Vacuum Attachment for Removing Plumbing Stoppages
A vacuum attachment including an attachment first end, an attachment second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between said the attachment end and the attachment second end; a hollow tube having an open tube first end and an open tube second end, the tube first end intersecting with the attachment first end, and the tube second end having a tube outer diameter, and a cup attached to the hollow tube, the cup defining a chamber and having an open cup first end and an open cup second end, the first end having an inner diameter larger than the tube outer diameter, and the cup further having an annular surface.
Not applicable.
FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCHNot applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to plumbing. More specifically, the invention relates to a novel tool for releasing stoppages in plumbing.
2. Description of the Related Art.
In plumbing, one common technique for release stoppages is forcing the stoppage further down the drain by forcing water against the stoppage using a plunger. A typical plunger consists of a rubber cup attached to a stick or shaft. The plunger cup is pushed down hard against the drain opening to force water into the drain or pushed down until the cup is flattened and then pulled out to cause a vacuum that attracts material. The intent is to loosen or break up the stoppage. Using a plunger, however, may not always be effective and a plumber may need to be hired to release the stoppage using professional tools.
BRIEF SUMMARYThe present invention is a vacuum attachment for releasing more difficult stoppages without the need for hiring a plumber. The attachment comprises an attachment first end, an attachment second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between said first end and said second end; a hollow tube having an open tube first end and an open tube second end, the tube first end intersecting with the attachment first end, and the tube second end having a tube outer diameter; and a cup attached to the hollow tube, the cup defining a chamber and having an open cup first end and an open cup second end, the first end having an inner diameter larger than the tube outer diameter, the cup further having an annular surface.
The embodiment 20 includes a hollow, cylindrical tube 30 made of plastic. The tube 30 has a first end 32, a second end 34, and a cylindrical axis that intersects and is collinear with the longitudinal axis 26. The first end 32 intersects with the first end 22 of the embodiment 20. The tube 30 has a cylindrical outer sidewall 36 of a uniform outer diameter.
The embodiment 20 also includes a rubber cup 38 that has a first end 40 and a second end 42. The cup 38 is attached to the tube 30 proximal to the tube second end 34. The second end 42 of the cup 38 is intersects with the second end 24 of the embodiment 20.
Referring to
While in this embodiment the cup 38 is attached to the tube 30 with an interference fit, alternative embodiments may use other means of attachment. For example, the cup 38 may be attached using a bonding/sealing agent that augments (or replaces) the interference fit while also providing a seal that inhibits flow of debris out of the embodiment 20 between the cup 38 and the tube 30.
Referring to
The present invention is described in terms of specifically-described embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other embodiments of such a method can be used in carrying out the present invention. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention may be obtained from a study of this disclosure and the drawings, along with the appended claims.
Claims
1. A vacuum attachment for releasing a drain stoppage, the attachment comprising:
- an attachment first end, an attachment second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between said first end and said second end;
- a hollow tube having an open tube first end, an open tube second end, and an outer sidewall, the tube first end intersecting with the attachment first end, and the tube second end having a tube outer diameter; and
- a cup attached to the hollow tube, the cup defining a chamber and having an open cup first end and an open cup second end, the first end having an inner diameter larger than the tube outer diameter, the cup further having an annular surface.
2. The vacuum attachment of claim 1 further comprising:
- an annular surface intersecting with the cup second end; and
- a cylindrical wall longitudinally between said annular surface and the annular surface.
3. The vacuum attachment of claim 2 wherein the cylindrical wall and annular surface are within the chamber.
4. The vacuum attachment of claim 2 wherein the annular surface is longitudinally between the annular surface and the tube second end.
5. The vacuum attachment of claim 4 wherein the annular surface intersects with the attachment second end.
6. The vacuum attachment of claim 2 wherein the annular surface intersects with the attachment second end.
7. The vacuum attachment of claim 2 wherein the cup further comprises a second surface longitudinally between the cup first end and the annular surface, the surface contacting the tube outer sidewall.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 29, 2015
Publication Date: Dec 29, 2016
Inventor: Charlan Burns (San Antonio, TX)
Application Number: 14/753,215