Drain-Unclogging Assembly and Method Therefor

Abstract

A drain-unclogging assembly generally comprises an elongated structure, a plunger head, and a releasable securing assembly. The elongated structure includes a handle, an engagement head, and a shaft connecting the handle and the engagement head. The engagement head includes a plurality of projections designed to break apart objects lodged in a drain mouth and obstructing flow of water. The plunger head is movably mounted on the shaft, wherein the plunger head is selectively movable between a first position in which the plunger head is positioned at the engagement head surrounding the projections and a second position in which the plunger head is positioned adjacent the 10 handle portion, such that the projections are exposed. The releasable securing assembly includes a first securing device to releasably secure the plunger head in the first position and a second securing device to releasably secure the plunger head in the second position.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A drain-unclogging assembly comprising:
 an elongated structure comprising a handle, an engagement head, and a shaft connecting said handle and said engagement head;   said engagement head comprising a plurality of projections configured to break apart objects lodged in a drain mouth and obstructing flow of water;   a plunger head movably mounted on said shaft, wherein said plunger head is selectively movable between a first position in which said plunger head is disposed at said engagement head surrounding said projections and a second position in which said plunger head is disposed adjacent said handle portion, such that said projections are exposed; and   a releasable securing assembly comprising a first securing device to releasably secure said plunger head in said first position and a second securing device to releasably secure said plunger head in said second position.   
     
     
         2 . The drain-unclogging assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said plunger head comprises a guide sleeve movably mounted on shaft, wherein said guide sleeve has a length sufficient to permit grasping by a hand of a user. 
     
     
         3 . The drain-unclogging assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said guide sleeve comprises a hard plastic or hard rubber. 
     
     
         4 . The drain-unclogging assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of said projections comprises at least one cutting edge. 
     
     
         5 . The drain-unclogging assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said projections comprise fins projecting substantially radially. 
     
     
         6 . The drain-unclogging assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said fins are curved. 
     
     
         7 . The drain-unclogging assembly of  claim 6 , wherein said fins have a sloped edge. 
     
     
         8 . The drain-unclogging assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said projections comprise a resiliently deformable rubber or soft plastic. 
     
     
         9 . The drain-unclogging assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said plunger head comprises an orifice having a diameter sufficient to engage with a drain opening and to permit said plunger head to be moved past said projections. 
     
     
         10 . The drain-unclogging assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said plunger head comprises a first conical portion and a second conical portion connected together, and said first conical portion tapers to said guide sleeve and said second conical portion tapers to said orifice. 
     
     
         11 . The drain-unclogging assembly of  claim 2 , wherein each of said first and second securing devices comprises a locking member mounted on and projecting from said shaft and said guide sleeve comprises an opening therein configured to releasably engage with said locking member. 
     
     
         12 . The drain-unclogging assembly of  claim 11 , wherein said locking member comprises a spring disposed in said shaft and a tab attached to said spring and movable into and out of said shaft. 
     
     
         13 . The drain-unclogging assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said opening in said guide sleeve comprises a slot. 
     
     
         14 . A method of using the drain-unclogging assembly of  claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
 manually engaging and releasing said first securing device and moving said plunger head from said first position in which said plunger head is disposed at said engagement head surrounding said projections and to said second position in which said plunger head is disposed adjacent said handle portion, such that said projections are exposed;   breaking apart objects lodged in a drain mouth and obstructing flow of water using said projections;   manually engaging and releasing said second securing device and moving said plunger head from said second position to said first position;   engaging said drain mouth with said plunger head and plunging said drain; and   repeating said preceding steps as needed until water and objects flow satisfactorily through said drain mouth.   
     
     
         15 . The method of claim  18 , wherein said drain mouth is in a toilet bowl and said objects comprise at least one of fecal material and toilet paper. 
     
     
         16 . A drain-unclogging assembly comprising:
 an elongated structure comprising a handle, an engagement head, and a shaft connecting said handle and said engagement head;   said engagement head comprising a plurality of projections configured to break apart objects lodged in a drain mouth and obstructing flow of water, wherein
 each of said projections comprises at least one cutting edge, 
 said projections comprise fins projecting substantially radially, said fins are curved, said fins have a sloped edge, 
 said projections comprise a resiliently deformable rubber or soft plastic; 
   a plunger head movably mounted on said shaft, wherein said plunger head is selectively movable between a first position in which said plunger head is disposed at said engagement head surrounding said projections and a second position in which said plunger head is disposed adjacent said handle portion, such that said projections are exposed, wherein
 said plunger head comprises a guide sleeve movably mounted on shaft, said guide sleeve has a length sufficient to permit grasping by a hand of a user, said guide sleeve comprises a hard plastic or hard rubber, 
 said plunger head comprises an orifice having a diameter sufficient to engage with a drain opening and to permit said plunger head to be moved past said projections, 
 said plunger head comprises a first conical portion and a second conical portion connected together, wherein said first conical portion tapers to said guide sleeve and said second conical portion tapers to said orifice; and 
   a releasable securing assembly comprising a first securing device to releasably secure said plunger head in said first position and a second securing device to releasably secure said plunger head in said second position, wherein
 each of said first and second securing devices comprises a locking member mounted on and projecting from said shaft and said guide sleeve comprises an opening therein configured to releasably engage with said locking member, 
 said locking member comprises a spring disposed in said shaft and a tab attached to said spring and movable into and out of said shaft, and said opening in said guide sleeve comprises a slot.