Compact drain snake

#The present disclosure relates generally to cleaning implements and, more particularly, to a drain snake or auger.

#Drain snakes or augers may be used to unclog drains or pipes. Typically, a rotatable body is turned via a crank, lever, or motor. Rotational movement may be transferred to an elongated member or “snake” that is extended into the drain or pipe. The rotational motion of the snake may be applied to any foreign debris in a pipe, thereby dislodging or breaking up the debris and unclogging the pipe.

#Drain snakes are typically employed in commercial or other more heavy duty applications. Accordingly, many drain snakes may be relatively heavy and typically must be actuated by a motor or cranking mechanism. As such, many drain snakes have been relatively expensive or otherwise impractical for most consumers.

#The following detailed description of illustrative embodiments and best mode will be set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a drain snake, according to one illustrative embodiment;

#FIG. 1B is a side view of the drain snake of FIG. 1A, according to one illustrative embodiment;

#Referring now to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, and 2B, a drain snake or auger 100 is illustrated and described in further detail. The drain snake 100 may have a hollow body 102 with a rearward end 104 a forward end 106. A cable feed passage 108 (FIG. 2A) extends through the forward end 106. The hollow body 102 defines a longitudinal axis A-A (FIGS. 1B and 2A) extending between the rearward and forward ends 104, 106. The drain snake 100 also includes a cable 114 for directly engaging debris obstructing a pipe or drain. As used herein, the term “cable” may include a wire, a plurality of wires, a flexible rod, or any other suitable flexible member suitable for use in snaking drains.

#Generally, the drain snake 100 may be used to unclog a pipe or dislodge an obstruction within a pipe. Initially, the cable 114, which may generally be any elongated flexible member or snake, is extended from the hollow body 102. For example, cable 114 may be fed into a pipe or drain, until the cable 114 reaches an obstruction or clog. The cable 114 may then be fixed with respect to the hollow body 102, such that translational and rotational motion of the hollow body 102 is imparted to the cable 114. The user may urge the cable 114 into and out of the drain in a back-and-forth motion of the hollow body 102, such that a distal end of the cable 114 impacts the obstruction, thereby breaking up, dislodging, and/or grinding up the debris creating the obstruction in the pipe. The user may alternatively or in addition turn, twist, or spin the hollow body 102, thereby applying a turning motion of the cable 114 to the debris. The distal end of the cable 114, to this end, may have a sharp edge, screw, ramp, or cutting device to facilitate breaking up and/or dislodging debris typical of obstructions in pipes or drains.

#The cable 114 may have a first portion 116 coiled in the hollow body 102 around the axis A-A, in a location between the rearward and forward ends 104, 106. The cable 114 may also include a second portion 118 extending through and out of the feed passage 108 of the forward end 106 of the hollow body 102.