With Head Structure That Grips Drain Opening Or Pipe Patents (Class 4/255.08)
  • Patent number: 11841099
    Abstract: A cable anchor assembly includes a housing that receives adhesive through a fill inlet to secure a cable relative to the housing. The cable enters and exits the housing through first and second gaskets that hold the adhesive within the housing during filling and curing. Various components enable the orientation of the fill inlet relative to the housing to be changed. In some cases, the fill inlet is defined by the housing. In other examples, the fill inlet is defined by the housing in cooperation with a guide member. In still other cases, the fill inlet is defined by one of the gaskets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Matthew J. Holmberg, Arend J. Turner, James J. Solheid
  • Patent number: 8418274
    Abstract: A vacuum drainage system for unclogging a clogged drain comprises a source of vacuum, a hose having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the proximal end portion of the hose being connected to the source of vacuum when the system is in use, and a drain clean-out device being received on the distal end portion of the hose when the system is in use. The drain clean-out device comprises a hollow tubular structure, a sealing member receiving portion located on the exterior surface of the hollow tubular structure at the first end portion of the structure, and a sealing member mountable on the sealing member receiving portion for creating a seal between the sealing member and the exterior service of the structure and between the sealing member and a clogged drain when the hollow tubular structure, with the sealing member mounted thereon, is positioned over a clogged drain, with the sealing member being in contact with an entrance to the drain or with a surface surrounding the entrance to the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventor: Larry Edward Dodson
  • Patent number: 8136173
    Abstract: A kit for use in treating a sink drain so that drain remains both open and clean includes an unclogging device and a strainer, which though packagable or stackable together would normally be used separately. The unclogging device can be used to concentrate the spray from a nozzle to assist in unclogging a drain. The strainer would normally reside in a sink drain to prevent debris from clogging or restricting the drain. One version of the strainer provides space for an air freshener that can be replaced. These kits also include a sealing stopper and a gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: American Technical Solutions, Inc
    Inventors: Gettys Haywood Knox, Robert James Sandee
  • 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: 7765626
    Abstract: A drain clearing device includes a first hollow tube having opposed first and second ends and a plunger head coupled to the first end. A second hollow tube includes a first end operatively coupled to the first end of the first tube, the first and second tubes being configured for telescoping movement between extended and retracted configurations. A snaking member is situated in the first and second tubes for movement between storing and operating configurations when the tubes are moved between extended and retracted configurations, respectively. A crank handle connected to the snaking member enables a user to rotate and extend the snake as needed. A plug is included for separating an inner tube area from an inner area of the plunger head and to prevent water spillage from the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventor: Franco Sapia
  • Publication number: 20100037378
    Abstract: A drain cleaning tool including a sealing member, which has a through-hole. With the sealing member positioned about the opening of the drain, coupling the member to a source of compressed air, allows compressed air to pass through the sealing member by means of the through-hole to clear the drain of obstructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventor: Kevin W. Wise
  • Publication number: 20090113612
    Abstract: A vacuum drainage system for unclogging a clogged drain comprises a source of vacuum, a hose having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the proximal end portion of the hose being connected to the source of vacuum when the system is in use, and a drain clean-out device being received on the distal end portion of the hose when the system is in use. The drain clean-out device comprises a hollow tubular structure, a sealing member receiving portion located on the exterior surface of the hollow tubular structure at the first end portion of the structure, and a sealing member mountable on the sealing member receiving portion for creating a seal between the sealing member and the exterior service of the structure and between the sealing member and a clogged drain when the hollow tubular structure, with the sealing member mounted thereon, is positioned over a clogged drain, with the sealing member being in contact with an entrance to the drain or with a surface surrounding the entrance to the drain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: Larry Edward Dodson
  • Patent number: 7213273
    Abstract: A plunger includes a lever, a pipe, a rod passed through an axial hole of the pipe, a covering member, and a spring; the rod will be upwards displaced when the lever is pivoted upwards; the rod has a passage therein, and a head at an upper end for connection with an air pump; the covering member has a neck, and an outlet on a lower side; the pipe is inserted in the neck; two airtight rings are secured on an inner side of the neck; the rod is normally biased to a lowermost position by the spring; the lower end of the rod will block the outlet, and the passage will communicate with inside of the covering member when the rod is in lowermost position; when the lever is pivoted upwards, high-pressure air will escape through the outlet to push a blockage in a drain tube of a sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Chntuo Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Long-Sheh Wang
  • Patent number: 7185529
    Abstract: The present invention provides a testing assembly for pressure testing a plumbing system in a building where the building has a shower station with a drain and a shower inlet. The testing assembly includes a drain adapter, a hose fitting on the shower inlet, and a hose removably connecting the shower inlet and the drain adapter. The drain adapter has a hose end fitting and a drain sealing element in fluid communication with the hose end fitting. The sealing element is adapted to be in fluid communication with the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Duane Condon
  • Patent number: 6934975
    Abstract: An adapter device, intended to be used with a conventional kitchen hose spray nozzle attached to a flexible hose, on most kitchen faucets can be used to clear drains. The adapter device can be mated or secured to the kitchen hose spray and will close the drain opening when the kitchen hose spray ejects a water spray into the drain to remove impacted matter in the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: American Technology Solutions, Inc
    Inventors: Thomas Andrew Hope, Gettys Haywood Knox, Robert James Sandee
  • Patent number: 6775857
    Abstract: A drain fitting device (10) adapted to seal and facilitate introduction of a fluid, such as tap water, or a gas, such as compressed air, into a clogged drain (12), thereby pressurizing the drain (12) and removing the clog. In a preferred first embodiment, the device (10) broadly comprises a stopper element (14); a hose attachment mechanism (16); an expander mechanism (18); and a hose (20). The stopper element (14) fits within and substantially seals the drain (12). The expander mechanism (18) allows for compressing the stopper element (14), resulting in a circumferential expansion of the stopper element (14) to achieve a tighter seal with the drain (12). The hose (20) extends between and couples the device (10) with a source of pressurization (60) such that the fluid or the gas flows therefrom through the device (10) and into the clogged drain (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventors: John M. Hughes, Jr., Ronna A. Holloman-Hughes
  • Patent number: 6510860
    Abstract: An adapter having a central tubular connecting portion to enable the adapter to be fitted to a drain clearing tool, and a flexible skirt portion of frusto-conical shape extending from the central connecting portion partway along its length. The connecting portion has a first part on one side of the skirt portion and a second part with a different diameter from the first part on the other side of the skirt portion, and the skirt portion having a first configuration in which it surrounds one of the connecting parts and a reversely bent second configuration in which it surrounds the other connecting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Inventor: Josef K. Kihs
  • Patent number: 6216283
    Abstract: A toilet bowl plunger for use with a new narrow throat 1.6 gallon toilet that can be used equally well with older toilets. The head portion of the plunger is a pleated bellows consisting of two sections, a conically tapering section and a constant average diameter section. The conically tapering section has larger diameter at the rear end of the head and tapers down to a narrower diameter in a direction away from the rear end of the head. The bellows then continues into the constant diameter section in a direction away from the rear end and towards the front end of the head. The constant diameter section resembles an elephant-like trunk or nose. When inserted into the toilet bowl, the constant diameter section of the bellows head penetrates into the throat, while a forward end of the tapered section seats over the outer perimeter of the mouth of the throat. The constant diameter section or nose of the head curves to follow the path of the throat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventor: George Tash
  • Patent number: 6205594
    Abstract: A toilet clearing device that produces a stream of pressurized water to break up and/or dislodge obstructions in the outlet duct of a toilet. The toilet clearing device is a conduit comprised of an inlet, a flexible section, a rigid handle section, a dislodging extension, and an outlet in fluid flow communication, such that water may be conveyed from the water source, though the device and into the outlet duct of the toilet. The dislodging extension of the device is preferably configured to be inserted into the outlet duct of the toilet. In use, the inlet of the device is attached to a water source, and the user grasps the rigid handle section of the device to direct the dislodging extension of the device toward the obstruction within the outlet duct of the toilet. The pressurized water exiting the device breaks up and/or dislodges the obstruction and pushes it out through the outlet duct of the toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Michael D. Solaberry
  • Patent number: 6185755
    Abstract: Apparatus for flushing a drain pipe with an accessible open end has a valve assembly with a hollow body connectable to a source of liquid under pressure for the supply of liquid under pressure to the interior of the hollow body, the hollow body having an open end positionable in communication with an open end of a drain pipe. A valve member is mounted for sliding movement in the valve body between a closed position in which the valve member prevents flow of liquid under pressure from a source thereof through the hollow body to the open end thereof, and an open position in which the valve member permits flow of liquid from the source thereof through the hollow body to the open end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventors: Charles G. Shepherd, Glenn J. Parson