Drain clearing apparatus and seals

Abstract

An apparatus for clearing a clog in a pipe having an inside diameter, comprising a hollow, collapsible, generally cylindrical bellows portion, the bellows portion having an upper end, a lower end and an inside diameter that is less than the inside diameter of the pipe at the clog thereby providing a mechanical advantage in removing the clog; a handle attached to the upper end of the bellows portion; and a seal attached to the lower end of the bellows portion.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for clearing a clog in a pipe having an inside diameter, the apparatus comprising: 
 a hollow, collapsible, generally cylindrical bellows portion, the bellows portion having an upper end, a lower end and an inside diameter that is less than the inside diameter of the pipe at the clog thereby providing a mechanical advantage in removing the clog;    a handle attached to the upper end of the bellows portion; and    a seal attached to the lower end of the bellows portion.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the seal comprises a hollow cylinder having an external surface, the external surface including at least one flange disposed thereon.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the external surface of the seal includes a plurality of flanges disposed therein.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein diameters of the flanges decrease in a direction away from the lower end of the bellows portion.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the flanges are angled up and away from the hollow cylinder of the seal.  
     
     
         6 . A method of clearing a clog in a pipe, the pipe having an inside diameter at a location of the clog, comprising: 
 providing an apparatus comprising a hollow, collapsible, generally cylindrical bellows portion, the bellows portion having an upper end, a lower end and an inside diameter that is less than the inside diameter of the pipe at the clog thereby providing a mechanical advantage in removing the clog; a handle attached to the upper end of the bellows portion; and a seal attached to the lower end of the bellows portion.    applying the seal of the apparatus to an opening of the pipe; and    compressing the bellows portion of the apparatus.    
     
     
         7 . A seal for a drain clearing apparatus, comprising: 
 a hollow cylinder having an external surface, the external surface including at least one flexible flange disposed thereon.    
     
     
         8 . The seal of  claim 7  wherein the external surface of the seal includes a plurality of flexible flanges disposed thereon.  
     
     
         9 . The seal of  claim 8  wherein diameters of the flexible flanges decrease in a direction away from the drain clearing apparatus.  
     
     
         10 . The seal of  claim 9  wherein undersides of the flexible flanges are angled up and away from the hollow cylinder of the seal.  
     
     
         11 . The seal of  claim 9  wherein the flexible flanges are angled up and away from the hollow cylinder of the seal.  
     
     
         12 . A seal for a drain clearing apparatus, comprising: 
 a hollow truncated cone having an external surface, the external surface including at least one flexible flange disposed thereon, a larger diameter end of the cone being attached to the drain clearing apparatus.    
     
     
         13 . The seal of  claim 12  wherein the external surface of the seal includes a plurality of flexible flanges disposed thereon.  
     
     
         14 . The seal of  claim 13  wherein diameters of the flexible flanges decrease in a direction away from the drain clearing apparatus.  
     
     
         15 . The seal of  claim 14  wherein undersides of the flexible flanges are angled up and away from the hollow truncated cone of the seal.  
     
     
         16 . The seal of  claim 14  wherein the flexible flanges are angled up and away from the hollow truncated cone of the seal.  
     
     
         17 . A seal for a drain clearing apparatus wherein the seal is substantially donut shaped.  
     
     
         18 . The seal of  claim 17  wherein the seal comprises a flexible, compressible, solid elastomeric material.  
     
     
         19 . The seal of  claim 17  wherein the seal is hollow and comprises a flexible, elastomeric material filled with a fluid.  
     
     
         20 . The seal of  claim 19  wherein the fluid is air.  
     
     
         21 . A seal for a drain clearing apparatus, comprising: 
 a hollow, truncated conical portion;    a hollow cylindrical portion joined to the conical portion; and    a substantially donut shaped portion disposed at a junction of the conical and cylindrical portions, a larger diameter end of the conical portion being attached to the drain clearing apparatus.    
     
     
         22 . The seal of  claim 21  wherein the substantially donut shaped portion comprises a compressible, solid elastomeric material.  
     
     
         23 . The seal of  claim 21  wherein the substantially donut shaped portion is hollow and comprises an elastomeric material filled with a fluid.  
     
     
         24 . A drain clearing apparatus, comprising: 
 a force cup having a generally hemispherical shape with a closed top end and an open bottom end;    a handle attached to the closed top end; and    a generally donut shaped seal attached to the bottom end.    
     
     
         25 . The drain clearing apparatus of  claim 24  wherein the donut shaped seal comprises a flexible, compressible, solid, elastomeric material.  
     
     
         26 . The drain clearing apparatus of  claim 24  wherein the donut shaped seal comprises a flexible, hollow, elastomeric material filled with a fluid.