Drain cleaning tool

#It has heretofore been known to provide drain cleaning tools for breaking stoppages in clogged drains that consisted of a casing with a piston therein which opens into a clogged drain. The casing has a connection to a water main that fills the casing on the one side of the piston and the drain to the stoppage. Pressure is exerted on the opposite side of the piston by means of water pressure or air pressure. Such designs of drain cleaning tools are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,733,450 and 1,903,735.

#One of the problems that exists with respect to this type of drain cleaner is in one instance where air is used there must be a source of pressurized air. In either case, whether air or water is used, there will be a gradual increase of pressure against the piston. Often if the drain blockage is sufficiently large there will not be enough pressure generated by either air or water.

#With the above in mind it is a primary object to provide a solenoid or an electromagnetic unit within the casing that engages the piston to force water through the drain pipe. It is contemplated that a lost motion action will occur between the driving element of the electromagnetic member and the piston so that there will be an anvil-type of striking action against the piston which will cause a shock reaction in the water in the drain and on the opposite side of the piston.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the entire drain cleaning unit.

#FIG. 2 is a side view of the drain cleaning unit with the casing being shown in vertical section so as to shown internal mechanism within the casing.

#FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the upper end of the drain cleaning tool showing the electromagnetic unit and its supporting structure.

#Referring now to the drawings, the plunger device is composed of a main steel casing 10 having a main cylindrical portion 11 and an axially extending comparatively small pipe portion 12 joined with the cylindrical portion 10 by a cone-shaped portion 13. Fixed to the end of the pipe portion 12 is a molded rubber fitting 14 that is adapted to sit against a conventional-type sink drain or floor drain. A metal flange fitting 15 is fixed by set screws 16 to the pipe portion 12 and generally backs against the back side of the rubber fitting 14. The flange 15 operates to limit movement of the rubber fitting 14. It is also clearly apparent that the fitting 14 may be changed to have a different shape or size fitting for a different shape or size of drain. Fixed to the pipe portion 12 at an angle thereto and in communication therewith is a short pipe section 17 on which is mounted a hose 18. Contained in the pipe section 17 at the mouth thereof is a one-way valve 19 composed of a ball 19a that seats against a shoulder 19b and is biased toward the shoulder by a spring 19c. While not shown, the opposite end of the hose may be connected to a faucet so that water may move through the hose, through the pipe section 17 and into the pipe portion 12.

#Disposed within the cylindrical portion 11 of the casing 10 is a piston 20 having a pair of annular surface grooves that receive O-rings that serve to prevent leakage around the piston 20. The piston has on its upper sides a boss section 21 that receives the lower end of a plunger 22, the purpose of which will later become apparent. The casing 10 receives a snap ring or stop 23 that bears against the upper side of the piston 20 and limits its axial movement. Provided on the opposite side of the piston 20 is a spring 24 that bears against an annular shoulder 25 that is fixed to and projects inwardly of the casing section 11. The piston 20 is constructed of a generally lightweight material and the spring 24 serves to hold the piston 20 against the snap ring 23 or in its uppermost position.

#Extending through the upper portion of the casing section 11 is a pipe 26 that is held in place on the casing by a pair of snap rings 27 that bear against the respective outer sides of the casing portion 11. The bar 26 is hollow and supports on opposite ends thereof hand grips 28. Beneath one of the hand grips 28 is a manual switch 29 having a wire 30 leading to an electrical control box 31. The control box 31 is fixed to a plate 32 that sits against the end of the casing 10. A series of screws 33 fixes the plate to the end. Extending from the control box 31 is wiring 34 that extends downwardly to a wiring panel 35 fixed on the internal surface of the casing 11 by means of screws 36,37.