US2037103A - Semiautomatic self-feed and selfcoiling snake tool - Google Patents

Description

l. D. YOHN pril 14, 19364.

sgMIAUToMATIc SABLE' FEED AND SELF cvoILING SNAKE TooiJ Fledoct urla'. uw

Pa'fentedApr. 14, i936 SEMIAUTOMATIQSLF-FED AND. SELF- COILING SNAKE TOOLV Ira D. Yohn,l Los Angeles, Calif.

Application October 2l, 1931, Serial No. 570,151

. 21 Claims.

My invention relates to cleaning devices, and more particularly to suchdevices as are used in cleaning clogged drains of sinks, toilets and the like, although in its broader Ilaspects is not to be limited to such; said device when it is operated `will not mar or soil floors, furniture or the xtures with which said device is to be used, or become illled with extraneous material, such as dirt, rubbish and the like whena. drain is treated underneath buildings, obviating the `cleaning thereof after use, as isthe case with known devices for a similar purpose. It is moreover unnecessary at any time for the hands of the operator to touch the cleaning means or member, such as is neces- :sary in devices heretofore proposed, nor does such means become kink'ed while in use, all such .deleterious effects being effectively overcome.

It accordingly is an object ofmy invention' to provide a novel form of cleaning device in which in any way. i

a cleaning means, such as a snake of vany *preferred length, and equipped upon one' end with a suitable cleaning tool, either of conventional or novel form, is adapted for rotation in forward or reverse direction to provide a forward and retractive movement of said tool, to the end that said snake be fed either semi-automatically, or manually into and out of a drain, said snake being coiled or uncoiled, at any preferred speed, means being provided for this purpose, said device being also equipped with means whereby it may be used either vertically such as when applied to a. sink or toilet, or horizontally when used inother relations, such' as below a building.

It is also withinl the province of my invention to provide a novel form of 'self feeding mechanism consisting of a plural part structure, capable of manual adjustment, to the end that the same may be positioned about the cleaning means, and may optionally be used or not, as in practice preferred.

or needed.

A still'further object of my invention is to' provide a manual feeding/device for the cleaning means, cnprising a plural part structure adapted to be secured to said cleaning means so said means, if desired,'may be fed at a faster speed, or adjusted so it may be rendered slidable thereon. It is also within the province of my invention to equip my novel device with a protective means constructed of suitable'materlal, so that when said device isused, in connection with porcelain sinks or toilets, or highly polishedmetal, said porcelain or metal will not be marred or damaged t The above, and further objectsand advantages loi? my invention, kaswill hereinafter more fully i zontal position.

Describing my invention more in detail, in its appear, I attain by the construction describedin the specification, and illustrated on the drawing,y

forming a part of vmy application.-` Y

Reference is had to the accompanying 'draw-1l ing, in which similar reference characters denote:

similar parts. In the drawing, 1

Fig. 1 is a. perspective view showing one pra`ctical application of my invention, illustratingv how-v the invention maybe applied to the wash bowl of a bathroom to clean the drain pipe,

Fig. 2 isa somewhat enlargedv cross-sectional y view, taken on the line 2-2, Fig. 1, a Fig. 3- is a front elevational view of the device, looking inthe direction of the arrow 3, Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged. fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 4-4, Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows, J

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view, taken on the line 55, Fig. 3, looking in the "direction of the arrows, I

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional vie'w taken through the manual feeding device, said device being illustrated in operative position on the cleaning means,

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional viewillustrating how the cleaning means or snake is anchored to the casing in which it is coiled or uncoiled,

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on' the line 8 9, Fig. 2,

Fig. 9 is a similar view, taken on the line 9-9, Fig. 2, and

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view, illustrating how the invention may be used in a horibroader aspects said invention comprises a novel form of device adapted to be vused. both horizontally and vertically, or. in an angular position.

Said device consists of a suitable framework with which is mounted for rotation, a suitable cleaning means or snake, adapted for reciprocation, that is, a forward and reverse movement, either oi conventional or novel form. Said cleaning means has positioned on one end thereof a suitable tool which 'may be inserted in a drain or 'the like and reciprocated and rotated to clean such drain.

More specifically, my invention ncomprises a suitable 'framework' 2, which may be of-any de sired shape, and constructed of any preferred material, which framework 2 may be considered stationary withY respect to a movable framework 4, suitably mounted for rotation within said stationaryframework 2, any vsuitable means, such as the crank 6 being provided lfoi-:rotating said curled portion I (Fig. 2, more particularly) may be provided, to be` engaged by the finger of the operator to provide diierent leverage so that the speed of rotation of said rotary framework, and its adjuncts, to be presently described, may be .vided with antan varied. It ywill, of course, be understood that any other preferred means for accomplishing said rotation may be substituted for that just described.

Any suitable bearings I2 may be provided for the rotation of theframework 4 with respect to the stationary framework 2, and mounted for rotation with the framework 4 is a preferably circular casing I4, constructed of suitable material,

and secured to said rotary framework in any preferred way as by a stationary shaft I6 (Figs. 2 and 3), secured to the framework 4 inv any suitable way, as by the nut and bearing assembly '|6.

The casing I4 is adapted to house the cleaning means or snake 20, provided upon one end with a suitable cleaning tool or device 22, said snake 26 being preferably secured or anchoredinternally of said casing by any suitable means, such as the clamp 24 '(Fig. 7, more particularly), said snake 2|I- extending through a suitable guide tube 26,

preferably extending within'the casing I4 (Fig. 2,

to the rotatable framework 4 by the screw collar more particularly), said guide tube 26 being anchored to the shaft I6 by any suitable means, such as the clamp or strap 26 by means of a screw bolt 30 (Fig. 4) said guide tube 26 being anchored and annulus assembly 32 (Fig. 9).

The guide tube 261s preferably bent to extend in an arc around the axis of the casing I4 as shown in Figure 3. 'I'his avoids the delivery of the snake4 20 from the guide tube on a radius of the casing and thereby prevents kinking of the snake in the casing.

Any suitable mounting 34 for the framework 2 may be provided, which may be of skeleton or other form, and may be secured to the framework.

2 in any preferred way, as indicated by theflange and bolt assembly 36 (Fig. 3), any suitable material 36, such as felt, leather, rubber or the like being provided on the outer end of said mounting 34 to prevent marring, scratching or damaging the porcelain or highly polished metal on which the deviceis to be positioned.

The mounting 34 is also provided with a suitable snake guide 4B, secured thereto as desired (Figs. 3 and 8), and through which said snake 20 is'guided as it is payed out from thedevice into the drain.

To provide for a semi-automatic feed of thel snake 20, the device 42 (Fig. 5) is provided, which device preferably comprises a pair of relatively movable members 44 having associated therewith in any preferred Way as by bolts or screws the clamping devices 46, which areinternally threaded to engage the outer threaded portion of the snake 20, a suitable fulcrum 48 being associated with one of the members 44 so that the other may be fulcrumed thereon, a thumb screw assembly 60, associated with both said members 44 being provided to adjust said members toward and Vaway from each other, the adjustable bolt and lspring means 52 being provided to opposethe movement of said bars. By adjusting the thumb moans 50, the threat-.ed clamps 46 may be caused to engage the snake 20, so as the framework 4 and casing I4 are rotated, the snake 26 will be fed through the guidev tube 26 and .through the clamps 46, the tool 22 entering the drain as xsaid snake is uncoiled. By reversing the moverentgof said framework and casing the snake 20 is coilh and withdrawn from the drain. ,For observatin purposes, the casing I4 may be proeferred number of sight openings 54, which ma be used for Washing the snake and casing.

`It may sometimesA be desired in practice to operatethe snake 20 and its tool\-2.2 manually and directly, without the use of the movable framework 4, as,-for example, when an obstruction in a clogged pipe is encountered, which) it is more ,or less dimcult to dislodge by actuating the crank 6 orthe curled portions-III. Tof-this end the manu ally operable device 56, more particularly shown in Figure 6, may be employed.

The device 56 comprises apair of adjustable members 66 having cut out and threaded portions matching the external thread of the snake 20, and the threads of which are adapted to be pressed into engagement with such threads of the snake 20 or released from such engagement, suitable plates 51 and screws 66 being provided, whereby the device may be tightly detachably clamped and secured to such snake 26 for longitudinal and rotary movement jointly therewithso that the snake may be moved by means of such device either rotatably or longitudinally or have both longitudinal and rotatory movement impartedv thereto simultaneously manually or by means of a tool operating such device.l

In operation, the semi-automatic feed device 42, (Figure 5, more particularly) is first rendered inoperative byloosening its parts 46, l and 62, which frees the snake from such'semiautomatic device and permits the longitudinal movement of the same through the tube or guiding sheath portion 26, without,hindrance. When by grasping the manually Operable devicewith the hand and rotating the same, together with the snake 20 relesably secured thereto, the snake 26 may be suitably manipulated as by reciprocation and rotations. to penetrate the obstruction and otherwise suitably clear the drain of the obstruction. l

It is also desirable in practice that the.frame work 2 may be used horizontally as well as vertically. Accordingly, a suitable stand 62, which may be pivoted to the framework 2, vmay be provided, which stand may be rotated on its pivot out of the plane of said framework, and placed at right angles thereto. 'I'his permits the use of the invention horizontally, as, for example, when working below buildings.

In operation when it is desired to feed the snake into a drain or the like this may be done manually by releasing the clamps 46 and the clamps 53 and pulling the snake out by hand whereupon the end 22 may be inserted in the drain. Also the snake -may be fed forwardly into the drain by rotating the crank 6 in the .proper direction so is desired one may release the clamps 46 andgrip the clamps 58 by his hand to firmly grasp the snake between them. He may then, while members.

holding the frame and casing stationary, reciprocate the snake in the drain.

` In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of operation of my invention together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best em' bodiment thereof; but I desire to haveit underciated with one end of each of said members for adjusting said members with respect: to each other on said first mentioned means, and means associated with the other end of each of said members for opposing the movement of said 2. In a device-of the kind described, a supporting frame having two ends, a shaft rotatably supported at one end of the frame, a guide journalled Vai; the other end of the frame in'alignment with said shaft, a disc-.like housing, 'means to support said housing at diametrically opposite points-by said shaft and guide wherebytthe housing may be revolved on a diameter extending axially of the shaft and guide, and a plumbers snake ex- Vtending through said guide and into the housing, said housing having an opening in one side and spaced inwardly from its periphery and the guide extending to said opening to lead the snake into the housing.

3. In a device of thekind described, a supporting frame having two ends, a shaft rotatably supported at oneend of the frame, a guide journalled at the other end of the frame in alignment with said shaft, a disc-like housing, means to support said housingat diametrically opposite points by said shaft and guide wherebythe housingmay be revolved on a diameter extending axially of the shaft and guide, and a plumbers snake extending through said guide and into the housing, said housing. having an opening in one side and spaced inwardly from its periphery and the guide extending into said opening to lead the snake into axially of the shaft and guide, and a plumbers snake extending through said guide and into the housing, said housing having an opening in one side and spaced inwardlyfrom its periphery-and the guide extending into said opening to lead 3 the. snake into the housing, said guidev having the end within the housing positioned to lie at an acute angle to a radial line extending from the center of the housing through" the extremity of the guide.-

5. In a device of the kind described, a supporting frame having two ends, `a shaft rotatably' supported at one end of theframe, a guide journailed at the other end of the frame in alignment with'said shaft, a disc-like4v housing, means tosupport said housing at 'diametrically opposite points by said shaft and guide whereby the housing may be revolved on a -diameter extending axially of the shaft and guide, a plumbers snake extending through said guide and into the housing, said housinghaving an opening in one side and spaced inwardly from its periphery andthe guide extending to said opening to lead the snake into the housing, said snake having a screw threaded exterior, and a nut on said supporting lframle adjacent said guide through which said snake is screwed whereby rotation of the housing in the frame causes longitudinal movement of the snake.

6. In a device of the kind described, a supporting frame having two ends, a shaft rotatably supported at one end of the frame, a guide journalled at the other end of the fram'e in 'alignment with said shaft. a disc-like housing, means to support said' housing'at diametrically opposite points by said shaft and guide whereby, the housing may be revolved on a diameter extending axially of theshaft and guide, a plumbers snake extending through said guide and into the housing, said housing 'having an opening in one `side and spaced inwardly from its periphery and the guide extending into said openingto lead the snake into the housing, said snake having a screw threaded exterior, and a nut on said supporting frame adjacent said guide through which said snake is screwed whereby rotation of the housing in the frame causes longitudinal movement of the'snake.

'7. vIn a device of the kind described, a supporting frame having two ends,y a shaft rotatably supported at one end of the frame, a guide journalled at the other end of the frame in alignment with saidshaft, a disc-like housing, means to support said housing at diametrically opposite points by said shaft and guide whereby the housing may be revolved on a diameter `extending axially oi' the shaft and guide, a plumbers snake extending through said guide and into the housing, said housing having an opening in one side and spaced inwardly from its periphery and the 4guide extending into said opening to lead the snake into the housing, said guide having the end within the'housing positioned to lieat an acute angle to a radial line extending from the center of the housing through'the extremity of the guide, said ,snake having a screw threaded exterior, and a nut on said supporting frame adjacent said guide through which said snake is screwed whereby rotation of the housing in the frame causes longitudinal movementof the snake. l v

8. 'In a device of the kind described, a supporting frame having two ends, a shaft rotatably supported at one end of the frame, a guide journalled at the other end of the frame in alignment with said shaft, a disc-like housing, means 1 to support said housing at diametricallyopposltepoints by said shaft and guide whereby the housing may be revolved on a diameter extending axially of the shaft and guidefa plumbers snake extending through said guide and'into the housing, said housing having an opening in one side and release the snake, and spring m'eans urging said nut to close on the snake.

9. In a device of the kind-described, a supporting frame having two ends,` a shaft rotatably supported at one end of the frame, a guide journalled at the other end of the frame in alignment with said shaft, a disc-like housing, means to support said housingl at diametrically opposite points by said shaft and guide whereby the housing may be revolved on a diameter extending axially of the shaft and guide, a plumbers snake extending through said guide and into the housing,.said housing having an openingl in one side and spaced inwardly from its' periphery and the` guide extending into said opening to lead the snake into the housing, saidsnake having a threaded exterior, a split nut carried by said supporting frame adjacent said guide to grip the snake and thereby cause longitudinal movement of the snake as the housing is revolved in the frame, said nut being arranged for manual opening to release the snake, and spring means urging said nut to close on the snake.

10. In a device of the kind described, a supporting frame having two ends, a shaft rotatably supported at one end of the frame, a guide journalled at the other end of the frame in alignment with said shaft, a disc-like housing, means to support Vsaid housing at diametrically opposite points by said shaft and guide whereby the housing may be revolved on a diameter extending. axially of the shaft and guide, a plumbers snake extending through said guide and into the housing, said housing having an opening in one side and spaced inwardly fromits periphery and the guide extending into said opening to ,lead the snake into the housing, said guide having the end within the housingpositioned to lie at an acute angle to a radial line extending from the center of the housing through the extremity of th guide, said snake having a threaded exterior, a split nut carried by said supporting frame adjacent said guide to grip the snake and thereby' cause longitudinal movement of the snake as the housing isrrevolved in the frame, said nut being arranged for manual opening-=to release the snake, and spring means urging said nut to close on the snake.

` 11. In a device of the kind described, an open supporting frame having two ends, a revoluble frame rotatably supported in said supporting frame at opposite ends thereof to revolve on an .axis extending across the supporting frame,

means whereby the revoluble frame may be rotated on its axis, a stub `shaft carried by the revoluble frame and extending substantially at right angles thereto and a disc like circular housing substantiallyaxially rotatably mounted on said shaft, one supportfor said revoluble frame being tubular to constitute a guide, and a plumbers i snake extending through said guide and into the housing, said housing having an opening in one side and spaced inwardly from its periphery and the guide extending to said opening to lead the snake into the housing.

12. In a'ldevice ofthe kindf-described, an open supporting frame having two ends, a revoluble frame rotatably supported in said 'supporting frame at opposite -ends thereof to revolve on an means whereby the revoluble frame may be rotated on its axis, a stub shaft carried by the revoluble frame and extending substantially at right angles thereto and a disc like circular housing substantially axially rotatably mounted on said shaft, one support for said revoluble frame being tubular to constitute a guide, and a plumbers snake extending through saidl guide and into the housing, said housing having an opening in one side and spaced inwardly from its periphery and the guide extending into said opening to lead the snake into the housing.

13. In a device of the kind described, an open supporting frame having two ends,.a revoluble frame rotatably supported in said supporting frame at opposite ends thereof to revolve on an axis extending across the supporting frame, means whereby the revoluble frame may be rotated on its axis, astub shaft carried by the revoluble frame and extending substantially at right angles thereto and a disc like circular housing substantially axially rotatably mounted on said shaft, one support for said revoluble frame beingl tubular to constitute a guide, and a plumbers snake extending through said guide and into the housing, said housing 'having an opening in one side and spaced inwardly from its periphery and the guide extending into said opening to'lead the snake into the housing, said guide having the end within the housing positioned to lie at an acute angle to a radial line vextending from the center` of the housing through the extremity of the guide. 14. In a device of the kind described, an open supporting frame having two ends, a revoluble frame rotatably supported in said supporting.

frame at `opposite ends thereof to revolve on an axis extending across the supporting frame, means whereby the revoluble frame may be rotated on its axis, a. stub shaft carried by the revoluble frame and extending substantially at right angles thereto and a disc like circular housing substantially' axially rotatably mounted on said shaft, one support for said revoluble frame being tubular to constitute a guide, a plumbers snake extending through said guide and into the housing, said housing having an opening in one side and spaced inwardly from its periphery and the guide extending to said opening to lead the snake into the housing, said snake having a screw threaded exterior, and a nut on said supportingy tated on its axis, a stub shaft carried by the revoluble frame and extending substantially at right angles thereto and a disc like circular housing y substantially axially .rotatably mounted on -said shaft, one support for said revoluble frame being tubular to constitute a guide, a plumbers snake extending through said guide and into the housing, said housing having an opening in one side and spaced inwardly from its/periphery and the guide extending into said opening to lead the snakel into the housing, said snake having: a screw threaded exterior, and a nut on said supporting frame adjacent said guide through which said axis extending across the supporting iframe,V

Ibeing arranged for manual opening to release snake is screwed whereby rotation of the housing in the frame causes longitudinal movement of the snake.

l16. In a device of the kind described, an open supporting frame having two ends,v a revoluble frame rotatably supported in said supporting frame at opposite ends thereof to revolve on'an axis extending across the supporting frame, means whereby the revoluble frame may be rotated on its axis, -a stub shaft carried by the revoluble frame and extending substantially at right angles thereto and a disc-like circular housing substantially axially rotatably mounted on said shaft, one support for said revoluble frame being tubular to constitute a guide, a plumber's snake extending through said'guide and into the housing, said housing having an opening in one sidev and spaced inwardly from its periphery and the A guide extending -into said opening to lead the snake into the housing, said guide having the end within the housing Vpositioned to lie at anacute angle to a radial line extending from the center of the housing through the extremity of the guide, said snake having a screw threaded exterior, and a nut on said supporting frame through which saidsnake is' screwed whereby rotation of the housing in the frame causes longitudinal movement ofthe snake.

17. In a device ef 'the kind described, an opensupporting frame having two ends, a revoluble frame rotatably supported in said supporting frame at opposite ends thereof to revolve on an axis extending across the supporting frame, means whereby the revoluble frame may be rotated on its axis, a stub shaft carried by the revoluble frame and extending substantially at right angles thereto, and a disc like 'circular housing rotatably mounted on said shaft, one support for said rev-.- oluble frame being tubularto constitute a guide, a plumber's snake extending through said guide and into the housing, said housing havingan opening in one side and spaced inwardly from its periphery. and the guide extending to said A opening to lead the snake into the housing, said snake having a threaded exterior, a split nut car-- ried by said supporting frame adjacent said guide to grip the snake and thereby cause longitudinal movement of the snake as the housing ls revolved in the frame, said nut being arranged for manual opening to release the snake, and spring means urging said nut to close on the snake.

18. In a device of the kind described, anA open` thereto and a disc like circular housing substantially axially rotatably mounted on said shaft, one

support for said revoluble frame Abeing tubulai to. constitute a guide, a plumbers snake extending through said guide and into the housing, said y housing having an opening in one side and spaced inwardly from its periphery and the 4guide extending into said opening to lead the snake into the housing, said snake having a. threaded exterior, asplit nut carried by. said supporting frame adjacent said guide to grip the snake a id as the housing is revolvedingthe frame, saidnut oluble frame and extendingsubstantially at right angles theretoand a disc like circular'housing substantially axially rotatably mounted on said shaft, one support for said'revoluble frame being tubular-to constitute a guide, a plumber's snake ex tending through said guidef and into the housing, said housing having an opening 'in one side and spacedinwardly from itsperiphejry and the guideextending into said opening to lead the snakev into-the housing, said guide having the end within the housing positionedto lie at' an acute anglev v to a radial line extending from the center of the 4 housing through the extremityof the guide,.-Said snake having a threaded exterior, alsplit nut carried by said: supporting frame adjacent said vguide to grip the snake and thereby cause longitudinal movement kofthe snake as the housing is revolved `in the frame,'said nut .being arranged for manual opening to release't/he snai-re,l and spring mean urging said nut to close on the snake.

comprising, a substantially circular casing havother end extending out substantially radially y from4 saidcircular casing, means at the other end of the support whereby it and the casing may be revolved about the axis of the support to rotate the snake, and a resilient and flexible plumber's 1 snake' extending 1 through. said guide meansto enter the casingv and coil against its peripheral portion." l

21; A" snake handling and storing implement comprising, a substantially circular casing` having an openingin one face spaced inwardly of lthe periphery of the casing, said casing being substantially of lenticular form andy having a relatively thick central portion and a relatively thin perlpheral'portion, an elongated support forsaid cas' extending `diametrically across the face op ite said opening, a stub axle carried by said sup rt andfhaving the casingcentrally mounted 'there n for free revolution, said support having at one end guide means for aplumber's snake,I

said guide means at one end terminating adjaoutsubstantially radially from said circular casing, means at the other end of the support whereby it and the'casing may'be revolved about the axis of the support to rotate the snake, and a resilient andv exible plumber's snake extending through said guide means toV enterthe casing and coil against its peripheral portion. l thereby cause longitudinal movement of the snaxe f IRA D. vYOHN'.

' Acent said opening and at the'other end extending `3o .20. A snakeA lhandlngand vstoring implement

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