GB2540393A

GB2540393A - A tool for a pipe

Info

Publication number: GB2540393A
Application number: GB1512378.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Williams Geraint
Original assignee: DWR Cymru Cyfyngedig
Current assignee: DWR Cymru Cyfyngedig
Priority date: 2015-07-15
Filing date: 2015-07-15
Publication date: 2017-01-18
Anticipated expiration: 2035-07-15
Also published as: GB2540393B; GB201512378D0

Abstract

A tool and method are disclosed for cleaning the interior of a pipe, such as a drainage pipe or sewer. The tool comprises a scraping assembly 2, a manual motive assembly 3 configured to allow the tool to be manually maneuvered longitudinally along the pipe, the manual motive assembly 3 being separate and distinct from the scraping assembly 2. The tool further comprises a longitudinally adjustable member 4 arranged between the scraping assembly 2 and the manual motive assembly 3 so as to couple the scraping assembly 2 to the manual motive assembly 3 and enable adjustment of the relative longitudinal distance there-between. The arrangement allows the tool to be used for different diameter pipes. The scraper assembly 2 may include a chisel 6 and the manual motive assembly 3 preferably includes wheels or rollers 18. An actuator such as an elongate handle 23 is attached to the tool so that the tool and be move back and forth within the pipe.

Description

A TOOL FORA PIPE

This invention relates to a tool for a pipe, in particular a tool for cleaning the interior of waste pipes.

Clean water is an essential element in our day to day lives and for centuries it has been supplied to dwellings via a system of pipes. Many materials have been used for such pipes, ranging from wood, ceramics, metals and plastics. Also, in more recent years domestic and commercial waste has been removed from premises by means of waste pipes. Such pipes connect the premises to a centralised pipe network that is managed and maintained by a water company.

Therefore, the water pipes are connected to a central supply reservoir where it undergoes water treatment works and the waste pipes are connected to a sewer network, where the sewage is filtered and then disposed of by the water company. Both the water supply and waste pipes can become fully or partially blocked over time. This blockage can be caused by many factors ranging from mineral deposits, waste food, grease hair or other items, such as bricks, tree branches and the like. In addition, it is found that private contractors who leave drainage rods within pipes when they have failed to clear a blockage.

In the case that a blockage occurs, the need to pass the waste or water through the orifice of reduced size can lead to excess pressures being exerted on the interior wall of the pipe and can lead to pipe breakages and consequential leakages. In terms of a water supply pipe a fully blocked pipe can prevent water from flowing to a property and in the case of a fully blocked waste pipe blockages can lead to issues with the removal of waste from a property and may lead to the outpouring of excess sewage which can cause flooding, both internally and externally to the property and pollute the surrounding area.

Therefore, it is an important part of the maintenance process of the pipe to remove such blockages and to alleviate the excess pressures built up in the pipe. The ultimate aim is to maximise the throughput through the interior of the pipe, by removal of material deposited on the internal walls of the pipe.

It is known to apply chemicals to the interior of the pipes to encourage removal or alleviate the blockage within the pipe, however this can on occasion exacerbate the problem as the chemical itself may react with the deposited material causing further material to build up. In the case of water pipes, the chemical itself may be detrimental to a person’s health and traces of the chemical may be found in the water supplied to a dwelling.

Alternatively to the chemical technique, a mechanical interaction may be provided between a tool applied and the material deposited on the interior walls of the pipe which enables the mechanical removal of dirt deposits from the interior of the pipe. However, current tools are difficult to manoeuvre along the interior of the pipe and the removal of the deposit is difficult to control in a reliable manner. This is especially the case when the tool is to be applied to pipes of varying sizes since the deposit removal device may ride over the blockage rather than being effective at removing the blockage, this may especially be the case for pipes having large diameters, whereby the width of the tool is less than the diameter of the pipe.

Therefore, the present invention and its embodiments are intended to address at least some of the above described problems and desires. In particular to provide a device to be applied to the interior of a pipe that efficiently removes deposits from the interior of a pipe in a controlled and reliable manner, even for pipes of varying diameter.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a tool for cleaning the interior of a pipe, the tool comprising a scraping assembly; a manual motive assembly configured to allow the tool to be manually manoeuvred longitudinally along the pipe, the manual motive assembly being separate and distinct from the scraping assembly, and a longitudinally adjustable member arranged between the scraping assembly and the manual motive assembly so as to couple the scraping assembly to the manual motive assembly and enable adjustment of the relative longitudinal distance there-between. A locking means may be co-operable with the adjustable member and may fix the relative position of the scraping assembly and the manual motive assembly.

The scraping assembly may comprise a central connector block to which is connected a scraping arrangement.

The scraping arrangement may be connected to an edge of the central connector block that is remote from the connection point of the longitudinally adjustable member.

The scraping arrangement may be a chisel.

The chisel may be an elongate member terminated at each end by a sharp edge.

The respective sharp edges are terminated by an apex.

The apices may be pointed away from the central connector block.

The surface of the chisel that faces away from the central connector block may be concaved in shape. A side edge of the scraping assembly is connected to a tubular member.

An actuation member may be receivable within the tubular member.

The actuation member may be securable within the tubular member by means of a fixing device.

The fixing device may be a nut and bolt assembly. A first and second aperture may be positioned at opposing sides of the tubular portion and the actuation member may have a corresponding third aperture extending there-through wherein the bolt may be arrangeable to pass through the first and second aperture of the tubular portion and the third aperture of the actuation member.

The actuation member may be an elongate handle.

The longitudinally adjustable member may be formed of a guide means and a co-operable carriage member moveable along the guide means.

The guide means may comprise a first and second leg configured in a parallel arrangement with respect to each other.

The manual motive assembly may comprise a wheel.

The manual motive assembly may further comprise a wheel bracket.

The wheel bracket may be terminated by the wheel at its distal end.

Part of the longitudinally adjustable member may be provided at the proximal end of the wheel bracket.

Part of the wheel bracket may comprise the carriage member.

In a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of removing material from the interior surface of a pipe the method comprising the steps of: a) attaching an actuating member to the tool of claim 1; b) inserting the tool into the interior of a pipe to be cleaned; c) adjusting the longitudinal distance between the manual motive assembly and the scraping assembly dependent upon the diameter of the pipe; d) applying a force to the actuation member so as to manoeuvre the tool longitudinally along the interior of the pipe via the manual motive assembly, thereby bringing the apices of the scraping assembly into contact with the material to be removed from the pipe; and e) continuing the application of the force to the actuation member so as to further manoeuvre the tool longitudinally along the pipe so that at least a portion of the deposited material is removed from the interior of the pipe via the scraping assembly.

The tool may be moveable in a first direction or a second direction which is opposite to the first direction so as to provide the removal of material within the interior of the pipe.

The tool may be rotated prior to being manoeuvred longitudinally along the pipe.

The interior of the pipe may be observed by means of a camera prior to or contemporaneously to applying the tool to the interior of the pipe.

Whilst the invention has been described above it extends to any inventive combination of the features set out above, or in the following description, drawings or claims. For example, any features described in relation to any one aspect of the invention is understood to be disclosed also in relation to any other aspect of the invention.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a side view of the tool according to the invention; and

Figure 2 is a side view of the tool of Figure 1 including an actuation member.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a tool 1 for cleaning the interior of a pipe, such as a sewer or drain pipe. The tool comprises a scraping assembly 2 for scraping and/or chipping and/or chiselling material from an interior of the pipe, and a manual motive assembly 3 which is separate and distinct from the scraping assembly 2. The manual motive assembly 2 is configured to allow the tool 1 to be manually manoeuvred longitudinally along the pipe. The scraping assembly 2 and the manual motive assembly 3 are connected by a longitudinally adjustable member 4, which is configured between the scraping assembly 2 and the manual motive assembly 3.

The longitudinally adjustable member 4 enables adjustment of the relative distance between the scraping assembly 2 and the manual motive assembly 3. For example, in a first, retracted configuration the scraping assembly 2 and the manual motive assembly 3 may be arranged to be in contact with each other and in a second, extended configuration the scraping assembly 2 and the manual motive assembly 3 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other.

The spacing between the scraping assembly 2 and the manual motive assembly 3 may be varied depending on the diameter of the pipe to which the tool 1 is to be applied. Further, the relative spacing between the scraping assembly 2 and the manual motive assembly 3 may be varied as a function of longitudinal movement along the pipe, for example where the diameter of the pipe changes due to the variation of deposition of material located on the interior side wall of the pipe. This effect is provided by the use of a biasing member (not shown), for example a spring, which extends the manual motive assembly 2 to an outermost position. When the tool contacts a side wall of the pipe or a side edge of the blockage, a counter force is provided that pushes against the biasing device (not shown) thereby reducing the distance between the scraping assembly 2 and the manual motive assembly 3.

Alternatively, a locking means (not shown) may be provided that is co-operable with the longitudinally adjustable member and that is used for fixing the relative position of the scraping assembly 2 and the manual motive assembly 3 prior to the tool 1 being inserted into the pipe.

The scraping assembly 2 comprises a central connector block 5 to which is connected a scraping device 6. Specifically, the scraping device 6 is connected to the side edge of the central connector block 5 that is remote from the side edge which is connected to the longitudinally adjustable member 4. The central connector block 5 and the scraping device 6 form an integral unit. The scraping device 6 is, for example, a chisel. The chisel 6 may also provide a cutting effect, depending on the angle of use of the chisel.

The chisel 6 comprises an elongate member 7 terminated at each end by a sharp portion 8a, 8b. The sharp edges 8a, 8b are terminated by respective apices 9a, 9b . Therefore, the chisel 6 has a first and second sharp portion 8a, 8b spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis of the pipe. The apices 9a, 9b of the chisel 6 are pointed away from the central connector block 5, and therefore outwardly of the tool 1. Therefore, the side edges'! Oa, 10b of the chisel 6 are outwardly sloped so as to connect the rearward face 11a of the chisel 6 to the forward face 11 b of the chisel 6.

The surface of the chisel 6 arrangement that faces away from the central connector block, i.e. the forward face 11b of the chisel that is outwardly facing from the tool 1 is concaved in shape. The concaved surface 12 is arranged between the first and second apex 9a, 9b. This chisel 6 provides a good scraping action at two ends 8a, 8b of the chisel, namely the forward end and the rearward end. This ensures that even the most stubborn blockage may be removed and that the tool can be reapplied simply and conveniently if required. The whole tool 1 in its entirety can be rotated if the blockage is located at a different circumferential position to a previous blockage site. A side edge 13 of the central connector block 5 is connected to a tubular member 14. This side edge is positioned perpendicular to the face of the connector block 5 that is connected to the chisel 6 and the longitudinally adjustable member 4.

The longitudinally adjustable member 4 is formed of a guide means 15 and a co-operable carriage member 16 fixedly moveable along the guide means 15.

The guide means 15 comprises a first and second leg 17a, 17b configured in a parallel arrangement with respect to each other. The legs 17a, 17b can also be considered as a first and second rod positioned in a parallel arrangement. The first end of the legs 17a’, 17b’ are fixed in position within the central connector block 5 and the other (or second) end of the legs 17a”, 17b” are moveably fixed within the manual motive assembly 3. Therefore, the length of the leg portion 17a, 17b positioned within the manual motive assembly 3 varies.

The carriage member 16 is a block portion that comprises a first and second aperture that extends there-through (not shown) and in which the first and second legs or rods 17a, 17b are receivable. The carriage 16 is configured to move along the longitudinal axis of the legs 17a, 17b.

The manual motive assembly 3 comprises a wheel 18 and a wheel bracket 19. The wheel bracket 19 is formed of a first wall 19 and second wall (not shown) configured in a parallel arrangement and joined at the end by a connector portion 21. The wheel bracket 19 therefore has a substantially ‘U’ shaped cross section when viewed from the side. The wheel 18 is inserted within the space between the first wall 19 and second wall (not shown), wherein one end of the wheel 18a extends past the end of the wheel bracket 19. A central wheel axle 22 connects the wheel 18 to the wheel bracket 19, for example a nut and bolt arrangement behaves as an axle 22 and is arranged to be received by apertures (not shown) positioned in the first and second wall of the bracket and a central aperture (not shown) of the wheel 18. Each of the apertures (not shown) are aligned to allow passage of the bolt there-through and a co-operable nut is applied to secure the wheel to the wheel bracket. Therefore, the wheel bracket 19 is terminated by the wheel 18. The longitudinally adjustable member 4 is provided at the proximal end 19a of the wheel bracket 19. The wheel 18 stops the chisel 6 riding over the blockage by ensuring a snug fit of the tool 1 within the pipe.

The part of the wheel bracket 19 comprises the carriage member 16 which is moveable along the guide means 15.

As shown in Figure 2, a removeable actuation member 23 is receivable within the tubular member 14 and is securable within the tubular member by means of a fixing device (not shown). The actuation member 23 comprises an elongate and substantially rigid handle, and may comprise a drainage rod for example. The fixing device (not shown) may comprise a nut and bolt assembly. A first aperture 24 and second aperture (not shown) are positioned at opposing sides of the tubular member 14 and the actuation member 23 has a corresponding third aperture (not shown) extending there-through wherein the bolt is configured to pass through the first aperture 24 and second aperture (not shown) of the tubular member 14 and the third aperture (not shown) of the actuation device 23.

When the actuation member 23 is fixed into position a user is able to hold the remote end of the actuation member 23 or a region proximate to the remote end of the actuation member 23 and apply a force via the actuation member 23 to the tool 1 so as to provide longitudinal movement of the tool 1 through the interior of the pipe.

In use, a camera (not shown) may be operated to view the interior of the pipe and to establish the interior diameter of the pipe and determine the type and extent of the blockage. The camera (not shown) may be detachably fixed to the actuation member 23, or even the connector block 5, or may be operated as a separate and distinct device (not shown). The distance between the scraping assembly 2 and the manual motive assembly 3 is then adjusted depending on the diameter of the pipe i.e. the distance between the chisel 6 and the wheel 18 are initially set to match the diameter of the pipe.

Therefore, in use to remove material from the interior surface of a pipe an actuation device 23, for example the handle 23, is attached to the tool 1 via the tubular member 14. The actuation device 23 is then fixed to the tubular member 14 via the nut and bolt arrangement. The tool 1 and at least a portion of the actuation member 23 are inserted into the interior of a pipe to be cleaned. The distance between the manual motive assembly 3 and the scraping assembly 2 is adjusted depending on the diameter of the pipe. A force is then applied to the actuation member 23 by the user so as to move the tool 1 along the interior of the pipe via the manual motive assembly 3 thereby bringing the apices 9a, 9b of the scraping device into contact with the material to be removed. The user continues to apply the force so as to move the tool 1 further along the pipe so that at least a portion of the deposited material is removed from the side wall of the pipe via the scraping assembly 2. The tool 1 can be manoeuvred longitudinally in a first direction or a second direction which is opposite to the first direction thereby ensuring that the blockage is removed. The chisel 6 is configured such that material located on the interior walls of the pipes may be removed by the forward end 8a and rearward end 8b of the chisel 6 when moved in the first or second direction.

Alternatively, the tool 1 may be rotated prior to, contemporaneously to or subsequently to being moved along the pipe.

The interior of the pipe is observed by means of a camera (not shown) prior to or contemporaneously to applying the tool to the interior of the pipe. The camera (not shown) would transfer the image to an electronic device remote from the interior of the pipe so that it can be seen by the user.

The scraping assembly 2 and the manual motive assembly 3 are made from mild steel, which may be hardened or plated to minimise corrosion.

Various modifications to the principles described above would suggest themselves to the skilled person.

Instead of a wheel 18 another form of manual motive device 3 having a curved surface may be implemented, for example a roller.

An alternative fixing means may be implemented to secure the actuation member 23 to the tubular member 14, or to moveably secure the wheel 18 to the wheel bracket 19.

The tool 1 may be made from alternative materials to mild steel, for example a composite material or reinforced plastic may be used.

The sharp edge 8a, 8b may take other forms. For example may be a serrated edge or may be another shape, for example hooked.

Alternatively to the longitudinally adjustable member 4 being caused by adjusting the position of the carriage 16 on the guide 15, the legs 17a, 17b may be replaceable such that the differing lengths of the legs could be selected and fitted between the scraping assembly 2 and the manual motive assembly 3 depending on the diameter of the pipe.

The adjustable carriage 16 and legs 17a, 17b may be reconfigured such that the legs 17a, 17b are fixed in the manually motive assembly 3 and fixedly moveable in the central connector block 5.

The tool has been described as being a manual device, however this tool may instead be automated and the movement may be controlled by a controller and an electronic device.

Claims

1. A tool for cleaning the interior of a pipe, the tool comprising a scraping assembly; a manual motive assembly configured to allow the tool to be manually manoeuvred longitudinally along the pipe, the manual motive assembly being separate and distinct from the scraping assembly, and a longitudinally adjustable member arranged between the scraping assembly and the manual motive assembly so as to couple the scraping assembly to the manual motive assembly and enable adjustment of the relative longitudinal distance there-between.

2. A tool according to claim 1, further comprising a locking means co-operable with the adjustable member and for fixing the relative position of the scraping assembly and the manual motive assembly.

3. A tool according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the scraping assembly comprises a central connector block to which is connected a scraping arrangement.

4. A tool according to claim 3, wherein the scraping arrangement is connected to an edge of the central connector block remote from the connection point of the longitudinally adjustable member.

5. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the scraping arrangement is a chisel.

6. A tool according to claim 5, wherein the chisel is an elongate member terminated at each end by a sharp edge.

7. A tool according to claim 6, wherein respective sharp edges are terminated by an apex.

8. A tool according to claim 7, wherein the apices are pointed away from the central connector block.

9. A tool according to claim 8, wherein the surface of the chisel that faces away from the central connector block is concaved in shape.

10. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein a side edge of the scraping assembly is connected to a tubular member.

11. A tool according to claim 10, further comprising an actuation member receivable within the tubular member.

12. A tool according to claim 11, wherein the actuation member is securable within the tubular member by means of a fixing device.

13. A tool according to claim 12, wherein the fixing device is a nut and bolt assembly.

14. A tool according to claim 13, wherein a first and second aperture are positioned at opposing sides of the tubular portion and the actuation member has a corresponding third aperture extending there-through wherein the bolt is arrangeable to pass through the first and second aperture of the tubular portion and the third aperture of the actuation member.

15. A tool according to any of claims 11 to 14, wherein the actuation member is an elongate handle.

16. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the longitudinally adjustable member is formed of a guide means and a co-operable carriage member moveable along the guide means.

17. A tool according to claim 16, wherein the guide means comprises a first and second leg configured in a parallel arrangement with respect to each other.

18. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the manual motive assembly comprises a wheel.

19. A tool according to claim 18, wherein the manual motive assembly further comprises a wheel bracket.

20. A tool according to claim 19, wherein the wheel bracket is terminated by the wheel at its distal end.

21. A tool according to claim 20, wherein the part of the longitudinally adjustable member is provided at the proximal end of the wheel bracket.

22. A tool according to claim 20 or 21 when dependent on claim 16, wherein part of the wheel bracket comprises the carriage member.

23. A method of removing material from the interior surface of a pipe the method comprising the steps of: f) attaching an actuating member to the tool of claim 1; g) inserting the tool into the interior of a pipe to be cleaned; h) adjusting the longitudinal distance between the manual motive assembly and the scraping assembly dependent upon the diameter of the pipe; i) applying a force to the actuation member so as to manoeuvre the tool longitudinally along the interior of the pipe via the manual motive assembly, thereby bringing the apices of the scraping assembly into contact with the material to be removed from the pipe; and j) continuing the application of the force to the actuation member so as to further manoeuvre the tool longitudinally along the pipe so that at least a portion of the deposited material is removed from the interior of the pipe via the scraping assembly.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the tool is moveable in a first direction or a second direction which is opposite to the first direction so as to provide the removal of material within the interior of the pipe.

25. A method according to claim 23 or claim 24, further including rotation of the tool prior to being manoeuvred longitudinally along the pipe.

26. A method according to any of claims 23 to 25, wherein the interior of the pipe is observed by means of a camera prior to or contemporaneously to applying the tool to the interior of the pipe.

27. A tool with reference to the accompanying text and drawings.

28. A method with reference to the accompanying text and drawings.