Drain cleaning apparatus
First Claim
1. A drain cleaning apparatus, comprising:
- a handle having opposing ends and a gripping portion, wherein one of the ends comprises a handle connector; and
a clog-catching member having a body that has a length, a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of wings, prongs, barbs or hooks, wherein the proximal end has a proximal-end connector that is detachably connected to the handle connector, wherein the plurality of wings, prongs, barbs or hooks project radially from the body with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body, andwherein each of the handle connector and the proximal-end connector has at least one generally circular hole and a longitudinal slot extending from the circular hole, wherein each of the handle connector and the proximal-end connector has at least one stud, and wherein the stud is received in the longitudinal slot.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A drain cleaning apparatus includes a handle and a clog-catching member detachably connected to the handle. Wings, barbs or hooks project radially from the clog-catching member. The wings, barbs or hooks provide an angled projection that catches and holds a clump of debris in a drain pipe for pulling the clump out and unclogging the drain. Different end tools can be removably connected to a clog-catching member or to a smooth extension member to provide multifunctionality. The handle, clog-catching members, smooth extension members and tools can be connected together using a quick-connect connector, such as a snap fastener, a keyhole fastener or a side-release buckle, or a threaded connector. In addition to drain cleaning, the apparatus can be fitted with tools such as a magnet, grabber, light, camera and/or video for retrieval of objects and inspection of a space that is difficult to view directly.
46 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A drain cleaning apparatus, comprising:
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a handle having opposing ends and a gripping portion, wherein one of the ends comprises a handle connector; and a clog-catching member having a body that has a length, a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of wings, prongs, barbs or hooks, wherein the proximal end has a proximal-end connector that is detachably connected to the handle connector, wherein the plurality of wings, prongs, barbs or hooks project radially from the body with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body, and wherein each of the handle connector and the proximal-end connector has at least one generally circular hole and a longitudinal slot extending from the circular hole, wherein each of the handle connector and the proximal-end connector has at least one stud, and wherein the stud is received in the longitudinal slot. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A drain cleaning apparatus, comprising:
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a handle having opposing ends and a gripping portion, wherein one of the ends comprises a handle connector; and a clog-catching member having a body that has a length, a proximal end, a distal end and a plurality of wings, prongs, barbs or hooks that project radially from the body with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body, wherein the proximal end has a proximal-end connector that is detachably connected to the handle connector, wherein at least one of the proximal-end connector and the handle connector comprises a receiving element having a generally circular hole and an adjoining slot for receiving a stud formed on a cooperating one of the handle connector and the proximal-end connector, wherein the stud has a shank portion and a head portion, wherein the head portion is passed through the circular hole and the shank portion is slid into the adjoining slot for fastening the stud to the receiving element. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification