Apparatus for dislodging a plumbing system and method of use

Abstract

An apparatus for dislodging a blocked plumbing system and method of use are disclosed. In one form, an apparatus for dislodging a plumbing system via a drain receptacle includes a substrate shaped to cover a portion of a drain receptacle. The substrate includes an exterior edge having a shape substantially similar to the drain receptacle and a top portion and a bottom portion and a hole extending through the substrate. A gasket is coupled to the exterior edge of the substrate and operable to create a substantially airtight seal between the drain receptacle and the substrate. The apparatus includes a valve extending through a portion of the hole and coupled to the top portion of the substrate and the valve selectively is operable to provide an open state and a closed state. The closed state provides a substantially airtight seal between a void volume and a vacuum source and the open state enabling a fluid communication path between the vacuum source and the void volume. The apparatus further includes an elongated pipe including a first end coupled to a portion of the valve and a second end and a curved pipe having a first curved pipe end and a second curved pipe end, the first curved pipe end coupled to the second elongated pipe end and the second curved pipe end operable to be connected to a vacuum source.

1 . An apparatus for dislodging a plumbing system via a drain receptacle comprising: 
 a substrate shaped to cover a portion of a drain receptacle, the substrate including an exterior edge having a shape substantially similar to the drain receptacle, the substrate further including a top portion and a bottom portion and a hole through extending through the substrate;    a gasket coupled to the exterior edge of the substrate and operable to create a substantially airtight seal between the drain receptacle and the substrate;    a valve extending through a portion of the hole and coupled to the top portion of the substrate, the valve selectively operable to provide an open state and a closed state, the closed state providing a substantially airtight seal between a void volume and a vacuum source, the open state enabling a fluid communication path between the vacuum source and the void volume;    an elongated pipe including a first end coupled to a portion of the valve and a second end; and    a curved pipe having a first curved pipe end and a second curved pipe end, the first curved pipe end coupled to the second elongated pipe end and the second curved pipe end operable to be connected to a vacuum source.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the substrate comprises a thickness of approximately two (2) inches or less.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the hole comprises a diameter of approximately four (4) inches.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising the hole approximately centered relative to the exterior edge of the substrate.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the elongated pipe comprises a length of approximately twelve (12) inches.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the elongated pipe comprises polyvinyl chloride compound (PVC).  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the curved pipe comprises an angle of at least ninety (90) degrees.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the elongated pipe includes a first end removably coupled to the valve.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the gasket comprises a rubber material.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising the first curved pipe end removably coupled to the second elongated pipe end.  
   
   
       11 . A method of dislodging a blockage from a plumbing system comprising: 
 providing a vacuum enabled plumbing system dislodging apparatus including:    a substrate shaped to cover a portion of a drain receptacle, the substrate including an exterior edge having a shape substantially similar to the drain receptacle, the substrate further including a top portion and a bottom portion and a hole extending through the substrate;    a gasket coupled to the substrate and operable to create a substantially airtight seal between the drain receptacle and the substrate;    a valve extending through a portion of the hole and coupled to the top portion of the substrate, the valve selectively operable to provide an open state and a closed state, the closed state providing a substantially airtight seal between a void volume and a vacuum source, the open state enabling a fluid communication path between the vacuum source and the void volume;    an elongated pipe including a first end coupled to a portion of the valve and a second end operable to be coupled to the vacuum source; and    elongated pipe    covering the drain receptacle using the vacuum enabled unclogging device;    coupling the vacuum source to the second end;    opening the valve to provide the open state; and    enabling the vacuum source to dislodge the blockage.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising coupling the substrate to a toilet bowl surface.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising: 
 providing the valve in the closed state; and    coupling a second pipe to the valve.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising: 
 detecting a dislodging of the blockage; and    disabling the vacuum source.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising: 
 providing the valve in the closed state; and    decoupling the vacuum source.    
   
   
       16 . An apparatus for unclogging a toilet comprising: 
 a substrate having a thickness of approximately two (2) inches or less and shaped to cover a top surface of a rim of a toilet bowl, the substrate including an exterior edge having a shape substantially similar to the rim, the substrate further includes a top portion and a bottom portion and a four (4) inch diameter hole approximately centered relative to the exterior edge;    a gasket coupled to the substrate and operable to create a substantially airtight seal between the toilet bowl and the substrate;    a valve coupled to the four (4) inch diameter hole and the top portion of the substrate, the valve selectively operable to provide an open state and a closed state, the closed state providing a substantially airtight seal between a void volume and a vacuum source, the open state enabling a fluid communication path between the vacuum source and the void volume;    a elongated pipe having a length of approximately twelve (12) inches and a diameter of approximately four (4) inches, the pipe including a first end removably coupled to a portion of the valve and a second end; and    a curved pipe formed at a ninety (90) degree angle and having a first curved pipe end and a second curved pipe end, the first curved pipe end coupled to the second elongated pipe end and the second curved pipe end operable to be connected to a vacuum source.    
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the vacuum source is a wet/dry vacuum cleaner.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the substrate is clear plastic.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the curved pipe comprises polyvinyl chloride compound (PVC).  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the gasket comprises rubber.