Powered Drain Unclogging Attachment Device
A disclosed powered drain unclogging device, system and method comprises a rotational power source and an attachment having a first end detachably coupled to the rotational power source and a second end comprising a plurality of protrusions disposed laterally from a tip thereof in a spiral tip pattern and a helical body pattern configured to drive the rotating tip into a drain and grab and retain debris therefrom. The disclosed method comprises driving the rotating tip into a drain based on an interaction of the spiral arrangement of the protrusions proximal the tip with an inside of the drain walls. The method further includes unclogging debris from the drain via a grabbing and retaining action of the debris by the sharp barbs of the attachment and the driving action thereof. The protrusions comprise bristles and barbs which sway and adjust to varying drain diameters. A splash guard protects the user.
This application claims the benefit of the priority date of earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/099,994, titled ‘Unclogger and Plant Nanny’ filed Jan. 5, 2015 by Robert C V Chen and Tiffany Y W Chen U.S. incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONAccording to one source funded by a major brand household disinfectant, after visiting 35 United States homes and swabbing for bacteria in 32 locations in each home, an average number of bacteria per square inch was recorded for the following sites throughout a typical home. Toilet bowl: 3.2 million bacteria/square inch, Kitchen drain: 567,845 bacteria/square inch, Sponge or counter-wiping cloth: 134,630 bacteria/square inch, Bathtub drain: 119,468 bacteria/square inch, Kitchen sink, near drain: 17,964 bacteria/square inch, Kitchen faucet handle: 13,227 bacteria/square inch, Bathroom faucet handle: 6,267 bacteria/square inch, Bathroom sink—drain: 2,733 bacteria/square inch, Pet food dish, inside rim: 2,110 bacteria/square inch, Kitchen floor, in front of sink: 830 bacteria/square inch and Toilet floor, in front of toilet: 764 bacteria/square inch.
Therefore, with the exception of a toilet bowl, drains are the source of more bacteria per square inch than any other source in the home. These bacteria are best left undisturbed and out of contact with house inhabitants but drain clogs may not always be serviced with strong and caustic chemicals. In the alternative, non-chemical and mechanical methods for removing clogging drain debris run the risk of exposing a plumber and others to harmful bacterial.
There has therefore been a long unsatisfied demand in the market for a device, system and method for the sanitary unclogging of a domestic drain without the use of caustic chemicals. There is pent up demand for a device, system and method to remove clogging debris and not expose those in the home to the harmful and easily communicable bacteria therein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA disclosed powered drain unclogging device comprises an attachment for a rotational power source comprising a first end detachably coupled to the rotational power source and a second end comprising a plurality of protrusions disposed laterally from a tip thereof in a spiral tip pattern and a helical body pattern arrangement configured to drive the rotating tip into a drain and grab and retain debris therefrom.
A disclosed powered drain unclogging system comprises a rotational power source having a variable rotational speed, torque and direction. The system also includes an attachment for the rotational power source comprising a first end detachably coupled to the rotational power source and a second end comprising a plurality of protrusions disposed laterally from a tip thereof in a spiral tip pattern and a helical body arrangement configured to drive the rotating tip into a drain and grab and retain debris therefrom.
A disclosed powered drain unclogging method comprises activating a rotational power source having a variable rotational speed, torque and direction. The method also includes providing an attachment for the rotational power source comprising a first end detachably coupled to the rotational power source and a second end comprising a plurality of protrusions disposed laterally from a tip thereof in a spiral arrangement. The method additionally includes driving the rotating tip into a drain based on an interaction of the spiral arrangement of the protrusions of the tip and the helical arrangement of the sharp barbs of the body with an inside of the drain walls. The method further includes unclogging debris from the drain via a grabbing and retaining action of the debris by the protrusions of the attachment and the driving action thereof.
Other aspects and advantages of embodiments of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrated by way of example of the principles of the disclosure.
Throughout the description, same reference numbers may be used to identify same or similar elements depicted in multiple embodiments. Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, the invention is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and illustrated. The scope of the invention is to be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONReference will now be made to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.
Throughout the present disclosure, the term ‘unclogging’ may refer to removing hair, soap scum and other clogging debris from a household drain. The term ‘unclogger’ may refer to a device for unclogging such aforementioned drains. Also, the term ‘barb’ refers to a sharp projection angled away from a main point so as to make extraction difficult. Furthermore, the term ‘boss’ refers to a thicker part of the body shaft at a point where another part is attached to it, ie the body shank for insertion into a rotational power source.
Dimensions detailed herein and in the drawings are intended to be a guide to nominal manufacturing dimensions. The detailed dimensions may vary by plus or minus ten percent taking into account manufacturing restraints and materials for various embodiments as recited, taught and suggested herein. The dimensions therefore are applicable to at least one embodiment but are not meant to be limiting to other embodiments of the disclosure.
Embodiments of the disclosed method include removing the rotating tip from the drain based on a reverse action of the rotational power source configured to drive the tip up and out of the drain. Embodiments also include detaching the attachment from the rotational power source and disposing the attachment including the clogging debris. The splash guard collar may be thrown away with the attachment or it may be recycled by removal from the attachment and storage in a bag.
Another embodiment of the powered drain unclogging device, system and method are disclosed. The system includes a rotational power source having a variable rotational speed, torque and direction. The system also includes an attachment for the rotational power source comprising a first end detachably coupled to the rotational power source and a second end comprising a plurality of protrusions disposed laterally from a tip thereof in a spiral tip arrangement and a helical body arrangement configured to drive the rotating tip into a drain and grab and retain a debris therefrom.
The powered drain unclogging device of the present disclosure includes a rotational power source configured to rotate in one direction through three hundred and sixty degrees. Another rotational power source of an embodiment is configured to rotate from zero to three hundred and sixty degrees and then reverse rotation from three hundred and sixty degrees back to zero. The rotational power source may be a battery powered and cordless drill or screwdriver.
A further embodiment of the powered drain unclogging device includes a length of the attachment configured to measure a nominal 16 inches from the first end to the second end thereof. The attachment also may comprise a flexible low durometer and disposable material including plastics, woods and metal materials. The attachment may also comprise one of a composite and any other rigid materials and composites thereof.
The plurality of protrusions disposed laterally from the tip of the attachment may be arranged there around in a spiral pattern for driving the tip into the sink and the helical arrangement of the barbs on the body for grabbing and retaining drain debris. In an embodiment, the plurality of sharp barbs protruding laterally from the tip of the attachment are arranged helically backward from the second end of the attachment at an angle of a nominal thirty degree pitch plus or minus ten percent from a radial line of reference.
The plurality of protruding disposed laterally from the tip of the attachment may additionally be arranged in a cluster within a nominal three inches from the second end of the attachment to allow surface area near the first end thereof for grasping the attachment for detaching and disposal after use. The plurality of sharp barbs comprise a low durometer material configured to sway and adjust therefore to a variety of drain diameters including a nominal nine-eighth's drain diameter plus or minus an eighth of an inch.
Furthermore, the attachment may include a splash guard collar attached proximal the first end of the attachment, the splash guard configured to have a diameter equal to or larger than a conventional sink drain including outside diameters of approximately one inch and one and one half inches. The splash guard protects a user from errant debris and fluids splashing back in the unclogging process. The splash guard collar may be transparent and it may be opaque depending on manufacturing costs, demands and designs.
The present disclosure therefore meets the long felt need in the market for unclogging household drains by providing a non-caustic and non-chemical and disposable and yet reusable means for unclogging household drains. The present disclosure also provides a powered means for unclogging household drains and thus provides a non-obvious and unanticipated means over the prior market choices available to the household consumer.
Although the operations of the method(s) herein are shown and described in a particular order, the order of the operations of each method may be altered so that certain operations may be performed in an inverse order or so that certain operations may be performed, at least in part, concurrently with other operations. In another embodiment, instructions or sub-operations of distinct operations may be implemented in an intermittent and/or alternating manner.
While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited, except as by the specification and claims set forth herein.
Claims
1. A powered drain unclogging device for a rotational power source, comprising:
- a twisted wire semi-flexible anil attachment for the rotational power source comprising a first end adapted to be detachably coupled to the rotational power source and a second end comprising a plurality of protrusions disposed laterally and proximal a tip thereof in a helical arrangement configured to drive the rotating tip into a drain and grab and retain debris therefrom; and
- a sharpened fork extending longitudinally from the twisted wire semi-flexible attachment at the second end, wherein the protrusions comprise a plurality of bristles disposed laterally from the twisted pair semi-flexible attachment and wherein the sharpened fork is adapted to cut through hair and sink drain debris to facilitate unclogging.
2. The powered drain unclogging device of claim 1, further comprising a hexagonal sleeve proximal the first end, the sleeve configured to couple around the attachment and be received into a bit chuck of a rotational power source.
3. The powered drain unclogging device of claim 1, wherein the attachment is tapered from the first end to the second end thereof, the tapered body configured to facilitate using the unclogging device in a variety of drain diameters.
4. The powered drain unclogging device of claim 1, wherein the protrusions comprise one of bristles and sharp barbs.
5. The powered drain unclogging device of claim 1, wherein a length of the attachment is a nominal 13 to 16 inches and the plurality of protrusions are disposed laterally proximal the second end of the attachment in a cluster within a nominal three to five inches from the second end of the attachment.
6. (canceled)
7. The powered drain unclogging device of claim 1, wherein the attachment comprises a cylindrical cross section and the protrusions are disposed radially therefrom along a length of the attachment.
8. The powered drain unclogging device of claim 1, further comprising a flanging boss portion of the attachment proximal the first end, the flanging boss portion configured to provide rigidity to the attachment at a point of highest stress and provide a stop for the first end detachably coupled to the rotational power source.
9. The powered drain unclogging device of claim 1, wherein the attachment comprises one of wood and a wood composite and a semi-rigid material including twisted brass wires and a flexible low durometer and disposable material including plastic and plastic composites.
10. The powered drain unclogging device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sharp barbs protruding laterally from the tip of the attachment are arranged around the attachment in a helical pattern, the arrangement configured to drive the tip into the drain.
11. The powered drain unclogging device of claim 1, wherein the protrusions are arranged helically backward from the second end of the attachment at an angle of a nominal thirty degree pitch plus or minus ten percent from a radial line of reference.
12. The powered drain unclogging device of claim 1, further comprising a slideable splash guard attached proximal the first end of the attachment, the slideable splash guard configured to be equal to or larger than a diameter of a conventional sink drain including outside diameters of approximately one inch and one and one half inches.
13. The powered drain unclogging device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of protrusions are adapted to sway and adjust to a variety of drain diameters including a nominal nine-eighths drain diameter plus or minus an eighth of an inch.
14. A powered drain unclogging system, comprising:
- a rotational power source having a variable rotational speed, torque and direction;
- a twisted wire semi-flexible attachment for the rotational power source comprising a first end adapted to be detachably coupled to the rotational power source and a second end comprising a plurality of protrusions disposed laterally from a tip thereof in a helical arrangement configured to drive the rotating tip into a drain and grab and retain debris therefrom; and
- a sharpened fork extending longitudinally from the twisted wire semi-flexible attachment at the second end, wherein the protrusions comprise a plurality of bristles disposed laterally from the twisted wire semi-flexible attachment and wherein the sharpened fork is adapted to cut through hair and sink debris to facilitate unclogging.
15. The powered drain unclogging system of claim 14, further comprising a metal slotted sleeve or mandrel adapted to be received into a power drill chuck and hold a work piece coupled thereto via a slot formed on the unclogging device and a slot formed on the mandrel to couple and lock the unclogging device to the mandrel when either component is twisted onto the other.
16. The powered drain unclogging system of claim 14, wherein the power source comprises one of a battery powered drill and screwdriver and an Alternating Current drill and screwdriver.
17. A powered drain unclogging method, comprising:
- activating a rotational power source having a variable rotational speed, torque and direction;
- providing a twisted wire semi-flexible attachment for the rotational power source comprising a first end adapted to be detachably coupled to the rotational power source and a second end comprising a plurality of protrusions disposed laterally from a tip thereof in a helical arrangement;
- driving the rotating tip into a drain based on an interaction of the helical arrangement of the protrusions with an inside of the drain;
- unclogging debris from the drain via a grabbing and retaining action of the debris by the protrusions of the attachment and the driving action thereof; and
- cutting through hair and sink drain debris to facilitate unclogging via a sharpened fork extending longitudinally from the twisted wire semi-flexible attachment.
18. The powered drain unclogging method of claim 17, further including sliding a splash guard collar onto the first end of the attachment, the splash guard collar configured to protect a user from errant debris and fluids splashing from the sink drain.
19. The powered drain unclogging method of claim of claim 17, further comprising removing the rotating tip from the drain based on a reverse action of the rotational power source.
20. The powered drain unclogging method of claim 17, further comprising detaching the attachment from the rotational power source and disposing the attachment including the clogging debris.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 31, 2015
Publication Date: Jul 7, 2016
Inventors: Robert CV Chen (Cupertino, CA), Tiffany YW Chen (Cupertino, CA)
Application Number: 14/674,643