Plumbing apparatus

Abstract

A plumbing apparatus intended for unclogging a drain pipe. The apparatus includes a substantially rigid member and a compressible member, one of the substantially rigid member and the compressible member including a valve. The compressible member may seal a drain and the drain pipe and a fluid may be introduced into the drain pipe through the valve.

1 . An apparatus intended for use in unclogging a drain pipe, comprising: 
 a first substantially rigid member;    a compressible member; and    a valve positioned on one of the first substantially rigid member and the compressible member, wherein the compressible member may seal the drain pipe and a fluid may be introduced into the drain pipe through the valve.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a second substantially rigid member, such that the compressible member resides between the first and second substantially rigid members.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first substantially rigid member has a larger diameter than the second substantially rigid member, such that a portion of first substantially rigid member engages a surface of the sink when the apparatus seals a drain of a sink associated with the drain pipe.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising an adjustable member that retains the first and second substantially rigid members on the compressible member.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the adjustable member comprises a bolt and corresponding wing nut, movement of the wing nut causes movement of the first and second substantially rigid members and compression or relaxation of the compressible member.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the valve includes an aperture for introducing the fluid into the drain pipe and the valve resides on the second substantially rigid member.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is an air valve adapted for receiving air.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is a water valve adapted for receiving water.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the compressible member is an elastomer ring having a wall defining an opening.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an adjustable member that retains the first substantially rigid member on the compressible member.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said adjustable member comprises a bolt and wing nut positioned substantially in the center of the first substantially rigid member.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus intended for use in unclogging a drain pipe, comprising: 
 first and second substantially rigid plates;    a valve positioned on one of the first and second substantially rigid plates and adapted to receive a fluid from an auxiliary fluid source for introducing the fluid into the drain pipe; and    a compressible member positioned between the first and second substantially rigid plates, wherein the movement of the first and second substantially rigid plates causes compression or relaxation of the compressible member and the compressible member may seal a drain of a sink associated with the drain pipe.    
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second substantially rigid plates have recessed regions that project into an opening of the compressible member.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising an adjustable member that retains the first and second substantially rigid plates on the compressible member.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the adjustable member comprises a bolt and corresponding wing nut positioned substantially in the center of the first and second substantially rigid plates to enable even radial expansion of the compressible member during compression.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the valve is an air valve that resides on the second plate and projects through an opening of the compressible member and an aperture of the first plate.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the diameter of the first substantially rigid plate is larger than the diameter of the second substantially rigid plate.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the first plate includes a lip that engages a surface of the sink when the apparatus seals the drain.  
   
   
       19 . A method of unclogging a drain pipe, comprising: 
 inserting a plumbing apparatus into a drain associated with the drain pipe;    sealing the drain with the plumbing apparatus; and    introducing a fluid into the drain pipe to regulate the pressure in the drain pipe for a desired amount of time to displace clogging debris.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the sealing step comprises placing an apparatus having a compressible member in the drain and manipulating an adjustable member of the apparatus to compress the compressible member and seal the drain pipe.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the introducing a fluid step comprises attaching an auxiliary fluid source to a valve of the apparatus and initiating the fluid delivery from the fluid source to the drain pipe.