IES79097B2 - A cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

A cleaning device (1) for mounting on a rod (2) for cleaning a pipe, chimney flue or the like, the cleaning device (1) is formed of resilient plastics material, and comprises a central disc member (4) and a plurality of radially extending scraper members (5) separated by radially extending slots (11). A peripheral edge (7) defined by the scraper members (5) defines the bore of the pipe to be cleaned. The scraper members (5) are slightly arcuate in radial cross-section for facilitating rearward resilient flexing movement as the cleaning device (1) is being pushed through the pipe in the direction of the arrow A and to provide a scraping action against the inner surface of the flue as the cleaning device (1) is being pulled through the pipe in the reverse direction.

Description

A cleaning device The present invention relates to a cleaning device, and in particular, though not limited to a cleaning device for cleaning a pipe, a chimney flue or other such like conduit.

In general, to clean pipes, chimney flues and the like, a disc shaped brush having a plurality of bristles radially extending from a central core is mounted at the end of a rod, and the brush is urged through the pipe or chimney flue by the rod for cleaning thereof. The brush, in general, defines the cross-sectional area of the pipe or flue being cleaned. In general, a plurality of rods may be secured together end to end to extend the brush through the entire length of the chimney flue or pipe being cleaned. A problem experienced with such brushes is that it is impossible in general, to retain the brush co-axial with the pipe or chimney flue due to the flexible nature of the bristles, and thus, parts of the surface of the pipe or chimney flue are missed by the brush.

There is therefore a need for a cleaning device which overcomes this problem.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a cleaning device.

According to the invention there is provided a cleaning device for cleaning a pipe, chimney flue or other such like conduit, the cleaning device comprising a disc member for mounting co-axially on a rod, and a plurality of scraper members extending radially from the disc member in substantially the plane of the disc member, each scraper member being resiliently connected to the disc member, and terminating in a free edge.

Typically, the free edges of the scraper members substantially defining the inner cross-sectional area of the bore of the pipe to be cleaned.

In one embodiment of the invention the scraper members are spaced apart circumferentially around the disc member.

Preferably, the disc member and the scraper members are formed from a single sheet of material which is preferably a resilient material.

Advantageously, the scraper members are formed by cutting a plurality of slots into the sheet material from the peripheral edge thereof towards the centre of the disc. Ideally, six or eight scraper members are provided.

In one embodiment of the invention the disc member and scraper members are of a plastics material, and preferably, are of polypropylene or polyethylene material.

Ideally, the scraper members are slightly arcuate in radial cross-section adjacent their free edges.

Preferably, a central opening is located in the disc member for securing the disc member to a rod.

Alternatively, a tubular member extends from the disc member centrally and co-axially therewith, the tubular member having a bore extending therethrough co-axial with the disc member for facilitating connection of the disc member to a rod.

In one aspect of the invention a pair of disc members is provided, each having radially extending scraper members, the scraper members extending from the respective discs being staggered relative to each other for ensuring complete cleaning of the pipe or flue wall.

Ideally, the slots defining the scraper members are staggered.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof which are given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning device according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the cleaning device of Fig. 1/ Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevational view of the 10 cleaning device of Fig. 1 on the line III-III of Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a cleaning device according to another embodiment of the invention, Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of the cleaning 15 device of Fig. 4, and Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 of a cleaning device according to another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 to 3 20 thereof, there is illustrated a cleaning device according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for mounting on a rod 2 for cleaning a pipe, chimney flue or other such like conduit. The cleaning device 1 is formed from a single sheet of resilient plastics material, namely, polypropylene or polyethylene, and comprises a central disc member 4 and a plurality of radially extending scraper members 5 extending radially from the disc member 4. The scraper members 5 lie in substantially the same plane as the disc member 4 and terminate in a free edge 6 which forms a peripheral edge 7 of the cleaning device, which in turn, substantially defines the cross-sectional area of the bore of the pipe or flue to be cleaned. The scraper members 5 are slightly arcuate in radial cross-section at 8 adjacent their free edges 6 so that the free edges 6 are directed slightly rearwardly of forward motion of the disc member 4 during cleaning. Forward motion of the disc member 4 is the direction of motion of the disc member in the direction of the arrow A as the disc member 4 is being pushed by the rod 2 through the pipe or flue, while rearward motion is motion of the disc member 4 in the reverse direction as the cleaning device 1 is being pulled by the rod 2 in the return direction.

A central opening 9 which is co-axial with the disc member 4 and the peripheral edge 7 is located in the disc member 4 for receiving a mounting attachment 10 for securing the cleaning device 1 to the rod 2, with the rod 2 co-axially aligned with the peripheral edge 7.

In this embodiment of the invention six scraper members 5 are provided which are equi-spaced apart circumferentially around the disc member 4. The scraper members 5 are formed by cutting slots 11 into the material of the cleaning device 1 from the peripheral edge 7 towards the disc member 4.

In use, with the cleaning device 1 mounted on a rod 2 the cleaning device 1 and rod 2 are entered into the bore of the pipe or chimney flue or other such conduit to be cleaned. The cleaning device 1 is pushed through the pipe in the forward direction, namely, in the direction of the arrow A by the rod 2. The fact that the peripheral edge 7 formed by the scraper members 5 is deflected rearwardly assists forward motion of the cleaning device 1 through the pipe or flue for cleaning thereof. On reaching the end of the pipe, the cleaning device 1 is pulled by the rod 2 in the reverse rearward direction, and the action of the peripheral edge 7 of the scraper members 5 scraping along the inner wall of the pipe or flue removes any remaining residue on the pipe or flue wall which was not removed on the forward pass of the cleaning device 1.

The cleaning device according to the invention has many advantages. By virtue of the fact that the cleaning device 1 is constructed of a resilient material, the cleaning device at virtually all times remains centrally located and co-axially aligned with the pipe or flue, thereby avoiding any danger of the cleaning device becoming misaligned with the pipe or flue which would result in portion of the pipe or flue wall being missed by the cleaning device. By virtue of the fact that the cleaning device remains in alignment with the pipe or flue substantially the entire internal peripheral surface of the pipe is cleaned by the cleaning device. Furthermore, by virtue of the fact that the scraper members are spaced apart circumferentially around the disc member, the cleaning device can operate particularly efficiently in water and sewage carrying pipes since the slots between the scraper members accommodate back flow of liquid or other fluid in the pipes, thereby reducing the resistance to motion of the cleaning device through the pipe.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5 there is illustrated a cleaning device according to another embodiment of the invention which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 20. The cleaning device 20 is substantially similar to the cleaning device 1 and similar components are identified by the same reference numeral. The main difference between the cleaning device 20 and the cleaning device 1 is that firstly, the cleaning device 20 comprises two cleaning devices 1, and secondly, instead of a central opening 9 being provided in the disc members 4 for securing the cleaning device 20 to a rod 2, a tubular member 21 extends from opposite sides of the disc members 4 each of which include a bore 22 for securing the cleaning device 20 to a rod 2.

Castellations 24 are provided on the ends of the tubular members 21 for aligning the cleaning devices 1 so that the scraper members 5 of the respective devices 1 are staggered relative to each other. The castellations 24 on the end of one tubular member 21 engage the corresponding castellations 24 on the adjacent tubular member 21 of the other device 1. In this way, the scraper members 5 of one device 1 overlap the slots of the other device 1, thereby, ensuring complete cleaning of the pipe or flue wall around the entire inner surface of the pipe or flue.

Otherwise, the cleaning device 20 is similar to the cleaning device 1, and each device 1 of the cleaning device 20 is formed from plastics material which is injection moulded in one piece.

The cleaning device 20 is secured to a rod (not shown) > by passing a bolt through the bore 22 in the tubular members 21 for engaging a suitable adaptor for securing the device 20 to a rod.

Referring now to Fig. 6 there is illustrated a cleaning device indicated generally by the reference numeral 40 which is substantially similar to the cleaning device , and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals. The main difference between the cleaning device 40 and the cleaning device 20 is that tubular members 21 extend on one side only of each of the cleaning devices 1 which form the cleaning device 40. The tubular member 21 extends from the rear side of the cleaning device la, while the tubular member 21 extends from the forward side of the cleaning device lb. Otherwise, the cleaning device 40 is similar to the cleaning device 20.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in , construction and detail.

Claims (5)

1. CLAIMS i

1. A cleaning device for cleaning a pipe, chimney flue or other such like conduit, the cleaning device • comprising a disc member for mounting co-axially on a 5 rod, and a plurality of scraper members extending radially from the disc member in substantially the plane of the disc member, each scraper member being resiliently connected to the disc member and terminating in a free edge for scraping the inner 10 surface of the pipe to be cleaned.

2. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 1 in which the free edges of the respective scraper members substantially define the inner cross-sectional area of the bore of the pipe to be cleaned. 15

3. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the disc member and the scraper members are formed from a single sheet of resilient material, the scraper members being formed by cutting a plurality of radial slots into the sheet material from the 20 peripheral edge thereof towards the centre of the disc

4. A cleaning device as claimed in any preceding V claim in which a pair of disc members are provided, each having radially extending scraper members, the scraper members extending from the respective discs being staggered relative to each other for ensuring complete cleaning of the pipe or flue wall. a

5. A cleaning device for cleaning a pipe, chimney 5 flue or other such like conduit, the cleaning device being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.