GB2262792A

GB2262792A - Method and tool for removing hair from a plug-hole grating

Info

Publication number: GB2262792A
Application number: GB9127260A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Vinod Rajamanhendra
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-12-23
Filing date: 1991-12-23
Publication date: 1993-06-30
Also published as: GB9127260D0

Abstract

A method of removing hair 14 trapped in a plug-hole grating 10 comprises inserting a part helical hook 3, formed at one end of a clearing tool, into a hole 13 at the centre of the plug-hole grating 10. The rod 1 is rotated so that the hook 3 is drawn downwards through the hole 13 in the plug-hole grating 10 with a corkscrew motion. The rod 1 is then further rotated such that any hair 14 from the plug-hole grating 10 is collected on the hook 3. The hook 3 is finally withdrawn from the plug-hole 7 with a reversed corkscrew motion to remove the collected hair 14. <IMAGE>

Description

A tool for cleaning a plug-hole grating.

The present invention relates to a tool for cleaning a plug-hole grating, and in particular to a cleaning tool for removing hair trapped in the framework of a plug-hole grating.

A very common problem in the everyday use of bathtubs, showers, sinks, basins and the like is that hair often becomes caught in the framework of plug-hole gratings. Gradual build-up of hair in this way is insanitary and eventually blocks the plug-hole, resulting in poor and slow drainage. Trapped hair must, therefore, be removed, and this is usually done by hand, a process which is not only unhygienic and unpleasant but is also inefficient.

The present invention thus aims to provide a more efficient and/or more hygienic means for removing hair trapped in plug-hole gratings.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of removing hair from a plug-hole grating, which method comprises inserting a hook formed at one end of a cleaning tool into a plug-hole, rotating the tool so as to collect hair from the plug-hole grating on the hook and withdrawing the hook and collected hair from the plug-hole.

Preferably, the hook is inserted into the plug-hole with a corkscrew motion.

More preferably, the hook is inserted into a hole in the centre of the plug-hole grating.

According to the present invention, there is further provided a tool for cleaning a plug-hole grating, which tool comprises a rod formed with a hook at one end.

Preferably, the hook is a part helical hook.

More preferably, the hook has a first portion which extends outwardly and downwardly at substantially 450 to the longitudinal axis of the rod, and a second portion which is directed upwardly, In order to illustrate the features and advantages of the present invention, the present invention will be further described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 shows a diagrammatic side view of a tool for cleaning a plug-hole grating in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 shows an end view of the tool for cleaning a plug-hole grating of Figure 1.

FIGURE 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a plughole grating being cleaned by the tool for cleaning a plughole grating of Figure 1.

FIGURE 4 shows a perspective view of a plug-hole grating being cleaned by the tool for cleaning a plug-hole grating of Figure 1.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the tool for cleaning a plug-hole grating comprises a rod 1 attached to a handle 2 at one end and formed into a part helical or corkscrewtype hook section 3 at the other end. The hook section 3 has a first portion 4 which extends outwardly and downwardly at substantially 450 to the longitudinal axis of the rod 1 and a second portion 5 which is directed upwardly and terminates in a point 6 at its free end.

With reference to Figures 3 and 4, the plug-hole 7 is positioned at the lowest point of a basin 8 and leads to a draining pipe 9. A plug-hole grating 10, which lies within the plug-hole 7 and immediately above the draining pipe 9, comprises an annular rim 11, with six radial spokes 12 extending towards the centre of the plug-hole 7, and a central hole 13 is located at the point where the radial spokes 12 converge.

When the tool is in use, the hook section 3 is inserted into a plug-hole 7, the rod 1 is rotated to collect any hair 14 and the hook section 3 is then withdrawn from the plug-hole 7 to remove the collected hair 14. More specifically, the rod 1 is held at a slant to the vertical so that the point 6 of the hook section 3 is first inserted into the central hole 13 of the plug-hole grating 10, and the rod 1 is then rotated so that the hook section 3 is drawn downwards through the plug-hole grating 10 with a corkscrew motion until the lower part of the rod 1 passes through the central hole 13.

Once the hook section 3 is below the plug-hole grating 10, the rod 1 is moved upright and is further rotated for several complete turns such that the point 6 of the hook section 3 moves in the direction of rotation and such that any hair 14 from the plug-hole grating 10, is collected on and becomes twisted around the hook section 3.

Finally the hook section 3 is moved to a position at a slant to the vertical and is withdrawn from the plug-hole 7 with a reversed corkscrew motion, to remove the collected hair 14.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method of removing hair from a plug-hole grating, which method comprises inserting a hook formed at one end of a cleaning tool into a plug-hole, rotating the tool so as to collect hair from the plug-hole grating on the hook and withdrawing the hook and collected hair from the plughole.

2. A method of removing hair from a plug-hole grating according to Claim 1, wherein the hook is inserted into the plug-hole with a corkscrew motion.

3. A method of removing hair from a plug-hole grating according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the hook is inserted into a hole in the centre of the plug-hole grating.

4. A tool for cleaning a plug-hole grating in accordance with the method of Claim 1, 2 or 3, which tool comprises a rod formed with a hook at one end.

5. A tool for cleaning a plug-hole grating according to Claim 4, wherein the hook is a part helical hook.

6. A tool for cleaning a plug-hole grating according to Claim 5, wherein the hook has a first portion which extends outwardly and downwardly at substantially 45" to the longitudinal axis of the rod and a second portion which is directed upwardly,

7. A method of removing hair from a plug-hole grating substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

8. A tool for cleaning a plug-hole grating substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

9. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.