U.S. patent application number 13/683149 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-23 for toilet plunger.
This patent application is currently assigned to LAVELLE INDUSTRIES, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is LAVELLE INDUSTRIES, INC.. Invention is credited to Kevin J. Guthrie.
Application Number | 20130125298 13/683149 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48425380 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130125298 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Guthrie; Kevin J. |
May 23, 2013 |
TOILET PLUNGER
Abstract
A plunger of the present invention is a generally hollow
structure having a number of integrally-formed sections disposed
between the top and the bottom. The plunger has a conical upper
portion having an increasing diameter moving downwardly from the
top of the plunger toward a central portion. There is a pleated
bellows section at the central portion of the plunger. Extending
downwardly from the central portion is a lower conical portion
having a decreasing diameter moving from the central portion toward
the bottom. The top includes an opening for a handle and the bottom
comprises an opening to the interior cavity of the plunger. In the
preferred embodiment of the invention, the plunger is formed of a
resilient rubber-like material that is capable of being deformed
and then returning to an un-deformed shape, the material having
memory. The plunger can be used in standard or specially-configured
toilet bowl outlets.
Inventors: |
Guthrie; Kevin J.; (Wind
Lake, WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LAVELLE INDUSTRIES, INC.; |
Burlington |
WI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
LAVELLE INDUSTRIES, INC.
Burlington
WI
|
Family ID: |
48425380 |
Appl. No.: |
13/683149 |
Filed: |
November 21, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61562461 |
Nov 22, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/255.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 1/308 20130101;
E03D 9/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/255.11 |
International
Class: |
E03C 1/308 20060101
E03C001/308 |
Claims
1. A toilet plunger comprising: a first section, the first section
comprising an attachment point for a handle; a second section
extending downwardly from the first section; a third section
extending downwardly from the second section; a fourth section
extending downwardly from the third section; a fifth section
extending downwardly from the fourth section; and a bottom opening
formed in the fifth section, the bottom opening providing an
aperture to the interior cavity.
2. The toilet plunger of claim 1 wherein the first section
comprises an outer surface and an inner surface.
3. The toilet plunger of claim 2 wherein the second section
comprises an outer surface and an inner surface.
4. The toilet plunger of claim 3 wherein the third section
comprises an outer surface and an inner surface.
5. The toilet plunger of claim 4 wherein the fourth section
comprises an outer surface and an inner surface.
6. The toilet plunger of claim 5 wherein the fifth section
comprises an outer surface and an inner surface.
7. The toilet plunger of claim 1 wherein the sections are formed of
a resilient rubber-like material having memory.
8. The toilet plunger of claim 6 wherein the inner surfaces of the
first, second third, fourth and fifth sections are continuous.
9. The toilet plunger of claim 6 wherein the outer surfaces of the
first, second, third, fourth and fifth sections are continuous.
10. The toilet plunger of claim 6 wherein the first, second, third,
fourth and fifth sections are integrally formed as a unitary
structure.
11. The toilet plunger of claim 1 wherein the second section is
comprises a substantially conical shape having an increasing
diameter moving downwardly from the first section.
12. The toilet plunger of claim 11 wherein the third section
comprises a pleated bellows construction having a first bellows
section having a diameter, a second bellows section having a
diameter that is wider than the diameter of the first bellows
section, a third bellows section having a diameter that is
substantially the same as that of the first bellows section and a
fourth bellows section having a diameter that is substantially the
same as that of the second bellows section.
13. The toilet plunger of claim 12 wherein the fourth section of
the plunger comprises a substantially conical shape having a
decreasing diameter moving downwardly towards the fifth
section.
14. The toilet plunger of claim 12 wherein the fifth section of the
plunger comprises a substantially conical shape having a decreasing
diameter moving downwardly away from the fourth section.
15. The toilet plunger of claim 13 wherein the fourth section of
the plunger comprises a perimeter that is sized to seal with the
throat to the outlet of a standard toilet bowl configuration.
16. The toilet plunger of claim 14 wherein the fifth section of the
plunger comprises a perimeter that is sized to seal with the throat
to the outlet of a complex toilet bowl configuration.
17. The toilet plunger of claim 15 wherein the pleated bellows
structures of the plunger are flexible to allow for variable
positioning of the plunger in the outlet throat of the standard
toilet bowl configuration.
18. the toilet plunger of claim 16 wherein the pleated bellows
structures of the plunger are flexible to allow for variable
positioning of the plunger in the outlet throat of the standard
toilet bowl configuration.
19. A toilet plunger for use with a toilet bowl having a throat,
the plunger comprising: a handle, a first section, the first
section comprising an attachment point for the handle, an inner
surface and an outer surface; a second section extending downwardly
from the first section and comprising an inner surface and an outer
surface; a third section extending downwardly from the second
section and comprising an inner surface and an outer surface; a
fourth section extending downwardly from the third section and
comprising an inner surface and an outer surface; a fifth section
extending downwardly from the fourth section and comprising an
inner surface and an outer surface; the inner surface of the
sections being continuous and forming a generally bulbous structure
and interior cavity; and a bottom opening formed in the fifth
section, the bottom opening providing an aperture to the interior
cavity; wherein the plunger is formed of a resilient rubber-like
material; and wherein the plunger can create a suction force within
the toilet bowl throat.
20. The toilet plunger of claim 19 wherein the third section
comprises a pleated bellows structure that can be compressed or
expanded to one side of the plunger such that the angle of the
handle can be changed while maintaining a suction force within the
throat of the toilet bowl.
Description
[0001] This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/562,461, filed Nov. 22, 2011.
[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates generally to indoor plumbing
and to gravity-operated flush toilets. More particularly, it
relates to an improved toilet plunger for removing blockages in
toilets and drain lines leading from toilets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The most familiar type of conventional toilet plunger
comprises a plunger element and an elongated, rigid handle element.
Generally, the plunger element of the toilet plunger of this type
is made of a resiliently deformable material in a substantially
circular, rounded, open, cup-like configuration, and it is formed
with an open interior area or cavity which opens outwardly through
the open end of the plunger element. The handle element is
generally made from a relatively rigid material, such as wood or
plastic, and it is connected to the plunger element so that it
extends from the end that is opposite the open end. The toilet
plunger of this general type is first positioned such that the
plunger element is in substantially sealed engagement with the
drain or outlet portion of the toilet bowl. The handle element is
then moved toward and away from the plunger element so that the
plunger element is alternately deformed and returned its
un-deformed shape in order to alternately apply pressure and
suction to the outlet portion of the toilet or drain.
[0005] While toilet plungers of this type have been found to be
generally effective for removing minor blockages in the outlet
portions of toilets and drain lines, it has been found that they
are often ineffective for removing many larger blockages, since
they lack the ability to apply sufficient suction and pressures to
the blockage. In order to overcome this problem, a wide variety of
other plungers have been developed. In the view of this inventor,
none has the features of the present invention. Further in view of
this inventor, there is a need to provide a plunger that is a
better fit, and works better, with high efficiency toilets,
including flush toilets of current manufacture having a 1.6 or 1.28
gallons per flush capacity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a plunger that is formed as a generally hollow structure having a
top, a bottom, an outer sidewall and a number of integrally-formed
sections disposed between the top and the bottom. The plunger has a
conical upper portion having an increasing diameter moving
downwardly from the top of the plunger toward a central portion.
There are a number of pleated bellows at the central portion of the
plunger. Extending further downwardly from the central portion is a
lower conical portion having a decreasing diameter moving from the
central portion toward the bottom. The top includes an opening for
a handle and the bottom comprises an opening to the interior cavity
of the plunger. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the
plunger is formed of a resilient rubber-like material that is
capable of being deformed and then returning to an un-deformed
shape, the material having memory.
[0007] The foregoing and other features of the device of the
present invention will be apparent from the detailed description
that follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0008] FIG. 1 is a side and partially cross-sectioned view of the
plunger that is constructed in accordance with the present
invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a partially cross-sectioned view of a standard
bowl toilet, representative of the type with which the plunger of
the present invention can be used.
[0010] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of bowl and plunger shown in FIG.
2 and taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and showing the plunger flexed
in one direction relative to the throat of the bowl.
[0011] FIG. 4 is the same view as that of FIG. 3 but showing the
plunger flexed in another direction relative to the throat of the
bowl.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a partially cross-sectioned view of a jetted bowl
toilet, representative of the type with which the plunder of the
present invention can be used.
[0013] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of bowl and plunger shown in FIG.
5 and taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5 and showing the plunger flexed
in one direction relative to the throat of the bowl.
[0014] FIG. 7 is the same view as that of FIG. 6 but showing the
plunger flexed in another direction relative to the throat of the
bowl.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Referring now to the drawing in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates a
plunger, generally identified 1, which is constructed in accordance
with the present invention. The plunger 1 comprises a generally
hollow bulbous structure having a top 2, a bottom 4, an outer
sidewall 6 and a number of integrally-formed sections disposed
between the top 2 and the bottom 4. The top 2 further comprises a
top opening 3 and the bottom 4 further comprises a bottom opening
5, the bottom opening 5 providing an aperture to the interior
cavity 8 of the plunger 1 and having an inner sidewall 7. In the
preferred embodiment of the invention, the plunger 1 is formed of a
resilient rubber-like material that is capable of being deformed
and then returning to an un-deformed shape, the material having
memory.
[0016] Starting at the top 2 of the plunger 1, a first section 10
is provided. The first section 10 is relatively a thick-walled
portion of the plunger 1 of the present invention which provides an
attachment point 3 for a handle 9. The first section 10 includes an
outer surface 12. The attachment point 3 is a top opening which
includes a threaded portion 13 for receiving the like-threaded end
of the handle 9 in it. See, for example, FIG. 2. The thickness of
the first section 10, particularly at the top 2 of the plunger 1,
adds strength to the plunger 1 and aids in the support of the
handle 9 once it is attached. This is especially true during use of
the plunger 1 which can be vigorous where the blockage is
particularly difficult to clear. The first section 10 also
comprises an inner surface 14.
[0017] Next, it will be seen that a second section 20 extends
downwardly from and is integrally-formed with the first section 10.
The second section 20 comprises a shape that allows the second
section 20 to give resistance to the plunger 1 and allow it to
spring back into its original shape during the plunging process.
That is, the second section 20 is essentially a conical-shaped
portion having an increasing diameter moving downwardly from the
first section 10. The second section 20 comprises a circumferential
outer surface 22 and a circumferential inner surface 24.
[0018] A third section 30 extends downwardly from and is
integrally-formed with the second section 20. As with the first two
sections 10, 20, the third section comprises a circumferential
outer surface 32 and a circumferential inner surface 34. Further,
the third section 30 comprises a pleated bellows construction as
will be further explained below. A fourth section 40 extends
downwardly from and is integrally-formed with the third section 30.
The fourth section 40 further comprises a circumferential outer
surface 42 and a circumferential inner surface 44. The fourth
section 40 is essentially an inverted conical-shaped portion having
a decreasing diameter moving downwardly from the third section
30.
[0019] Lastly, a fifth section 50 extends downwardly from and is
integrally-formed with the fourth section 40. The fifth section 50
comprises a circumferential outer surface 52 and a circumferential
inner surface 54. The fifth section 50 is also essentially an
inverted conical-shaped portion having a decreasing diameter moving
downwardly from the fourth section 40. The bottom-most portion of
the fifth section 50 terminates at the bottom portion 4 of the
plunger 1, which also includes the cavity opening 5. It is to be
noted that the first, second, third, fourth and fifth sections 10,
20, 30, 40, 50 are preferably formed as an integral structure. In
this configuration, the outer surfaces 12, 22, 32, 42, 52 and the
inner surfaces 14, 24, 34, 44, 54 of the sections 10, 20, 30, 40,
50, respectively, are continuous, the inner surfaces 14, 24, 34,
44, 54 forming an inner sidewall 7 of the hollow cavity 8 of the
plunger 1. This cavity 8 keeps water and debris from the toilet
contained during use. The outer surfaces 12, 22, 32, 42, 52
collectively form the continuous outer sidewall 6 of the plunger
1.
[0020] Significantly in the present invention, and as alluded to
above, the third section 30 comprises a pleated bellows structure
38 in the form of a constricted or narrow diameter first bellows
section 31, a wider diameter second bellows section 33, another
constricted third bellows section 35 and another wider diameter
fourth bellows section 37. This pleated bellows structure 38
provides separation between the second section 20 and the fourth
section 40 of the plunger 1 and also provides the user with the
ability to use angular movement with respect to the plunger 1. That
is, this movement is designed to allow the user to change handle 9
directions once a seal has been made by the lower sections 40, 50
with the throat 66 of a toilet outlet 64 as is shown in FIGS. 2-4
and in FIGS. 5-7.
[0021] More specifically, a representative toilet assembly 60, as
shown in FIGS. 2-4, comprises a toilet bowl 62 having a toilet bowl
outlet 64 and a throat 66. Water and waste in the bowl 62 can be
flushed from the bowl 62 through the bowl throat 66 and the outlet
64 when the toilet assembly 60 is flush actuated by conventional
means. When the plunger 1 is positioned as shown in FIG. 2, the
outer surface 42 of the fourth section 40 establishes a
circumferential perimeter of continuous contact points 68 about the
throat 66 of the bowl 62. This effectively seals the plunger 1 with
respect to the bowl outlet 64. In this position, the handle 9 can
be used to change the position of the plunger 1 relative to the
bowl throat 66. See FIGS. 3 and 4. Change in the angle of the
handle 9 relative to the plunger 1 results in the third section 30
of the plunger 1 and its pleated bellows structure 38 "flexing."
That is, the narrow diameter first bellows section 31, the wider
diameter second bellows section 33, the constricted third bellows
section 35 and the wider diameter fourth bellows section 37 are
expanded to one side of the plunger 1 when the plunger 1 is flexed
in one direction or the other. To the opposite side of the plunger
1, the same structures are compressed. This action allows for
efficient plunging action to be maintained through any angle that
the user may be able to use the plunger 1 within the toilet bowl
62.
[0022] The foregoing demonstrates that the plunger 1 of the present
invention has a fourth section 40 that that conforms to the shape
of the throat 66 of the bowl 62 of a standard toilet bowl 60. This
fourth section 40 may not, however, seal on all toilets, which
leads to the significance of the structure of the fifth section 50
in the plunger 1 of the present invention. Specifically, the fifth
section 50 is effectively an extension of the fourth section 40 of
the plunger 1. Since the fourth section 40 does not seal with all
toilet bowls, the inverted dome-like shape of the fifth section 50
comprises structure which conforms with other more complex toilet
bowl shapes, including those used with jetted-style toilet bowls
72. See FIGS. 5 through 6 which show a toilet bowl assembly 70
having a jetted bowl 72, a bowl outlet 74 and a bowl throat 76.
When the plunger 1 is positioned as shown in FIG. 5, the outer
surface 52 of the fifth section 50 establishes a circumferential
perimeter of continuous contact points 78 about the throat 76 of
the bowl 72. This effectively seals the plunger 1 with respect to
the bowl outlet 74. In this position, the handle 9 can be used to
change the position of the plunger 1 relative to the bowl throat
76. Change in the angle of the handle 9 relative to the plunger 1
results in the third section 30 of the plunger 1 and its pleated
bellows structure 38 "flexing." Here again, the narrow diameter
first bellows section 31, the wider diameter second bellows section
33, the constricted third bellows section 35 and the wider diameter
fourth bellows section 37 are expanded to one side of the plunger 1
when the plunger 1 is flexed in one direction or the other. To the
opposite side of the plunger 1, the same structures are compressed
together, as described above. Lastly, the bottom opening 5 of the
plunger 1 is large enough to pull in solids and liquid that may be
the source of the clog in the toilet 70. The inverted dome-like
shape of the inner surfaces 44, 54 of the fourth and fifth section
40, 50, respectively, are so configured to allow liquids and solids
to flow out of the bottom opening 5 of the plunger 1 during
use.
[0023] Although the foregoing has been described with a certain
degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present
disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous
changes in the construction and the arrangement of components, some
of which have been alluded to, may be resorted to without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as it is described.
* * * * *