IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,103,902
Granted Patent B2
US 11,103,902 · App. 16/292,913 · Granted Aug 31, 2021

Drain cleaner

Inventors: Hans T. Banholzer (Milwaukee, WI); Nikos A. Gainacopulos (Milwaukee, WI); Jacqueline J. Beierle (Milwaukee, WI); Sean T. Kehoe (Pewaukee, WI); Ryan James Denissen (Sussex, WI); Justin Miller (Milwaukee, WI)
Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
B08B9/047B08B9/045B65H75/364E03F9/005B65H2701/33
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,103,902
App. No.
16/292,913
Granted
Aug 31, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A drain cleaner includes a shroud with a closed end and an open end opposite the closed end, a drum assembly positioned within the shroud and rotatable relative to the shroud, a flexible cable stored within the drum assembly, and a handle assembly coupled to and extending rearwardly from the shroud. The handle assembly includes a motor, a grip, and an actuator to selectively energize the motor. The actuator is enclosed between the grip and the shroud.

Claims (27)

1. A drain cleaner comprising:

a handle assembly;

a motor supported by the handle assembly;

a shroud coupled to and extending forwardly from the handle assembly, the shroud including a closed end facing the handle assembly and an open end facing away from the handle assembly;

a drum assembly operable to be rotated by the motor relative to the handle assembly and shroud, the drum assembly including an inner drum, a drum support, and a drum cover, the inner drum positioned partially within the drum support and including an open forward end, the drum cover extending over the open end of the inner drum and coupled to the drum support with threaded fasteners, the drum cover including an extended portion that extends away from the drum assembly;

a nose assembly positioned forward of the drum assembly, the extended portion of the drum cover extending into the nose assembly; and

a flexible cable supported within the inner drum of the drum assembly, the flexible cable configured to be extended out of the drum assembly and into a drain.

2. The drain cleaner of claim 1 , wherein the flexible cable is covered within the inner drum by the drum cover to inhibit access to the flexible cable.

3. The drain cleaner of claim 1 , wherein the drum assembly is positioned substantially within the shroud.

4. The drain cleaner of claim 1 , wherein the handle assembly defines a first grip and the nose assembly defines a second grip.

5. The drain cleaner of claim 1 , further comprising a drive mechanism positioned at least partially within the handle assembly, wherein the drive mechanism couples the motor to the drum support.

6. A drain cleaner comprising:

a handle assembly including a grip;

a motor supported by the handle assembly;

a drum assembly rotatably coupled to the handle assembly, the drum assembly operable to be rotated by the motor relative to the handle assembly;

a flexible cable supported within the drum assembly, wherein the drum assembly encloses the flexible cable, the flexible cable configured to be extended out of the drain cleaner through an opening and into a drain;

a base positioned beneath the drum assembly, the base including a generally planar surface that supports the drain cleaner in an upright position; and

a light supported by the base between the opening and the planar surface.

7. The drain cleaner of claim 6 , wherein the handle assembly includes an actuator to selectively energize the light.

8. The drain cleaner of claim 7 , wherein the actuator is coupled to the motor to selectively energize the motor and rotate the drum assembly.

9. The drain cleaner of claim 8 , wherein when the actuator is depressed by a user to energize the motor, the light is also energized.

10. The drain cleaner of claim 6 , wherein the light includes a light emitting diode.

11. The drain cleaner of claim 6 , wherein the base extends forwardly from the handle assembly.

12. The drain cleaner of claim 11 , wherein the light illuminates an area in front of the base relative to the handle assembly.

13. The drain cleaner of claim 6 , wherein the handle assembly includes a battery receptacle configured to receive a battery pack.

14. The drain cleaner of claim 13 , wherein the battery receptacle is positioned beneath the grip of the handle assembly.

15. The drain cleaner of claim 6 , wherein the grip is a first grip and the drain cleaner further comprises a carrying handle with a second grip, the second grip being positioned above the opening.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 13, 2020
From: BANHOLZER, HANS T.; GAINACOPULOS, NIKOS A.; BEIERLE, JACQUELINE J.; KEHOE, SEAN T.; DENISSEN, RYAN JAMES; MILLER, JUSTIN
To: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 051812/0885 →
Continuity (7)
Continuation 15953643 · Apr 16, 2018
Continuation 15862360 · Jan 4, 2018
Continuation 15426762 · Feb 7, 2017
Continuation PCTUS2016065942 · Dec 9, 2016
Provisional Application 62296453 · Feb 17, 2016
Provisional Application 62264916 · Dec 9, 2015
Related Publication 20190193128A1 · Jun 27, 2019
Cited By (2)
US 1,145,233 US 12,599,940