US3703015A

US3703015A - Conduit cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3703015A
Application number: US174812A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lester H Naeve
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-08-25
Filing date: 1971-08-25
Publication date: 1972-11-21
Anticipated expiration: 1989-11-21

Abstract

Conduit cleaning apparatus characterized by a cage containing a demountable reel of cable; a support frame comprising a base member; a support means carried by the base member for effecting reciprocal movement of the cage; first and second ratchet gripping means for either advancing the cable from the reel into the conduit to be cleaned or from the conduit and into the reel when the cage is moved reciprocally via the support means. The cage may be rotated by either manual or power drive means. The apparatus is designed to be broken down into four subassemblies so that one worker may easily transport, assemble, use and disassemble the apparatus without requiring a helper. Also disclosed are specific structural features that are employed in preferred embodiments.

Description

United States Patent Naeve [451 Nov. 21, 1972 [54] CONDUIT CLEANING APPARATUS [72] Inventor: Lester 1-1. Naeve, 3504 Parker Road,

Fort Worth, Tex. 76117 221 Filed: Aug. 25, 1971 211 Appl.No.: 174,812

[52] US. Cl. ..15/104.3 SN

[51] Int. Cl. ..B08b 9/02 [58] Field of Search....l5/l04.3 R, 104.3 SN; 242/54 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Primary Examiner-Edward L. Roberts AttorneyWm. T. Wofford et a1.

[5 7 ABSTRACT Conduit cleaning apparatus characterized by a cage containing a demountable reel of cable; a support frame comprising a base member; a support means carried by the base member for effecting reciprocal movement of the cage; first and second ratchet gripping means for either advancing the cable from the reel into the conduit to be cleaned or from the conduit and into the reel when the cage is moved reciprocally via the support means. The cage may be rotated by either manual or power drive means, The apparatus is designed to be broken down into four subassemblies so that one worker may easily transport, assemble, use and disassemble the apparatus without requiring a helper. Also disclosed are specific structural features that are employed in preferred embodiments.

11 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures CONDUIT CLEANING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to conduit cleaning apparatus. More particularly, it relates to apparatus for supporting and using a rotary cable-carrying reel which contains a flexible cable of the type used for cleaning sewer and drain pipes.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art has seen the excellent development of rotary cable-carrying reels for cleaning out conduits such as sewers, drain pipes, and the like. Such apparata are typified by US. Pat. Nos. Re 22,1 13, reissued 1942; 2,355,733, patented 1944; and 3,534,423, patented 1970.The above-referenced US. Pat. No. 3,534,423 contains an excellent description of the ordinary practice of cleaning conduit.

I have been in the business of selling the conduit cleaning apparatus of the type known to the prior art, and insofar as I am aware, the prior art apparatus has suffered from two major disadvantages. Firstly, the prior art apparatus did not afford a convenient way to effect advancement of the cable containing the cutter, or cleaning apparatus, on its end, into the conduit;or easily effect retraction of the cable from the conduit into the cable reel. Secondly, the prior art apparatus did not break down into subassemblies that could be readily transported by a single worker; some of the subassemblies weighing in excess of 100 pounds; for example, up to 250 pounds; and accordingly required two workers to operate satisfactorily, particularly where it was necessary to transport the apparatus to a roof or the like to go through a vent pipe for satisfactory cleaning of the conduit.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to obviate the disadvantages of the prior art apparatus and provide apparatus which facilitates either advancement of the cable into theconduit, or retraction of the cable from the conduit. 1

It is also an object of this invention to provide sewer cleaning apparatus that obviates the disadvantages of the prior art in that it may be readily disassembled into subassemblies that are easily transportable by only one worker and that may be readily reassembled and used.

Other objects will become apparent from the accompanying drawings and the descriptive matter hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a disassembled view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrating the readily transportable subassemblies thereof.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial side elevational view, partly cutaway and sectional, illustrating a ratchet gripping means of the embodiment of FIG. I. 1

FIG. 5 illustrates a partial side elevational view of the handle and holding means of the ratchet gripping means of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, the conduit cleaning apparatus 11 comprises the major subassemblies or elements of cage means 13 for containing a reel of cable, support frame 15, mounting means 16 for rotatably connecting the cage means with the support means, reel 17 containing cable 19, rotating means 21 for rotating the cage means, and first and second ratchet gripping means 23 and 25 for allowing a predetermined relative movement and blocking against other predetermined relative movement between the cable and the ratchet gripping means.

As canbe seen in FIGS. l-3, the cage means 13 includes an outer cage structure 27 including a driving rim 29,"a back plate 31 and a hub and shaft assembly 33. The outer cage structure 27 is shaped to facilitate insertion of the reel 17. The reel 17 is readily mounted and demounted by insertion upon the hub and shaft as sembly 33 and about two lower keepers 35 and an upper keeper 37, FIG. 2. The upper keeper 37 has a pivotallatch that may be pivoted in alignment with the base shaft for insertion of the reel and pivoted to retain the reel in place thereafter. Accordingly, the reel is frictionally held in place so that it rotates as the cage means 13 is rotated. Driving rim 2.9 is adapted to fit the particular element employed in the driving assembly.

For example, it may be a gear if a gear drive is employed; a sprocket if a chain drive is employed; or a belt receiving rim if a belt drive is employed, as illustrated. The hub and shaft assembly 33 are joumalled via conventional bearing means for rotational movement in the mounting means 16. As illustrated, the cage means 13 has its central longitudinal axis, as defined by the hub and shaft assembly 33, aligned with the apex of the converging members of the outer cage structure 27 such thatthe second ratchet gripping means 25 may be emplaced at this region of convergence and a cable 19 will feed readily from the reel 17 therethrough, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.

The support frame 15 comprises a base member 39 carrying a support means 41 for effecting reciprocal movement of the cage means with respect to the base member 39. As illustrated, the support means 41 comprises an upright support means that is pivotally carried by the base member 39 so as to allow reciprocal movement of the cage means by reciprocal movement of the top 43 of the support means. The upright support means 41 comprises first and second

upright support members

45 and 47 that are pivotally mounted on the base member 39. The mounting brackets 49 and mounting shafts 51 for second upright support members 47 are respectively longer and higher than the mounting brackets 53 and mounting shafts 55 for first upright support member 45 in order that they will fold via pivotal movement to the flat position, as illustrated I in FIG. 2, and form a flat, readily transportable base suthe central longitudinal axis of the cage means 13 can be positioned at different angles with respect to the base member 39. As illustrated, each longitudinal member 59 has an aperture 61 for receiving a conventional spring biased snap-in bolt 63 to facilitate pivotal installation of the cage means 13 within first upright support member 45. Additionally, the longitudinal member 59 has a vertically disposed, pivotally mounted bracket 65 for slidably receiving the respective second upright support members 47. A suitable tightening means such as nut with bolt and wing tightening means 67, is provided for tightening the bracket 65 onto the upright member 47 once the desired angle has been attained. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the respective mounting bracket 65 and upright support members 47 are pivotally mounted on each side for stability, yet allowing the desired reciprocal movement of the cage means 13. The mounting means 16 also has a second vertically disposed mounting bracket 69 for slidably receiving members of a power drive unit. The second mounting bracket 69 also has suitable nut with a bolt and a wing tightening means 71 for affixing it with the member of the power drive unit, once the desired drive arrangement has been attained.

Thus, it can be seen that the mounting means 16 may be readily snapped into position via snap-in bolt 63 being received in aperture 61, the upright support members 47 received in respective mounting brackets 65, and the wing tightening means 67 tightened to attain the desired angle of the central axis of the cage means 13 with respect to the base member 39. The base member 39, the

upright support members

45 and 47 and the longitudinal member 59 of the mounting means 16 form a quadrilateral figure having pivot connections at each practical comer of the figure such that a desired angle of the central axis of the cage means may be maintained during reciprocal movement of the top 43 and of the cage means 13, even though there is an arcuate movement of the respective snap-in bolt 63.

The reel 17 and cable 19 are of the form that is conventional. For ease of carrying the subassemblies herein, however, the reel is designed to carry only 50 feet of cable instead of the 100-150 feet that have been conventional heretofore. Experience has indicated that the 100-150 feet reels are too heavy for one worker to safely carry. The ends of the modern cables in the reel may be connected together easily so this invention uses smaller reels containing less cable. The cable may take any of the conventional forms, one of which is the closely wound helix of tempered steel similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4. Since the reel and cable are conventional and are not being claimed, per se, there is no need for further detailed description herein.

The rotating means may comprise a simple hand crank 75 that is connectable via gear box 77 with the shaft of the hub and shaft assembly 33 for manually rotating the cage means 13. On the other hand, the

rotating means may comprise a power drive assembly .79 that is drivingly connectable with the cage means 13. As illustrated, the power drive assembly 79 comprises an electric motor 81 that may be connected via suitable extension cord (not shown) with a source of electric power, switch 83 for controlling the motor, and

suitable drive comprising pulley 85 an endless member such as a belt 87. As illustrated, the electric motor 81 is mounted on suitable mounting pad 91 having upright members 93 for being received within the second vertically disposed mounting bracket 69 on mounting means 16. Specifically, the belt 87 may be emplaced about rim 29 and pulley and the desired tension effectedby sliding the upright members 93 in second mounting bracket 69. Thereafter, the wing tightening means 71 is tightened to retain the power drive assembly 79 is place. For disassembly, the wing tightening means 71 may be readily loosened, the pulley 85 removed from the belt 87, and the members 91 slid downwardly out of brackets 69.

The first ratchet means 23 is carried so as to be stationary with respect to the base member 39. It has means for adjusting its height and angle to accommodate the cable 19 that is fed therethrou'gh at a predetermined angle without increasing the tendency of the cable to bend as it is forced into the conduit (not shown). As illustrated, the first ratchet gripping means 23 is carried by a third upright member 95 that is pivotally mounted on the base member 39 by conventional mounting bracket 97 and mounting shaft 99. The third upright member 95 is adapted to slidingly receive member 101 having angle clamp 103 connecting it with the first ratchet gripping means 23. The angle is adjusted by loosening the wing nut 105, setting the desired angle and re-tightening the wing nut 105 onto its bolt. As is known, the angle clamp 103 may have serrated teeth on both halves to facilitate holding the set angle. As described with respect to the mounting bracket 65, the upright member 95 has suitable nut with bolt and wing tightening means 107 for retaining the set height by being screwed inwardly against member 101. The third upright member 95 may be pivoted down into a horizontal plane, as illustrated in FIG. 2, to form a fiat, readily transportable base subassembly. The third upright member 95 may be retained in its upright position during operation by frictionally tightening a nut (not shown) on mounting shaft 99. The force retaining the upright member 95 in its upright position may be increased by the use of serrated teeth on its edge adjacent mounting bracket 97 and on mounting bracket 97 such that when the nut is tightened, the teeth inter-engage and hold the first ratchet gripping means stationary. if desired, the upright member 95 may be permanently welded to a region adjacent the forward end of the base member 39, but kept short so as not to interfere with easy transportation of the base subassembly.

The second ratchet gripping means 25 is carried so as to be stationary with respect to the cage means 13 and movable with respect to the base; or, more importantly, movable with respect to the first ratchet means 23; in order to effect the desired playing out or retraction of the cable 19. As illustrated, the second ratchet gripping means 25 is welded to the converging rod members of the outer cage structure 27.

Each of the first and second ratchet gripping means has, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, handle 109 and holding means 111 for determining whether or not the respective ratchet gripping means will grip and hold the cable and in what direction of relative movement against which the respective ratchet gripping means will hold. The handle 109 and holding means 111 are mounted for pivotal movement about a mounting shaft 113. The mounting bracket 114, illustrated with the front side cut away, serves as a cam surface having two respective side surfaces 117 and 119, and top surface 121 that co-act with a biased cam follower means 123 for maintaining the handle and holding means in a set position. Specifically, the cam follower means 123 may comprise a washer that is biased by suitable spring 125 to retain the handle 109 and holding means 111 in a set position; that is, on either side, or at the neutral, or upright, position. The holding means 111 has a neutral portion, illustrated as flat bottom portion 125; and, on

either side of the neutral portion, respective ratchet portions 127 and 129. As illustrated clearly in FIG. 5, each ratchet portion hasrespective ratchet pawls 131 that have respectively increasing radii r r and r that increase as the distance of the pawl from the neutral portion increases. Expressed otherwise, the radius r;, is larger than the radius r which is also greater than radius r such that the ratchet portion will grip the cable when the cable tries to move in one direction with respect to the ratchet gripping means. For example, it can be seen in FIG. 4 that, with the handle moved to the left, as illustrated by dashed lines 131, the ratchet gripping means will allow the cable to move to the left, as indicated by the dashed arrow 133 but will grip the cable and prevent its movement to the right. Conversely, if the handle is moved to the right in FIG. 4, the cable will be allowed to move to the right but will be gripped when it is attempted to be moved to the left. In the center position, however, as illustrated, it can be seen that the flat bottom surface 125 does not contact the cable and allows free rotation of the cable, as for cutting roots or the like in a drain or sewer line.

In operation, the apparatus 11 is assembled by joining the respective subassemblies as described hereinbefore at the site where the conduit is to be cleaned. The cleaning attachment (not shown) is attached to the leading end of the cable 19 after the cable has been threaded through the first and second

ratchet gripping means

23 and 25. The cable is fed into the conduit to be cleaned and the cage means 13 is rotated. The respective handles of the first and second

ratchet gripping means

23 and 25 are moved to the forward position, illustrated by dashed lines 133. The top 43 is pushed forwardly to advance the cage means 13, and consequently, the reel 17 and cable 19. Since the tendency for relative movement is for the second ratchet gripping means 25 to move to the left, its holding means 111 grips the cable and pushes the cable forwardly as the top 43 is pushed forwardly. On the other hand, the first ratchet gripping means 23' allows the cable to move to the left without gripping it. After the desired forward movement of the reel has been affected, the top 43 is moved rearwardly. During this movement, the respective relative motions are reversed; the cable 19, FIG. 4, tending to move to the right with respect to the first ratchet gripping means 23.

The first ratchet gripping means 23 therefore holds the cable and prevents it moving to the right. On the other hand, the second ratchet gripping means 25 now perceives the relative motion as a movement of the cable to its left as it is moved to the right, or rearwardly of the base member 39; consequently, it releases the cable and allows itself to be moved over the cable without gripping the cable. After the movement on the right, or

rearwardly, is terminated and the forward movement again begun, simultaneously with rotation of the cage means 13 and the reel 17 and cable 19, if desired, the respective relative motions are again reversed, as described on the forwardstroke hereinbefore. Consequently, the cable is gripped by the second hatchet gripping means 25 and forced through the first ratchet gripping means 23. Thus, by the respective reciprocating motion of the cage means 13 through the reciprocating motion of the top 43' of first upright support member 45, the rotating cable, with its cleaning device on its forward end, is advanced into the conduit to be cleaned. When an obstruction is encountered, the ratchet gripping means may be moved to the center to allow free rotation; or they may be left in position and the rotation tends to advance the cable into the conduit incrementally as the obstacle is cut away, or cleaned from the conduit. Thus, a conduit may be cleaned for a desired distance. If the entire amount of cable is used from one reel, it is joined rapidly and easily with the end of the cable in the next reel, the empty reel removed, and the next reel emplaced and the operation continued.

After the conduit has been cleaned for the desired distance, the cable is rewound into the reel by movement of the ratchet gripping means to the right, as indicated by dashed lines 135. Again, the top 43 is moved reciprocally to efi'ect the rewinding of the cable. In the rewindingoperation, however, the operation of the respective ratchet gripping means is reversed. Specifically, the ratchet portion 129 is emplaced adjacent the cable 19. Consequently, during a forward movement, or movement to the left in FIG. 1, the first ratchet gripping means 23 will grip the cable and prevent its movement, whereas the second ratchet gripping means 25 will slip over the cable. On the reverse stroke, or movement to the right, however, the first ratchet gripping means 23 will allow the cable to move to the right therethrough, whereas the second gripping means 25 will grip the cable, and pull the cable to the right as the cage means 13 is moved to the right. After the termination of the movement to the right, and during the movement to the left, the cable is coiled into reel 17 and the respective ratchet gripping actions reversed, as described with respect to the first movement to the left during retraction, or rewinding, of the cable 19.

After the cable has been emplaced within the reel, the respective subassemblies are readily disassembled by one worker and, by design, transported by one worker-to the truck without any danger of causing a hernia or otherwise straining the Worker. 7

Thematerials that are ordinarily employed in this art may be employed herein and no exotic new materials are necessary.

From the foregoing descriptivematter, it can be seen that this invention provides apparatus that accomplishes the objects delineated hereinbefore and obviates the disadvantages of the prior art structure. Specifically, this invention provides apparatus in which the cable may be easily advanced into the conduit to be cleaned, with safety to the operator. Moreover, this invention provides a conduit cleaning apparatus that may be easily disassembled into four easily portable subassemblies, readily reassembled, and used on the site by only one operator without requiring a helper or without endangering the health of the operator.

Although the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement ofparts may be resorted to without departing fromthe spirit and the scope of the invention. Moreover, obvious equivalents may be substituted for the specific elements and mechanical devices described.

What is claimed is:

1. Conduit cleaning apparatus comprising:

a. cage means for containing a reel of cable;

b. a support frame comprising a base member carrying a support means for effecting reciprocal movement of said cage means;

c. mounting means for rotatably connecting said cage means with said support means;

(1. reel readily removably connected to said cage means and containing cable for extending a cleaning device into said conduit;

e. rotating means for rotating said cage means and consequently said reel and cable;

f. first and second ratchet gripping means, said first ratchet gripping means being carried so as to be stationary with respect to said base member, and said second ratchet. gripping means being carried so as to be stationary with respect to said cage means and said reel and movable with respect to said base member; said first and second ratchet gripping means having movable holding means for determining whether or not said ratchet gripping means will grip and hold said cable and in what direction of relative movement against which they will hold such that said cage means on said support means may be moved reciprocally and effect advance of said cable from said reel and into said conduit when said first and second ratchet gripping means are in a first position and effect return of said cable from said conduit and into said reel when said first and second ratchet gripping means are in a second position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support means comprises an upright support means that is pivotally carried by said base member so as to allow reciprocal movement of said cage means and said mounting means also pivotally connects said cage means with said upright support means for properly carrying said cage means during pivotal reciprocal movement of said upright support means.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said upright support means comprises first and second upright support members that are pivotally mounted on said base member; said mounting means is adjustably connectable with one of said support members such that the central longitudinal axis of said cage means can be positioned at different angles with respect to said base member; and wherein said upright support members, said mounting means, and said base member form a multilateral figure with four pivotal connections from a side view for properly carrying said cage means during said reciprocal movement.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said mounting means is pivotally connected with said first upright support member and is connectable at a desired height with said second upright support member.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first ratchet gripping means has means for adjusting its height and angle to accommodate said cable fed at a predetermined angle without increasing the tendency of the.

cable to bend as it is forced into said conduit.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first ratchet gripping means is carried by a third upright member mounted on said base member, said cage means is readily disconnectable from said two upright support members, said rotating means is readily disconnectable, and said two upright support members can be folded fiat with said base member to form a substantially fiat, readily transportable subassembly; said cage means is a readily transportable subassembly; said reel and cable form a readily transportable subassembly; and said rotating means is a readily transportable subassembly; such that one worker can easily transport, assemble, use and disassemble said apparatus.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said third upright member is also pivotally mounted on said base member so as to be folded fiat.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each said ratchet gripping means comprises a handle and holding means mounted for pivotal movement about a mounting shaft, a cam surface having surfaces for maintaining at least three positions of said handle and holding means, biased cam follower means for maintaining said handle and holding means in a set position; said holding means comprises a neutral portion allowing free rotation of said cable when said first and second ratchet gripping means are in a third position; and having on each side of said neutral portion a ratchet portion having respective ratchet pawls that have respective radii with respect to said mounting shaft that increase as the distance of said pawl from said neutral portion increases.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rotating means comprises a power drive assembly that is drivingly connectable with said cage means.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said power drive assembly is adjustably and readily connectable with and disconnectable from said mounting means for easy assembly and disassembly.

1 l. Conduit cleaning apparatus comprising:

a. first ratchet gripping means; and

b. support means carrying the elements of:

i. a cage means for containing a reel of cable;

ii. a reel readily removably connected to said cage means and containing cable for extending a cleaning device into said conduit;

iii. rotating means for rotating said cage means and consequently said reel and cable; and

iv. second ratchet gripping means; said support means being adapted for effecting reciprocal movement of said elements with respect to said first ratchet gripping means and said first and second ratchet gripping means having movable holding means for determining whether or not said ratchet gripping means will grip and hold said cable and in what direction of relative movement against which they will hold such that said cage means on said support means may be moved reciprocally and effect advance of said cable from said reel and into said conduit when said first and second ratchet gripping means are second position.

Claims

1. Conduit cleaning apparatus comprising: a. cage means for containing a reel of cable; b. a support frame comprising a base member carrying a support means for effecting reciprocal movement of said cage means; c. mounting means for rotatably connecting said cage means with said support means; d. reel readily removably connected to said cage means and containing cable for extending a cleaning device into said conduit; e. rotating means for rotating said cage means and consequently said reel and cable; f. first and second ratchet gripping means, said first ratchet gripping means being carried so as to be stationary with respect to said base member, and said second ratchet gripping means being carried so as to be stationary with respect to said cage means and said reel and movable with respect to said base member; said first and second ratchet gripping means having movable holding means for determining whether or not said ratchet gripping means will grip and hold said cable and in what direction of relative movement against which they will hold such that said cage means on said support means may be moved reciprocally and effect advance of said cable from said reel and into said conduit when said first and second ratchet gripping means are in a first position and effect return of said cable from said conduit and into said reel when said first and second ratchet gripping means are in a second position.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first ratchet gripping means has means for adjusting its height and angle to accommodate said cable fed at a predetermined angle without increasing the tendency of the cable to bend as it is forced into said conduit.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first ratchet gripping means is carried by a third upright member mounted on said base member, said cage means is readily disconnectable from said two upright support members, said rotating means is readily disconnectable, and said two upright support members can be folded flat with said base member to form a substantially flat, readily transportable subassembly; said cage means is a readily transportable subassembly; said reel and cable form a readily transportable subassembly; and said rotating means is a readily transportable subassembly; such that one worker can easily transport, assemble, use and disassemble said apparatus.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said third upright member is also pivotally mounted on said base member so as to be folded flat.