Bipod Support Structure for Handheld Drain Cleaner Fatigue Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handheld drain cleaning machines do not adequately address the fatigue issue for professionals who need to repeatedly advance and retract the snake into and out of a clogged drain, as the weight of the machine and snake requires manual movement, leading to increased operator fatigue.

Innovation Solution

A bipod support system is designed to be removably secured to the drain cleaning machine, featuring a base with a recessed support surface and a pair of pivotally connected legs that can adjust in length, allowing the machine to be moved between positions to facilitate the extension and retraction of the drain cleaning cable while reducing lateral movement and balancing requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the drain cleaning machine is manually moved for periodic snake advancement and retraction, then the snake can be extended into and retracted from the drain, but operator fatigue increases due to the weight of the machine

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesnake advancement and retraction capabilityVSAvoidoperator fatigue

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bipod support structure acts as an intermediary between the operator and the heavy drain cleaning machine. By providing stable ground contact points through two legs, the bipod mediates the interaction during machine movement, reducing the direct physical burden on the operator while still enabling the necessary snake advancement and retraction operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is designed to be dynamically adaptable during operation. The bipod configuration allows the machine to be easily positioned and stabilized in different locations, enabling periodic snake advancement and retraction without requiring the operator to continuously lift and reposition the entire machine weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If a monopod support is used, then the machine weight is supported, but the machine requires balancing and lateral movement control during operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport structure simplicityVSAvoidbalancing and lateral movement control

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bipod support structure introduces asymmetric stability compared to a monopod. By positioning two legs at different locations, the structure creates inherent lateral stability without requiring active balancing by the operator, while still maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring the operator to actively balance the machine during movement (as with a monopod), the bipod configuration inverts the approach by providing passive lateral stability through its two-leg geometry, allowing the machine to self-stabilize during positioning operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS12281747B2Bipod support for handheld drain cleaning machine

Publication Date: 2025.04.22 RIDGE TOOL CO

AI summary

A bipod support for a drain cleaning machine is described. The bipod support includes a base, a plurality of legs, a retaining member, and a latch. The retaining member and latch are configured to engage and secure the drain cleaning machine to the bipod support. The bipod support enables rocking movement of the drain cleaning machine while supporting the weight of the machine. Also described are related methods of use of the bipod support.