Abstract:
A method of cleaning an air gap in a plumbing fixture by removing the cap from a counter table access and inserting a flexible wire brush into a hose connecting the counter-top access to the drain opening.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a cleaning tool used in plumbing and more particularly to a brush used for cleaning an air gap.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    The use of brushes for cleaning is known in the prior art as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. D 316,488; 3,582,140 and 5,836,032. Also, cleaning brushes are commercially available from E. H. Sargent &amp;Co.  
           [0005]    However, these brushes have special features designed for particular uses. None of the brushes are adapted for use as an air gap cleaner in plumbing fixtures and more specially for cleaning the air gap which is present in a fixture having a dishwasher and an under-the-counter garbage disposal. This particular air gap is susceptible to the accumulation of deposits and must be cleaned on a regular periodic basis to ensure proper operation of the plumbing fixtures.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    It is an objective of the present invention to provide a method for cleaning the air gap in a plumbing fixture.  
           [0007]    In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, there is disclosed a method of cleaning an air gap in a plumbing fixture which has a counter top access connected by a hose to a drain opening, the hose having a length. A cap is removed from the counter top access exposing a cylindrical fitting having a center tube spaced apart from the cylindrical fitting. The cylindrical fitting is connected to the hose, the hose leading to a drain opening in the garbage disposal. There is provided a cleaning brush having a wire handle which has a length greater than the length of the hose, the wire handle being flexible. A plurality of bristles extend circumferentially outwardly from a first end of the handle. The first end of the cleaning brush is introduced into the space between the cylindrical fitting and the center tube. The cleaning brush is fully inserted into the hose connected to the cylindrical fitting until the bristles on the first end of the cleaning brush exits the drain opening. The cap is replaced on the counter-top access.  
           [0008]    These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the enclosed drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sink having a faucet and a cap for a counter-top access to an air gap.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the garbage disposal mounted under the counter and connected by a hose to the counter-top access.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is a closeup view of the cap on the counter-top access.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing loosening of the cap from the counter-top access.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing removal of the cap from the counter-top access.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the counter-top access with the cap removed showing the cylindrical fitting with the center tube therein.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cleaning brush.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the first end of the cleaning brush having bristles introduced into the space between the cylindrical fitting and the center tube.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the brush being inserted into the space between the fitting and the center tube.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 10 is a top plan view into the sink showing the bristles on the first end of the brush exiting the drain opening in the sink drain.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 11 is a partial cutaway drawing showing the method of using the cleaning brush to remove deposits from the hose.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the brush within the cylindrical fitting.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a deflector cap for the cylindrical fitting. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]    Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, plumbing fixtures such as a dishwasher and an under-the-counter garbage disposal  10  connected to the drain line of a sink frequently have a counter-top access  12  located adjacent to the faucet  14 . The counter-top access  12  is connected to a hose  16  which has a length and leads to a drain opening  18  in the sink.  
         [0023]    In the prior art, the hose  16  becomes clogged due to the accumulation of deposits in the hose. When the hose becomes clogged, water backs up in the hose  16  and overflows through the countertop access  12  and onto the counter-top and the floor.  
         [0024]    To repair the clogged hose, a plumber must remove the hose  16  between the drain opening  18  and the counter-top access  12  and clean the inside of the hose by flushing or by using a wire. Usually, when the clamps which hold the hose are removed, the hose is damaged or the hose is in need of replacement.  
         [0025]    The present invention eliminates the need to remove the hose  16 .  
         [0026]    A cap  20  frictionally fits over the counter-top access  12 . The cap  20  is made of metal or plastic. This cap  20  is removed by merely lifting it up. When the cap  20  is removed, an inserted cap  20 A (see FIGS. 5 and 13) is exposed. This inserted cap  20 A is usually a molded plastic piece. To remove this inserted cap  20 A, just squeeze the two ends and pull it out. Sometimes, an alternate cap has internal threads (not shown) which screw on to the fitting or counter-top screw  12 . This exposes a cylindrical fitting  22  (FIGS. 5, 6). In some instances, a deflector cap may be disposed over the fitting  22  (FIG. 13). A center tube  24  is disposed within the cylindrical fitting  22 . The cylindrical fitting  22  is connected to the hose  16  under the counter top.  
         [0027]    A cleaning brush  26  has a flexible wire handle  28  (FIG. 7). Preferably, the wire handle  28  is formed of at least two members twisted together but the handle may be a single wire. A plurality of bristles  39  are attached to a first end of the cleaning brush  26  and extend circumferentially outwardly from the first end of the brush. Preferably, the bristles  30  are mounted along a length of approximately 2-3 inches on the first end of the brush although the length may be greater or less. A loop  32  may be formed at the opposite second end of the handle although the loop  32  may be eliminated.  
         [0028]    The first end of the cleaning brush  26  with the bristles  30  is introduced into the space between the cylindrical fitting  22  and the center tube  24  (FIG. 8). The cleaning brush  26  is inserted fully into the space such that the bristles  30  on the first end pass through the inside of the hose  16 . It is preferred that the bristles  30  of the brush have a length which is approximately equal to the inner diameter of the hose  16  to provide complete cleaning of the hose  16 . The length of the cleaning brush  26  is greater than the length of the hose  16  and by inserting the cleaning brush  26 , the deposits in the hose which are the cause of the clogging are pushed out of the hose  16  and through the drain opening  18  into the sink drain. The appearance of the bristles  30  exiting the drain opening  18  is the indication that the hose  16  has been cleaned (FIGS.  9 - 12 ).  
         [0029]    In order to assure the cleaning of the hose, the procedure is repeated and water is introduced into the space between the cylindrical fitting  22  and the center tube  24  to rinse the cylindrical fitting  22  and the hose  16 .  
         [0030]    The cap  20  is replaced on the counter-top access. The clog has been removed without having to disconnect the hose. Thus, the plumbing fixture is again operational with minimum labor and in a much shorter period of time than has been possible without the present invention.  
         [0031]    Obviously, many modifications may be made without departing from the basic spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than has been specifically described herein.