Toilet plunger   

The present application claims priority from Korean Patent Application Number 10-2010-0091349 filed on Sep. 17, 2010, the entire contents of which application are incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a toilet plunger, and more particularly, to a toilet plunger, in which high-pressure gas is discharged into a drain that is clogged with impurities, so that the drain can be unclogged, and in which a gas container, which is filled with gas, can be easily replaced.

2. Description of Related Art

Toilets provided in houses and buildings serve to discharge excrement, which is expelled from the body of humans, to the outside through a drain. The drain frequently becomes clogged with excrement or impurities contained in the excrement while it discharges the excrement to the outside.

When the drain is clogged by the impurities, chemicals capable of dissolving the impurities are used to unclog the drain. However, this approach has problems in that it is time-consuming and entails.

Accordingly, a cleaning tool having a suction cup on one end thereof is used domestically in order to simply and rapidly unclog the drain. However, the suction cup of such a cleaning tool does not provide sufficient suction force, since its space is limited. Consequently, the unclogging performance of the cleaning tool is not efficient.

In order to solve this problem, a drain cleaning device, which compresses air inside an enclosed container by actuating a piston provided in a cylinder in order to unclog a clogged drain, has been proposed. However, this device cannot apply a great amount of pressure to the drain, since the suction force is limited by the space inside the cylinder. In addition, the piston must be operated repeatedly in order to produce a large amount of pressure.

The information disclosed in this Background of the Invention section is only for the enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this information forms a prior art that would already be known to a person skilled in the art.

SUMMARY

Various aspects of the present invention provide a toilet plunger in which high-pressure gas is instantaneously discharged toward a clogged drain by puncturing one portion of a gas container, in which the high-pressure gas is contained, using a puncture pin, so the drain can be easily unclogged.

Also provided is a toilet plunger in which an insert, which is intended to be inserted into the drain, is bent at a predetermined angle, so that high-pressure gas can be properly discharged toward the drain.

Also provide is a toilet plunger in which a body is coupled to a cover via a screw. Consequently, a gas container can be easily replaced when it is exhausted, and thus the toilet plunger can be reused.

In an aspect of the present invention, the toilet plunger that is used to unclog a drain of a toilet by removing impurities. The toilet plunger includes a gas container containing a predetermined amount of gas therein, with an opening thereof closed by a closing plate. A body has defined therein a passage extending in the lengthwise direction to allow the gas to pass through and a gas container-receiving portion depressed to a predetermined depth from the upper end thereof to closely receive an opening side of the gas container. A puncture pin is disposed in the central portion of the gas container-receiving portion to puncture the closing plate so that the gas that is contained in the gas container is discharged toward the passage. A cover has an inner space capable of receiving a portion of the gas container opposite the opening. The cover is screw-coupled to the upper portion of the body to cover the upper portion of the body that is open, such that the container is moved toward the puncture pin according to a screw motion when a user rotates the cover. An insert is connected to the lower end of the body to guide the gas that is discharged from the gas container along the passage toward the drain. A portion of the insert, which is intermediate in length, is bent a predetermined angle in one direction such that the insert is easily inserted into the drain.

It is preferred that the body have a pair of partitions therein, the partitions being spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval, thereby forming a puncture pin-receiving portion, into which the puncture pin is disposed, and dividing the gas container-receiving portion and the passage from each other.

It is preferred that the toilet plunger further include a coupling ring, which surrounds an outer circumference of the puncture pin. The coupling ring with the puncture pin coupled thereto is fitted into the puncture pin-receiving portion

It is preferred that each of the partitions have a safety passage therein, the safety passage being formed around the puncture pin-receiving portion to connect the gas container-receiving portion to the passage in order to adjust pressure in the gas container-receiving portion

It is preferred that the puncture pin have a through-passage in the central portion thereof. The through-passage guides the gas that is discharged from the gas container toward the passage

It is preferred that the body also have a pressing member surrounding the outer surface thereof. The pressing member presses the puncture pin-receiving portion

It is preferred that the pressing member have at least one anti-slip groove along the outer circumference in the outer surface thereof, the anti-slip groove depressed a predetermined depth.

It is preferred that the insert have a close contact plate along the outer circumference in the upper portion thereof. The close contact plate protrudes outwards a predetermined length, such that the close contact plate comes into close contact with surroundings of the drain when the insert is inserted into the drain.

It is preferred that the gas be one selected from the group consisting of CO2, O2, and N2.

According to embodiments of the invention, high-pressure gas is instantaneously discharged toward a clogged drain by puncturing one portion of the gas container, in which the high-pressure gas is contained, using the puncture pin, and the insert, which is intended to be inserted into the drain, is bent at a predetermined angle, so that high-pressure gas can be properly discharged toward the drain, thereby easily unclogging the drain.

Furthermore, the body is coupled to the cover using a screw. Consequently, a gas container can be easily replaced when it is exhausted, so that the toilet plunger can be reused.

The methods and apparatuses of the present invention have other features and advantages which will be apparent from, or are set forth in greater detail in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and in the following Detailed Description of the Invention, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a toilet plunger according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an assembled cross-sectional view of the toilet plunger shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views showing the operational relationship of a toilet plunger of the invention, in which FIG. 3A shows the status before puncturing, and FIG. 3B shows the status after puncturing; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the use of a toilet plunger according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the invention will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the present description is not intended to limit the invention to those exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments that may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Throughout this document, reference should be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals and signs are used throughout the different drawings to designate the same or similar components.

A toilet plunger 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a gas container 110, a body 120, a puncture pin 130, a cover 140, and an insert 150, in which the insert 150 is inserted into an S trap 15 connected to a toilet bowl 10, after which the cover 140 is rotated, so that a drain can be plunged by instantaneous high pressure.

The gas container 110 serves to contain high-pressure gas that is intended to be discharged in order to unclog the drain of the toilet bowl 10, and is extended a predetermined length, with an opening 112 connected to the inner space thereof.

The opening 112 is closed using a thin closing plate 114 after the high-pressure gas is supplied into the space inside the gas container 110 through the opening 112, so that the high-pressure gas contained therein does not leak to the outside.

Here, the closing plate 114 is punctured by the puncture pin 130 in response to manipulation of the toilet plunger by a user, so that high-pressure gas that is contained inside the closing plate 114 is discharged toward the drain through a passage 125 in the body 120.

The high-pressure gas contained inside the gas container 110 is one selected from among CO2, N2, and O2. Here, CO2 is contained in the form of dry ice or liquid, and N2, and O2 are contained in the form of compressed gas. The gas is contained in an amount of about 5 to 6 liters under a pressure of 10 kg/mm2 inside the gas container 110.

However, it should be understood that this is not intended to limit the type, pressure, or amount of gas to be contained in the gas container 110. Rather, the type, pressure, or amount of gas can be variously changed depending on the circumstance, such as use or size.

The body 120 serves as a passage through which the high-pressure gas discharged from the gas container 110 flows. The body 120 is formed as a hollow structure having a predetermined length, with an inner space extending in the lengthwise direction thereof. The open upper portion is closed by being coupled to the cover 140, and the open lower portion is connected to the insert 150.

As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of partitions 122 is arranged inside the body 120 such that the partitions 122 face each other at a predetermined interval, so that the space inside the body 120 is divided into the upper and lower areas. Since the partitions 122 are spaced apart from each other at the predetermined interval, the space defined in the central area forms a puncture pin-receiving portion 124, into which the puncture pin 130 is fitted.

That is, the body 120 has a gas container-receiving portion 123 in the upper portion thereof, which is defined by the pair of partitions 122, which divide the space inside the body 120 into the upper and lower areas. The lower area of the space inside the body 120 forms the passage 125, through which the high-pressure gas discharged from the gas container 110 can travel to the insert 150. The gas container-receiving portion 123 and the passage 125 are connected to each other via the puncture pin-receiving portion 124.

Consequently, after the opening of the gas container 110 is fitted into the gas container-receiving portion 123, if the closing plate 114 is torn by the puncture pin 130, the high-pressure gas stored in the gas container 110 is discharged into the passage 125 through the puncture pin 130.

Here, the partitions 122 can have safety passages 126 formed around the puncture pin-receiving portion 124, the safety passages 126 connecting the gas container-receiving portion 123 to the passage 125.

In the toilet plunger 100 of this embodiment, when the closing plate 114 is punctured by the puncture pin 130, the high-pressure gas is discharged toward the passage 125 through the puncture pin 130. At this time, a user can be injured by repulsive power if very high pressure is generated instantaneously.

The safety passages 126 serve as a safety means that protects the user from the danger of injury. Specifically, the safety passages 126 lower the pressure under which the high-pressure gas is discharged by allowing a portion of the high-pressure gas that is discharged toward the passage 125 from the gas container 110 to travel to the passage 125 through the safety passages 126.

As shown in the figures, the gas container-receiving portion 123 is depressed to a predetermined depth from the upper end to form a shape that is substantially the same as that of the gas container 110, such that one portion of the gas container 110, specifically, the portion in which the opening 112 is formed, can be fitted into the gas container-receiving portion 123.

The lower portion of the gas container-receiving portion 123, which is connected to the puncture pin-receiving portion 124, is narrowed such that the opening 112 of the gas container 110 can be positioned therein.

Consequently, the portion of the gas container 110 in which the opening 112 is formed is inserted into the gas container-receiving portion 123, and the other portion of the gas container 110, which is closed, is inserted into the cover 140, which will be described later, so that the gas container 110 is seated in the upper portion of the body 120.

Here, the cover 140 is screw-coupled to the upper portion of the body 120 to cover the gas container-receiving portion 123, such that the gas container 110 is not exposed to the outside. Specifically, first threads 121 are formed in the upper portion of the body 120 and second threads 142 corresponding to the first threads 121 are formed in the inner circumference of the cover 140, such that the cover 140 is screw-coupled to the upper portion of the body 120.

Here, as described above, the cover 140 has a recess 144 in the portion thereof that is connected to the body 120. The recess 144 is depressed to a predetermined depth such that the portion of the gas container 110 can be fitted thereinto.

That is, the gas container 110 is fitted into the toilet plunger 100, with one portion thereof, including the opening 112, arranged in the gas container-receiving portion 123, and the other portion thereof fitted into the recess 144 in the cover 140.

Consequently, the toilet plunger 100 of this embodiment can be reused by replacing the gas container 110, from which gas is discharged, with a new one by opening the upper portion of the body 120 by rotating the cover 140 in one direction.

In addition, since the cover 140 is screw-coupled to the upper portion of the body 120, when the cover 140 is rotated in the other direction, the cover 140 gradually moves down along the outer circumference of the body 120 according to a screw motion.

Consequently, the gas container 110, with one portion thereof fitted into the cover 140, is displaced downward in response to the movement of the cover 140 so that the closing plate 114 thereof is punctured by the puncture pin 130, which is fitted into the puncture pin-receiving portion 124, thereby discharging the high-pressure gas contained in the gas container 110 into the passage 125.

In the meantime, the puncture pin 130 is fitted into the puncture pin-receiving portion 124 formed in the body 120 such that it can puncture the closing plate 114 of the gas container 110, which is moved downward when the cover 140 is rotated.

It is preferred that a hollow coupling ring 160 having an open central portion be additionally provided such that the puncture pin 130 is fitted into the coupling ring 160, which is fitted in this state into the puncture pin-receiving portion 124.

That is, the coupling ring 160 is interference-fitted into the puncture pin-receiving portion 124 in order to support the puncture pin 130 such that the puncture pin 130 can be fixed in a predetermined position. In addition, the coupling ring 160 is made of a shrinkable or elastic material such as urethane, so that it can be fitted into the puncture pin-receiving portion 124.

The puncture pin 130 is configured such that a through-passage 132, which allows gas to pass through, is formed in the central portion thereof. When the puncture pin 130 is fitted into the puncture pin-receiving portion 124, the sharp upper portion of the puncture pin 130 protrudes a predetermined height from the upper surface of the coupling ring 160. Consequently, when the gas container 110 moves downward, the upper portion of the puncture pin 130 can puncture the closing plate 114.

In addition, a hollow pressing member 170 can be coupled to the body 120 such that it surrounds the outer surface of the body 120. The pressing member 170 is hollow, and extends a predetermined length such that it can press the portion of the outer circumference of the body 120, in which the puncture pin-receiving portion 124 is formed.

That is, the pressing member 170 is interference-fitted around the outer surface of the body 120 to provide inward compressive force to the outer surface of the body 120. This is intended to press the puncture pin 130, which is fitted into the puncture pin-receiving portion 124, by applying the compressive force from the pressing member 170 to the puncture pin-receiving portion 124, so that the puncture pin 130 is securely fixed without moving up or down.

Here, one or more anti-slip grooves 172 can be formed along the outer circumference in the outer surface of the pressing member 170. The anti-slip grooves 172 are depressed a predetermined depth.

When the user attempts to rotate the cover 140 in one direction with one hand while grasping the pressing member 170 with the other hand, the anti-slip grooves 172 prevent the other hand from slipping on the pressing member 170, so that the user can easily rotate the cover 140.

The insert 150, which is connected to the lower portion of the body 120, is inserted into the drain, which is connected to the toilet. In this position, the insert 150 serves to guide the high-pressure gas that is discharged from the gas container 110 toward the drain.

A portion of the insert 150, which is intermediate in length, is bent a predetermined angle in one direction such that the insert 150 can be easily inserted into the drain. In general, the S trap 15 is provided at one end of the drain, which is connected to the toilet, in order to prevent a bad smell, which occurs from the inside of the drain, from exiting through the toilet bowl 10.

In the toilet plunger 100 of this embodiment, since the portion of the insert 150, which is intermediate in length, is bent, the insert 150 can be correctly inserted into the bent S trap and guide the high-pressure gas to be properly discharged into the drain.

Consequently, the high-pressure gas that that is discharged from the gas container 110 through the passage and the insert 150 into the drain can be properly supplied to the drain, thereby easily removing impurities from the drain.

The insert 150 is hollow, and the lower portion of the body 120 is interference-fitted into the upper portion of the insert 150. In addition, the insert 150 has a stopper 152 in order to limit the depth to which the lower portion of the body 120 is inserted upward. The stopper 152 protrudes inwards a predetermined length, so that the lower end of the body 120 is blocked and fixed in position by the stopper 152.

The insert 150 also has a close contact plate 154 along the outer circumference in the upper portion thereof. The close contact plate 154 protrudes outwards a predetermined length. When the insert 150 is inserted into the toilet hole and is connected to the drain, the close contact plate 154 covers and closes the surroundings of the toilet hole, thereby preventing the discharged high-pressure gas from flowing backwards.

In addition, the close contact plate 154 comes in close contact with the surroundings of the toilet hole to support force that the user applies to the toilet, thereby helping the user withstand repulsive force that is generated when the high-pressure gas is discharged.

With reference to FIG. 4, a description will be made of the operation of the toilet plunger 100 of this embodiment.

When the drain of the toil is clogged, the insert 150 is brought into contact with the opening of the drain of the toilet bowl 10. The gas container 110 is moved downwards by rotating the cover 140 in one direction, so that the closing plate 114 of the gas container 110 is punctured by the puncture pin 130, which is seated in the puncture pin-receiving portion 124.

When the closing plate 114 is torn, high-pressure gas is discharged from the gas container 110 through the through-passage 132, passes through the passage 125 and the insert 150, and is then discharged into the drain.

Here, a portion of the high-pressure gas that is discharged through the puncture of the closing plate 114 is discharged into the passage 125 through the safety passages 126 in order to adjust the pressure inside the plunger 100.

When the high-pressure gas that has been stored is used, the user can separate the cover 140 from the body 120 by rotating it in the other direction and replace the gas container 110 with a new one, which is then ready to be used.

As set forth above, high-pressure gas is instantaneously discharged toward a clogged drain by puncturing one portion of the gas container, in which the high-pressure gas is contained, using the puncture pin, and the insert, which is intended to be inserted into the drain, is bent at a predetermined angle, so that high-pressure gas can be properly discharged toward the drain, thereby easily unclogging the drain.

Furthermore, the body is coupled to the cover using a screw. Consequently, a gas container can be easily replaced when it is exhausted, and thus the toilet plunger can be reused.

The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of the invention and their practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as well as various alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.