Abstract:
An affordable plumbing device that uses a compressed gas and a burst disk having a relatively even surface of substantially uniform thickness to produce a sudden discharge of energy to forcibly act against any obstruction that may interfere with the proper function of a drain. The plumbing device has a cylindrical chamber for receiving the compressed gas and may generally take the shape of a plunger, which is flexible to use and is easy to store. A portion of the chamber forms a receiving chamber with the burst disk for harnessing and directing the energy of the compressed gas to clear the drain.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/420,109, filed Apr. 21, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/202,430, filed Jul. 23, 2002 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,074 on Apr. 22, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention generally relates to plumbing devices used to clear drains and, more specifically, to a plumbing device that uses a compressed gas to provide a sudden burst of energy to forcibly act against an obstruction that may interfere with the proper function of a drain.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Clogged drains are a problem that affects millions of households and businesses each year. It is a situation that often occurs due to obstructions along the flow path of the drain by items such as paper, soap residue, hair, lotion, and stringy, fibrous waste. While there are a number of plumbing devices that offer the promise of unstopping or unclogging drains, none offer the ability to clear a clogged pipe with the efficiency, ease, affordability, and force of the present invention.  
         [0006]     When a drain becomes clogged, there are a number of known approaches for clearing the obstruction. One of the most common methods of treating clogged drains is to use a commercial drain cleaner. However, often these drain cleaners are some of the most dangerous chemicals found in a home or business. For instance, these products commonly use lye or acid, which can harm health, the wastewater stream, and pipes.  
         [0007]     While there are alternatives to commercial drain cleaners, the effectiveness of these alternatives generally requires an appreciable amount of manual force or the sacrifice of flexibility and mobility. For instance, some devices use a simple force cup plunger, or a bellows-style plunger, to open a clogged sink drain by repeatedly pumping the plunger up and down directly over the clogged drain. While these plungers avoid the caustic chemicals associated with drain cleaners, they are generally less effective and require a significant amount of manual labor. As one may appreciate, the need to pump the plunger in a repetitive manner may cause a person to become quite exhausted and, indeed, may be beyond the ability of some individuals. In addition, depending on the size or number of obstructions, the use of manual labor may not be sufficient to dislodge the obstruction from the drain.  
         [0008]     There are some plungers that contemplate the use of a compressed gas to forcibly remove obstructions clogging a drain. These compressed gas plungers, however, are relatively expensive and may be unaffordable to many individuals or households. In addition, while such plungers may not require the same amount of manual labor as a simple force cup plunger or a bellows-style plunger, existing compressed gas plungers generally do not harness and effectively release all of the available energy provided by the pressurized gas.  
         [0009]     It has been proposed that using a sudden burst of gas pressure is a preferable way to clear a clogged drain. However, plumbing devices that employ this method are often bulky and generally take a form different from a traditional plunger, which can make such devices difficult to use and inconvenient to store. In addition, the size and shape of these devices limits the flexibility of their use in a number of different but common plumbing scenarios, such as a clogged toilet, stopped tub, and a clogged sink drain, particularly in tight quarters or where space is limited. Furthermore, some of these devices use a scored sheet metal diaphragm, or a metal disk having a non-uniform thickness, for storing a predetermined quantity of gas and releasing the gas automatically at a predetermined pressure. These metal disks generally require additional manufacturing steps which result in higher costs.  
         [0010]     Accordingly, there is a need for a plumbing device that rapidly and effectively clears obstructed drains, that is environmentally friendly, and does not require the use of harsh chemicals. In addition, there is a need for a plumbing device that is easy to use, does not require a significant amount of manual labor, and is relatively inexpensive to manufacture. Furthermore, there is a need for a plumbing device in the form of a plunger that harnesses the energy of a compressed gas and efficiently directs the gas&#39;s energy in a sudden burst to expel an obstruction in a clogged drain. The present invention satisfies these and other needs and provides further related advantages.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The present invention is embodied in an air-burst drain plunger that uses a compressed gas to provide a sudden burst of energy to forcibly act against an obstruction that may clog or otherwise interfere with the proper function of a drain.  
         [0012]     In one embodiment, the air-burst drain plunger comprises a chamber for receiving a compressed gas, and a sealing member for providing a secure connection between the chamber and a drain opening. A burst disk constructed from a substantially non-metallic material is positioned to create a barrier between the chamber and sealing member. The burst disk has a substantially smooth surface and is adapted to burst when the pressure in the chamber reaches a predetermined level. The thickness of the burst disk may be calibrated to immediately burst when the pressure in the chamber reaches the predetermined level.  
         [0013]     In another embodiment, the plunger comprises a burst disk of substantially uniform thickness and a chamber having an upper and lower end. The burst disk is positioned between the upper and lower end for creating a barrier within the chamber. While the lower end of the chamber is connected to a sealing member for securing the plunger to an opening in the drain, the upper end of the chamber is connected to a handle. The handle has at least one trigger for allowing a pressurized gas to enter into the inner cavity.  
         [0014]     In another embodiment, the plunger comprises a chamber, a handle, and a burst disk. The chamber is designed to receive a compressed gas and has an upper end and a lower end. The lower end is connected to a sealing mechanism for securing the plunger to an opening in the drain. The handle is connected to the upper end of the chamber and has an area adapted to receive a pressurized gas cartridge having a puncture point. The handle has a trigger that, when activated, allows for the handle to travel toward the chamber, puncture the cartridge, and allow pressurized gas to enter the inner cavity. The burst disk separates the chamber from the sealing mechanism and creates a barrier. The burst disk is adapted to burst when the pressurized gas enters the chamber.  
         [0015]     In another embodiment, the plunger comprises a chamber, a nozzle, and a burst disk. The chamber has an upper end and a lower end. The upper end of the chamber is designed to receive a nozzle having a piercing pin for puncturing a pressurized gas cartridge housed in a cover, which can be attached to the upper end of the chamber. The cover is designed in such a manner that when the cover is forced to move axially toward the chamber, the piercing pin punctures the gas cartridge allowing gas to escape therefrom and travel through an air inlet in the pin and into the nozzle. The nozzle has at least one passage that directs the gas into the upper chamber wherein the burst disk is adapted to rupture when the pressure of chamber&#39;s inner cavity reaches a predetermined level.  
         [0016]     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by example, the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     The accompanying drawings are intended to provide further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the present invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an air-burst drain plunger having a handle for gripping and positioning the plunger and a reversible sealing member for providing communication between the plunger and a drain.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is an assembly view of the plunger of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional elevation view of the plunger, taken substantially along section plane  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 , showing a canister of compressed gas aligned with the longitudinal axis of the plunger, and an upper and lower chamber for receiving and channeling the force of the gas through the plunger.  
         [0021]      FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional elevation view of the plunger, similar to  FIG. 3 , wherein the sealing member is reversed, the handle is depressed, and the canister is ruptured by a nozzle pin, wherein the compressed gas is shown escaping into the upper chamber of the plunger.  
         [0022]      FIG. 4B  is a further cross-sectional elevation view of the plunger, similar to  FIG. 4A , wherein a burst disk separating the upper and lower chambers is ruptured and the force of the gas is released from the upper chamber and out through the lower chamber.  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is an elevation view of the nozzle.  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional elevation view of the nozzle, taken substantially along section plane  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 , showing the gas pathway through the nozzle and pin.  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the nozzle, showing the top of the nozzle having at least two inlet holes for receiving the compressed gas from the canister.  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the nozzle, shown in  FIG. 6 , with the gas pathway through the nozzle.  
         [0027]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment comprising a one-handed grip for use with the plunger.  
         [0028]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional elevation view of the one-handed grip taken substantially along section plane  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional elevation view similar to  FIG. 10  showing the one-handed grip in operation.  
         [0030]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the plunger with the one-handed grip and a flexible hose coupling the reversible sealing member to the plunger.  
         [0031]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the air-burst drain plunger having a lower chamber having a wider diameter.  
         [0032]      FIG. 14  is an assembly view of the plunger of  FIG. 13 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 15  is a cross sectional elevation view of the plunger, taken substantially along section plane  15 - 15  of  FIG. 13 , showing a canister of compressed gas aligned with the longitudinal axis of the plunger, and an upper and lower chamber for receiving and channeling the force of the gas through the plunger.  
         [0034]      FIG. 16  is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the nozzle with two semi-circular inlet holes along the perimeter edge of the piercing pin casting.  
         [0035]      FIG. 17  is an elevation view of the nozzle of  FIG. 16 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle of  FIG. 17 , taken substantially along section plane  18 - 18  of  FIG. 17 , showing the gas pathway through the nozzle and pin.  
         [0037]      FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional elevation view of the plunger, similar to  FIG. 15 , wherein the handle is depressed and the canister is ruptured by a nozzle pin, wherein the compressed gas is shown escaping into the upper chamber of the plunger. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0038]     As shown in the drawings, the present invention is embodied in an air-burst drain plunger, generally referred to by the reference numeral  10 , for clearing a drain or pipe. The plunger  10  is designed to harness the energy from a compressed gas and propel the gas to an obstruction point along a clogged drain, using the energy of the gas to forcibly remove the obstruction without the need for excessive manual labor. The following is a detailed description of the preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , having a handle  12  for gripping and positioning the plunger  10 , a reversible sealing member  14  for providing a connection between the plunger and a drain (not shown), and security triggers  16  for the safe operation of the plunger.  
         [0039]     The handle  12  is preferably injection-molded and made from a polymer. However, as one skilled in the art can appreciate, the handle  12  may be composed of any suitable material such as a composite, metal or ceramic. While the sealing member  14  is preferably a flexible molded rubber cup, the sealing member may have any suitable shape and composition so long as a secure communication between the plunger  10  and the drain is achieved. The sealing member  14  preferably accommodates standard drain openings ranging from about 1 inch to about 4 inches in diameter, however, as one in the art can appreciate, the plunger  10  can accommodate sealing members of other sizes.  
         [0040]     In addition to the handle  12 , sealing member  14 , and security triggers  16 , the preferred embodiment is further comprised of a compressed gas canister  18 , generally housed within a cover  20  which is connected to the handle  12 . The plunger  10  further comprises a hollow chamber  22  divided by a burst disk  24  into an upper chamber  26  and a lower chamber  28 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 .  
         [0041]     The gas canister  18  is preferably a small  12  g disposable metal-case compressed air (CO 2 ) cartridge pressurized at about 500 to 900 psi. Similar cartridges are commercially available from hardware retailers throughout the United States, such as Wal-Mart Stores in Los Angeles, Calif., under the brand name Crossman. The canister  18  can be any suitable CO 2  cartridge, or other suitable type of gas cartridge, that is capable of fitting within the cover  20 , but is preferably a canister having a length that provides for an installed axial clearance of approximately a quarter of an inch (¼) with the nozzle piercing pin (discussed below). In addition, as one skilled in the art can appreciate, while the use of a compressed gas canister  18  is contemplated for the preferred embodiment, the plunger  10  could be connected to any suitable source, other than a canister, for delivering a compressed gas into the chamber  22 . For example, the compressed gas could be delivered from a source external to the plunger  10  by a hose or other line.  
         [0042]     Alternatively, the gas canister  18  may be a smaller 8 g disposable metal-case compressed air (CO 2 ) cartridge pressurized at about 900 psi. This cartridge has a smaller internal volume than the preferred embodiment, which helps to reduce the discharge pressure of the canister and reduce the risk of back splash when the plunger  10  is in operation. A smaller version of the cover  20  may be used when the smaller 8 g cartridge is installed in the plunger  10 , as shown in  FIG. 15 . The smaller version of cover  20  may be sized to provide for the same preferred axial clearance between the canister and the nozzle, as described in the previous paragraph, when the 8 g cartridge is installed. This smaller cover  20  also helps to control costs and improves the efficiency of manufacturing the plunger  10 .  
         [0043]     The cover  20  is preferably injection-molded and made from a polymer capable of securing the canister  18  to the plunger  10  and preventing the canister from exploding away when the plunger is in operation. However, one skilled in the art can appreciate that the cover  20  may be composed of any suitable material such as a composite, metal, or ceramic. A good connection between the cover  20  and handle  12  is important to provide a stable encasing for the canister  18  and limit air leakage during operation of the plunger  10 . While any suitable fastener may be used to connect the cover  20  to the handle  12 , such as brackets or clips, the cover is preferably attached to the handle by a threaded connection.  
         [0044]     The lower chamber  28  is preferably a cylindrical body that may be joined to either end of the sealing member  14  by a threaded connection or interference fit. The upper chamber  26 , which also is preferably a cylindrical body, is designed to connect with the handle  12  such that the handle can move axially a limited distance relative to the chamber. The two chambers  26 ,  28  are preferably attached to each other by a threaded connection along a flange  30 . The flange  30  provides for access to and replacement of the burst disk  24 . The chambers  26 ,  28  are preferably injection-molded and made from a polymer, however, one skilled in the art can appreciate that the chambers may be composed of any suitable material such as metal or ceramic. In addition, the chambers  26 ,  28  preferably have raised axial ribs  32  to improve grip during manual assembly and disassembly of the two chambers.  
         [0045]     The size of the upper chamber  26  is designed to accumulate a sufficient volume of compressed gas, before the burst disk  24  ruptures, to provide sufficient force to dislodge most drain obstructions. The size of the lower chamber  28  is designed to deliver the compressed gas to the drain opening, once the burst disk  24  ruptures, without unnecessary dissipation of the energy. In the preferred embodiment, the upper chamber  26  has a volume of about 3.3 cubic inches. The lower chamber  28  in the preferred embodiment has a volume of about 2.5 cubic inches.  
         [0046]     In an alternative embodiment, the lower chamber  28  has a larger volume than that of the upper chamber as represented in  FIG. 15 . The lower chamber  28  of  FIG. 15  has a volume of about 18.1 cubic inches, a length of approximately 9.0 inches, and an exterior diameter of approximately 1.9 inches. The larger internal volume of this alternative embodiment of chamber  28  helps to reduce the discharge pressure from the upper chamber  26  before the energy of the compressed gas is propelled out from the sealing member  14 . In addition, the alternative embodiment of chamber  28  helps to significantly reduce the potential of back splash of standing water during operation of the plunger.  
         [0047]     When the handle  12  is depressed toward the chamber  22 , as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , a nozzle  34  connected to the upper end of the upper chamber  26  is adapted to pierce through the canister  18  so as to permit the rapid discharge of the compressed gas from the canister into the upper chamber. Preferably, a compression spring  36  is nestled between the handle  12  and the upper chamber  26  to normally bias the handle away from the upper chamber and, thus, provide a space or clearance between the lower end of the canister  18  and the upper end of the nozzle  34 . In this way, the spring  36  helps prevent the unintended rupture of the canister  18 .  
         [0048]     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , optional security triggers  16  may be provided along the connection between the handle  12  and the upper chamber  26 . These security triggers  16  help to provide further protection against the unintended rupture of the canister  18 . The security triggers  16  are designed to restrict axial movement of the handle  12  by positive stops  38  obstructing the downward travel path of the handle. The position of the positive stops  38 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , is maintained by the urging of compression springs  40  on the security triggers  16 . The travel path of the handle  12  may be freed by manually compressing the security triggers  16  toward the handle so that the positive stops  38  pivot or rotate away from the travel path, as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . The security triggers  16  may be secured to the handle using snap-fit protrusions.  
         [0049]     The security triggers  16  are also designed and configured on the preferred embodiment to require the use of two hands when operating the plunger  10 , which forces the operator to position both hands on the handle away from the wastewater or drain. The application of a downward force with both hands, which is necessary to cause the release of the compressed gas from the canister  18 , also helps assure a good surrounding seal between the sealing member  14  and the drain opening. Assuring a good seal reduces the risk of back splash of standing water during operation of the plunger  10 .  
         [0050]      FIGS. 15 and 19  illustrate an embodiment of the plunger  10  without security triggers. This embodiment of the plunger  10  could employ a smaller handle  102  with a wingspan that is approximately 8 inches, which is shorter than the handle  12  by approximately 1.5 inches. This embodiment of the plunger  10  could also be molded such that the security triggers  16  could be manually installed onto and removed off of the handle. The plunger  10  without security triggers improves the ease by which the plunger may be used. For example, a handle without the security triggers could enable a person to operate the plunger with a single hand. In addition, the plunger may be operated with lower risk that the triggering mechanism will become stuck or broken. The advantages of having a handle without triggers also extend to lowering the manufacturing cost of the plunger and the efficiency by which the plunger can be manufactured.  
         [0051]     One embodiment of nozzle  34  is shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 5-7 . The nozzle  44  has a piercing pin  42  preferably positioned near the center of the nozzle. The nozzle  44  is preferably composed of brass or zinc die cast and may be attached to the upper chamber  26  by a threaded connection. Alternatively, the nozzle  44  could be attached by interference fit. The pin  42  is preferably composed of hardened stainless steel and is staked into the nozzle  44 , but could be attached by threaded connection or other appropriate means. Gas inlet holes  46  are provided in the pin  42  and in the nozzle  44  around the pin, as shown in  FIG. 7 , for receiving and directing the compressed gas into passages  52  within the nozzle  44 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The gas is transferred through the passages  52  from the pin end of the nozzle to the opposite end of the nozzle, which communicates with the upper chamber, as shown in  FIG. 4A .  
         [0052]     An alternative embodiment of the nozzle  34  is shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 16-18 . The nozzle  34  has a piercing pin  90  preferably positioned near the center of the nozzle. The nozzle  34  is preferably composed of brass or zinc die cast and may be attached to the upper chamber  26  by a threaded connection. Alternatively, the nozzle  34  could be attached by an interference fit. The pin  90  is preferably composed of hardened stainless steel and has a diameter of approximately 0.100 inches. The pin  90  is nestled or integral with a pin base  92 , which has a diameter of approximately 0.250 inches. The nozzle  44  preferably has a central passage  94  having a diameter of approximately 0.252 inches for receiving the pin base  92 . The pin base  92  is staked into the nozzle  44 , but could be attached by a threaded connection or other appropriate means.  
         [0053]     A gas inlet channel  96  is provided in and runs the length of the pin  90  and base  92 , as shown in  FIG. 18 , for receiving and directing the compressed gas into the passage  94  within the nozzle  44 . The gas is transferred from the pin  90  to the passage  94  where the gas moves through an opening at the bottom end of the nozzle, which communicates with the upper chamber, as shown in  FIG. 19 .  
         [0054]     The passage  94  preferably has channels  98  along its sides, as shown in  FIG. 18 . These channels  98  provide additional gas inlet holes  100 , as shown in  FIG. 16  for receiving and directing the compressed gas into the passage  94 . Although the channels  98  preferably extend the full length of the passage  94 , the channels may extend to a length which is equal to or slightly longer (e.g. 0.44 inches) than the pin base  92 . The pin base  92  may alternatively have groves (not shown) along the length of the pin base that correspond to the channels  98 . These groves act to further assist the receiving and directing of compressed air from the compressed gas cartridge to the upper chamber  26 .  
         [0055]     One skilled in the art can appreciate that any suitable device for puncturing the canister  18  and channeling the gas into the upper chamber  26  may be substituted for the nozzle  34 . For instance, the pin  42  could be substituted for a pin  54  without an inlet hole or a passage as depicted in  FIG. 8 . In addition, multiple pins could be substituted for the single pin or, alternatively, the passages  52  could be formed in the pin  42  itself, as opposed to around the pin. Furthermore, while the preferred embodiment utilizes a nozzle  34 , one skilled in the art can appreciate that the disclosed nozzle is not necessary where a device, other than a canister  18 , is used for delivering a compressed gas to the plunger  10 . For instance, a pump for delivering a compressed gas could be substituted for the canister  18 , which would not require the use of the nozzle  34 .  
         [0056]     The plunger  10  is operated by gripping the handle  12  with both hands and positioning the plunger at the opening of a drain so as to create a secure connection between the sealing member  14  and the drain. Depending on the situation, the sealing member  14  may be oriented in the position shown in  FIG. 3  or  FIG. 4A . Once the plunger  10  is properly positioned, the security triggers  16  may then be compressed to rotate the positive stops  38  away from the travel path and to allow the handle  12  to be moved toward the chamber  22  for piercing the canister  18  by the nozzle  34 , as shown in  FIG. 4A . Piercing the canister  18  will cause the compressed gas to rush into the inlet holes  46  and through the passages of the nozzle  34  and pin  42 , and into the upper chamber  26  wherein the energy of the gas may be harnessed and stored momentarily by the burst disk  24 . After a sufficient amount of energy is harnessed, the burst disk  24  will rupture, propelling the energy of the gas through the lower chamber  28 , as shown in  FIG. 4B , out from the sealing member  14 , and into the clogged drain to forcibly act against an obstruction.  
         [0057]     The capacity of the burst disk  24  to harness energy in the upper chamber  26  is primarily a function of the thickness and material composition of the disk. While the burst disk  24  is preferably a disposable thin flat polymer having a substantially uniform thickness, which is calibrated to burst substantially instantaneously when the pierced canister releases pressurized gas into the upper chamber  26 , the burst disk  24  may be composed of other suitable materials, such as composites or metals. Although the thickness of the burst disk  24  in this embodiment is preferably between about 0.007 to 0.021 inches, a burst disk with a thickness greater than this range will not adversely affect the ability of the plunger  10  to effectively remove obstructions from a clogged drain. In addition, placing multiple burst disks between the upper and lower chambers  26 ,  28 , simulating the effect of a thicker burst disk, will generally increase the amount of harnessed energy directed to clear the obstruction from the clogged drain. In one embodiment, each disk  24  has a thickness of approximately 0.007 inches, a tensile strength of approximately 4500 psi, and a diameter of approximately 1.28 inches.  
         [0058]     The preferred embodiment utilizes a plastic burst disk  24  that has a relatively smooth, planar surface with a substantially uniform thickness. There are advantages of using a burst disk  24  having this structure and composition. For example, a metallic disk having an uneven thickness, or a surface with scoring or other intentional surface discontinuity, may lead to a premature rupture event, which will cause a loss in the capacity for the burst disk to harness sufficient energy to clear a clogged drain. In contrast, a burst disk that is not scored and has a relatively even surface with a substantially uniform thickness is more readily available and is easier and less costly to manufacture. Moreover, the burst disk  24  of the preferred embodiment will rupture completely and substantially instantaneously when the pressure in the upper chamber  26  reaches a predetermined level. This causes the pressurized gas in the lower chamber  28  to exit in a huge “burst” that is sudden and powerful. As a result, the force acting against the obstruction in the drain is maximized.  
         [0059]     A ruptured burst disk  24  may be replaced by detaching the upper chamber  26  from the lower chamber  28  and removing the ruptured disk from the lower chamber. After the ruptured disk  24  is removed, a new disk or disks may be placed above a washer  48 , which is secured to the lower chamber  28 . The washer  48  is preferably made from a soft die-cut polymer, which provides support for the burst disk  24  and a good sealing connection between the lower and upper chambers  26 ,  28  when they are attached together. While the washer  48  may be adhered to the lower chamber  28 , it could alternatively have a press fit diameter. After the new burst disk  24  or disks are properly positioned, the lower and upper chambers  26 ,  28  may be re-connected. The two chambers  26 ,  28  may be attached together by a threaded connection or interference fit. However, as one in the art may appreciate, any suitable means may be used for attaching the two chambers  26 ,  28 , such as fastening hooks or grapplers, so long as the connection between the two chambers is secure enough to maintain the connection and prevent escaping gases.  
         [0060]     A webbed or screened discharge outlet  50  may be provided between the sealing member  14  and lower chamber  28  to prevent the propelling of solid debris from the chamber  22 . Because it is possible for an operator to load the upper chamber  26  with projectiles such as rocks, bullets or pellets, and then use the force of the compressed gas to catapult the elements toward another person or object, the webbed discharge outlet  50  also serves as a safety measure to help avoid both accidents and intentional tortious acts. However, as one skilled in the art can appreciate, the webbed discharge outlet  50  is not necessary for the proper operation of the plunger  10  for clearing drains.  
         [0061]     In another embodiment, the air burst drain plunger may be operated by a one-handed grip  60  as shown in  FIGS. 9-12 , to provide the flexibility of operating the plunger  10  with one hand and in areas of restricted access where a two handed operation is difficult or impossible. The one-handed grip  60 , as shown in  FIG. 9 , comprises an adapter  62  and an assembly  64 .  
         [0062]     The assembly  64  comprises a receptacle  66 , lever  68 , and drive pin  70 . The receptacle  66  has an inner cavity  72  with an opening on one end adapted for receiving the drive pin  70  and is threaded on the other end for receiving the adapter  62 . The lever  68  is connected to the receptacle  66  and adapted to rotate so as to force the drive pin  70  through the opening and into the inner cavity  72 .  
         [0063]     The adapter  62  is designed to be disposed between the upper chamber  26  and assembly  64  and to connect the plunger with the assembly by means of a threaded connection. As one skilled in the art can appreciate, however, the one-handed grip  60  could be connected to the plunger  10  by an interference fit, brackets, latches, or other suitable means. The adapter  62  is comprised of a casing  74 , nozzle  34 , spring  76 , and sleeve  78 . The nozzle  34  is the same nozzle described above and as shown in  FIGS. 5-8 . The casing  74  is hollow with a small opening  80  in the middle for receiving the nozzle  34  and is preferably connected to the casing by a threaded connection, but could be connected to the casing by interference fit. Before the nozzle  34  is connected to the casing  74 , the spring  76  is placed in the upper hollow of the casing and the sleeve  78  is placed on one end of the spring away from the center of the casing. The nozzle  34  is then secured to the casing  74  which holds the spring  76  and sleeve  78  in alignment for receiving the canister  18 . The spring  76  is biased to force the sleeve  78  away from the center for the casing  74 .  
         [0064]     With reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the one-handed grip plunger  82  is operated by rotating or squeezing the lever  68  toward the receptacle  66 . As the lever  68  is drawn into contact with a side of the receptacle  66 , the drive pin  70  is forced into the inner cavity  72  pushing the canister  18  against the sleeve  78  and into the pin  42  on the nozzle  34 . When the canister  18  is pushed into the pin  42 , the pin will pierce the canister sending gas into the upper chamber  26  of the plunger  82  causing the burst disk  24  to rupture, which will send a sudden burst of energy through the lower chamber  28  and out the sealing member  14 . The canister is replaced by unfastening the assembly  64  from the adapter  62 , removing the pierced canister, placing a new canister on the end of the sleeve  78 , and refastening the assembly to the adapter.  
         [0065]     In an alternative embodiment, a flexible hose  84  may be interposed between the sealing member  14  and the lower chamber  28  as shown in  FIG. 12  for providing a user with the added flexibility of orienting the sealing member  14  in a number of directions or positions for creating a secure connection between the plunger  82  and the drain. The flexible hose  84  is preferably about ½ inch in diameter, about eighteen inches long, and is threaded or has threaded couplings  86  on each end. The hose  84  may be attached to the lower chamber  28  by interference fit, however, the hose preferably will be threaded to the chamber. The hose is preferably attached to the sealing member  14  through the use of a PVC pipe  88 . The pipe  88  is provided for a user to direct the positioning of the sealing member  14  and to hold the sealing member in place during operation of the plunger  82 . The pipe  88  is preferably about five inches long and is fastened to the hose by a threaded connection. The sealing member  14  is attached to the pipe  88  by interference fit or a threaded connection. While the pipe  88  is helpful in guiding the position of the sealing member  14 , one skilled in the art can appreciate that the pipe is not necessary for the operation of the plunger  82 .  
         [0066]     Although the foregoing invention has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, in view of the disclosure herein. Accordingly, the present invention is not intended to be limited by the recitation of preferred embodiments, but is instead to be defined solely by reference to the appended claims.