US20190161947A1

US20190161947A1 - Homeowner kitchen drain unclogger and method

Info

Publication number: US20190161947A1
Application number: US16/114,548
Authority: US
Inventors: Clinton Shelton, III
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-11-27
Filing date: 2018-08-28
Publication date: 2019-05-30

Abstract

An apparatus for flushing a fluid drain; the apparatus includes a water supply interface, a drain line interface, and a conduit. The water supply interface is configured to hydraulically couple with a water supply, such as a water supply for a kitchen sink. The water supply interface includes a threaded connector for threadably engaging with the water supply. The drain line interface is able to hydraulically couple with a drain line. The drain line interface includes a stepped adapter which is able to couple with one of a selection of drain lines having disparate diameters, so that the system may be used with a variety of sizes of drain lines. The conduit extends between the water supply interface and the drain line interface, hydraulically coupling the two components.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/590,938 filed Nov. 27, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of plumbing of existing art and more specifically relates to a drainage adapter.

RELATED ART

Kitchen sink drains are intended to convey water and similar fluids from the sink to an exterior location. In practical use, however, other materials for which the drain was not intended will invariably enter the sink drain. As a result, sink drains can become heavily clogged with various types of debris. Severe clogs may require calling a professional plumber to remove the clog. This process can be expensive. If a clog is left to buildup, kitchen sinks may begin to develop unwanted odors or may stop draining entirely. A suitable solution is desired.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,514 to Floyd Miller relates to a drain cleaning device. The described drain cleaning device includes a cleaning apparatus able to unclog or clean drain pipes or other conduits by directing high pressure water into contact with any solids in the pipe comprising a spray nozzle mounted in the end of a flexible water supply tube having, surrounding the nozzle, self-centering fingers integrally formed by cutting slits or notches in the end of the supply tube and then inserting the nozzle which radially spreads the fingers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known drainage adapter art, the present disclosure provides a homeowner's kitchen drain unclogger and method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a homeowner's kitchen drain unclogger and method.
A plumbing adapter or apparatus for flushing a fluid drain is disclosed herein. The apparatus for flushing a fluid drain includes a water supply interface, a drain line interface, and a conduit extending between and hydraulically coupling the water supply interface and the drain line interface. The water supply interface is configured to hydraulically couple with a water supply, and includes a threaded connector. The drain line interface is configured to hydraulically couple with one of a plurality of drain lines, and includes a stepped adapter configured to couple with each of the plurality of drain lines.
According to another embodiment, a method for removing a drain obstruction is also disclosed herein. The method for removing a drain obstruction includes providing the apparatus for flushing the fluid drain, as described above; attaching the water supply interface and the drain line interface to the conduit; coupling the water supply interface to the water supply, such that the water supply interface is hydraulically coupled to the water supply; hydraulically coupling the drain line interface to the drain line; opening the water supply; flowing a quantity of water from the water supply to the drain line; and flushing an obstruction from the drain line with the quantity of water.
For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a homeowner's kitchen drain unclogger/apparatus for flushing a fluid drain and method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus for flushing a fluid drain during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are detail views of the drain line interface of the apparatus t of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a detail view of the conduit of the apparatus of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for removing a drain obstruction, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a drainage adapter and more particularly to a homeowner's kitchen drain unclogger or apparatus for flushing a fluid drain and method for removing a drain obstruction.
Generally, the homeowner's drain unclogger provides homeowners with an apparatus capable of removing tough clogs in the pipe system. It may help homeowners to remove clogs with ease, potentially saving extensive amounts of money on calling a plumber or other professional to remove the clog. The apparatus may be configured as a kit including an adapter for a water source, and adapter for a drain, and a coupling portion. In combination the components of the kit may effectively direct pressurized water from the water source to the drain, thereby breaking up the debris and allowing fluids to freely pass through the drain pipe. It may be easily installed by a homeowner on any kitchen sink drain system for swift removal of a clog. The apparatus may offer a simple, inexpensive, and reusable method for removing clogs in a kitchen sink drain.
The homeowner's kitchen drain unclogger may be designed or arranged as a do-it-yourself set of tools used to remove heavy clogs from a sink drain. The system/apparatus may help eliminate calling and paying a plumber to resolve clogged drain problems. Parts of the apparatus may be made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe and include an inlet for a water source and a drain adapter for spraying water into the drain pipe. Users can disconnect the existing kitchen drain assembly, disconnect the hot water supply line, and attach the kitchen drain unclogging kit to the drain pipe underneath the sink. The kit hot water supply hose is then attached to the hot water stop waste valve. The hot water supply line can then be turned on and the adapter is utilized to unclog the drain. Once the drain is cleared, a reverse process is completed to disassemble the kit/apparatus, and restore the sink plumbing to its original configuration. The kit can be stored in a toolbox or other similar box and reused as needed. The homeowner's kitchen drain unclogger can be constructed using PVC pipe, aluminum, and other suitable materials. The kit may be constructed for a particular size of drain, such as one-and-a-half-inch or two-inch diameter pipes. In addition, the homeowner's kitchen drain unclogger is not limited in utility to sink drains or kitchen applications, but may also be useful for clearing other drains and plumbing systems, for example, bath tub drains. Exact size, measurement, construction, and design specifications may vary upon manufacturing.
Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of an apparatus for flushing a fluid drain 100.
FIG. 1 shows an apparatus for flushing a fluid drain during an ‘in-use’ condition 50, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the sink is removed for visibility of the installed apparatus 100. Apparatus 100 may be beneficial for use to remove an obstruction from a drain 10. Apparatus 100 may be configured to flush fluid drain 10. As illustrated, the apparatus 100 may include a water supply interface 110, a drain line interface 120, and a conduit 130. The water supply interface 110 may be configured to hydraulically couple with the water supply 20. The drain line interface 120 may be configured to hydraulically couple with the fluid drain 10. The conduit 130 may join and extend between water supply interface 110 and the drain line interface 120, such that water supply interface 110, conduit 130, and drain line interface 120 are hydraulically coupled, enabling fluid communication from the water supply 20 into the fluid drain 10.
Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other structural arrangements such as, for example, alternative conduit angles, alternative fixture and sealing methods, etc., may be sufficient. Those with ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that upon reading this specification and by their understanding the art of plumbing as described herein, methods of adapting a fluid source to a drain will be understood by those knowledgeable in such art.
According to one embodiment, the apparatus 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. In particular, the apparatus 100 may further include a set of instructions 107. The instructions 107 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the apparatus 100 such that the apparatus 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.
FIG. 2 an exploded view of the apparatus for flushing a fluid drain 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the apparatus 100 may include the water supply interface 110, the drain line interface 120, and the conduit 130 extending between, and mechanically connecting and hydraulically coupling the water supply interface 110 and the drain line interface 120.
The water supply interface 110 may include a threaded connector 112. The threaded connector 112 of water supply interface 110 may be internally threaded and configured to fasten to a male pipe thread 25 of the water supply 20. In one embodiment, threaded connector 112 of water supply interface 110 may be a one-half inch fitting. The water supply interface 110 may include a flexible hose 114, which may have sufficient flexibility to be manually manipulated.
The drain line interface 120 may include a stepped adapter 122 configured to couple to the fluid drain 10 (FIG. 1).
The conduit 130 may include at least one threaded adapter 132. At least one threaded adapter 132 may be configured to threadably couple to the drain line interface 120, and alternately to the water supply interface 110. As shown, the conduit 130 may also include a right angle elbow 134 disposed between the water supply interface 110 and the drain line interface 120.
The drain line interface 120 and the conduit 130 may be made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), aluminum, and alternately of cast iron. In a preferred embodiment, the water supply interface 110 may be made of a braided stainless-steel tubing.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are views of the drain line interface of the apparatus for flushing a fluid drain 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Drain line interface 120 may be configured to hydraulically couple with one of plurality of drain lines 21, 22. Stepped adapter 122 may be suitable for coupling with the plurality of drain lines 21, 22 by either press fit (drain line 22) or threaded means (drain line 21).
In one embodiment, stepped adapter 122 of drain line interface 120 may include plurality of smooth bores 124 (i.e., each having a distinct diameter). The plurality of smooth bores 124 may be configured to press fit onto one of plurality of drain lines 22. In another embodiment, stepped adapter 122 of drain line interface 120 may include plurality of internally threaded bores 126 (i.e., each having a distinct diameter). The plurality of internally threaded bores 126 may be configured to threadably engage at least one of plurality of drain lines 21.
The stepped adapter 122 of drain line interface 120 may include a selection comprising any of a one-and-a-half inch bore, a one-and-three-quarters inch bore, a two inch bore, and other sizes. A preferred embodiment may specifically include of a one-and-a-half inch bore, a one-and-three-quarters inch bore, and a two inch bore in combination.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a view of the conduit of the apparatus for flushing a fluid drain 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Conduit 130 may be a composite member including a 90 degree elbow joint 136 and a threaded conduit-adapter 138. The threaded conduit-adapter 138 may be straight-walled tube 139 having a threaded portion configured to hydraulically couple the 90 degree elbow joint 136 to the water supply interface 110 (FIG. 1).
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for removal of a drain obstruction, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method 500 for removal of a drain obstruction may include one or more components or features of the apparatus for flushing a fluid drain 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method 500 may include the steps of: step one 501, providing the apparatus for flushing the fluid drain, the apparatus including the water supply interface, the water supply interface configured to hydraulically couple with the water supply, the water supply interface including the threaded connector, the drain line interface, the drain line interface configured to hydraulically couple with one of the plurality of drain lines, the drain line interface including the stepped adapter configured to couple with each of the plurality of drain lines, and the conduit extending between and hydraulically coupling the water supply interface and the drain line interface; step two 502, attaching the water supply interface and the drain line interface to the conduit; step three 503, coupling the water supply interface to the water supply, such that the water supply interface is hydraulically coupled to the water supply; step four 504, hydraulically coupling the drain line interface to the drain line; step five 505, opening the water supply; step six 506, flowing a quantity of water from the water supply to the drain line; step seven 507, flushing an obstruction from the drain line with the quantity of water.
It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for removal of a drain obstruction, are taught herein.
The embodiments of the disclosure described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. An apparatus for flushing a fluid drain, the apparatus comprising:

a water supply interface, the water supply interface configured to hydraulically couple with a water supply, the water supply interface including a threaded connector;

a drain line interface, the drain line interface configured to hydraulically couple with one of a plurality of drain lines, the drain line interface including a stepped adapter configured to couple with each of the plurality of drain lines; and

a conduit extending between and hydraulically coupling the water supply interface and the drain line interface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water supply interface includes a flexible hose having sufficient flexibility to be manually manipulated by a user.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stepped adapter of the drain line interface includes a plurality of smooth bores configured to press fit onto one of the plurality of drain lines.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stepped adapter of the drain line interface includes a plurality of internally threaded bores configured to threadably engage at least one of the plurality of drain lines.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conduit further includes at least one threaded adapter configured to threadably couple to the drain line interface, and alternately to the water supply interface.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conduit further includes a right angle elbow between the water supply interface and the drain line interface.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stepped adapter of the drain line interface includes a one-and-a-half inch bore.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stepped adapter of the drain line interface includes a one-and-three-quarters inch bore.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stepped adapter of the drain line interface includes a two inch bore.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the threaded connector of the water supply interface is a one-half inch fitting.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the threaded connector of the water supply interface is internally threaded, being configured to fasten to a male pipe thread.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drain line interface and the conduit are made of polyvinyl chloride.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drain line interface and the conduit are made of aluminum.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drain line interface and the conduit are made of cast iron.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water supply interface is made of a braided stainless-steel tubing.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conduit is a composite member including an elbow joint and a threaded conduit-adapter, the threaded conduit-adapter being a straight-walled tube configured to hydraulically couple the elbow joint to the water supply interface.

17. A plumbing adapter for flushing a fluid drain, the plumbing adapter comprising:

a conduit extending between and hydraulically coupling the water supply interface and the drain line interface; and

wherein the water supply interface includes a flexible hose having sufficient flexibility to be manually manipulated by a user;

wherein the stepped adapter of the drain line interface includes a plurality of internally threaded bores configured to threadably engage at least one of the plurality of drain lines;

wherein the conduit further includes at least one threaded adapter configured to threadably couple to the drain line interface, and alternately to the water supply interface;

wherein the conduit further includes a right angle elbow between the water supply interface and the drain line interface;

wherein the stepped adapter of the drain line interface includes at least a one-and-a-half inch bore and a two-inch bore;

wherein the threaded connector of the water supply interface is a one-half inch fitting; and

wherein the threaded connector of the water supply interface is internally threaded, being configured to fasten to a male pipe thread.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and

wherein the plumbing conduit is arranged as a kit.

19. A method for removing a drain obstruction, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a plumbing adapter for flushing a fluid drain, the plumbing adapter including:

a water supply interface, the water supply interface configured to hydraulically couple with a water supply, the water supply interface including a threaded connector,

a drain line interface, the drain line interface configured to hydraulically couple with one of a plurality of drain lines, the drain line interface including a stepped adapter configured to couple with each of the plurality of drain lines, and

a conduit extending between and hydraulically coupling the water supply interface and the drain line interface;

attaching the water supply interface and the drain line interface to the conduit;

coupling the water supply interface to the water supply, such that the water supply interface is hydraulically coupled to the water supply;

hydraulically coupling the drain line interface to the drain line;

opening the water supply;

flowing a quantity of water from the water supply to the drain line; and

flushing an obstruction from the drain line with the quantity of water.