# US 11,999,033 B2 · Drain cleaner cable decoupler tool > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,999,033 B2 - Document ID: US11999033B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/054,346 - Filed: 2020-10-05 - Published: 2022-09-22 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2019-10-03 - Assignees: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation - Applicants: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation - Inventors: Joshua P. Heimann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11999033B2 ## CPC - B25B 27/02: for connecting objects by press fit or detaching same {(B25D1/16 takes precedence)} - B25B 27/10: inserting fittings into hoses - B25B 27/14: for assembling objects other than by press fit or detaching same - E03F 9/005: {Apparatus for simultaneously pushing and rotating a cleaning device carried by the leading end of a cable or an assembly of rods} - E03F 9/00: Arrangements or fixed installations {methods or devices} for cleaning {or clearing} sewer pipes, e.g. by flushing (sediment traps, rakes, screens, or the like, arranged in sewer lines E03F5/14; cleaning pipes in general, devices for cleaning pipes B08B9/02 {; gullies provided with flushing means for cleaning or emptying E03F5/0402; devices to remove obstructions in waste-pipes or sinks E03C1/30}) - B25B: TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING, OR HOLDING - E03F: SEWERS; CESSPOOLS ## Abstract A cable decoupler tool configured to uncouple a drain cleaner cable coupling. The cable decoupler tool includes a mouth configured to receive a circumferential portion of a cable, a pin key extending from the mouth, and an actuator movable relative to the mouth to uncouple the drain cleaner cable coupling. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cable decoupler tool configured to uncouple a drain cleaner cable coupling, the cable decoupler tool comprising: a first handle including a first jaw, the first jaw defining a first mouth configured to receive a circumferential portion of a cable; a pin key extending from the first mouth, the pin key being an elongated cylindrical member; and a second handle including a second jaw, the second jaw defining a second mouth, the second handle being an actuator movable relative to the first handle to uncouple the drain cleaner cable coupling. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cable decoupler tool of claim 1, wherein the second jaw is an open jaw. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The cable decoupler tool of claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a cam lobe. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The cable decoupler tool of claim 1, wherein the actuator is movable relative to the first mouth about a pivot axis. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The cable decoupler tool of claim 4, wherein the pin key extends from the mouth in a direction that is perpendicular to the pivot axis. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The cable decoupler tool of claim 1, further comprising a handle including a jaw, and wherein the mouth is defined on an insert that is removably coupled to the jaw. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The cable decoupler tool of claim 1, wherein the first mouth includes a plurality of recesses that are sized to receive cables of different sizes. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The cable decoupler tool of claim 1, wherein the actuator includes an energy storage device and a driving element positioned above the mouth. ### Claim 9 A drain cleaner system comprising: a cable; an accessory coupled to the cable to form a coupling; and a cable decoupler tool including, a first handle including a first jaw, the first jaw defining a first mouth configured to receive a portion of the coupling, a pin key extending from the mouth, the pin key being an elongated cylindrical member, the pin key configured to extend into the coupling to disengage the accessory from the cable, and a second handle including a second jaw, the second jaw defining a second mouth, the second handle being an actuator movable relative to the first handle to separate the cable from the accessory. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The drain cleaner system of claim 9, wherein the second handle that is pivotably coupled to the first handle, wherein the first and second handles are aligned in the same plane. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The drain cleaner system of claim 10, wherein the first and second handles move towards each other within the plane to uncouple the coupling and separate the cable from the accessory. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The drain cleaner system of claim 10, wherein the first and second handles move away from each other within the plane to uncouple the coupling and separate the cable from the accessory. ### Claim 13 A cable decoupler tool configured to uncouple a drain cleaner cable coupling, the cable decoupler tool comprising: a first handle including a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first grip disposed at the first end, and a first jaw disposed at the second end, the first jaw defining a first V-shaped opening; an elongated cylindrical member extending from the first V-shaped opening; a second handle pivotably coupled to the first handle about a pivot axis, the second handle including a third end, a fourth end opposite the third end, a second grip disposed at the third end, and a second jaw disposed at the fourth end, the second jaw defining a second V-shaped opening; wherein the first grip and the second grip are aligned in a plane that is perpendicular to the pivot axis; and wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are aligned in a first position to receive the drain cleaner cable coupling, and wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are misaligned in a second position to decouple the drain cleaner cable coupling. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The cable decoupler tool of claim 13, wherein the first V-shaped opening is configured to receive a portion of a cable, and wherein the second V-shaped opening is configured to receive a portion of the cable. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The cable decoupler tool of claim 14, wherein the first V-shaped opening includes a plurality of recesses sized to engage cables of different sizes. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The cable decoupler tool of claim 13, wherein the first and second handles are moveable between an open position, in which, the first and second jaws are configured to receive the drain cleaner cable coupling, and a closed position, in which, the jaws apply a clamping force to the drain cleaner cable coupling to separate the drain cleaner cable coupling.