Access tool

Abstract

A hand tool that is capable of efficiently, inexpensively, and quickly attaching to a pipe and allows for boring an access hole to be used for accessing the inside of the pipe and unclogging the pipe.

Claims

1-25. (canceled)

26. A pipe access tool comprising: a cylindrical main body, the main body having a sealable rear hole and a detachable head distal the sealable rear hole, the main body having an outlet branch diverging from the main body, the detachable head configured to form a leak-proof seal around a surface of a pipe; the detachable head being made of a resilient material that conforms to the surface of the pipe; the detachable head being configured to encircle a raised boss extending perpendicularly to a center axis of the pipe; the outlet branch diverging from the main body medial the rear hole and the detachable head; a rod; a borer; the borer having a circular cutting tool attached to the rod that extends away from the cutting tool to a distal drive end; the circular cutting tool being a hole saw; the borer disposed within the cylindrical main body with the drive end extending through the rear hole; the borer configured to be rotated with a drive motor connected to the drive end and to cut a circular opening in the pipe via the cutting tool to expel contents of the pipe through the outlet branch.

27. The pipe access tool of claim 26, wherein the detachable head forms the leak-proof seal around the raised boss via a hose clamp disposed circumferentially around the detachable head.

28. The pipe access tool of claim 26, wherein the circular cutting tool can be withdrawn along the main body to a position medial the rear hole and the outlet branch to provide a clear passage from the pipe through the outlet branch.

29. The pipe access tool of claim 26, wherein the outlet branch further includes a shut-off valve configured to selectively block and unblock the outlet branch.

30. A method of using a pipe access tool to penetrate a pipe holding pressurized content, the pipe access tool having a cylindrical main body with a sealable rear hole at one end and a detachable head at an opposite end, the main body further including an outlet branch diverging from the main body medial the rear hole and the detachable head, a borer disposed within the cylindrical main body, the borer having a circular cutting tool connected to a rod extending away from the cutting tool to a distal drive end extending through the rear hole, the method comprising: forming a leak-proof seal between the detachable head and the pipe; spinning the borer with a drive motor connected to the drive end and advancing the borer along the main body to contact the pipe with the spinning cutting tool; cutting a circular opening in the pipe via the rotating cutting tool to release contents of the pipe into the main body; and expelling the contents of the pipe from the main body through the outlet branch.

31-33. (canceled)

34. The pipe access tool of claim 26, wherein the pipe access tool simplifies accessing a pipe that has its contents under pressure.

35. The pipe access tool of claim 26, wherein the expelled contents flow through the outlet branch unobstructed.

36. The pipe access tool of claim 26, wherein the pipe access tool is for use on sewer systems with overhead piping.

37. The pipe access tool of claim 26, wherein the pipe access tool eliminates vibrating that occurs when boring though a sewage drain pipe using other hand tools.

38. The pipe access tool of claim 26, wherein the detachable head is made from rubber.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a side view of one embodiment of the inventive apparatus with a cutaway view.

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the inventive apparatus.

[0026] FIG. 3 shows a side view of another embodiment of the inventive apparatus being used on a workpiece.

DESCRIPTION

Overview.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, one embodiment of the inventive apparatus with a cutaway view comprises a hand tool 1 having a main body 4 and a head 13. The main body 4 and head 13 are attached via at least one fastener 14 that allows for quick attaching and detaching. A borer 18 is slidably attached to the main body 4. The borer 18 having a borer arm 6 and a tooth section 3. The borer arm 6 passes through an entry port 16 that is an integral part of the main body 4. The borer arm 6 slides along the axis of the main body 4. The tooth section 3 is capable of fitting into a channel 12 of the hand tool 1. The channel 12 being located inside of the hand tool 1 and traversing along the axis of the main body 4 and extending sufficiently near to an access cover 2 of a pipe 5, such as a sewer system clean-out. The borer 18 being capable of rotating. The tooth section 3, upon being rotated, is capable of boring through the pipe's access cover 2. Once the access cover 2 is completely bored through, a bored portion of the access cover 2 can remain with the tooth section 3. After boring, the borer 18 can be slidably moved to a location 8 that prevents obstructing a clear path 17 for water 10 and solids 9 to travel and exit the work area through a hose 11. A valve 7 is attachable to the main body 4 to control the flow of water and solids. After the pipe 5 is cleared, the water and solid can be pumped into the clear path 11 in the opposite direction and placed back into the pipe 5, which is cleared. Hooks 15 on the main body can be used to attach a rope (not shown), or the like, for temporarily securing the apparatus to the pipe 5.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, a perspective view of another embodiment of the inventive apparatus 200 comprises a main body 204 attached to a head 208 via at least one means for attaching 207. The main body 204 and the head 208 are attached with one sliding into the other at 203. The head 208 is capable of being attached to a workpiece, such as a sewer drain, via a commonly known radiator hose clamp 202. A circular cutting tool 201 is attached to a rod 205 at 209. The rod 205 passes through one of at least one sealable holes 210 in the main body 204. In this configuration the rod 205 can be spun via use of a drill like tool (not shown) and the circular cutting tool 201 would spin and cut into the workpiece. Contents from inside the sewer drain would rush into the apparatus 200 and travel along a path to an outlet 206. In this embodiment, different heads 208 can be swapped out via a connecting radiator clamp 211, or the like.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, a perspective view of another embodiment of the inventive apparatus being used on a workpiece comprises a plumber 300 working to clear a drain pipe 301 through a clean out cover 306. The apparatus covers the workpiece to be cleared at 304. The plumber uses a drill 310 to connect to and rotate a rod 303. A main portion of the apparatus 302 is connected to a head portion 305 which is clamped to the drain pipe 301 via a common radiator clamp 311. The rod 303 is connected to a circular cutter 313 that cuts through the clean out cover 306 allowing contents within the pipe 301 to flow out of the pipe. The contents flow inside the apparatus along a path and discharges at an outlet 307 into a hose 308 and into a bucket 309. The circular cutter 313 can be slid back within the apparatus and away from the workpiece to a position at 312 thereby not obstructing the contents flowing through the outlet 307.

[0030] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with the reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. The apparatus can be a unitary construction where the main body and head are one piece, or the apparatus can be made of several pieces to be assembled together. The spirit of the apparatus is to create a way, used by plumbers for instance, for clearing a pipe that has liquid under pressure and yet containing the liquid and controlling its discharge. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.

[0031] Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state means for performing a specified function, or step for performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a means or step clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. 112, 6.