Versatile plumbing device

Abstract

A versatile plumbing tool for obviating household drain blockages is primarily operated by a manually operated air pump; however its utility is greatly increased by making it adaptable for operation by household water pressure. The annular housing of an anti-back flow valve functions as a hand grip for applying sealing down pressure on the discharge head during a drain unlocking operation.

1 . A manually operated air pressure apparatus for clearing a plugged household toilet drain, comprising:
 a head having
 a rigid round flat horizontal top with a central vertical opening, 
 an inverted dome shaped body of rubber like material with an upper surface secured to the underside of said top and having a central vertical passage therethrough aligned with said central vertical opening, and 
 a fluid connector secured to said top in alignment with said central vertical opening, 
   a manually operated air pump including
 a cylindrical housing having
 a discharge opening a one of its axially opposite ends, and 
 a piston rod opening at the other of its axially opposite ends, 
 
 a piston in said cylinder, 
 a piston rod rigidly secured in coaxial relation to said piston and including a portion extending through said piston rod opening and terminating at a exterior end and 
 a handle secured to said exterior end, by which said piston can be manually reciprocated to discharge compressed air from said discharge opening, and 
   a one way valve including an annular housing having
 an inlet connected to said discharge opening, and 
 an outlet connected to said connector of said head, 
   said one way valve having open and closed positions of adjustment, in said open position said one way valve restricts air flow less than the air flow is restricted by said central vertical passage of said head, said annular one way valve housing being gripable by a human hand applying down pressure on said head to seal said head against said drain during a fluid discharge drain unblocking operation.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including a hand operable shut off valve having open and closed positions, said shut off valve being interposed between said one way valve and said pump. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said check valve provides less restriction to air flow then other components of said apparatus through which air passes during operation of said apparatus. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the fluid connections between said one way valve and said pump are threaded connections compatible to garden hose threads and the threads of outdoor household facets to which garden hoses are connectible.