Air-burst drain plunger
AssigneeM. A. G. Engineering & Mfg. Co.
InventorsHoward M. Allenbaugh, David M. Turchik, Gerard G. Adelmeyer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An affordable plumbing device that uses a compressed gas and a burst disk having a relatively even surface of substantially uniform thickness to produce a sudden discharge of energy to forcibly act against any obstruction that may interfere with the proper function of a drain. The plumbing device has a cylindrical chamber for receiving the compressed gas and may generally take the shape of a plunger, which is flexible to use and is easy to store. A portion of the chamber forms a receiving chamber with the burst disk for harnessing and directing the energy of the compressed gas to clear the drain.
Claims27
A plunger for clearing a drain, comprising:
- a chamber for receiving a compressed gas;
- a sealing member connected to the chamber for providing a connection between the chamber and a drain opening;
- and
- a burst disk constructed from a substantially non-metallic material and positioned to create a barrier between the chamber and sealing member, wherein the burst disk has a substantially smooth surface and is adapted to burst when the pressure in the chamber reaches a predetermined level.
A plunger for clearing a drain, comprising:
- a chamber having an upper end and a lower end, and which is adapted to receive a compressed gas through an opening adjacent the upper end of the chamber;
- a sealing mechanism adjacent the lower end of the chamber for connecting the plunger to a drain opening;
- a handle connected to and axially moveable with respect to the upper end of the chamber, such that axial movement of the handle relative to the chamber causes compressed gas to be released into the chamber;
- and
- a burst disk within the chamber between the upper and lower ends for providing a temporary barrier to accumulate pressure within the chamber, wherein the burst disk is adapted to burst when the pressure in the chamber reaches a predetermined level.
A plunger for clearing a drain, comprising:
- a chamber having an upper end and a lower end, and which is adapted to receive a compressed gas through an opening adjacent the upper end of the chamber;
- a sealing mechanism adjacent the lower end of the chamber for connecting the plunger to a drain opening;
- a trigger that is operable to cause compressed gas to be released into the chamber;
- and
- a burst disk within the chamber between the upper and lower ends for providing a temporary barrier to accumulate pressure within the chamber, wherein the burst disk is adapted to burst when the pressure in the chamber reaches a predetermined level.
A plunger for clearing a clogged drain, comprising:
- a chamber having an upper end, a lower end, and an inner cavity for receiving a compressed gas through an opening adjacent the upper end of the chamber;
- a sealing mechanism adjacent the lower end of the chamber for connecting the plunger to a drain opening;
- a nozzle connected to the upper end of the chamber;
- a handle connected to and axially moveable with respect to the upper end of the chamber;
- a compressed gas cartridge positioned within the handle and having a puncture point spaced from and in substantially axial alignment with a pin on the nozzle;
- a trigger on the handle having an engaged position that prevents axial movement of the handle with respect to the chamber, and a disengaged position that permits axial movement of the handle with respect to the chamber, wherein axial movement of the handle toward the chamber causes the pin to pierce the puncture point of the cartridge and permit compressed gas from the cartridge to enter the inner cavity;
- and
- a burst disk within the inner cavity between the upper and lower ends for providing a temporary barrier to accumulate pressure within the inner cavity, wherein the burst disk is adapted to burst when the pressure in the chamber reaches a predetermined level.
A method of clearing a drain using a plunger having a burst disk within a chamber that harnesses the energy of a compressed gas and directs that energy to the drain by means of a sudden burst of pressure, comprising:
- disconnecting the chamber into two portions;
- placing a burst disk between the two portions of the chamber;
- reconnecting the two portions of the chamber;
- connecting a discharge end of the plunger to a drain opening;
- and
- releasing a compressed gas into the chamber and against the burst disk to cause the burst disk to rupture when the pressure in the chamber reaches a predetermined level, to thereby send a sudden burst of pressure and energy into the drain.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.