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
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:
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.
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.
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:
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
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
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
With reference now to
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
In
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
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
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
A front end cap 304 (
Similarly, a rear end cap 312 (
The re-perforator device 300 (
In
In
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.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1432073 | Lowy | Oct 1922 | A |
1502097 | Grace | Jul 1924 | A |
2279211 | Thomas | Apr 1942 | A |
3259003 | Griffin | Jul 1966 | A |
3950461 | Levens | Apr 1976 | A |
3957386 | Lupke | May 1976 | A |
4197908 | Davis et al. | Apr 1980 | A |
4205697 | Gebelius | Jun 1980 | A |
4254075 | Menzel et al. | Mar 1981 | A |
4270878 | Fales | Jun 1981 | A |
4434815 | Flaherty et al. | Mar 1984 | A |
4442891 | Wood | Apr 1984 | A |
4577388 | Wood | Mar 1986 | A |
4971146 | Terrell | Nov 1990 | A |
5167279 | Stafford | Dec 1992 | A |
5701958 | Braziel | Dec 1997 | A |
5799729 | Breckwoldt et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5924489 | Hatcher | Jul 1999 | A |
5953974 | Hegler et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
5960894 | Lilly et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
6295909 | Schofield et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6386797 | Gearhart | May 2002 | B1 |
6484551 | Hagg et al. | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6553883 | Adami | Apr 2003 | B1 |
6637508 | Marsh et al. | Oct 2003 | B2 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20050145079 A1 | Jul 2005 | US |