Patents by Inventor Lawrence F. Irwin

Lawrence F. Irwin has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7761948
    Abstract: A waste line clean-out apparatus in which a video camera is positioned proximate the outboard end of an elongated flexible coil spring assembly and is interconnected with a remotely located viewing monitor by means of various operating cables, including a fiber optic signal transmitting cable. The apparatus includes a pull cable that extends interiorly of the spring assembly for protecting the fiber optic signal transmitting cable and the various companion operating cables from undue stress during the waste line clean-out operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Inventor: Lawrence F. Irwin
  • Publication number: 20090038093
    Abstract: A waste line clean-out apparatus in which a video camera is positioned proximate the outboard end of an elongated flexible coil spring assembly and is interconnected with a remotely located viewing monitor by means of various operating cables, including a fiber optic signal transmitting cable. The apparatus includes a pull cable that extends interiorly of the spring assembly for protecting the fiber optic signal transmitting cable and the various companion operating cables from undue stress during the waste line clean-out operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventor: Lawrence F. Irwin
  • Patent number: 6142460
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing and removing sink mounted garbage disposers in a manner which safeguards against injury of the installer. The apparatus of the invention is compact, lightweight and easy to position within the confines of a kitchen cabinet at a location directly beneath the sink mounting assembly to which the garbage disposer is interconnected. The apparatus has both fine and course elevation adjustment capabilities thereby making it easy to use in both the installation and removal of sink mounted garbage disposers of wide variety of sizes and shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Inventor: Lawrence F. Irwin
  • Patent number: 6135466
    Abstract: An article transport cart which is specially designed for lifting and transporting both toilets and urinals. The transport cart includes strategically located, adjustable lifting arms which can be used to engage and conveniently lift either a toilet or a urinal with a minimum of effort and without damaging the somewhat fragile fixture. Both the lifting arms and the tow plate of the cart can be adjusted relative to the cart frame so that they can be conveniently moved from an outwardly extending, operating configuration into a stowed position to enable the cart to be conveniently stored and transported. A locking mechanism is provided for locking the foldable toe plate in an operating position to stabilize the device when it is used to lift and transport wall-mounted urinals. The cart also includes a foldable toilet stabilizing means for restrainably engaging and stabilizing the toilet during lifting and transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventor: Lawrence F. Irwin
  • Patent number: 6076219
    Abstract: An improved power driven waste line clean out apparatus of the type that includes an elongated flexible coil spring that is selectively rotated by a novel operating mechanism in a manner to permit sections of the coiled spring to be sequentially fed into and retracted from the waste line to be cleaned as the operating mechanism reciprocates back and forth along a pair of generally horizontally extending guide members mounted on the base of the apparatus. In operation, the coiled spring is first gripped by the operating mechanism in a manner to cause rotation of the spring about its axis so that a feed mechanism will advance a section of the coil spring into the waste line. The coiled spring is then released so that the operating mechanism can be returned to its initial starting position to enable additional sections of the coil spring to be advanced into the clogged waste line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Inventor: Lawrence F. Irwin
  • Patent number: 5996159
    Abstract: A power driving waste line clean out tool which includes an elongated flexible coil spring formed from an elongated spring wire that is helically wound about a flexible water conduit. The water conduit provides water under relatively high pressure to a uniquely designed water jet clean out head assembly that is affixed to the end of the coil spring and is adapted to effectively break up and remove blockages formed in the sewer line being cleaned. A portion of the flexible coil spring is housed within a drum having a conoidal wall through which the coil spring is provided with a feed mechanism and is fed and retracted actually of itself as the drum is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Lawrence F. Irwin
  • Patent number: 5933903
    Abstract: A power driving waste line clean out tool which includes an elongated flexible coil spring formed from an elongated spring wire that is helically wound about a flexible water conduit. The water conduit provides water under relatively high pressure to a uniquely designed water jet clean out head assembly that is affixed to the end of the coil spring and is adapted to effectively break up and remove blockages formed in the sewer line being cleaned. The flexible coil spring is housed within a drum having a conoidal wall through which the coil spring is fed and retracted actually of itself as the drum is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventor: Lawrence F. Irwin
  • Patent number: 5862561
    Abstract: A power driving waste line clean out tool which includes an elongated flexible coil spring formed from an elongated spring wire that is helically wound about a flexible water conduit. The water conduit provides water under relatively high pressure to a uniquely designed water jet clean out head assembly that is affixed to the end of the coil spring and is adapted to effectively break up and remove blockages formed in the sewer line being cleaned. A portion of the flexible coil spring is housed within a drum having a conoidal wall through which the coil spring is provided with a feed mechanism and is fed and retracted actually of itself as the drum is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventor: Lawrence F. Irwin
  • Patent number: 5497516
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for temporarily sealing a vent or overflow aperture provided in the upper portion of a fixture such as a wash basin, sink, bathtub or bidet so that a pneumatic or hydraulic type sewer cleanout device can be used to clear a blockage located in a sewer line downstream of the fixture by generating fluid pressure within the sewer line intermediate the blockage and the main water drain of the fixture. The apparatus is of simple construction and embodies an assembly made up of a pressure plate, a threaded tube and a wing nut which can be threadably advanced along the tube to cause the pressure plate to sealably engage the apertured wall of the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Augerscope, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence F. Irwin
  • Patent number: 5414888
    Abstract: An improved plumbers' tool of the type employing a helically wound coiled spring which is controllably inserted into waste lines to remove blockages. In operating the tool of the invention, a storage drum from which the clean-out spring is payed out is rotated, usually by a small electric motor, and the spring is clamped in a chucking mechanism so as to rotate with the housing. The improvement of the present tool resides in the provision of a unique actuating mechanism which provides a substantial mechanical advantage that enables the operator, using only one hand to grip a forwardly positioned stationary handle with the fingers and move a pivotally movable, rearwardly positioned handle with the heel of the hand to cause the chucking mechanism to positively engage the coiled spring in a manner to prevent slippage even under severe torque loading conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Augerscope, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence F. Irwin
  • Patent number: 5265301
    Abstract: A drain cleaning device of the type that includes an elongated, flexible coil spring or plumbers snake formed of helically wound spring wire which can be controllably withdrawn from the device for insertion into the pipe to be cleaned. The device is provided with a novel storage reel or drum drive arrangement which includes a friction clutch mechanism that automatically disengages the drum drive mechanism from the drum so as to stop rotation of the drum prior to any excessive torque build up within the snake. The clutch mechanism is adjustably spring loaded so that the device can be easily adjusted for optimum use with springs of different diameters and rigidity. The storage container or drum can be rotated either by hand or by a motorized tool at relatively high speeds for long periods of time without excessive buildup within the plastic components of the device due to frictional engagement among the rotating parts of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Inventor: Lawrence F. Irwin
  • Patent number: 5239708
    Abstract: A mechanically operated pneumatic cleanout tool for clearing blockages in waste lines. The tool, which is readily adaptable for use in wash basins, bath tubs, toilets, bidets and the like embodies a novel safety pressure relief valve which prevents hazardous failure of the device in the event that excessive pressure is inadvertently builtup within the air chamber of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Inventor: Lawrence F. Irwin
  • Patent number: 5193242
    Abstract: An improved wasteline cleanout tool of the character having an elongated coiled spring housed within a drum which is rotated by a drive mechanism mounted on the rearward portion of the tool. The coiled spring is withdrawn from or inserted into the drum by a feed mechanism which is mounted on the forward portion of the tool. The forward portion of the tool can be separated from the rearward portion to facilitate replacement of the drum in a safe and relatively effortless manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Inventor: Lawrence F. Irwin
  • Patent number: 5004119
    Abstract: An apparatus for temporarily sealing a vent or overflow aperture provided in the upper portion of a fixture such as a wash basin, sink, bathtub or bidet so that a pneumatic or hydraulic type sewer cleanout device can be used to clear a blockage located in a sewer line downstream of the fixture by generating fluid pressure within the sewer line intermediate the blockage and the main water drain of the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Augerscope, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence F. Irwin
  • Patent number: 4942873
    Abstract: A mouth-to-mouth resuscitation device embodying a novel, one piece resiliently deformable valving member which permits flow of air through the device in a direction toward the patient but effectively blocks flow of air and fluids in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Inventors: Lawrence F. Irwin, Frank R. Irwin
  • Patent number: 4870992
    Abstract: A backflow prevention device for use in wastelines and the like having a one piece yieldably deformable valving member which permits free flow of liquids in one direction but blocks the flow of liquids and gasses in the opposite direction. Fluid flow through the device is directly proportional to the fluid pressure exerted on the valving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Augerscope, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence F. Irwin, Frank Irwin
  • Patent number: 4816957
    Abstract: An adapter unit comprising a moisture resistant housing within which is carried an improved, self testing ground line fault interrupter device. The improved device is electrically interconnected with a connector carried externally of the adapter housing so that the unit can be plugged directly into a standard duplex outlet of an existing circuit. The apparatus includes circuitry that automatically tests the operability of the device when it is plugged into a duplex outlet without the need for manual manipulation of test buttons or other overt action by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Inventor: Lawrence F. Irwin
  • Patent number: 4716613
    Abstract: An improved pipe cleaning machine of the type which uses an elongated flexible coil spring or plumber's snake formed of helically wound spring wire which is housed within a rotatable spring storage reel, or drum, and is withdrawn therefrom for insertion into the pipe to be cleaned. The machine of the present invention embodies a novel dual drive arrangement which enables the drum to be rotated and the spring wire, or snake, fed into the pipe either by means of a small electric hand drill, which can be affixed to one shaft of the dual drive arrangement, or by a hand crank which can be detachably interconnected with a second shaft of the dual drive arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Inventor: Lawrence F. Irwin
  • Patent number: 4686732
    Abstract: A feed control device for use in conjunction with plumbing tools of the type used for cleaning and removing obstructions from waste lines in which an elongated coiled spring wire, or plumber's snake, is advanced through the pipe and rotated. The feed control device includes a novel snake feeding mechanism movable into and out of engagement with the snake and includes a biasing means for yieldably urging removably mounted feed rollers, which form a part of the feeding mechanism, into driving engagement with the snake. A unique feature of the invention resides in the design of the feed roller holder assembly which permits the selection of rollers having either smooth peripheral surfaces, or, alternatively, surfaces having helical grooved formed therein. When the smooth rollers are used the rollers can be rotated within the holder assembly so that the snake can be driven forwardly or in reverse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Inventor: Lawrence F. Irwin
  • Patent number: D298071
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Augerscope, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence F. Irwin