US 4,395,791 A · Spring feeding mechanism

Abstract

A spring feeding mechanism for use in conjunction with plumbing tools of the type used for cleaning and removing obstructions from drain pipes in which an elongated coiled spring wire, or plumber's snake, is advanced through the pipe and rotated. The feeding mechanism comprises hingeably interconnected jaw members adapted to carry rotatably mounted helically grooved feed rollers and includes a biasing means for yieldably urging the feed rollers into driving engagement with the snake. The feed rollers are readily removable from the jaws and are mounted at an angle with respect to the axis of the coil spring so that the grooves are substantially parallel with the coils of the spring. With this arrangement the rollers can be easily removed and replaced with rollers of different sizes. Due to the unique design of the biasing means the device can readily accommodate distortions and irregularities in the snake without damaging either the snake or the plumber's tool.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A spring feeding mechanism for use with plumbing tools of the type having an elongated coiled spring wire, or plumber's snake and means for rotating the snake about its longitudinal axis, comprising:

(a) snake engaging means movable into and out of driving engagement with the snake for feeding the snake axially of itself;
said means comprising:
(1) first and second hingeably interconnected jaws movable from a first open position to a second closed position proximate the snake;
(2) a pair of feed rollers, rotatably carried by said second jaw;
(3) at least one feed roller rotatably carried by said first jaw, each of said feed rollers being adapted to rotate about an axis disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the snake and each having helical grooves formed therein adapted to operably engage the coils of the snake when said jaws are in said second position so as to urge axial movement of said snake relative to said feed rollers;
and
(b) latching means operably coupled with said snake engaging means for moving said first and second jaws from said first position to said second position and for latching saw jaws together in said second closed position, said means including biasing means for yieldably urging against separation of said jaws while at the same time being responsive to forces opposing axial feeding of the snake so that said feed rollers will automatically move out of driving engagement with the snake in response to such forces.

4 more elements

A spring feeding mechanism for use with plumbing tools of the type having an elongated coiled spring wire, or plumber's snake and means for rotating the snake about its longitudinal axis, comprising:

(a) first and second jaws hingeably interconnected at one end and having mating portions located proximate their free ends, each of said jaws having at least one recessed opening formed therein intermediate its ends;
(b) a feed roller assembly removably receivable in each of said recessed openings in said jaws, each said roller assembly comprising:
(1) a helically grooved roller;
(2) a housing adapted to house said roller;
and
(3) an axle supported within said housing adapted to rotatably support said roller for rotating about an axis disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the snake;
and
(c) latching means for moving said first and second jaws from a first open position wherein said mating portions are spaced apart to a second closed position wherein said mating portions are in close proximity and for latching said jaws together in said second closed position, said means including biasing means for yieldably urging against separation of said mating portions while at the same time being responsive to forces opposing axial feeding of the snake so that said feed rollers will automatically move out of driving engagement with the snake in response to such forces.

5 more elements

A spring feeding mechanism for use with plumbing tools of the type having an elongated coiled spring wire, or plumber's snake and means for rotating the snake about its longitudinal axis, comprising:

(a) snake engaging means movable into and out of driving engagement with the snake for feeding the snake axially of itself;
said means comprising:
(1) first and second hingeably interconnected jaws movable from a first open position to a second closed position proximate the snake;
(2) a pair of feed rollers, rotatably carried by said second jaw;
(3) at least one feed roller rotatably carried by said first jaw, each of said feed rollers being adapted to rotate about an axis disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the snake and each having helical grooves formed therein adapted to operably engage the coils of the snake when said jaws are in said second position so as to urge axial movement of said snake relative to said feed rollers;
and
(b) latching means operably coupled with said snake engaging means for moving said first and second jaws from said first position to said second position and for latching said jaws together in said second closed position, said latching means including:
(1) an elongated member pivotally connected proximate one end thereof to said free end of one of said first and second jaws, said member being receivable in said slot formed in said other of said first and second jaws when said jaws are in a closed position;
(2) a lower collar receivable over said elongated member said collar having an upper and lower surface and being movable axially of said member;
(3) an upper collar receivable over said elongated member, said collar having an upper and lower surface and being movable axially of said member;
(4) biasing means disposed intermediate said upper and lower collars for urging separation therebetween;
and
(5) actuating means for urging said upper collar toward said lower collar against the urging of said biasing means.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Spring feeding mechanism

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Spring feeding mechanism

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14