Urinal Flange Connector for Clog Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Urinal clogs require removal of the fixture from the wall for access, making it difficult for plumbers to operate plumbing cables due to the need to hold a hose and cable with separate hands, and often necessitate an external water source, disrupting bathroom plumbing.
Innovation Solution
A urinal clog removal device that couples to the urinal flange, includes a hose to direct water into the flange, and an aperture for extending a plumbing cable, allowing for both-handed operation and using the bathroom's water supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plumber uses a hose to direct water into the urinal flange while operating a plumbing cable, then water can be used to clear clogs and clean the cable, but the plumber must operate with one hand on the cable and the other on the hose, making cable operation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hose connector as an intermediary device that couples to the urinal flange and provides a dedicated water delivery system. This mediator allows water to be directed into the flange without requiring the plumber to manually hold and position a hose, thereby freeing both hands for cable operation while maintaining effective water delivery for clog clearance
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the hose connector that handles water delivery, the plumbing cable for mechanical clog removal, and the urinal flange interface. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and used simultaneously without interfering with each other's operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If the bathroom water supply is turned off to remove the urinal, then the urinal can be accessed for clog removal, but an external water source must be used, which is not in the bathroom
Solution Approach 1:
The hose connector is designed to couple directly to the urinal flange, which remains in place on the wall. This self-service approach allows the system to access water through the existing bathroom plumbing infrastructure without requiring urinal removal, eliminating the need to shut off bathroom water supply while still providing access to the flange for clog removal
3Ease of operation
If the urinal is removed from the wall to access the flange, then the flange can be accessed for cable operation, but the work area becomes disrupted and the process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hose connector serves as an intermediary that interfaces with the urinal flange while the urinal remains installed on the wall. This mediator provides the necessary access to the flange for cable insertion and water delivery without requiring the urinal to be removed, thereby simplifying the overall process and maintaining a stable work environment
Data Source
AI summary
A urinal clog removal device is provided. The urinal clog removal device may include a urinal flange connecting member formed of a body. The urinal flange connecting member may include slots on opposing sides configured to couple to the urinal flange connecting member to a urinal flange. The urinal flange connecting member comprises an aperture extending through the urinal flange connecting member to provide access to the urinal flange. The device may also include a hose coupled on a first end to the urinal flange connecting member with a hose connector. The hose connector of the urinal flange connecting member directs water into the urinal flange. The device may also include a valve and is coupled to a flush valve of the urinal, wherein the hose is coupled between the valve and the hose connector in order to supply water through the hose and into the urinal flange during unclogging.