Abstract:
A drain snake device having a rotatable handle crank at one end and an interlocking opposite end. The interlocking end is uniquely attachable to a corresponding attachment end portion of a disposable elongated snake segment. A slidable sleeve, that moves axially along the distal end of the handle between a locking position and a release position, fully engages or releases the disposable snake segment, respectively, and also simultaneously allows or blocks rotation of the handle crank, respectively. A kit containing a reusable handle and two or more uniquely corresponding snake segments is also provided.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Drain snakes have been available and used to clear obstacles from drain pipes and related piping systems for many years. At one end is a handle crank or other type of holding and turning object. At the other end is an attachment that is capable of grabbing or removing obstructing debris from a drain pipe, such as hair or other material. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 566,110 issued to Wrigley on Aug. 18, 1896, shows a cleaning device including a rotatable handle (item f in FIGS. 1-2) at one end and any of various attachments at the other end, FIGS. 4-8. This document appears to be silent regarding a detachable snake portion interlocking with a handle portion. Similarly, see U.S. Pat. No. 984,473 issued to Cornelius on Feb. 14, 1911. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,783,256 issued to Miller on Dec. 2, 1930 shows a device for cleaning out drain pipes including a detachable handle (item 14 in FIG. 1). However, this handle lacks any interlocking structure as provided in the present invention, which selectively interlocks between a reusable handle and a disposable snake segment. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,018,918 issued to Jacobs et al. on May 28, 1991 shows a cargo vehicle load restraint bar having an axially movable sleeve that slides onto a toggle joint to lock the joint into a straight condition (see Abstract and item 62 in the Front Page Figure). However, this structure lacks an interlocking feature between the two straight tubular portions, and is unrelated to a drain pipe cleaning device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,154,545 issued to Pinto et al. on May 15, 1979 shows an externally mounted locking mechanism for telescoping tubes that permits releasable adjustment of the tubes, see the Front Page Figure. FIG. 1 shows the use of the locking mechanism in a paint roller handle (see item 10). However, this mechanism has no interlocking structure including the locking sleeve feature that is provided in the present invention, particularly in a drain snake device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,679,961 issued to Stewart on Jul. 14, 1987 shows a coupling mechanism in which a male and a female coupling fixture are mated and a sleeve slides coaxially into a locked position over the joint to keep the joint in a straight orientation (see item 31 in the Front Page Figure). However, this interlocking structure allows the tubular portions 30 and 33 to rotate coaxially independently with respect to each other. By contrast, the present invention requires that the snake segment be firmly rotatable only by turning the handle crank, i.e., the snake segment cannot be free to rotate independently from the handle during use. 
     There are several drain snake devices and generally similar structures disclosed in the prior art in which two elongated parts are generally interlocked at their ends, and which may involve an axially movable sleeve to hold them together. U.S. Pat. No. 4,642,931 issued to Flores on Feb. 17, 1987 shows a compact foldable fishing pole in which the pole segments are locked into a coaxial arrangement where the ends meet, using a movable sleeve, see items 26 and 28 in FIGS. 1-2. However, this structure fails to provide a handle crank to rotate the elongated distal portion, e.g., for use in cleaning debris from drain pipes. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,880,435 issued to Deutsch et al. on Apr. 7, 1959, shows a pipe cleaning apparatus including two elongated segments that are interlocked at their ends, see FIG. 6. However, this structure lacks an axially movable sleeve to hold the segments together. 
     GB1556262 filed by Elversson, published Nov. 21, 1979 shows a tool for progressing a flexible leading wire through a hollow passage for drawing an electrical cable through a hidden conduit including a sleeve (items 14/15 in FIGS. 4-5) and a locking body (item 6 in FIGS. 4-5) that holds the sleeve in position. However, this arrangement lacks a continuously rotatable handle crank for removing obsructing debris from a pipe or conduit, and a sleeve having a proximal notch to hold the handle in a nonrotating orientation as provided in this invention to permit engaging or disengaging the handle from the remainder of the device. 
     U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2003/0231927 published by Hale on Dec. 18, 2003 shows a connector for a pipe cleaning apparatus including an interlocking feature between two elongated sections of the device, and using a sleeve to hold the interlocked ends together, as shown in FIG. 2. However, this structure fails to provide the sleeve notch to hold the handle in a non-rotating orientation while the snake portion and handle portion are interlocked or released, as described in the present specification. Similarly, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,929 issued to Hale on Dec. 19, 1989, particularly FIGS. 5-6. 
     U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2001/0042277 published by Reichborn on Nov. 22, 2001 shows a quick disconnect tube cleaning brush coupling, including a spring-loaded sleeve that holds together two interlocking ends of elongated sections of a pipe cleaning structure, see item 16 of the Front Page Figure. However, this arrangement lacks any simultaneous feature in the sleeve to block the rotation of the handle while the interlocked ends are mated together or are disconnected from each other. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a drain snake structure that has the capability of removing a reusable handle from a disposable snake segment, in which the handle interlocks with the snake segment during use, and can be detached for disposal of the snake segment. 
     Also, there is a further need to provide a drain snake structure in which the handle is directly interlocked with a snake portion and in which the handle is held in a non-rotating or temporarily fixed arrangement while the snake segment is detached from or attached to the handle. This temporarily fixed handle arrangement allows a disposable snake segment to be easily attached to or removed from a corresponding reusable handle. This feature is accomplished by the use of an axially movable sleeve having a notch at its proximal end, as described further in the detailed description. 
     Furthermore, there is a need for a drain snake kit containing a reusable handle and two or more disposable snake segments that are matched to uniquely interlock with the reusable handle. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND OBJECTIVES 
     The objective of the invention is to provide a drain snake device having a disposable snake segment and a reusable handle, in which the handle is attachable to the snake segment in an interlocking manner and is easily detached therefrom using a slidable sleeve movable on the handle. 
     It is a further objective to provide the drain snake device with a sleeve movable on a distal portion of the handle that can be moved coaxially on the distal portion of the handle between a locked position, in which the corresponding ends of the handle and snake segments are engaged and interlocked and in which the device is then capable of routine use, and a release position, in which the handle is blocked from rotation and the snake segment can be easily engaged with or disengaged from the handle. 
     It is yet a further objective to provide a kit containing a reusable handle and two or more disposable snake segments that are matched in their interlocking end portions to the corresponding interlocking end portion of the handle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the inventive drain snake device with the disposable snake portion in the fully engaged configuration (i.e., with the handle sleeve in the LOCKED POSITION and the handle free to be rotated). 
         FIG. 2  shows a close-up perspective view of the distal end of the handle of the inventive drain snake device with the disposable snake portion attached to the handle, but with the sleeve in the RELEASE POSITION. 
         FIG. 3  shows a close-up perspective view of the distal end of the handle of the inventive drain snake device with the disposable snake segment detached from the handle, and with the handle sleeve in the RELEASE POSITION. 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the entire inventive drain snake device with the snake segment detached from the handle and the handle sleeve in the RELEASE POSITION. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the inventive drain snake device  10  including a reusable handle portion  20  and a disposable snake segment  50 . The disposable snake segment  50  is attached to the handle portion  20  by engagement of the proximal end  54  (i.e., the end that is closest to the person when operating the device) of the drain snake segment fully engaged with the distal end of the handle portion  20 . A slidable sleeve  30  is shown in the LOCKED POSITION and the drain snake device  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , is in the fully engaged configuration. The sleeve  30  in this LOCKED POSITION ensures that the snake segment and handle portion are fully engaged, i.e., interlocked at their corresponding ends, and the device is ready for use, such as for clearing a clogged drain pipe or for other similar pipe-cleaning or duct-cleaning functions. 
     The handle  20  is made up of three integrally attached sections: 1) a proximal section or “handle crank” that is gripped to rotate the handle and snake segments during use ( 28 ,  FIG. 4 ); 2) an intermediate section attached at its proximal end to and arranged at an oblique angle with the proximal section ( 24 ,  FIGS. 2 &amp; 4 ); and 3) a distal section (shown partially extending from the proximal end of sleeve  30  in  FIG. 1  and from the distal end of sleeve  30  in  FIG. 2 , item  82 ) that extends from the intermediate section at an oblique angle and which attaches at its distal end to the proximal end of the snake segment  50  in an interlocking manner. The proximal section ( 28 ) and intermediate section ( 24 ) each have a hand grip that together act as a crank when the handle is rotated. The intermediate handle section attaches to the distal section at an oblique bend  22  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . 
     The sleeve  30  can be moved back and forth between two possible positions along the distal end of the handle portion  20  of the device  10 : a LOCKED POSITION (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) and a RELEASE POSITION (shown in  FIGS. 2-4 ). 
     When the drain snake device is in the fully engaged configuration as shown in  FIG. 1 , the drain snake device is ready for use. The distal end of the snake segment  50  can be inserted into a clogged drain or other similarly obstructed pipe. The user then places one hand on the sleeve  30  and uses the other hand to rotate (or crank) the handle crank  22 , which causes the snake segment  50  to rotate simultaneously with handle, inside the clogged drain or obstructed pipe, thereby removing obstructing materials. The handle crank  22  can be turned indefinitely to rotate the snake segment, thereby continuously collecting debris at the distal end of the snake segment. 
     The distal end of the snake segment can be equipped with a hair-catching structure that collects hair material or debris clogging a drain. Other optional structures can be fitted onto the distal end of the snake segment to collect other types of clogging debris or obstructions. These types of distal end-attachments are considered well known in the art. 
     After use, the snake segment is disengaged from the handle portion (as described below) and can be discarded in an appropriate disposal receptacle, or in an appropriate recycling collection container. 
       FIG. 2  shows the drain snake device in a non-engaged configuration with the sleeve  30  moved rearward into the RELEASE POSITION. In  FIG. 2 , the proximal end of the snake segment as shown, remains attached to the distal end of the handle portion, but is free to be detached. 
     The sleeve  30  has a generally cylindrical shape, but particularly includes a notch  32  at its proximal end  34 . When the sleeve is moved backward to its RELEASE POSITION, the handle must be rotated into the arrangement shown in  FIG. 2 , so that the bend portion  22  of the handle fits into the notch  32  of the sleeve  30 , thereby blocking further rotation of the handle. Once the sleeve is moved back in this position, the interlocking ends of the snake segment and handle portion are exposed as shown and can be detached. 
     The interlocking region at the proximal end of the snake segment includes a partial annular shoulder stop  56  and a partial cylindrical end  52  that match a respective partial annular shoulder stop  86  and partial cylindrical portion  82  at the distal end of the handle  20  ( FIG. 2 ). When the sleeve  30  is moved to the RELEASE POSITION as shown, the two corresponding partial cylindrical portions  52  and  82 , are exposed and can be decoupled or detached. Alternatively, when the sleeve  30  is moved to the LOCKED POSITION ( FIG. 1 ), the distal end  36  of the sleeve  30  is moved axially forward until it rests against the two partial annular shoulder stops,  56  and  86 . When a snake segment is engaged, i.e., its proximal end is interlocked with the distal end of the handle  20 , the sleeve  30  can be moved to its LOCKED POSITION and the snake drain device is ready for use and can be properly operated. 
     The interlocking region of the snake segment and the handle portion is shown in more detail in  FIG. 3 . 
     When sleeve  30  is moved to its RELEASE POSITION, the snake segment can be disengaged from the distal end  82  of the handle  20 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . In this position, the sleeve notch  32  rests against the bend neck of handle  20 , thereby preventing the handle from further rotatation relative to the sleeve  30 . Moreover, in this RELEASE POSITION, the generally cylindrical distal end  82  of the handle is clearly exposed. 
     When interlocked with the corresponding end of the snake segment, the partial cylinder  52  of the snake segment combines with the partial cylinder  82  of the handle to form a generally cylindrical interlocked structure that fits inside the bore of the sleeve  30 ; and this interlocked structure can rotate inside the sleeve  30  (e.g., during routine operation) when the sleeve is moved to the LOCKED POSITION. 
     In addition, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , when the snake segment is interlocked with the handle (as shown in  FIG. 2 ), projection  62  ( FIG. 3 ) of the snake segment fits in the corresponding opening  88 , and axial stop  64  and surfaces  66  and  68  of the proximal end of the snake segment fit in the corresponding stop  84  and surfaces  80  and  90  at the distal end of handle  20 , as shown. 
     A further shaped axial stop surface  60  is provided at the end of the snake segment  50 , as shown, which matches a correspondingly shaped cavity or opening (in axially proximal surface of opening  88 ) in the distal end of the handle  20  to ensure a uniquely matched interlock between the snake segment and the handle. 
     A further detent can be provided at the distally lower surface of projection  62  to engage with a corresponding receiving indentation in the radially outer portion of opening  88  in the handle, in order to ensure a snap fit or other secure attachment. 
     Contact surface  66  at the distal end of the snake segment mates with corresponding contact surface  90  at the distal end of handle  20 , when the snake segment and handle are fully engaged. Similarly, when engaged, axial stop surface  64  at the end of the snake segment mates with the corresponding handle stop surface  84 . Furthermore, any tab feature, as shown projecting from surface  90  of the distal end of the handle, can be provided to mate with a corresponding opening in the proximal end of the snake segment  50 . 
     However, it is noted that the combination of the projection  62  and corresponding opening  88 , as well as other notch-opening relationships between the proximal end of the snake segment and the distal end of the handle are exemplary of mating relationships that can vary in size and shape. It is most important that the mating contours of the proximal end of the snake segment and the corresponding distal end of the handle match in a manner that ensures the adequate transmission of the torque produced by rotating the handle crank ( 28 ,  FIG. 4 ) to the distal end of the snake segment without loosening or disengaging the two interlocked ends during use. It is also important that different reusable handles be provided with unique mating contours at the interlocking end section to match snake segments that are uniquely matched to mate and interlock with the reusable handle. 
     The particular contour of the matching shaped projection of the snake segment and shaped opening of the handle, ensure that a unique snake segment can be uniquely engaged with a correspondingly unique handle. 
       FIG. 4  shows the inventive snake drain device in its disengaged configuration, with the sleeve  30  moved to the RELEASE POSITION, and with the end  54  of the snake segment  50  fully detached and disengaged from the corresponding end of the handle  20 . The handle grip section  28  is shown integrally attached to the intermediate section  24  at an oblique angle. 
     A kit containing a set of differently shaped snake segments, each with a correspondingly matched handle, can be used, so long as the interlocking ends are suitably matched and the cranking of the handle can cause the rotation of snake segment to remove debris from piping structures. Different kits can contain snake segments that are matched to one unique handle, or to more than one handle in different kits. The snake segments in any individual kit have interlocking portions with proximal contours that match the corresponding contours of the interlocking portions of the handles in the individual kits. 
     The snake segment, handle and sleeve can be manufactured from plastic, metal, wood, or from a composite or any other suitable material that provides adequate strength to allow the device to be operated to remove obstructing debris from a pipe or duct. 
     The size of the drain snake device and the lengths of the snake segments can be provided in varying discrete amounts to allow use in correspondingly differently sized piping, drains or conduits. Longer snake segments, such as 6-9 feet (2-9 m) could be used to reach obstructions that are deeper; while shorter segments, such as 1-3 feet (30 cm-1 m) could be used to reach nearby obstructions, e.g., those in common toilet drains. The thickness of the snake segment  50  can range from 1 mm to 1 cm or higher to correspond to drain pipe sizes and types of debris being removed. 
     The snake segments are preferably disposable and can be made of any suitable disposable, recyclable or biodegradable material, such as polyethylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, acrylic polymer, nylon, or a paper-based material, such as stiff cardboard. The handle is preferably reusable and can be made of a suitably durable material to withstand repeated engagement and disengagement with snake segments and repeated use.