Abstract: A bipod support for a drain cleaning machine is described. The bipod support includes a base, a plurality of legs, a retaining member, and a latch. The retaining member and latch are configured to engage and secure the drain cleaning machine to the bipod support. The bipod support enables rocking movement of the drain cleaning machine while supporting the weight of the machine. Also described are related methods of use of the bipod support.

Abstract: A bipod support for a drain cleaning machine is described. The bipod support includes a base, a plurality of legs, a retaining member, and a latch. The retaining member and latch are configured to engage and secure the drain cleaning machine to the bipod support. The bipod support enables rocking movement of the drain cleaning machine while supporting the weight of the machine. Also described are related methods of use of the bipod support.

Abstract: Motor dampening provisions are described. Incorporation and use of the motor dampener(s) in a rotary type drain cleaning machine enables elimination of a clutch in the machine. Also described are clutch-free drive systems using the motor dampener(s). Also described are torque countering members that are used in conjunction with the motor dampener(s).

Abstract: A drain cleaner is disclosed having a housing with an interior region for storing a flexible drain cleaning cable. The drain cleaning cable can be extended from the drain cleaner and includes a rotatable member within a non-rotating sheath. The drain cleaner includes an engageable drive shaft coupled to the rotatable member. In certain versions, the drive shaft is coupled to the rotatable member through a torque limiting device such as a clutch. Upon engagement of the drive shaft with a rotary power source, a rotating distal end of the flexible cable can be used to dislodge obstructions in pipes. The interior region of the drain cleaner is configured to promote efficient coiling of the drain cleaning cable. The drain cleaner includes additional features for reducing wear of cable and components, and securely retaining the cable to the drain cleaner.

Abstract: Exemplary practice of the present invention defines “sphibules” in computer-modeling the spread of a substance in a fluid medium. A “sphibule,” a modeling entity conceived and named by the present inventors, represents a discrete quantity of a substance that is propagative in a fluid medium. Every sphibule has the same size when created, the same constant geometric shape, the same constant mass, and a uniform density. Multiple sphibules are created at a prescribed rate at a source in the fluid medium. Several or many timesteps are performed to compute enlargement and relocation, in the fluid medium, of each sphibule that has been created. Through succeeding timesteps, each sphibule becomes less dense and more distant from the source. A sphibule ceases to exist when the sphibule is less dense than a prescribed minimum density of the sphibules, and/or when the sphibule travels beyond a prescribed spatial boundary of the fluid medium.

Abstract: A torque limiter and a retrievable chain knocker tool, each separately configured for use with a drain cleaning apparatus are described. The drain cleaning apparatus includes a drum housing defining an interior region, a cable carrier rotatably mounted within the housing interior region, and a transmission assembly operatively configured for transferring rotary power to an end portion of flexible cable retained in the housing.

Abstract: Drain cleaners are described that include rotatable drums which retain drain cleaning cable. Mounted on the rotatable drum is a motor and optional gearbox for imparting rotation to the drain cleaning cable. The drain cleaners can also include a cable clamp mounted on the rotatable drum. The drain cleaners are configured such that the rotatable drum is free of positional preference regardless of orientation of the drain cleaner.

Abstract: An approach is provided for selecting and displaying one or more images. A determination is made that a user is in a proximity to a digital picture frame. Weather information is received from a weather sensor coupled to the digital picture frame. The weather information specifies a current weather of a geographic location that includes the digital picture frame. Based on the current weather, an emotional state of the user is determined. Based on user profile information corresponding to the user, image(s) included in multiple images are determined to convey the emotional state of the user. Based on the emotional state of the user and the image(s) conveying the emotional state, the image(s) are displayed on a display included in the digital picture frame.

Abstract: Motor dampening provisions are described. Incorporation and use of the motor dampener(s) in a rotary type drain cleaning machine enables elimination of a clutch in the machine. Also described are clutch-free drive systems using the motor dampener(s). Also described are torque countering members that are used in conjunction with the motor dampener(s).

Abstract: Motor dampening provisions are described. Incorporation and use of the motor dampener(s) in a rotary type drain cleaning machine enables elimination of a clutch in the machine. Also described are clutch-free drive systems using the motor dampener(s). Also described are torque countering members that are used in conjunction with the motor dampener(s).

Abstract: A bipod support for a drain cleaning machine is described. The bipod support includes a base, a plurality of legs, a retaining member, and a latch. The retaining member and latch are configured to engage and secure the drain cleaning machine to the bipod support. The bipod support enables rocking movement of the drain cleaning machine while supporting the weight of the machine. Also described are related methods of use of the bipod support.

Abstract: A drain cleaning system is described that includes a drain cleaning device with a flexible drain cleaning cable, and two or more sections of guide hoses that can be attached to one another and/or to the device. Also described are systems that include provisions for advancing or retracting the drain cleaning cable and which can also be coupled to one or more of the guide hoses.

Abstract: A clear or generally transparent cover or enclosure for plumbing tools is described. The clear cover enables viewing of interior regions of the plumbing tools. In particular versions, the covers are used with drum type drain cleaning devices and enable visual inspection of the drum and/or a flexible drain cleaning cable associated with the device.

Abstract: An approach is provided for selecting and displaying one or more images. A determination is made that a user is in a proximity to a digital picture frame. Weather information is received from a weather sensor coupled to the digital picture frame. The weather information specifies a current weather of a geographic location that includes the digital picture frame. Based on the current weather, an emotional state of the user is determined. Based on user profile information corresponding to the user, image(s) included in multiple images are determined to convey the emotional state of the user. Based on the emotional state of the user and the image(s) conveying the emotional state, the image(s) are displayed on a display included in the digital picture frame.

Abstract: An approach is provided for selecting and displaying image(s). A user and user profile information corresponding to the user are identified. A sentiment of the user is identified by determining that user is in proximity to a digital picture frame in a room, receiving a measurement of ambient lighting of the room from a light sensor coupled to the digital picture frame, and determining an emotional state of the user based on the ambient lighting. Based on the user profile, an association is determined between the sentiment of the user and sentiment(s), which are determined to be conveyed by image(s). Based on the ambient lighting, the association between the sentiment of the user and the sentiment(s), and the image(s) conveying the sentiment(s), the image(s) are selected from multiple images. The selected image(s) are displayed on a display included in the digital picture frame.

Abstract: Various assemblies for indicating movement and direction of drain cleaning cables used in plumbing tools are described. Generally, the plumbing tools include a cam that is in operable engagement with a guide tube. Upon axial movement of cable relative to the tool, the cam causes reciprocal movement of an indicator. The plumbing tools can additionally include switches and/or electronics in communication with the indicator to thereby provide information or processing of tool operation.

Abstract: Cable coupling assemblies are described which can be readily engaged and separated from one another. The couplings are particularly useful for use in torque transmitting cables such as those used in drain cleaning applications.

Abstract: Adapters are described which enable a wide array of tools to be secured and/or mounted in a chain pipe vise. Also described are methods of using adapters with chain pipe vises in order to stably mount tools in the chain pipe vise.

Abstract: Various feed control devices for plumbing tools such as drain cleaning machines are disclosed. The feed control devices include a collection of angled rollers that contact a cable or snake of the drain cleaning machine. Another collection of a single or dual angled roller(s) are mounted or otherwise engaged with a handle, and can be selectively positioned and contacted with the cable. By changing the position of the handle, rotation of the cable is translated to axial movement thereby advancing or retracting the cable. Also described are drain cleaning devices utilizing the feed control devices.