US3928885A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pipe cleaning machine and cable retrieving mechanism therefor
Assignee: Roto Rooter Corp
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Filing: 1975-01-27
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Granted: 1975-12-30
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Expires: 1995-01-27
Abstract
Abstract The pipe cleaning machine includes a cable retrieving mechanism which derives its power from the rotational movement of the cable reel and has a cable feed means which is manually actuated into engagement with the cable for retrieving purposes. When the feed means is disengaged, the cable is manually movable into or out of a pipe being cleaned. On completion of a pipe cleaning job the feed means, on being engaged with the cable, automatically retrieves the cable for coiled reception within the cable reel.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry G Peterson
- 👤 Tom Grimes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:43
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H75/00; B65H75/02; B65H75/34; B65H75/36; B65H75/362; B65H75/364; B08; B08B; B08B9/00; B08B9/02; B08B9/027; B08B9/04; B08B9/043; B08B9/045; B65H51/00; B65H51/02; B65H51/04; B65H51/08; B65H51/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
250 words
In a pipe cleaning machine having a frame, a reel for a coiled spring cable rotatable on said frame, power means on said frame for rotating said reel in one direction, and a cable guide tube rotatable on said frame having one end portion coaxial with the axis of said reel and an opposite end portion extended within and terminating adjacent the outer peripheral surface of the reel; a cable retrieving mechanism comprising: a. a housing fixed on said frame adjacent the one end portion of said guide tube having a pair of oppositely arranged end walls, b. a tubular shaft rotatably supported on and extended through one of said end walls in a coaxial relation with said reel, said other end wall having a cable receiving opening in axial alignment with said shaft with the length of cable within said opposite end portion of the guide tube and coiled within said reel providing for the rotation of the guide tube with said reel, c. means coupling said tubular shaft with the one end portion of the guide tube for rotation with said guide tube, d. a cable feed means in said housing movable into and out of engagement with a cable to move the cable in only one direction through said end wall opening into said housing and axially through said tubular shaft into said guide tube for coiled reception within said reel, and e. means connecting said tubular shaft in continuous driving engagement with said cable feed means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
250 words
In a pipe cleaning machine having a frame, a reel for a coiled spring cable rotatable on said frame, power means on said frame for rotating said reel in one direction, and a cable guide tube rotatable on said frame having one end portion coaxial with the axis of said reel and an opposite end portion extended within and terminating adjacent the outer peripheral surface of the reel; a cable retrieving mechanism comprising: a. a housing fixed on said frame adjacent the one end portion of said guide tube having a pair of oppositely arranged end walls, b. a tubular shaft rotatably supported on and extended through one of said end walls in a coaxial relation with said reel, said other end wall having a cable receiving opening in axial alignment with said shaft with the length of cable within said opposite end portion of the guide tube and coiled within said reel providing for the rotation of the guide tube with said reel, c. means coupling said tubular shaft with the one end portion of the guide tube for rotation with said guide tube, d. a cable feed means in said housing movable into and out of engagement with a cable to move the cable in only one direction through said end wall opening into said housing and axially through said tubular shaft into said guide tube for coiled reception within said reel, and e. means connecting said tubular shaft in continuous driving engagement with said cable feed means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
121 words
The pipe cleaning machine according to claim 1 wherein: a. said cable feed means includes an idler roller within said housing having a concave peripheral surface in continuous engagement with one side of said cable, and a feed gear having a serrated concave peripheral surface engageable with the opposite side of said cable, and b. said connecting means includes a drive gear rotatably supported within said housing for continuous engagement with said tubular shaft, c. pivoted means within said housing supporting said feed gear for pivotal movement about the axis of said drive gear into and out of engagement with said opposite side of the cable, and d. means on said pivoted means connecting said drive gear with said feed gear.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The pipe cleaning machine according to claim 2, including: a. manually actuated means for pivoted moving said pivoted means to move said feed gear into and out of engagement with said opposite side of the cable having an actuator located exteriorly of said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
193 words
The pipe cleaning machine according to claim 1, wherein: a. said cable feed means includes an idler roller rotatably supported in said housing for continuous rolling engagement with one side of said cable and a feed gear arranged opposite said idler roller for engagement with the opposite side of said cable, and b. said connecting means includes a pivoted frame structure within said housing, c. pivot means pivotally supporting one end of said frame structure on said housing adjacent said one end wall thereof for pivotal movement of the other end wall thereof toward and away from the idler roller about an axis normal to the axis of said tubular shaft, d. means rotatably supporting said feed gear on the other end of said frame sTructure, e. a drive gear rotatably supported on said pivot means, f. a power gear on said tubular shaft located within said housing in continuous meshed engagement with said drive gear, g. means on said frame structure connecting said drive gear in a driving relation with said feed member, and h. means for pivotally moving said frame structure including a manual actuator member arranged exteriorly of said housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
100 words
The pipe cleaning machine according to claim 4, wherein: a. said feed gear, in one pivotally moved position of said frame structure, in one pivotally moved position of said frame structure, is in driving engagement with said cable, and in a second pivotally moved position of said frame structure is dis-engaged from said cable whereby in said one position of the frame structure the cable is movable in one direction into said reel by the coaction of said idler roller and feed gear, and in the second position of the frame structure the cable is manually movable in either direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
136 words
The pipe cleaning machine according to claim 4, wherein: a. said housing has a top wall, and b. said means for pivotally moving the frame structure includes additionally a first link member slidably extended through said top wall with the lower end thereof positioned within said housing; c. a second link member within said housing arranged longitudinally of said frame structure having one end movably supported on said pivot means and an opposite end in bearing engagement with the underside of the opposite end of the frame structure, d. means pivotally connecting the lower end of said first link member with the opposite end of said second link member, and e. coacting means on said first link member and housing for linearly moving said first link member in response to an actuation of said actuator member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-29 | 1979-06-30 | 1979-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-29 | 1983-06-30 | 1983-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-29 | 1987-06-30 | 1987-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |