U.S. patent application number 14/722670 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-17 for ball type clamp assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is General Wire Spring Company. Invention is credited to Paul Korvick, Michael M. Silverman.
Application Number | 20150259893 14/722670 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51296372 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150259893 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Silverman; Michael M. ; et
al. |
September 17, 2015 |
BALL TYPE CLAMP ASSEMBLY
Abstract
Described is a method, including: sliding a drain snake through
a spout and a clamp knob, the spout having at least one gripper
cavity therein with at least one gripper disposed in the at least
one gripper cavity; tightening the clamp knob and the spout to
achieve a first orientation wherein the clamp knob contacts the at
least one gripper and forces the at least one gripper into securing
contact with the drain snake; and loosening the clamp knob and the
spout to achieve a second orientation wherein the clamp knob
permits the at least one gripper to transition within the at least
one gripper cavity to be out of securing contact with the drain
snake. Other aspects are described and claimed.
Inventors: |
Silverman; Michael M.;
(Pittsburgh, PA) ; Korvick; Paul; (Penn Hills,
PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
General Wire Spring Company |
McKees Rocks |
PA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51296372 |
Appl. No.: |
14/722670 |
Filed: |
May 27, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13776421 |
Feb 25, 2013 |
|
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|
14722670 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
29/890.14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 1/302 20130101;
Y10T 24/44009 20150115; E03F 9/005 20130101; F16B 2/14 20130101;
Y10T 29/49428 20150115 |
International
Class: |
E03C 1/302 20060101
E03C001/302 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: sliding a drain snake through a spout and
a clamp knob, the spout having at least one gripper cavity therein
with at least one gripper disposed in the at least one gripper
cavity; tightening the clamp knob and the spout to achieve a first
orientation, wherein the clamp knob contacts the at least one
gripper and forces the at least one gripper into securing contact
with the drain snake; and loosening the clamp knob and the spout to
achieve a second orientation wherein the clamp knob permits the at
least one gripper to transition within the at least one gripper
cavity to be out of securing contact with the drain snake.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional application of co-pending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/766,421, filed on Feb. 13,
2013, and entitled "BALL TYPE CLAMP ASSEMBLY," the contents of
which are fully incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Clamps are used to hold an element that passes through a
central portion of the clamp, e.g., a drain snake for cleaning a
pipe or drain. A clamp is often used to secure in place a rotating
tool (such as a drain snake or other rotating element). In some
applications, the element held by a clamp remains stationary with
respect to the clamp assembly, which rotates with the rotating
element.
[0003] Clamps employ grippers, often arranged in a radially
symmetrical pattern, to hold the element securely therein. The
grippers may be tightened or loosened with the help of a clamp key,
which is a wrench-like tool. Some keyless clamps may be tightened
and loosened by hand without the use of a clamp key. Collet clamps
have grippers in the form of a collet that includes flexible
"fingers" that fit closely around the element to be secured and
grip the element when squeezed, bending the collet inward and in
contact with the element when tightened.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0004] In summary, one aspect provides a method, comprising:
positioning a drain snake in a spout and a clamp knob, the spout
having at least one gripper cavity therein with at least one
gripper disposed in the at least one gripper cavity; tightening the
clamp knob and the spout to achieve a first orientation wherein the
clamp knob contacts the at least one gripper and forces the at
least one gripper into securing contact with the drain snake; and
loosening the clamp knob to achieve a second orientation wherein
the clamp knob permits the at least one gripper to transition
within the at least one gripper cavity to be out of securing
contact with the drain snake.
[0005] The foregoing is a summary and thus may contain
simplifications, generalizations, and omissions of detail;
consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way
limiting.
[0006] For a better understanding of the embodiments, together with
other and further features and advantages thereof, reference is
made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings. The scope of the invention will be pointed
out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an example
drain cleaner assembly.
[0008] FIG. 2A illustrates a view of an example spout of an example
drain cleaner assembly.
[0009] FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the example
spout of FIG. 2A along section 1-1.
[0010] FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of an example gripper for an
example drain cleaner assembly.
[0011] FIG. 3B illustrates a top view of the example gripper of
FIG. 3A.
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded, isometric view of an example
drain cleaner assembly.
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a view of an example drain cleaner
assembly in use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] It will be readily understood that the components of the
embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures
herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different
configurations in addition to the described example embodiments.
Thus, the following more detailed description of the example
embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intended to
limit the scope of the embodiments, as claimed, but is merely
representative of example embodiments.
[0015] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment"
or "an embodiment" (or the like) means that a particular feature,
structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the
appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment"
or the like in various places throughout this specification are not
necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
[0016] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or
characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or
more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific
details are provided to give a thorough understanding of
embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize,
however, that various embodiments can be practiced without one or
more of the specific details, or with other methods, components,
materials, et cetera. In other instances, well known structures,
materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to
avoid obfuscation.
[0017] Clamps, as described herein, find uses in many different
assemblies. An example includes a drain cleaner assembly for
cleaning pipes, for example cleaning drain pipes in plumbing
applications. In such an assembly, a hand crank or motor provides
rotational motion to a drain snake when the drain snake is inserted
into a pipe to clear clogs in the pipe. The drain snake is
generally a flexible, durable material (e.g., steel) such that the
drain snake may be inserted into pipes of varying diameters and
into awkward and/or tight spaces, around curves, etc. The drain
snake may be long and continuous (e.g., as collected in a drum
assembly) or may be sectional. The rotational motion can power the
drain snake through stubborn clogs and pipe structures. Often a
motor that is reversible is used to assist in releasing or
retrieving the drain snake should it get caught in a pipe.
[0018] In a conventional drain cleaner assembly, a drain snake is
gripped by a collet type clamp that uses "finger" like projections
that are tightened or loosened (by hand or using a tool such as a
thumb screw or wrench key) about the drain snake. The drain snake
or cable is manually fed into the drain with the collet fingers
tightened into place to lock the drain snake in place with respect
to the assembly. The drain snake, when locked into place, may then
be rotated in place using an electric motor or by hand crank, etc.
When the collet is again loosened the drain snake may be coiled
into a drum assembly provided as part of the drain cleaner
assembly, although a drum assembly may be omitted, e.g., in the
case of a sectional cable.
[0019] The use of a collet clamp assembly, for example as
incorporated into a drain cleaner assembly, has some drawbacks. For
example, the collet may tend to wear out over time, losing their
spring action or even breaking This makes clamp replacement after
repeated use necessary. Moreover, the collet fingers are generally
limited in their range of motion such that only a small range of
drain snakes may be used with particular collet and be adequately
secured while permitting movement of the drain snake. Furthermore,
a collet tends to be a complex structure, adding to cost of
production and assembly.
[0020] Accordingly, an embodiment provides a ball-type clamp
assembly where separate, independent gripper(s) is/(are) provided
in the clamp assembly. Use of the separate, independent gripper(s)
provides for increased range of gripping for accommodating a larger
variety (with respect to diameter and shape) of elements to be
secured, e.g., drain snakes. Moreover, the independent gripping
elements resist wear and avoid unnecessary complications
accompanying many other clamp assembles, e.g., collet type
assemblies.
[0021] The illustrated example embodiments will be best understood
by reference to the figures. The following description is intended
only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain example
embodiments. Any measurements supplied in the figures are in inches
unless otherwise specified. All measurements and dimensions
described and illustrated herein are provided as examples only.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross sectional view of an example
drain cleaner assembly 100. The drain cleaner assembly 100
includes, at one end, a clamp knob 101 through which a drain snake
102 traverses. The clamp knob 101 is movable about a spout 103,
e.g., via complementary threading on each of clamp knob 101 and
spout 103, although other securing mechanisms may be employed, such
as components secured using a lever or spring or the like. In
between clamp knob 101 and drum assembly 104, which houses drain
snake 102 when refracted, sits a grip sleeve 105. The grip sleeve
105 is optionally included and permits an operator to grab the unit
with a hand as the drum assembly 104, clamp knob 101, spout 103 and
drain snake 102 rotate.
[0023] Clamp knob 101 cooperates with other components of the drain
cleaner assembly 100 to secure drain snake 102 therein, as further
described. The rotational motion may be provided by a hand crank
106, as illustrated in the example of FIG. 1. Other mechanisms may
be used to provide rotational motion, however, such as a drill
(refer to FIG. 5) or other motor attached to the drum assembly 104
in lieu of the hand crank 106.
[0024] Clamp knob 101 cooperates with spout 103 to transition
independent gripper(s) 107 disposed within the spout 103 to secure
the drain snake 102. Thus, when clamp knob 101 is fitted over a
portion of the spout 103 in which gripper(s) 107 are disposed,
gripper(s) 107 are forced to transition within cavities 108 of
spout 103 to a position impinging on the drain snake 102, gripping
the drain snake 102 and holding it in place.
[0025] Illustrated in the example view of FIG. 2(A-B) is an example
spout 103 having cavities 108 therein for accommodating grippers
107. FIG. 2A illustrates a view of spout 103 having two cavities
108 visible. FIG. 2B illustrates a cross sectional view along
section 1-1 of FIG. 2A. The cross sectional view of FIG. 2B
provides an example view of three cavities 108 provided in spout
103. These cavities 108 accommodate grippers 107. Grippers 107
again move within the cavities 108 to secure an element, e.g.,
drain snake 102, therein. More or fewer grippers 108 may be
utilized than those illustrated in the figures (e.g., one or
more).
[0026] An example of a suitable gripper 107 is illustrated in FIG.
3(A-B). FIG. 3A provides a side view of an example gripper 107. The
side view shows an example gripper 107 that has relatively straight
sides and an angled top and bottom portions. This shape may find
use in inhibiting movement or rotation of the gripper 107 as it
sits in a cavity 108 of the spout 103. Thus, the relatively
straight sides of gripper 107 interface with the cavity 108 walls
in spout 103 to inhibit rotation of the gripper 107 therein. As
viewed from the top, i.e., in FIG. 3B, the example gripper 107
takes a relatively circular shape, however this is only by way of
example. The shape illustrated in FIG. 2(A-B) may also be useful in
that the top and bottom of the shape is substantially symmetric
about a central axis such that the orientation (top or bottom) in
which the gripper 107 is inserted in the cavity 108 does not
matter. Other suitable shapes for the gripper include, but are not
limited to, a spherical or ball bearing configuration, as well as a
generally oblong or ovular shape.
[0027] If a shape, e.g., a spherical or ball bearing shape or
configuration, is chosen that permits the gripper 107 to rotate,
e.g., as drain snake 102 rotates, the gripper may act on
interfacing components, e.g., clamp knob 101, acting to loosen such
components due to translation of rotational force to such
interfacing components. As such, choosing a shape or configuration
for gripper 107 that inhibits rotation thereof may be desirable,
or, alternatively, other means for securing the components may be
employed (e.g., choice of appropriate threading to counteract
loosening forces supplied by gripper 107 rotation).
[0028] The gripper 107 may be supplemented with additional
structure(s), and cavities 108 may be supplemented with additional
structure(s), for example provided with a feature to secure gripper
107 within a cavity 108 of the spout 103. An example of an
additional structure would include, but is not limited to, a ridge
or outcropping that inhibits gripper 107 from falling out of a
cavity 108 (in either direction), yet allows gripper to transition
between tightened and loosened states by moving within cavity in
response to clamp knob 101 tightening, as described herein.
However, such additional structure(s) are not required, as
additional mechanisms may be employed to retain grippers 107 within
cavities 108, as further described herein.
[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of an example drain
cleaner assembly including an example ball type clamp assembly. In
the exploded view of FIG. 4 it may be appreciated that the grip
sleeve 105 fits over spout 103 and slides up to drum assembly 104
upon assembly of components of drain cleaner assembly 100 such that
the grip sleeve 105 does not interfere with the portion of the
spout 103 having cavities 108 therein. Thus, grip sleeve 105 is
free to rotate about spout 103, e.g., when an operator rotates drum
assembly 104 using hand crank assembly 106 or other rotation
mechanism (as indicated by dashed arrows in FIG. 4). This allows
grip sleeve 105 to remain stationary while drum assembly, 104,
spout 103, clamp knob 101 and drain snake 102 (not illustrated in
FIG. 4) rotate. Inclusion of grip sleeve 105 therefore facilitates
hand held operation of drain cleaner assembly 100.
[0030] It may also be appreciated from the exploded view of FIG. 4
that when grip sleeve 105 is positioned over spout 103, and spout
103 portion having cavities 108 therein is unencumbered by grip
sleeve 105, that positioning (tightening) of the clamp knob 101 on
spout 103 will serve to retain grippers 107 in cavities 108.
Moreover, by providing a clamp knob 101 that may be secured to
spout 103 (e.g., via suitable threading or other securing
mechanism), clamp knob 101 may act to force grippers 107 into
contact with drain snake 102 upon tightening, such that drain snake
102 is secured into position by grippers 107 upon tightening clamp
knob 101. Moreover, clamp knob 101 may be prevented from loosening
too much, i.e., being positioned distal to the portion of spout 103
that contains cavities 108, by provisioning a securing
mechanism.
[0031] A suitable securing mechanism, by way of example, is
provided by a retaining ring or pin 110, which inhibits movement of
clamp knob 101 distant from portion of spout 103 having cavities
108 therein such that at least a portion of the clamp knob 101
remains over and blocks gripper 107 egress from cavities 108. Other
mechanisms for ensuring gripper 107 positioning within the cavities
108 are also acceptable, as described by way of example herein.
Other retaining rings or pins, e.g., 109, may be provided to secure
other components, e.g., grip sleeve 105. As with the clamp knob
101, other securing mechanisms may be employed to secure these
components in place, such as collars, pins or the like.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 5, an example drain cleaner assembly 100
is illustrated. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, an operator
positions drain cleaner assembly 100 over a sink 115. The operator
may grip the drain cleaner assembly 100 at a portion that remains
stationary during rotating operation (e.g., at grip sleeve 105).
The operator, in this example, has replaced hand crank assembly 106
with a hand drill 112 (e.g., via unscrewing hand crank assembly 106
and inserting drill fitting over a shaft element 111 attached to
the drum assembly 104). The operator may turn the drum assembly 104
(e.g., using the drill 112) and in turn provide rotational motion
to the spout 103, clamp knob 101, and thus the drain snake 102. The
operator may extend or retrieve the drain snake 102. The clamp knob
101 may be loosened and allow the grippers 107 to transition
outward within cavities 108 (with respect to drain snake 102). The
drain snake may thus be extended/retracted. The drain snake 102 may
be secured into position again by tightening the clamp knob 101
(e.g., via screwing it in with respect to underlying threaded spout
103), thus forcing the grippers 107 into contact with the drain
snake 102.
[0033] Accordingly, an embodiment provides a ball type clamp
assembly. The ball type clamp assembly may be utilized in
connection with a drain cleaner assembly, as described in
connection with the illustrated examples herein. However, the ball
type clamp assembly may be utilized in connection with many
industrial applications. For example, the ball type clamp assembly
may be utilized in connection with other applications requiring
reversible securing of a rotatable element.
[0034] This disclosure has been presented for purposes of
illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive
or limiting. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art. The example embodiments were
chosen and described in order to explain principles and practical
application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to
understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
[0035] Thus, although illustrative example embodiments have been
described herein with reference to the accompanying figures, it is
to be understood that this description is not limiting and that
various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by
one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit
of the disclosure.
* * * * *