CA1331424C - Apparatus & method for opening drains - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for open-ing drains and the like, and includes a suitable vacuum/pressure source such as a household or industrial wet/dry vacuum cleaner with a control mechanism fitted to the vacuum cleaner or an intermediate receptacle for sequentially applying vacuum/pressure pulses to a clogged drain for loosening an purging the blockage occurring in the drain.

Description

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The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for opening slow and clogged drains in commercial, industrial and household applications and for purging any type of radiator cooled engines such as cars, trucks, etc., and cooling systems for marine inboard and outboard motors.

It is a common problem that drains of various kinds such as household plumbing drains including bathtubs, showers, and so forth, periodically become clogged and need to be to be opened to restore normal usage. Typical methods for clearing drains call for the use of chemicals including caustics and acid which are highly detrimental to plumbing systems and plumbing fixtures. Chemical treatments tend to destroy metal fittings while caustics attack ABS pipes, and acids attack porcelain. These chemicals are dangerous to handle and are pollutants. In other techniques, high pressure drain opening systems tend to rupture plumbing joints and snakes tend to damage the finish of plumbing fittings and fixtures.
Accordingly there is need for a safe, nondestructive nonpolluting way of dealing with clogged plumbing drains.

Motor vehicle radiators over a period of time accumulate rust scale and other deposits which impede cooling efficiency and require periodic flushing to remove accumulated materials and to restore the radiator to full heat exchange efficiency.
Typically, high pressure devices or acids are used for cleaning automobile radiators and are detrimental to the structural integrity of the radiator. ~

Marine inboard and outboard motors ordinarily have ~ ~ -cooling systems using ambient water and tend to become coated with foreign materials carried along in the cooling water.
It is desirable periodically to flush the cooling systems to remove such mater:ials which substantially interfere with heat ;;~-transfer of the cooling system and also when winterizing an engine.
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When winterizing swimming pools, the filter system is secured and it is desirable to purge the filter lines o~
water and debris which remain in the lines.

There is a need for an apparatus and method which can quickly and effectively deal with clogged drains and flushing radiator and cooling systems and aid in cleaning or winterizing swimming pools.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for conveniently and effectively opening drains in plumbing systems which is applicable to other opening/flushing operations such as cleaning motor vehicle radiators and marine engine cooling systems. According to the invention, a series of pressure pulses both positive and negative are applied in rapid succession effectively to move and clear any debris blocking drains or to aid in purging and flushing cooling systems.

In one form of the invention the drain opener includes an ordinary household wet/dry vacuum cleaner fitted with a -pressure reversing header for quickly applying a repetition ~-of negative and positive pressure pulses to the plugged drain. The header includes a manually operable valve member which when manipulated causes the wet/dry vacuum cleaner to apply altexnate pressure and vacuum pulses to the drain in rapid succession effectively to clear the drain. In a modification of the invention, pressurized water and/or ;
detergent cleaners can aid in drain opening.
In another form of the invention the drain is suitable for use with household canister-type dry vacuum or wet/dry vacuum cleaners having a vacuum port and an exhaust port. ;
The drain opener includes a wet canister fitted with a B ~

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pressure reversing header connected to a dry vacuum cleaner by suitable hose connections. In this form of the invention the household vacuum cleaner whether dry or wet/dry are used for supplying pressure and vacuum pulses while the wet canist~r serves as receptacle for effluent form clogged drains.

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view of the apparatus for opening drains according to the present invention.
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the pressure/vacuum control manifold according to the invention.

PIGURE 3 is a section taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2 lS to illustrate the interior of the control manifold.

FIGURE 4 is a schematic view of modification of the invention in which a water feed is applied together with positive pressure pulses to a drain.
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FIGURE 5 is a schematic view of a modified control manifold according to the invention.

FIGURE 6 is an elevational view in section of a further -modification of the present invention.
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FIGURE 7 is a slde elevatlonal vlew of a blade vslve nnd handle fonming part of the modlfied embodln~nt of FlG. 6.
FIGU~E 8 i~ ~ side elEvatlonal view of a ~urther ~odiflcatlon of the inNentlon ~howing th~ pre6sure/vsc ~ n control manifold with 8 modlfled operating handle.
FICURE 9 1~ a top plan vlew of the mnnlfold of PlGURE 8.
FIGURE 10 ls a further ncdlficatlon of the invention illustrsting a draln opener lncludlng a pres6ure/vsc~nn cuntrol nan1fold ~nd recqptacle for oonnection to a can~ster-type dry or ~et/dry vaculm cle~ner.
FIGURES 118 ~nd llb are 8eqy~ntial vlews of the pressure/vacuum control n~n~fold ln a pressure pulse ncde (lla) and ln a wet vacu~m mcde ~llb). ~ -Referrin~ to the draw~ng, a preferred embodlnænt of the apparatus :
10 for opEn~ng drs~ns includes a sultabl~ pressure/v~cuun s~urce, as for ex~mple, a wet/dry vacuum cleaner 12, a pres~ure/vacuun control manlfold 14, and an operstlng hose 16 for openln3 ~ drsin 18.
Ihe vacuum clennRr l~clude~ a~ uprlght recepkscle 20 havlng a mckor drlven fan 22 for drswlng v~cuu~ through an inlet port 24 to the .
interlor 26 of the recept1cle or caniaeer 20 snd for exh~ustlng alr from the canlBte~ through an autle~ port 28. In ~hl~ de~crlpt~on these ports are reEerred to ~s vacuun port 24 and pre~ure port 28.
lhe wet and dry vacuum cleaner ~perates ln the usual f~shlon to dr~w debrl~ ~nto the can1ster through vacu~n port 24 while e~hausting or evacuatlng the interlor of the canister throueh pressure port 28. m is baslc menrer o~ operstlon applie~ wlth respect to the present lnventlon.
The pre~ure/v~cuum cGnt~ol m&nlfold ~ates the draln openlng apparatu~ . :
80 a~ ~electlvely to upply pressur~ or vacuum through c~rsting hose 16 to dr~n 18.
Ih# c ~ trol n~nlfold 14 lnclude~ ~n upri~ht blc~k ~h~ped housing ;~
30 fonmed o ~ny 6uitablo ~aterl~l such n~ rlgld pl~tlc or c~st aluw~num.
~h~ nnnlfold lr~ludeB ln~erlor vacuum 32 hn~ pr~gure 34 ducts and exterlor c~nlcal vacuu~ 36 and pres~ure 38 ~leeYea for cconectl~n to the vacuu~ 24 ~.
and pre88uro 2i3 port~ o~ the vncuu~ cl~aner. lh~ v~cuu~ and p~ess~re ducts ner3~ lnto Qn up~rdly ex~endlng twe~w~y preaoube/vacuun duct 40 wlt~ an access port 4;! located ln the tcp $ur~ac~ 44 o~ th~ osnl~old. The ront wall 46 hE~ openln~ 48, 5D cco~urd~atln~ wlth ~he l~terlor v~cuum and pres2ure duct~ respectlvely for the puxpo~ o~ dr~w~ng air into or exhauatlng alr frcn the c~nl6te~ durlng oper~tlon ~ mon~ fualy developed bel~do ~ 4 ; 1331~2~

IhE! control ~nifold ~urt~r 1nc1ude8 Q ooner~l me*~nlsm 52 for directlng press~e/v~c~ fla.~ wlthin th~ oper~tl~ hol~s 16. ~1~ control mechanls~ slude3 n plvot shaft 54 exl:endlrq~ horlzontally throu~h the n~nifold ~snd lylng aly~ t.~ top of a p~rtlti~ irg thle lnterior vacu~n 32 ~nd pressure duct~ t 1~ pl~ally mo~ed between th~ ~ront 46 ~nd n~r SO wsll~ o~ the m~fold and l~:luded 8 pr~Jectlon 60 extendln~ ~ ~Irt dlstan~:e ran the fror~t w~ll.
A bl~sh~ ralve or damper 62 1~ ~ported by ~ proJects ~;
radl~lly frll tle 0urface o~ pl~rot dY~t 54 for dllrectlng flow tt~h :
twc-way duct 40 ~nd oper~tlng hose 16 ~ blocklng ~lther lnterlor vacuum d~lce 32 or pres~ure duct 34. Ihe canto~ of blad~ ~alve confonr~ to tbe lnterlsr wall surf~cs o~ v~cu~m duct ~ ~re duct at thelr pl~ces of ~luenc~ wlth t~ duct ln an alr tlR~ flt to ~ld pre8~ure los8 d.lr~ tlon. Tt~e CaltrOl llædUnl8m further încl~es.a ~wable cover ~ :
64 for selectlvely C108il~ OpelllSyS8 48, 50 ln front ~all 46. Ihe cover i8 co~ted to pLYot ~h~ft 54 by means o~ tenslcn rod 66 for plvotinE~
m~nm~t between the open~ngs. A suitsble kn~b 6~ 18 1tted to the ca~r for ease of nanlpul~tin~ aver. It 18 to be ob~ ed thst blede valve 62 and extenslon ~d 66 ar~ coplalur ~ t ~en the blede valve cavers the pr~ss~re duct 34, ~or example, thæ ~86~ opænlng 50 will be ~covered and vlce~ or vacwn duce 32 ar~ V~C~D ope~ng 48.
Ir~ operatlon, tl~ CCntn)1 ech~ B ~et in one po~ltlcn as for ex~le, th0 ~olld lln~ lti~n of FIQIRES 2 and 3 in ~3hlch Ca8e e*~a~8t alr i8 expelled f~n the vacu~n cleaner thro~3h the pFes~ure duct 34 ~
pressu ~ qpeT~ng 50 ~le the exterr~l c~r 64 clo~ vacuua openlng 48 ard open~ va~ duct 32 dr~ng alr lnto the v~cw~ clesner thm~3h hose 16. Ihe p~ltl~o of valve 62 assures drnw of partlal ~ac~
operation~l hose 16 and sppllc~tlon o vacwn to the ~locked draln. ~ ~:
... . reverBln~ the pcBltlon of thæ h~ndle and oontrol ~echaniom (to the da6h llne posltl~n o FW. 3~, pres8~re 18 now ~pplled to the oper~tlng hD~e a~l -draln. Ao ~Iwwn ln the ds~h llno portlon of FIG. 3, slr 18 puithed lnto the operatlng hose tltn~u~h pre8~ure duee 34 and into ~he drsln ~hlle open ~racu~m port 48 prcwlden for lnfl~w of sDblent alr lnto ~e ~y8tem.
I~y perlodlc r~pulatlon of the control ~nl61n dlfferential -~:
pressure pulsatlons are applled for ef~ecti~ely clearln~ the draln~

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In llke s~er, the n~ m c~n be appl1ed to oth~r 1ttinE~s such a~ auto7~tl~re sadlator~, Irsrlr~ , and OD Qn, fcr ~le~r4 the fl~lld pa~ of ~uch devlce~.
Ih~ l~lon îs weful for c!leAnlng or ~In~izl~
pools p~rtlcularly In purglng water ~1 ~ debrl8 lad~9ed in the fllt~r reclrcul-tlng ~d distributlon ~ e8.
lf deslred, a~dllery drnln clearlng ~ld~ leuc~ a~ deterg~t or pre~surlz~d wRter ~an be lntroduced t~h ho~ flittln~ 17 ~ ~ of an appllultor l9 ~ ~n ln FIG. 1 ~nd al~o ln FlG. 4.
FIGS. 4 ~nd 5 preser~ a mDdl~lc~tl~ to C~ pr~0ent lTn~entl~ ln wllich water fe~d ~ccon~nle~ the posltl~ pre~n~re pule~s ol ehe syste~ as an ~ld ln ~n~ nd the llk~. Hese a h~ld no~le 70 18 attac~hed to l~e flttln~ 17 and ha~ a ~ultabl~ flttlr~ 72 for FeceiVlng a water ~pply hou~- Tt# r~lQ lncludes a sult~ble valve 74 811d i8 trl88er actu~ted 76 for ~ter 2;~wly. Addltlcr~lly, the trl~ foT~ part of an electrlc circ~dt 78 whlch also lncl~es a control ~fold ~olenold 80 6h~ ln ~ . 5. A~ the tri~Ber 13 sctusted ~ter lu ~pplled to the draln :
~nd th~ solenoid~ctuated wvable ccver 66 n~ved to th~ posltlve pre8sure eleasln~ tl~ trl8g,er the water-fe~d ls lnterr~ted and a vacwn pulse ~Ipplled to the draln. If deslred~ the nozzle n~y be usod to fe~d deter~, ~B~ etc., to a drsln. .
A furtl~r modlficatlon of the inv~ntion i8 illustrAt~d ln FIGS- 6 ard 7. ~æ ~odlfie~ caltroI n~nlfold 90 im:ludes an uprlght b1ock-~sped t~ouslr~ 92 wlth sn lnterlor ch~rber 94 ~ mwabl~ b~b valve s~r d~er g6 for d~rectlng press~ ard v~ pulses to ~ clo3ed draln. Ibe lnter~c~r cha~er ln~ludes a pressure ~r 98 tl~ ~ich pressurlzed l~ir 18 8pplled to the dr~ln or e~d~uE~ted to a~mDsp~#~ 8~ a vacwm ch~mber alr 1~ drsi~ rom th~ clraln c~ fm~ ntmo~p~re. Ihe .. control ~fold 13 gener411y rectary~ r in cros~-sectlcln ~nd lnclu~le~
rear 102, fsont 104 ~ ~118 106 of lntegral cAx~tn~ctl~ prefersbly of ln ~ectlc~ m~lcled polyprcF~rlene . Ihe ~ t~r ~rdly and lr~rdly ~t 102a fraD approqdmately tws~tl~rds thslr vertlc~l dlmen~
tennln~tlr~ at 8 lnlet~a~let 81e~e 108- me Upp~ p~:lon- of the ~nt : .
~nd rear wQlls ~ ned to and follc~ tl~ c~ntour o the tapered slde wall p~rtlon~ 102~. Ihe ~n~r surface 110 o~ ~oth t~r~d ~lde wall~ ~t 1331~2~
, bel~w lnlet/outlet ~ ffo 1 IS beveled to fon~ urf~ee for eng~emm~ with tl~ upper ~eallng ~ sce~ 112 on both ~d~ of th~ bl~de val~ erntlng l~e 113 fltte~d to tlh~ lnlet/outlet 8 ca~cate~ vAcwm ~ pre~8ure pulse~ to tt# dr~ln.
Itæ control n~fold ~ llde8 a~ erlor p~rtltlon 114 calprlslng ~p~ced p~rtltlon w~lls 116 v~rtlc~lly orlentod ~nd ext~ndln~
between &nd attached to thQ r~nt and re~sr w~ . 'Ihe lnterlor p~rtltlon is m~lded lntegr~l wltll t~ c~nt~ol mmilSold. IhQ up~#r edg,e~ L18 of each ~:
partltl~ w~ll a~ beveled Co fonn ~ seallng surf~cg fsr en~ln~ the lawer 6eallng ourf~cea 120 of the bla~h valve. Addltlosully, a 3tcp l~houlder 121 ls lo~ated at the ~per edge o e~ch pqrtltlon wall for llmltlng r~t of the blade v~lve. Ihe pQrtltlon walls cooperate with th~ fmnt wall and dlxect ~-lr into a~ out of ~ Bis~le inlet/u~ t port 122 ln the frcnt wall. ` .~
me lt~ erld8 d the pres~uro and va~ ch~xrs hav~ cutlet 123 and lnlet 125 ports, respectlvely, for co~ect~on to the c~eapdln~
port8 of a vacu~ cleaner sutstantially ag ~h~wn ln FIG. 1.
me ~eRernlly rect~ular bl~ valve sh~wn ln FIG. 7 ~prlse~
~n lnperforat~ valve plate 1~4 d~vided lnto n~or 12~ snd mlnDr 124b partB
al~ a pl~ ~acls ~ deflned ~y a t~ piwt t~b 126. me pivot lub is gene~ll~ ndrical snd 13 foxned lntegral wl th the valve plate o suitabl@ msterid 8Ul:h al~ polypmpr'ene. Ibe pl~rot lalb receives a pl~e shaf~ 12a ~ch i8 881~bled lnto the o~nlfold at plvot openln~s 130, 132 ;
eed ln fn~t 104 ~ r ~1~ 102. A h~ndle ma~er 134 1~ fltted to . -~:
t~ frtJnt end of eh~ pl~ot shaft f~ pulatir~ bl~de b~twe~n vac~n ~:

. A8 8b~n ln ~IG. 6, the control mu~Lfold i~s lt~ blade valve ~ `c108~g t~ p~EI~ *~ 80 tl~t ~n oper~tian t~æ vacuu~ cle~ner .; .:
.. , ~pplie~ A va~ pUllU!I to the clo~ed draln through lr~et ~leeve 108 and :
cperaelng 1~ 113. Pr~ urlzed dr frcm the vacu~ cle~ner lter~ th2 pre88ure cha~er I B e~ xated throu~ outlet port 122 - 1~ sn~sln~
tl~ valve po~ltlan to the da6h ll.ne posltlan of FIG. 6, ~ e i8 : - ;
~pplled to tl closed drain thr~ugh outlet 81e~e 108 ~d sllblent ~lr 1~ '.
drawn tl~h tte ir:let port 122 lnto t~# vacu~ r prwldlng tl~ -, s~e of p~e~wslzed dr to the clo~ed draln t~ oper~tlng hose 113. ~, '~-. .

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n-æ bl~de v~lve lrscludes a sprI!lg mer~r 13h IFIG. 7) fl~ted between tt-e pivot Bhft and front wall for re818ti~ t~! ter~:.y of ~he blade valve to shlft IFIG. 6) ~der the ln1usn~e of a pre~s~e dlferentl~1 ~ctlr~3 on the bl~de valve ln the vacu~ n~d~ (solid llne positlon of ~IC. 6). /~ltern~tlvæly, a ball/det~nte ~ ment between frant w~ll 104 and the operatlng lundle 134 m~y ~ used to provIde posltlve po~ltlonlr~ holdlng of the blnde ~lve ln bo~h præsaure erd v~cuun posItlon~.
FlGS- ~ ar~ 9 111ustrate a i1catlon o the preS8Ure/V~lCUUlI
manlold of FIG. 6. 1~1~ fo~m o~ the m~nl~old 90 ln:lude~ houslng 92, lnterior ~er 94 end d~mper 96 for directlng press~e and vacuun plll~8 to 8 clo8ed draln. ~ d~er 96 1~ n~nlpulated betw~ vac~n ~ull 11ne) 8nd pre881~e da~ posltlons by ~an3 of o~er~tlng tund1e 138- A
plvot ~h~ft 140 1~ n~nted between wnt 142 u~ r 144 wa1ls and recelves d~nper 96 ln the n~er o~ FIG~. 6 and 7. Flrst snd sec~nd 1e~rer6 146, 148 are fltted to the er~3s of the plvot shsft extendlng along the fr~e and rear ~118 flnd are Jolned at one end l~y a laterally extendlng gripplr~ hsndle 150. The other erde of the lever~ extend flway fro~ the plvot shc~t to provlde balanco to the ~ratin8 hsndle. ~he outer su~rfaces of the front aF~I ~ar wallB are provided wlth abutments or 8CO~ rbers 152 whlch 11mlt the n~t o the operstl~g handle withoue ~tressing th~
blade valve. m~ Btop næfnberl~ 152 are cos~ve~erltly ~D1ded lntegral to ehe front ~u2d rear ~sll~. lhe oper~tlng lundle 1~ welghtetl for the purpose of counteractlng the tendency o the bl~de valve 96 to ~ counterclockwlse ~FIG. 8) by reaso~ o the preaa~re dlfferentlal on the vacuum g6a face ~nd psessure face 6b. The sam~ pre~sure dlferentlal 1~ 6uflclent to h~ld the oper~ting handle ln the pres~ure mod~ (dash llnes FIG. 8~. Ihe hsndle ltself proYldes ,B convenlent and d~reble structure for rapldly swItchlng .. the unlt from pnes~ure to ~ac w m mode3. The other structural ele~ents of FIGS. 8 ~nd 9 h~ve nunerals correspondIng to the ~me s~ruct~ral elements of FIG. 6.
FIG- 10 1~ ~ further mcdlflcatIon of thæ lnNell~iGIl 111ustratir~ B
draln opener lncl~dln~ a preasuse/vacuum contrDl m~n1~old and recepk~cle for ~onnectIcn to ~ canl8ter-type dry or wetldry vacuum cl~aner.

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lhe dr~ln opener lncludes ~ dedlc~t~d lnt~rm~dl~te c~nister ~r receptacle 156 for recelv~ng ef~luent rom a plu~blng draln 18, pressure/
vac~um control o mlfold 9D, and a c~nlster-type dry or wetJdry vacuum cleanQr 158. Ih2 arran8ement provlde~ for communlcatlon of pres6urelv~cuum pulses to plumbing dr~ln 18 from pressure/v~cuun source 8uch as the canister-type vacuum cleanær 158 without requ~rlng to the source vacuum cleanRr to recelve effluent from thæ plumblng draln. lhe eEfluent 1~
received ~nd ret~lned by the lntenmædiate canlster 156. mls nodlficatlon ln~ludes a pressure/v~cuum control manlfold 90 a8 de~crib~d ~bcve for ~lGS.
8 and 9 a~ reflected by co m spondlng reerence numær~ls of FlG. 10. As descrlbed ~bove, the pressure/Yacuum manlfold 9D dlrec~s pre~s~re or vacuun pulses through hose 113 to plugged plumblng d~ain 18.
The lntermedl~te canl8ter lnclude~ a ~ucket 160 of sultable capsclty, e.g. 7 flve ~allon~, and tl8htly fitting top cover 162 held in pl~ce~ by &Everal 8nap flttlngs 164. m e top cover lncludes flttings :
definlng a v~euum llne 166 and a pressure llnæ 168.
Ihe vacuum llne 166 includec a clrcular'port 166a ln the top 8urace of the cover and ~n ~pwardly dlrected elbow flttlng 166b for .,co~Q2ction tc the vacuum port 158 of vacuum cl~aner t ~ a suitable hose 168. Both clrcular port 16~a vacuu~ elbow 166b are o~en to the lnterior ~ .
170 of the b~cket.
.. The pres~ure lln~ 168 also lnclude~ ~ clrcular port 16&~ and an " `: . `~
~pwærdly~dlrected elbow 168b slmllar to the vscuun llne flttlnBs, hcwever, th~ pre58Ure llne further lnclube~ ~ ccndult connection 168c directly between pre~sure elbo~ and pre~sure port 80 that pressure pulses sre sent ` ;
from pr~sure source 158p t ~ hGse 172, pre8~ure line 16B, manlfold gO
to plumblng ~raln ~l~ ho~e 113. In other word~, the interlor of the bucket ; . :~
18 no~ 8ub~ected to preBSUre pulse~.
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I~ operatlng the enbodlnent of FlG. 10, the operatlng handle 150 :: ~
1~ ~et 1~ V8CUU~ node (sDlld lines) ~nd a vacw ~ pul~e drawn sn clogsed ; :: ::
draln by vacuum o3urce 158v. The bucket lnterlor liO i~ sub~ect to vacuum condltlor~ ~eve1~d by the vacuum sourceO E~fluer~ d~awn rom th~ draln ~`
in thlo operatlng ~cde 1~ trapped ln the buck*t. By merely reverslng the oper~tlng handle to pres~ure mode ~dedh llne8) a pre~8~re pulse 18 dlrected fnom pressure so~rc~ throu~h pre~suee llne~ nanlfold, hose 113, to draln.
When the drsin 18 clear, effluent ln canlster c6n be dlsposed of ~y removing ~he t~p cx~er. ~ `
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lf de~lred ~ llner 1~1 (FIC.I0) can be used for collectlon and disposal of effluent recelved ~y the contain~r 160 (FIG.10) or 20 (FIC. 1).
Preferably the liner 19 of heavy guage ~heet materi~l or of rigid materlal to ~aintaln it~ 6hape ln the vacuun mode.
FIGS. 11~ and llb illustrate a further modlficatlon of the invention.
In thi~ form of the lnNentlon the pres~ure/vac~ manifold 18D i8 arranged ln horizontal orlen~ati~n withIn an outer housing 182 of th2 dr~ln openlng devlce. A motor driven fan 1~4 withIn the hsu~,lng prGYldes pres~ure P and vacuum V source~ wnth suitable oonnections 1869 188 to the nanifold. The hous~n~ includes a b~se pl~te 190 and external cover 192 ~nd i8 mounted on a recept~cle 194 for receivlng effluent from ~ closed draln and w~th a liner 171.
A control dbmper 196 i8 mcunted wlth1n the manlfold on 8 plvot 6haft 198 dividing lnterlor chamber 200 into pressure 202 and vacuu~ 294 ChamberB. Preferably, the damperj~nd its pivot 6haft are lntegral ard molded of suitable plastlc.
A U shaped handle 206 13 fitted to opposite ends of tbe plw t 6haft for msn~pul~tlng the damper. A kn3b 208 att~chRd to the hsndle throueh ~lot 210 provldes for gripplng and manipu1ating the damper. In operation, the damper nonm~lly assu~es the po~itlon shbwn 1n FlG. 11n, l.e., the pre~sure mode where the incomlng pre~surlzed sir opens the dsnper to dlrect pressure through the in1et/outlet port 212 to drain. As in the c~se with the embodlment of FIGS. 1~10, the d~nper i8 shifted from vacuum to pressuxe mode to pruvide ~equential YaCUUm and pressure pulseB to ~ dr~in. As 6hcwn in FIG. 11b, the operaeing h~ndle may be re6trained in the v8cUum mode by a rlng 214 fixed to thehouslng &d~acent th~ 810t 210. Ihe restraining ring 214 i~ plvotally mcunted to a ba~e member 216 ~i~ed eO the hcuslng. Ihe rin~ 811p~ over the knob and hold~ the d~mp~r ln the vacuum posltlon a8ain3t the force of pressurized sir which iB dlrected t ~ exhau~t port 218 to ~tmcsphere. In this posltion~
the drain openln~ devlce can now be used as for w~t vacuum cperstions with wastecollec~ed ln the llned receptacle 194 through the tWD way duct 220 ~nd vacuum cbanber 200. .
Figure llb ~u~ther illustrates a force cup 222 partlcularly sdapted for use with the present lnNentlon. The force cup include~ a ~spheric upper portion224 which 18 trunc~ted to deflne an openlng 226 for comnunlcatins with two~way duct 220. The ed~e o~ the force CNp around openlng 226 1~ flanBed 228 for ease in ~ -~

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I

connection with the two way duct. Ihe opposite end 230 of the hemispheric portion includes an integral hollow neck wall p~rtion 232 of gradually reduced diam2ter as the neck wall converges to an open end 234. Ihe force cup is moldedintegral of rubber or a suitaU e rubber substitute with sufficient resiliency to conform to a variety drain contours and wall sufficient strength to withstand vacuum within as the draln opening device is used in vacuum mode particularly the wet vacuum mode of FIG. llb.
In operating the drain opening apparatus with a receptacle liner, it is desirable for the liner to maintain its shape within the receptacle and not `~
to interfere with the vacuu~ draw from the receptacle. As shown in FIG. lla, the liner is provided with a pleated sidewall 171a for malntaining slde wall rigidity for resisting side wall collapse durlng operation. Additionally, liner - -bottom wal~ 171b is fitted with double coated tape strips 171c for securing the liner to the receptacle bottom wall 194a. As a further measure ~in maintaining liner shape, manifo~d connection 188 extends well into the interior of receptacle ~ ;
194 directing sir flow therefrom toward the liner bottom wall 171b.
~ Manifold connection 188 preferably extends at least half the depth of receptacle and its length may be selected by user or manu~acturer for the purpose i of determining the volume of effluent received by the receptacle. When the ~ -effluent level rises to cover the lower open end 189 of connection 188 the --;
air flow characteristics of the apparatus are changed and a change of motor pitch ~ ;-will slert the operator that the volume limits of the receptacle have been reached and the receptacle is to be emptied. Ihls safety arrangement assures that no effluent will flow into the fan 184 through vacuum intake connection 186.
The present invention has been described with particular reference ~, ., ,~ .
to utilizing a household wet/dry vacuum cleaner in usual commercial form. It iswithin the purview of the present invention to provide apparatus for opening drains specifically bullt for the purpose as would be used for commercial or industrial appliclations in which the pressure/vacuum source together wlth the control mechanism are dedicated to drain opening applications and are of unitary construction. In such embodiment of the invention, a drive motor of;~

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greater horsepower is used to achleve higher levels of pressure/vacuum than are available with wet/dry vacuu~ cleaners and which are appropriate and required for clearin~ drains in cc~merclal and industria:L appllcations. Similarly, the present i~vention contemplates embodiments of the invention specifically designed for use in purging motor vehicle radiators, the cooling syste~s of marine engines, and so forth where pressure/vacuum levels are tailored specifically for these applica~ions.

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Claims (15)

1. An apparatus for opening drains comprising a pressure source and a vacuum source, a control manifold connected to the pressure and vacuum sources, the control manifold having an interior chamber divided into a vacuum chamber and a pressure chamber, a pair of spaced partition walls located between the vacuum chamber and the pressure chamber, the partition walls cooperating with a valve member for defining the vacuum chamber and the pressure chamber, a port to atmosphere from the interior chamber located in the space between the partition walls, the manifold having an inlet/outlet port for connection to an operating hose connected to a plugged drain, means for moving the valve between first and second positions to connect sequentially the pressure source and the vacuum source to the drain and in the same sequence to connect the pressure chamber and the vacuum chamber to the port to atmosphere.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which the valve moving means includes an external handle biased to overcome a pressure differential between pressure and vacuum sides of the valve when the control manifold is in vacuum mode.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which the external handle is weight biased and the control manifold has means for stopping the handle at pressure mode and vacuum mode positions.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 which further comprises a force cup connected to the drain end of the operating hose, the force cup having an open ended bottom hemispehric portion being truncated to define a top opening for connecting to the operating hose, a converging neck portion connected to the-bottom opening and having a contour for froming a tight fit with a drain, and the wall portions of the force cup having sufficient strength to maintain form under vacuum conditions.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 which further includes a disposable liner in the receptacle, the liner having a pleated side wall and a bottom wall.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which the liner bottom wall is fitted with adhesive means for securing the liner bottom wall to the receptacle.

7. An apparatus for opening drains comprising a vacuum cleaner providing a pressure source and a vacuum source, an intermediate canister having a removable top cover tightly fitted to a bucket for receiving effluent from a drain, the top cover having fittings defining a vacuum line and a pressure line with the vacuum line communicating with the interior of the bucket and the pressure line having a by-pass conduit through the interior of the bucket, flexible hoses for connecting the vacuum line and the pressure line respectively to the vacuum and pressure sources, a control manifold connected to the pressure and vacuum lines, the control manifold having an interior chamber divided into a vacuum chamber and a pressure chamber, a valve member defining the vacuum chamber and a pressure chamber, the manifold having an inlet/outlet port for connection to an operating hose connected to a plugged drain, means for moving the valve between first and second positions to connect sequentially the pressure source and the vacuum source to the drain, and said intermediate canister for receiving effluent when the drain is connected to the vacuum source.

8. A method for opening plugged drains and the like including the steps of establishing continuous sources of pressure and of vacuum, connecting the plugged drain to the source of pressure and to the source of vacuum through a two-way chamber, and alternately applying pressure and vacuum through the two-way chamber to the drain for dislodging and purging the blockage, and providing a receptacle for receiving effluent from the drain through the vacuum connection.

9. A method as set forth in claim 7 includes the step of supplying a detergent under pressure to the drain during the pressure step.

10. An apparatus for opening drains comprising a pressure source and a vacuum source, a control manifold connected to the pressure and vacuum sources, the control manifold having an interior chamber divided into a vacuum chamber and a pressure chamber, partition means located between the vacuum chamber and the pressure chamber, a valve member cooperating with the partition means for defining the vacuum chamber and the pressure chamber, means for porting the pressure chamber and the vacuum chamber to atmosphere, the manifold having an inlet/outlet port for connection to an operating hose connected to a plugged drain, means for moving the valve between first and second positions to connect sequentially the pressure source and the vacuum source to the drain and in the same sequence to connect the vacuum chamber and the pressure chamber to the porting means.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 10 which further includes means for applying a positive pressure water feed to the drain, and means for simultaneously applying positive air pressure to the drain together with the water feed.

12. An apparatus for opening drains comprising a motor driven fan having an intake defining a vacuum source and an outlet defining a a pressure source, a control manifold connected to the pressure and vacuum sources, the control manifold having an interior chamber divided by a valve into a vacuum chamber and a pressure chamber, a partition located between the vacuum chamber and the pressure chamber and cooperating with the valve member for defining the vacuum chamber and the pressure chamber, the manifold having an inlet/outlet port for connection to an operating hose and connection to a plugged drain, means for moving the valve between the first and second positions to connect sequentially the pressure source and the vacuum source to the drain, a receptacle for receiving effluent of the drain when the drain is connected to a vacuum source, a manifold connection having an open end and extending a predetermined distance into the receptacle to limit the volume of effluent received in the receptacle to avoid entry of effluent into the fan intake.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 12 in which the manifold connection extends at least a distance of at elast one-half the depth of the receptacle.

14. An apparatus for opening drains comprising a pressure source and a vacuum source, a control manifold connected to the pressure and vacuum sources, the control manifold having an interior chamber divided into a vacuum chamber and a pressure chamber, partition means located between the vacuum chamber and the pressure chamber, the partition means cooperating with a valve member for defining the vacuum chamber and the pressure chamber, means for porting the vacuum chamber and the pressure chamber to the atmosphere, the manifold having an inlet/outlet port for connection to an operating hose connected to a plugged drain, means for moving the valve between first and second positions to connect sequentially the pressure source and the vacuum source to the drain and in the same sequence to connect the pressure chamber and the vacuum chamber to the porting means.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 which further includes means for retaining the valve in the second position for applying the vaccum source to the drain.