Abstract:
An improved sewer cleanout cap. The sewer cleanout cap sensor is installed to a sewer cleanout cap housing and contains a pop up embodiment to detect a back up in the sewer system due to numerous reason in the sewer system. This device helps to determine a problem in the sewer system and where the problem would most likely be. Making it quicker to resolve the problem so that a sewer spill could be prevented. But most of all, to prevent sewer spills, law suits and prevents from endangering wildlife, such as plants, animals, and aquatic life. Basically, it is to protect our environment and our water supply.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     SEWER BACKUP INDICATOR APPARATUS: 
        App. No. 727,057 Patent Number: U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,761 Nov. 18, 1997        
 
         [0003]     SEWER BACKUP INDICATOR: 
        App No. 685,496 Patent Number: U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,775 Jan. 26, 1999 
            Patent Number: U.S. Pat. No. 3,166,041 Jan. 19, 1965    
               
 
       BACKGROUND  
       [0006]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0007]     This invention relates to sewer clean out caps specifically to an improved sewer clean out cap.  
         [0008]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0009]     Numerous styles of clean out caps have been provided in prior art, but they all basically all the same. Prior art clean out caps are all made of solid piece of plastic or metal and some have mechanical moving parts but don&#39;t hold a detection when sewer waters descend making it difficult to see if water levels in the sewer system has risen, and fallen due to obstacles in the sewer system. When the sewer system has a back up a sewer department crew needs to first find the location of the problem, normally by opening sewer manholes and often releasing sewer waters into our environment, numerous sewer manholes may needed to opened again releasing raw sewage into our environment By using my invention problems in the sewer system can be identified at a much earlier stage, then with the prior art caps, due to the fact that sewers don&#39;t necessarily back up all at once, but most often a gradual progress. By locating the problem without opening any manholes or cleanout caps sewer spills lessened preventing the endangerment of our environment and our water supply. Basically by using my invention, problems in the sewer will be identified sooner, the location of the problem will be located sooner, and problem can be resolved sooner and sewer spills will be prevented and the prevention of endangering our environment and our water supply.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     This invention relates to a sewer clean out cap, specifically to an improved sewer clean out cap The sewer clean out is a part of the sewer system that is approximately 3 to 4 inches in diameter used to service sewer lateral&#39;s that are connected to the main sewer line. The main sewer line is usually any where from two to twenty-feet and sometimes deeper underground. Clean outs are always ground level in which it may be serviced when emergencies and maintenance is needed. Contractors and plumbers install clean outs to allow an entrance to service a sewer lateral by simply removing the sewer clean out cap, and then servicing the sewer lateral.  
         [0011]     Originally, these caps are made of a solid piece of metal or plastic. They are totally scaled and have no mechanically moving parts. In addition, there is no way to detect the water level in the sewer. The main clean out of a home or business is usually a foot or a few feet inside the property line of a home, business or property. The cleanout is a part of the sewer system that is ground level and is closer to the sewer lateral making it the first point of plumbing that could be used to detect a backup in the sewer system, but because clean out caps are sealed there is no way to detect the water level in the sewer system if water levels were to rise. If these caps were to have a device that would notify residents or businesses before a serious back up in their plumbing occurs which could prevent a sewer spill. A sewer spill could range from a gallon to thousands of gallons of untreated sewage, causing law suits by the Environmental Protection Agency and or closing of beaches, lakes, rivers, parks, schools etc., and endangering wildlife such as plants and animals.  
         [0012]     Due to obstructions in the sewer system such as roots from plant and trees, grease build up, grit, damaged sewer pipes, and other numerous reasons that causes back-ups. Sewer water levels may rise due to the volume of water flowing through the sewer system and the size of the sewer pipe that the sewage is flowing through. As these obstructions progress in the system, the volume of water flowing through the system will reduce and or eventually could create a major backup and sewer spill.  
         [0013]     After working for the City &amp; County of Honolulu for more then eight years, I came up with this invention, which could prevent a home or business from a backup or prevent a major sewer spill in our communities. What my invention will do is notify the public prior to a complete back up or a possible sewer spill. All previous clean out caps suffer from a variety of disadvantages:  
         [0014]     (a) Because all clean out caps are made of one solid piece, there is no way to determine where the problem lays. By not knowing where the problem lays, it definitely would waste valuable time and can become costly. If the problem were to be on the City, County, State, or Federal side of the sewer system, through my experience if a private plumber were to be called which often happens the homeowner or business that called may be responsible for an unnecessary bill from a private plumber. Because it is not the publics responsibility to service or maintain any part of the governments sewer system. Any service done outside of a privately owned property line through my experience is the responsibility of the governments.  
         [0015]     (b) If the problem were to be on the private side, and the government authorities were called, through my experience, valuable time again is wasted. In most cases, it is not the governments&#39; responsibility to service or maintain the private side of plumbing of a home or business. Then a private plumber would have to be called to take care of the problem. Again, valuable time is wasted.  
         [0016]     (c) Because these clean out caps are made of one solid piece, and no detection was made at an early stage of the problem through my experience restaurants and business&#39;s have been closed for a few hours to a few days an even week&#39;s until the problem was resolved and therefore plumbing could not be used.  
         [0017]     (d) Because these caps are made of one solid piece, through my experience homes have been flooded because a home located at the lower end of a main sewer line may receive sewer water from the upper homes. Because water will always level off the home at the closest point up stream of the obstruction in the system will be like a release valve, in most cases the tub and toilet is the point of over flow. Once the water level exceeds the height of the tub and toilet sewer waters has flooded entire homes with raw sewage.  
         [0018]     (e) Because the clean out cap is the only part of the sewer system above ground level and is the closest to the property line of a private land owner, it is the first point of the system that could determine who is responsible for a backup in the system. Nevertheless, because these caps are sealed there is no way to determine who should be called.  
         [0019]     (f) Because these caps are made of one solid piece, there is no way to determine if the water level in the system has risen and then fallen, due to the volume of water flowing through a sewer pipe and the size of pipe it is flowing through. The percentage of the pipe being obstructed by the obstructions in the pipe, such as: roots, grease, grit or a damaged pipe reduces the flow in the mornings peak hours between (5:00 am to 10:00 am) when people start their day, water levels may rise due to the volume of water use of the public, the volume of water flowing through the system and the percentage of the pipe being obstructed. The levels fall as the volume of water entering system lessens after peak hours. This is the same for evening peak hours (4:00 pm to 10:00 pm), when people end their day. Because there is no detection made by the clean out cap, water levels may rise and fall for weeks to months before any indication of a backup or sewer spill occurs.  
         [0020]     (g) Main sewer lines are connected to sewer manholes and often fill sewer manholes with sewer water for blocks or more. But because manhole covers weighs about two hundred and in some cases are equipped with a rain catcher to prevent infiltration of rain water it also seals sewer water from exiting the sewer manhole, preventing a detection of a backup or a possible spill. But then again because the cleanout cap are sealed water presser cannot be detected in the sewer system. Though my experience, living in the State of Hawaii where we are surrounded by ocean sewer spills have closed beaches, lakes, canals, rivers etc.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]     In accordance with the present sewer clean out cap, with a sensor device, that will detect if the water level has risen and still shows detection if water level has fallen. To determine where the problem is sooner and possibly take care of the problem before sewage exits the sewer system. If every cleanout in every community, city and state had a senor, problem areas in the sewer system may be identified state wide, it may be as being able to see under ground. And to determine more or less who is responsible of taking care of the problem. Nevertheless, most of all detect a possible back up, prevent a major sewer spill, prevent unnecessary law suits from the Environmental Protection Agency, prevent the closing of beaches, lakes, rivers, and businesses, etc. Also prevent the endangering the wildlife such as plants, animals and aquatic life. Basically, protecting our environment and our water supply.  
       OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES  
       [0022]     Besides the objects and advantages of the pop up sewer clean out cap sensor, as described in the above patent, several objects and advantages of the present invention are: 
        (a) to provide a clean out cap with a device that will detect a problem in the sewer system.     (b) to provide a clean out cap that will detect the water level and determine if the water was to rise. In addition, to keep a detection if water level was to fall. Due to obstructions in the system such as grease, roots, grit or a damaged pipe during all hours.     (c) to provide a clean out cap that will determine who is responsible for a sewer back up either, a private homeowner or government authorities. Before a spill occurs.     (d) to provide a clean out cap that will save private homeowners or business an unnecessary bill from a private plumber, by informing the public that they may not be responsible for the problem.     (e) to provide a clean out cap with an extremely obvious site of an erected sensor to the public, should the public be a resident, pedestrian or a driver and while the sensor is erected during the day or at night     (f) to provide a clean out cap that may prevent a restaurant or business from not being able stay in operation, because plumbing cannot be used for awhile or as long as it might take to resolve the problem.     (g) to provide a clean out cap that will detect a problem in the sewer system at an early stage, allowing time for maintenance or repairs before the problem progresses into the serious stage.     (h) to provide a clean out cap that may prevent homes located at the lower end of sewer system and bottom units of an apartment or condo from being flooded by sewer water. That may come from the up stream flow of the sewer system or from the upper units of an apartment or condominium. By notifying the sewer department or sanitary district of an erected sensor by a resident or public, before a complete blockage occurs, a repair could be scheduled before a complete blockage occurs.     (i) to provide a clean out cap that may prevent schools and public facilities from being closed due to unsanitary conditions.     (j) to provide a clean out cap that may prevent a major sewer spill causing a gallon to thousands of gallons of raw sewage that could enter streams, rivers, lakes, beaches committees. That could cause them to be closed to the public.     (k) to provide a cleanout cap being inexpensive and providing an inexpensive system, that will canvass a neighbor hood, community, county city and state that monitors sewer water levels in the sewers, while having the public help identify problems in the sewers and help protect our environment     (l) to provide a clean out cap that can monitor sewer water levels in the sewer system for blocks and the entire sewer system of a sewer department or a sanitary district, making and obvious indication to the public, that water levels has risen in the sewer system. Rather then having just the sewer department or the sanitary district monitoring and performing maintenance on the sewers, the public can be the eyes and ears and call to the sewer department or sanitary district when detections are made.     (m) to provide a clean out cap that will help the sewer department or sanitary district save time locating were the problem in sewer system would most likely be, after receiving the call, (for example) If a sewer worker got a call about slow drainage from a home on block B, when he arrives he notice that the sensor is in its neutral position, because there is no pressure against the sensor, the problem is most likely at the private side of the plumbing.     (n) to provide a clean out cap that will help the sewer department or sanitary district save time locating were the problem in sewer system would most likely be after receiving the call. If a sewer worker got a call about an erection of a sensor, when the worker arrives at the location he notices (for example) that a sensor on block B, is erected and all other sensors on that block are in their neutral position, then it would most likely be that the problem is in the sewer lateral connecting the home on block B, to the main sewer line. And he can decide what is the most efficient equipment to use to resolve the problem.     (o) to provide a clean out cap that will help the sewer department or sanitary district save time locating were the problem in the sewer system would most likely be after receiving the call. If a sewer worker got a call about an erection of a sensor, when the worker arrives at the location he notices (for example) that the sensors on block B,C and D is erected but the sensors on block A and E were in it&#39;s neutral position. By examining his map he finds that, block E is the upstream and flows down to down stream block A, he also notices that the first ten homes at the lower end of the sewer system on block B, is in the neutral position and the other ten homes on block B, is in its erected position. He will know that the problem in the sewer is in the main sewer line of block B, between the tenth and the eleventh house, of block B. His map also shows him where the closet or most efficient manhole is located, he then determines the most efficient equipment he will use to release the problem, before a spill begins     (p) to provide a clean out cap that will basically help protect our environment and our water supply.        
 
         [0039]     Further objects and advantages are to provide a clean out cap that simply replaces the existing clean out caps. Saving money for private homeowners and the government, preventing unnecessary bills and lawsuits, to provide a cleanout cap that will locate the location of a problem in the sewer system with out opening any part of the sewer system. Furthermore, this invention will also prevent the closing of public access to lakes, rivers and beaches and endangering plants, wildlife and aquatic life and protecting our environment and water supply. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0040]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of an extendable pop-up sewer cleanout cap sensor fully assembled in a retracted position.  
         [0041]      FIG. 2  shows a top view of my invention fully assembled in a retracted position.  
         [0042]      FIG. 3  shows a side sectional view of my invention attached to a sewer cleanout cap housing fully assembled in an erected position with sewer water levels high. With a sensor extension attached  
         [0043]      FIG. 4  shows a top view of my invention excluding the erectable sensor section.  
         [0044]      FIG. 5  shows in a below ground view of the pop-up sewer cleanout cap sensor attached to a sewer cleanout cap housing fully assembled in full operation with sewer water levels high.  
     
    
     REFERENCE NUMERAL IN DRAWINGS  
       [0000]    
       
         
           
               1  cylindrical housing  
               3  cylindrical body  
               5  seal  
               7  top brake (having a bright color)  
               9  bottom brake  
               11  seal-rings  
               13  channels  
               15  external treads  
               17  reservoir  
               19  glowing device  
               21  aperture  
               23  water resistant glue  
               25  lubricant  
               27  cleanout cap housing  
               29  private side of plumbing  
               31  beginning of sewer system  
               33  liquid under pressure  
               35  recess  
               37  notch  
               39  pin  
               41  brake seat  
               43  bottom brake treads  
               45  presser seal  
               47  additional brake  
               49  extension brake  
               51  sensor extension  
               53  safety screws  
           
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0072]     Provisional Application Filling date: Feb. 8, 2003. Provisional Application Number: 60/445,863. International Application No. PCT/US2004/003777. A cylindrical housing  1 , is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In the preferred embodiment cylindrical housing  1 , is made of a rigid material, such as ABS (Aciryalonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene), PVC-(Poly-VinylClorite). However, cylindrical housing  1 , can consist of metal, plastics, or a combination etc., of other rigid materials. Cylindrical housing  1 , comprising of a external threads  15 , a aperture  21 , a channels  13 , a recess  35 , as shown in  FIG. 1, 2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  and a or multiple seal-ring  11 , on inner wall of cylindrical housing  1 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . A seal  5 , made of a durable material or a combination of materials that will withstand the atmosphere of the sewer system, such as foam, sponge, rubber, plastic, cork, hide, metal etc, are attached to the inner wall of cylindrical housing  1 , and beneath, and or above seal-rings  11 , of cylindrical housing  1 , using a water resistant glue  23 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Seal  5  is then primed by applying a lubricant  25 , on the inner section of seal  5 . Where a cylindrical body  3 , made of a rigid material or a combination of materials, such as, PVC-(Poly-Vinyl-Clorite), ABS (Aciryalonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene metals, etc, and seal  5 , meet as shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0073]     Cylindrical body  3 , consisting a top brake  7  (having a bright color) and treads at the bottom end of said cylindrical body  3 . Cylindrical body  3 , is first lubricated using lubricant  25 , the entire length of the cylindrical body  3 , then the bottom end of cylindrical body  3 , is inserted thru cylindrical housing  1 , aperture  21 , and seal  5 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The length of cylindrical body  3 , is determined by the depth of the service line of the private side of plumbing  29 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , the cylindrical body  3 , or any part of the sensor should not block the service line of the private side of plumbing  29 , or interfere with the flow of any sewer water. A glowing device such as pigment, tape, paint, light, etc  19 , (having a color different from color on top brake  7 ,) are attached to cylindrical body  3 , directly under top brake  7 , by means of adhesives, fastening means, etc as shown in  FIG. 3, 5 . Top brake  7 , made of a rigid material such as PVC, ABS, metals, etc is attached to cylindrical body  3 , by cast, molded, screws rivets, etc as shown in  FIG. 3 . A bottom brake  9 , also made of a rigid material such as PVC, ABS, plastics, metals etc., is attached to the bottom section of cylindrical body  3 . By fastening means such as corresponding treads rivets, screws, adhesives,  43 , to cylindrical body  3 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . A presser seal  45 , made of durable material such as rubber, foam, plastic etc is fastened to bottom brake  9 , additional brake  47 , or extension brake  49 , using water resistant glue  23 , etc as shown in  FIG. 3 . A additional brake  47 , made of a rigid material such as PVC, ABS, plastics, metals etc., is attached to a desired location of the cylindrical body  3 , using safety screws  53 , to determine the desired height of erection as shown in  FIG. 3 . An extension brake  49 , made of a rigid material such as PVC, ABS, plastics, metals etc., may be attached the cylindrical body  3 , By fastening means such as corresponding treads rivets, screws, adhesives,  43 , An sensor extension  51 , made of a light and or buoyant material such plastic, foam, etc is fastened to extension brake  49 , using fastening means such as water resistant glue  23 , and safety screws  53 , as shown in  FIG. 3  making the pop-up sewer cleanout cap sensor more sensitive to even a slight rise of sewer water. Lubricant  25 , is poured into a reservoir  17 , thru aperture  21 . The space between the cylindrical body  3 , and the cylindrical housing  1 , forms the reservoir  17 , which holds the lubricate  25 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Cylindrical body  3 , is then pushed in a downward direction until top brake  7 , meets cylindrical housing  1 , and sits in the recess  35 , held in position by a brake seat  41 . The recess  35 , allows my invention to have a flat surface as shown in  FIG. 1 . A notch  37 , also allows a pin  39 , made of the same material or a rigid material such as a metal to be located below the flat plain of top brake  7 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . A lubricant  25 , such as grease lubricates top brake  7 , and recess  35 , and also seals the reservoir  17 , and prevents foreign objects from entering the reservoir  17 . My invention is then installed by applying grease, anti cease, lubricant  23 , etc., to a cleanout cap housing  27 , and screwing cylindrical housing  1 , into cleanout cap housing  27 , using external threads  15 , and channel  13 . The channels  13 , is used to tap cylindrical housing  1 , in tightly. Using a apparatus to tighten the cylindrical housing  1 , to a clean out cap housing  27 .  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE OPERATION— 
       [0074]     The advantage of using the pop-up sewer cleanout cap sensor is to detect high water levels, due to obstructions in the sewer system as shown in  FIG. 5 . My invention is fully assembled at a neutral position as shown in  FIG. 1 . The pop-up sewer cleanout cap sensor is installed into a sewer cleanout cap housing  27 , as shown in  FIG. 3, 5 . The pop-up sewer cleanout cap sensor is installed by screwing a cylindrical housing  1 , into a sewer cleanout cap housing  27 , using a external threads  15 , and a channels  13 . Channels  13 , having a wall separating recess  35 , are used for gripping and tapping cylindrical housing  1 , firmly, using a tool, or a block of wood and a hammer or screwdriver as shown in  FIG. 5 . A top brake  7 , prevents the cylindrical body  3 , from descending and separating from cylindrical housing  1 , while in a neutral position. When a back up occurs, water levels may lubricate the bottom section of cylindrical body  3 , below seal  5 , with sewer water while a lubricate  25 , lubricates seal  5 , the water presser will push cylindrical body  3 , and top brake  7 , (having a bright colored finish different color from the glowing devise  19 ,) in an erected position above ground. The top brake  7 , (having a bright colored finish having a different color then the glowing device  19 ,). Being that sewer spills are extremely threatening to our environment a bright colored finish makes the sensor easier to locate. Making an obvious detection if the pop-up clean out cap sensor is located in lawn, or garden area, while a glowing device  19 , (having a different color from color of top brake  7 ,) will make a detection at night possible and during day hour being that a different color will be noticed. If the cleanout is located in an area of traffic such as a drive way or sidewalk the additional brake  47 , will brake the cylindrical body  3 , at a desired height preventing damage to sensor from vehicles and hazards from pedestrians as shown in  FIG. 3 . Being that the glowing device  19 , is located directly under top brake  7 , even a slight erection will show a detection. The bright color on the top brake  7 , indicates the location of the pop-up sensor while the glowing devise  19 , indicates an erection during the day and night showing a different color and not confusing the erection of the location of the sensor. The circumference of seal-ring  11 , allows the cylindrical body  3 , to pass through seal ring  11 , and thought seal  5 , a circumference to narrow making it impossible for a bottom brake  9 , and additional brake  47 , and extension brake  49 , to pass through the seal-ring  11 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The presser from the rising sewer waters causes the presser seal  45 , to compress when the sensor is erected producing a tighter seal the higher sewer waters rise. The Seal-ring  11 , is used for securing seal  5 , in position and preventing seal  5 , from slipping in an upward position when sewer water levels and water pressure rises. Seal  5 , is used to prevent sewer water from leaking out from cylindrical housing  1 , As required by EPA laws that no sewer waters should exit a sewer cleanout, while under water pressure and to prevent rainwater from entering the sewer system from cylindrical housing  1 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Although Seal  5 , is lubricated it has a firm grip of cylindrical body  3 , for supporting cylindrical body  3 , while in an erected position under water pressure and if water levels and pressure were to descend. Cylindrical body  3 , is the embodiment that actually detects if sewer water level has risen to a certain height and holds a detection if water descends. A bottom brake  9 , additional brake  47 , or extension brake  49 , prevents cylindrical body  3 , from separating from cylindrical housing  1 , while water presser forces cylindrical body  3 , to its erected position. The bottom brake threads, screws, rivets, adhesives,  43 , used to connect the bottom brake  9 , additional brake  47 , or extension brake  49  to the cylindrical body  3  and to have a means to connect and disconnect the cylindrical body  3 , from the cylindrical housing  1 , for repairs to the pop-up cleanout cap sensor, should either the cylindrical housing  1 , or the cylindrical body  3 , be damaged, one or the other could be replaced and the other saved. The sensor extension  49 , make&#39;s the pop-up sewer cleanout cap sensor extremely more sensitive being that the closer the bottom of the sensor extension  51 , is to the normal height of the sewer water the quicker the sensor will produce an erection if sewer water was to rise lubricant  25 , such as grease lubricates top brake  7 , and recess  35 , from restriction and also seals the reservoir  17 , and prevents foreign objects from entering the reservoir  17 , For maintenance purpose, with my invention fully installed cylindrical body  3 , is erected to its full extension by pulling top brake  7 , in an upward direction using pin  39 , a lubricant  25 , is then poured in to a reservoir  17 . The lubricant  25 , used to lubricate cylindrical body  3 , and seal  5 , to prevent restriction of movement while cylindrical body  3 , is being erected as shown in  FIG. 5 , the sewer water may also lubricant the section of cylindrical body  3 , under seal  5 , before the pressure of the sewer water erects the cylindrical body  3 . Then cylindrical body  3 , is pushed back to its neutral position. The pin  39 , is used for maintenance purpose the sewer cleanout cap sensor can be maintenance by pulling pin  39 , in an upward position while lubricate  25 , in reservoir  17 , lubricates cylindrical body  3 , and seal  5 , then pushed back to its neutral position as shown in  FIG. 1 . After a or multiple erections are made the sensor are pushed back to its neutral position, to detect another day.  
         [0075]     While I have shown and described in considerable detail what I consider to be the preferred form of my invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the shape and arrangement of the several parts of the device, and that such details are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.