Device for clearing a drain

An improved drain unclogging device of the type having a drain bladder for sealing in the drain and a water source interface in fluid communication with the drain bladder and fluidly interfacing with a water source to provide high pressure water to and exit from the drain bladder to unclog the drain. The improvement includes a sliding bladder restrictor that is movable over the drain bladder and restricts a portion of the drain bladder that remains outside the drain to prevent distortion of that portion of the drain bladder that would reduce pressure of the high pressure water that is exiting the drain bladder and unclogging the drain.

1. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention

The embodiments of the present invention relate to a drain unclogging device, and more particularly, the embodiments of the present invention relate to a drain unclogging device for sealing in a drain, for being restricted outside the drain, and for interfacing with a water source to provide high pressure water to unclog the drain.

B. Description of the Prior Art

Numerous innovations for drain clog removers have been provided in the prior art, which will be described below in chronological order to show advancement in the art, and which are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference thereto. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, nevertheless, they differ from the present invention in that they do not teach a drain unclogging device for sealing in a drain, for being restricted outside the drain, and for interfacing with a water source to provide high pressure water to unclog the drain.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,670,475—issued to Hord on Mar. 2, 1954 in U.S. class 4 and subclass 255.05—teaches a hose attachment including an inner tubular valve member having an externally threaded intermediate portion and a sleeve having an externally and internally threaded intermediate portion threaded for longitudinal adjustment on the valve member. The sleeve further has a seat engageable by the valve member and still further having externally threaded end portions. A resilient made adapter is engageable in a drain and includes a metallic bushing threaded on one portion of the sleeve. A packing nut is threaded on the other end portion of the sleeve. A resilient, substantially cup-shaped adapter includes a metallic bushing threaded on the intermediate portion of the sleeve and engageable with a surface surrounding the drain. The second-named bushing is screwable on and past the one end portion of the sleeve for threaded engagement with the intermediate portion of the sleeve.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,847,923—issued to Huang on Jul. 18, 1989 in U.S. class 4 and subclass 255.03—teaches a water and air whirlpool double flush toilet clog remover having a hollow cylinder, a top cover with air ports attached to the cylinder, a fixed direction filling device having a piston within the cylinder, a hollow plug pressure lever with one end attached to the piston and another end passing through the top cover and attached to a handle, and a guide flow device attached to the bottom of the cylinder. The fixed direction filling device provides one-way directional flow of water and/or air into the cylinder from the hollow plug pressure lever when the handle is raised. The guide flow device provides a whirlpool of water and/or air into the toilet to be unclogged when the handle is lowered.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,646 issued to Bevacco et al. on Jul. 19, 1994 in U.S. class 4 and subclass 255,08 teaches a drain flusher device for dislodging an obstruction in a pipe. The drain flushing device has an elastomeric cylindrical body with an open neck end and nose portion having a thickened end wall. An elongated slit with a predetermined configuration and predetermined dimensions extends through the thickened forward end wall. A connector is fixed at the body neck end and is adapted for attachment to a pressurized fluid source, such as a garden hose.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,974,596—issued to Strzok on Nov. 2, 1999 in U.S. class 4 and subclass 255.11—teaches a hand-operated plunger for clearing drains and other plumbing fixtures of obstructions. The hand-operated plunger has two coaxial handles that help maintain a seal with the plumbing fixture during operation and check valves that direct hydraulic or pneumatic pressure to the obstruction through the application of hand force applied to the movable handle. In the event that one stroke of the handle does not dislodge the obstruction, a second or subsequent stroke may be applied without losing all of the pressure developed from the first stroke. In one preferred embodiment, air is used to create pneumatic pressure that is applied to the obstruction through check valves, and the pressure is increased by subsequent strokes of the movable plunger handle. In an alternate embodiment, liquid, such as water, is used to create hydraulic pressure that is applied to the obstruction through check valves, and the pressure developed is directly related to the force applied to the movable plunger handle.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,385—issued to Smith on Jun. 18, 2002 in U.S. class 4 and subclass 255.01—teaches a plunger device for unclogging a toilet drain, which includes a housing that is elongated and has a open first end and an open second end. A peripheral wall extends between the first and second ends. The first and second ends are generally circular. The first end has a smaller diameter than a diameter of the second end. The diameter of the second end is larger than a toilet drain. A pump may be used for forcing air into the housing, and is removably in communication with the first end of the housing. The second end of the housing is positioned over the toilet drain so that air is moved from the pump and into the housing causing water in the toilet to be forced into the drain and unclogging the drain.

(6) United States Patent Application Publication Number 2008/0276359 to Morgan et al.

United States Patent Application Publication Number 2008/0276359—published to Morgan et al. on Nov. 13, 2008 in U.S. class 4 and subclass 255.04—teaches a drain clog remover that includes a container adapted to hold a drain cleaning composition and a shaft defining a delivery passage fluidly communicating with the container. In certain embodiments, the shaft includes projections for mechanically engaging and removing clog-forming material from the drain pipe. In other embodiments, the shaft is slidably coupled to the container for moving between a retracted position for storage and an extended position for use.

(7) United States Patent Application Publication Number 2009/0293214 to Ackerman et al.

United States Patent Application Publication Number 2009/0293214—published to Ackerman et al. on Dec. 3, 2009 in U.S. class 15 and subclass 104.05—teaches an apparatus for removing drain clog material from a drain pipe assembly. The assembly has a container and a shaft. The container defines a reservoir adapted to receive a drain cleaning composition. The container also has an outlet. The shaft is attached to the outlet of the container and is in fluid communication with the container. The shaft also has an X-direction, a Y-direction perpendicular thereto, and a Z-direction perpendicular to both the X- and Y-directions, in addition to a plurality of barbs extending outwardly. The barbs have a force to remove of less than 20 lbs. and a peak bend force of less than 4 lbs.

(8) United States Patent Application Publication Number 2010/0264046 to Bates et al.

United States Patent Application Publication Number 2010/0264046—published to Bates et al. on Oct. 21, 2010 in U.S. class 206 and subclass 223—teaches an apparatus for removing a clog from a drain pipe, which includes a container having a product chamber, a pressurization assembly in fluid communication with the inlet, and a shaft coupled to the container. The shaft includes a proximal end and a distal end. Projections extend outwardly from the shaft. The product chamber is adapted to receive a drain cleaning composition and the product chamber has an inlet and an outlet. The pressurization assembly has a canister of pressurized fluid and an adapter coupled to the container and including a socket defining a receptacle configured to receive at least a portion of the canister. The shaft has an exterior surface sized for insertion into the drain pipe. The shaft also has a channel that provides fluid communication between the proximal end and the distal end.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,877,821—issued to Prestia on Feb. 1, 2011 in U.S. class 4 and subclass 255.04—teaches a hand-held gun-shaped device having an air compressor, an air chamber, and at least one detachable drain-sealing adapter, which are used together to clear soft stoppages from single drains. Air compressor power may be supplied by a removable power cord or battery. Optional features include a detachable side handle, a toilet plunger adapter, a hollow cup adapter for shower and kitchen sink drains, a funnel-shaped adapter for bathtub and sink drains, an air compressor tire valve, a tire valve attachment, a safety-release valve, and a pressure gauge. An operator sets the PSI setting dial or display on the air compressor above a needed threshold air chamber pressure and starts the air compressor. When the air compressor stops and an air chamber release button is activated, a drain-unclogging air burst is released from the air chamber. One charge of the air chamber provides one air burst.

It is apparent that numerous innovations for drain clog removers have been provided in the prior art, which are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, nevertheless, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the embodiments of the present invention as heretofore described, namely, a drain unclogging device for sealing in a drain, for being restricted outside the drain, and for interfacing with a water source to provide high pressure water to unclog the drain.

2. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, an object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a drain unclogging device for sealing in a drain, for being restricted outside the drain, and for interfacing with a water source to provide high pressure water to unclog the drain, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

Briefly stated, another object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide an improved drain unclogging device of the type having a drain bladder for sealing in the drain and a water source interface in fluid communication with the drain bladder and fluidly interfacing with a water source to provide high pressure water to and exit from the drain bladder to unclog the drain. The improvement includes a sliding bladder restrictor that is movable over the drain bladder and restricts a portion of the drain bladder that remains outside the drain to prevent distortion of that portion of the drain bladder that would reduce pressure of the high pressure water that is exiting the drain bladder and unclogging the drain.

The novel features considered characteristic of the embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The embodiments of the present invention themselves, however, both as to their construction and to their method of operation together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying figures of the drawing.

4. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWING

A. Introductory.20drain unclogging device of embodiments of present invention for sealing in drain22, for being restricted outside drain22, and for interfacing with water source24to provide high pressure water26to unclog drain2222drain24water source26high pressure water

B. Configuration of Drain Unclogging Device20.28drain bladder for sealing in drain2230water source interface for fluidly interfacing with water source24to provide high pressure water26to and exit from drain bladder28to unclog drain2232sliding bladder restrictor34hose body of water source interface30for fluidly communicating with water source2436ballcock shutoff valve of hose body34of water source interface30for controlling water passing through hose body34of water source interface3037pair of female ends of hose body34of water source interface3038tubular portion of sliding bladder restrictor3240proximal end of tubular portion38of sliding bladder restrictor3242distal end of tubular portion38of sliding bladder restrictor3244beveled cap of sliding bladder restrictor3246axial through bore of beveled cap44of sliding bladder restrictor3248drain plunger adapter50drain plunger head of drain plunger adapter4852collar of drain plunger adapter4854non-removable stopper of drain2256extension hose for fluidly attaching to shower58after shower head60of shower58has been removed so as to allow shower58to provide water source2458shower60shower head of shower5862male end of extension hose5664female end of extension hose56

5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly toFIG. 1, which is a diagrammatic perspective view of the drain unclogging device of the embodiments of the present invention sealing in a drain, being restricted outside the drain, and interfacing with a water source to provide high pressure water to unclog the drain, the drain unclogging device of the embodiments of the present invention is shown generally at20for sealing in a drain22, for being restricted outside the drain22, and for interfacing with a water source24to provide high pressure water26to unclog the drain22.

B. Configuration of the Drain Unclogging Device20.

The configuration of the drain unclogging device20can best be seen inFIGS. 2-5, which are, respectively, an enlarged diagrammatic side elevational view of the drain unclogging device of the embodiments of the present invention identified by ARROW2inFIG. 1prior to use, an enlarged diagrammatic side elevational view of the drain unclogging device of the embodiments of the present invention identified by ARROW3inFIG. 1during use, an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view taken along LINE4-4inFIG. 1illustrating a stopper being removed from a drain, and an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view taken along LINE5-5inFIG. 1, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The drain unclogging device20comprises a drain bladder28and a water source interface30. The drain bladder28is for sealing in the drain22. The water source interface30is in fluid communication with the drain bladder28and is for fluidly interfacing with the water source24to provide the high pressure water26to and exit from the drain bladder28to unclog the drain22.

The drain bladder28is, preferably, taught by U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,646 to Bevacco et al., but is not limited to that, and is included herein by reference thereto, as supported by its description in the Background of the invention section of the instant application.

The drain unclogging device20further comprises a sliding bladder restrictor32.

The sliding bladder restrictor32is movable over the drain bladder28and restrains a portion of the drain bladder28that remains outside the drain22to prevent distortion of that portion of the drain bladder28that would reduce pressure of the high pressure water26that is exiting the drain bladder28and unclogging the drain22.

The water source interface30comprises a hose body34.

The hose body34of the water source interface30fluidly communicates with the drain bladder28and is for fluidly communicating with the water source24.

The hose body34of the water source interface30comprises a ballcock shutoff valve36.

The ballcock shutoff valve36of the hose body34of the water source interface30is operatively connected within the hose body34of the water source interface30for controlling the high pressure water26passing through the hose body34of the water source interface30.

The hose body34of the water source interface30has a pair of female ends37.

The pair of female ends37of the hose body34of the water source interface30fluidly communicate with the drain bladder28and with the water source24, respectively.

The sliding bladder restrictor32comprises a tubular portion38.

The tubular portion38of the sliding bladder restrictor32has a proximal end40and a distal end42.

The sliding bladder restrictor32further comprises a beveled cap44.

The beveled cap44of the sliding bladder restrictor32fixedly caps off the proximal end40of the tubular portion38of the sliding bladder restrictor32and provides a comfortable receiver for a hand of a user pressing the sliding bladder restrictor32down onto the drain22to prevent the portion of the drain bladder28that remains outside the drain22from distorting that would reduce pressure of the high pressure water26that is exiting the drain bladder28and unclogging the drain22.

The beveled cap44of the sliding bladder restrictor32has an axial through bore46.

The axial through bore46of the beveled cap44of the sliding bladder restrictor32provides a passage for the hose body34of the water source interface30to pass therethrough.

The drain unclogging device20further comprises a drain plunger adapter48.

The configuration of the drain plunger adapter48can best be seen inFIGS. 6 and 7, which are, respectively, an enlarged and exploded diagrammatic side elevational view of the drain unclogging device of the embodiments of the present invention identified by ARROW6inFIG. 1for use with a drain having a non-removable stopper, and an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view taken along LINE7-7inFIG. 1, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The drain plunger adapter48comprises a drain plunger head50and a collar52.

The collar52of the drain plunger adapter48axially receives the drain plunger head50of the drain plunger adapter48and removably receives the distal end42of the tubular portion38of the sliding bladder restrictor32when used with the drain22having a non-removable stopper54.

The drain unclogging device20further comprises an extension hose56.

The configuration of the extension hose56can best be seen inFIGS. 8-12, which are, respectively, a diagrammatic perspective view of a shower head in the process of being unscrewed, an exploded diagrammatic perspective view of a shower head shown inFIG. 8unscrewed, a diagrammatic side elevational view of a hose extension of the drain unclogging device of the embodiments of the present invention being screwed onto the shower and the water source interface of the drain unclogging device of the embodiments of the present invention, a reduced diagrammatic side elevational view of a user using the hose extension of the drain unclogging device of the embodiments of the present invention shown inFIG. 10to clean a drain having a removable stopper, and a reduced diagrammatic side elevational view of a user using the hose extension of the drain unclogging device of the embodiments of the present invention shown inFIG. 10to clean a drain having a non-removable stopper, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The extension hose56is for fluidly attaching to a shower58after a shower head60of the shower58has been removed so as to allow the shower58to provide the water source24.

The extension hose56fluidly attaches to the hose body34of the water source interface30to supply the water source24from the shower58to the hose body34of the water source interface30.

The extension hose56has a male end62and a female end64.

The male end62of the extension hose56fluidly communicates with the hose body34of the water source interface30.

The female end64of the extension hose56fluidly communicates with the shower58.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described as embodied in a drain unclogging device for sealing partially in a drain, for being compressed partially outside the drain, and for interfacing with a water source to provide high pressure water to unclog the drain, however, they are not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions, and changes in the forms and details of the embodiments of the present invention illustrated and their operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the embodiments of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the embodiments of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt them for various applications without omitting features that from the standpoint of prior art fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of the embodiments of the present invention.