Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to plumbing, and in particular to pipe and drain cleaning.

Background to the Invention

Over time, tree roots and debris often build up in items such as culverts, pipes and drains which interferes with flow of water and sewage in those items. This debris has traditionally been cleared by what is commonly known as an electric eel or a plumber's snake. More recently, high pressure water has been used to clear debris from drains, wherein a high pressure hose having a nozzle disposed at its distal end is inserted into the drain so as to cut out the roots and debris. However, the nozzles to date have been limited in their effectiveness and versatility. For example, several nozzle tools are often required to clear a single drain which may have several different grades or types of debris lodged inside.

The present invention seeks to ameliorate one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a drain clearing nozzle apparatus for clearing debris from a pipe or other hollow body, the drain clearing apparatus including: a nozzle mounting body comprising one or more inlets for receiving high pressure fluid, a primary outlet adapted for connection to a cutting head or turbine or cutting nozzle, and one or more secondary outlets adapted to connect to one or more penetrating nozzles so that in use a fluid flow from the one or more penetrating nozzles penetrates obstructions and debris to make an aperture therein sufficiently large for the nozzle mounting body to fit through.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of clearing obstructions and debris from drains and/or other hollow bodies, the method including the steps of: making an aperture in the obstructions and debris with a penetrating nozzle mounted on a nozzle mounting body so as to fit the nozzle mounting body therethrough; passing the nozzle mounting body through the aperture; clearing the obstructions and debris from the drain or hollow body with flow from another outlet on the nozzle mounting body.

Preferably the primary outlet is rearward facing.

Preferably the secondary outlet is forward facing.

Preferably there is provided a gallery for connecting the one or more inlets to the primary and secondary outlets. Preferably the gallery includes a primary gallery which comprises a bend extending from one side of a rear portion of the nozzle mounting body to the other side of the rear portion of the nozzle mounting body. Preferably the primary gallery includes a U-bend from the one side to the other side of the rear portion of the nozzle mounting body.

Preferably the gallery includes a first branch gallery extending from the primary gallery to the secondary outlet. Preferably a second branch gallery extending from the primary gallery to a third outlet for assisting removal of material from the primary gallery during moulding.

Preferably the branch gallery is disposed at a 15° angle from a longitudinal axis extending along the nozzle mounting body for facilitating random cleaning movements of the nozzle mounting body. Preferably the nozzle mounting body is moulded in one piece. Preferably the nozzle mounting body is moulded utilising the lost wax process, after which ceramic is removed from the primary gallery by utilising the branch galleries. Preferably the second branch gallery is plugged after removing the ceramic from the galleries.

Preferably the nozzle mounting body is moulded from stainless steel.

In one preferred embodiment the secondary outlet and/or penetrating nozzle provides a smaller thrust than the one or more primary outlets and/or cutting outlets or turbines so that the nozzle mounting body in use is propelled forward through a drain or pipe.

In operation preferred embodiments of the nozzle mounting body may be placed anywhere within the pipe or drain or other chamber and it will work its way around and/or through the pipe or drain or chamber, from upstream or downstream or indeed anywhere relative to any obstruction within the pipe or drain or other chamber.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In order to enable a clearer understanding of the invention, drawings illustrating an example embodiment are attached, and in those drawings:

FIG. 1 is a generally isometric view of a drain clearing nozzle apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment viewed from in front and above;

FIG. 2 is a generally isometric view of the drain clearing nozzle apparatus viewed from behind and above;

FIG 3 is a section view through the drain clearing nozzle apparatus of Figure 1 ;

FIG 4 is a front elevation view of a general arrangement of a drain cleaning assembly of a preferred embodiment of the present invention including a nozzle apparatus, a cutting turbine and a hose; FIG 5 is a side view of a general arrangement of the nozzle cleaning assembly of Figure 4 with a cutting blade attached; and

FIG 6 separately shows the cutting blade of FIG 5.

Description of a Preferred Embodiment

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3 there is shown a drain clearing nozzle generally indicated at 10 which includes a nozzle mounting body 12 which comprises an inlet 14 for receiving high pressure water and a primary outlet 16 which is adapted for connection to a cutting head or turbine or cutting nozzle 18 (shown in Figures 4 and 5). A secondary outlet 20 is provided in the nozzle mounting body 12 which is adapted to connect to a penetrating nozzle 22. The inlet 14 is disposed at a rear face 24 of the nozzle mounting body 12 on a right-hand region 25 thereof, and the primary outlet 16 is disposed on the same rear face 24 on a left-hand region 26. The inlet 14 and outlet 16 are threaded internally so as to connect with an inlet high pressure hose 28 and a cutting turbine 29 on the outlet.

The secondary outlet 20 is disposed on the nozzle mounting body 12 and is on a forward- facing portion thereof. The secondary outlet 20 is threaded internally so as to receive a penetrating nozzle 22.

A gallery arrangement 35 is provided to distribute high pressure water throughout the nozzle mounting body 12. A primary gallery 36 connects the inlet 14 to the outlet 16, and extends in a U-shaped path through the nozzle mounting body 12. A first branch gallery 37 extends from the primary gallery 36 to the secondary outlet 30. A second branch gallery 38 extends from the primary gallery 36 to a front region of the nozzle mounting body.

The first branch gallery 37 is disposed at a 15° angle from a longitudinal axis 39 so that the nozzle mounting body writhes about to facilitate forming an aperture in use through any debris which may have blocked a drain (not shown). A cutting tool 40 is provided in one preferred embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6. The tool 40 includes a saw body 42 including two saw blades 44 and 46. This facilitates removal of debris from the drain or pipe.

In operation the drain clearing nozzle 10 is connected to a high pressure water hose 28 and turbine 29 and penetrating nozzle 22 to form a drain cleaning assembly 50 (shown in Figure 4). The high pressure water hose 28 is connected to a high pressure supply of water and the drain cleaning assembly 50 is inserted in a blocked drain or pipe. The nozzle assembly 50 writhes about inside the pipe due in part to recoil from the high pressure water flow and in part to the 15° angle of the secondary outlet at which the penetrating nozzle 22 is disposed.

The penetrating nozzle 22 subsequently penetrates any debris and creates an aperture in the debris which is large enough so that the nozzle mounting body 12 and attached turbine and hose may pass through. Then the turbine cuts through any remaining debris and tree roots from the other side of the aperture.

The cutting tool 40 may be utilized to cut through any difficult or tenacious debris or tree roots. The writhing action of the tool in use assists in creating a cutting action with the saw blades 42 and 44, and the operator may also facilitate the cutting action by extending and retracting the hose and consequently the drain clearing assembly 50.

The nozzle mounting body 12 is moulded from a single piece of stainless steel 60, using the lost wax process. Ceramic is removed from the gallery arrangement 35 and this is facilitated by creating the second branch gallery 38 which is subsequently filled in with a fill material and ground so that the finish is flush and smooth. The advantages of a one- piece body are obvious to a skilled person.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Finally, it is to be understood that the inventive concept in any of its aspects can be incorporated in many different constructions so that the generality of the preceding description is not to be superseded by the particularity of the attached drawings. Various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.