Piston Patents (Class 4/255.02)
  • Patent number: 10443221
    Abstract: A resiliently deformable toilet plunger including a generally cup-shaped bell portion having an interior space. A socket is formed on the bell portion. A flange portion extends from the bell portion opposite the socket and includes an open end. The flange portion defines an arcuate tapering tubular passage wherein the interior space communicates with the open end. An annular skirt is formed at a junction of the bell portion and the flange portion, the skirt including a base portion attached to the bell portion and a terminal end opposite the base portion, the skirt extending outwardly from the junction and at an angle such that the terminal end is below a plane defined by the junction, wherein the angle is from about 20° to about 70°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: CARL FREUDENBERG KG
    Inventors: Doug Metzel, Conrad Alfaro
  • Patent number: 10221551
    Abstract: A pressure plunger which consists of a hollow lower tube inserted into a clogged toilet or drain causing no significant displacement of fluid. After the lower tube's compressible end is fixedly attached to a fluid channel, the actuator cylinder may be inserted into the lower tube to create pressure downward and upward to remove blockage. Unlike other designs this plunger consists of two separate sections, each integrally formed, which function together without assembly or disassembly. Vents near the top of the lower tube allow in air to release vacuum pressure when pulling near the top of the lower tube prohibiting fluid being pulled to the top of the lower tube. The lack of assembly and disassembly is also significantly different regarding cleaning and sanitizing. The upper actuator tube can be pulled out and cleaned on the outside and the lower tube can be easily cleaned from either end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Inventor: William Scott Gray
  • Patent number: 8756721
    Abstract: An improvement on a conventional toilet having a built-in plunger has a tank portion that contains a housing having a plunger apparatus and a bowl portion having a bowl, an outlet drain and one or a plurality of channels for transporting plunged water from the plunger apparatus in the tank to one or a plurality of locations in the outlet drain in order to clear a clog.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: Ryan Dewey
  • Patent number: 7962974
    Abstract: A system and method for a plunger for unclogging a toilet. A plunger system comprising an elongated cylinder, a flexible material at a first end of the elongated cylinder, an air reservoir located inside the cylinder having an outlet extending through the flexible material, and a valve adapted to release compressed air stored inside the air reservoir through the outlet. The flexible material is capable of being expanded to seal the exit port of a toilet. A method for unclogging a toilet with a plunger device comprising the following steps: inserting a first end of a plunger device into an exit port of the toilet, expanding a flexible material attached to the first end of the plunger device to seal the exit port, and releasing a bolus of air into the exit port past the flexible material to unclog the toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: Justin Lee Lanier
  • Patent number: 7908681
    Abstract: A plunger that operates by a piston to drive a purging flow at relatively high pressure is disclosed. The plunger includes features so that the exterior of the plunger remains in a dry and sanitary condition. An optional storage unit is also disclosed where the storage unit includes at least one UV element. Where the UV element decreases the amount of pathogens on the plumbing tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Smart Products and Inventions, Inc.
    Inventors: Francois Nguyen, Josh P. Defosset, H. Lee Holden
  • Publication number: 20100180366
    Abstract: A system and method for a plunger for unclogging a toilet. A plunger system comprising an elongated cylinder, a flexible material at a first end of the elongated cylinder, an air reservoir located inside the cylinder having an outlet extending through the flexible material, and a valve adapted to release compressed air stored inside the air reservoir through the outlet. The flexible material is capable of being expanded to seal the exit port of a toilet. A method for unclogging a toilet with a plunger device comprising the following steps: inserting a first end of a plunger device into an exit port of the toilet, expanding a flexible material attached to the first end of the plunger device to seal the exit port, and releasing a bolus of air into the exit port past the flexible material to unclog the toilet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventor: Justin Lee Lanier
  • Patent number: 7340783
    Abstract: An air plunger is described. The air plunger comprises an upper barrel and a lower barrel slidably received by the upper barrel. An air seal is fixed to the lower barrel and slidably engages with the upper barrel. A nozzle is attached to the lower barrel opposite to the upper barrel. A stop mechanism prohibits the upper barrel from disassociating with the lower barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Inventors: J. Kirk Leaphart, Jr., C. Mark Leaphart, Carlos R. Schoolcraft, Michael L. Ernst
  • Patent number: 7188377
    Abstract: A pump having a vessel with a hollow interior. An adaptor may be associated with the vessel and include an opening that facilitates selective flow of fluid relative to the interior. A piston may be slidably mounted within the vessel's interior and movable relative to the adaptor. The pump may also include a piston actuator having a first actuator end and a second actuator end in which the first actuator end is operably associated with the piston. The second actuator end may extend outside the interior such that the piston actuator is configured for facilitating selectable movement of the piston within the vessel. A valve assembly selectively attachable to the adaptor to facilitate selective flow of fluid relative to the adaptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Inventors: Eric C. Smith, Steven Stroup, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7073211
    Abstract: A hydraulic plumber's friend has a cylindrical body, a lid, a compression assembly, a tapered end cap and a nozzle assembly. The cylindrical body has an open bottom and holds water to be injected into a clogged pipe. The compression assembly has a drive shaft and a piston mounted slidably in the cylindrical body. The tapered end cap is mounted on the open bottom of the cylindrical body and has a transverse partition, a tapered body and a spout. The nozzle assembly has a valve having a cylindrical disk mounted slidably in the spout and having a closed top, an open bottom, a cylindrical sidewall and multiple charging holes, a valve stem and a spring. When the charging holes are uncovered, water flows. The nozzle is mounted on the cylindrical disk and seals and directs water into an opening in a clogged pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Sam Rock Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuei-Kun Wu
  • Patent number: 7062799
    Abstract: An apparatus for clearing a clog in a pipe that includes a hollow, rigid cylindrical body, the body having a closed end and an open end; a piston disposed in the body for reciprocation therein; a rod attached to the piston and extending through an opening in the closed end of the body; a handle located on an upper portion of the rod; and a seal attached to the open end of the body. In one embodiment, the seal includes at least one flexible flange formed on an external surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Inventor: Patrick James Walsh
  • Patent number: 6895606
    Abstract: An apparatus for clearing a clog in a pipe having a diameter, the apparatus including a hollow, rigid cylindrical body, the body having a closed end, an open end and an inside diameter that is less than the diameter of the pipe at the clog thereby providing a mechanical advantage in removing the clog; a piston disposed in the body for reciprocation therein; a rod attached to the piston and extending through an opening in the closed end of the body; a handle located on an upper portion of the rod; and a seal attached to the open end of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Inventor: Patrick James Walsh
  • Patent number: 6862753
    Abstract: An air plunger is described. The air plunger comprises an upper barrel and a lower barrel slidably received by the upper barrel. An air seal is fixed to the lower barrel and slidably engages with the upper barrel. A nozzle is attached to the lower barrel opposite to the upper barrel. A stop mechanism prohibits the upper barrel from disassociating with the lower barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventors: J. Kirk Leaphart, Jr., C. Mark Leaphart
  • Publication number: 20040226084
    Abstract: An air plunger is described. The air plunger comprises an upper barrel and a lower barrel slidably received by the upper barrel. An air seal is fixed to the lower barrel and slidably engages with the upper barrel. A nozzle is attached to the lower barrel opposite to the upper barrel. A stop mechanism prohibits the upper barrel from disassociating with the lower barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: J. Kirk Leaphart, C. Mark Leaphart
  • Patent number: 6789276
    Abstract: An air plunger is described. The air plunger comprises an upper barrel and a lower barrel slidably received by the upper barrel. An air seal is fixed to the lower barrel and slidably engages with the upper barrel. A nozzle is attached to the lower barrel opposite to the upper barrel. A stop mechanism prohibits the upper barrel from disassociating with the lower barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventors: J. Kirk Leaphart, Jr., C. Mark Leaphart
  • Patent number: 6779202
    Abstract: The disclosed portable plunger has an elongated shaft with a hand gripping portion adjacent one end and a plunger head fixed to the shaft adjacent the opposite end. The plunger head has an impervious flexible material defining an exterior surface sized slightly larger than an outlet passage of a toilet bowl to be plunged. The head is also resilient and elastic to allow reduction of the exterior head surface to become smaller than the bowl passage to allow plunger head insertion into the passage, while then expanding and seating against the bowl passage walls in the mode of a piston positioned in the passage. Thus, axial shifting of the plunger head in the passage hydraulically creates water/waste pressure and/or flow surges in the passage, serving to break up downstream clogs therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventor: Andrew L. Alldredge
  • Patent number: 6775856
    Abstract: A toilet bowl pump apparatus and method for reducing the water level in a toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Leslie A. Ollinger
  • Publication number: 20040034908
    Abstract: An air plunger is described. The air plunger comprises an upper barrel and a lower barrel slidably received by the upper barrel. An air seal is fixed to the lower barrel and slidably engages with the upper barrel. A nozzle is attached to the lower barrel opposite to the upper barrel. A stop mechanism prohibits the upper barrel from disassociating with the lower barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: J. Kirk Leaphart, C. Mark Leaphart
  • Publication number: 20030088909
    Abstract: A toilet bowl pump apparatus and method for reducing the water level in a toilet bowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventor: Leslie A. Ollinger
  • Patent number: 6499151
    Abstract: A toilet bowl pump apparatus and method for reducing the water level in a toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventor: Leslie A. Ollinger
  • Patent number: 6484326
    Abstract: An air plunger is described. The air plunger comprises an upper barrel and a lower barrel slidably received by the upper barrel. An air seal is fixed to the lower barrel and slidably engages with the upper barrel. A nozzle is attached to the lower barrel opposite to the upper barrel. A stop mechanism prohibits the upper barrel from disassociating with the lower barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: 2L Products, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Kirk Leaphart, Jr., C. Mark Leaphart
  • Publication number: 20020162165
    Abstract: An air plunger is described. The air plunger comprises an upper barrel and a lower barrel slidably received by the upper barrel. An air seal is fixed to the lower barrel and slidably engages with the upper barrel. A nozzle is attached to the lower barrel opposite to the upper barrel. A stop mechanism prohibits the upper barrel from disassociating with the lower barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: J. Kirk Leaphart, C. Mark Leaphart
  • Patent number: 6393625
    Abstract: A plumbing device for a basin drainage includes a pushbutton, a spring, a positioning sleeve, a probe and a seal that is connected to the probe. The pushbutton is able to control the movement of the seal to selectively communicate the inlet and the valve receiving channel. A moving chamber is movably received in the pressure chamber to control the communication between the pressure release path and the passage of the cap. The accumulated pressure in the pressure chamber is able to be released by pushing the pushbutton so as to generate a large force into the drainage with the suction cup securely engaged with the periphery of the drainage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: John Tsai
  • Patent number: RE38291
    Abstract: New A plunger having a cylindrical hollow body 20 or 20B , a handle 30, 30A, or 30B , an outlet hose 40 , an outlet tip 42 , and a valve or flap 50, 60, or 70 structure that is able to controls the air flow within the hollow 25 portion of the cylindrical body 20 or 20B is shown. The valve or flap 50, 60, or 70 structure is moved into a closed position so that air is forced out of the front of the plunger and towards a clogged or stopped area 82 or 92 and is moved into an open position so that air enters the back of the plunger and passes proceeds past the valve or flap 50, 60, or 70 structure, so that water and/or clogging material is not drawn or sucked into the interior of the plunger. F The hose attached to the cylindrical body is flexible and is smaller in diameter than the drain throat of a plumbing fixture allowing the hose to be placed into a clogged area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventors: Craig A. Kennedy, Daniel L. Poole