Abstract: An improved pipe cleaning machine of the type which uses an elongated, flexible coil spring or plumbers snake formed of helically wound spring wire which is housed within a rotatable, hollow spring storage reel and is withdrawn therefrom for insertion into the pipe to be cleaned. The machine of the present invention embodies a novel one-piece rotatably driven drum or housing having a forward guide portion for guiding the dispensing and retraction of the spring and a partitioning wall which partitions the drum into a first portion in communication with the forward guide portion and a second portion which closely contains the spring in a coiled configuration. The partitioning wall terminates in an end portion which is spaced from the rear wall of the drum a predetermined distance to define a restricted guide passageway communicating with the spring storage compartment.

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.

Abstract: A mechanically operated impact tool adapted for use in clearing blockages in clogged waste lines. The tool embodies a pair of telescopically movable sleeves which house an anvil and a reciprocating piston. A coil spring functions to drive the piston against the anvil when one of the sleeves is moved telescopically over the other a predetermined distance.

Abstract: An improved coupling for lengths of coiled springs, flexible rods and the like comprising interfitting inner and outer members and latching elements carried by the inner member and received in openings in the outer member. The latching elements are uniquely configured so as to be operable with one hand leaving the second hand free to grasp one of the connected springs or rods.

Abstract: A safety enclosure for enclosing a foot operated switch so as to prevent accidental actuation of the switch. The enclosure is open at the top and includes upstanding walls within which the switch is mounted. One of the walls is pivotally movable by a positive act of the operator against the urging of a closure spring from an upstanding position to a lowered position to enable the operator to bring his foot into pressural operating engagement with the switch.

Abstract: An improved ratcheting pipe wrench which includes a first toothed jaw formed on a first member and a second toothed jaw rotatably carried by a second member provided with an elongated handle portion. The first member has a shank portion which is slidably receivable in a guide way formed in the second member. The guide way is configured to provide clearance to the shank portion of the first member so as to permit both longitudinal and pivotal, or up and down rocking movement of the first member relative to the second member. With this construction the jaws of the wrench can readily be separated to accommodate a pipe, nut or bar (work piece) of various sizes. Further, with work piece in position between the toothed jaws, pressure exerted on the handle portion of the second member will tend to increasingly tighten the jaws about the work piece to provide a positive gripping action.

Abstract: A spring feeding mechanism for use in conjunction with plumbing tools of the type used for cleaning and removing obstructions from drain pipes in which an elongated coiled spring wire, or plumber's snake, is advanced through the pipe and rotated. The feeding mechanism comprises hingeably interconnected jaw members adapted to carry rotatably mounted helically grooved feed rollers and includes a biasing means for yieldably urging the feed rollers into driving engagement with the snake. The feed rollers are readily removable from the jaws and are mounted at an angle with respect to the axis of the coil spring so that the grooves are substantially parallel with the coils of the spring. With this arrangement the rollers can be easily removed and replaced with rollers of different sizes. Due to the unique design of the biasing means the device can readily accommodate distortions and irregularities in the snake without damaging either the snake or the plumber's tool.

Abstract: A compact auger-type cleanout tool for use in clearing stoppages in waste pipes associated with sinks, bathtubs, water closets and the like in which any required number of additional lengths of plumbers' snake can be added to the device without removing the snake from the line. The device includes one or more telescoping tubular housings and a drive member associated therewith adapted to transmit rotary movement to the plumbers' snake. The initial length of snake fed into the line includes a uniquely designed coupling leader to which additional lengths of snake can readily be coupled making the device suitable for cleanout of very long runs of waste pipe.

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 double fulcrum actuating mechanism which enables the operator, using only one hand, to smoothly and almost effortlessly cause the chucking mechanism to securely engage the coiled spring and prevent slippage thereof even during highly troublesome clean-out operations.

Abstract: An internal pipe wrench adapted to engage the inner walls of a pipe for applying torque thereto. The wrench comprises a rotatable mandrel which is generally triangular in cross-section and three cooperating gripping jaws movable into gripping engagement with the pipe upon rotation of the mandrel. The gripping jaws are retained in operable proximity with the mandrel by means of a yieldably resilient rubber or plastic material and are uniformly configured so that upon rotation of the mandrel in either direction, the leading edge of the gripping jaws will move into positive gripping engagement with the inner walls of the pipe.

Abstract: A multipurpose, hydraulically actuated apparatus comprising a piston movable in response to fluid under pressure within walls defining a piston chamber. Actuating fluid is supplied to the piston chamber by a uniquely constructed hand operated fluid pump. The area of the fluid impinging surface of the piston is in multiples of one inch. Accordingly, when the apparatus is used as a hydraulic scale the weight being lifted by the piston can be read directly on a pressure gauge which is calibrated in pounds per square inch and which is connected to the piston chamber below the piston.The apparatus can readily be converted to function as a cutting device by connecting a U-shaped member to the walls of the unit and by connecting a cutting element to the outer face of the piston. The U-shaped member includes spaced apart arms and a bight portion defining a closed space adapted to encircle the nut which is to be cut.

Abstract: A feed control device for use in conjunction with both hand held and wheel mounted plumbing tools of the type used for cleaning and removing obstructions from drain pipes 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 helically grooved feed rollers, which form a part of the feeding mechanism, into driving engagement with the snake. With this arrangement the device can readily accomodate distortions and irregularities in the snake without damaging either the snake or the plumber's tool. The helically grooved rollers which drivably engage the snake are uniquely constructed with double or triple lead threads, or grooves, which cause the snake to be fed at a significantly increased rate of speed than is possible with conventional feeding devices.

Abstract: An improved pipe cleaning machine of the type which uses an elongated, flexible coil spring or plumbers snake formed of helically wound spring wire which is housed within a rotatable spring storage reel and is withdrawn therefrom for insertion into the pipe to be cleaned. The machine of the present invention embodies a novel one-piece rotatably driven spring storage reel or housing having a forward guide portion for guiding the dispensing and retraction of the spring and a rearwardly open spring storage portion. Extending into the rearwardly open reel and adapted for relative rotation therewith is an independently rotatable torque reaction element adapted to engage the spring and in cooperation with the reel, prevent the spring or snake from kinking or back-looping in response to torque build-up in the spring caused by the spring encountering an obstruction in the pipe being cleaned.

Abstract: An improved plumbers snake and the method of making same of unique construction having a metal core concentrically disposed within a coiled spring wire member and an intermediate resilient body in gripping engagement with the metal core. The intermediate body includes a helically-shaped protrusion extending along its length, the turns of which are interposed between and operably engage the coils of the spring wire member so as to yieldably resist axial bending of the snake and optimize rigidity and flexibility.