Hydraulic Plunger Device

Abstract

A toilet plunger device relating to a hydraulic plunger that may be inserted into a toilet to create a seal beyond or below the siphon jet that, further, may employ pressurized water to dislodge a clogged toilet drain. The plunger includes an elongated carrier body with a coupling, a first flange, a second flange, and a resilient foam body. This assembly is connected to an elongated tubular wand that is connected to a trigger valve which, in turn, is connected to a source of pressurized liquid. The foam body is inserted into the toilet drain and creates a tight seal around the drain. The trigger valve then operatively releases a flow of pressurized liquid through the tubular wand and the elongated carrier body to break up debris and clear the drain.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hydraulic plunger comprising:
 an elongated carrier body having a liquid inlet end, a liquid outlet end, and an internal through passage extending along said carrier body and through said liquid inlet and said liquid outlet ends;   a coupling at said liquid inlet end for connecting said internal through passage with a source of pressurized liquid and discharging the pressurized liquid through said liquid outlet end;   a first flange encircling said elongated carrier body and projecting outwardly therefrom;   a second flange encircling said elongated carrier body and projecting outwardly therefrom, said second flange longitudinally spaced along said carrier body from said first flange; and   a resilient foam body extending completely between said first and said second flanges and encircling said elongated carrier body.   
     
     
         2 . The hydraulic plunger of  claim 1 , wherein said foam body extends laterally outwardly from said elongated carrier body beyond said first and said second flanges. 
     
     
         3 . The hydraulic plunger of  claim 2 , wherein said foam body is spherical shaped. 
     
     
         4 . The hydraulic plunger of  claim 3 , wherein said first and said second flanges are dome-shaped. 
     
     
         5 . The hydraulic plunger of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a water-proof skin covering said foam body.   
     
     
         6 . The hydraulic plunger of  claim 5 , wherein said water-proof skin further covers said first and said second flanges. 
     
     
         7 . The hydraulic plunger of  claim 1 , wherein said first flange is disposed at a longitudinally inward location from said liquid inlet end and forms a seal shoulder. 
     
     
         8 . The hydraulic plunger of  claim 1 , wherein said second flange is flush with said liquid outlet end. 
     
     
         9 . The hydraulic plunger of  claim 1 , wherein said carrier body is an elongated tubular body. 
     
     
         10 . The hydraulic plunger of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an elongated tubular wand having opposite first and second ends and an internal fluid carrying passage extending between said opposite ends;   said second end of said elongated wand connected to said coupling at said liquid inlet end such that said internal fluid carrying passage of said elongated wand and said internal through passage of said carrier body are fluidically connected; and   a trigger valve connected to said first end of said elongated wand and having a second coupling for connecting said trigger valve to a source of pressurized liquid, said trigger valve operable to control the flow of a pressurized liquid through said tubular wand.   
     
     
         11 . The hydraulic plunger of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a 45-degree coupling between said second end of said elongated tubular wand and said coupling at said liquid inlet end such that said internal fluid carrying passage of said elongated wand and said internal through passage of said carrier body are fluidically connected at an angle to facilitate the positioning of said carrier body.   
     
     
         12 . The hydraulic plunger of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a pulsator operable to induce a pulsating flow in a liquid flow exiting said internal through passage of said carrier body.   
     
     
         13 . A hydraulic plunger comprising:
 a spherical shaped foam body comprised of a resilient foam material;   a tubular member having opposed first and second ends and extending completely through said spherical shaped foam body;   a first dome-shaped flange encircling said first end of said tubular member and projecting outwardly therefrom and engaged with a first end of said spherical shaped foam body;   a second dome-shaped flange encircling said second end of said tubular member and projecting outwardly therefrom and engaged with a second end of said spherical shaped foam body; and   a coupling at said first end of said tubular member for connecting an internal through passage thereof with a source of pressurized liquid.   
     
     
         14 . The hydraulic plunger of  claim 13 , wherein said foam body extends laterally outwardly from said elongated carrier body beyond said first and said second flanges. 
     
     
         15 . The hydraulic plunger of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a water-proof skin covering said foam body.   
     
     
         16 . The hydraulic plunger of  claim 13 , wherein said first flange is disposed at a longitudinally inward location from said liquid inlet end and forms a seal shoulder. 
     
     
         17 . The hydraulic plunger of  claim 13 , wherein said second flange is flush with said liquid outlet end. 
     
     
         18 . The hydraulic plunger of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 an elongated tubular wand having opposite first and second ends and an internal fluid carrying passage extending between said opposite ends;   said second end of said elongated wand connected to said coupling at said liquid inlet end such that said internal fluid carrying passage of said elongated wand and said internal through passage of said carrier body are fluidically connected; and   a trigger valve connected to said first end of said elongated wand and having a second coupling for connecting said trigger valve to a source of pressurized liquid, said trigger valve operable to control the flow of a pressurized liquid through said tubular wand.   
     
     
         19 . The hydraulic plunger of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a 45-degree coupling between said second end of said elongated tubular wand and said coupling at said liquid inlet end such that said internal fluid carrying passage of said elongated wand and said internal through passage of said carrier body are fluidically connected at an angle to facilitate the positioning of said carrier body.   
     
     
         20 . The hydraulic plunger of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a pulsator operable to induce a pulsating flow in a liquid flow exiting said internal through passage of said carrier body.