Conduit cleaning apparatus

Claim 2

A conduit cleaning apparatus comprising: a reel of cable; rotating means for rotating the reel of cable; first and second rachet gripping means, the second rachet gripping means being carried so as to be stationary with respect to the reel; the first rachet gripping means being carried forwardly of and movable with respect to the first rachet gripping means; said first and second rachet gripping means having movable holding means for determining whether or not said rachet gripping means will grip and hold said cable and in what direction of relative movement against which they will hold; guide means connected between the first and second rachet gripping means for aligning the first and second rachet gripping means and for allowing reciprocal movement therebetween; and bias means connected between the first and second rachet gripping means for urging the first and second rachet gripping means apart.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the guide means comprises a pair of tubular members, one carried within the other in a sliding and telescoping relationship therewith; each member being attached to one of the rachet gripping means.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the bias means comprises a coil spring carried within the tubular members.

Claim 5

Conduit cleaning apparatus comprising: a cage means for containing a reel of cable; a reel connected to the cage means and containing cable for extending the cleaning device into the conduit; rotating means for rotating the reel of cable; a telescoping guide structure having a rearward member rigidly connected and stationary with respect to the cage, and a forward member, movable in telescoping relationship with respect to the cage; first and second rachet gripping means, the first ratchet gripping means being carried stationary with respect to the forward member of the telescoping guide structure, and the second rachet gripping means being carried stationary with respect to the rearward member of the telescoping guide structure; said first and second rachet gripping means having movable holding means for determining whether or not said rachet gripping means will grip and hold said cable and in what direction of relative movement against which they will hold.

Claim 6

Conduit cleaning apparatus comprising: a cage means for containing a reel of cable; a reel connected to the cage means and containing cable for extending the cleaning device into the conduit; rotating means for rotating the reel of cable; a telescoping guide structure having a rearward member rigidly connected and stationary with respect to the cage, and a forward member, movable in telescoping relationship with respect to the cage; first and second rachet gripping means, the first ratchet gripping means being carried stationary with respect to the forward member of the telescoping guide structure, and the second rachet gripping means being carried stationary with respect to the rearward member of the telescoping guide structure; said first and second rachet gripping means having movable holding means for determining whether or not said rachet gripping means will grip and hold said cable and in what direction of relative movement against which they will hold.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising bias means connected between the rearward and forward members of the telescoping guide structure to urge the members apart.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the forward and rearward members of the telescoping guide structure are tubular, and the bias means comprising a spring carried within the members.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a flange mounted to the forward member of the telescoping guide structure for mating with the mouth of the conduit while in vertical position.

Claim 10

A conduit cleaning apparatus comprising: a reel containing cable for extending a cleaning device into the conduit; rotating means attached to the reel for rotating the reel; a telescoping guide structure, having a rearward member rotatably mounted to the reel, a forward member extending forwardly from the rearward member and mounted in sliding and telescoping engagement therewith; and first and second rachet gripping means, the first rachet gripping means being carried stationary with respect to the forward member and the second rachet gripping means being carried stationary with respect to the rearward member; said first and second rachet gripping means having movable holding means for determining whether or not said rachet gripping means will grip and hold said cable and in what direction of relative movement against which they will hold.

Claim 11

A conduit cleaning apparatus comprising: a reel containing cable for extending a cleaning device into the conduit; rotating means attached to the reel for rotating the reel; a telescoping guide structure, having a rearward member rotatably mounted to the reel, a forward member extending forwardly from the rearward member and mounted in sliding and telescoping engagement therewith; and first and second rachet gripping means, the first rachet gripping means being carried stationary with respect to the forward member and the second rachet gripping means being carried stationary with respect to the rearward member; said first and second rachet gripping means having movable holding means for determining whether or not said rachet gripping means will grip and hold said cable and in what direction of relative movement against which they will hold.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising bias means connected between the forward and rearward members of the telescoping guide structure to urge the members apart.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the forward and rearward members of the telescoping guide structure are tubular and the bias means comprises a spring carried within the members.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a flange connected to the forward member for mating with the opening of the conduit while in vertical position.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising an outwardly extending flange connected to the rearward member for bracing against an operator's knee while using the conduit cleaning apparatus in a vertical position.