunger device  10  includes an elongated handle  12 , a flexible, inverted cup  14 , and a fluid control valve  16  interposed between the handle  12  and the cup  14 . 
     The fluid control valve  16  includes a valve main housing  18  having an upper end  20  and a lower end  22 . A fluid pathway  24  extends centrally in the main housing  18  for discharging fluid to the outside. 
     The valve main housing  18  includes a tubular fluid inlet chamber  26  and a cylindrical fluid discharge chamber  28 . A valve ball  30  is positioned inside the discharge chamber  28 . The cross sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main housing  18  for the fluid discharge chamber  28  is greater than the cross sectional area for the fluid inlet chamber  26 . 
     The fluid control valve  16  further includes a valve seat  32  formed between the inlet fluid chamber  26  and the discharge fluid chamber  28 . The valve seat  32  includes an outer ring or ledge  34  encircling an aperture  36  disposed between the inlet chamber  26  and the discharge chamber  28 . The aperture  36  communicates with the inlet chamber  26  and the discharge chamber  28 . The aperture  36  is covered or blocked when the valve ball  30  is seated on the valve seat  32 . Hence, the fluid control valve  16  includes the aperture  36  having an open position when the valve ball  30  is spaced from the seat  32 , and a closed position to block fluid flow to the outside of the device  10  when the ball  30  is seated on the valve seat  32 . 
     The diameter of the valve ball  30  is greater than the diameter of the aperture  36  of the valve seat  32 . The ball  30  is seated on the valve seat  32  and the ledge  34  to close the aperture  36  and prevent fluid flow between the inlet chamber  26  and the discharge chamber  28 . 
     One or more spaced apart apertures  38  are formed thorough a cylindrical wall  40  of the discharge chamber  28 . The apertures  38  function as fluid discharge outlets to the outside of the plunger device  10  when the valve ball  30  is spaced from the valve seat  32 . Fluid flowing from the inlet chamber  26  to the discharge apertures  38  is blocked by the valve ball  30  when the valve ball is restrained/positioned on the seat  32 . Moreover, the fluid path to the apertures  38  are closed by the valve ball  30  when the ball is positioned on the seat  32 , such as when the ball  30  is restrained by a bolt  74  when the device is used as a conventional plunger. 
     An orifice  42  is also formed in the wall  40  of the discharge chamber  28 , spaced upward from the apertures  38 . More than one orifice  42  may be formed in the wall  40 . Fluid flows from the outside of the plunger  10  and into the discharge chamber  28  via the orifice  42  when the valve ball  30  is seated so as to maintain the ball  30  on the seat  32 . 
     When the valve ball  30  is spaced upward from the valve seat  32 , the fluid pathway  24  is opened to the outside via the apertures  38 , and the fluid pathway is closed to the outside when the ball  30  is positioned on the seat  32 . The fluid pathway  24  to the outside via the orifice  42  may be blocked by the valve ball  30  when the ball is spaced from the seat  32 . 
     In one embodiment, the valve ball  30  may be replaced by a check-valve, a flapper valve, an umbrella valve and the like, as is known to one skilled in the art. 
     As may be seen from FIGS. 1 thorough  6  and  12 , the upper end  20  of the main housing  18  includes an internal female screw connector  44  formed in the inside surface  46  of the wall  40  of valve housing  18 . 
     The lower end  22  of the valve main housing  18  includes an external, male screw connector  48  formed in the outside surface  50  of the wall  40 . The handle  12  includes an upper grip end  54  and a lower end  56 . The lower end  56  of the handle  12  includes a male screw connector  57 . The female connector  44  formed in the valve main housing  18  at the upper end  20  threadedly engages the male screw connector  57  formed at the lower end  56  of the handle  12 . 
     The cup  14  is formed to a semi-spherical shape, having a hollow inside  58  and a circular bottom rim or lip  60 . A body  61  of the cup  14  extends outward from the rim  60  to form a pair of shoulders  62 ,  63  on opposite sides from a centrally outward protruding neck  64 . A channel  66  is formed through the neck  64  for communication with the fluid pathway. 
     An internal female screw connector  67  is formed inside the channel  66  of neck  64  to threadedly engage the male connector  48 . 
     A central bore  68  is formed inside the handle  12 , which extends from the upper end  54  to the lower end  56  thereof. The bore  68  includes an elongated portion  70  and an enlarged portion  72  formed at the lower handle end  56  and in communication with the elongated portion  70 . The diameter of the elongated portion  70  of the bore  68  perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle  12  is less than the diameter of the enlarged portion  72 , viewed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle  12 . 
     A long bolt  74  (FIG. 1) is received in the bore  68  for movement therein. The long bolt  74  includes an elongated part  76  and an enlarged part  78 . The elongated part  76  of the long bolt  74  moves within the bore  68 , and the enlarged part  78  of the long bolt  74  moves within the enlarged portion  72  of the bore  68 . The bottom edge  75  of the long bolt  74  may be circular and flat. 
     As may be seen from FIG. 1, segment  80  of the enlarged portion  72  of the bore  68  is a female threaded connector to receive a complementary male threaded segment  82  of the enlarged part  78  of the moveable long bolt  74 . The long bolt  74  of the plunger device  10  is rotated to move vertically for extending into the discharge chamber  28 . The bottom edge  75  of the long bolt  74  may abut the valve ball  30  to lock the ball  30  in place. When the ball  30  is sandwiched between the valve seat  32  and the lower or bottom edge  75  of the long bolt  74 , and the device  10  functions as a conventional plunger. 
     When assembling the plunger  10 , the long bolt  74  is inserted into the bore  68  of the handle  12  via the lower end  56 . The male threaded segment  82  of the long bolt  74  threadedly engages the female complementary segment  80  of the handle  12 . The valve ball  30  is inserted through the upper end  20  of the valve main housing  18  and into the fluid outlet chamber  28 . Next, the male connector portion  48  on the bottom end  56  of the handle  12  is threadedly engaged into the female portion  44  via the upper end  20  of the main housing  18 . Thus, the valve ball  30  is confined between the valve seat  32  and the circular flat end  75  of the long bolt  74 . The lower end  22  of the valve main housing  18  is screwed into the neck  64  of the cup  14 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6 and  12 , the operation of the plunger device  10  will be described. In FIG. 2, the valve ball  30 , shown seated and restrained by the long bolt  74 , as preset by the user, closes the hole  36  formed within the seat  32  to block flow to the fluid discharge apertures  38 , referred to herein as the “set closed position.” Accordingly, the plunger  10  functions as a conventional plunger wherein fluid under pressure is forced into the fluid inlet of the clogged drain. 
     In FIG. 3, the valve ball  30  is shown spaced from the seat  32  and also spaced from the fluid discharge apertures  38  due to the user retracting the long bolt  74 . This creates a fluid pathway from the inside of the cup  14  to the outside of the plunger  10  via inlet chamber  26 , valve hole  36 , fluid pathway  24  and discharge apertures  38 . This permits the plunger device  10  to vent fluid to the outside via fluid pathway  24  when the user collapses the cup  14 . Upon further motion by the user to “un-collapse” the cup  14 , the free floating valve ball  30  may relocate to the seat  32  to a closed position and thereby cause fluid under pressure to be forced or pulled out from the clogged drain under suction. 
     To secure the ball  30  in place, the bottom surface  75  of the long bolt  74  bears against the ball  30  to prevent the ball  30  from slipping or floating away. The long bolt  74  of the plunger device  10  is rotated in one direction, preferably clockwise, to cause the long bolt  74  to move or travel upwardly or downwardly. The long bolt  74  functions as a switch or controller to control the seating or unseating of the ball  30 . 
     The plunger device  10  is placed upright in a sink, tub, toilet or an applicable item thereof, having a clogged pipe. The long bolt  74  is preset by the user and retracted into the handle main housing  12  such that the lower most surface  75  of the long bolt  74  is flush with the bottom of the handle main housing  12 . The valve ball  30  is seated by gravity on the seat  32  to close the valve hole  36  and also to close the apertures  38  to prevent fluid flow from the inlet chamber  26  and into the discharge chamber  28 . This allows for a temporary closed position (as opposed to the set closed position as defined above) of the fluid valve  16 . 
     The handle  12  is pushed downward to cause the cup  14  to depress and form valley  70  between shoulder  62  and neck  64 , and valley  72  between shoulder  63  and neck  64  (shown in phantom in FIG.  2 ). The depression of the cup  14  distorts the cup  14  and generates fluid under pressure to flow from the hollow inside  58  of the cup  14  and into the inlet chamber  26  of the valve main housing  18 . This forces the valve ball  30  off the seat  32  and upward and into contact with the lowermost surface  75  of the long bolt  74 . This enables the fluid to flow into the discharge chamber  28  for discharging the fluid to the outside of the plunger device  10  via discharge apertures  38 . 
     Therefore, the fluid under pressure moves the ball  30  off the seat  32 , and in effect, switches the valve  16  from a closed position to an open position. The ball is free to move further into the discharge chamber  28  and is not subject to any substantial build up of pressure in the discharge chamber  28  since the upper portion of the discharge chamber  28  consists of a orifice  42 , which does not permit any build of pressure in the discharge chamber  28 . 
     After the cup  14  is depressed, a suction is created and the lip  60  of the cup  14  tightly abuts the surface of the sink surrounding the clogged pipe. After the fluid pressure dissipates, the valve ball  30  drifts downward due to gravity to rest on the valve seat  32  and close the hole  36 , which also closes the fluid discharge apertures  38 . 
     When the ball  30  closes the valve  16  and the cup  14  is distorted, the handle  12  is pulled upward to return the cup  14  to its original and normal shape. A vacuum is created inside the cup  14 , and fluid under pressure rushes from inside the clogged pipe to the inside of the expanded cup  14  to fill the vacuum. Fluid under pressure is also generated inside the discharge chamber  28  which bears against the seated ball  30  to tightly close valve  16 . The fluid streaming into the cup from the clogged pipe, suctions the closed material outward and out of the pipe to clear the pipe. The end of this action completes one cycle of operation, and the user will find the device  10  in a temporary closed position with the cup  14  in an un-distorted slope. The firm contact of the lip  60  of the cup  14  with the surface surrounding the inlet into the clogged pipe, would not normally require resetting of the cup  14  after pulling the cup upwardly. 
     In view of the forgoing, it is seen that a single device  10  provides simple dual directional action to create a unidirectional suction for unblocking a clogged drain pipe. If the clogged pipe is not sufficiently cleared, the user repeats the aforedescribed sequence of pushing and pulling of the fluid in the drain pipe until the pipe is free of the clogging material. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 6 through 11,  13 ,  14  of the drawings, an alternate embodiment and its operation is described. Like reference numbers describe like structures. Reference numeral  100  generally indicates a plunger device, embodying the principles of the invention. The plunger device  100  includes an elongated solid handle  106 , a flexible, inverted cup  14 , and a fluid control valve  116 , which is composed of a main housing adapter  103  and a valve housing  18 , both interposed between the solid handle  106  and cup  14 . 
     The fluid control valve  116  include a valve housing  18  having an upper end  20  and a lower end  22 . A fluid pathway  24  extends centrally in the housing  18 , for discharging fluid to the outside. 
     The valve housing  18  includes a tubular fluid inlet chamber  26  and a cylindrical fluid discharge chamber  28 . A valve ball  30  is positioned inside the discharge chamber  28 . The cross sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal center of the housing  18  is greater for the fluid discharge chamber  28  than for the fluid inlet chamber  26 . 
     The valve housing  18  of the fluid control valve  116  further includes a valve seat  32  formed between the inlet fluid chamber  26  and the discharge fluid chamber  28 . The valve seat  32  includes an outer ring or ledge  34  encircling and opening  36  between the inlet chamber  26  and the discharge chamber  28 . The opening  36  communicates the inlet chamber  26  with the discharge chamber  28 . The opening  36  is covered (or closed) when the valve ball  30  is seated on the valve seat  32 . Hence, the fluid control valve  116  includes the opening  36  having an open position when the valve ball  30  is spaced from the seat  32 , and a closed position to block fluid flow to the outside of the plunger  100  when the ball  30  is seated on the seat  32 . 
     The diameter of the valve ball  30  is greater than the diameter of the opening  36  of the seat  32 . The ball  30  is seated on the seat  32  to close the opening  36  of seat  32  and prevent fluid flow between the inlet chamber  26  and the discharge chamber  28 . 
     One or more spaced apart apertures  38  are formed through the cylindrical wall  40  of the discharge chamber  28 . The apertures  38  function as fluid discharge outlets to the outside of the plunger device  100  via a path from the inside  58  of the cup  14  to the fluid inlet chamber  26 , and out of the discharge apertures  38  when the valve ball  30  is spaced from the valve seat  32 . Fluid flowing from the inlet chamber  26  to the discharge apertures  38  is generally blocked by the valve ball  30  when the valve ball  30  is in the restrained/positioned on the seat  32 . Moreover, the fluid path to the apertures  38  are closed by the valve ball  30  when the ball is positioned on the seat  32 . 
     An orifice  42  is also formed in the wall  40  of the discharge chamber  28 , spaced upward or outward from the apertures  38 . More than one orifice  42  may be formed in the wall  40 . Fluid flows from the outside of the plunger  100  and into the discharge chamber  28  via the orifice  42  when the valve ball  30  is positioned on the seat  32  to maintain the ball  30  on the seat  32 . 
     The housing adapter  103  connects with the valve housing  18  to enable the plunger device  100  to be used with a pin  118  and bolt  120  arrangement. The housing adapter  103  has an upper end  125  and a lower end  127 . 
     The housing adapter  103  includes a centrally bored bolt sliding cylinder  110  and a pin guide channel  114 . The guide channel  114 , which is an aperture, provides communication from the outside of the plunger  100  to the bolt cylinder chamber  110 . The bolt  120  is positioned inside the bolt sliding cylinder  110 . The bolt  120  is secured in place with a pin  118  that is in contact with the bolt  120  via the pin guide channel  114 . 
     The housing adapter  103  further includes a ball upper seat  146 , which includes an opening  152  formed between the bolt sliding cylinder  110  and the lower end  127 . Upon fluid discharge from the cup  14  to the fluid inlet chamber  24 , the re-seated ball  30 , positioned at the upper seat  146 , blocks flow into the bolt cylinder chamber  110 . In effect, the opening  152  is covered (or closed) when the valve ball  30  is seated on the ball upper seat  146  by the fluid pressure. 
     The diameter of the valve ball  30  is greater than the diameter of the opening  152  of the upper seat  146 . The ball  30  is seated on the upper seat  146  to close the opening  152  and prevent fluid flow into the bolt sliding cylinder  110 . 
     The housing adapter  103  (best shown in FIGS. 10,  13 , and  14 ) includes a pin channel guide  114  which includes an upper securing notch  172 , a lower securing notch  173 , an upper pin containment area  194 , a lower pin containment area  196  upper anvil  140  spaced from a lower anvil  141  and linked together by means of the pin guide channel  114 . 
     The cooperation of the pin  118  and bolt  120 , as set within the bolt sliding cylinder  110  and the pin channel guide  114 , provides a switch for operating either as a single or dual directional plunger device  100 . 
     The pin guide channel  114  is formed through the wall  115  of the housing adapter  103 . The pin  118  has a smaller diameter than the pin guide channel  114 . The axis of the pin  118  is oriented perpendicular to the pin channel guide  114  and the pin  118  can freely move along an axis parallel to the direction of the pin guide channel  114 . The pin  118  has a smaller diameter than the upper containment area  194  and the lower containment area  196  such that the pin can be confined to the area provided. The pin  118  has a larger if not equal diameter to the distance between the upper securing notch  172  and the upper anvil  140  such that the pin stays locked in the upper containment area  194 . The pin  118  has a larger if not equal diameter to the distance between the lower securing notch  173  and the lower anvil  141  such that the pin stays locked in the lower containment area  196 . 
     The solid handle  106  includes an upper grip end  154  and a lower end  156 . The lower end  156  of the solid handle  106  includes a male screw connector  157  on the solid handle surface  158 . The housing adapter  103  includes a female connector  124  at the upper end  125  and a male connector  126  at the lower end  127 . The female connector  124  of main housing adaptor  103  engages with the male connector  157  formed in the lower end  156  of the solid handle  106 . 
     The upper end  20  of the main housing  18  includes and internal female screw connector  44  formed in the inside surface  46  of the wall  40  of valve housing  18 . The lower end  22  of the main housing  18  includes an external, male screw connector  48  formed in the outside surface  50  of the main housing  18 . The female connector  44  at the upper end  20  of the main housing  18  threadedly engaging the male screw connector  126  formed at the lower end  127  of the valve adapter  103 . 
     The cup  14  is formed to a semi-spherical shape, having a hollow inside  58  and a circular bottom rim or lip  60 . The body  61  of the cup  14  extends outward from the rim  60  to form a pair of shoulders  62 ,  63  on opposite sides from a centrally outward protruding neck  64 . A channel  66  is formed through the neck  64  for communication the pathway  24  in the housing  18  with the hollow inside  58  of the cup  14 . An internal female screw connector  67  is formed inside the channel  66  of the neck  64  to threadedly engage the male connector  48 . 
     Turning now to the FIG. 8 (also with reference to FIGS.  13  &amp;  14 ), it will be seen that when the upper pin side  160  of the pin  118  abuts the bottom anvil surface  188  of the upper anvil  140 , the valve ball  30  moves freely within the fluid discharge chamber  28 , so that there is a fluid path from inside the clogged drain via the inside  58  of the cup  14  through the fluid inlet chamber  26  to the fluid pathway  24  and to the outside of the device  100  via the apertures  38 . If the pin  118  is held against the upper anvil  140  and is forced to moved parallel to the surface of the upper anvil  140  toward the direction of the upper notch  172  and the upper containment area  194 , with subsequent force, the pin  118  slips past the upper notch  172 . This permits the pin  118  to enter the location formed by the upper containment area  194 , and thus lock the pin  118  in place, which places the device into an open position allowing for the device  100  to function as a unidirectional plunger. Thus when the cup is compressed by pushing the handle  106  downward, fluid is effectively discharged through the fluid pathway  24  through apertures  38  avoiding a pressure build up in the drain. 
     As shown in FIG. 9, the pin  118  is forced down the pin guide channel  114  to the point where the lower pin side  162  of the pin  118  abuts the upper anvil surface  189  of the lower anvil  141  such that the bolt  120  moves freely down the bolt sliding cylinder  110  such that the bolt  120  vertically enters the discharge chamber  28 . 
     The bottom edge  175  of the bolt  120  abuts the valve ball  30  and restrains it upon the valve seat  32  of the main housing to keep the device  100  in the closed position. In this configuration, the ball  30  is sandwiched between the valve seat  32  and the lower or bottom edge  175  of the bolt  120 . If the pin  118  is held against the lower anvil  141  and is forced to moved parallel to the surface of the lower anvil  141  toward the direction of the lower notch  173  and the lower containment area  196 , with subsequent force, the pin  118  slips past the lower notch  173  allowing the pin  118  to enter the location formed by the lower containment area  196 . This locks the pin  118  in place and puts the device  100  into a closed position allowing the plunger to function as a conventional plunger device. 
     When assembling the plunger  100 , the bottom end  175  of the bolt  120  is inserted into the upper end  125  of the adapter housing  103  such that the bolt  120  enters the bolt sliding cylinder  110 . The female coupling  177  (refer to FIG. 20) of the bolt  120  is aligned to the pin guide channel  114  (refer to FIGS. 13 &amp; 14) by inserting a screwdriver tool into the alignment groove  179  and rotating. The pin  118  is then introduced into the bolt  120  via the pin guide channel  114  such that the male end  191  of the pin  118  is secured, by rotation if threaded, into the bolt  120 . 
     The male screw connector  157  formed at the lower end  156  of the solid handle  106  is engaged with the female threading  124  of the upper end  125  of the assembled adapter housing  103 . The valve ball  30  is inserted through the upper end  20  of the valve housing  18  and into the fluid discharge chamber  28 . With the valve ball  30  in place, the male threading  126  of the bottom end  127  of the adapter housing  103  is engaged and secured into the female threading  44  in the upper end  20  of the valve housing  18 . Thus, the valve ball  30  is confined between the adapter housing  103  and the valve housing  18 . 
     The lower end  22  of the valve housing  18  is screwed into the neck  64  of the cup  14 . The inside  58  of the cup  14  communicates with the inside of the valve housing  18  via the fluid pathway  24  in the open position. 
     Now referring to FIGS. 7 through 9, the operation of the plunger device  100  will be described. In FIG. 9, the valve ball  30  is shown restrained by the bolt  120  as preset by the user, which simultaneously closes the opening  36  of the seat  32  and the fluid discharge apertures  38  such that the device  100  functions thereby as a conventional plunger. 
     In FIG. 8, the valve ball  30  is shown spaced from the seat opening  36  and also spaced from the fluid discharge apertures  38  due to the changed user presetting of retraction of the bolt  120  via the movement of the pin  118  along the pin guide channel  114 . This creates a fluid pathway from the inside  58  of the cup  14  and drain to the outside of the device  100  via the open discharge apertures  38 . Upon collapsing of the cup  14 , pressure is exerted on the valve ball  30  via the fluid flow from the inside  58  of the cup through the fluid inlet chamber  26  to the fluid inlet chamber  24 . This forces the ball  30  to rest on the upper seat  146  of the adapter housing  103  preventing the fluid under pressure to pass through the opening  152  to the side of the bolt  120  in the bolt sliding cylinder  110 , and subsequently out the pin guide channel  114 . This permits the plunger device  100  to vent fluid to the outside via the fluid flow pathway  24  and out of the discharge apertures  38 . Upon halting the motion of the device  100  by the user, the free floating valve ball  30  may relocate to the ball seat  32 . The user can then reverse the direction of the device  100  to un-switch the device  100  to function in the opposite direction, which causes fluid under pressure to be forced or pulled out from the clogged drain. 
     To secure the ball  30  in place, the bottom edge  175  of the bolt  120  bears against the ball, and thereby prevents the ball from slipping or floating away. The bolt  120  of the plunger device  100  is relocated in one direction by sliding the pin  120  in the pin channel guide  114  to cause the bolt  120  to travel upwardly or downwardly. The pin  118  and bolt  120  arrangement function as a switch controlling the directional movement and operation of the device  100  by being locked in an open or closed position. 
     The plunger device  100  is placed upright in a sink, tub or toilet having a clogged pipe. The bolt  120  is preset by the user and retracted into the adapter housing  103  such that the lower most surface  175  of the bolt  120  is retracted with the adapter housing  103  exposing the adapter housing seat  146 . The valve ball  30  is seated by gravity on the seat  32  to close the valve opening  36  and also to close the apertures  38  to prevent fluid flow from the inlet chamber  26  into the discharge chamber  28 . This ball at rest position allows for a temporary closed position (as opposed to the set closed position as defined above) of the device  100 . 
     The solid handle  106  is pushed downward to cause the cup  14  to depress and form the valley  70  between shoulder  62  and neck  64  (shown in phantom in FIG.  9 ). The depression of the cup  14  distorts the cup  14  and generates fluid under pressure to flow from the hollow inside  58  of the cup  14  and into the inlet chamber  26  of the valve housing  18 . This permits the fluid to flow into the discharge chamber  28  for discharging the fluid to the outside of the plunger device  100  via discharge apertures  38 , and prevents the fluid to flow into the bolt slide cylinder  110 . 
     Therefore, the fluid under pressure moves the ball  30  off the seat  32 , and in effect, switches the device  100  from a closed position to an open position. The ball is free to move further into the discharge chamber  28  and is not subject to any substantial pressure build up in the discharge chamber  28  because the upper portion of the discharge chamber  28  has a discharge vent  42 , which does not allow for any pressure build up in the discharge chamber  28 . 
     Next the cup  14  is depressed and a suction is created. The lip  60  of the cup  14  is tightly puckered on the surface of the sink surrounding the clogged pipe. After the fluid pressure dissipates, the valve ball  30  drifts downward due to gravity, to seat on the valve seat  32  and close the opening  36 . This also closes the fluid discharge apertures  38 . 
     When the ball  30  seats due to the gravity and the cup  14  is distorted, the handle  106  is pulled upward to return the cup  14  to its original and normal shape (which is larger than the distorted configuration of the cup  14  after the cup  14  is pushed inward). A vacuum is immediately created inside the cup  14 , and fluid under pressure rushes from inside the clogged pipe to the inside of the expanded cup  14  to fill the vacuum. Fluid under pressure is also generated inside the discharge chamber  28  which bears against the seated ball  30  to tightly close the device  100 . The fluid streaming into the cup from the clogged pipe, suctions the clogged material outward and out of the pipe to clear the pipe. The end of this action completes one cycle of operation, and the user will find the device  100  in a temporary closed position with the cup  14  in an un-distorted position such as when the device was initially placed in the sink. 
     The firm contact of the lip  60  of the cup  14  with the surface surrounding the inlet into the clogged pipe does not require resetting of the cup after pulling the cup upwardly. 
     In view of the foregoing, it is seen that a single device  100  is utilized to provide dual directional action to create a unidirectional suction for unblocking a clogged drain pipe. 
     If the clogged pipe is not sufficiently cleared, the user of the plunger device  100  repeats the aforedescribed sequence of pushing and pulling of the fluid in the drain pipe until the pipe is freed of the clogging material. 
     An alternate embodiment and its operation is now described. Referring now to FIGS. 15 through 20 of the drawings, the reference numeral  200  generally indicates a plunger device. The plunger device  200  includes an elongated solid handle  106 , a flexible, inverted cup  14 , and a fluid control valve  216 , which is composed of a valve housing  218 , interposed between the solid handle  106  and cup  14 . 
     The fluid control valve  216  includes a valve housing  218  having an upper end  220  and a lower end  222 . A fluid pathway  24  extends centrally in the housing  218 , for discharging fluid to the outside. The valve housing  218  includes a centrally bored bolt sliding cylinder  110  and a pin guide channel  114 , a vent orifice  42 , a discharge aperture  38 , a valve seat  32 , a fluid discharge chamber  28 , a fluid inlet chamber  26 , an upper end  220  and a lower end  222 . 
     The valve housing  218  includes a tubular fluid inlet chamber  26  and a cylindrical fluid discharge chamber  28 . A valve ball  30  is positioned inside the discharge chamber  28 . The cross sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal center of the housing  218  is greater for the fluid discharge chamber  28  than for the fluid inlet chamber  26 . 
     The valve housing  218  of the fluid control valve  216  further comprises a valve seat  32  formed between the inlet fluid chamber  26  and the discharge fluid chamber  28 . The valve seat  32  includes an outer ring or ledge  34  encircling and opening  36  between the inlet chamber  26  the discharge chamber  28 . The opening  36  communicates the inlet chamber  26  with the discharge chamber  28 . The opening  36  is covered (or closed) when the valve ball  30  is seated on the valve seat  32 . Hence, the fluid control valve  216  includes the opening  36  having an open position when the valve ball  30  is spaced from the seat  32 ; and a closed position to block fluid flow to the outside of the device  200  when the ball  30  is seated on the seat  32 . 
     The diameter of the valve ball  30  is greater than the diameter of the opening  36  of the seat  32 . The ball  30  is seated on the seat  32  on the ledge  34  to close the opening  36  of seat  32  and prevent fluid flow between the inlet chamber  26  and the discharge chamber  28 . 
     One or more spaced apart apertures  38  are formed through the cylindrical wall  140  of the discharge chamber  28 . The apertures  38  function as fluid discharge outlets to the outside of the plunger device  200  when the valve ball  30  is spaced from the valve seat  32 . Fluid flowing from the inlet chamber  26  to the apertures  38  is blocked by the valve ball  30  when the valve ball  30  is spaced from the valve seat  32 . Fluid flowing from the inlet chamber  26  to the apertures  38  is blocked by the valve ball  30  when the valve ball  30  is positioned on the seat  32 . Moreover, the apertures  38  are closed by the valve ball  30  when the ball  30  is reoriented on the seat  32 . 
     An orifice  42  is also formed in the wall  140  of the discharge chamber  28 , spaced upward or outward from the apertures  38 . More than one orifice  42  may be formed in the wall  140 . Fluid flows from the outside of the device  200  and into the discharge chamber  28  via the orifice  42  when the valve ball  30  is positioned on the seat  32  to maintain the ball  30  on the seat  32 . 
     When the valve ball  30  is spaced outward from the valve seat  32 , the fluid pathway  24  is opened to the outside via the apertures  38 ; and the fluid pathway is closed to the outside when the ball  30  is positioned on the seat  32 . The fluid pathway  24  to the outside via the orifice  42  may be blocked by the valve ball  30 , when the ball is spaced from the seat  32 . 
     The valve housing  218  enables the plunger device  200  to be used in a pin  118  and bolt  120  arrangement. The valve housing  218  has an upper end  220  and a lower end  222 . 
     A bolt  120  is position inside the bolt sliding cylinder  110 . The bolt  120  is secured in place with a pin  118  that is in contact with the bolt  120  via the pin guide channel  114 . The valve housing  218  includes a pin channel guide  114  which is composed of an upper securing notch  172 , a lower securing notch  173 , an upper pin containment area  194 , a lower pin containment area  196  upper anvil  140  spaced from a lower anvil  141  and linked together by means of the pin guide channel  114 . 
     A pin guide channel  114  is formed through the wall  140  of the valve housing  218 . A pin  118  has a smaller diameter than the pin guide channel  114  such that the pin  118  can freely move in the pin guide channel  114 . The axis of the pin  118  is oriented perpendicular to the pin channel guide  114  and the said pin  118  can freely move in a parallel direction to the pin guide channel  114 . A pin  118  has a smaller diameter than the upper containment area  194  and the lower containment area  196  such that the pin can be confined to the area provided. The pin  118  has a larger if not equal diameter to the distance between the upper securing notch  172  and the upper anvil  140  such that the pin stays locked in the upper containment area  194 . The pin  118  has a larger if not equal diameter to the distance between the lower securing notch  173  and the lower anvil  141  such that the pin stays locked in the lower containment area  196 . 
     The cooperation of the pin  118  and bolt  120 , as set within the bolt sliding cylinder  110  and the pin channel guide  114 , provides a switch for operating either as a single or dual directional plunger. 
     The solid handle  106  includes an upper grip end  154  and a lower end  156 . The lower end  156  of the solid handle  106  includes a male screw connector  157  on the solid handle surface  158 . 
     The valve housing  218  includes a female connector  124  formed in the inside surface  246  of the wall  140  at the upper end  220  and a male connector  48  on the surface  223  at the lower end  222 . The female connector  124  of the valve housing  218  threadedly engages with the male connector  157  formed in the lower end  156  of the solid handle  106 . An internal female screw connector  67  is formed inside the channel  66  of the neck  64  to threadedly engage the male connector  48  of the valve housing  218 . 
     Turning now to the FIGS. 13,  14  and  19 , it will be seen that when the upper pin side  160  of the pin  118  abuts the bottom anvil surface  188  of the upper anvil  140 , the valve ball  30  moves freely within the fluid discharge chamber  28 , so that there is a fluid path from inside the clogged drain to the outside of the device  200  via the apertures  38 . Thus, when the cup is compressed by pushing the handle  106  downward, fluid is effectively discharged through the fluid pathway  24  through apertures  38  avoiding pressure build up in the drain. If the pin  118  is held against the upper anvil  140  and is moved parallel to the surface of the upper anvil  140  toward the direction of the upper notch  172  and the upper containment area  194 , with subsequent force, the pin  118  slips past the upper notch  172  allowing the pin  118  to enter the location formed by the upper containment area  194 . This locks the pin  118  in place and puts the device into an open position allowing for the device  200  to function as a unidirectional plunger device. The pin guide channel  114  may have a “Z” configuration, as shown in FIG. 13 or a “C” configuration, as shown in FIG.  14 . 
     As shown in FIG. 15, the pin  118  is forced down the pin guide channel  114  to the point where the lower pin side  162  of the pin  118  abuts the upper anvil surface  189  of the lower anvil  141  such that the bolt  120  moves freely down the bolt sliding cylinder  110  such that the bolt  120  vertically enters the discharge chamber  28 . The bottom edge  175  of the bolt  120  abuts the valve ball  30  and restrains it upon the valve seat  32  of the main housing to keep the device  200  in the closed position. In this configuration, the ball  30  is sandwiched between the valve seat  32  and the lower or bottom edge  175  of the bolt  120 . If the pin  118  is held against the lower anvil  141  and is forced to moved parallel to the surface of the lower anvil  141  toward the direction of the lower notch  173  and the lower containment area  196 . With subsequent force, the pin  118  slips past the lower notch  173  allowing the pin  118  to enter the location formed by the lower containment area  196 . This locks the pin  118  in place and puts the device  200  into a closed position. 
     When assembling the plunger  200 , the valve ball  30  is inserted through the upper end  220  of the valve housing  218  and into the fluid discharge chamber  28  through the bolt sliding cylinder  110 . The bottom end  175  of the bolt  120  is inserted into the upper end  220  of the main housing  218  such that the bolt  120  enters the bolt sliding cylinder  110 . The female coupling  177  is aligned to the pin guide channel  114  by inserting a screwdriver tool into the alignment groove  179  and rotating. The pin  118  is then introduced into the bolt  120  via the pin guide channel  114  such that the male end  191  of the pin  118  is secured, by rotation if threaded, into the bolt  120 . 
     The male screw connector  157  formed at the lower end  156  of the solid handle  106  is engaged with the female threading  124  of the upper end  220  of the main housing  218 . With the valve ball  30  in place, the male threading  48  of the bottom end  222  of the main valve housing  218  is engaged and secured into the neck  64  of the cup  14 . Thus, the valve ball  30  is confined between the bolt  120  and the seat  32 . 
     The inside  58  of the cup  14  communicates with the inside of the valve housing  218  via the fluid pathway  24  in the open position. Moreover, the fluid discharge apertures  38  are closed when the valve ball  30  is locked in place, as shown in FIG.  15 . 
     Turning now to FIGS. 15,  16 , the operation of the plunger device  200  will be described. In FIG. 15, the valve ball  30 , shown restrained by the bolt  120  as preset by the user, simultaneously closes the opening  36  of the seat  32  and the fluid discharge apertures  38  such that the device  200  functions as a conventional plunger to free a clogged drain. The direction of the fluid flow may be reversed by pulling the handle to cause the impurities to be pulled out from the clogged drain. This creates a bidirectional fluid flow in the drain. 
     In FIG. 16, the valve ball  30  is shown spaced from the seat opening  36  and also spaced from the fluid discharge apertures  38  due to the changed user presetting of retraction of the bolt  120 . This creates a fluid pathway from the inside  58  of the cup  14  and drain to the outside of the device  200  via the open discharge apertures  38 . Upon collapsing of the cup  14 , pressure is exerted on the valve ball  30  and forces it to abut the lower surface  175  of the bolt  120 . This permits the plunger device  200  to vent fluid to the outside via the fluid flow pathway  24  and out the discharge apertures  38 . Upon further motion by the user, the free floating valve ball  30  may relocate to the ball seat  32  to switch the device  200  to function in the opposite direction, to cause fluid under pressure to be forced or pulled out from the clogged drain. 
     To secure the ball  30  in place, the bottom edge  175  of the bolt  120  bears against the ball, and thereby prevents the ball from slipping or floating away. 
     The bolt  120  of the plunger device  200  is relocated in one direction by sliding the pin  120  in the pin channel guide  114  to cause the bolt  120  to travel upwardly or downwardly. The pin  118  and bolt  120  arrangement functions as a switch controlling the directional movement and operation of the device  200  by being locked in an open or closed position as understood. 
     The plunger device  200  is placed upright in a sink or tub having a clogged pipe(s). The bolt  120  is preset by the user to the open position by relocating pin  118  to the upper containment area  194 . The valve ball  30  is seated by gravity on the seat  32  to momentarily close the valve opening  36  and also to close the apertures  38  and prevent fluid flow from the inlet chamber  26  and into the discharge chamber  28 . This ball at rest situation allows for a temporary closed position(as opposed to the set closed position as defined above) of the device  200 . 
     The solid handle  106  is pushed downward to cause the cup  14  to depress and form a valley  70  between shoulder  62  and neck  64 . The depression of the cup  14  distorts the cup  14  and generates fluid under pressure to flow from the hollow inside  58  of the cup  14  and into the inlet chamber  26  of the valve housing  218 , to force the valve ball  30  off the seat  32  upward to abut the ball  30  on the lower surface  175  of the bolt  120 . This enables the fluid to flow into the discharge chamber  28  for discharging the fluid to the outside of the plunger device  200  via discharge apertures. 
     Therefore, the fluid under pressure moves the ball  30  off the seat  32 , and in effect, switches the device  200  from a closed position to an open position. The ball is free to move further into the discharge chamber  28  and is not subject to any capillary build of pressure in the discharge chamber  28  since the upper portion of the discharge chamber  28  has a discharge vent orifice  42 , which does not permit pressure build up in the discharge chamber  28  due to the motion of the ball away from the valve opening  36 . 
     After the cup  14  is depressed, a suction is created and the lip  60  of the cup  14  is tightly puckered on the surface of the sink surrounding the clogged pipe. After the fluid pressure dissipates, the valve ball  30  drifts downward due to gravity, to seat on the valve seat  32  and close the opening  36 , and also to close the fluid discharge apertures  38 . When the ball  30  seats due to the gravity and the cup  14  is distorted, the handle  106  is pulled upward to return the cup  14  to it&#39;s original and normal shape. A vacuum is immediately created inside the cup  14 , and fluid under pressure rushes from inside the clogged pipe to the inside of the expanded cup  14  to fill the vacuum. Fluid under pressure is also generated inside the discharge chamber  28  which bears against the seated ball  30  to tightly close the device  200 . The fluid streaming into the cup from the clogged pipe, suctions the clogged material outward and out of the pipe to clear the pipe. The end of this action completes one cycle of operation and the user will find the device  200  in a temporary closed position with the cup  14  in an un-distorted fashion such as when the device was initially placed in the sink. The firm contact of the lip  60  of the cup  14  with the surface surrounding the inlet into the clogged pipe, normally would not require resetting of the cup, after pulling the cup upwardly. 
     In view of the foregoing, it is seen that a single device  200  is utilized to provide simple dual directional action to create a unidirectional suction for unblocking a clogged drain pipe. If the clogged pipe is not sufficiently cleared, the user of the plunger device  200  repeats the aforedescribed sequence of pushing and pulling of the fluid in the drain pipe, until the pipe is freed of the clogging material. 
     Specific embodiments of a Dual-Acting Plunger according to the present invention have been described for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention may be made and used. It should be understood that implementation of other variations and modifications of the invention and its various aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and that the invention is not limited by the specific embodiments described. It is therefore contemplated to cover by the present invention any and all modifications, variations, or equivalents that fall within the true spirit and scope of the basic underlying principles disclosed and claimed herein.