US20130055493A1 - Toilet Ramrod Apparatus and Method - Google Patents
Toilet Ramrod Apparatus and Method Download PDFInfo
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- US20130055493A1 US20130055493A1 US13/585,361 US201213585361A US2013055493A1 US 20130055493 A1 US20130055493 A1 US 20130055493A1 US 201213585361 A US201213585361 A US 201213585361A US 2013055493 A1 US2013055493 A1 US 2013055493A1
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- toilet
- ramrod
- ramming
- elongated member
- impacting
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
- E03D9/00—Sanitary or other accessories for lavatories ; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting the toilet room or the toilet bowl; Devices for eliminating smells
Abstract
Toilet ramrods (10, 90, 100, 130, 150, 202, 280, or 300) comprise extruded plastic (10), steel strip (92), wires (102 and 104), and/or a coiled spring (206). Two toilet ramrods (130 and 150) include unidirectional stiffening. Toilet ramrod apparatus (70, 110, 200, 240, or 270) comprises a toilet ramrod (10, 90, 100, 130, 150, 202, 280, or 300), a sleeve (72 or 204), a ramming handle (112, 212, or 258), an impacting foot (114 or 210), a slide hammer (252), a power-impacting device (272), and/or a torque deactivator (334+336). The method includes threading an elongated member (10, 90, 100, 130, or 202) into a curved discharge passageway (16) and elastically ramming the elongated member (10, 90, 100, 130, or 202) against a blockage (30). Optionally the method includes distributing the toilet ramrod (10, 130, or 150) as promotional merchandise.
Description
- This patent application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/575,366, filed on Aug. 19, 2011; Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/632,015 filed on Jan. 17, 2012; and Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/690,802 filed on Jul. 5, 2012.
- Not Applicable
- Not Applicable
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates generally to ramrod apparatus and method for clearing plugged toilet stools. More particularly, the present invention pertains to apparatus and method for manually and power-impact ramming blockages through curved discharge passageways of toilet stools and out into the sewer line. Power-impact-ramming embodiments include electro-mechanical-impact devices, such as electric hammers or hammer drills. Manually rammed embodiments may be in the form of a coiled steel spring with a protective sheath or in the form of a flexible yardstick. Yardstick embodiments may include measurements in inches and/or centimeters, may include advertising printed thereon, and may be used as gift advertising merchandise.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- The convenience of indoor plumbing is taken for granted until a toilet stool becomes plugged, then this household convenience is transformed into a minor household emergency. No one in the family wants to revert to more primitive sanitary facilities, even temporarily. Instead, everyone in the household wants normal function and use of the stool restored immediately.
- Toilet stools commonly include a curved discharge passageway that bends upwardly and downwardly around transverse axes to form a trap before exiting into the sewer. The trap holds a small quantity of water, before and after flushing, so that sewer gases are blocked. Commonly, the curved discharge passageway is sized to pass a two inch (50.8 mm.) ball, although more expensive toilet stools sometimes have larger discharge passageways.
- The two inch (50.8 mm.) curved discharge passageway of the toilet stool commonly connects to a four inch (101 mm.) sewer pipe, although at times only three inch (76.2 mm.) sewer pipes are used. Either way, it is obvious that, if blockage is to occur, it is more likely to occur in the two inch (50.5 mm.) discharge passageway than in a three inch (76.2 mm.) or four inch (101 mm.) sewer pipe. Therefore, nearly all toilet stool blockages occur in a passageway that is about 28 inches (71.1 cm) long.
- The most common apparatus for opening clogged passageways in toilet stools has been a flexible plunger with a wooden handle that is used to force air and/or water into the clogged passageway. A modern version is taught by Tash in U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,427 wherein a bellows and handle are molded integrally.
- The use of conventional toilet plungers produces uncertain, unreliable, and mixed results. One problem is in the shape of the opening discharge passageway where it connects to the bowl of the stool. Commonly, shapes of these openings deviate somewhat from circular, so that a reliable seal between the plunger and the stool bowl is not reliably achieved. As a result, a few plunges of a stool plunger may clear an obstruction in a curved discharge passageway. A few hundred may not.
- While plumbing snakes are quite effective in opening sewer lines, commonly they have not been used in toilet stools because of danger to porcelain surfaces. To overcome the problem of possible damage to porcelain surfaces when using a conventional plumbing snake to clear blockages in toilet stools, Rodriguez, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,116, teaches an anti-scratch snake. His anti-scratch snake includes a protective tube, with a metal snake inserted and rotatable inside the protective tube.
- While plumbing snakes are quite effective in opening plugged sewer lines, they are not particularly effective in removing blockages from toilet stools, because blockages in toilet stools are usually caused by children placing too much paper in the toilet stool. Auguring through a soggy mass of wet paper is not an especially effective method for removing the blockage, nor is auguring through a wadded mass of wet paper particularly effective for reestablishing the fluid flow capacity that is necessary for effective flushing.
- Palmer, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,025,982 teaches a plastic device with different size scrubbing brushes on opposite ends, and a plurality of ball-like enlargements to guide the device along the curved discharge passageway of a toilet stool, whereby back and forth movement scrubs the curved discharge passageway.
- While blockages in toilet stools in homes are most often caused by children acting in innocence, blockages in public restrooms are all too often caused by teens and adults, who indifferently or maliciously place material or objects in toilet stools that cause blockages. High janitorial and plumbing costs demand that equipment used in public restrooms yield prompt and effective results. The wide variety of complex and expensive devices that are continually being patented for stool blockage removal attests to this truth.
- Prestia, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,877,821, teaches a portable compressed air device. Similarly, Flamand, in Published Application No. 20100132102 teaches a high pressure flush of water or suction. The downside of using high pressures is that the wax seal may be damaged, leakage occurs between the stool and the sewer pipe, and it becomes necessary to reset the stool with a new wax ring.
- Whereas methods for clearing blockages in toilet tools commonly have involved using a plunger to force water and/or air against a stool blockage, pressurized water, pressurized air, a vacuum, a sheathed auger, or a mop, the present invention provides a toilet ramrod.
- The present invention provides toilet ramrod apparatus for non-rotationally clearing blockages in curved discharge passageways of toilet stools.
- Further, the present invention provides a method for non-rotationally clearing blockages in toilet stools which comprises: threading a first end of a toilet ramrod into a curved discharge passageway; ramming the first end against a blockage; and ramming the blockage through the curved discharge passageway into the sewer line.
- In embodiments of greatest simplicity, the toilet ramrod of the present invention has large flat areas and can be manufactured so economically that it can be used as gift advertising merchandise, and therefore has tremendous and long enduring market potential.
- As gift advertising merchandise, the toilet ramrod resembles a yardstick in its cross-section, is uniform for a portion of its length, and has a thickness smaller than its width. If dimension inscriptions are included, in addition to being used as a toilet ramrod, it can also be used as a yardstick.
- Yardsticks, with advertising message imprinted thereon, have been used as gift advertising merchandise, and have been given to potential or actual customers, for about one-hundred years. In like manner, the simplicity, low cost, and yardstick-like advertising surfaces of the toilet ramrod of the aforesaid simplest embodiment make it an ideal for use as gift advertising merchandise, whether or not measuring increments are included along with an advertising message.
- While some embodiments of the present invention are similar to yardsticks, they are entirely different both mechanically and functionally. Whereas yardsticks are relatively stiff, the toilet ramrod of the present invention is flexible.
- Whereas yardsticks are used as measuring devices, the toilet ramrod of the present invention is used for threading into curved discharge passageways of toilet stools, for impactingly ramming blockages through curved discharge passageways of toilet stools into sewer lines.
- Even when plungers fail, blockages in toilet stools ordinarily can be rammed through the curved discharge passageways and into the sewer line, using even the more economical embodiments shown herein, by simply ramming the ramrod inwardly once, or a few times.
- In other embodiments, some for home use and some for industrial use, the ramrod is made from coiled steel wire, and encased in a plastic sheath to protect the porcelain surfaces of the toilet stool. In one embodiment designed especially for industrial use, the toilet ramrod includes a slide hammer.
- For industrial use, the present invention provides power-impacting ramrod apparatus that is extremely effective and relatively inexpensive. One embodiment comprises an electric hammer and a power-impacting ramrod.
- Alternately, especially useful for homeowners who already own a hammer drill, the present invention provides a power-impacting ramrod, that when chucked into a conventional hammer drill, provides power-impacting ramrod apparatus.
- When a power-impacting ramrod of the present invention is chucked into a hammer drill, the power-impacting ramrod utilizes power impacts received from the hammer drill, and prevents the hammer drill from delivering torque to the power-impacting ramrod.
- Power-impact-ramming embodiments include a power-impacting device, of any suitable type, using any type or source of power, and a power-impacting ramrod. Preferably, power-impact-ramming embodiments include an electro-mechanical impacting device, such as an electric hammer or a hammer drill.
- Utility of the various embodiments of the present invention is in its ability to impactly ram blockages through curved discharge passageways quickly, reliably, without danger of damage to porcelain surfaces, and without danger to wax seals.
- A first object of the present invention is to provide apparatus and method for clearing blockages in toilet stools quickly and reliably, with minimum effort, without danger of damaging porcelain surfaces, and without danger of damaging the wax seal between the stool and the sewer pipe.
- A second object of the present invention is to provide toilet ramrod apparatus with compressive elasticity.
- A third object of the present invention is to provide a method for clearing blockages in toilet stools in which impactly ramming one end elastically transmits impacts to blockages.
- A fourth object of the present invention is to provide power-impacting toilet ramrod apparatus which comprises a power impacting device, such as a hammer drill or an electric hammer.
- A fifth object of the present invention is to power-impact a first end of a toilet ramrod and elastically impact blockages.
- A sixth object of the present invention is to provide apparatus and method for clearing blockages in toilet stools in which impactly ramming one end transmits impacts past frictional contacts of the ramrod within curved discharge passageways.
- A seventh object of the present invention is to provide a power-impacting ramrod that is adaptable for use with any hammer drill.
- An eighth object of the present invention is to provide merchandise whose utility, low cost, and large imprinting surfaces make it ideal for use as gift advertising merchandise.
- A ninth object of the present invention is to provide a toilet ramrod that is both economical and durable by extruding with unidirectional curvature stiffening, and subsequently increasing bidirectional flexibility in a selected portion of its length by post extrusion forging.
- A tenth object of the present invention is to provide stiffness and flexibility in a toilet ramrod by extruding a sheath over a steel strip or a pair of spaced-apart steel wires.
- In a first aspect of the present invention, a method comprises threading an elongated member into a curved discharge passageway of a toilet bowl proximal to a blockage; and ramming the elongated member against the blockage.
- In a second aspect of the present invention, a toilet ramrod comprises flexibility sufficient for elastic threading through a curved discharge passageway of a toilet bowl; and stiffness sufficient for transmitting impacts from a ramming end to an impacting end.
- In a third aspect of the present invention, toilet ramrod apparatus comprises a coiled spring; a sheath enclosing said spring; and ramming means operatively associated with said coiled spring.
- In a fourth aspect of the present invention, advertising merchandise comprises a toilet ramrod; and an advertising message on said toilet ramrod.
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FIG. 1 is a cross-sectioned elevation of a toilet stool showing a toilet ramrod of the present invention threaded through the curved discharge passageway thereof; -
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectioned elevation of a toilet stool ofFIG. 1 , taken substantially as shown inFIG. 1 , showing the serpentine bending of the toilet ramrod in the curved discharge passageway, as increased downward force is applied to the toilet ramrod to ram a blockage through the curved outlet passageway to its outlet; -
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a toilet ramrod of the present invention, showing a promotional/use card removably attached to the toilet ramrod, separate utility/use and advertising messages permanently secured, and an optional stiffening sleeve, or ramming handle, slidably positioned on the toilet ramrod; -
FIG. 4 is a cross section, taken substantially as shown by section line 4-4 ofFIG. 3 , of a stiffening sleeve, or ramming sleeve; -
FIG. 5 is a plan view of an opposite face of the toilet ramrod ofFIG. 3 , showing optional measuring inscriptions; -
FIG. 6 is an edge view of the toilet ramrod ofFIG. 3 , showing the relative thinness of the toilet ramrod; -
FIG. 7 is an edge view of theramrod 10 ofFIG. 3 , taken substantially the same asFIG. 6 with the stiffening sleeve, or ramming sleeve, ofFIG. 3 selectively positioned above a curved portion of the toilet ramrod; -
FIG. 8 is a cross section of a toilet ramrod, taken substantially the same asFIG. 4 , which comprises a spring steel strip encased in a non-metallic sheath; -
FIG. 9 is a cross section of a toilet ramrod, taken substantially the same asFIGS. 4 and 8 , which comprises a pair of spaced-apart steel wires encased in a non-metallic sheath; -
FIG. 10 is a plan view of an embodiment of a toilet ramrod of the present invention in which a display or storing cap encloses one end of a ramrod, and an impacting foot encloses the other end; -
FIG. 11 is an end view of the impacting foot ofFIG. 10 , taken substantially as shown by view lines 11-11 ofFIG. 10 ; -
FIG. 12 is a plan view of an extruded embodiment of the toilet ramrod, which is extruded to provide sufficient rigidity for a stiffening and ramming handle, and subsequently a portion of the extrusion is heat forged to decrease the thickness and thereby increase flexibility of the ramming portion. -
FIG. 13 is a cross section of the stiffening and ramming handle ofFIG. 12 , taken substantially as shown by section line 13-13 ofFIG. 12 , as extruded; -
FIG. 14 is a cross section of the ramming portion ofFIG. 12 , taken substantially as shown by view line 14-14 ofFIG. 12 , showing the reduced cross section of the ramming portion; -
FIG. 15 is a cross section, taken substantially as shown by Section Line 15-15 ofFIG. 1 , of a longitudinal portion of a toilet ramrod that includes unidirectional stiffening; -
FIG. 16 is a cross section of the toilet ramrod ofFIG. 15 in a longitudinal portion that includes bidirectional flexibility; -
FIG. 17 is a partial front elevation of the toilet ramrod ofFIGS. 15 and 16 , taken substantially the same asFIGS. 1 and 2 , and with a portion broken out to more clearly show the cross section, illustrating manual forces are applied to the unidirectionally stiffened toilet ramrod; -
FIG. 18 is a top view of a curving disk that, when used with the toilet ramrod ofFIGS. 1-3 , curves a longitudinal portion of the toilet ramrod; -
FIG. 19 is a longitudinal cross-section, showing the toilet ramrod ofFIGS. 1-3 inserted into a straight piece of plastic pipe and serpentinely bent to illustrate the compressive-spring characteristic of toilet ramrods of the present invention; -
FIG. 20 is an end view of the plastic pipe and toilet ramrod ofFIG. 7 taken substantially as shown by view-lines 20-20 ofFIG. 19 ; -
FIG. 21 is a plan view of an embodiment of the present invention in which toilet ramrod apparatus comprises a coiled spring, a flexible sheath, and a stiffening sleeve or ramming sleeve; -
FIG. 22 is an enlarged end view, taken substantially as shown by view line 22-22 ofFIG. 21 , of a stiffening sleeve for use as a part of the toilet ramrod apparatus ofFIG. 21 ; -
FIG. 23 is an enlarged end view, taken substantially as shown by view line 22-22 ofFIG. 21 , of a ramming sleeve for use as a part of the toilet ramrod apparatus ofFIG. 21 ; -
FIG. 24 is a partial and a greatly enlarged end view of the ramming sleeve ofFIG. 23 , taken substantially the same asFIG. 23 , showing the non-circular opening that provides self-locking; -
FIG. 25 is a plan view of a toilet ramrod, with a portion broken out, that includes a coiled steel spring, a sheath, a positioning handle, a bellows, and a slide hammer; -
FIG. 26 is a front elevation of power-impacting ramrod apparatus that includes an electric hammer, a chuck attached to the electric hammer, and a power-impacting ramrod, such as a power-impacting ramrod ofFIG. 27 , secured in the chuck; -
FIG. 27 is a cross-section of a power-impacting end of a power-impacting ramrod for use with power-impact-ramming devices, such as electric hammers, in which a bellows allows power-impacting the coiled steel spring without impacting the sheath; and -
FIG. 28 is an enlarged cross section of a power-impacting end of a power-impacting ramrod for use with hammer drills, in which the power-impacting end transmits hammering impacts to the ramrod but prevents transmitting torque; and -
FIG. 29 is an enlarged end view, taken substantially as shown by view line 22-22 ofFIG. 21 , of a stiffening sleeve that includes the unidirectional stiffening ofFIGS. 15-17 . - Referring now to
FIG. 1 , atoilet ramrod 10 of the present invention is shown threaded downward into atoilet bowl 12 of atoilet stool 14, entering acurved discharge passageway 16 at anentrance 18 thereof, curving complexly through thecurved discharge passageway 16, and exiting thetoilet stool 14 at anoutlet 20. As thetoilet ramrod 10 has been forced downwardly and threaded through thecurved discharge passageway 16, it has bent elastically to more or less follow thecurved discharge passageway 16. - The
toilet ramrod 10 has flexibility, as determined by athickness 22 and the modulus of elasticity of the material, that allows flexing in thecurved discharge passageway 16, as shown, without exceeding the tensile strength of the material, but with a stiffness that will prevent crumpling of one portion of thetoilet ramrod 10 against another portion in thecurved discharge passageway 16. Commonly,curved discharge passageways 16 have a diameter of 2.0 inches (50.8 mm). - The
toilet ramrod 10 is rectangular in cross section, has awidth 23 as shown inFIG. 3 . Because of the width of 1.125 inches (28.6 mm), thetoilet ramrod 10 cannot move closer to asurface 24 of a 2.0 inch (51.2 mm) passageway than adistance 26 ofFIGS. 1 and 2 than 0.173 inches (4.4 mm). - As shown in
FIG. 1 , as thetoilet ramrod 10 is threaded through thecurved discharge passageway 16, it follows a path of least resistance, sometimes close to asurface 24 of thecurved discharge passageway 16, never being closer than adistance 26, and sometimes being nearer to acenter 28 of thepassageway 16. - In it simplest form, the
toilet ramrod 10, as described in conjunction withFIGS. 3-6 , is similar to a yardstick in shape, but entirely different both in mechanical characteristics and utility. Instead of being rigid like a yardstick, thetoilet ramrod 10 of the present invention is flexible. Instead of being used for measuring, thetoilet ramrod 10 of the present invention is used for impactly rammingblockages 30, ofFIG. 2 , throughcurved discharge passageways 16. - Referring now to
FIG. 2 , as a user, not shown, places additional downward force on thetoilet ramrod 10 in an attempt to dislodge ablockage 30, the additional downward force will tend to bend thetoilet ramrod 10 around acontour 32 of thetoilet bowl 12, thereby initiating buckling of thetoilet ramrod 10, as shown by a buckledportion 34. Initial buckling moves the downward force of the buckledportion 34 farther from acenter 36 of the toilet ramrod, so initial buckling, as illustrated by the buckledportion 34, decreases the force that will additionally buckle thetoilet ramrod 10. - Assume that the
toilet bowl 12 ofFIG. 2 is full ofdirty water 38 almost up to arim 40 of thetoilet bowl 12. Because of buckling of thetoilet ramrod 10, as described above, additional stiffening of thetoilet ramrod 10 will be needed, so that home owners will not be required to put their hands in thedirty water 38. - The increase in downward force applied to the
toilet ramrod 10 causes serpentine bending 42 inside thecurved discharge passageway 16. By design, stiffness of thetoilet ramrod 10 is sufficient to prevent crumpling of thetoilet ramrod 10 in thecurved discharge passageway 16 to an extent that would prevent use as described. -
Thickness 22, the modulus of elasticity of the material, and tensile strength of the material of thetoilet ramrod 10 combine to prevent a bending stress that could exceed tensile strength of thetoilet ramrod 10. Preferably, theramrod 10 will resume the straight shape of a yardstick. However, ramrods 10 may require manually straightening after removal fromcurved discharge passageways 16. - If the
toilet ramrod 10 has athickness 22 of 0.060 (1.5 mm) and awidth 23 of 1.125 inches (28.6 mm), the resultant rigidity of thetoilet ramrod 10 will be many times larger with respect to thewidth 23 than with regard to thethickness 22, because the section modulus of a rectangular cross section is a function of the cube of the distance from the neutral axis, but only a function of the first power of the width. - Bending of the
toilet ramrod 10 in thecurved discharge passageway 16 is similar to a beam. When a beam is subjected to a load, if the beam has a lower section modulus transverse to the load, and if the beam can twist sufficiently, the beam will twist and fail in bending with respect to the lower section modulus. - In like manner, as the
toilet ramrod 10 is threaded through thecurved discharge passageway 16, thetoilet ramrod 10 will rotationally orient to conform bending to thewidth 23. That is, the lower section modulus of thedimension 22 will keep thewidth 23 of thetoilet ramrod 10 transverse to thecurved discharge passageway 16, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 . - Depending upon where
blockage 30 occurs in thecurved discharge passageway 16, an impactingend 44 of thetoilet ramrod 10 may impinge almost equally against thesurface 24 of thecurved discharge passageway 16 and theblockage 30, as shown inFIG. 2 . Even so, thetoilet ramrod 10 will drive theblockage 30 out through theoutlet 20. - Referring now to
FIGS. 3-6 , thetoilet ramrod 10 includes thewidth 23, the impactingend 44, a rammingend 46, ahole 48 for display or storage, and afirst surface 50, all ofFIG. 3 , asecond surface 52 andedges 54 ofFIG. 5 , and thethickness 22 ofFIG. 6 . - Preferably, the
toilet ramrod 10 is extruded plastic with a ductility and tensile strength that precludes breakage under strenuous usage. Nylon is a preferred material because of its high tensile strength and large percentage of elongation, and preferably thethickness 22 is 0.06 inches (1.5 mm). - As a retail sales item, preferably, the
toilet ramrod 10 includes apromotional card 56 with a picture and/orwords 58 that proclaim the utility of thetoilet ramrod 10, so that potential buyers will understand its use. - As an advertising gift promotional item, the
toilet ramrod 10 includes a first message, or utility/use information, 58, on a surface, 50 or 52, and a second message, or advertising message, 60, on a surfaces, 50 or 52. Optionally, thetoilet ramrod 10 may includedimensional inscriptions 62 in inches and/or in centimeters. -
Toilet ramrod apparatus 70 comprises thetoilet ramrod 10 ofFIGS. 1-3 , 5 and 6 in combination with a stiffening sleeve, or ramminghandle 72, shown inFIGS. 3 , 4, and 7. - As shown in
FIG. 4 , the stiffening sleeve, or ramming handle, 72 includes arectangular opening 74 for slidably receiving thethickness 22 and thewidth 23, andribs 76. The stiffening sleeve, or ramming handle, 72 is extruded from a softer, and more economical plastic than that of theramrod 10. - Referring now to
FIGS. 3 , 4, and 7, the stiffeningsleeve 72 is selectively positioned and repositioned to prevent thetoilet ramrod 10 from buckling, as shown by the buckledportion 34 ofFIG. 2 , and to keep a user's hands, not shown, out of thedirty water 38 ofFIG. 2 . - Because the stiffening
sleeve 72 is extruded from plastic with a low modulus of elasticity, and because the cross section of the stiffeningsleeve 72 is designed to be minimal, in response to manual pressure in the direction of thearrows sleeve 72 securely grips thetoilet ramrod 10. - However, since any bending of the
toilet ramrod 10 causes friction betweentoilet ramrod 10 and theopening 74, the necessity for providing manual pressure in the direction of thearrows - Referring now to
FIGS. 1 , 2, 3, and 7, when a user, not shown, rams thetoilet ramrod 10 downwardly as shown by anarrow 80 ofFIG. 7 , thetoilet ramrod 10 will bend as shown by the serpentine bending 42 ofFIG. 2 . Or, if the user, not shown, swings thetoilet ramrod 10 inwardly, as shown by anarrow 82, plunging thetoilet ramrod 10 downward, the serpentine bending 42 ofFIG. 2 will occur. - Referring now to
FIG. 8 , atoilet ramrod 90, which may be used with the stiffeningsleeve 72, includes aspring steel strip 92 inside an extrudedplastic sheath 94. Because thespring steel strip 92 provides ramming strength and bending elasticity, thesheath 94 preferably is extruded from low cost plastic with low tensile strength and a low modulus of elasticity. - Referring now to
FIG. 9 , atoilet ramrod 100, which may be used with the stiffeningsleeve 72, includes spring steel wires, 102 and 104, which may be of equal or unequal diameters or shapes, inside an extrudedplastic sheath 106. Because the steel wires, 102 and 104 provide ramming strength and bending elasticity, thesheath 94 preferably is extruded from low cost plastic with low tensile strength and a low modulus of elasticity. If thewires ramrod 10 ofFIGS. 1-3 , 5, and 7. - If the section modulus of the
wires toilet ramrod 100 ofFIG. 9 will hug one side of thecurved passageway 16 ofFIGS. 1 and 2 , and will twist back and forth as it is rammed through thecurved discharge passageway 16 to minimize bending forces. Even as a beam will rotate to present its lowest section modulus to a bending load, theramrod 100 will move and twist to present the lowest bending load to thewires - Referring now to
FIG. 10 ,toilet ramrod apparatus 110 includes thetoilet ramrod 10 ofFIG. 3 , thetoilet ramrod 90 ofFIG. 8 , or thetoilet ramrod 100 ofFIG. 9 , together with the stiffeningsleeve 72 ofFIG. 4 , a cap or ramminghandle 112 and an impactingfoot 114. - If the toilet ramrods 90 and 100 are used in the
toilet ramrod apparatus 110, the cap or ramminghandle 112 and the impactingfoot 114 serve to cover sharp ends of thesteel strip 92 or thewires handle 112, together with ahole 116, provide means for hanging on a display rack or home storage on a hook. The impactingfoot 114 provides both acurved surface 118 andfins 120 that help guide the toilet ramrod, 10 ofFIG. 3 , 90 ofFIG. 8 , or 100 ofFIG. 9 , through thecurved discharge passageway 16 ofFIGS. 1 and 2 . - Referring now to
FIGS. 12-14 , atoilet ramrod 130 ofFIG. 12 includes a rammingportion 132 with an impactingend 134, and a stiffened portion or ramminghandle 136. As shown in the end view ofFIG. 13 , the stiffenedportion 136 includes a plurality ofribs 138 that increase the moment of inertia with respect to anaxis 140 while minimizing the quantity of plastic. - Preferably, the
toilet ramrod 130 is extruded with a cross section as shown inFIG. 13 , and subsequently, the rammingportion 132 is heat forged to eliminate theribs 138 and to reduce athickness 142 ofFIG. 13 , to athickness 144 ofFIG. 14 , and to increase awidth 146 ofFIG. 12 to awidth 148 ofFIG. 14 . - Referring now to
FIG. 17 , the unidirectionally stiffened ramrod 150 is shown vertically disposed with a ramming end 164 shown, and with a portion broken out to show the concave surface 156. A curve 166 illustrates bending opposite to the unidirectional stiffening. That is the ramrod 150 will bend easily in the direction of the curve 166 but is unidirectionally stiffened against bending opposite to the curve 166. - Referring now to
FIG. 17 , in operation, a user (not shown) rams the unidirectionally stiffened ramrod 150 downward as shown by an arrow 168 while applying a torque 170 to the ramrod 150. Applying the torque 170, by a slight twist of a user's wrist, (not shown) provides stiffening and is almost an inherent action, but applying the torque 170 should be included in use instructions. - Referring again to
FIG. 1 , alength 172 of the first longitudinal portion 152, with its unidirectional stiffening, must extend to acurve 174. Thelength 172 may extend to a direction-changingcurve 176 in thecurved discharge passageway 16. Preferably, thelength 172 extends about half way between thecurve 174 and thecurve 176, so that the ramrod 150 will function with all conventional toilet stools 14, irrespective of manufacturer, model, or date manufactured. - Referring again to
FIGS. 15 and 16 , preferably, the unidirectionally stiffened ramrod 150 is manufactured by extruding the cross section 154 ofFIG. 15 , cutting lengths that include the first and second longitudinal portions 152 and 158, and subsequently heat forging second longitudinal portions 158 from the first cross section 154 ofFIG. 15 , to the second cross section 160 ofFIG. 16 . - Referring now to
FIG. 18 , a unidirectional stiffening disk 178 includes a stiffening opening 179. The stiffening disk 178 may be of any thickness, but preferably is approximately 0.25 inches (6.3 mm.) thick. When one or more of the stiffening disks 178 are selectively positioned over thetoilet ramrod 10 ofFIGS. 1 and 2 , a longitudinal portion of thetoilet ramrod 10 is unidirectionally stiffened as described in conjunction withFIGS. 15-17 . -
FIG. 19 illustrates the compressive-spring characteristics of toilet ramrods, such as thetoilet ramrod 10, when the toilet ramrods are inserted serpentinely bent in thecurved discharge passageway 16 ofFIGS. 1 and 2 .FIG. 19 also illustrates how friction between thetoilet ramrod 10 in thecurved discharge passageway 16 affects curvatures of thetoilet ramrod 10, and how impact ramming overcomes friction. - In
FIG. 19 , thetoilet ramrod 10 ofFIGS. 1-3 is shown inserted into a straight piece of tubing 180 that has an inside diameter 182 of 2.0 in (50.8 mm), and forced against ablockage 30, so that theramrod 10 is serpentinely bent in the tubing 180. The impactingend 44 of thetoilet ramrod 10 is shown bent against theblockage 30 at a contact point 184, and thetoilet ramrod 10 is serpentinely bent against the inside 182 of the tube 180 at contact points 184 a, 184 b, 184 c, and 184 d. - Referring now to
FIG. 20 , any toilet ramrod with a rectangular cross-section, that has a width 186, will contact the inside diameter 182 at a pair of contact points 188. Toilet ramrods that use a coiled steel spring, such as the toilet ramrod ofFIG. 21 , will contact the inside diameter 182 at a single point 190 of the inside diameter 182. - Whether a toilet ramrod contacts the inside diameter 182 at a pair of contact points 188 or a single friction contact point 190, impact ramming, combined with the compressive-spring characteristics of toilet ramrods, overcomes friction as discussed below.
- In
FIG. 19 , the impactingend 44 of theramrod 10 is engaging ablockage 30, and a resistance force 192 of theblockage 30 causes theramrod 10 to bend with a curvature 194 a. A friction load 195 a at the contact point 184 a adds to the total force needed to move theblockage 30. - In like manner, friction loads 195 b, 195 c, and 195 d, at the contact points 184 b, 184 c, and 184 d, add to a force 196 that is required to drive the
blockage 30 through the tube 180, which represents thecurved discharge passageway 16 ofFIG. 2 . As ramming forces increase past each of the contact points, 184 a, 184 b, 184 c, and 184 d, the force 196 increases, and the curvatures 194 a, 194 b, 194 c, and 194 d progressively increase. - As every mechanic knows, objects can be moved by repeated impacts when they cannot be moved by applying a steady forces. However, the compressive elasticity of the ramrods of the present invention, combined with impact ramming, make the toilet ramrods of the present invention more effective than merely impacting a mass.
- Further, when the toilet ramrods are mechanically impacted, as taught herein, the compressive elasticity of the toilet ramrods is especially effective in clearing the most obstinate blockages in toilet stools.
- All of the toilet ramrods of the present invention have compressive elasticity, all have a unit mass per unit length, and when impacted against a blockage in a
curved discharge passageway 16, all function in accordance with their compressive elasticity and their distributed mass. - That is, as taught in conjunction with
FIG. 19 , an impact applied to a ramming end 198 is distributed along theramrod 10 in accordance with the compressive elasticity of theramrod 10, the distributed mass of the ramrod, and the distributed friction of the contact points 184 d, 184 c, 184 b, and 184 a. - When the
ramrod 10 is impactly rammed, friction loads 194 d, 194 c, 194 b, and 194 a are progressively overcome, as contact points 184 d, 184 c, 184 b, and 184 a are repeatedly driven toward theblockage 30, and as curvatures 194 d, 194 c, 194 b, and 194 a are repeatedly reduced. - Power-impact ramming, as taught herein, does not always bend the ramrod into full serpentine contact with
curved discharge passageways 16, but instead sends rapidly-successive waves of impacting forces to drive theobstruction 30 out of thecurved discharge passageway 16. - In these instances, friction is greatly reduced, because the ramrod is not forced into serpentine contact with the
curved discharge passageway 16. Instead, friction contact of the ramrod 10 with thecurved discharge passage 16 is erratic and sporadic, so that friction is essentially eliminated. - Referring now to
FIG. 21 ,toilet ramrod apparatus 200 includes atoilet ramrod 202 and astiffening sleeve 204. Thetoilet ramrod 202 includes a coiledsteel spring 206, asheath 208, an impactingfoot 210, and aramming handle 212. Preferably, the coiledsteel spring 206 is wound with closed coils, such as is used to make plumbing snakes. Optionally, portions, or entire lengths, may be wound with spaces between coils, so that ramming energy can be transmitted in waves from the ramming handle 212 to the impactingfoot 210. - A
washer 214 is attached to the coiledsteel spring 206 with ascrew 216. Then the impactingfoot 210 is molded over the coiledsteel spring 206, thesheath 208, and thewasher 214 to attach the impactingfoot 210 securely to the coiledsteel spring 206. The ramming handle 212 is attached to the coiledsteel spring 206 and thesheath 208 in like manner. Preferably, the ramminghandle 212 includes ahole 218 for hanging thetoilet ramrod apparatus 200 on a display rack, not shown, or for convenience in home storage. - Referring now to
FIGS. 21 and 22 , the stiffeningsleeve 204 preferably is plastic, has any suitable cross sectional shape, has a section modulus with respect to a bendingaxis 222, as desired, includes anopening 220, shown inFIG. 22 , that slidably receives thesheath 208. Preferably, the stiffeningsleeve 204 is plastic. - Referring now to
FIGS. 21 and 23 , optionally a rammingsleeve 224 ofFIG. 23 may be used with thetoilet ramrod 202 ofFIG. 21 in place of thestiffening sleeve 204. As shown inFIGS. 23 and 24 , the rammingsleeve 224 includes anopening 226 that is not circular. Preferably, the rammingsleeve 224 is plastic. - As shown in
FIG. 24 , theopening 226 includes four wedgingsurfaces 228 atangles 230 that will wedge onto thesheath 208 ofFIG. 21 anytime a ramming force on the rammingsleeve 224 bends the coiledsteel spring 206. - That is, the wedging surfaces 228 contact the
sheath 208 to provide self locking when the rammingsleeve 224 bends, but theangles 230 are greater than the friction angle of the contacting materials, so the rammingsleeve 204 self releases when thesheath 208 and the coiledsteel spring 206 are straightened. - Referring now to
FIG. 25 ,toilet ramrod apparatus 240 includes both the coiledsteel spring 206 and thesheath 208. Thecoiled spring 206 is fastened to the impactingfoot 210 as shown and described in conjunction withFIG. 21 . And, thecoiled spring 206 is attached to a ramminghead 242 by a steel screw, not shown, engaging thecoiled spring 206, as shown inFIG. 21 . - The
sheath 208 is also bonded into a first end of apositioning handle 244. A second end of thepositioning handle 244 is integral with a first end of abellows 246, and a second end of thebellows 246 bonded to a slide-hammer handle 248. The coiledsteel spring 206 is hydraulically sealed inside thesheath 208, thepositioning handle 244, thebellows 246, and theslide hammer handle 248. - A
cylindrical guide sleeve 250 is disposed inside thepositioning handle 244, and theguide sleeve 250 slidably receives the ramminghead 242. Aslide hammer 252 is fixedly disposed inside the slide hammer handle 248 and a reduceddiameter portion 254 of theslide hammer 252 slidably engages the inside of theguide sleeve 250 for a distance that effectively guides reciprocating movement of theslide hammer 252 and theslide hammer handle 248. - Longitudinal elasticity of the
sheath 208 allows impacts applied to the impactingfoot 210, through the coiledsteel spring 206, to jerk thesheath 208 though thecurved discharge passageway 16. Jerking thesheath 208 effectively overcomes friction between thesheath 208 and thecurved discharge passageway 16, thereby delivering greater impacts to theblockage 30, as opposed to driving the coiledsteel spring 206 and thesheath 208 through thecurved discharge passageway 16. This advantage is achieved by all toilet ramrods that have a steel coiled spring in a sheath. - Referring now to
FIG. 26 , a power-impacting ramrod apparatus, ortoilet ramrod apparatus 270, includes a power-impacting device, electro-mechanical impacting device, orelectric hammer 272, achuck 274, and a power-impactingramrod 280 ofFIGS. 26 and 27 . - Any suitable electric hammer, such as the Altocraft™ auto-hammer, model 241-0250, when attached to a toilet ramrod, such as the power impacting ramrod 280 of
FIG. 27 , by any suitable means, such as thechuck 274, becomes a power-impacting ramrod apparatus. Any suitable chuck can be used that will attach an impactingend 282 of the power-impactingramrod 280 to theelectric hammer 272. - Referring now to
FIG. 27 , the power-impactingramrod 280 is constructed generally as shown inFIG. 21 and as taught therewith. The power-impactingramrod 280 includes, in addition to the power-impactingend 282 ofFIG. 27 , the coiledsteel spring 206, thesheath 208, and the impactingfoot 210 ofFIG. 21 . - The impacting
end 282 includes abellows boot 284 that receives animpact hammer 286 at afirst end 288 and receives the coiledsteel spring 206 enclosed in thesheath 208 at asecond end 290, At thefirst end 288, acompression ring 292 seals the bellows boot 284 to theimpact hammer 286. At thesecond end 290, the bellows boot 284 is molded to thesheath 208. - A
guide tube 294 is molded inside thebellows 284 coaxial with the coiledsteel spring 206, and both theimpact hammer 286 and an impactinghead 296 are slidably inserted into theguide tube 294. The impactinghead 296 is attached to the coiledsteel spring 206 by a screw as taught in conjunction withFIG. 21 . - Optionally, a shock-reducing
pad 298 is inserted between the impactinghammer 286 and the impactinghead 296 to soften the impacts delivered to the impactinghead 296 by theimpact hammer 286 and theelectric hammer 272 ofFIG. 26 . - Referring now to
FIG. 28 , a power-impactingramrod 300 ofFIG. 28 , when combined with any suitable hammer drill, not shown, becomes a power-impact ramrod apparatus. The power-impactingramrod 300 receives impacts from any impacting device, such as a hammer drill, and transmits impacts to an impacting foot, such as the impactingfoot 210 ofFIG. 21 . - If a power-impacting device, such as a hammer drill, not shown, rotates, a power-impacting
end 302 of the power-impactingramrod 300 filters out rotation of the hammer drill. Therefore, the power-impactingramrod 300 ofFIG. 28 is suitable for use with impacting devices whether or not they rotate their chucks while impacting. - The power-impacting
ramrod 300 is constructed generally as shown inFIG. 21 and as taught therewith. More particularly, the power-impactingramrod 300 includes, in addition to the power-impactingend 302, the coiledsteel spring 206, thesheath 208, and the rammingfoot 210 ofFIG. 21 . - The impacting
end 302 of the power-impactingramrod 300 includes ahousing 304 with three bores: afirst bore 306 that slidably receives animpact hammer 308, asecond bore 310 that receives a retainingshoulder 312 of theimpact hammer 308, and athird bore 314 that receives animpact head 318. - The
impact head 318 include a largercylindrical portion 320 disposed in thethird bore 314, a secondcylindrical portion 324 that slidably receives thesheath 208 and that is disposed in thethird bore 314, and anintegral screw 326 that is screwed into the coiledsteel spring 206. - An
end 328 of thehousing 304 is rolled, or swaged, over thesheath 208 and achamber 330 of the secondcylindrical portion 324 of the impactinghead 318, as shown, thereby sealing the impactingend 302 of the power-impactingramrod 300. Ahole 332 in thehousing 304 allows air to enter and exit thebore 310 as theimpact hammer 308 is repeatedly impacted. - In operation, the
impact hammer 308 is chucked into any suitable power-impacting device, such a hammer drill, not shown, or an electric hammer such as theelectric hammer 272 ofFIG. 26 , the power-impacting device is moved toward ablockage 30 in thestool 14 ofFIG. 2 so that the impacting device repeatedly impacts theblockage 30. When a hammer drill is used with the power-impactingramrod 300, theimpact hammer 308 rotates with the hammer drill, but the impactingnose 334 cannot transmit torque to the coiledsteel spring 206, so the impactingnose 334 cooperates with the impactingface 336 to provide a torque eliminator or torque deactivator. - The power-impacting device is moved toward the
blockage 30 at a speed that provides whatever effective impacting stoke is desired. As defined herein, an effective impacting stroke is the portion of the impacting stroke of the power-impacting device that impacts theblockage 30. That is, the impactinghead 308 ofFIG. 28 has a total stroke that extends from an impactingnose 334 to an impactingface 336 of the impactinghead 318. In like manner, referring now toFIG. 27 , a space exists between theimpact hammer 286 and the impactinghead 296, even with theshock absorbing pad 298 interposed. - Referring now to
FIG. 29 , as extruded, a unidirectionally stiffenedsheath 340 includes anopening 342 and a pair ofconcave stiffening wings 344. The stiffeningwings 344 function as taught in conjunction withFIGS. 15 and 17 to provide unidirectional stiffening. That is, looking down atFIG. 29 , if a bottom (not shown) is held vertically, at a top (not shown), the unidirectionally stiffenedsheath 340 is stiffened, to resist bending opposite to the curve 166 ofFIG. 17 , with respect to aforce 348, but is easily bent in response to aforce 350. - Subsequent to extrusion, a second longitudinal portion (not shown), same as the second longitudinal portion 158 of
FIG. 16 , is heat forged to obviate unidirectional stiffening of the second portion. That is, theconcave stiffening wings 344 are heat forged to conform to aplane 352. The unidirectionally stiffenedsheath 340 may be used to replace thesheath 208 in any embodiment that uses an elongated member, such as the coiledsteel spring 206, that needs a sheath to protect porcelain surfaces of atoilet stool 14 ofFIG. 1 . - Optionally, the
sheath 208 is used for the second longitudinal portion (not shown), same as the second longitudinal portion 158 ofFIG. 16 , so that only the first portion (not shown), same as the first longitudinal portion 152 ofFIG. 15 , is used. In this option, theconcave stiffening wings 344 provide unidirectionally stiffening as described in conjunction withFIGS. 15-17 , but less plastic is needed for thesheath 208 of the second longitudinal portion, so the cost is reduced. - Optionally, the
opening 342 is increased in diameter to receive thesheath 208, and the unidirectionally stiffenedsheath 340 becomes a unidirectionally stiffened sleeve, even as the stiffeningsleeves FIGS. 23 and 24 , except with the advantage of unidirectional stiffening. - A stiffening sleeve, a ramming sleeve, a unidirectionally stiffened sleeve, or a unidirectionally stiffened ramming sleeve, may be used with any of the ramrods taught herein. Alternately, the ramrods taught herein may be guided, or even rammed, without any sleeve, if the user is satisfied in using his bare hands or rubber gloves.
- While power-impact ramming has been shown and described in conjunction with coiled steel ramming rods, the power-impacting, as taught herein, may be combined with any toilet ramrod. Further, while the compressive flexibility of the toilet ramrods tends to overcome friction, optionally, a lubricant, such as dish washing soap, may be added to the clogged toilet stool to reduce friction between the toilet ramrod and the toilet bowl and/or the curved discharge passageway.
- In summary, the method of the present invention comprises: threading, or elastically threading, an elongated member into a curved discharge passageway of a toilet bowl proximal to a blockage; ramming, or elastically impacting, the elongated member against the blockage; and/or elastically compressing, unidirectionally stiffening, disposing a stiffening sleeve over, slide-hammering, power-impact ramming, electric hammering, and/or attaching a hammer drill to the elongated member; preventing the hammer drill from transmitting torque; placing an advertising message on the elongated member; and/or distributing the elongated member as a promotional gift item;
- Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/575,366, filed on Aug. 19, 2011; Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/632,015 filed on Jan. 17, 2012; and Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/690,802 filed on Jul. 5, 2012 are incorporated herein by reference thereto.
- As defined herein, a toilet ramrod is an elongated member with a ramming end and an impacting end. A power-impacting ramrod is an elongated member with means for attaching a power-impacting device, such as an electric hammer or a hammer drill to the ramming end. Toilet ramrod apparatus is a toilet ramrod together with an impacting foot, a stiffening sleeve, a ramming sleeve, and/or means for ramming such as a ramming head, a slide hammer, a power-impacting device, an electric hammer, and/or a hammer drill with a torque eliminator.
- Crumpling as defined herein includes bending with respect to two axes, or random bending in a
curved discharge passageway 16 to the extent that portions of thetoilet ramrod 10 are crumpled, one against another. As defined herein, a stiffening sleeve provides stiffening, whereas a ramming sleeve provides for both ramming and stiffening. - As defined herein, power-impact ramming includes any suitable source of power, although electrically powered devices, and especially battery powered devices such as auto-hammers or hammer drills, are preferred.
- The preferred embodiment for use as gift advertising merchandise is the unidirectionally stiffened ramrod 150 of
FIGS. 15 and 16 . It can be manufactured economically, is more powerful than theramrod 10, avoids the cost of a stiffening sleeve, and includes advertising space. - The preferred embodiment for commercial use is the power-impacting
apparatus 280 ofFIG. 26 , because it is powerful. The power impacting device ofFIG. 26 can be manufactured, distributed, purchased, and used, together with the power impacting ramrod, as a package. - Finally, the preferred embodiment for the homeowner is the power-impacting
ramrod 300 ofFIG. 28 . The power-impactingramrod 300 is both economical and powerful, and any hammer drill can be used as the power impacting device. - While specific apparatus and method have been disclosed in the preceding description, it should be understood that these specifics have been given for the purpose of disclosing the principles of the present invention, and that many variations thereof will become apparent to those who are versed in the art.
Claims (24)
1. A method which comprises:
a) threading an elongated member into a curved discharge passageway of a toilet bowl proximal to a blockage; and
b) elastically ramming said elongated member against said blockage.
2. The method claimed in claim 1 in which said method further comprises
placing a promotional message on said elongated member.
3. The method claimed in claim 1 in which said threading step comprises elastically threading said elongated member through said curved discharge passageway.
4. (canceled)
5. The method claimed in claim 1 in which said ramming step comprises elastically compressing said elongated member.
6. The method claimed in claim 1 in which said method further comprises unidirectionally stiffening a portion of said elongated member.
7. The method claimed in claim 1 in which said method further comprises disposing a stiffening sleeve over said elongated member.
8. The method claimed in claim 1 in which said ramming step comprises slide-hammering.
9. The method claimed in claim 1 in which said ramming step comprises power-impact ramming.
10. The method claimed in claim 1 in which said ramming step comprises electric hammering.
11. The method claimed in claim 1 in which said ramming step comprises:
a) attaching a hammer drill to said elongated member; and
b) preventing said hammer drill from transmitting torque to said elongated member.
12. A toilet ramrod which comprises:
an elongated member which
comprises flexibility sufficient for threading through a curved discharge passageway of a toilet bowl; and
said elongated member further comprises stiffness sufficient for transmitting impacts from a ramming end to an impacting end.
13. The toilet ramrod claimed in claim 12 in which said toilet ramrod comprises an advertising message.
14. The toilet ramrod claimed in claim 12 in which said toilet ramrod comprises a metallic insert in a non-scratch sheath.
15. The toilet ramrod claimed in claim 12 in which said toilet ramrod comprises a coiled spring inside a non-scratch sheath.
16. Toilet ramrod apparatus which comprises:
a coiled spring;
a sheath enclosing said spring; and
ramming means operatively associated with said coiled spring.
17. The toilet ramrod apparatus claimed in claim 16 in which said apparatus comprises a selectively positionable sleeve on said sheath.
18. The toilet ramrod apparatus claimed in claim 16 in which said ramming means comprises a slide hammer.
19. The toilet ramrod apparatus claimed in claim 16 in which said ramming means comprises a power-impacting device.
20. The toilet ramrod apparatus claimed in claim 16 in which said ramming means comprises an electric hammer.
21. The toilet ramrod apparatus claimed in claim 16 in which:
said ramming means comprises a hammer drill; and
said apparatus comprises a torque eliminator between said hammer drill and said coiled spring.
22. The method claimed in claim 6 in which said unidirectional stiffening step comprises making a cross sectional shape of said unidirectionally stiffened portion different from a cross sectional shape of another portion of said elongated member.
23. A toilet ramrod which comprises:
an elongated member;
a portion of said elongated member comprises flexibility sufficient for threading through a curved discharge passageway of a toilet stool; and
another portion of said elongated member comprises unidirectional stiffening.
24. The toilet ramrod as claimed in claim 23 in which said ramrod comprises a promotional message.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/585,361 US20130055493A1 (en) | 2011-08-19 | 2012-08-14 | Toilet Ramrod Apparatus and Method |
US14/193,104 US20140223653A1 (en) | 2012-08-14 | 2014-02-28 | Plumbing Tool and Method |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201161575366P | 2011-08-19 | 2011-08-19 | |
US201261632015P | 2012-01-17 | 2012-01-17 | |
US201261690802P | 2012-07-05 | 2012-07-05 | |
US13/585,361 US20130055493A1 (en) | 2011-08-19 | 2012-08-14 | Toilet Ramrod Apparatus and Method |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/193,104 Continuation-In-Part US20140223653A1 (en) | 2012-08-14 | 2014-02-28 | Plumbing Tool and Method |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20130055493A1 true US20130055493A1 (en) | 2013-03-07 |
Family
ID=47751998
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US13/585,361 Abandoned US20130055493A1 (en) | 2011-08-19 | 2012-08-14 | Toilet Ramrod Apparatus and Method |
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US (1) | US20130055493A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD969425S1 (en) * | 2020-09-08 | 2022-11-08 | Yifan Zhang | Drain dredge |
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US2192086A (en) * | 1936-02-19 | 1940-02-27 | Anton P Kjerulff | Pipe sewer rod |
US3283353A (en) * | 1964-10-30 | 1966-11-08 | Bruce A Kirk | Plumber's snake unit |
US4104757A (en) * | 1976-08-02 | 1978-08-08 | Silverman Arthur A | Power driven drain cleaner with safety overload clutch |
US4644603A (en) * | 1985-04-02 | 1987-02-24 | Eagle Industries, Inc. | Plumber's snake |
US4771500A (en) * | 1987-04-09 | 1988-09-20 | Kovacs Julius S | Plumbers snake |
US4819292A (en) * | 1987-10-13 | 1989-04-11 | Kerr Stanton W | Transmission device for plumbing snakes |
US20070089254A1 (en) * | 2005-10-24 | 2007-04-26 | Trevor Alaine | Drain cleaner guide |
US7350592B2 (en) * | 2005-02-10 | 2008-04-01 | Black & Decker Inc. | Hammer drill with camming hammer drive mechanism |
US20080134421A1 (en) * | 2006-12-08 | 2008-06-12 | We-Flex, Llc | Plunger device |
US9015889B1 (en) * | 2014-05-25 | 2015-04-28 | Cyrus Khonsary | Snake tool adaptor |
-
2012
- 2012-08-14 US US13/585,361 patent/US20130055493A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2192086A (en) * | 1936-02-19 | 1940-02-27 | Anton P Kjerulff | Pipe sewer rod |
US3283353A (en) * | 1964-10-30 | 1966-11-08 | Bruce A Kirk | Plumber's snake unit |
US4104757A (en) * | 1976-08-02 | 1978-08-08 | Silverman Arthur A | Power driven drain cleaner with safety overload clutch |
US4644603A (en) * | 1985-04-02 | 1987-02-24 | Eagle Industries, Inc. | Plumber's snake |
US4771500A (en) * | 1987-04-09 | 1988-09-20 | Kovacs Julius S | Plumbers snake |
US4819292A (en) * | 1987-10-13 | 1989-04-11 | Kerr Stanton W | Transmission device for plumbing snakes |
US7350592B2 (en) * | 2005-02-10 | 2008-04-01 | Black & Decker Inc. | Hammer drill with camming hammer drive mechanism |
US20070089254A1 (en) * | 2005-10-24 | 2007-04-26 | Trevor Alaine | Drain cleaner guide |
US20080134421A1 (en) * | 2006-12-08 | 2008-06-12 | We-Flex, Llc | Plunger device |
US9015889B1 (en) * | 2014-05-25 | 2015-04-28 | Cyrus Khonsary | Snake tool adaptor |
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USD969425S1 (en) * | 2020-09-08 | 2022-11-08 | Yifan Zhang | Drain dredge |
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