Patent Publication Number: US-6990879-B2

Title: Drain line re-perforator device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates generally to sewage disposal systems used in residential and commercial environments. More particularly, the present invention relates to a drain line re-perforator device for punching holes in clogged drain pipe sections in a sewage disposal system. Specifically, the drain line re-perforator device of the instant invention includes an outer cylindrically-shaped housing member, a dual-actuating ram assembly disposed concentrically within the outer housing member, and a plurality of angled bracket members mounted hingedly on the peripheral surface of the outer housing member so as to move outward radially punch bits for perforating drain pipe sections in a sewage disposal system. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   As is generally known in the past, it has been typical to provide sewage disposal systems for individual homes, commercial buildings, and the like located outside of areas serviced by community sewage treatment systems. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , there is shown a conventional sewage disposal system  100  which includes a septic tank  10  and a drain field defined by a plurality of interconnected flexible corrugated drain pipe sections  12 , formed usually by horizontally extending perforated conduits or tubes. The septic tank  10  has its inlet port  14  connected to a sewer line  16  extending from a house or building (not shown) and has its outlet port  18  coupled to a distribution box or header pipe section  20  via an interconnecting pipe section  22 . The header pipe section  20  has an inlet junction  24  for connection to the interconnecting pipe section  22  and a plurality of concrete or fiberglass junction boxes  26  for connection to corresponding ones of the corrugated drain pipe sections  12 . 
   The septic tank  10  includes normally entrapment of floating solids and settling of other solids which are degraded in the septic tank by micro-organisms. The effluent having a substantial portion of the solids removed is then fed from the outlet port  18  of the septic tank  10  through the interconnecting pipe section  22  to the header pipe section  20  which distributes the effluent to flow through the plurality of corrugated drain pipe sections  12 . The corrugated drain pipe sections  12  are disposed within a drainage trench and surrounded by a quantity of loose aggregate material  28 , such as rock, gravel, or crushed stone and covered with compacted soil  29 . The corrugated drain pipe sections  12  are further formed with a number of holes or perforations so that the effluent being carried can be easily drained therefrom and percolate into the soil  29 . The space between the corrugated drain pipe sections  12  and the ground occupied by the aggregate material  28  serves to provide a draining cavity in fluid communication with the perforations in the corrugated drain pipe sections  12 . 
   While the aggregate material  28  generally prevents the blockage of the pipe perforations, it has been encountered that after many years of using the sewage disposal system the perforations in one or more of the pipe sections  12  can become clogged or damaged and thus render the system inoperable. This clogging or damage may be the result of many causes, such as soil movements, deterioration of the aggregate material, blockage of the holes in the pipe sections, and the like. The conventional method of repairing the clogged or damaged pipe sections requires expensive and labor-intensive excavation, removal of the damaged pipe sections, and installation of new pipe sections. The disadvantage of this prior art method is apparent when it is considered that the pipe sections are quite numerous extending up to a hundred feet or so and are buried commonly several feet underneath the backyard of the individual home. Therefore, substantial expense can be involved in subterranean digging and repair under such conditions. In addition, this prior art method can require a long period of time and during this time, use of the sewage disposal system is unavailable as well as the backyard of the home. 
   Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a method and apparatus for unclogging drain pipe sections in a sewage disposal system which is relatively simple and inexpensive in design, construction, and operation. It would also be expedient that the apparatus for unclogging the drain pipe sections be operable easily and safely by an unskilled workman such as a homeowner or the like. 
   A prior art search directed to the subject matter of this application in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office revealed the following Letters Patent and application: 
   
     
       
         
             
           
             
                 
             
           
          
             
               3,950,461 
             
             
               4,197,908 
             
             
               4,254,075 
             
             
               4,434,815 
             
             
               5,167,279 
             
             
               5,960,894 
             
             
               6,386,797 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   In U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,894 to Terry G. Lilly et al. issued on Oct. 5, 1999, there is disclosed an expendable tube conveyed perforator system for perforating well casings which includes an outer tube and inner tubular structure disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the outer tube. The inner structure is provided with holes for accommodating a plurality of shaped explosive charges connected together by primer cords. The expendable tubing conveyed perforator may be combined in sections to produce a longer perforator unit. In use, the expendable tubing conveyed perforator is lowered into the casing well to the desired depth and is then detonated. 
   In U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,797 to Stephen V. Gearhart issued on May 14, 2002, there is taught a mobile cutting system for cutting lateral openings in rehabilitative sewer pipe liners which includes a sled having a cylindrical body and runners. An extension arm is extendable and retractable in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body. A cutting head is attached to the extendable arm which is rotatable relative to the cutting head. Also, the arm may be rotated relative to the body. A solenoid valve disposed within the body of the sled is used to supply ultra-high pressure fluid to the cutting head. After the sled is placed in the vicinity of the lateral connection in which an opening is to be cut, the extension and rotation may be performed by an electric motor so as to bring the cutting head into the specific location of cutting. 
   In U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,279 to Lawrence R. Stafford issued on Dec. 1, 1992, there is taught a well casing cleaning assembly comprising a tubular mandrel provided with a plurality of longitudinal slots formed on its peripheral surface. The slots are distributed at substantially equal arc increments in a peripheral strip around the mandrel in which replaceable knife carriers are inserted. A longitudinal opening extends through the pivot carrier into the bore in which a knife blade is received. A pivot pin then engages the blade to the pivot carrier for allowing pivotal motion of the blade. 
   In U.S. Pat. No. 3,950,461 to Joseph A. Levens issued on Apr. 13, 1976, there is disclosed a method and apparatus for repairing a buried main having connected lateral service conduits which consists of a flexible assembly having an elongated flexible conduit with a seal mounted near an end for insertion into a conduit. The external end of the conduit is connected a cylinder joined to a source of pressurized gas via second conduit. A valve is provided to regulate the flow of pressurized gas into the cylinder. A cutter assembly is attachable to the end adjacent the seal and includes a cutting head with a leading bit. 
   The remaining patents, listed above but not specifically discussed, are deemed to be only of general interest and show the state of the art in perforator methods and apparatuses for perforating various types of well casings, conduits, or liners which includes a cutting tool. 
   None of the prior art discussed above disclosed a drain line re-perforator device that of the present invention which includes an outer cylindrically-shaped housing member, a dual-actuating ram assembly disposed concentrically within the outer housing member, and a plurality of angled bracket members mounted hingedly on the peripheral surface of the outer housing member so as to move outward radially punch bits for perforating drain pipe sections in a sewage disposal system. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a drain line re-perforator device for punching holes in clogged drain pipe sections in a sewage disposal system which is relatively simple and inexpensive in design, construction and operation. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a drain line re-perforator device for punching holes in clogged drain pipe sections in a sewage disposal system on an efficient and cost effective basis. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a drain line re-perforator device for punching holes in clogged drain pipe sections in a sewage disposal system which can be operated easily and safely by an unskilled workman. 
   It is still another object of the present invention to provide a drain line re-perforator device for punching holes in clogged drain pipe sections in a sewage disposal system which includes an outer cylindrically-shaped housing member, a dual-actuating ram assembly disposed concentrically within the outer housing member, and a plurality of angled bracket members mounted hingedly on the peripheral surface of the outer housing member so as to move outward radially punch bits for perforating drain pipe sections in a sewage disposal system. 
   In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a drain line re-perforator device for punching holes in clogged drain pipe sections in a sewage disposal system. The re-perforator device includes an outer cylindrically-shaped housing member and a dual-actuating ram assembly disposed concentrically within the outer housing member. Three equally spaced-apart angled bracket members are mounted hingedly on the peripheral surface of the outer housing member and include a punch bit positioned for outward radial movement. The ram assembly is formed of a cylinder and a piston rod. The piston rod is moved in a reciprocal motion from a retracted position to a an extended position so as to cause the angled bracket members to pivot outwardly and the punch bits to move outward radially for punching holes in the clogged drain pipe sections. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings with like reference numerals indicating corresponding parts throughout, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a partial top view of a conventional sewage disposal system buried under a backyard, illustrating the relationship of a septic tank and a plurality of drain pipe sections; 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of one of the plurality of drain pipe sections of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a drain line re-perforator device, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is an end view of the drain line re-perforator device, illustrating the piston rod in the retracted position; 
       FIG. 5  is an end view similar to  FIG. 4 , but illustrating the piston rod in the extended position; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the dual-actuating ram and two of the angled rotatable members, illustrating the piston rod in the retracted position; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 6 , but illustrating the piston rod in the extended position; 
       FIG. 8  is a detailed view of one of the angled rotatable members of  FIG. 7 , illustrating the separate parts thereof; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the outer cylindrical member of the re-perforator device; 
       FIG. 10  is a top plan view of a second embodiment of a drain line re-perforator device in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view, taken along the lines  11 — 11  of  FIG. 10 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view, taken along the lines  12 — 12  of  FIG. 10 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a partial view of the lower end of the re-perforator device of  FIG. 10 ; 
       FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view, taken along the lines  14 — 14  of  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 15  is a functional view of the re-perforator device of  FIG. 10  for operation with an angled bracket member; and 
       FIG. 16  is a plan view of the guide plate for use in  FIG. 15 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   It is to be distinctly understood at the outset that the present invention shown in the drawings and described in detail in conjunction with the preferred embodiments is not intended to serve as a limitation upon the scope or teachings thereof, but is to be considered merely as an exemplification of the principles of the present invention. 
   Referring now in detail to the drawings, there is illustrated in  FIG. 1  a partial top plan view of a conventional sewage disposal system  100 , such as would be buried under a backyard of an individual home located outside of areas serviced by community sewage treatment systems. As earlier described in the background of this specification, the sewage disposal system  100  includes the septic tank  10  and a drain field defined by a plurality of interconnected flexible corrugated drain pipe sections  12  extending from the distribution box or header pipe section  20 . The header pipe section  20  is connected to the outlet port  18  of the septic tank  10  by way of the interconnecting pipe section  22 . The inlet port  14  of the septic tank  10  is joined to the sewer line  16  extending from the building or individual home. 
   As previously pointed out, the plurality of corrugated drain pipe sections are generally formed with holes or perforations therein so that the effluent can seep from the pipe sections. As is shown in  FIG. 2 , there is depicted an enlarged perspective view of a small portion of one of the plurality of corrugated drain pipe sections which is formed with holes or perforations  13  located along its side portions  15 . Each of the pipe sections has typically an inside diameter of approximately four inches and an outer diameter including the corrugations  17  of approximately four and three quarters inches. 
   The corrugated drain pipe sections  12  are further buried within drainage trenches and surrounded by the aggregate material  28  so that the effluent can easily drain from the pipe sections. Although the buried corrugated drain pipe sections operate quite satisfactory for this purpose, it has been experienced that over a period of time the drain pipe section can be rendered inoperative due to the perforations thereof becoming clogged or damaged. As a consequence, the drain pipe sections must be dug up and replaced which involves expensive labor-cost. 
   In order to overcome this problem associated with the drain pipe sections in the sewage disposal system of  FIG. 1 , the inventor of the present invention has developed a drain line re-perforator device for punching holes in clogged drain pipe sections in a sewage disposal system. As a result, the sewage disposal system can be repaired and made operational again on an efficient and thus cost effective basis. 
   With reference now to  FIGS. 3 through 7  of the drawings, there is depicted a perspective view of a drain line re-perforator device  200 , constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Although it is anticipated that many alternate uses of present invention will be employed, it is envisioned that preferred embodiment herein described has particular application for punching holes in clogged drain pipe sections  12  in the sewage disposal system  100  of  FIG. 1 . The drain line re-perforator device  200  for punching holes in clogged drain pipe sections in sewage disposal system is comprised of an outer cylindrical-shaped housing member  202 , a dual-actuating pneumatic ram assembly  204  disposed concentrically within the outer housing member, and a plurality (three) of spaced-apart angled bracket members  206  mounted hingedly on the peripheral surface of the housing member. 
   An air hose  208  is used to supply air to the ram assembly  204  from the outlet of an air manifold  210 . The air manifold  210  has its inlet connected to an air compressor (not shown) via inlet line  212 . A source of air is connectable to the air compressor. The air manifold  210  regulates the amount of compressed air flowing to the ram assembly  204 , which is in the range of 100 to 120 p.s.i. and is operated preferable at about 100 p.s.i. A push-button switch  214  is connected to the source of air for turning on and off the same. 
   As can be best seen from  FIGS. 6 through 8 , the dual-actuating pneumatic ram assembly  204  includes a pneumatic cylinder  216  and a piston rod  218 . An annular plate or disc  220  is mounted vertically and concentrically on the distal end of the piston rod  218  for reciprocal movement along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder  216 . The piston rod  218  drives the disc  220  in reciprocal motion in response to the control of air flowing in the air hose  208  into the cylinder  216 . Each of the angled bracket members  206  is of a generally L-shaped configuration having a shorter leg portion  222  and a longer leg portion  224 . The angled bracket members  206  are located 120 degrees apart from each other. At the distal end of the longer leg portions  224 , there is provided a threaded opening  226  therein for receiving a threaded punch bit  228  which positioned for outward radial movement. At the junction of the shorter and longer leg portions, there is provided an annular mounting portion  230  for receiving hingedly a pivot pin  232 . 
   In  FIG. 9 , there is shown a perspective view of the outer cylindrical-shaped housing member  202  which has an inner diameter of approximately three inches and is approximately eight and one-half inches in length. The housing member is made from a metallic material. Preferably, the housing member is fabricated from steel, stainless steel, or the like. At adjacent to the top end thereof, there are provided three rectangularly-shaped slots  234  which equally spaced apart at 120 degrees around the circumference of the housing member  202 . On the opposed sides of each of the slots  234 , there are formed recessed support sections  236 . Each of the slots  234  is used to receive therein a corresponding one of the annular mounting portions  230  of the angled bracket members  206 . Each of the pivot pins  232  is inserted through the respective one of the annular mounting portions  230  so that their ends thereof come to rest against the opposed recessed support sections  236 . In this manner, the angled bracket members are mounted hingedly or pivotally on the peripheral surface of the housing member. 
   In operation, the drain line re-perforator device  200  is inserted and pushed down the clogged drain pipe sections  12  (FIG.  2 ) until the end thereof is reached. As will be noted, prior to using of the re-perforator device the soil surrounding the junction box  26  must be dug up in order to gain access to the drain pipe sections  12 . Then, the re-perforator device is pulled back and stopped every so often (i.e., approximately every three inches or so) and the switch  214  is depressed so as to drive the piston rod  218  and the disc  220  in reciprocal motion in response to the air flowing through the air hose  208  coupled to the air compressor. This process is repeated over and over again until the entire length of the clogged drain pipe section  12  has been re-perforated. As a result, the piston rod and the disc are moved reciprocally along the longitudinal axis of the pneumatic cylinder  216  from its retracted or closed position (as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 ) to its extended or open position (as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 . 
   It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the flexible air pipes  217  and  219  are operatively connected to the front and rear compartments respectively of the pneumatic cylinder  216 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . When one of the air pipes  217 , 219  delivers air under pressure to one of the cylinder compartments, the other one of the air pipes drains air from the other compartments. In this fashion, the end of the piston rod disposed inside of the cylinder is permitted to move reciprocally therein. 
   When the piston rod  218  and the disc  220  are moved to their extended position, this will in turn cause the three angled bracket members  206  to pivot outwardly and the corresponding punch bits  228  to move outward radially for punching three new holes in the side portions of the drain pipe sections  12 . This is due to the engagement of the disc with the longer leg portions  224  of the angled bracket members  206  so as to force them to rotate or pivot outwardly about the pivot pin  232 . As a consequence, the newly formed holes or perforations will allow the effluent to drain out therefrom so as to unclog the clogged drain pipe sections  12 , thereby permitting the “dead” sewage disposal system to be re-used again so as to extend its useful life. 
   When the piston rod  218  and the disc  220  are back moved to their retracted position, this will in turn cause the three angled bracket members  206  to pivot inwardly and the corresponding punch bits  228  to move inward radially to the center of the housing member  202 . This is due to the engagement of the disc with the shorter leg portions  222  of the angled bracket members  206  so as to force them to rotate or pivot inwardly about the pivot pin  232 . 
   In  FIGS. 10 through 16 , there is shown a second embodiment of a drain line re-perforator device  300  of the present invention.  FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the outer cylindrically-shaped housing member  302  of the re-perforator device  300 .  FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines  11 — 11  of  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines  12 — 12  of  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 13  is a partial view of the lower end of the housing member  302 .  FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines  14 — 14  of  FIG. 13 . 
   A front end cap  304  ( FIG. 10 ) is secured to the top end of the housing member  302  by flat head screws  306 . The end cap  304  is used to facilitate the sliding of the re-perforator device  302  into the clogged drain pipe sections  12  ( FIG. 2 ). Three L-shaped support brackets  308  ( FIG. 12 ) are fixedly secured, such as by welding, adjacent to the top end of the housing member  302  on its interior surface at 120 degrees apart. The brackets  308  are provided with threaded openings  310  for receiving the screws  306  for mounting the end cap  304  to the top end of the housing member  302 . 
   Similarly, a rear end cap  312  ( FIG. 13 ) is secured to the bottom end of the housing member  302  by flat head screws  314 . The end cap  312  is used to facilitate the sliding of the re-perforator device  302  out of the clogged drain pipe sections  12  ( FIG. 2 ). Three L-shaped support brackets  316  ( FIG. 14 ) are fixedly secured, such as by welding, adjacent to the bottom end of the housing member  302  on its interior surface at 120 degrees apart. The brackets  316  are provided with threaded openings  318  for receiving the screws  314  for mounting the end cap  312  to the bottom end of the housing member  302 . Further, the central portion of the rear end cap  312  is provided with a hinged portion  320  which is fixedly secured thereto by welding and the like. The hinged portion  320  is used to receive a rodder  322  which may be bolted thereto. The rodder  322  serves to facilitate the easy pushing of the re-perforator device  300  down the clogged drain sections  12 . 
   The re-perforator device  300  ( FIG. 10 ) further includes three rectangularly-shaped slots  334  which are equally spaced apart at 120 degrees around the circumference of the housing member  302 . Each of the slots  334  is used to receive therein a corresponding one of the annular mounting portions of the angled bracket members  206  ( FIG. 8 ). The re-perforator device  300  has also formed at adjacent its top end three aligned circular openings  336  which are equally spaced apart at 120 degrees around its circumference. Each of the aligned openings is used to allow a corresponding one of the punch bits of the angled bracket members  206  to extend therethrough when the piston is moved to the extended position. 
   In  FIG. 11 , there is shown a round plate  338  which is fixedly secured, such as by welding, to the inside peripheral surface of the housing member  302 . The round plate  338  has a central aperture  340  in which a nut  342  is welded around. In  FIG. 15 , there is shown a functional view of the re-perforator device  300  of  FIG. 10  which has a ram assembly  344  for operation with an angled bracket member  346 . The ram assembly  344  includes a pneumatic cylinder  348  and a piston rod  350 . The pneumatic cylinder  348  includes a threaded portion  352  which is screwed through the nut  352  ( FIG. 11 ) so as to mount the ram assembly within the housing member  302 . 
   In  FIG. 16 , there is depicted a guide plate  354  having three flat sections  356  which are spaced apart at 120 degrees. The guide plate is retained on the threaded piston rod  350  by a nut  357 . In order to prevent the piston rod from rotating inside of the housing member, there is formed a C-shaped stop member  358  formed on one of the flat sections  356 . In use, the C-shaped stop members  358  are caused to contactly engage with a corresponding one of the shorter and longer leg portions of the angled bracket members  346  as the piston rod is moved between its retracted and extended positions. 
   From the foregoing detailed description, it can thus be seen that the present invention provides a drain line re-perforator device which includes an outer cylindrically-shaped housing member, a dual-actuating ram assembly disposed concentrically within the outer housing member, and a plurality of angled bracket members mounted hingedly on the peripheral surface of the outer housing member so as to move outward radially punch bits for perforating drain pipe sections in a sewage disposal system. As a result, the sewage disposal system can be made operational again on an effective and efficient basis without substantial excavation and expensive labor cost. 
   While there has been illustrated and described what is at present considered to be a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the central scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that this invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.