Sheath for integrating sewer hose and TV cable

Abstract

A novel tubular rubber-like non-corrosive sheath, which may be wound on a reel of a mobile sewer cleaning and inspection machine for entry into a sewer line, which encapsulates or joins together a length of jet hose and a length of television cable for a television camera. The invention also includes a novel skid mounting a television camera at the end of a sheath, which carries a television camera, and which in arranged in a position to permit fluid exiting the jet hose to propel the skid in a sewer line.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A tubular structure which is capable of being wound on and unwound from a reel on a mobile sewer cleaning and inspection machine, said structure comprising a sheath of rubber-like material, a length of jet hose, and a length of television cable, said hose and cable being encapsulated within said sheath.  
     
     
         2 . The tubular structure recited in  claim 1 , wherein said sheath is non-corrosive.  
     
     
         3 . The tubular structure recited in  claim 1 , wherein said sheath has a smooth skin.  
     
     
         4 . The tubular structure recited in  claim 1 , wherein said sheath jet hose and television cable are integral.  
     
     
         5 . The tubular structure recited in  claim 1 , wherein said sheath is wider than it is high.  
     
     
         6 . The tubular structure recited in  claim 1 , wherein all sides of said sheath are flat.  
     
     
         7 . The tubular structure recited in  claim 6 , wherein the edges of said sheath are chamfered.  
     
     
         8 . The tubular structure recited in  claim 1 , wherein said reel has a hub on which said length is wound.  
     
     
         9 . The tubular structure recited in  claim 8 , wherein an end of said television cable exits from said reel through said hub.  
     
     
         10 . The tubular structure recited in  claim 9 , wherein said end is connected to a television monitor.  
     
     
         11 . The tubular structure recited in  claim 8 , wherein said reel is mounted on a frame arranged on said machine, said television monitor being secured on said frame.  
     
     
         12 . The tubular structure recited in  claim 1 , wherein said machine has a reservoir containing fluid in flow communication with said jet hose.  
     
     
         13 . The tubular structure recited in  claim 12 , wherein said reel is mounted on a frame arranged on said machine and controls for said fluid flow through said jet hose are carried by said frame.  
     
     
         14 . The tubular structure recited in  claim 1 , wherein said sheath is repairable with liquid polymer adapted for setting up in the field when the sheath become damaged.  
     
     
         15 . A mobile sewer cleaning and inspection machine having a rotatable reel which is manipulable to wind or unwind a flexible non-corrosive length of line, said length of line adapted for entry into a sewer and comprising a length of television cable and a length of jet hose for pressurized fluid, said lengths being joined together and manipulable into and from said sewer upon rotation of said reel.  
     
     
         16 . The machine recited in  claim 15 , wherein said machine has controls for rotating said reel, for operating television equipment connected to said television cable and for delivering pressurized fluid to said jet hose.  
     
     
         17 . The machine recited in  claim 16 , wherein said machine has a frame for carrying said reel and said controls.  
     
     
         18 . The machine recited in  claim 17 , wherein said controls are operable from said frame.  
     
     
         19 . The machine recited in  claim 16 , wherein said television control are operable separately from said jet hose controls.  
     
     
         20 . The machine recited in claim is, wherein said sheath is bendable and smooth and adapted to freely enter one of multiple branches in said sewer without interference.  
     
     
         21 . The machine recited in  claim 15 , wherein said sheath may be opened at an intermediate point along its length to access said television cable, said television cable being adaptable for connection of television camera at said intermediate point.  
     
     
         22 . The machine recited in  claim 15 , wherein said sheath is biased to roll on said reel.  
     
     
         23 . The machine recited in  claim 15 , wherein more than one jet hose is mounted on said reel.  
     
     
         24 . The machine recited in  claim 15 , wherein said reel has side plates for containing said sheath.  
     
     
         25 . The machine recited in  claim 24 , wherein said reel has a central hub and said side plates are carried by said hub.  
     
     
         26 . The machine recited in  claim 25 , wherein said television cable and said jet hose exit said reel through said hub.  
     
     
         27 . The machine recited in  claim 15 , wherein said sheath is coated with slick material permitting it to slide in a sewer.  
     
     
         28 . The machine recited in  claim 27 , wherein said slick material comprises a silicone solution.  
     
     
         29 . The machine recited in  claim 15 , wherein said lengths of television cable and jet hose are wound and unwound together upon rotation of said reel.  
     
     
         30 . A mobile sewer cleaning and inspection machine having a rotatable reel which is manipulable to wind or unwind a length of line, said length of line comprising a flexible non-corrosive sheath adapted for entry into a sewer, said sheath encapsulating a length of television cable, and a length of jet hose for pressurized fluid which is manipulable into and from said sewer upon rotation of said reel, and a skid at one end of said length of television cable, said skid having connections for said television cable and a frame for holding a television camera, said skid having means for moving said television camera in said sewer.  
     
     
         31 . The machine recited in  claim 30 , wherein said means for moving said television camera is a pressurized fluid line adapted to propel the skid into the sewer line.  
     
     
         32 . The machine recited in  claim 30 , wherein said skid has wheels adapted to span said sewer.