Emerson Electric Company

Ridge Tool Company

Jon R Dunkin

Michael J Rutkowski

Larry F Babb

Alex Michael Cole

Hugh Morris

Paul W Gress

Christopher L Lane

Sarah A Golish

James E Hamm

Robert Skrjanc

Harish Prakash Kulkarni

Jeffrey Szucs

Josh Sooy

Brandon Moherman

Clifford Duff

Scott Aiello

Danny L Burch, Jr

Edward A McKiernan

A mechanism for securing multiple apparatus to a drain cleaning machine is described. The mechanism includes a bracket arranged on a frame of the drain cleaning machine. The bracket allows a drum and a feed mechanism to be removably secured to the frame. The bracket includes a base and pivotable latch. A drum bearing from the drum can be secured between the base and the latch when the latch is in a closed position. Mounting pins from the feed mechanism can be inserted into two bores in the bracket, and secured therein by plunger pins. One plunger pin is manually operated, to selectively lock the latch in the closed position, and to selectively secure one of the mounting pins in one of the bores. Another plunger pin is operated by pivoting of the latch, and functions to selectively secure the other mounting pin in the other bore.

Mechanism for retention of multiple apparatus on plumbing tools

Various assemblies for indicating movement and direction of drain cleaning cables used in plumbing tools are described. Generally, the plumbing tools include a cam that is in operable engagement with a guide tube. Upon axial movement of cable relative to the tool, the cam causes reciprocal movement of an indicator. The plumbing tools can additionally include switches and/or electronics in communication with the indicator to thereby provide information or processing of tool operation.

Cable movement indicator for plumbing tools

Cable coupling assemblies are described which can be readily engaged and separated from one another. The couplings are particularly useful for use in torque transmitting cables such as those used in drain cleaning applications.

Cable couplings for drain cleaning tools

Various feed control devices for plumbing tools such as drain cleaning machines are disclosed. The feed control devices include a collection of angled rollers that contact a cable or snake of the drain cleaning machine. Another collection of a single or dual angled roller(s) are mounted or otherwise engaged with a handle, and can be selectively positioned and contacted with the cable. By changing the position of the handle, rotation of the cable is translated to axial movement thereby advancing or retracting the cable. Also described are drain cleaning devices utilizing the feed control devices.

Feed control device for plumbing tools

Battery

Beveling tools having a variety of features are described. The tools can utilize a combination of handles, a protective external frame, guide rollers that are positionally adjusted by swing arms with timing lobes, or by an alternative guide bar mounting system, a helical knurled drive roller, guide rollers that have a convex or crowned face, skewed guide rollers, a positive clutch assembly for governing force applied to the guide rollers, a hand crank assembly for moving the tool when mounted on a workpiece, position adjustment provisions for varying the position of a milling head, and indicators providing visual feedback to an operator.

Transportable beveling tool

Quick release mechanisms for auger type cleanout tools are described. The mechanisms enable engagement and disengagement of a handle to an auger without the use of separate retainers or fasteners. Also described are auger type tools and related methods of use utilizing the quick release mechanisms.

Quick release mechanisms for plumbing tools

An inspection system and method for use in underground utility construction, especially underground boring operations, is provided. The inspection system generally includes a sensor, a sensor carrier apparatus, and an output device. The sensor is employed to obtain inspection data regarding the condition of a tunnel created in an underground boring operation. The sensor carrier is adapted to incorporate the sensor and connect to means for transporting the sensor through the tunnel. The output device receives an output signal from the sensor corresponding to the inspection data and presents it to an operator for interpretation and/or otherwise documents and/or records the inspection data.

Inspection system and method for use in underground boring operations

Cable coupling

Frame

A hand operated drain cleaner includes a manually operated rotatable drum and an elongated flexible cable at least partially held in the drum. A portion of the cable extending from the drum has a cable axis, and rotation of the drum rotates the cable portion about the cable axis. A handle is adapted to rotatably support the drum. The handle includes a barrel portion and a handle portion. A feed control device includes a housing having a feed passage axially therethrough for receiving the cable and a trigger for moving the feed control device between a non-actuating position and an actuating position. In the actuating position, a feed control device is pivoted relative to the handle such that the driving mechanism engages the cable thereby inducing axial movement of the cable via rotation of the drum. A locking mechanism is opera operably associated with the feed control device.

Feed control lock for hand operated drain cleaner

Utility line locator and mounting arrangement for GPS device

Display housing for a handheld inspection device

Growing community of inventors

Elyria, OH, United States of America

Jon R Dunkin