US3213473A - Pipe cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 26, 1965 L. SINGER 3,213,473

PIPE CLEANING DEVICE Filed Sept. 5, 1963 Fig.

02 l0 9 I 54 [/\04 I I r INVENTOR. LOUIS SINGER ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,213,473 PIPE CLEANING DEVICE Louis Singer, 4800 N. 11th St., Philadelphia, Pa. Filed Sept. 3, 1963, Ser. No. 306,170 3 Claims. (Cl. -1043) The invention relates to a pipe cleaning device, and more particularly, to a device for rotating and feeding a pipe cleaning element or snake.

Although pipe cleaning devices for rotating and feeding a cleaning element provided with a cutting head at its end have been provided heretofore, such devices have been highly complex, expensive and difficult to operate.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the invention to provide a new and improved pipe cleaning device of rugged construction and high serviceability and which is readily portable from one location to another.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved pipe cleaning device having a clamping means which can be actuated to engage a pipe cleaning element for rotating and feeding same, while becoming automatically disengaged upon release of its control lever.

Another object -of the invention is to provide a new and improved pipe cleaning device which includes a highly simplified means for feeding or retracting the elongated pipe cleaning element or snake during the performance of a cleaning operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved pipe cleaning device having a carriage slidably supported by and removable from a support structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved pipe cleaning device which is highly reliable and inexpensive to produce, operate, and maintain.

The above objects of the invention are achieved by providing a pipe cleaning device comprising a portable frame structure including a pair of track elements at its top, a carriage means including a platform with a plurality of guide elements mova'bly engaging the track element of the structure for positioning the carriage along the structure, a clamping means for receiving a cleaning element therein, rotatably mounted upon the platform of the carriage having means for controllably engaging the clamping means with the cleaning element, and drive means supported by the platform of the carriage for controllably rotating the clamping means.

The clamping means includes a guide tube for movably receivingtherethrough the cleaning element which may be of elongated coil wire form, a plurality of bearing units rotatably supporting the tube upon said platform in position parallel to the pair of track means, and a clamp unit having a portion secured at one end'of said tube for rotation with said tube and for receiving therethrough the cleaning element extending through the tube.

A control lever means may be provided for controllably actuating the control unit for engaging and clamping therewith the cleaning element extending therethrough for rotation by the drive means and longitudinal actuation by movement of the carriage means along the track elements of the structure for feeding or withdrawing the cleaning element from a pipe or other such object during a cleaning operation. The drive means includes a motor with a rotary drive shaft mounted on the platform of the carriage over the guide tube of the clamping means, a drive or wheel member attached to the shaft of the motor, a driven wheei member secured about the guide tube, and a coupling band element connecting the wheels for rotatably driving the guide tube.

The clamping means comprises a rotatable case having a tapered bore along its longitudinal axis, a clamping ring with a plurality of resiliently secured together segments having tapered outer surfaces for conforming with the surface of the bore and being at least partly received and slida'ble into the bore of the rotatable casing in the direction of its longitudinal axis, and a pressure casing positionable with respect to the rotatable casing in the direction of said longitudinal axis by actuation of the control lever for moving the clamping ring in the direction into the rotatable casing. The casings and the ring are provided with respective openings for receiving the cleaning element therethrough and the ring when actuated by the control lever in the direction into the bore of the rotatable casing causes the segments of the ring to be compressed by the tapering surfaces of the bore for firmly engaging the cleaning element passing therethrough and the rotatable casing at its engaged surfaces within the bore for causing the cleaning element to rotate with the rotatable casing. The segments of the ring are resiliently secured, tending to expand the ring out of engagement with the cleaning element passing therethrough, and the surface of the bore of said movable casing is sufliciently tapered to allow the ring to slide in the direction out of the bore due to the tendency of the ring to expand when the lever actuates the pressure casing along longitudinal axis in the direction opposite to that for removing the ring into the bore of the rotatable casing.

The above and further objects and aspects of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a pipe cleaning device embodying the invention,

FIGURE 2 is an end elevational view of a pipe cleaning device partially in section taken along thelines 2--2 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a to plan view of the device shown in FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the securing means of the device shown in FIGURE 1 taken substantially on theline 44 of FIGURE 1, and

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged view of the ring element of the securing means taken in the direction of the arrows 55 of FIGURE 4.

Like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views.

Refer to the figures which disclose apipe cleaning device 10 embodying the invention having a frame andsupport structure 12 comprising a pair of parallel bottomtubular members 14, 16 having front and rearcross bracing members 18, 20. The forward end of thetubular members 14, 16 rotatably support a pair ofwheels 22, 24, while the rear ends are each provided with a V-shaped support foot 26, 28.

A pair oftop angle brackets 30, 32 are respectively supported by a plurality of upwardly extendingstruts 34, 36, and 38 extending from thehorizontal member 14 and similar struts 34', 36', and 38' extending upwardly from thehorizontal member 16. Theangle bar members 30, 32 are supported at the tops of therespective struts 34, 36, 38 and 34, 36', 38' by welding or other suitable means. Front and rear crossbrace angle bars 40, 42 extend transversely between thelongitudinal angle bars 30 and 32, for maintaining theangle bars 30, 32 in spaced parallel relationship to each other.

Each of theangle bars 30, 32 is provided with ahorizontal flange 44 and avertical flange 46. A pair oftrack members 48, 50 are respectively secured at thehorizontal flange 44 of theangle members 30, 32 in parallel spaced relationship to each other along the longitudinal extending direction of thebar members 30, 32. Thetrack members 48, 50 are provided with a substantially hollow rectangular configuration in which the opposite inwardly facing side walls thereof are each provided with alongitudinal slot 52.

A carriage means 54 comprising a substantiallyhorizontal base plate 56 and longitudinally extendingupstanding side flanges 58 includes pairs of guide elements orwheels 60, 62 for being received respectively within the cavities of theguide members 48, 50. Thewheels 60, 62 are each rotatably secured at one end of a retaining shaft 63 which extends through arespective slot 52 of themembers 48, 50 and has its other end secured with theplate 56. By such means, theplatform 56 of thecarriage 54 may be moved in the longitudinal direction along thetrack members 48, 50. The ends of the track members may be provided with bolt means 64 extending therethrough to prevent the accidental removal of thecarriage 54 from the track means, while said bolt means 64 are readily removable to allow removal or replacement of the carriage means 54 with the supportingstructure 12.

Abridge support 66 is mounted upon and secured with theplatform 56 of the carriage means 54 and has mounted at the top thereof anelectric motor 68 which drives a gear reduction unit 70 having a forwardly extendingrotary drive shaft 72. Themotor 68 is connected by a long flexibleelectrical cable 73 with apunction box 74 which is secured with the horizontallytubular member 16. Thecable 73 is sufliciently long so that it does not restrict the movement of the carriage means 54 along its entire length provided by the track means 48, 50. Theend 76 of thecable 73 is provided with a plug which is readily removable from thejunction box 74, so that the carriage means 54 may be removed from the supportingstructure 12 as described above.

Thejunction box 74 provides connection between thecable 73 and anelectrical line 78 which connects to amotor control box 80. The motor control box is secured by avertical plate 82 with the cross brace bar of thesupport structure 12 and has acable 84 for connecting with a source of electrical power. Themotor control box 80 is provided with arotatable lever 86 having an off position, forward position, and a reverse position for respectively controllably tie-energizing themotor 68 energizing it to run in its forward direction and in its reverse direction. Energization of themotor 68 in the forward direction results in the rotation of thedrive shaft 72 in one direction, while the positioning of the motor box lever 86 to the reverse position results in the rotation of theshaft 72 in the opposite direction.

Theshaft 72 is provided at its end with adriver wheel 88 which is linked by aflexible coupling band 90 with a drivenWheel 92. Awire guard 93 may be provided for enclosing the rotatingwheels 88, 92 and thedrive band 90 for safety purposes.

The drivenwheel 92 is concentrically positioned about and secured with aguide tube 94 of asecuring means 95. Theguide tube 94 is mounted for rotation about itslongitudinal axis 96 by bearings provided by the forward and rear bearingblocks 98 and 100. Theguide tube 94, as thus positioned, is parallel to and equidistant from the track means 48, and extends in the longitudinal direction under thebridge support 66 of themotor 68 and gear reduction unit 70. Therear end 102 of thetube 94 is provided with aflange 104 and astandard coupling 106 for connection to a guide tube similar to theguide tube 94 for extending the length of theguide tube 94 Where a cleaning element or snake of long length is to be used and Whipping action thereof is to be minimized when the cleaning element is rotated by thedevice 10.

Theforward end 108 of theguide tube 94, as clearly shown by FIGURE 4, is secured with a rotatable casing ordrum 110 of the securingunit 112 of themeans 95. Thecasing 110 has a cylindricalouter surface 113 and aninner wall 114 of conical section tapering in the direction towards theguide tube 94, providing a bore opening therewithin. Theguide tube 94, which is hollow, provides an opening therethrough 111 for receiving therein vides an opening 111 therethrough for receiving therein an elongated cleaning element orsnake 116. The rotatable casing is also provided with anopening 118 in alignment with the opening 111 provided in thetube 94 for also receiving theelongated element 116 therethrough.

Theend 108 of theguide tube 94 and therotatable casing 110 are rotatably supported within abearing block 120 extending between theflanges 58 of the front end of theplatform 56 of the carriage means 54. Theblock 120 provides a ball bearing 122 in the central upwardly extendingportion 124 of theblock 120 of the thrust type having arace 126 non-rotatably secured with theportion 124 of theblock 120 and a second rotatable race 127 engaging theshoulder 128 of thecasing 110 for resisting thrust forces exerted thereon in the longitudinal direction towards theend 102 of theguide tube 94.

Thesecuring unit 112 also includes aslit ring 130 shown in enlarged form in FIGURE 5 comprising a plurality ofsegments 132 which are resiliently connected together bycoil springs 134 which have their ends received withincylindrical openings 136 in thesegments 132. The ends of thesprings 134 tend to move away from each other, expanding thering 130. Thesegments 132 are provided withinner surfaces 138, providing anopening 140 through thering 130 for allowing the passage and receipt therethrough of theelongated cleaning element 116. Theopening 140 is small enough when thesegments 132 are collapsed against the force of theirsprings 134 to firmly engage and clamp theelongated cleaning element 116 therewithin. Each of thesegments 132 of thering 130 is provided with an outertapered surface 142 which is a section of a cone, conforming with thesurface 114 of therotatable casing 110. Thering 130 is receivable within the bore of thecasing 110, as shown in FIGURE 4 with theouter surfaces 142 of theseg ments 132 of thering 130 engaging thebore surface 114 of thecasing 110, thering 130 being slidable along theaxis 96 of theguide tube 94 in the direction toward itsend 102. The tapered slope of thebore 114 in that direction causes the compression of thesegments 132 of thering 130, reducing the size of theopening 140 provided by theinner surfaces 138.

Thering 130 is actuated in the direction towards theend 102 of theguide tube 94 along theaxis 96 by a pressure plate orouter casing 144 of substantially cylindrical form having an opening therein 146 providing an extendingend 148 which contacts and receives therewithin theend 150 of therotatable casing 110. The opening 146 is of substantially cylindrical form and communicates with acentral opening 150 in thefront wall 152 of thecasing 144 through which the elongatedflexible cleaning element 116 may freely extend. Athrust bearing 154 is positioned proximate thewall 152 within thecasing 144 with its central opening in alignment with theopening 150 of thecasing 144 and having astationary race 156 secured with thecasing 144 and an exposedrace 158 rotatable with respect to thefirst race 156 and controllably engaging theend wall 160 of thering 130 for rotation therewith.

Thecasing 144 is provided with diametrically opposite outwardly extendingpins 162 which are received withinrespective slots 164 in thearms 172, 174 of a U bracket 166 (see FIGURE 1) which is secured at its top with a forwardly extendinglever 168 to provide a control means 170 for the securingunit 112. Each of thearms 172, 174 of the bracket 166 (see FIGURE 4) is pivotally secured by bolt means 176, 178 with a respective horizontally extendingmember 180, 182 secured at itsend 184, 186 with the central upwardly extendingportion 124 of thebearing block 120.

When a downwardly exterted force is applied to the end of thelever 168 of the control means 170, thebracket 166 is caused to pivot about the bolt means 176, 178 in the counterclockwise direction, exerting a force upon theouter casing 144, urging it in the direction towards theend 102 of theguide tube 94 along theaxis 96. This results in the application of a pressure by thecasing 144 on theend wall 160 of thering 130, urging the ring in the axial direction into the bore of therotatable casing 110. This movement, as explained before, results in the contracting or collapsing of thesegments 132 of thering 130, causing the ring to firmly secure and grip theelongated element 116 or snake passing through itsopening 140. At this time, pressure is also applied between the contactingsurfaces 142, 114 respectively of thering 130 androtatable casing 110, resulting in thering 130 firmly frictionally engaging and rotating with therotatable casing 110. The pressure exerted on thering 130 by thecasing 144 is through thebearing 154, allowing thering 130 to rotate freely with respect thereto. Of course, the connection of theouter casing 144 with the control means 170 prevents its relative rotation and allows only its movement in the direction along theaxis 96. Similarly, thebearing 122 receives and transmits the thrust force exerted upon thering 130 andcasing 110 for exertion upon thebearing block 120, thereby preventing the movement in the axial direction of thecasing 110 and theguide tube 94 connected therewith.

When downward force is removed from thecontrol lever 168 resulting in the removal of pressure applied to thewall 160 of thering 130, thering 130 moves in the direction out of the bore of thecasing 110 in the direction away from theend 120 of theguide tube 94. This is caused by the tendency of thering 130 to expand under action of itssprings 134, and since the tapered slope of thebore surface 114 is made sufiiciently great to easily allow such outward movement. This movement automatically results in the release of anelongated cleaning element 116 which may have been clamped within theopening 140 of thering 130. Of course, this is an important factor in case of an emergency where the release of the control means 170 automatically results in the disconnecting of the snake or cleaningelement 114, stopping its rotation or actuation.

In operation, the pipe cleaning device may readily be transported from one location to another location where it is required. In doing this, thecarriage 54 may quickly be removed from the supportingstructure 12 for ease of handling. Theelongated cleaning element 116, such as a snake comprising a flexible coiled wire element, is fed through the opening in theguide tube 94, then through the openings provided therefor in theclamping unit 112 with thecontrol lever 168 in its released condition. The diameter of the snake and thecoupling 200 provided at the front end thereof provides sufficient clearance for same to be readily received and slipped through the openings and passages of thepipe cleaning device 10. After the end of theelement 116 with thecoupling 200 has been extended through and past the securingunit 112, acleaning tool 202 or other such means well known in the art may be secured with thecoupling 200 of thecleaning element 116. Thecleaning tool 202 may then be placed into the opening of a pipe or like means which is to be cleaned by sufiiciently advancing thecleaning element 116 to its required position.

In advancing or feeding theelement 116, thecarriage 54 may be moved to the rear ends 204 of thetracks 48, 50 with the securingunit 112 in its disengaged position, so that theelement 116 is not actuated therewith along the longitudinal oraxial direction 96. Upon its deposition at the end of thetrack 102, theclamping unit 112 may be caused to engage theelement 116 by the application of a downward force on the end of thelever 168. Theelement 116 may now be advanced in the forward direction by moving the carriage along itstracks 48, 50 in the forward direction. The rate and the amonut of advance may thus be directly controlled by the operator in manually actuating thecarriage 54. Of course, mechanical means may also be provided for moving and controlling the motion of the carriage along the track means 48, 50. This action may be continued for feeding theelement 116 in the forward direction. Where theelement 116 must be removed, the clamping action is applied during the forward and backward movement of the carriage means 54 along the track means 48, 50 only when the carriaige means 54 is moved from its forward position towards therear end 204 of thetracks 48, 50. This action, of course, may be continued until theelement 116 is completely removed from the tube or means being cleaned.

Since it may be desirable to rotate theelement 116 when it is being advanced, this is accomplished by themotor 68 through the gear reduction unit 70 and the coupling means provided by thewheels 88, 92 joined by the band when thelever 86 of themotor control box 80 is placed in its forward or reverse position. Thus, when thelever 168 of the securing means 95 is actuated for gripping theelement 116, the element is rotated in its forward or reverse direction by the energization of themotor 68, while theunit 116 is advanced or retracted by the movement of thecarriage 54 along thetracks 48, 50 of the supportingstructure 12. If themotor control box 80 is placed in its off position, theelement 116 may be advanced or retracted without the rotary action provided by themotor 68.

The feeding and retracting means of thepipe cleaning device 10 is of highly simplified form and allows the accurate control of the rate at which theelement 116 is advanced or retracted. This simplicity is not afforded by prior art devices which are highly complex and costly, and do not provide the flexibility afforded by the disclosed device. The ease of handling of thecleaning element 116 and the efficiency resulting from the utilization of thedevice 10 are of great advantage as are the reliability and durability embodied therein.

It will, of course, be understood that the description and drawings, herein contained, are illustrative merely, and that various modifications and changes may be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A pipe cleaning device comprising a portable frame structure including a pair of track elements at its top; a carriage means including a platform with a plurality of guide elements movably engaging the track elements of said structure for freely positioning said carriage along said structure; a clamping means for receiving and engaging a conformable non-rigid elongated cleaning element therethrough rotatably mounted upon the platform of said carriage and having means for providing for releasable engagement of said clamping means with said cleaning element at successive locations along its length; and drive means supported by the platform of said carriage for controllably rotating said clamping means; said clamping means including an elongated guide tube extending along the track elements of said frame struc ture for movably receiving therethrough said cleaning element of elongated coiled wire form, a plurality of bearing units rotatably supporting said tube upon said platform in position parallel to said pair of track means, a clamp unit having a portion secured at an end of said tube for rotation with said tube and for receiving therethrough the cleaning element extending through said tube, and a control lever for controllably actuating said control unit for engaging and clamping therewith the cleaning element extending therethrough for rotation by said drive means and for controllably clamping said element with said clamping means for longitudinal actuation of said cleaning element by movement of said carriage means along the track elements of said structure for feeding or withdrawing said cleaning element from a pipe during a pipe cleaning operation; said clamp unit comprising a rotatable casing having a tapered bore along its longitudinal axis, a clamping ring with a plurality of resiliently secured together segments having tapered outer surfaces for conforming with the surface of said bore and being at least partly received and slideable into the bore of said rotatable casing in the direction of its longitudinal axis, and a pressure casing positionable with respect to said rotatable casing in the direction of said longitudinal axis by actuation of said control lever for moving said ring in the direction into said rotatable casing; said casings and said ring providing respective openings for receiving and said cleaning element therethrough; said ring remaining stationary except when actuated by said control lever in the direction into the bore of said rotatable casing for causing the segments of said ring to be compressed by the tapered surface of said bore for firmly engagaing said cleaning element passing therethrough and said rotatable casing at its engaged surfaces Within said bore for causing said cleaning element to rotate with said rotatable casing; said drive means including a motor with a rotating driveshaft mounted on the platform of said carriage means over the guide tube of said clamping means, a driver wheel member attached to the shaft of said motor, a driven wheel member secured about said guide tube, and a coupling band element coupling said Wheels for rotatably driving said guide tube.

2. The device of claim 1 in which said rotatable casing is secured to and rotates with said guide tube of said clamping means and said pressure casing is provided with a thrust bearing for engaging and actuating said clamping ring.

3. The device ofclaim 2 in which the segments of said ring are resiliently secured tending to expand said ring out of engagement with said cleaning element passing therethrough and the surface of the bore of said movable casing is sufliciently tapered to allow said ring to slide in the direction out of said bore due to the tendency of said ring to expand when said lever actuates said pressure casing along said longitudinal axis in the direction opposite to that for moving said ring into the bore of said rotatable casing.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,008,100 7/35 Ford 15104.03 2,201,733 5/40 Kollmann 15-104.3 2,278,067 3/42 Emery 15-104.3 2,460,149 1/49 Schoensiegel 15-1043 X 2,467,849 4/49 OBrien 15104.3 2,705,642 4/55 Chasar 15-1043 X 2,769,191 11/56 Hunt et al 15104.3 2,775,439 12/56 McCarthy 17322 X 2,940,099 6/60 Kollmann 15104.3 2,976,942 3/ 61 Pitcher 62 X 3,075,218 1/63 Kollmann 15-1043 CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A PIPE CLEANING DEVICE COMPRISING A PORTABLE FRAME STRUCTURE INCLUDING A PAIR OF TRACK ELEMENTS AT ITS TOP; A CARRIAGE MEANS INCLUDING A PLATFORM WITH A PLURALITY OF GUIDE ELEMENTS MOVABLY ENGAGING THE TRACK ELEMENTS OF SAID STRUCTURE FOR FREELY POSITIONING SAID CARRIAGE ALONG SAID STRUCTURE; A CLAMPING MEANS FOR RECEIVING AND ENGAGING A CONFORMABLE NON-RIGID ELONGATED CLEANING ELEMENT THERETHROUGH ROTATABLY MOUNTED UPON THE PLATFORM OF SAID CARRIAGE AND HAVING MEANS FOR PROVIDING FOR RELEASABLE ENGAGEMENT OF SAID CLAMPING MEANS WITH SAID CLEANING ELEMENT AT SUCCESSIVE LOCATIONS ALONG ITS LENGTH; AND DRIVE MEANS SUPPORTED BY THE PLATFORM OF SAID CARRIAGE FOR CONTROLLABLY ROTATING SAID CLAMPING MEANS; SAID CLAMPING MEANS INCLUDING AN ELONGATED GUIDE TUBE EXTENDING ALONG THE TRACK ELEMENTS OF SAID FRAME STRUCTURE FOR MOVABLY RECEIVING THERETHROUGH SAID CLEANING ELEMENT OF ELONGATED COILED WIRE FORM, A PLURALITY OF BEARING UNITS ROTATABLY SUPPORTING SAID TUBE UPON SAID PLATFORM IN POSITION PARALLEL TO SAID PAIR OF TRACK MEANS, A CLAMP UNIT HAVING A PORTION SECURED AT AN END OF SAID TUBE FOR ROTATION WITH SAID TUBE AND FOR RECEIVING THERETHROUGH THE CLEANING ELEMENT EXTENDING THROUGH SAID TUBE, AND A CONTROL LEVER FOR CONTROLLABLY ACTUATING SAID CONTROL UNIT FOR ENGAGING AND CLAMPING THEREWITH THE CLEANING ELEMENT EXTENDING THERETHROUGH OR ROTATION BY SAID DRIVE MEANS AND FOR CONTROLLABLY CLAMPING SAID ELEMENT WITH SAID CLAMPING MEANS FOR LONGITUDINAL ACTUATION OF SAID CLEANING ELEMENT BY MOVEMENT OF SAID CARRIAGE MEANS ALONG THE TRACK ELEMENTS OF SAID STRUCTURE FOR FEEDING OR WITHDRAWING SAID CLEANING ELEMENT FROM A PIPE DURING A PIPE CLEANING OPERATING; SAID CLAMP UNIT COMPRISING A ROTATABLE CASING HAVING A TAPERED BORE ALONG ITS LONGITUDINAL AXIS, A CLAMPING RING WITH A PLURALITY OF RESILIENTLY SECURED TOGETHER SEGMENTS HAVING TAPERED OUTER SURFACES FOR CONFORMING WITH THE SURFACE OF SAID BORE AND

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