Drain cleaner cable couplings

Abstract

A drain cleaner includes a housing, a rotatable drum disposed in the housing, a motor for rotating a cleaning cable and a cleaning cable having a proximal end and a distal end. A cable coupling is connected to the cleaning cable at one of the ends of the cleaning cable. The cable coupling includes a collet at least partially received in a connection member and a clamping nut connected to the connection member.

Description

EPT-24-004WO01 (36864-781) DRAIN CLEANER CABLE COUPLINGS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 623,995, filed January 23, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD

[0002] The field of the disclosure relates generally to drain cleaners and, more particularly, to drain cleaner cable couplings. BACKGROUND

[0003] High speed drain cleaners include a flexible cable enclosed within a non-rotating sheath. The cable and sheath typically are positioned inside an annular channel of a drum. The drum rotates when the cable is pulled out from the drum. An electric motor is typically used to power the drain cleaner. Typically, the motor is connected to a gear box to transfer power from the motor to the cable. The cable coupling is connected to the rotary output of the gear box.

[0004] During drain cleaning operations, the cable may become disconnected from the cable coupling or the cable may become damaged requiring the cable to beEPT-24-004WO01 (36864-781) reconnected to the cable coupling. Conventional cable clamp couplings require specialized tools and it is difficult to connect the drain cleaning cable to the cable coupling in the field. Conventional cables involve crimping of a coupling to the cable which distorts the cable and possibly weakens the cable at the crimping site. Other methods for coupling involve use of a plurality of set screws. The set screws may damage the cable at the point of contact with the cable. Set screws may also loosen during cable cleaning operations which prevents torque transfer or damages the cable.

[0005] A need exists for couplings for connecting the drain cleaning cable of a drain cleaner to the rotary output of the gear box or motor that involve few tools and that allow for relatively quick coupling of the drain cleaning cable to the cable coupling.

[0006] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the disclosure, which are described and / or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. SUMMARY

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is directeddrain cleaner. The drain cleaner includes a housing and a rotatable drum disposed in the housing. AEPT-24-004WO01 (36864-781) cleaning cable has a proximal end and a distal end. A cable coupling is connected to the cleaning cable at the proximal or distal end of the cleaning cable. The cable coupling including a collet. The collet contacts the cleaning cable. The cable coupling incudes a connection member that comprises a connection member chamber. The collet is at least partially received in the connection member chamber. The cable coupling includes a clamping nut. The clamping nut is threadingly connected to the connection member.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method for coupling a cleaning cable to a motor of a drain cleaner. A collet is positioned within a clamping nut. A proximal end of the cleaning cable is slid through the collet. The proximal end of the cleaning cable is slid into a connection member. The clamping nut is threadingly connected to the connection member to cause the collet to exert a clamping force on the cleaning cable. The connection member is connected to a rotary output of (1) the motor or (2) a gear box connected to the motor.

[0009] Various refinements exist of the features noted in relation to the above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure. Further features may also be incorporated in the above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to any of the illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure may be incorporated into any of the above-described aspects of the present disclosure, alone or in any combination.EPT-24-004WO01 (36864-781) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drain cleaner;

[0011] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the drain cleaner;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the drum and the drum housing of the drain cleaner;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the drain cleaner showing the housing chamber in which electronic components are disposed;

[0014] FIG. 5 is a front view of the drain cleaner showing the inner drum chamber;

[0015] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the drain cleaning cable and a cleaning head of the drain cleaner;

[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cable coupling connected to the drain cleaning cable of the drain cleaner;

[0017] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the cable coupling and the drain cleaning cable;

[0018] FIG. 9 is a cross-section view of the cable coupling and the drain cleaning cable;

[0019] FIG. 10 is a cross-section side view of the collet of the cable coupling;

[0020] FIG. 11 is a cross-section perspective view of the clamping nut of the cable coupling;EPT-24-004WO01 (36864-781)

[0021] FIG. 12 is a cross-section view of the collet and clamping nut after the collet has been positioned within the clamping nut;

[0022] FIG. 13 is a cross-section view of the connection member of the cable coupling;

[0023] FIG. 14 is a cross-section view of the collet and clamping nut with the drain cleaning cable extending therethrough;

[0024] FIG. 15 is a cross-section view of the connection member with the drain cleaning cable extending therein;

[0025] FIG. 16 is a cross-section view of the drain cleaning cable and an embodiment of the cable coupling that includes an o-ring;

[0026] FIG. 17 is a cross-section view of the drain cleaning cable and another embodiment of the cable coupling that includes an o-ring;

[0027] FIG. 18 is a cross-section view of the drain cleaning cable and an embodiment of the cable coupling having a collet protrusion;

[0028] FIG. 19 is a cross-section view of the drain cleaning cable and an embodiment of the cable coupling having collet threads;

[0029] FIG. 20 is a cross-section view of an embodiment of the cable coupling having a sleeve disposed between the collet and the drain cleaning cable;EPT-24-004WO01 (36864-781)

[0030] FIG. 21 is a cross-section view of an embodiment of the cable coupling having a sleeve disposed between the connection member and the drain cleaning cable;

[0031] FIG. 22 is a cross-section view of an embodiment of the cable coupling with additional contact surface between the collet and the clamping nut; and

[0032] FIG. 23 is a cross-section view of an embodiment of the cable coupling having a set screw that contacts the drain cleaning cable.

[0033] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] An embodiment of a drain cleaner 10 is shown in FIGS. 1-15. The drain cleaner 10 is shown in a vertical orientation and includes an optional cart 15. The drain cleaner 10 is selectively attachable, detachable, and / or releasable from the cart 15. The drain cleaner 10 includes at least one wheel 17 (FIG. 2) and typically utilizes two, four or six wheels. The drain cleaner 10 is typically operated in a horizontal orientation (e.g., may include a bearing that accommodates axial loads when the drain cleaner 10 is operated in a horizontal orientation). The drain cleaner 10 may include features and components disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2021 / 0172162, which is incorporated herein by reference for all relevant and consistent purposes.

[0035] The drain cleaner 10 operates by rotating a cleaning head 63 (FIG. 6) as the cleaning head 63EPT-24-004WO01 (36864-781) moves through a drain. In the illustrated embodiment, the cleaning head 63 is connected to drain cleaning cable 61 that includes a sheath 65 and a cable 68 positioned within the sheath 65. The cable 68 rotates relative to the sheath 65. The cable 68 connects to the cleaning head 63 at a distal end 70 of the cable 68. The cable 68 also connects to the output of a gear box 58 (Fig. 5) at a proximal end 72 of the cable 68 (with the alternative cable coupling shown and described in US 2023 / 0097086, which is incorporated herein by reference for all relevant and consistent purposes, being shown in FIG. 5). While the present disclosure describes a drain cleaning cable having a cable that rotates within a sheath, other types of drain cleaning cables could be used.

[0036] The drain cleaner 10 includes a drum housing 20 (FIG. 1). The drum housing 20 is generally cylindrical. The drum housing 20 includes a front housing segment 26 and a rear housing segment 27. The front housing segment 26 includes a front segment housing cover 29.

[0037] The cover 29 encloses a front segment housing chamber 32 (FIG. 3) in which a various electronic components (e.g., motor controller) are disposed. The front housing segment 26 and the rear housing segment 27 form a housing chamber 34 in which a rotatable drum 38 is disposed.

[0038] The rotatable drum 38 includes an outer drum 39 and an inner drum 41 disposed within the outer drum 39. The inner drum 41 and outer drum 39 are rotatable relative to the drum housing 20 and rotate about axis A. The outer drum 39 and inner drum 41 are both cylindrically shaped. The inner drum 41 is concentrically positioned within the outer drum 39. The outer drum 39 and the inner drum 41 form an annular drum channel 45 for receiving theEPT-24-004WO01 (36864-781) drain cleaning cable 61 (FIG. 6). The drain cleaning cable 61 is disposed within the annular drum channel 45 and moves in and out of the drum housing 20 (FIG. 1) as the inner drum 41 and outer drum 39 rotate. The drum housing 20 includes a cable port 51 through which the cable passes during cleaning operations of the drain cleaner 10.

[0039] The drain cleaner 10 may include drum support assemblies (not shown) that support the outer drum 39 and inner drum 41 and may include a bearing disposed between the primary and secondary support assemblies that enables the drum 38 to rotate relative to the housing 20.

[0040] The outer drum 39 includes an annular partition 40 and a basewall 42 that extends radially inward from the annular partition 40 toward the axis of rotation A of the inner drum 41. The inner drum 41 includes an annular partition 46 and a basewall 52 that extends radially inward from the annular partition 46 toward the axis of rotation A of the inner drum 41. The inner drum 41 defines an inner drum chamber 53 in which various components that rotate with the inner drum 41 are disposed.

[0041] Referring now to FIG. 5, the drain cleaner 10 includes an electric motor 56 secured to the inner drum 41 and disposed within the inner drum chamber 53. The motor 56 rotates with the inner drum 41. In other embodiments, the drain cleaner 10 does not include a motor 56 (e.g., is powered by a drill). n some embodiments, the drain cleaner 10 includes a counterweight secured to the inner drum 41 and disposed within the inner drum chamber 53. The drain cleaner 10 includes a gear box 58 connected to the motor 56 (e.g., connected to a rotary output of the motor 56). The gear box 58 rotates with the inner drum 41.EPT-24-004WO01 (36864-781)

[0042] The drain cleaner 10 includes a cable clamp 75 (FIG. 11) secured to the inner drum 41 and disposed within the inner drum chamber 53. The cable clamp 75 is positioned over at least a region or portion of the drain cleaning cable 61 (FIG. 6). The cable clamp 75 rotates with the inner drum 41.

[0043] The drain cleaner 10 includes various controls and / or indicators 76 (FIG. 1). Specifically, the controls and indicators 76 can include one or more selector switches and electrical circuit breakers. The drain cleaner 10 may also optionally include a foot operated switch 78 for governing operation of the drain cleaner 10. The drain cleaner 10 includes components and circuitry for signal and / or power delivery between the housing cover 29 and the motor 56. The drain cleaner 10 includes a power cord assembly 82 having a plug 84 to connect the drain cleaner to mains power. The power cord assembly 82 also includes one or more switches and ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). The drain cleaner 10 also includes a battery 86 (FIG. 4) that may also be used to power the motor 56 (FIG. 5). The motor 56 is selectively powered by mains power or by the battery.

[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 7-15, a cable coupling 192 connected to the cleaning cable 61 is shown. The cable coupling 192 may be used to connect the cleaning cable to the rotary output of the gear box 58 (FIG. 5) or of the motor 56 (i.e., when the drain cleaner 10 does not include a gear box). In such embodiments, the coupling is connected to the proximal end 72 (FIG. 6) of the cleaning cable 61. Alternatively, the cable coupling 192 may be used to connect the cleaning cable 61 to the cleaning head 63 at the distal end 70 of the cleaning cable 61.EPT-24-004WO01 (36864-781)

[0045] Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, the cable coupling 192 includes a collet 196, a connection member 201 and a clamping nut 204. The collet 196 includes a tapered outer surface 208 (FIG. 10). The collet 196 also includes a plurality of flexible fingers 212 that exert a clamping force on the cable 68 as discussed further below. The collet 196 forms a collet channel 200 through which the cable passes. The collet 196 has a first end 198 and a second end 199.

[0046] The clamping nut 204 (FIG. 11) includes a first end 205 and a second end 206. The clamping nut 204 include a clamping nut inner chamber 216 in which the collet 196 (FIG. 12) is disposed. An inner surface 218 of the clamping nut 204 includes threads 219 for connecting the clamping nut 204 to the connection member 201 (FIG. 8).

[0047] The clamping nut 204 connects to the collet 196. The outer surface 208 (FIG. 10) of the collet 196 forms a collet recess 220. The collet 196 also includes a tapered projection 230 at the first end 198 of the collet 196. The clamping nut 204 includes an inner surface 222 (FIG. 11) and a first projection 224 and second projection 226. The collet 196 is preloaded such that the recess 220 (FIG. 10) fits line-to-line with first and second clamping nut projections 224, 226. To mate the collet 196 with the clamping nut 204, the collet 196 is forced into the clamping nut 204 until the first and second projections 224, 226 are received in the collet recess 220 and the tapered projection 230 (FIG. 10) is received in a second clamping nut recess 234 (FIG. 11). The mating features of the collet 196 and clamping nut 204 are examples and other embodiments may use different mating features.EPT-24-004WO01 (36864-781)

[0048] Referring now to FIG. 13, the connection member 201 includes a first end 202 and a second end 203. The connection member 201 includes a clamping portion 238 and a coupling portion 240 that extends from the clamping portion 238. The coupling portion 240 is configured to connect to the rotary output of the gear box 58 (FIG. 5). In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling portion 240 is a shank 242. The shank 242 forms a shank chamber 252. The rotary output of the gear box 58 (FIG. 5) includes a shaft that is received in the shank chamber 252. The shaft may have a through-hole that aligns with shank through-hole 249. A cross-pin may be inserted through the shank through-hole 249 and rotary output shaft through-hole to prevent decoupling of the connection member 201 to the rotary output shaft.

[0049] The coupling portion 240 of the connection member 201 may have any shape or configuration suitable for connecting to a rotary output of a drain cleaner gear box 58 (FIG. 5) or motor 56 or for connecting to a cleaning head 63 (FIG. 6) of the drain cleaner. The clamping portion 238 includes a sight-hole 245 for an operator to verify the cable 61 has been fully positioned within the connection member 201.

[0050] The clamping portion 238 of the connection member 201 includes an outer surface 255 that includes threads 260 formed thereon for connecting the connection member 201 to the clamping nut 204 (FIG. 11). The clamping portion 238 includes a tapered portion 274 and a straight-wall portion 277. The tapered portion 274 includes a tapered inner surface 264. The inner surface 264 defines an inner chamber 266. The clamping portion 238 includes an inner chamber shoulder 270 which abuts the cleaning cable asEPT-24-004WO01 (36864-781) described below. The shoulder 270 is disposed at an inner end 280 of the straight-wall portion 277. When assembled, the collet 196 is at least partially received in the clamping portion chamber 266.

[0051] The cable coupling 192 (FIG. 7) connects the cleaning cable 61 (FIG. 6) to the rotary output of the gear box 58 (FIG. 5) or of the motor 56 of the drain cleaner 10 or connects the cleaning cable 61 to a cleaning head 63 (FIG. 6) of the drain cleaner 10. In embodiments in which a flex shaft cleaning cable is used in the drain cleaner 10, a portion 285 (FIG. 8) of the cable 68 is exposed such that the cable 68 extends from the sheath 65.

[0052] To connect the coupling 192 to the cleaning cable 61, the collet 196 is connected to the clamping nut 204 by pushing the collet 196 through the second end 206 (FIG. 11) of the clamping nut 204 until the collet projection 230 (FIG. 10) is recited in the clamping nut recess 234 (FIG. 11). The cleaning cable 61 is then slid through the first end 205 (FIG. 12) of the clamping nut 204 and the first end 198 of the collet 196. Alternatively, the cleaning cable 61 may be pushed through the clamping nut 204 and then the collet 196 (without the clamping nut 204 being connected to the collet 196) and the collet 196 and clamping nut 204 may then be connected by pushing the collet 196 into the clamping nut 204.

[0053] After the cable 68 has been pushed through the clamping nut 204 and collet 196 as shown in FIG. 12, the cable 68 is slid into the connection member 201 (FIG. 15, with the clamping nut 204 and collet 196 not being shown) by pushing the cable 68 through the first end 202 of the connection member 201. The cable 68 in pushed throughEPT-24-004WO01 (36864-781) the clamping portion chamber 266 until the cable 68 abuts the shoulder 270.

[0054] Once the connection member 201 is positioned on the cable 68, the clamping nut 204 and collet 196 are moved toward the connection member 201 until the connection member 201 is received in the clamping nut 204. The clamping nut 204 and connection member 201 are rotated relative to each other (e.g., by wrenches) to cause the clamping nut 204 to be threadingly connected to the connection member 201. As the clamping nut 204 and connection member 201 rotate relative to each other, the tapered inner surface 264 (FIG. 9) of the connection member 201 contacts and begins to press against the tapered outer surface 208 of the collet 196. This causes the flexible fingers 212 (FIG. 10) of the collet to contact and exert a clamping force against the cable 68. The clamping force is generally greater than the cable torque during drain cleaning operations which enables the cable coupling 192 to stay coupled to the cable 61 (i.e., excessive cable torque would cause cable failure before the torque exceeds the clamping force of the coupling 192).

[0055] The connection member 201 and clamping nut 204 are compatible for use with different sized cables while the collet 196 may be sized for a particular size of cleaning cable 68 (e.g., with a 1 / 4 inch, 5 / 16 inch, or 3 / 8 inch cable). The connection member 201 and clamping nut 204 are compatible with differently shaped (e.g., different tapers) and sized collets 196 (i.e., the same connection member 201 and clamping nut 204 is compatible with collets sized for 1 / 4 inch cables, 5 / 16 inch cables or 3 / 8 inch cables).EPT-24-004WO01 (36864-781)

[0056] The cable coupling 192 may include one or more features (e.g., as shown in embodiments of FIGS. 16- 23) that reduce or prevent the cable coupling 192 from disengaging the cable 68 such as during reverse rotation of the cable 68. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the cable coupling 192 includes an o-ring 222 disposed between the connection member 201 and the collet 196. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the o-ring 222 is disposed closer to the first end 198 of the collet 196.

[0057] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 18, the collet 196 of the cable coupling 192 includes a collet protrusion 228 that clamps and applies radial force to the cable 68. In the embodiment of the cable coupling 192 illustrated in FIG. 19, the collet 196 of the cable coupling 192 includes a plurality of collet protrusions 232 (e.g., threads) that clamp the cable 68.

[0058] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 20, the cable coupling 192 includes a sleeve 236 disposed between the collet 196 and the cable 68. The sleeve 236 may be made of a polymer. Another embodiment of the sleeve 244 is shown in FIG. 21. The sleeve 244 is disposed between the connection member 201 and the cable 68 and is disposed between the connection member 201 and the collet 196 and is also disposed between the clamping nut 204 and the collet 196.

[0059] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 22, the collet 196 and clamping nut 204 are sized and shaped to increase the contact area 255 between the collet 196 and nut 204 which increases the clamping force applied to the cable 68.EPT-24-004WO01 (36864-781)

[0060] In the embodiment of FIG. 23, the cable coupling 192 includes a threaded set screw 256 that contacts the drain cleaning cable 68. The set screw 256 may slightly penetrate the outer diameter of the drain cleaning cable 68.

[0061] Compared to conventional couplings, the cable couplings of the present disclosure have several advantages. The cable coupling may be connected to a cable relatively quickly with only a few tools (e.g., wrenches). Collets of different sizes may be used to couple cables of different sizes with the same clamping nut and connection member being used. The cable coupling provides a secure clamp on the cable without uncoupling during use.

[0062] As used herein, the terms “about,” “substantially,” “essentially” and “approximately” when used in conjunction with ranges of dimensions, concentrations, temperatures or other physical or chemical properties or characteristics is meant to cover variations that may exist in the upper and / or lower limits of the ranges of the properties or characteristics, including, for example, variations resulting from rounding, measurement methodology or other statistical variation.

[0063] When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. The use of terms indicating a particular orientation (e.g., “top”, “bottom”, "side", etc.) is for convenience of description and does not require any particular orientation of the item described.EPT-24-004WO01 (36864-781)

[0064] As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawing[s] shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

EPT-24-004WO01 (36864-781) WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A drain cleaner comprising: a housing; a rotatable drum disposed in the housing; a cleaning cable having a proximal end and a distal end; a cable coupling connected to the cleaning cable at the proximal or distal end of the cleaning cable, the cable coupling comprising: a collet, the collet contacting the cleaning cable; a connection member comprising a connection member chamber, the collet being at least partially received in the connection member chamber; and a clamping nut, the clamping nut being threadingly connected to the connection member.

2. The drain cleaner as set forth in claim 1 comprising a motor for rotating the cleaning cable, the cable coupling being connected to the proximal end of the cable and being connected to a rotary output of the motor.

3. The drain cleaner as set forth in claim 1 comprising: a motor for rotating the cleaning cable; and a gear box connected to the motor, the cable coupling being connected to the proximal end of the cable and to a rotary output of the gear box.EPT-24-004WO01 (36864-781) 4. The drain cleaner as set forth in claim 1 wherein the cable coupling is connected to the distal end of the cable for connecting a cleaning head to the cable.

5. The drain cleaner as set forth in claim 1 wherein the connection member comprises a clamping portion and a shank that extends from the clamping portion.

6. The drain cleaner as set forth in claim 5 wherein the clamping portion comprises threads for connecting the connection member to the clamping nut.

7. The drain cleaner as set forth in claim 5 wherein the shank is connected to a rotary output by a threaded connection or a cross-pin.

8. The drain cleaner as set forth in claim 1 wherein the collet has a tapered outer surface.

9. The drain cleaner as set forth in claim 8 wherein the connection member comprises a tapered inner surface, the tapered inner surface of the connection member contacting the tapered outer surface of the collet.

10. The drain cleaner as set forth in claim 9 wherein the collet comprises a plurality of flexiblefingers, the flexible fingers imposing a clamping force against the cable as the clamping nut is threadingly connected to the connection member.

11. The drain cleaner as set forth in claim 1 whereincomprises a sheath and a cable positioned within the sheath, the cable being rotatable relative to the sheath, the cable being connected to the cable coupling.EPT-24-004WO01 (36864-781) 12. The drain cleaner as set forth in claim 1 wherein the connection member comprises a shoulder, the distal end or proximal end of the cleaning cable being seated against the shoulder.

13. The drain cleaner as set forth in claim 12 wherein the connection member chamber comprises a tapered portion and a shoulder.

14. The drain cleaner as set forth in claim 1 wherein the cable coupling further comprises a retaining ring, wherein: the collet comprises an outer surface that forms a collet recess; and the clamping nut comprises an inner surface that forms a clamping nut recess, the retaining ring being disposed within the collet recess and the clamping nut recess.

15. The drain cleaner as set forth in claim 1 comprising an o-ring disposed between the connection member and collet.

16. A method for coupling a cleaning cable to a motor of a drain cleaner, the method comprising: positioning a collet within a clamping nut; sliding a proximal end of the cleaning cable through the collet; sliding the proximal end of the cleaning cable into a connection member; andEPT-24-004WO01 (36864-781) threadingly connecting the clamping nut to the connection member to cause the collet to exert a clamping force on the cleaning cable; and connecting the connection member to a rotary output of (1) the motor or (2) a gear box connected to the motor. forth in claim 16 wherein projection and (2) theclamping nut comprises a clamping nut recess, the method comprising driving the collet into the clamping nut until the tapered projection is positioned in the clamping nut recess.

18. The method as set forth in claim 16 wherein the collet has a tapered outer surface and the connection member comprises a tapered inner surface, the tapered inner surface of the connection member exerting force on the tapered outer surface of the collet as the clamping nut is threadingly connected to the connection member.

19. The method as set forth in claim 18 wherein the collet comprises a plurality of flexible fingers, the flexible fingers imposing a clamping force against the cable as the clamping nut is threadingly connected to the connection member.

20. The method as set forth in claim 16 wherein the cleaning cable comprises a sheath and a cable positioned within the sheath, the cable being rotatable relative to the sheath, the method comprising: exposing a portion of cable such that the cable extends from the sheath;EPT-24-004WO01 (36864-781) sliding a proximal end of the cable through the clamping nut; and sliding a proximal end of the cable through the collet.

21. The method as set forth in claim 16 wherein end of the cleaning cable is slid into theconnection member until the proximal end of the cleaning cable contacts a shoulder of the connection member.

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