Safety Clean-out Cap

Abstract

This safety clean-out cap system provides for the removal of water and debris from drains. It consists of a flow channel that is mounted within the opening of a clean-out cap. The flow channel is diametrically opposed to the top surface of the clean-out cap and bends at a 90-degree angle just below a rectangular recess. The rectangular recess has a grab portion that cooperatively receives a tool. Additional embodiments of the safety clean-out cap system include clean-out caps having channel extensions and a square-shaped channel. The channel extensions extend at a 180-degree angle from the clean-out cap and have a plurality of longitudinal rails and longitudinal plates that further facilitate the removal of the clean-out cap from drainpipes. The clean-out cap and the additional embodiments are attached to fittings, pipe sections and hose sections in order to regulate the flow of water and debris from a drain.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. A safety clean-out cap with an attached flow channel being permanently mounted within the opening of said safety clean-out cap, said safety clean-out cap further comprising: said flow channel having sidewalls, a turning segment and a downward bend; said turning segment being on the same lateral plane as said safety clean-out cap and having a right side depression and a left side depression; said right side depression and said left side depression extending above the downward bend of said flow channel and being centrally disposed in said sidewalls of said flow channel, said right side depression and said left side depression being curved inward of said side walls and being mounted on the opposite sides of said flow channel, said right side depression and said left side depression having a top lateral edge and a bottom lateral edge, said right side depression and said left side depression having tracks being formed to diverge inwardly between said top lateral edge and said bottom lateral edge, said right side depression and said left side depression having a substantially rectangular shape and cooperatively receiving and preventing tools from upward and downward movement along said sidewalls of said flow channel; said safety clean-out cap being attached to pipe fittings in order to regulate the flow of fluid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0026] FIG. 1 is perspective view of the flow channel.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the flow channel.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a right side view of the flow channel.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a front view of the flow channel.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a back view of the flow channel.

[0031] FIG. 6 is an exemplary view of the flow, channel fittings and pipe sections.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the vertical channel and the longitudinal rails.

[0033] FIG. 8 is a front view of the vertical channel and the longitudinal rails.

[0034] FIG. 9 is a back view of the vertical channel.

[0035] FIG. 10 is an exemplary view of the vertical channel, fittings and pipe sections.

[0036] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the vertical channel and the longitudinal plates.

[0037] FIG. 12 is a front view of the vertical channel and the longitudinal plates.

[0038] FIG. 13 is an exemplary view of the vertical channel, longitudinal plates, fittings and pipe sections.

[0039] FIG. 14 is perspective view of the square-shaped channel.

[0040] FIG. 15 is a right side view of the square-shaped channel.

[0041] FIG. 16 is an exemplary view of the square-shaped channel, fittings and pipe sections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] The present invention derives from the recognition that access to clean-out caps 26 is directed by the size, angle, location and access point of a drain system. The quick removal of various parts of a plumbing fixture including clean-out caps 26 can be advantageous. This would provide relief to plumbers and related professions by providing and employing a clean-out cap 26 that is designed to provide easy access in case of clogs both inside and outside of a building.

[0043] In reference now to the drawings, which are examples of the various clean-out cap 26 devices of the invention, and which should not be construed as limiting to shape size and form, the first embodiment of a novel clean-out cap 26 having a flow channel 10 is indicated in FIGS. 1 to 6. The safety clean-out cap 26 having a flow channel 10 for drain systems further comprises the flow channel 10 having an interior cavity 12, a top surface 14, a rectangular recess 16, a back wall 18, and a flow channel outlet 22. The flow channel 10 is a downwardly opening flow channel 10 that is mounted permanently within the opening of the clean-out cap 24 and is oriented at a downward angle relative to the opening of the clean-out cap 24. The downward angle forms a downward bend that is diametrically opposed to the top surface of the clean-out cap 28. The flow channel 10 bends at a 90-degree angle just below the rectangular recess 16. The flow channel 10 is generally circular and provides a clearance for receipt of water and debris from a drain. It is further adapted to receive tools for removal of debris from a drain. The types of tools can include clean-out plug wrenches, pullers, reseaters, fitting removal tools and 4-way wrenches. The water releases from a drainage system can include urine, laundry waste and various types of dissolved or suspended impurities. Various types of debris components that can be extracted from a sewer line include feces, sanitary towels, plastics, garden waste and food particles.

[0044] The top surface 14 has a rectangular recess 16 to cooperatively receive a tool. The rectangular recess 16 is disposed inwardly above the downward bend of the flow channel 10 and has a grab bar 32 that is engaging in the rectangular recess 16.

[0045] The back wall 18 of the flow channel 10 has a clearance that is adapted to receive a tool. The flow channel inlet forms a top opening for the interior cavity 12 of the flow channel 10 and the flow channel inlet directs water or debris towards the flow channel outlet 22. The flow channel outlet 22 is a bottom opening for the interior cavity 12 of the flow channel 10.

[0046] In FIGS. 7 to 10 there is a second example of another embodiment of a safety clean-out cap 26 where a vertical channel 34 extending at a 180-degree angle from the clean-out cap 26 directs the flow of water and debris from a clog inside a drainage system. The vertical channel 34 is permanently affixed to the top surface of the clean-out cap 28 and features a plurality of longitudinal rails 36. Each longitudinal rail 36 is attached to the front portion of the vertical channel 34. The longitudinal rails 36 extend laterally towards the top surface of the clean-out cap 28. The rails 36 are patterned so that portions of the top surface of the vertical channel 38 and the back portion 42 of the vertical channel are visible to the user. The longitudinal rails 36 are receiving members for tools as described above. For example, the jaw of a pipe wrench can easily grab a longitudinal rail 36 and with a slight wedging action, the cleanout-cap 26 is tightened or loosened away from a drainpipe.

[0047] In FIGS. 11 to 13 there is shown a safety clean-out cap with a vertical channel 34 having interior threading 44. The vertical channel 34 extends at a 180-degree angle from the clean-out cap 26 and the vertical channel 34 is permanently affixed to the top surface of the clean-out cap 28. The vertical channel 34 has a plurality of longitudinal plates 46 being attached to the dorsal end of the vertical channel 34. The longitudinal plates 46 are attached to each other at a 90-degree angle and extend the entire circumference of the vertical channel 34. The longitudinal plates 46 are receiving members for plumbing tools and present as angular plates for tightening and loosening of the clean-out cap 28 after water and debris have been drained.

[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 14 to 16, a square-shaped channel 48 is seen having interior threading 44 and extending at a 180-degree angle from the clean-out cap 26. The square-shaped channel 48 is permanently affixed to the top surface of the clean-out cap 28. Similarly, the square-shaped channel 48 is a receiving member for tools such as clean-out plug wrenches, pullers, reseaters, fitting removal took and 4-way wrenches.

[0049] The flow channel 10, vertical channel 34 and square-shaped channel 48 are attached to fittings 52, pipes sections 54 and hose sections 56 in order to regulate the flow of fluid. Types of fittings 52 include valves, nipples, elbows, couplings and barbs. Cradles, straight pipes and curved pipes are common types of pipe sections 54 that can be used as prescribed herein. The fittings 52 and pipe sections 54 are typically constructed from brass, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or other materials approved by state, model or local building codes. Generally, the fittings 52, pipe sections 54 and hose sections 56 are flexible, rigid, durable, corrosion-resistant, and constructed at a low cost. This facilitates the use of the clean-out cap 26 above or below the ground.

[0050] The pipe sections 54 and hose sections 56 and as prescribed herein can be at least 2″ in diameter. Typical clean-out caps 26 and fittings 52 are 3″, 4″ or 6″ but the construction is capable of custom fitting 52 and therefore various sizes can be constructed for horizontal and vertical branches at the end of all drainpipes. The interior cavity 12 and channel outlets 22 can be sized as needed and based on the size, angle, location, access point, material type and volume of debris and water of a drain system. The channels 10, 34, 48 are adapted to remain in flow communication with a specific drain system. In essence, the devices will be sized to operate and to provide an acceptable rate of release of water based on the size of the sewer pipes.