Patent Publication Number: US-9850652-B2

Title: Septic line cleaning assistance device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/023,368 entitled “SEPTIC LINE CLEANING ASSISTANCE DEVICE”, filed on Jul. 11, 2014 which is incorporated fully herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device that enables regulated suction of a T-pipe from a waste source to an external upper opening in the T-pipe; and more particularly, relates to a septic line cleaning device that is lowered into alignment with a T-pipe for plugging a lower opening on the T-pipe to allow for suction of a fluid from a waste pipe or opening through an upper opening in the T-pipe. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is known that a septic tank is a key component of a septic system used to receive and process household waste effluent. The septic tank is a small-scale sewage treatment system common in areas with no connection to main sewage pipes provided by local governments or private corporations. The septic tank generally consists of a tank of between 1,000 and 2,000 gallons connected to an inlet wastewater pipe at one end, and a septic drain field at the other. In general, the inlet pipe connections is made through a T pipe baffle, which allows liquid to enter and exit without disturbing any crust on the surface. A “T” pipe baffle is connected to the building drain line in the middle portion of the “T” which the effluent drops downward when entering the “T” while the top portion is open and unused. 
     Recent septic tank designs provide for the inlet T-Baffle that effectively joins the building plumbing with the inlet to the septic tank. The septic line between a building and the septic tank is a continual source of plugging due to objects being flushed down the toilet or drains. 
     The prior art method of cleaning the septic line from the building to the tank involves running a metal coil, referred to as a “snake”, down the septic line from the toilet in the house or from a clean out opening provided in the drain line as the line exits the home. This caused a mess and was very time consuming. Additionally, use of the snake typically involves having to clean the septic line from inside the house. Furthermore, the septic line to the septic tank often follows a tortuous path that makes the snake difficult to maneuver within the septic line. 
     Accordingly, what is needed is a device that plugs a portion of a “T” connection within in the septic tank to enable external cleaning of the septic line through direct suction from the tank and not the home or building by connecting a suction device to the top most opening of the “T” baffle. 
     The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to a septic line cleaning assistive device that positions into alignment with one of three inlets on a T-pipe on a septic line, to block or plug the lower opening of the T-pipe while allowing access by a septic line cleaning hose or line to an upper opening in the T-pipe. The blocked lower opening enables a suction apparatus to suck waste through an upper opening in the T-pipe. 
     The device comprises a substantially linear rod configured to be easily inserted through a surface aperture, such as a septic tank clean-out, and positioned into place along the T-pipe. The rod includes a plug at one end configured to mate with the lower opening in the T-pipe. The plug end includes a plug that frictionally engages the lower opening to effectively seal the lower opening and enable the fluid to flow directly from the waste opening from the sewer line connected to the second of the three “T” openings and up through the upper opening in the T-pipe to which is connected a suction line from a device such as a septic-tank cleaning truck. 
     The rod further includes a handle end having a grip for enabling the positioning of the plug into the lower opening, and for pulling the plug into a mating position with the lower opening. An adjustable peripheral fastener is provided on the rod and is configured to slide up and down the rod and in use, slides down over the top or upper “T” opening to prevent the plug from falling out of the bottom of the “T”. In this manner, a suction apparatus (such as a suction hose from a septic truck) can mate with the upper opening and create a vacuum from the upper opening through the horizontal line coming in from the home or business into the septic tank such that the T-pipe and the septic line leading to the waste source can be suctioned and cleaned/unplugged externally from the upper opening of the T-pipe in the septic tank. 
     In this manner, the septic tank content beneath the lower opening remains in place, as only the passage between the waste source and the upper opening of the T-pipe is suctioned cleaned. In essence, the present invention provides an efficient manner of cleaning a septic line between a waste source and a “T” pipe connection within a septic tank without having to access the inside of a building. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the handle end comprises a peripheral fastener arranged to extend in a substantially perpendicular arrangement from the rod. The peripheral fastener is preferably circular in shape and designed and configured to surround the T-pipe for securing the rod to the T-pipe and also helps to align the plug with the lower opening. 
     In operation, the septic line cleaning device is lowered such that the plug is in alignment with a lower opening of the T-pipe (the lower opening of the “T” is generally located below the liquid level in the tank), for plugging a lower opening of the T-pipe. In this manner external suction of waste is possible from an upper opening in the T-pipe to draw and remove waste from the waste pipe located between the building and the “T” connector or baffle in the tank and not from the tank itself. 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a pipe cleaning device for regulating flow of a fluid while cleaning a pipe comprises a rod including a plug end and a handle end. The plug end comprises a plug base arranged substantially perpendicular to the rod. The plug base is configured to join with a plug, wherein a smaller diameter end of the plug is disposed and oriented towards the handle end and parallel to the rod. The plug is configured to restrict/block flow of the fluid through a lower opening in a T-pipe. 
     The handle end comprises a grip configured to enable manipulation of the rod for positioning of the plug. The rod further comprises a peripheral fastener configured to align the plug end into the T-pipe and align the plug to the lower opening in the T-pipe, wherein the plugged lower opening enables the fluid to flow from a waste opening in the T-pipe to an upper opening in the T-pipe. The peripheral fastener is configured to slide up and down the length of the rod. In use, the peripheral fastener is lowered onto and around the top opening of the T-pipe and prevents the plug end from falling out of the bottom opening in the T-pipe. The device allows for suction cleaning of a septic line between an external surface aperture and a waste source without requiring internal entry of a building to access the waste source. 
     The rod is preferably a rigid metal or hard plastic or some similar material configured to pass through a surface aperture, such as a drain hole or septic tank clean out opening. The rod is sufficiently rigid to forcefully pull the plug into frictional engagement with the lower opening. 
     The plug typically has a conical or tapered shape sized and dimensioned to frictionally mate with the lower opening of the T-pipe. The plug is preferably made of a resilient material such as rubber or silicone. The plug forms a seal that prevents the flow of air and waste fluid from beneath the lower opening of the T-pipe, such that a suction is generated only between the top opening of the T-pipe and the middle horizontal portion of the T pipe. 
     The invention is not intended to be limited to a device or method which must satisfy one or more of any stated or implied objects or features of the invention and should not be limited to the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are various views of an exemplary septic line cleaning assistance device according to the invention, wherein  FIG. 1A  is a detailed perspective view, and  FIG. 1B  is a rear view; 
         FIG. 2  is a upper angle perspective view of an exemplary T-pipe joined with a waste source as viewed through a clean out opening in a septic tank; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectioned side schematic view of an exemplary septic line cleaning assistance device showing the rod aligning with the T-pipe and an exemplary plug frictionally engaging the lower opening in the T-pipe; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are views of an exemplary plug end of the rod, where  FIG. 4A  is a top view and  FIG. 4B  is a bottom view; and 
         FIG. 5  is a view of an exemplary plug base and an exemplary threaded plug. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is described in connection with  FIGS. 1-5 , and provides a septic line cleaning assistance device  100  that is configured to be positioned into alignment with a T-pipe  200  on a septic line  216  to block or seal a lower opening  204  in the T-pipe  200 . The blocked lower opening  204  then enables a suction apparatus (not shown but including for example a septic tank cleanout vacuum line coupled to a septic tank cleaning truck) to suck waste from a waste opening  206  in the T-pipe  200  through an upper opening  202  in the T-pipe  200 . The waste opening  206  receives waste from a waste source such as a home or business or other structure. The upper opening  202  mates with a suction device (such as a suction hose from a septic tank cleaning truck) to enable the effluent  208  to flow directly from the waste opening  206  to the upper opening  202  and into the suction cleaning hose  121 . 
     A septic tank inlet T baffle plug  106  allows the septic line  216  between an occupied structure and an external opening to be suctioned clean without disturbing the septic tank, and without requiring internal entry of the building to access the beginning of the septic line  216 . Rather, the waste is sucked out through an external aperture (the “T” pipe) in a septic tank  201 . 
     As referenced in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the device  100  according to the invention comprises a substantially linear rod  102  configured to be easily inserted through a surface aperture, such as a drain clean-out or a septic tank opening  203 . The rod  102  is sufficiently rigid (of metal, plastic or some other similar rigid material) so as to allow the user to pass the device  100  through the surface aperture  203 , yet flexible enough to maneuver through tight or tortuous cavities. Suitable materials for the rod  102  can include, without limitation, iron, aluminum, metal alloy, rigid polymers, polyurethane, fiberglass, and wood. The rod  102  is sufficiently rigid to allow the user to forcefully pull the plug  106  into frictional engagement with the lower opening  204  of the “T”. The rod  102  positions into alignment with the T-pipe  200 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , the T-pipe  200  can include, without limitation, an inlet T baffle formed as a T junction. The T-pipe  200  effectively forms a three-way junction between the waste source input  206 , the septic tank via a lower end aperture  204 , and an external or upper surface aperture  202 . The waste opening  206  mates with the waste source, which can include a toilet and septic line  216  leading thereto. The lower opening  204  opens into a septic tank or sewer system  201 . The upper opening  202  opens up into the septic tank (above the waste level) or external ambient air and also allows for receiving the suction apparatus as will be described below. 
     As referenced in  FIG. 3 , the rod  102  comprises a plug end  104  configured to mate with the lower opening  204  in the T-pipe  200 . The plug end  104  is disposed at a distal point that engages the lower opening  204 . The plug end  104  comprises a plug base  108  arranged substantially perpendicular to the rod  102 . The plug base  108  joins with and supports a plug  106 . 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates a top view of the plug end  104 , whereby the plug  106  is oriented in a substantially vertical direction for proper sealing of the lower opening  204 .  FIG. 4B  shows the base plug  106  bolted into the plug  106  to form a stable plug  106  for sealing the lower opening  204 . As referenced in  FIG. 5 , another embodiment provides the plug  106  threadably engaging the plug base  108  to form a secure attachment thereto. However, the plug base  108  and the plug  106  can also be attached together through and by other means, including, without limitation, screws, magnets, frictional engagement, adhesives, and locking pins. 
     The plug  106  is disposed to orient away from the plug end  104 , and towards an upper opening  202  in the T-pipe  200 . The plug  106  is configured to restrict flow of an effluent  208  through a lower opening  204  of a T-pipe  200 . This flow restriction enables the effluent  208  to flow from the waste opening  206  into the upper opening  202  of the T-pipe  200 . The fluid can include, without limitation, water, sludge, sewage and the like. 
       FIG. 3  shows the plug  106  frictionally engaging the lower opening  204  of the T-pipe  200  to effectively seal the lower opening  204 . In a preferred embodiment, the plug  106  includes a rubber conical member sized and dimensioned to frictionally mate with the lower opening  204  of the T baffle. 
     The rod  102  further includes a handle end  110  for manipulating the rod  102  and the plug  106 . The handle end  110  comprises a grip  112  for enabling the positioning of the plug  106  into the lower opening  204 , and for pulling the plug  106  into a mating position with the lower opening  204 . The grip  112  can include any type of grip  112  that a hand or machine can grasp. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the device  100  of the invention further includes a peripheral fastener  114  arranged to extend in a substantially perpendicular arrangement from the rod  102 . The peripheral fastener  114  is configured to slide up and down along the longitudinal axis of the rod  102  to engage the T-pipe  200 . The peripheral fastener  114  includes a rod interconnection portion  115  that allows the peripheral fastener  114  to slide up and down the rod  102  and be held in place by securing an adjustable knob  117 . The peripheral fastener  114  also includes a T pipe interconnection portion  119  in the form of a ring that may be size adjustable to encompass various diameters of T-pipes  200 . The peripheral fastener  114  is configured for being lowered into position and surrounding the upper most portion  202  of the T-pipe  200 , for securing the rod  102  and the plug end  106  to the T-pipe  200  and also helping to align the plug  106  with the lower opening  204 . 
     In operation, the septic line  216  septic line  216  cleaning device  100  is lowered into alignment with a T-pipe  200  for restricting the flow of effluent  208  through the lower opening  204  of the T-pipe  200 . In this manner external suction of waste is possible from the upper opening  202  in the T-pipe  200  to remove waste from the waste opening  206  in the T-pipe  200  through the septic line  216 . In one possible embodiment of use, a user holds the device  100  by the grip  112  and lowers the rod  102  through the surface aperture of a septic tank or cover hole  203 . The user then aligns the plug  106  with the lower opening  204  of the T-pipe  200  and applies an upward force to frictionally engage the tapered plug  106  with the lower opening  204 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The tapered shape of the plug  106  allows the plug  106  to be sized so as to fit into several differently sized T-pipes  200 . 
     The user then slides down the peripheral fastener  114  along the rod  102  around an upper section of the T-pipe  200  to help stabilize the device  100  in place. A suction hose  121  from a suction apparatus, such as a sewer suction truck (not shown), can then be attached to the upper opening  202 , and the septic line  216  between a house or building and the waste opening  206  in the T pipe is suctioned to remove blockages from waste. The suction apparatus joins with the upper opening  202  to pull waste through the T-pipe  200  and the septic line  216  leading to the waste source. In this manner, the suction apparatus can create a vacuum from the upper opening  202  such that waste in the T-pipe  200  and the septic line  216  leading to the waste source can be suctioned externally without creating any suction of waste material in the tank from the bottom of the T-pipe. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that the cleaning of the septic line  216  and T-pipe  200  occurs while the contents in a septic tank beneath the lower opening  204  remain undisturbed, as only the passage between the waste opening  206  and the upper opening  202  in the T-pipe  200  are suctioned cleaned. Once the cleaning is finished, the peripheral fastener  114  is loosened from the T-pipe  200  and raised towards the upper opening  202  for disengagement with the T-pipe  200 . The plug  106  is pressed out of the lower opening  204  by a downward pressure or motion with or without a twisting motion, and a cover on the septic tank is replaced. In essence, the present invention provides an efficient manner of cleaning a septic line  216  between a waste source and a surface aperture without having to access the inside of an occupied structure. 
     The present invention is not intended to be limited to an apparatus or method which must satisfy one or more of any stated or implied objects or features of the invention and should not be limited to the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the allowed claims and their legal equivalents.