Abstract: A flexible plunger boot used with a plunger to unclog a drain includes a coupling section, bulbous seal, and periphery seal. The coupling section couples to the bottom end of the plunger. The bulbous seal has a hollow spherical shape with a maximum outside diameter that is larger than a diameter of a drain that the bulbous seal is inserted into and deforms inwardly to create an interference fit with the walls of the drain. The periphery seal has an annular ring shape that is smaller in diameter than the maximum outside diameter of the bulbous seal but larger in diameter than a drain opening whose diameter is too small for the bulbous seal to fit into. Whenever the periphery seal is pressed down against the surface surrounding the drain opening it flattens against the surface to create a mechanical seal with the surface.

Abstract: A flexible plunger boot used with a plunger to unclog a drain includes a coupling section, bulbous seal, and periphery seal. The coupling section couples to the bottom end of the plunger. The bulbous seal has a hollow spherical shape with a maximum outside diameter that is larger than a diameter of a drain that the bulbous seal is inserted into and deforms inwardly to create an interference fit with the walls of the drain. The periphery seal has an annular ring shape that is smaller in diameter than the maximum outside diameter of the bulbous seal but larger in diameter than a drain opening whose diameter is too small for the bulbous seal to fit into. Whenever the periphery seal is pressed down against the surface surrounding the drain opening it flattens against the surface to create a mechanical seal with the surface.

Abstract: A drainpipe test plug for plugging a drainpipe via an opening formed therein includes a plug seal that includes a planar front surface which faces upward in the drainpipe whenever the drainpipe test plug is in a plugging position and a peripheral annular rim. The plug seal can include a plurality of holes or a continuous channel formed into the surface of the planar front surface, or a plurality of holes or a continuous channel formed into the surface of the peripheral annular rim, or both. The plug seal holes or channels impart a degree of flexibility to a peripheral area of the plug seal to facilitate the insertion and removal of the drainpipe test plug from the drainpipe. In addition, the holes or channel in the planar front surface provide additional sealing force against the interior of the drainpipe whenever the drainpipe test plug is in the plugging position.

Abstract: A drainpipe test plug for plugging a drainpipe via an opening formed therein includes a plug seal that includes a planar front surface which faces upward in the drainpipe whenever the drainpipe test plug is in a plugging position and a peripheral annular rim. The plug seal can include a plurality of holes or a continuous channel formed into the surface of the planar front surface, or a plurality of holes or a continuous channel formed into the surface of the peripheral annular rim, or both. The plug seal holes or channels impart a degree of flexibility to a peripheral area of the plug seal to facilitate the insertion and removal of the drainpipe test plug from the drainpipe. In addition, the holes or channel in the planar front surface provide additional sealing force against the interior of the drainpipe whenever the drainpipe test plug is in the plugging position.

Abstract: An automatic air release plunger is provided for unclogging an obstructed drain in a plumbing fixture having undrained wastewater. The plunger includes a handle and a hollow, compressible plunger head. The plunger head is coupled to the handle at the plunger head's proximal end. The plunger head also includes a seal extending from its distal end that is capable of sealing the plunger head to a drain opening of the plumbing fixture. Additionally, the handle and plunger head include automatic air release features that allow air to flow along an air-escape path from inside of the hollow plunger head into a void formed in the interior of the handle, and thereafter into a channel which extends from the proximal end of the plunger head to a gap at a proximal end of the handle where the air is released whenever the plunger head is compressed.

Abstract: An automatic air release plunger is provided for unclogging an obstructed drain in a plumbing fixture having undrained wastewater. The plunger includes a handle and a hollow, compressible plunger head. The plunger head is coupled to the handle at the plunger head's proximal end. The plunger head also includes a seal extending from its distal end that is capable of sealing the plunger head to a drain opening of the plumbing fixture. Additionally, the handle and plunger head include automatic air release features that allow air to flow along an air-escape path from inside of the hollow plunger head into a void formed in the interior of the handle, and thereafter into a channel which extends from the proximal end of the plunger head to a gap at a proximal end of the handle where the air is released whenever the plunger head is compressed.

Abstract: A device is provided that plugs a drainpipe via an opening formed therein. The device includes a lever arm having front and rear portions, and a plug seal assembly securely coupled to the front portion of the lever arm, the plug seal assembly having a plug designed to mechanically seal the drainpipe whenever the device is locked into a plugging position within the drainpipe, and a through-hole that passes from a front side of the plug seal assembly to a rear side thereof. The device also includes a positioning arm assembly rotatably coupled to the rear portion of the lever arm and is adapted to releasably engage with the rear portion of the lever arm and a bottom rim of the opening to lock the device into the plugging position. The device also includes a fluid fill hose one end of which is sealably coupled to the through-hole.

Abstract: An “Adjustable Drainpipe Test Plug Device” (hereinafter “Device”) includes a lever arm and a plug seal assembly coupled that lever arm. The plug seal assembly fully or partially mechanically seals the drainpipe when the Device is locked into one of a plurality of plugging positions through a drainpipe side opening. A positioning arm assembly is rotatably coupled to a rear portion of the lever arm to releasably engage the lever arm while a foot of the positioning arm releasably engages a bottom rim of the side opening, thereby locking the Device into plugging position. An adjustable extensible rod of the positioning arm assembly enables the foot to engage the side opening of pipes having different nominal wall thicknesses. The Device may include a through-hole passing from a front side of the plug seal assembly to a rear side, and may include a fluid fill hose sealably coupled to the through-hole.

Abstract: A device is provided that plugs a drainpipe via an opening formed therein. The device includes a lever arm having front and rear portions, and a plug seal assembly securely coupled to the front portion of the lever arm, the plug seal assembly having a plug designed to mechanically seal the drainpipe whenever the device is locked into a plugging position within the drainpipe, and a through-hole that passes from a front side of the plug seal assembly to a rear side thereof. The device also includes a positioning arm assembly rotatably coupled to the rear portion of the lever arm and is adapted to releasably engage with the rear portion of the lever arm and a bottom rim of the opening to lock the device into the plugging position. The device also includes a fluid fill hose one end of which is sealably coupled to the through-hole.

Abstract: A hand-operated drain snake is provided. The snake includes a first shaft having a first longitudinal axis, an auger disposed on an exterior surface of the first shaft, a second shaft having a second longitudinal axis, and a transverse member. A proximal end of the first shaft is disposed on one side of the transverse member and a proximal end of the second shaft is disposed on an opposite side of the transverse member such that the first axis is substantially parallel to the second axis, and the first axis is offset from the second axis by an offset distance.

Abstract: A hand-operated drain snake is provided. The snake includes a first shaft having a first longitudinal axis, an auger disposed on an exterior surface of the first shaft, a second shaft having a second longitudinal axis, and a transverse member. A proximal end of the first shaft is disposed on one side of the transverse member and a proximal end of the second shaft is disposed on an opposite side of the transverse member such that the first axis is substantially parallel to the second axis, and the first axis is offset from the second axis by an offset distance.

Abstract: A hand-operated drain snake is provided. The snake includes a first shaft having a first longitudinal axis, an auger disposed on an exterior surface of the first shaft, a second shaft having a second longitudinal axis, and a transverse member. A proximal end of the first shaft is disposed on one side of the transverse member and a proximal end of the second shaft is disposed on an opposite side of the transverse member such that the first axis is substantially parallel to the second axis, and the first axis is offset from the second axis by an offset distance.

Abstract: A hand-operated drain snake is provided. The snake includes a first shaft having a first longitudinal axis, an auger disposed on an exterior surface of the first shaft, a second shaft having a second longitudinal axis, and a transverse member. A proximal end of the first shaft is disposed on one side of the transverse member and a proximal end of the second shaft is disposed on an opposite side of the transverse member such that the first axis is substantially parallel to the second axis, and the first axis is offset from the second axis by an offset distance.

Abstract: The automatically deformable nozzle regulator described herein is for use in a venturi pump. The automatically deformable nozzle regulator automatically adjusts its output area as needed to provide an increased suction force at a venturi pump inlet. The nozzle regulator includes an outer tubular cylinder and an inner tubular cylinder, concentrically arranged, and an inlet section join the two cylinders at one end. The nozzle regulator is constructed of a flexible material, such that when a constricting force is applied an output area of the nozzle regulator is decreased. Fluid backpressure at the nozzle regulator caused by obstructions at the pump inlet or the head at the outlet cause backpressure and the resultant constricting force. Because the nozzle is deformable, the output area is reduced, thereby increasing suction force at the inlet to remove the obstruction and increased velocity at the outlet to increase the head at the outlet.

Abstract: The present toilet and sink drain plunger seals either around or in a toilet or sink drain hole despite the hole's size, configuration and location. The plunger includes an elongated upstanding handle connected to the top of a depending, preferably frusto-conical, open bottomed bellows in the sidewalls of which are formed a vertically stacked series of interconnected horizontal pleats. The plunger further includes a series of toilet drain hole seals connected to each other and to the bottom of the bellows to form a unitary whole depending below the bellows. The seals are of progressively smaller size from the uppermost to the lowermost and all feature inwardly and downwardly curved sealing surfaces. The seals are rings or doughnuts molded into the plunger body. The bottommost seal bears a short vertical small diameter annular wall depending therefrom and which acts both as a seal and a seat for the plunger.