Kit for dislodging obstructions in water lines

Abstract

A kit has components that include a set of at least two elastomeric tapered stoppers of different diameters, each having an aperture of the same diameter therethrough and a rigid conduit where flow therethrough is controlled by a valve. The conduit has a first end that has a fitting that is attachable to a pressurized water line and a second end that is insertable into the aperture of any of the stoppers in water-sealing engagement therewith. The kit may also include (A) an elbow-shaped tube having a first end into which the second end of the rigid conduit is insertable and having a second end that is insertable into the aperture of any of the stoppers in water-sealing engagement therewith, (B) a straight extension tube having a first end into which the second end of the rigid conduit is insertable and having a second end that is insertable into the aperture of any of the stoppers in water-tight engagement therewith, (C) a booklet containing instructions for the use of the kit, and (D) a clear plastic container for holding the components of the kit. The kit is used to clear a line that carries water by inserting the second end of the rigid conduit into a stopper that can plug an opening to the line, connecting the first end of the rigid conduit to a source of water under pressure, pressing the stopper against the opening, and opening the valve, so that pressurized water flows through the line.

1 . A kit having components comprising 
 (A) a set of at least two elastomeric tapered stoppers of different diameters, each having an aperture of the same diameter therethrough; and    (B) a rigid conduit where flow therethrough is controlled by a valve, said conduit having a first end that has a fitting that is attachable to a pressurized water line and a second end that is insertable into the aperture of any of said stoppers in water-sealing engagement therewith:    
   
   
       2 . A kit according to  claim 1 , including a 90° elbow tube having a first end into which said second end of said rigid conduit is insertable and having a second end that is insertable into the aperture of one of said stoppers in water-sealing engagement therewith.  
   
   
       3 . A kit according to  claim 1  wherein said set of stoppers comprises a stopper for plugging openings about 2¼ inches in diameter and a subset of about 3 to about 5 stoppers for plugging openings that have diameters of about ¾ to about 1⅝ inches.  
   
   
       4 . A kit according to  claim 1  wherein said set of stoppers comprises five stoppers having sizes 3, 5, 6, 8, and 11.5.  
   
   
       5 . A kit according to  claim 1  wherein said stoppers are made from a synthetic styrene-butadiene rubber.  
   
   
       6 . A kit according to  claim 1  wherein said aperture through said stoppers has a diameter of about ⅜ to about ⅝ inches.  
   
   
       7 . A kit according to  claim 1 , including a straight extension tube having a first end into which said second end of said rigid conduit is insertable and having a second end that is insertable into the aperture of any of said stoppers in water-tight engagement therewith.  
   
   
       8 . A kit according to  claim 1  wherein said stoppers are about ¾ to about 1¼ inches long and have a taper of about 5 to about 15 degrees.  
   
   
       9 . A kit according to  claim 1  that includes an instruction booklet giving directions on the use of said kit.  
   
   
       10 . A kit according to  claim 1 , including a clear plastic container for holding said components of said kit.  
   
   
       11 . A kit according to  claim 1  wherein said rigid conduit is made of polyamide.  
   
   
       12 . A method of clearing a line that carries water using a kit according to  claim 1  comprising 
 (A) inserting said second end of said rigid conduit into a stopper that can plug an opening to said line;    (B) connecting said first end of said rigid conduit to a source of water under pressure;    (C) pressing said stopper against said opening; and    (D) opening said valve, whereby said pressurized water flows through said line.    
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein said water is under a pressure of about 35 to about 65 psi.  
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein said line is a thru-hull, drain, discharge line, or cooling line for an engine, air conditioning, refrigeration, or water generation system on a water-going vessel.  
   
   
       15 . A kit comprising 
 (A) a large elastomeric tapered stopper that can plug a 2¼ inch diameter opening, said stopper having an aperture through the center thereof;    (B) 3 to 5 small elastomeric tapered stoppers of different sizes that can plug openings that are about ¾ to about 1⅝ inches in diameter, each small stopper having an aperture through its center that is the same diameter as the aperture through the center of said large stopper; and    (C) a rigid conduit where water flow therethrough is controlled by a valve, said conduit having a first end that has a female fitting attachable to a pressurized water line and a second end that is insertable into the aperture of any of said stoppers in water-sealing engagement therewith.    
   
   
       16 . A method of clearing a line that carries water using a kit according to  claim 15  comprising 
 (A) inserting said second end of said rigid conduit into a stopper that can plug an opening to said line;    (B) connecting said first end of said rigid conduit to a source of water under pressure;    (C) pressing said stopper against said opening; and    (D) opening said valve, whereby said pressurized water flows through said line.    
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 16  wherein said line is a thru-hull, drain, discharge line, or cooling line for an engine, air conditioning, refrigeration, or water generation system on a water-going vessel.  
   
   
       18 . A kit comprising (A) five elastomeric tapered stoppers having sizes 3, 5, 6, 8, and 11.5, each stopper having an aperture of about ½ inch through its center; 
 (B) a rigid conduit where flow therethrough is controlled by a ball valve, said conduit having a first end that has a threaded female fitting attachable to a threaded male fitting of a pressurized water line and a second end that is insertable into the aperture of any of said stoppers in water-sealing engagement therewith;    (C) an elbow-shaped tube having a first end into which said second end of said rigid conduit is insertable and having a second end that is insertable into the aperture of any of said stoppers in water-sealing engagement therewith;    (D) a straight extension tube having a first end into which said second end of said rigid conduit is insertable and having a second end that is insertable into the aperture of any of said stoppers in water-tight engagement therewith;    (E) a booklet containing instructions for the use of said kit; and    (F) a clear plastic container for holding said stoppers, said conduit, said elbow-shaped tube, said extension tube, and said booklet.    
   
   
       19 . A method of clearing a line that carries water using a kit according to  claim 18  comprising 
 (A) inserting said second end of said rigid conduit into a stopper that can plug an opening to said line;    (B) connecting said first end of said rigid conduit to a source of water under pressure;    (C) pressing said stopper against said opening; and    (D) opening said valve, whereby said pressurized water flows through said line.    
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 19  wherein said line is a thru-hull, drain, discharge line, or cooling line for an engine, air conditioning, refrigeration, or water generation system on a water-going vessel.