Bipod support for handheld drain cleaning machine

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . In combination with a drain cleaning machine, a bipod support removably secured to the drain cleaning machine,
 wherein the drain cleaning machine comprises:   a housing defining a hollow forward end portion and a preselected exterior surface configuration for the forward end portion of the housing;   a drum rotatable about an axis; and   a cable including an operative end portion that is extendable from and retractable into the drum; and   wherein the bipod support comprises:   a base configured to support the drain cleaning machine; and   a pair of legs, wherein each leg is pivotally connected to the base for moving the base between a first position spaced from a drain and a second position closer to the drain than the first position;   wherein the drain cleaning machine, when secured to the base, is movable between the first and second positions relative to the drain, whereupon the operative end portion of the cable, disposed in the drain, is extended and retracted relative to the drain, when the base is moved between the first and second positions.   
     
     
         2 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the drain cleaning machine is dimensioned and configured to be hand-held. 
     
     
         3 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the drain cleaning machine further comprises a sleeve mounted on an exterior surface portion of the forward end portion of the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The combination of  claim 3 , wherein the drain cleaning machine further comprises a feed control device, disposed in the forward end portion of the housing for extending the cable from as well as for retracting the cable back into the forward end portion of the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the cable is coiled within an interior region of the drum. 
     
     
         6 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the legs of the bipod support are adjustable in length for enabling the base of the bipod support to be adjustable in height relative to a surface on which the bipod support is positioned. 
     
     
         7 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the bipod support further comprises:
 a curved hook having opposite end portions, a first end portion of the curved hook being pivotally connected to the base. 
 
     
     
         8 . The combination of  claim 7  wherein the bipod support further comprises:
 a bi-ended latch having opposite end portions, wherein a first end portion of the latch is removably secured to the base and wherein a second end portion of the latch is fixed to a second end portion of the curved hook, opposite the first end portion of the hook. 
 
     
     
         9 . The combination of  claim 8  wherein the hook and base are configured to circumferentially engage the exterior surface of the housing forward end portion when the first end portion of the latch is secured to the base. 
     
     
         10 . A bipod support comprising:
 a base configured to support a drain cleaning machine, the base including a recessed support surface;   a pair of legs, each leg connected to the base;   a retaining member connected to the base, the retaining member positionable between a closed position in which access to the recessed support surface is precluded and an open position in which access to the recessed support surface is enabled;   a latch having a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein one of the first end portion and the second end portion is secured to the base, and the other of the first end portion and the second end portion is secured to the retaining member.   
     
     
         11 . The bipod support of  claim 10  wherein the first end portion of the latch is removably secured to the base. 
     
     
         12 . The bipod support of  claim 10  wherein the second end portion of the latch is removably secured to the retaining member. 
     
     
         13 . The bipod support of  claim 10  wherein the recessed support surface of the base exhibits an arcuate profile. 
     
     
         14 . The bipod support of  claim 10 , wherein each leg includes length adjustment provisions. 
     
     
         15 . The bipod support of  claim 14  wherein the length adjustment provisions include a telescoping leg assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The bipod support of  claim 10  wherein each leg is pivotally connected to the base such that each leg can be pivotally moved relative to the base. 
     
     
         17 . The bipod support of  claim 10  wherein each leg is rigidly connected to the base. 
     
     
         18 . The bipod support of  claim 10  wherein each leg is positionable between a first position parallel with a plane of the base, and a second position transverse to the plane of the base. 
     
     
         19 . The bipod support of  claim 10  wherein each leg includes a compression spring and is configured to vary in length depending upon an amount of axial force applied to the leg. 
     
     
         20 . A method of administering a drain cleaning cable in a drain, the method comprising:
 providing a bipod support including, (i) a base configured to support a drain cleaning machine, the base including a recessed support surface, (ii) a pair of legs, each leg connected to the base, (iii) a retaining member connected to the base, the retaining member positionable between a closed position in which access to the recessed support surface is precluded and an open position in which access to the recessed support surface is enabled, and (iv) a latch having a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein one of the first end portion and the second end portion is secured to the base, and the other of the first end portion and the second end portion is secured to the retaining member;   positioning a drain cleaning machine including a drain cleaning cable, on the base;   positioning the retaining member to the closed position such that the drain cleaning machine is secured to the base;   extending the drain cleaning cable into a drain;   moving the bipod support, the drain cleaning machine, and the drain cleaning cable extended therefrom between a first position and a second position, whereby, the drain cleaning cable is extended and retracted relative to the drain.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein each of the legs is pivotally connected to the base of the bipod support. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20  wherein each of the legs is rigidly connected to the base of the bipod support. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein each of the legs extends in a direction transverse to an axis of the drain cleaning cable as taken relative to a distal end of the drain cleaning machine. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22  wherein each of the legs extends in a direction parallel to an axis of the drain cleaning cable as taken relative to a distal end of the drain cleaning machine. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the bipod support further includes each leg having a compression spring and each leg configured to vary in length depending upon an amount of axial force applied to the leg, the method further comprising, prior to moving the bipod support, the drain cleaning machine, and the drain cleaning cable extended therefrom, positioning and securing the pair of legs to extend in a direction parallel to an axis of the drain cleaning cable as taken relative to a distal end of the drain cleaning machine. 
     
     
         26 . A bipod support comprising:
 a base configured to support a drain cleaning machine, the base including a recessed support surface;   a pair of legs, each leg pivotally connected to the base such that each leg can be positioned to extend transverse to a plane of the base, each leg including a compression spring and being configured to vary in length depending upon an amount of axial force applied to the leg;   a retaining member connected to the base, the retaining member positionable between a closed position in which access to the recessed support surface is precluded and an open position in which access to the recessed support surface is enabled;   a latch having a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein one of the first end portion and the second end portion is secured to the base, and the other of the first end portion and the second end portion is secured to the retaining member.   
     
     
         27 . The bipod support of  claim 26  wherein the recessed support surface of the base exhibits an arcuate profile. 
     
     
         28 . A method of administering a drain cleaning cable in a drain, the method comprising:
 providing a bipod support including, (i) a base configured to support a drain cleaning machine, the base including a recessed support surface, (ii) a pair of legs, each leg pivotally connected to the base, each leg including a compression spring and being configured to vary in length depending upon an amount of axial force applied to the leg, (iii) a retaining member connected to the base, the retaining member positionable between a closed position in which access to the recessed support surface is precluded and an open position in which access to the recessed support surface is enabled, and (iv) a latch having a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein one of the first end portion and the second end portion is secured to the base, and the other of the first end portion and the second end portion is secured to the retaining member;   positioning a drain cleaning machine including a drain cleaning cable, on the base;   positioning the retaining member to the closed position such that the drain cleaning machine is secured to the base;   extending the drain cleaning cable into a drain;   positioning and rigidly securing the pair of legs to extend in a direction parallel to an axis of the drain cleaning cable as taken relative to a distal end of the drain cleaning machine;   moving the bipod support, the drain cleaning machine, and the drain cleaning cable extended therefrom between a first position and a second position, whereby, the drain cleaning cable is extended and retracted relative to the drain.