Abstract:
Plumbing snakes, in-line carriers for sondes, and techniques for using the same are disclosed. Some example in-line sonde carriers may include proximal couplings for releasably connecting to plumbing snakes; elongated sonde carrying sections; distal couplings mounted to the sonde carrying sections; tools including tool couplings configured to releasably engage the distal couplings of the sonde carrying sections; and sonde tether assemblies, including retainers shaped to be received and captured within the proximal couplings, elongated, flexible tethers coupled to and extending distally from the retainers, and sondes coupled to and extending distally from the tethers. In some example embodiments, the tethers and the sondes of the sonde tether assemblies may be received within the sonde carrying sections via insertion through axial through-passages of the proximal couplings.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present disclosure is directed to sewer and/or drain clearing devices and, more particularly, to power-driven sewer and/or drain clearing devices, also known as plumber&#39;s snakes, which may be configured to carry locating sondes, and methods of using the same. 
         [0002]    The present disclosure contemplates that snakes may be used to locate and/or clear partial and/or complete blockages in pipes, such as drain pipes and sewer lines. Some snakes may comprise flexible lengths of coiled metal wire, which may be generally in the form of helical coil springs. The flexible lengths comprising the snake may be coupled together, end-to-end, and/or may be inserted into a clogged pipe, such as via a clean-out fitting in a drain pipe. The snake may be propelled by a powered snake machine, which may be configured to rotate the snake about its longitudinal axis while progressively driving the snake into or withdrawing the snake from the pipe. 
         [0003]    The present disclosure contemplates that it may be desirable to identify the location of buried pipes and, in particular, it may be desirable to identify the location of a blockage in an underground pipe. In some cases, the location of a blockage may determine the party responsible for the cost of clearing the blockage. For example, property owners may be responsible for blockages occurring on their property, and a municipality may be responsible for blockages occurring in sewer laterals and mains. Also, for a blockage that cannot be cleared using a snake, it may be desirable to determine the location of a blockage to reduce the extent of excavation required to access the blocked portion of the pipe. 
         [0004]    The present disclosure contemplates that sondes, such as radio sondes configured to emit a radio signal at a predetermined frequency, may be used to locate buried pipes and/or blockages within buried pipes. For example, a snake may be inserted into a clogged pipe until the distal end of the snake reaches a blockage. If the blockage is not readily cleared, it may be desirable to ascertain the location of the blockage. Thus, the snake may be withdrawn from the pipe, a sonde may be attached to the snake, and the snake may be inserted into the pipe until the sonde reaches the blockage. Then, the location of the sonde (e.g., the location of the blockage) may be determined using a radio-locating device configured to cooperate with the sonde. 
         [0005]    The following U.S. Patent and U.S. Patent Application Publications may be relevant to the present disclosure and are incorporated by reference into this Background section: U.S. Pat. No. 7,298,126; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0155168; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0166035; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0300863. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Example embodiments may include plumbing snakes, in-line carriers for sondes, and techniques for using the same. Some example in-line sonde carriers may include proximal couplings for releasably connecting to plumbing snakes; elongated sonde carrying sections; distal couplings mounted to the sonde carrying sections; tools including tool couplings configured to releasably engage the distal couplings of the sonde carrying sections; and sonde tether assemblies, including retainers shaped to be received and captured within the proximal couplings, elongated, flexible tethers coupled to and extending distally from the retainers, and sondes coupled to and extending distally from the tethers. In some example embodiments, the tethers and/or the sondes of the sonde tether assemblies may be received within the sonde carrying sections via insertion through axial through-passages of the proximal couplings. 
         [0007]    In an aspect, an in-line sonde carrier for a plumbing snake may include a proximal coupling for releasably connecting to a distal end of a plumbing snake, the proximal coupling including an axial through-passage; an elongated sonde carrying section constructed of coiled metal wire, the sonde carrying section being mounted to the proximal coupling; a distal coupling mounted to the sonde carrying section; a tool including a tool coupling configured to releasably engage the distal coupling of the sonde carrying section; and a sonde tether assembly, including a retainer shaped to be received and captured within the proximal coupling, and an elongated, flexible tether coupled to and extending distally from the retainer, the tether being adapted to mount to a sonde extending distally from the tether; where the tether and the sonde of the sonde tether assembly may be received within the sonde carrying section via insertion through the axial through-passage of the proximal coupling. 
         [0008]    In a detailed embodiment, the proximal coupling may include a proximally opening, axially oriented generally hexagonal cavity for receiving therein a corresponding distally extending, generally hexagonal section of a distal coupling of the plumbing snake. In a detailed embodiment, the proximal coupling may include a generally radially oriented, cylindrical opening extending from the hexagonal cavity for receiving therein a spring-biased locking pin extending generally radially from the hexagonal section of the distal coupling of the plumbing snake. 
         [0009]    In a detailed embodiment, the sonde carrying section may comprise a distal, relatively smaller diameter portion and a proximal, relatively larger diameter portion and/or the tether and the sonde may be received substantially within the proximal, relatively larger diameter portion. In a detailed embodiment, the tether may comprise a helical coil spring. In a detailed embodiment, the retainer may comprise a distal, relatively smaller diameter section sized to be received within the axial through-passage of the proximal coupling and a proximal, relatively larger diameter section too large to pass through the axial through-passage. In a detailed embodiment, the tool may comprise a blade cutter. In a detailed embodiment, the proximal coupling and the distal coupling may be threadedly engaged with the sonde-carrying section. 
         [0010]    In an aspect, a plumbing snake system may include an elongated, flexible plumbing snake including a distal end; a snake distal coupling mounted to the distal end of the snake; and an in-line sonde carrier including a sonde carrier proximal coupling configured to releasably connect to the snake distal coupling, an elongated, flexible sonde-carrying section extending distally from the sonde carrier proximal coupling, a sonde carrier distal coupling extending distally from the sonde-carrying section, a tool including a tool coupling configured to releasably connect to the sonde carrier distal coupling, a sonde tether assembly including a tether and a sonde received axially within the sonde-carrying section via a through-passage in the sonde carrier proximal coupling. 
         [0011]    In a detailed embodiment, the sonde carrier proximal coupling may include a proximally opening cavity; and the snake distal coupling may comprise a distally extending section configured to be received within the proximally opening cavity of the sonde carrier proximal coupling to releasably connect the in-line sonde carrier to the snake. In a detailed embodiment, the proximally opening cavity of the sonde carrier proximal coupling may comprise a generally axially oriented, generally hexagonal cavity; and the distally extending section of the snake distal coupling may include a generally hexagonal section configured to be received within the hexagonal cavity of the sonde carrier proximal coupling. In a detailed embodiment, the sonde carrier proximal coupling may include a generally radially oriented opening extending from the proximally opening cavity; and the distally extending section of the snake distal coupling may include a biased locking pin extending generally radially, the locking pin being configured to be received within the radially oriented opening when the distally extending section is installed within the proximally opening cavity. 
         [0012]    In a detailed embodiment, the sonde-carrying section may be constructed from coiled metal wire. In a detailed embodiment, the sonde-carrying section may comprise a distal, relatively smaller diameter portion and a proximal, relatively larger diameter portion. In a detailed embodiment, the tether may hold the sonde within the proximal, relatively larger diameter portion of the sonde-carrying section. 
         [0013]    In an aspect, a method of using a plumbing snake may include installing a sonde tether assembly including a sonde into an in-line sonde carrier through an axial through-passage in a proximal coupling of the in-line sonde carrier; connecting the proximal coupling of the in-line sonde carrier to a distal coupling of a plumbing snake, thereby capturing a portion of the sonde tether assembly within the proximal coupling of the in-line sonde carrier; and inserting the in-line sonde carrier and the snake into a pipe. 
         [0014]    In a detailed embodiment, a method may include mounting a tool to the in-line sonde carrier by connecting a tool coupling affixed to the tool to a distal coupling of the in-line sonde carrier. In a detailed embodiment, the inserting operation may include inserting the in-line sonde carrier and the snake into the pipe until the in-line sonde carrier reaches a blockage in the pipe and/or the method may include determining a location of the sonde using a receiver. In a detailed embodiment, a method may include at least partially clearing the blockage using the tool. 
         [0015]    In a detailed embodiment, the connecting operation may include depressing a locking pin extending generally radially from a hexagonal section extending distally from the distal coupling of the snake; inserting the hexagonal section into a proximally opening, axially oriented, hexagonal cavity in the proximal coupling of the in-line sonde carrier; extending the locking pin into a generally radially oriented opening in the proximal coupling of the in-line sonde carrier. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The detailed description refers to the following figures in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is an elevation view of an example in-line sonde carrier; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a partially exploded view of an example in-line sonde carrier, a sonde tether assembly, and a snake; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of an example in-line sonde carrier coupled to a power-driven snake; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is an elevation view of an example sonde tether assembly; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an example in-line sonde carrier proximal coupling; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an example in-line sonde carrier proximal coupling; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an example in-line-sonde carrier proximal connector with a sonde tether assembly partially installed; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an example in-line sonde carrier proximal coupling with a sonde tether assembly fully installed; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an example snake distal end coupling; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is an elevation view of an example snake distal end coupling; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of an example in-line sonde carrier distal end coupling and tool; all in accordance with at least some examples of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    The present disclosure includes, inter alia, sewer and/or drain clearing devices and, more particularly, power-driven sewer and/or drain clearing devices, also known as plumber&#39;s snakes, which may be configured to carry locating sondes, and methods of using the same. 
         [0029]    Some example embodiments according to the present disclosure may comprise an in-line sonde carrier, which may be installed between the distal end of a snake and the tool. Some example embodiments may allow the snake to carry both the sonde and the tool simultaneously, thereby allowing locating and clearing a blockage while snaking the pipe only once. 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example in-line sonde carrier  100 , which may include an in-line sonde carrier proximal end coupling  102 , a sonde-carrying section  104  extending distally from the proximal end coupling  102 , and an in-line sonde carrier distal end coupling  106  mounted to a distal end of the sonde-carrying section. A tool  108  may be mounted to the distal end coupling  106  using a corresponding tool coupling  110 . 
         [0031]    In some example embodiments, sonde-carry section  104  may be constructed from a flexible length of coiled metal wire generally similar to the flexible lengths of coiled metal wire, which may be generally in the form of helical coil springs, that are used in plumbing snakes. In some example embodiments, sonde-carrying section  104  may include portions having different diameters. For example, sonde-carrying section  104  may include a proximally located, expanded diameter section  104 A and/or a distally located, smaller diameter section  1048 . In one example embodiment, expanded diameter section  104 A may have an outer diameter of about 1 7/16 inches and/or smaller diameter section  1048  may have an outer diameter of about 1 7/32 inches (which is about the same diameter as the snake section  300 —see  FIG. 3 ). In some example embodiments, expanded diameter section  104 A may have a diameter greater than a diameter of a corresponding snake and/or expanded diameter section  104 A may have an internal diameter adapted to receive a sonde therein. Sonde-carry section  104  may be substantially bendable to allow passage through fittings, pipe elbows, and the like. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is a partially exploded view of an example in-line sonde carrier  100 , a sonde tether assembly  200 , and a snake  300 . An example sonde tether assembly  200  may include a sonde  202  (such as a radio sonde) which may be mounted to the distal end of a flexible, elongated tether  204 . A retainer  206  may be mounted to the proximal end of tether  204 . Snake  300  may include a snake distal end coupling  302  at a distal end  300 A of snake  300 , which may be configured to releasably engage sonde carrier proximal end coupling  102 . 
         [0033]    Sonde tether assembly  200 , including sonde  202 , may be mounted within in-line sonde carrier  100  by inserting sonde tether assembly  200  through sonde carrier proximal end coupling  102 . In some example embodiments, sonde tether assembly  200  may be configured to position sonde  202  near the distal end of expanded diameter section  104 A of sonde-carrying section  104  when retainer  206  is within sonde carrier proximal end coupling  102  as will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 8 . Then, in-line sonde carrier  100  may be mounted to snake  300  by engaging sonde carrier proximal end coupling  102  with snake distal end coupling  302 , which may operate to trap retainer  206  of sonde tether assembly between sonde carrier proximal end coupling  102  and snake distal end coupling  302 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of an example in-line sonde carrier  100  mounted to the distal end of a power-driven snake  300 . Snake  300  may be propelled by snake machine  304 , which may be electrically powered. Snake machine  304  may be configured to drive snake  300  distally and proximally, as desired, while rotating snake  300  about its longitudinal axis. Snake  300 , with in-line sonde carrier  100  mounted within sonde carrying section  104 , may be inserted into a pipe  400 , which may include a blockage  402 . Sonde  202 , carried within in-line sonde carrier  100 , may emit a signal  208 , which may be detected by receiver  210  to assist in identifying the location of pipe  400  and/or blockage  402  from above, for example. 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  is an elevation view of an example sonde tether assembly  200  including sonde  202 , which may be mounted to the distal end of flexible, elongated tether  204 . For example, sonde  202  may be connected to the distal end of elongated tether  204  using a split ring  212 . In some example embodiments, elongated tether  204  may comprise a flexible coil spring. 
         [0036]    Retainer  206  may be mounted to the proximal end of tether  204 . In some example embodiments, retainer  206  may be generally cylindrical and/or may be sized to be received within sonde carrier proximal end coupling  102 . A reduced diameter distal section  214  may engage the proximal end of elongated tether  204  and/or an expanded diameter proximal section  216  may extend radially outside distal section  214 . As described below, retainer  206  may engage sonde carrier proximal coupling  102  to hold sonde  202  in position within sonde carrying section  104 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an example in-line sonde carrier proximal coupling  102 , which may be generally cylindrical. Sonde carrier proximal coupling  102  may include a distal threaded section  112  for engaging the proximal end of sonde carrying section  104 , a hexagonal proximal end cavity  114  (facing generally proximally), and/or a generally cylindrical opening  116  extending generally radially into hexagonal proximal end cavity  114 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an example in-line sonde carrier proximal coupling  102 , which may include a circular, axial through-passage  118  extending generally centrally from hexagonal proximal end cavity  114  through threaded section  112  ( FIG. 5 ). 
         [0039]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an example in-line-sonde carrier proximal coupling  102  with a sonde tether assembly  200  ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ) partially installed. As illustrated, sonde  202  may be inserted through hexagonal proximal end cavity  114  and axial through-passage  118  of sonde carrier proximal coupling  102 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an example in-line sonde carrier proximal coupling  102  with sonde tether assembly  200  ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ) fully installed such that only proximal section  216  of retainer  206  is visible in hexagonal distal end cavity  114 . 
         [0041]      FIGS. 9 and 10  are, respectively, a perspective view of an example snake distal end coupling  302  and an elevation view of an example snake distal end coupling  302 . A proximally extending, threaded section  406  may releasably couple with snake  300 . A generally cylindrical flange  408  may be disposed distally from threaded section  406  and/or may extend radially beyond threaded section  406 . A generally hexagonal section  410  may extend distally from flange  408  such that it may be releasably received in hexagonal proximal end cavity  114  of sonde carrier proximal coupling  102  ( FIGS. 5-8 ). Some example embodiments may include a biased locking pin  412  extending generally radially from hexagonal section  410  such that locking pin  412  may be received within cylindrical opening  116  of sonde carrier proximal coupling  102 . 
         [0042]    As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , locking pin  412  may be slidably mounted within a generally diametrically oriented through-bore  414  extending through hexagonal section  410  of snake distal end coupling  302 . A bias, such as a helical coil compression spring  416 , may be mounted within through-bore  414  and may be configured to bias locking pin  412  radially outwards. In some example embodiments, spring  416  may be captured in through-bore  414  between a cap  418  (which may be threaded into through-bore  414 ) and locking pin  412 , which may be retained by a shoulder  420  in through-bore  414 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of an example in-line sonde carrier distal end coupling  106  and tool  108 . Sonde carrier distal end coupling  106  may be generally cylindrical and may include a proximally extending, threaded end  120  for releasably engaging the distal end of sonde-carrying section  104 . A generally cylindrical flange  122  may be disposed distally from threaded end  120 . Sonde carrier distal end coupling  106  may include a distally positioned, diametrically oriented, generally T-shaped boss  124 . 
         [0044]    Tool  108  may include tool coupling  110 , which may include a proximally positioned, diametrically oriented, generally T-shaped slot  126 . T-shaped slot  126  may be configured to releasably receive T-shaped boss  124  of sonde carrier distal end coupling  106 . Tool  108  may also include, for example, a blade cutter  128  affixed to the distal end of tool coupling  110 . 
         [0045]    Referring generally to  FIG. 3 , some example in-line sonde carriers according to the present disclosure may be used as follows. Access to pipe  400  may be obtained, such as by removing a plug from a clean-out fitting. Snake machine  304  may be positioned to drive snake  300  into pipe  400 . Sonde  202  may be prepared for use, such as by installing batteries, switching on, etc. Sonde tether assembly  200  may be installed in in-line sonde carrier  100  by inserting sonde tether assembly  200  through sonde carrier proximal coupling  102 . Sonde carrier proximal coupling  102  may be connected to snake distal coupling  302  by inserting hexagonal section  410  into hexagonal cavity  114  with locking pin  412  depressed. Once hexagonal section  410  is fully inserted into hexagonal cavity  114 , spring  416  may bias locking pin  412  radially outward into cylindrical opening  116 , thereby locking sonde carrier proximal coupling  102  to snake distal coupling  302  and/or trapping retainer  206  of sonde tether assembly  200  therebetween. A tool  108  may be installed by joining tool coupling  110  to sonde carrier distal end coupling  106 . Snake machine  304  may be operated to drive in-line sonde carrier  100  and snake  300  into pipe  400 . Once blockage  402  is reached (or at any time), receiver  210  may be used to detect the position of sonde  202  by receiving signals emitted by sonde  202 . Blockage  402  may be reduced and/or cleared by operating snake machine  304  to utilize tool  108  to penetrate, break apart, and/or retrieve blockage  402 . Snake machine  304  may be operated to withdraw snake  300  and in-line sonde carrier  100  from pipe  400 . 
         [0046]    While example embodiments have been set forth above for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the above precise embodiments and that changes may be made without departing from the scope. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the stated advantages or objects disclosed herein to fall within the scope of the disclosure, since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages of the may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.