Abstract:
Described is a drain cleaner assembly, including: a clamp knob having a central cavity therein for accommodating a drain snake; a spout having a central cavity therein for accommodating the drain snake; the spout having at least one gripper cavity therein; at least one gripper disposed in the at least one gripper cavity; the clamp knob and the spout being attached to one another and also being displaceable with respect to one another to achieve at least two orientations, the at least two orientations comprising: a first orientation wherein the clamp knob contacts the at least one gripper and forces the at least one gripper into securing contact with the drain snake; and a second orientation wherein the clamp knob permits the at least one gripper to transition within the at least one gripper cavity to be out of securing contact with the drain snake. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Clamps are used to hold an element that passes through a central portion of the clamp, e.g., a drain snake for cleaning a pipe or drain. A clamp is often used to secure in place a rotating tool (such as a drain snake or other rotating element). In some applications, the element held by a clamp remains stationary with respect to the clamp assembly, which rotates with the rotating element. 
     Clamps employ grippers, often arranged in a radially symmetrical pattern, to hold the element securely therein. The grippers may be tightened or loosened with the help of a clamp key, which is a wrench-like tool. Some keyless clamps may be tightened and loosened by hand without the use of a clamp key. Collet clamps have grippers in the form of a collet that includes flexible “fingers” that fit closely around the element to be secured and grip the element when squeezed, bending the collet inward and in contact with the element when tightened. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In summary, one aspect provides a drain cleaner assembly, comprising: a drain snake; a clamp knob having a central cavity therein for accommodating the drain snake; a spout having a central cavity therein for accommodating the drain snake; the spout having at least one gripper cavity therein; at least one gripper disposed in the at least one gripper cavity; the clamp knob and the spout being attached to one another and also being displaceable with respect to one another to achieve at least two orientations, the at least two orientations comprising: a first orientation wherein the clamp knob contacts the at least one gripper and forces the at least one gripper into securing contact with the drain snake; and a second orientation wherein the clamp knob permits the at least one gripper to transition within the at least one gripper cavity to be out of securing contact with the drain snake. 
     Another aspect provides a ball type clamp assembly, comprising: a clamp knob having a central cavity therein for accommodating a rotatable element; a spout having a central cavity therein for accommodating the rotatable element; the spout having at least one gripper cavity therein; at least one gripper disposed in the at least one gripper cavity; the clamp knob and the spout being attached to one another and also being displaceable with respect to one another to achieve at least two orientations, the at least two orientations comprising: a first orientation wherein the clamp knob contacts the at least one gripper and forces the at least one gripper into securing contact with the rotatable element; and a second orientation wherein the clamp knob permits the at least one gripper to transition within the at least one gripper cavity to be out of securing contact with the rotatable element. 
     A further aspect provides a method, comprising: positioning a drain snake in a spout and a clamp knob, the spout having at least one gripper cavity therein with at least one gripper disposed in the at least one gripper cavity; tightening the clamp knob and the spout to achieve a first orientation wherein the clamp knob contacts the at least one gripper and forces the at least one gripper into securing contact with the drain snake; and loosening the clamp knob and the spout to achieve a second orientation wherein the clamp knob permits the at least one gripper to transition within the at least one gripper cavity to be out of securing contact with the drain snake. 
     The foregoing is a summary and thus may contain simplifications, generalizations, and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. 
     For a better understanding of the embodiments, together with other and further features and advantages thereof, reference is made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an example drain cleaner assembly. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a view of an example spout of an example drain cleaner assembly. 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the example spout of  FIG. 2A  along section  1 - 1 . 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a side view of an example gripper for an example drain cleaner assembly. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a top view of the example gripper of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded, isometric view of an example drain cleaner assembly. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a view of an example drain cleaner assembly in use. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations in addition to the described example embodiments. Thus, the following more detailed description of the example embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments, as claimed, but is merely representative of example embodiments. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” (or the like) means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” or the like in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
     Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, et cetera. In other instances, well known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obfuscation. 
     Clamps, as described herein, find uses in many different assemblies. An example includes a drain cleaner assembly for cleaning pipes, for example cleaning drain pipes in plumbing applications. In such an assembly, a hand crank or motor provides rotational motion to a drain snake when the drain snake is inserted into a pipe to clear clogs in the pipe. The drain snake is generally a flexible, durable material (e.g., steel) such that the drain snake may be inserted into pipes of varying diameters and into awkward and/or tight spaces, around curves, etc. The drain snake may be long and continuous (e.g., as collected in a drum assembly) or may be sectional. The rotational motion can power the drain snake through stubborn clogs and pipe structures. Often a motor that is reversible is used to assist in releasing or retrieving the drain snake should it get caught in a pipe. 
     In a conventional drain cleaner assembly, a drain snake is gripped by a collet type clamp that uses “finger” like projections that are tightened or loosened (by hand or using a tool such as a thumb screw or wrench key) about the drain snake. The drain snake or cable is manually fed into the drain with the collet fingers tightened into place to lock the drain snake in place with respect to the assembly. The drain snake, when locked into place, may then be rotated in place using an electric motor or by hand crank, etc. When the collet is again loosened the drain snake may be coiled into a drum assembly provided as part of the drain cleaner assembly, although a drum assembly may be omitted, e.g., in the case of a sectional cable. 
     The use of a collet clamp assembly, for example as incorporated into a drain cleaner assembly, has some drawbacks. For example, the collet may tend to wear out over time, losing their spring action or even breaking. This makes clamp replacement after repeated use necessary. Moreover, the collet fingers are generally limited in their range of motion such that only a small range of drain snakes may be used with a particular collet and be adequately secured while permitting movement of the drain snake. Furthermore, a collet tends to be a complex structure, adding to cost of production and assembly. 
     Accordingly, an embodiment provides a ball-type clamp assembly where separate, independent gripper(s) is/(are) provided in the clamp assembly. Use of the separate, independent gripper(s) provides for increased range of gripping for accommodating a larger variety (with respect to diameter and shape) of elements to be secured, e.g., drain snakes. Moreover, the independent gripping elements resist wear and avoid unnecessary complications accompanying many other clamp assembles, e.g., collet type assemblies. 
     The illustrated example embodiments will be best understood by reference to the figures. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain example embodiments. Any measurements supplied in the figures are in inches unless otherwise specified. All measurements and dimensions described and illustrated herein are provided as examples only. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a cross sectional view of an example drain cleaner assembly  100 . The drain cleaner assembly  100  includes, at one end, a clamp knob  101  through which a drain snake  102  traverses. The clamp knob  101  is movable about a spout  103 , e.g., via complementary threading on each of clamp knob  101  and spout  103 , although other securing mechanisms may be employed, such as components secured using a lever or spring or the like. In between clamp knob  101  and drum assembly  104 , which houses drain snake  102  when retracted, sits a grip sleeve  105 . The grip sleeve  105  permits an operator to grab the unit with a hand as the drum assembly  104 , clamp knob  101 , spout  103  and drain snake  102  rotate. 
     Clamp knob  101  cooperates with other components of the drain cleaner assembly  100  to secure drain snake  102  therein, as further described. The rotational motion may be provided by a hand crank  106 , as illustrated in the example of  FIG. 1 . Other mechanisms may be used to provide rotational motion, however, such as a drill (refer to  FIG. 5 ) or other motor attached to the drum assembly  104  in lieu of the hand crank  106 . 
     Clamp knob  101  cooperates with spout  103  to transition independent gripper(s)  107  disposed within the spout  103  to secure the drain snake  102 . Thus, when clamp knob  101  is fitted over a portion of the spout  103  in which gripper(s)  107  are disposed, gripper(s)  107  are forced to transition within cavities  108  of spout  103  to a position impinging on the drain snake  102 , gripping the drain snake  102  and holding it in place. 
     Illustrated in the example view of  FIG. 2(A-B)  is an example spout  103  having cavities  108  therein for accommodating grippers  107 .  FIG. 2A  illustrates a view of spout  103  having two cavities  108  visible.  FIG. 2B  illustrates a cross sectional view along section  1 - 1  of  FIG. 2A . The cross sectional view of  FIG. 2B  provides an example view of three cavities  108  provided in spout  103 . These cavities  108  accommodate grippers  107 . Grippers  107  again move within the cavities  108  to secure an element, e.g., drain snake  102 , therein. More or fewer grippers  108  may be utilized than those illustrated in the figures (e.g., one or more). 
     An example of a suitable gripper  107  is illustrated in  FIG. 3(A-B) .  FIG. 3A  provides a side view of an example gripper  107 . The side view shows an example gripper  107  that has relatively straight sides and an angled top and bottom portions. This shape may find use in inhibiting movement or rotation of the gripper  107  as it sits in a cavity  108  of the spout  103 . Thus, the relatively straight sides of gripper  107  interface with the cavity  108  walls in spout  103  to inhibit rotation of the gripper  107  therein. As viewed from the top, i.e., in  FIG. 3B , the example gripper  107  takes a relatively circular shape, however this is only by way of example. The shape illustrated in  FIG. 3(A-B)  may also be useful in that the top and bottom of the shape is substantially symmetric about a central axis such that the orientation (top or bottom) in which the gripper  107  is inserted in the cavity  108  does not matter. Other suitable shapes for the gripper include, but are not limited to, a spherical or ball bearing configuration, as well as a generally oblong or ovular shape. 
     If a shape, e.g., a spherical or ball bearing shape or configuration, is chosen that permits the gripper  107  to rotate, e.g., as drain snake  102  rotates, the gripper may act on interfacing components, e.g., clamp knob  101 , acting to loosen such components due to translation of rotational force to such interfacing components. As such, choosing a shape or configuration for gripper  107  that inhibits rotation thereof may be desirable, or, alternatively, other means for securing the components may be employed (e.g., choice of appropriate threading to counteract loosening forces supplied by gripper  107  rotation). 
     The gripper  107  may be supplemented with additional structure(s), and cavities  108  may be supplemented with additional structure(s), for example provided with a feature to secure gripper  107  within a cavity  108  of the spout  103 . An example of an additional structure would include, but is not limited to, a ridge or outcropping that inhibits gripper  107  from falling out of a cavity  108  (in either direction), yet allows gripper to transition between tightened and loosened states by moving within cavity in response to clamp knob  101  tightening, as described herein. However, such additional structure(s) are not required, as additional mechanisms may be employed to retain grippers  107  within cavities  108 , as further described herein. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded view of an example drain cleaner assembly including an example ball type clamp assembly. In the exploded view of  FIG. 4  it may be appreciated that the grip sleeve  105  fits over spout  103  and slides up to drum assembly  104  upon assembly of components of drain cleaner assembly  100  such that the grip sleeve  105  does not interfere with the portion of the spout  103  having cavities  108  therein. Thus, grip sleeve  105  is free to rotate about spout  103 , e.g., when an operator rotates drum assembly  104  using hand crank assembly  106  or other rotation mechanism (as indicated by dashed arrows in  FIG. 4 ). This allows grip sleeve  105  to remain stationary while drum assembly,  104 , spout  103 , clamp knob  101  and drain snake  102  (not illustrated in  FIG. 4 ) rotate. Inclusion of grip sleeve  105  therefore facilitates hand held operation of drain cleaner assembly  100 . 
     It may also be appreciated from the exploded view of  FIG. 4  that when grip sleeve  105  is positioned over spout  103 , and spout  103  portion having cavities  108  therein is unencumbered by grip sleeve  105 , that positioning (tightening) of the clamp knob  101  on spout  103  will serve to retain grippers  107  in cavities  108 . Moreover, by providing a clamp knob  101  that may be secured to spout  103  (e.g., via suitable threading or other securing mechanism), clamp knob  101  may act to force grippers  107  into contact with drain snake  102  upon tightening, such that drain snake  102  is secured into position by grippers  107  upon tightening clamp knob  101 . Moreover, clamp knob  101  may be prevented from loosening too much, i.e., being positioned distal to the portion of spout  103  that contains cavities  108 , by provisioning a securing mechanism. 
     A suitable securing mechanism, by way of example, is provided by a retaining ring or pin  110 , which inhibits movement of clamp knob  101  distant from portion of spout  103  having cavities  108  therein such that at least a portion of the clamp knob  101  remains over and blocks gripper  107  egress from cavities  108 . Other mechanisms for ensuring gripper  107  positioning within the cavities  108  are also acceptable, as described by way of example herein. Other retaining rings or pins, e.g.,  109 , may be provided to secure other components, e.g., grip sleeve  105 . As with the clamp knob  101 , other securing mechanisms may be employed to secure these components in place, such as collars, pins or the like. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , an example drain cleaner assembly  100  is illustrated. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 5 , an operator positions drain cleaner assembly  100  over a sink  115 . The operator may grip the drain cleaner assembly  100  at a portion that remains stationary during rotating operation (e.g., at grip sleeve  105 ). The operator, in this example, has replaced hand crank assembly  106  with a hand drill  112  (e.g., via unscrewing hand crank assembly  106  and inserting drill fitting over a shaft element  111  attached to the drum assembly  104 ). The operator may turn the drum assembly  104  (e.g., using the drill  112 ) and in turn provide rotational motion to the spout  103 , clamp knob  101 , and thus the drain snake  102 . The operator may extend or retrieve the drain snake  102 . The clamp knob  101  may be loosened and allow the grippers  107  to transition outward within cavities  108  (with respect to drain snake  102 ). The drain snake may thus be extended/retracted. The drain snake  102  may be secured into position again by tightening the clamp knob  101  (e.g., via screwing it in with respect to underlying threaded spout  103 ), thus forcing the grippers  107  into contact with the drain snake  102 . 
     Accordingly, an embodiment provides a ball type clamp assembly. The ball type clamp assembly may be utilized in connection with a drain cleaner assembly, as described in connection with the illustrated examples herein. However, the ball type clamp assembly may be utilized in connection with many industrial applications. For example, the ball type clamp assembly may be utilized in connection with other applications requiring reversible securing of a rotatable element. 
     This disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The example embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain principles and practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 
     Thus, although illustrative example embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying figures, it is to be understood that this description is not limiting and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure.