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US 5,329,662 AGranted
Manipulator for conduit cleaner
AssigneeSpartan Tool Div. of Pettibone Corp.
InventorRoy W. Salecker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The combination of a fluid operated cleaner, to be directed into a conduit to remove obstructions in a passageway defined by the conduit, and a manipulator. The conduit cleaner has a frame which has a connector for a fluid supply conduit. The manipulator is connected to the conduit so that the manipulator and fluid supply conduit can be used together to reposition the conduit cleaner at a location remote therefrom. Between the manipulator and the fluid supply line, the user is given substantial flexibility in reorienting the conduit cleaner to allow it to be introduced to the entryway of a remotely located conduit.
Claims16
In combination:
- a cleaner to be directed into a conduit to remove obstructions in a passageway defined by a conduit,
- said conduit cleaner including a frame;
- a manipulator having an elongate body with a lengthwise axis;
- and
- means cooperating between a first part of the manipulator and the conduit cleaner frame to a) allow the first part of the manipulator to be selectively connected to and disconnected from the conduit cleaner frame by movement of the first manipulator part relative to the conduit cleaner frame in a first line substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the elongate manipulator body with the first manipulator part and conduit cleaner frame in a first relative position along the lengthwise axis of the manipulator body and b) prevent the first manipulator part from being disconnected from the conduit cleaner frame by movement of the first manipulator part in the first line with the first manipulator part and conduit cleaner frame in a second relative position along the lengthwise axis of the manipulator body,
- said manipulator including a control portion that can be engaged by an operator and repositioned to controllably move the conduit cleaner to facilitate its direction into a conduit entryway that is not within direct reach of an operator,
- whereby a user can use the manipulator to direct the conduit cleaner into a conduit entryway remote from a user and thereafter release the manipulator from the conduit cleaner.
4 more elements
In combination:
- a cleaner to be directed into a conduit to remove obstructions in a passageway defined by a conduit,
- said conduit cleaner including a frame;
- a manipulator;
- and
- means cooperating between a first part of the manipulator and the conduit cleaner frame to allow the first part of the manipulator to be selectively connected to and disconnected from the conduit cleaner frame,
- said manipulator including a control portion that can be engaged by an operator and repositioned to controllably move the conduit cleaner to facilitate its direction into a conduit entryway that is not within direct reach of an operator,
- whereby a user can use the manipulator to direct the conduit cleaner into a conduit entryway remote from a user and thereafter release the manipulator from the conduit cleaner,
- wherein the cooperating means includes a receptacle on one of the frame and the first part of the manipulator and a projection on the other of the frame and the first part of the manipulator, said projection a) being extendable into and removable from the receptacle with the first part of the manipulator and frame in a first relative position and b) being blocked in the receptacle with the first part of the manipulator and frame in a second relative position.
5 more elements
In combination:
- a cleaner to be directed into a conduit to remove obstructions in a passageway defined by a conduit.
- said conduit cleaner including a frame;
- a manipulator;
- and
- means cooperating between a first part of the manipulator and the conduit cleaner frame to allow the first part of the manipulator to be selectively connected to and disconnected from the conduit cleaner frame,
- said manipulator including a control portion that can be engaged by an operator and repositioned to controllably move the conduit cleaner to facilitate its direction into a conduit entryway that is not within direct reach of an operator,
- whereby a user can use the manipulator to direct the conduit cleaner into a conduit entryway remote from a user and thereafter release the manipulator from the conduit cleaner,
- wherein the cooperating means on one of the first part of the manipulator and frame comprises a J-shaped fitting with a base and an upturned free end, the cooperating means on the other of the first pan of the manipulator and frame comprises a receptacle defined by a frame opening and the base and upturned free end on the J-shaped fitting can be directed into the receptacle with the first part of the manipulator and frame in a first relative position and whereupon drawing up on the manipulator bears the base of the J-shaped fitting against the frame with the manipulator in a carrying position, said upturned end of the J-shaped fitting blocking removal of the J-shaped fitting from the receptacle with the manipulator in the carrying position.
5 more elements
In combination:
- a fluid operated cleaner to be directed into a conduit to remove obstructions in a passageway defined by a conduit,
- said conduit cleaner including a frame and having a lengthwise axis;
- means on the fame for connection to a fluid supply conduit;
- an elongate manipulator having a lengthwise axis;
- and
- means cooperating between the conduit cleaner frame and manipulator for connecting the manipulator to the conduit cleaner frame so that a) the manipulator and fluid supply conduit can be used to reposition the conduit cleaner at a location remote therefrom to facilitate introduction of the conduit cleaner as into a horizontally directed conduit and b) the relative positions of the lengthwise axes of the conduit cleaner frame and manipulator can be changed with the manipulator connected to the conduit cleaner frame.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.