DRAINING ROD

Abstract: A draining rod for the unblocking of blocked drains and the like is described. It comprises a plurality of hollow rod sections which are capable of co-operating with one another so as to become attached in series to permit the passage of a fluid through the rods, whereby in use the draining rod provides a source of fluid under pressure at the site of the blockage of the drain whilst the front rod physically dislodges blockage also. As the hollow rod sections are attached to one another they can be inserted into a suitable aperture of a blocked drain until the blockage is reached. The blockage can then be removed by the agitation action of the rod itself and by the passage of water under pressure through said rod. The individual rod sections provide the overall draining rod with flexibility both in length and direction.

Description: Draining Rod This invention relates to a draining rod for use in clearing blocked drain pipes. There are several known methods of unblocking blocked drains including both chemical (where suitable) and physical methods. Physical methods for unblocking drains may consist of merely flushing enough water or another fluid through the drain to carry the blockage away to the sewers. However usually the flow of water is aided. The aid to the flow of water can be in the form of suction, whereby a reduced pressure is applied to the pipe so that the blockage is dislodged/disrupted before flowing away down the pipe. Alternatively and more conventionally the aid to the flow of water is in the form of a flexible solid rod/tube which is inserted into the drain at a suitable aperture. The rod may have a fitting attached to its end and is usually composed of smaller rod sections, which can be screwed together as the end of the rod is inserted further and further down the blocked drain. The rod disturbs the blockage, sometimes with the aid of the end fitment and/or creates channels through the blockage, through which water can flow. In either case the disruption of the blockage is usually enough for it to be carried away by the flow of water. Similarly any water/discharge that was prevented from flowing down the pipe by the blockage will be able to flow down the unblocked pipe. These rods have the disadvantage that, although they may be capable of disrupting the blockage, ultimately the blockage material must be carried away by the passage of fluid down the drain pipe. That fluid will probably be applied to the pipe some distance from the blockage and may not be capable of exerting a significant pressure upon the blockage material. Its use is really only as a transport material for the dislodged blockage material and not of much assistance in disrupting the blockage. According to the present invention there is provided a draining rod for the unblocking of blocked drains and the like, comprising a plurality of hollow rod sections which are capable of co-operating with one another so as to become attached in series to permit the passage of a fluid through the rods, whereby in use the draining rod provides a source of fluid under pressure at the site of the blockage of the drain whilst the front rod physically dislodges blockage also. Preferably the draining rod is generally hollow and cylindrical. Preferably each rod section has one male and one female fitting at opposite ends for the purpose of becoming attached to other rod sections. Most preferably the method of attachment of one rod section to another will be by snap fit or screwing one rod section into another using suitable couplings or threads at each end. Preferably also the draining rod is constructed of a lightweight, material of suitable plasticity for the insertion of a connected series of rod sections into a blocked drain. More preferably the rods are constructed of a plastics material. One or both ends of each rod section may be formed by or layered with a metal or metallic material to increase secure conjoining. A metal end could be crimped onto the main body of a rod section. Most preferably the rods are constructed of uPVC. Preferably also the fluid that is to be used in co- operation with the draining rods is water. Preferably said fluid will be provided at a pressure of up to 1000 psi. More preferably said fluid will be provided at a pressure of up to 100 psi. Most preferably said fluid will be provided from a domestic household mains water supply. Attachment for one or both ends of the conjoined rods could be used for attachment to eg. a tap. Similarly, a suitable port could be added at the free end of the draining rod. In a preferred embodiment the present invention provides a draining rod for the unblocking of blocked drains, whereby a system of hollow rod sections co- operate with one another so as to become attached in series. As the hollow rod sections are attached to one another they can be inserted into a suitable aperture of a blocked drain until the blockage is reached. The blockage can then be removed by the agitation action of the rod itself and by the passage of water under pressure through said rod. The present invention is further described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side perspective view of one end of a draining rod section according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a side perspective cross-sectional view of the other end of the rod section in Figure 1. Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows the rod section 2 of the embodiment of the present invention is formed from a single piece of plastics material. The plastics rod section material 2 has been shaped to form a cylinder 4, having an external diameter 6 and an internal diameter 8. One end of the rod section 2 has been shaped to have a male joint 10, which has a threaded section 12, an incised section 14 and a spout 16 to allow the passage of water out of the rod section 2. As shown in Figure 2, the other end of the rod section 2 has a female joint 18, which also has a threaded section 20, and which is designed to co-operate with male joint 10. In use a male joint 10 of a rod section 2 is offered to a female joint 18 of another rod section, and the two rod sections are screwed together. This process is repeated until the operator is satisfied that the draining rod sections have formed a sufficiently long rod to be inserted into the drain aperture. After the draining rod has been inserted, it can be lengthened in the same manner as above until the blockage in the drain is abutted by the inserted end of the draining rod. Once the desired length of draining rod has been inserted, the blockage can be removed by a combination of the application of water under pressure through the draining rod and the agitation of the draining rod by the operator. The operator will recognise when the blockage has been breached because the draining rod will be able to be pushed past the abutted blockage point and also any material that previously could not flow away down the drain will now be able to. The present invention provides a plurality of hollow rod sections, which are capable of cooperating with one another to permit water to flow through them. When used to unblock blocked drains the present invention allows for the application of a jet of high pressure water to the blockage, rather than just the dislodging action of a solid tube. The individual rod sections provide the overall draining rod with flexibility both in length and direction. Such flexibility is similarly achievable by the rod sections used to form solid drawing rods, but which do not of course provide pressurised water to the site of blockage also. /ho e/mur/specs21/p21269new

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A draining rod for the unblocking of blocked drains and the like, comprising a plurality of hollow rod sections which are capable of co- operating with one another so as to become attached in series to permit the passage of a fluid through the rods, whereby in use the draining rod provides a source of fluid under pressure at the site of the blockage of the drain whilst the front rod physically dislodges blockage also. 2. A draining rod as claimed in Claim 1 wherein each rod section has one male fitting and one female fitting at opposite ends. 3. A draining rod as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the fittings involve snap-lock or screw thread connections. 4. A draining rod as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the fittings are wholly or substantially formed from plastics and/or metallic material. 5. A draining rod as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the draining rod is wholly or substantially formed from a plastics material. 6. A draining rod as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the plastics material is uPVC. 7. A draining rod as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the fluid is water. 8. A draining rod as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the fluid is provided at a pressure of up to 1000 psi, preferably at a pressure of up to 100 psi. A draining rod as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the draining rod is wholly or substantially cylindrical.

Inventors: WRIGHT IAN, WRIGHT, IAN
Applicants: WRIGHT IAN, WRIGHT, IAN
Application year: 1999
Main classification: E03C1
IPC codes: E03C1