Universal pneumatic-snake apparatus & method

Abstract

A pneumatic-snake like appratus and method for routine clearing of clogged plumbing-drain lines in buildings and marine installations, employing an air-supply of 80-120 psi at a nozzle-generated velocity sufficient to virtually disintegrate obstructions logged within the plumbing-drain system. Owing to direct-impact infusion of high-velocity air exiting the special ball-shaped fracturing-nozzle positioned at leading-end of the snaking air-hose, the “PwrClogbuster™” is more effective at breaking-up plumbing-line clump-obstructions than conventional coiled-metal snake devices. Passed-into a drain-line to point of obstruction the pneumatic-snake operator opens a control-valve positioned between the air-hose and air-supply unit (a conventional portable air-compressor/reservoir rig);—whereupon a few thrusting blasts at point-blank are sufficient to clear an obstruction. A flexile annular drain-cup device is slip-fitted on the air-hose, and held proximal the drain-entry point, as to provide both splash-deflection and added back-pressure for the procedure; plus, generic-variant nozzle configurations are also set forth.

What is claimed of proprietary inventive origin is:  
     
         1 .) A pneumatic-snake for clearing a clogged plumbing-line; said apparatus comprising: a length of flexible resilient imperforate tubing having sufficient linear-integrity as to enable longitudinal push-feeding down into an existing drain-pipe, said tubing including an air-nozzle means at its leading-end for turbulent pneumatic blasting of high-velocity air proximal a plumbing-line obstruction, and including coupling means at trailing-end of said tubing with connection means for adapting to an air-pressure source means.  
     
     
         2 .) The pneumatic-snake apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said coupling means includes a manually actuateable air-valve for selective inducement of said air-pressure means.  
     
     
         3 .) The pneumatic-snake air-valve according to  claim 2 , wherein is employed sequentially intermittent operation in bursts of approximately 2-4 seconds open-valve time duration, followed by a closed-valve pause of another approximately 2-4 seconds duration before resuming open-valve operation; repetitiously until obstruction becomes cleared.  
     
     
         3 .) The pneumatic-snake air-pressure source according to  claim 1 , wherein a pressure range of approximately 80-120/ psi is required for optimal performance.  
     
     
         4 .) The pneumatic-snake apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said flexible tubing is conventional commercially available resilient type of ¼-inch to ½-inch inside-diameter.  
     
     
         5 .) The pneumatic-snake apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said flexible tubing is conventional commercially available air-hose having a cording reinforcement type of construction.  
     
     
         6 .) The pneumatic-snake apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said air-nozzle portion is formed with an approximate {fraction (3/32)}-inch exiting-orifice portion which internal-diameter extends aftward about ¼-inch where the internal-diameter reduces into an approximate ⅛-inch delivery-passageway diameter.  
     
     
         7 .) The pneumatic-snake apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said air-nozzle portion is formed with a substantially hemispherical-head shaped forward projection, thereby improving the ability of the leading nozzle to probe around and passed natural declinations, turns, and crags presented within the plumbing-line passageway.  
     
     
         8 .) The pneumatic-snake apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said air-nozzle portion is formed with a substantially hemispherical shaped forward projection, and including a longitudinally protruding nozzle-outlet portion configured as to induce an abaxial drawing forward of peripheral water as to thereby enhance said turbulent blasting action.  
     
     
         9 .) The pneumatic-snake apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said air-nozzle portion is formed with a primary central longitudinal outlet portion, and including a plurality of obliquely forward arranged cooperative secondary outlets emanating from a common central air-passageway, thereby emitting an enhanced cone of turbulent air.  
     
     
         10 .) The pneumatic-snake apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said air-nozzle portion is formed with an aftward coaxial radially barbed male-connector means, for coupling into said tubing.  
     
     
         11 .) The pneumatic-snake apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said air-nozzle portion is formed with an aftward coaxial male-connector means, for coupling fast into said tubing.  
     
     
         12 .) The pneumatic-snake apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said air-nozzle portion is formed as a primary central longitudinal outlet means, and includes at least one obliquely trailing cooperative secondary inlet converging thereto as a common central air-passageway; thereby serving to suck-in ambient water, the resulting air and water combination thereby enhancing the resulting generation of turbulent clog blasting fluid without problematically introducing additional water into the plumbing-line.  
     
     
         13 .) The pneumatic-snake apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein is also provided a splash-deflector device comprising a substantially cup shaped annular trough like member having a central stabilizing annular flange portion defining a through-hole which is sized to be a slip-fit around said tubing and thereby acting as a slide-guide; and, including an outermost forward terminating annular flange portion, serving to divert plumbing-line reverse-flowing activated water turbulence substantially away from back-splashing toward immediate presence of the human operator.  
     
     
         14 .) A pneumatic-snake for clearing a clogged plumbing-line; said apparatus comprising: 
 a length of flexible resilient imperforate tubing of approximate ¼-inch to ½-inch inside-diameter fitted with a hemispherical-head shaped air-nozzle means at its leading-end enabling easier snag-resistant probing passed internal plumbing-line crags, said air-nozzle having a central longitudinal through-hole means serving to provide turbulent blasting of high-velocity air proximal a plumbing-line obstruction, and including coupling means at trailing-end of said tubing for intermediate connection to a manually operated air-valve means arranged in fluid-communication with an air-pressure source means;    a splash-deflector means arranged as a slip-fit upon said tubing as to reduce reverse-flow splash at the point of said tubing entry into said plumbing-line yet enabling manual feeding-in of said tubing there through said splash-deflector and into the plumbing-line as required to directly access said plumbing obstruction.    
     
     
         15 .) The pneumatic-snake apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said air-nozzle portion is formed with an approximate {fraction (3/32)}-inch exiting-orifice portion which internal-diameter extends aftward about ¼-inch where the internal-diameter transcends into an approximate ⅛-inch internal-diameter passageway; and, including a longitudinally protruding nozzle-outlet portion configured as to induce an abaxial drawing forward of peripheral water as to thereby enhance said turbulent blasting action.  
     
     
         16 .) The pneumatic-snake apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said air-nozzle portion is formed with a primary central longitudinal outlet portion, and including a plurality of obliquely forward arranged cooperative secondary outlets emanating from a common central air-passageway, thereby emitting an enhanced cone of turbulent air.  
     
     
         17 .) The pneumatic-snake apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said air-nozzle portion is formed as a primary central longitudinal outlet means, and includes at least one obliquely trailing cooperative secondary inlet converging thereto as a common central air-passageway; thereby serving to draw-in ambient water, the resulting air and water combination thereby enhancing the resulting generation of turbulent clog blasting fluid without problematically introducing additional water into the plumbing-line.  
     
     
         18 .) The pneumatic-snake apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said air-pressure source means can be a conventional hand-portable pre-pressurized canister, or conventional electric-powered air-pump, or a conventional combination thereof.  
     
     
         19 .) The pneumatic-snake apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said splash-deflector means is a substantially cup shaped annular trough like member comprised of a centrally stabilizing annular flange portion which through-hole is sized to be a slip-fit around said tubing as to thereby serve as a slide-guide; and, including a contiguous outermost forward terminating annular flange portion, serving to divert plumbing-line reverse-flowing activated water turbulence substantially away from back-splashing toward immediate presence of the human operator.  
     
     
         20 .) A method of employing a pneumatic-snake for clearing a clogged plumbing-line; said method comprising: 
 employing a length of flexible resilient imperforate tubing with an air-nozzle means at its leading-end for turbulent blasting of high-velocity air proximal a plumbing-line obstruction, and including coupling means at trailing-end of said tubing for connection to an air-valve for selective inducement of a air-pressure source means;    providing a deflection means arranged as a slip-fit upon said tubing as to reduce reverse-flow splash at the point of said tubing entry into said plumbing-line yet enabling manual feeding-in of said tubing therein said plumbing-line as required to access said plumbing obstruction;    manually inserting said air-nozzle equipped flexible tubing into the clogged plumbing-line and feeding it linearly therein until the obstruction is physically encountered, then applying intermittent said bursts of air via opening and closing of said air-valve until obstruction becomes disintegrated or dislodged and passed away into the sewer-line.