Patent Application
20180135282
The present invention generally relates to a clog removal device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for removal of blockages or clogs in toilets and drain lines leading from toilets.
Clogged toilet drains is one of the most common problem faced by homeowners. To overcome the clogging issues the homeowners usually keep a flexible toilet plunger or a small flexible toilet auger in their bathrooms. However, the flexible toilet plunger is not useful for a stubborn toilet drain blockage. Even the small flexible toilet auger (usually a long spring) if not used properly, may damage a drain, a plumbing fixture or the finish on the ceramic portion of the toilet. Further, many commercial factory or office buildings also face the problems associated with the clogged toilets. The clogged toilet or urinal drains frequently produce an overflow of water onto the floors of a lavatory. The water overflowing from the toilet or urinal bowls cause damage to the floors, ceiling panels or wall panels.
To address the aforementioned problem, plungers have been used to unclog the toilet piping, drainage pipes, and other fluid carrying lines, which are blocked with waste material and other semi-solid debris. Conventional plungers rely on a suction force applied by a bell shaped plunger members to unclog and free debris from stopped up lines. Unfortunately, these plungers are ineffective when the obstructive material in the line is stuck or caked within the line or is heavier and otherwise resistant to the limited suction available with a plunger. The conventional plunger has two components: a distal bottom of a generally vertical, wooden shaft attached to a crest of a plunger portion. There is a variety of designs for plunger portions, but they namely comprise inverted rubber cups with flat rims or flanges that form seals over the mouth of a drain or pipe. A push of the shaft towards the mouth causes the cup to depress, which forces any air and/or water therein towards the blockage to break up the clog.
Existing prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,680 A, discloses a collapsible plunger assembly comprising an elongated, telescoping tubular handle having first and second ends and the handle formed of a plurality of hollow telescoping sections, each section having an interior and an exterior surface. A hook means on the second end of the handle is also for removably securing to the handle.
Another existing prior art U.S. Pat. No. 8,650,670 B2, discloses improved plunger comprising a V-shaped handle attached to a top distal end of a shaft. The prior art also discloses of a snaking attachments formed of a linearly aligned, spiral wound coil having an attachment end attachable to the dislodging protrusion.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,898,807 B2 is a prior art disclosing about a snake plunger” having a pleated bellows forming a head section which is removably coupled to a handle. The snake may also have a hook at its lower end that is capable of snaring items causing obstructions within the drain.
From the above, there exists a long-felt need for a device that is cost effective and easy to use, for removing clogs from the toilet. Further, there is need for a device that allows a safe and effective grasping of the toilet items or materials for clog removal.
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provides a device used for removal of blockages or clogs in toilets and drain lines leading from toilets.
In an embodiment, a plunger assembly is disclosed. The plunger assembly is used for removing clog materials in the toilets. The plunger assembly comprising an elongated tubular shaft, a knob, and a rod. A first end of the elongated tubular shaft is connected to the plunger member. An aperture at a crest of the plunger member accommodates the first end of the elongated tubular shaft. The rod bent in the shape of a hook extends from an interior of the plunger member. The rod is connected to a knob located on the elongated tubular shaft, wherein the knob configured to move the rod to a first direction and a second direction. In one embodiment, the device further comprises a longitudinal opening on the elongated tubular shaft to facilitate an upward movement and a downward movement of the knob resulting in the movement of the metal rod in the first direction and the second direction. A spring co-axially received within the elongated tubular shaft for biasing the upward movement and the downward movement of the knob. The rod is made of metal. The rod is configured to break stools into smaller sizes. The second end of the elongated tubular shaft of the device further comprises of one or more side arms, wherein each of the side arms is engaged to the handle forming a triangular structure.
In an embodiment, a toilet-unclogging device is disclosed. The toilet-unclogging device comprising an elongated tubular shaft, a plunger member, a metal rod, a handle and a knob. A first end of the elongated tubular shaft to the plunger member, wherein a second end of the elongated tubular shaft is engaged to the handle. An aperture at the crest of the plunger member accommodates the first end of the elongated tubular shaft. The aperture is located at a centre of the plunger member. The second end of the elongated tubular shaft comprises one or more side arms, wherein each of the side arms is engaged to the handle forming a triangular structure. The metal rod is bent in the shape of a hook that extends from the centre of the plunger member. The knob is configured to extend the metal rod to a first direction, and retract the metal rod to a second direction. The knob is connected internally to the metal rod through the centre of the plunger member. A spring is co-axially received within the elongated tubular shaft for biasing an upward movement and a downward movement of the knob. In one embodiment, the device further comprises a longitudinal opening on the elongated tubular shaft to facilitate the upward movement and the downward movement of the knob resulting in the movement of the metal rod in the first direction and the second direction. The metal rod is configured to break stools that are too large to flush into smaller sizes.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and structures disclosed herein. The description of a method step or a structure referenced by a numeral in a drawing is applicable to the description of that method step or structure shown by that same numeral in any subsequent drawing herein.
exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of a device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
is perspective view of the plunger member, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
is a bottom view of the plunger member, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
is a cross sectional view of the device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
exemplary illustrates an upward movement of a knob, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
exemplary illustrates a downward movement of the knob, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be given with reference to the Figures. It is expected that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of a device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment, the device 100 is a plunger assembly used for removal of clog materials in a toilet or drains lines leading from the toilet. In another embodiment, the device 100 is a toilet-unclogging device or a clog removal device. The device 100 comprises an elongated tubular shaft 102, a plunger member 104, a rod 106, a handle 108, and a knob 110. The elongated tubular shaft 102 is a hollow tubular shaft. The elongated tubular 102 includes a first end 114 and a second end 116. The second end 116 of the elongated tubular arm 102 includes one or more side arms 118. In some embodiments, the elongated tubular shaft 102 is made of metal. The elongated shaft 102 could be made of any material that serves the purpose of the invention. The handle 108 is engaged to the second end 116 of the elongated tubular shaft 102. In an embodiment, the knob 110 is positioned on the elongated tubular shaft 102. In another embodiment, a longitudinal opening 112 on the elongated tubular shaft 102 facilitates an upward movement and a downward movement of the knob 110.
Referring to is perspective view of the plunger member
, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment, an aperture 122 at a crest of the plunger member 104 is provided. In an embodiment, the aperture 122 is at a centre of the plunger member 104, which accommodates or receives the first end 114 of the elongated shaft 102. The first end 114 of the shaft 102 is received over the aperture 122, such that the longitudinal opening 112 is in vertical alignment with the aperture 122. In another embodiment, the elongated tubular shaft 102 vertically extends upward from the crest of the plunger member 104. Referring to
is a bottom view of the plunger member 104, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment, the plunger member 104 is cup shaped in structure having a protruding bottom portion 124, and an interior space or interior 120. The plunger member 104 could be of various designs or shape not restricting to the shape of the plunger member 104 of the present invention. In an embodiment, the plunger member 104 is made of plastic material. In another embodiment, the plunger member 104 is made of any material that serves the purpose of the present invention.
In an embodiment, the handle 108 enables a user to hold the device 100 during use. Each of the side arms 118 of the elongated tubular shaft 102 is engaged to the handle 108 forming a triangular structure. In one embodiment, the handle 108 is mounted on the side arms 118 of the elongated tubular shaft 102. The handle 108 is coated with a rubber material to enhance comfort when grasped by the user. The coating is supplied in almost any vibrant color, so a distinctive color could be chosen to enhance the recognition factor of the device 100 for improving its market adoption.
Referring to 790 is a cross sectional view of the device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The knob 110 of the device 100 is configured to facilitate the movement of the rod 106 in the first, and the second direction. In an embodiment, a longitudinal opening 112 on the elongated tubular shaft 102 facilitates an upward movement, and a downward movement of the knob 110. In an embodiment, a spring is co-axially received within the elongated tubular shaft 102 for biasing the upward movement and the downward movement of the knob 110. The knob 110 is internally connected to the rod 106 through the aperture 122, such that the movement of the knob 110 results in the movement of the rod 106. In an embodiment, the knob 110 is connected to the rod 106 through the center of the plunger member 104. The downward movement of the knob 110 allows the movement of the rod 106 towards the first direction. The upward movement of the knob 110, results in the movement of the rod 106 towards the second direction. The first direction in the present invention relates to an extended position of the rod 106, or a forward movement of the rod 106 extending outward from the interior space 120 of the plunger member 104. Further, the second direction relates to a retracted position of the rod 106, or a backward movement of the rod 106 into the interior space 120 of the plunger member 104. The knob 110 and the rod 106 are made of metal. In an embodiment, the knob 110, and the rod 110 are made of any material that serves the purpose of the present invention. The rod 106 is bent in the shape of a hook. The shape of the rod 106 is not limited to the hook shaped structure, further it could be of any shape that serves the purpose of the present invention. In an embodiment, the rod 106 is configured to break stools into smaller size. The rod 106 breaks the stool that is too large to flush.
Referring to exemplary illustrates the downward movement of the knob 106, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In operation, the plunger member 104 is placed over a toilet, and the knob 110 is pulled downward. The downward movement of the knob 110 results in the movement of the rod 106 towards the first direction. The rod 106 is in the extended position, when used for performing a task such as but not limited to breaking the stools too large to flush into smaller sizes. The rod 106 extends outward from the interior space 120, when the user pulls the knob 110 downward. The handle 108 provides the user to have a grip over the device 100 during use.
Referring to exemplary illustrates the upward movement of the knob 110, according to an embodiment of the present invention When the task is completed, the user pulls or lifts the knob 110 upward. The upward movement of the knob 110 allows the rod 106 to retract back towards the interior space 120 of plunger member 104. In other words, the upward movement of the knob 110 allows the rod 106 to move in the second direction.
In one embodiment, the handle 108 is designed in such manner that, the device 100 do not slip off from the users hand during use causing in convenience to the user. Further, it prevents the split off the toilet water on the toilet floor. The rod 106 breaks the stool that is difficult to be broken easily. Further, the retraction of the rod 106 into the interior space 120 enables the easy carrying of the device 100 to different location.
The foregoing description comprise illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used only in generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein.
