Toilet Ramrod Apparatus and Method

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

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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.

STATEMENT RE FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO “SEQUENCE LISTING”

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

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.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

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 of FIG. 1, taken substantially as shown in FIG. 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 of FIG. 3, of a stiffening sleeve, or ramming sleeve;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an opposite face of the toilet ramrod of FIG. 3, showing optional measuring inscriptions;

FIG. 6 is an edge view of the toilet ramrod of FIG. 3, showing the relative thinness of the toilet ramrod;

FIG. 7 is an edge view of the ramrod 10 of FIG. 3, taken substantially the same as FIG. 6 with the stiffening sleeve, or ramming sleeve, of FIG. 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 as FIG. 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 as FIGS. 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 of FIG. 10, taken substantially as shown by view lines 11-11 of FIG. 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 of FIG. 12, taken substantially as shown by section line 13-13 of FIG. 12, as extruded;

FIG. 14 is a cross section of the ramming portion of FIG. 12, taken substantially as shown by view line 14-14 of FIG. 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 of FIG. 1, of a longitudinal portion of a toilet ramrod that includes unidirectional stiffening;

FIG. 16 is a cross section of the toilet ramrod of FIG. 15 in a longitudinal portion that includes bidirectional flexibility;

FIG. 17 is a partial front elevation of the toilet ramrod of FIGS. 15 and 16, taken substantially the same as FIGS. 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 of FIGS. 1-3, curves a longitudinal portion of the toilet ramrod;

FIG. 19 is a longitudinal cross-section, showing the toilet ramrod of FIGS. 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 of FIG. 7 taken substantially as shown by view-lines 20-20 of FIG. 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 of FIG. 21, of a stiffening sleeve for use as a part of the toilet ramrod apparatus of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged end view, taken substantially as shown by view line 22-22 of FIG. 21, of a ramming sleeve for use as a part of the toilet ramrod apparatus of FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 is a partial and a greatly enlarged end view of the ramming sleeve of FIG. 23, taken substantially the same as FIG. 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 of FIG. 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 of FIG. 21, of a stiffening sleeve that includes the unidirectional stiffening of FIGS. 15-17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, a toilet ramrod 10 of the present invention is shown threaded downward into a toilet bowl 12 of a toilet stool 14, entering a curved discharge passageway 16 at an entrance 18 thereof, curving complexly through the curved discharge passageway 16, and exiting the toilet stool 14 at an outlet 20. As the toilet ramrod 10 has been forced downwardly and threaded through the curved discharge passageway 16, it has bent elastically to more or less follow the curved discharge passageway 16.

The toilet ramrod 10 has flexibility, as determined by a thickness 22 and the modulus of elasticity of the material, that allows flexing in the curved 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 the toilet ramrod 10 against another portion in the curved 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 a width 23 as shown in FIG. 3. Because of the width of 1.125 inches (28.6 mm), the toilet ramrod 10 cannot move closer to a surface 24 of a 2.0 inch (51.2 mm) passageway than a distance 26 of FIGS. 1 and 2 than 0.173 inches (4.4 mm).

As shown in FIG. 1, as the toilet ramrod 10 is threaded through the curved discharge passageway 16, it follows a path of least resistance, sometimes close to a surface 24 of the curved discharge passageway 16, never being closer than a distance 26, and sometimes being nearer to a center 28 of the passageway 16.

In it simplest form, the toilet ramrod 10, as described in conjunction with FIGS. 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, the toilet ramrod 10 of the present invention is flexible. Instead of being used for measuring, the toilet ramrod 10 of the present invention is used for impactly ramming blockages 30, of FIG. 2, through curved discharge passageways 16.

Referring now to FIG. 2, as a user, not shown, places additional downward force on the toilet ramrod 10 in an attempt to dislodge a blockage 30, the additional downward force will tend to bend the toilet ramrod 10 around a contour 32 of the toilet bowl 12, thereby initiating buckling of the toilet ramrod 10, as shown by a buckled portion 34. Initial buckling moves the downward force of the buckled portion 34 farther from a center 36 of the toilet ramrod, so initial buckling, as illustrated by the buckled portion 34, decreases the force that will additionally buckle the toilet ramrod 10.

Assume that the toilet bowl 12 of FIG. 2 is full of dirty water 38 almost up to a rim 40 of the toilet bowl 12. Because of buckling of the toilet ramrod 10, as described above, additional stiffening of the toilet ramrod 10 will be needed, so that home owners will not be required to put their hands in the dirty water 38.

The increase in downward force applied to the toilet ramrod 10 causes serpentine bending 42 inside the curved discharge passageway 16. By design, stiffness of the toilet ramrod 10 is sufficient to prevent crumpling of the toilet ramrod 10 in the curved 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 the toilet ramrod 10 combine to prevent a bending stress that could exceed tensile strength of the toilet ramrod 10. Preferably, the ramrod 10 will resume the straight shape of a yardstick. However, ramrods 10 may require manually straightening after removal from curved discharge passageways 16.

If the toilet ramrod 10 has a thickness 22 of 0.060 (1.5 mm) and a width 23 of 1.125 inches (28.6 mm), the resultant rigidity of the toilet ramrod 10 will be many times larger with respect to the width 23 than with regard to the thickness 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 the curved 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 the curved discharge passageway 16, the toilet ramrod 10 will rotationally orient to conform bending to the width 23. That is, the lower section modulus of the dimension 22 will keep the width 23 of the toilet ramrod 10 transverse to the curved discharge passageway 16, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Depending upon where blockage 30 occurs in the curved discharge passageway 16, an impacting end 44 of the toilet ramrod 10 may impinge almost equally against the surface 24 of the curved discharge passageway 16 and the blockage 30, as shown in FIG. 2. Even so, the toilet ramrod 10 will drive the blockage 30 out through the outlet 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, the toilet ramrod 10 includes the width 23, the impacting end 44, a ramming end 46, a hole 48 for display or storage, and a first surface 50, all of FIG. 3, a second surface 52 and edges 54 of FIG. 5, and the thickness 22 of FIG. 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 the thickness 22 is 0.06 inches (1.5 mm).

As a retail sales item, preferably, the toilet ramrod 10 includes a promotional card 56 with a picture and/or words 58 that proclaim the utility of the toilet 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, the toilet ramrod 10 may include dimensional inscriptions 62 in inches and/or in centimeters.

Toilet ramrod apparatus 70 comprises the toilet ramrod 10 of FIGS. 1-3, 5 and 6 in combination with a stiffening sleeve, or ramming handle 72, shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 7.

As shown in FIG. 4, the stiffening sleeve, or ramming handle, 72 includes a rectangular opening 74 for slidably receiving the thickness 22 and the width 23, and ribs 76. The stiffening sleeve, or ramming handle, 72 is extruded from a softer, and more economical plastic than that of the ramrod 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4, and 7, the stiffening sleeve 72 is selectively positioned and repositioned to prevent the toilet ramrod 10 from buckling, as shown by the buckled portion 34 of FIG. 2, and to keep a user's hands, not shown, out of the dirty water 38 of FIG. 2.

Because the stiffening sleeve 72 is extruded from plastic with a low modulus of elasticity, and because the cross section of the stiffening sleeve 72 is designed to be minimal, in response to manual pressure in the direction of the arrows 78A and 78B, the stiffening sleeve 72 securely grips the toilet ramrod 10.

However, since any bending of the toilet ramrod 10 causes friction between toilet ramrod 10 and the opening 74, the necessity for providing manual pressure in the direction of the arrows 78A and 78B is minimized or even obviated.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 7, when a user, not shown, rams the toilet ramrod 10 downwardly as shown by an arrow 80 of FIG. 7, the toilet ramrod 10 will bend as shown by the serpentine bending 42 of FIG. 2. Or, if the user, not shown, swings the toilet ramrod 10 inwardly, as shown by an arrow 82, plunging the toilet ramrod 10 downward, the serpentine bending 42 of FIG. 2 will occur.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a toilet ramrod 90, which may be used with the stiffening sleeve 72, includes a spring steel strip 92 inside an extruded plastic sheath 94. Because the spring steel strip 92 provides ramming strength and bending elasticity, the sheath 94 preferably is extruded from low cost plastic with low tensile strength and a low modulus of elasticity.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a toilet ramrod 100, which may be used with the stiffening sleeve 72, includes spring steel wires, 102 and 104, which may be of equal or unequal diameters or shapes, inside an extruded plastic sheath 106. Because the steel wires, 102 and 104 provide ramming strength and bending elasticity, the sheath 94 preferably is extruded from low cost plastic with low tensile strength and a low modulus of elasticity. If the wires 102 and 104 are of the same section modulus, bending will be similar, or the same as that which occurs with the ramrod 10 of FIGS. 1-3, 5, and 7.

If the section modulus of the wires 102 and 104 is different, the toilet ramrod 100 of FIG. 9 will hug one side of the curved passageway 16 of FIGS. 1 and 2, and will twist back and forth as it is rammed through the curved discharge passageway 16 to minimize bending forces. Even as a beam will rotate to present its lowest section modulus to a bending load, the ramrod 100 will move and twist to present the lowest bending load to the wires 102 and 104.

Referring now to FIG. 10, toilet ramrod apparatus 110 includes the toilet ramrod 10 of FIG. 3, the toilet ramrod 90 of FIG. 8, or the toilet ramrod 100 of FIG. 9, together with the stiffening sleeve 72 of FIG. 4, a cap or ramming handle 112 and an impacting foot 114.

If the toilet ramrods 90 and 100 are used in the toilet ramrod apparatus 110, the cap or ramming handle 112 and the impacting foot 114 serve to cover sharp ends of the steel strip 92 or the wires 102 and 104. And the cap or ramming handle 112, together with a hole 116, provide means for hanging on a display rack or home storage on a hook. The impacting foot 114 provides both a curved surface 118 and fins 120 that help guide the toilet ramrod, 10 of FIG. 3, 90 of FIG. 8, or 100 of FIG. 9, through the curved discharge passageway 16 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring now to FIGS. 12-14, a toilet ramrod 130 of FIG. 12 includes a ramming portion 132 with an impacting end 134, and a stiffened portion or ramming handle 136. As shown in the end view of FIG. 13, the stiffened portion 136 includes a plurality of ribs 138 that increase the moment of inertia with respect to an axis 140 while minimizing the quantity of plastic.

Preferably, the toilet ramrod 130 is extruded with a cross section as shown in FIG. 13, and subsequently, the ramming portion 132 is heat forged to eliminate the ribs 138 and to reduce a thickness 142 of FIG. 13, to a thickness 144 of FIG. 14, and to increase a width 146 of FIG. 12 to a width 148 of FIG. 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, a length 172 of the first longitudinal portion 152, with its unidirectional stiffening, must extend to a curve 174. The length 172 may extend to a direction-changing curve 176 in the curved discharge passageway 16. Preferably, the length 172 extends about half way between the curve 174 and the curve 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 of FIG. 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 of FIG. 15, to the second cross section 160 of FIG. 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 the toilet ramrod 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2, a longitudinal portion of the toilet ramrod 10 is unidirectionally stiffened as described in conjunction with FIGS. 15-17.

FIG. 19 illustrates the compressive-spring characteristics of toilet ramrods, such as the toilet ramrod 10, when the toilet ramrods are inserted serpentinely bent in the curved discharge passageway 16 of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 19 also illustrates how friction between the toilet ramrod 10 in the curved discharge passageway 16 affects curvatures of the toilet ramrod 10, and how impact ramming overcomes friction.

In FIG. 19, the toilet ramrod 10 of FIGS. 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 a blockage 30, so that the ramrod 10 is serpentinely bent in the tubing 180. The impacting end 44 of the toilet ramrod 10 is shown bent against the blockage 30 at a contact point 184, and the toilet ramrod 10 is serpentinely bent against the inside 182 of the tube 180 at contact points 184a, 184b, 184c, and 184d.

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 of FIG. 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 impacting end 44 of the ramrod 10 is engaging a blockage 30, and a resistance force 192 of the blockage 30 causes the ramrod 10 to bend with a curvature 194a. A friction load 195a at the contact point 184a adds to the total force needed to move the blockage 30.

In like manner, friction loads 195b, 195c, and 195d, at the contact points 184b, 184c, and 184d, add to a force 196 that is required to drive the blockage 30 through the tube 180, which represents the curved discharge passageway 16 of FIG. 2. As ramming forces increase past each of the contact points, 184a, 184b, 184c, and 184d, the force 196 increases, and the curvatures 194a, 194b, 194c, and 194d 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 the ramrod 10 in accordance with the compressive elasticity of the ramrod 10, the distributed mass of the ramrod, and the distributed friction of the contact points 184d, 184c, 184b, and 184a.

When the ramrod 10 is impactly rammed, friction loads 194d, 194c, 194b, and 194a are progressively overcome, as contact points 184d, 184c, 184b, and 184a are repeatedly driven toward the blockage 30, and as curvatures 194d, 194c, 194b, and 194a 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 the obstruction 30 out of the curved 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 the curved discharge passage 16 is erratic and sporadic, so that friction is essentially eliminated.

Referring now to FIG. 21, toilet ramrod apparatus 200 includes a toilet ramrod 202 and a stiffening sleeve 204. The toilet ramrod 202 includes a coiled steel spring 206, a sheath 208, an impacting foot 210, and a ramming handle 212. Preferably, the coiled steel 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 impacting foot 210.

A washer 214 is attached to the coiled steel spring 206 with a screw 216. Then the impacting foot 210 is molded over the coiled steel spring 206, the sheath 208, and the washer 214 to attach the impacting foot 210 securely to the coiled steel spring 206. The ramming handle 212 is attached to the coiled steel spring 206 and the sheath 208 in like manner. Preferably, the ramming handle 212 includes a hole 218 for hanging the toilet ramrod apparatus 200 on a display rack, not shown, or for convenience in home storage.

Referring now to FIGS. 21 and 22, the stiffening sleeve 204 preferably is plastic, has any suitable cross sectional shape, has a section modulus with respect to a bending axis 222, as desired, includes an opening 220, shown in FIG. 22, that slidably receives the sheath 208. Preferably, the stiffening sleeve 204 is plastic.

Referring now to FIGS. 21 and 23, optionally a ramming sleeve 224 of FIG. 23 may be used with the toilet ramrod 202 of FIG. 21 in place of the stiffening sleeve 204. As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the ramming sleeve 224 includes an opening 226 that is not circular. Preferably, the ramming sleeve 224 is plastic.

As shown in FIG. 24, the opening 226 includes four wedging surfaces 228 at angles 230 that will wedge onto the sheath 208 of FIG. 21 anytime a ramming force on the ramming sleeve 224 bends the coiled steel spring 206.

That is, the wedging surfaces 228 contact the sheath 208 to provide self locking when the ramming sleeve 224 bends, but the angles 230 are greater than the friction angle of the contacting materials, so the ramming sleeve 204 self releases when the sheath 208 and the coiled steel spring 206 are straightened.

Referring now to FIG. 25, toilet ramrod apparatus 240 includes both the coiled steel spring 206 and the sheath 208. The coiled spring 206 is fastened to the impacting foot 210 as shown and described in conjunction with FIG. 21. And, the coiled spring 206 is attached to a ramming head 242 by a steel screw, not shown, engaging the coiled spring 206, as shown in FIG. 21.

The sheath 208 is also bonded into a first end of a positioning handle 244. A second end of the positioning handle 244 is integral with a first end of a bellows 246, and a second end of the bellows 246 bonded to a slide-hammer handle 248. The coiled steel spring 206 is hydraulically sealed inside the sheath 208, the positioning handle 244, the bellows 246, and the slide hammer handle 248.

A cylindrical guide sleeve 250 is disposed inside the positioning handle 244, and the guide sleeve 250 slidably receives the ramming head 242. A slide hammer 252 is fixedly disposed inside the slide hammer handle 248 and a reduced diameter portion 254 of the slide hammer 252 slidably engages the inside of the guide sleeve 250 for a distance that effectively guides reciprocating movement of the slide hammer 252 and the slide hammer handle 248.

Longitudinal elasticity of the sheath 208 allows impacts applied to the impacting foot 210, through the coiled steel spring 206, to jerk the sheath 208 though the curved discharge passageway 16. Jerking the sheath 208 effectively overcomes friction between the sheath 208 and the curved discharge passageway 16, thereby delivering greater impacts to the blockage 30, as opposed to driving the coiled steel spring 206 and the sheath 208 through the curved 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, or toilet ramrod apparatus 270, includes a power-impacting device, electro-mechanical impacting device, or electric hammer 272, a chuck 274, and a power-impacting ramrod 280 of FIGS. 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 the chuck 274, becomes a power-impacting ramrod apparatus. Any suitable chuck can be used that will attach an impacting end 282 of the power-impacting ramrod 280 to the electric hammer 272.

Referring now to FIG. 27, the power-impacting ramrod 280 is constructed generally as shown in FIG. 21 and as taught therewith. The power-impacting ramrod 280 includes, in addition to the power-impacting end 282 of FIG. 27, the coiled steel spring 206, the sheath 208, and the impacting foot 210 of FIG. 21.

The impacting end 282 includes a bellows boot 284 that receives an impact hammer 286 at a first end 288 and receives the coiled steel spring 206 enclosed in the sheath 208 at a second end 290, At the first end 288, a compression ring 292 seals the bellows boot 284 to the impact hammer 286. At the second end 290, the bellows boot 284 is molded to the sheath 208.

A guide tube 294 is molded inside the bellows 284 coaxial with the coiled steel spring 206, and both the impact hammer 286 and an impacting head 296 are slidably inserted into the guide tube 294. The impacting head 296 is attached to the coiled steel spring 206 by a screw as taught in conjunction with FIG. 21.

Optionally, a shock-reducing pad 298 is inserted between the impacting hammer 286 and the impacting head 296 to soften the impacts delivered to the impacting head 296 by the impact hammer 286 and the electric hammer 272 of FIG. 26.

Referring now to FIG. 28, a power-impacting ramrod 300 of FIG. 28, when combined with any suitable hammer drill, not shown, becomes a power-impact ramrod apparatus. The power-impacting ramrod 300 receives impacts from any impacting device, such as a hammer drill, and transmits impacts to an impacting foot, such as the impacting foot 210 of FIG. 21.

If a power-impacting device, such as a hammer drill, not shown, rotates, a power-impacting end 302 of the power-impacting ramrod 300 filters out rotation of the hammer drill. Therefore, the power-impacting ramrod 300 of FIG. 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 in FIG. 21 and as taught therewith. More particularly, the power-impacting ramrod 300 includes, in addition to the power-impacting end 302, the coiled steel spring 206, the sheath 208, and the ramming foot 210 of FIG. 21.

The impacting end 302 of the power-impacting ramrod 300 includes a housing 304 with three bores: a first bore 306 that slidably receives an impact hammer 308, a second bore 310 that receives a retaining shoulder 312 of the impact hammer 308, and a third bore 314 that receives an impact head 318.

The impact head 318 include a larger cylindrical portion 320 disposed in the third bore 314, a second cylindrical portion 324 that slidably receives the sheath 208 and that is disposed in the third bore 314, and an integral screw 326 that is screwed into the coiled steel spring 206.

An end 328 of the housing 304 is rolled, or swaged, over the sheath 208 and a chamber 330 of the second cylindrical portion 324 of the impacting head 318, as shown, thereby sealing the impacting end 302 of the power-impacting ramrod 300. A hole 332 in the housing 304 allows air to enter and exit the bore 310 as the impact 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 the electric hammer 272 of FIG. 26, the power-impacting device is moved toward a blockage 30 in the stool 14 of FIG. 2 so that the impacting device repeatedly impacts the blockage 30. When a hammer drill is used with the power-impacting ramrod 300, the impact hammer 308 rotates with the hammer drill, but the impacting nose 334 cannot transmit torque to the coiled steel spring 206, so the impacting nose 334 cooperates with the impacting face 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 the blockage 30. That is, the impacting head 308 of FIG. 28 has a total stroke that extends from an impacting nose 334 to an impacting face 336 of the impacting head 318. In like manner, referring now to FIG. 27, a space exists between the impact hammer 286 and the impacting head 296, even with the shock absorbing pad 298 interposed.

Referring now to FIG. 29, as extruded, a unidirectionally stiffened sheath 340 includes an opening 342 and a pair of concave stiffening wings 344. The stiffening wings 344 function as taught in conjunction with FIGS. 15 and 17 to provide unidirectional stiffening. That is, looking down at FIG. 29, if a bottom (not shown) is held vertically, at a top (not shown), the unidirectionally stiffened sheath 340 is stiffened, to resist bending opposite to the curve 166 of FIG. 17, with respect to a force 348, but is easily bent in response to a force 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, the concave stiffening wings 344 are heat forged to conform to a plane 352. The unidirectionally stiffened sheath 340 may be used to replace the sheath 208 in any embodiment that uses an elongated member, such as the coiled steel spring 206, that needs a sheath to protect porcelain surfaces of a toilet stool 14 of FIG. 1.

Optionally, the sheath 208 is used for the second longitudinal portion (not shown), same as the second longitudinal portion 158 of FIG. 16, so that only the first portion (not shown), same as the first longitudinal portion 152 of FIG. 15, is used. In this option, the concave stiffening wings 344 provide unidirectionally stiffening as described in conjunction with FIGS. 15-17, but less plastic is needed for the sheath 208 of the second longitudinal portion, so the cost is reduced.

Optionally, the opening 342 is increased in diameter to receive the sheath 208, and the unidirectionally stiffened sheath 340 becomes a unidirectionally stiffened sleeve, even as the stiffening sleeves 204 and 224 of 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 the toilet 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 the ramrod 10, avoids the cost of a stiffening sleeve, and includes advertising space.

The preferred embodiment for commercial use is the power-impacting apparatus 280 of FIG. 26, because it is powerful. The power impacting device of FIG. 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 of FIG. 28. The power-impacting ramrod 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

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.