US 12,134,115 B2
Drain cleaning machine
Michael C. Reed, Milwaukee, WI (US); and Joshua P. Heimann, Milwaukee, WI (US)
Assigned to MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION, Brookfield, WI (US)
Filed by MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION, Brookfield, WI (US)
Filed on Feb. 12, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/174,989.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/975,320, filed on Feb. 12, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0245208 A1, Aug. 12, 2021
Int. Cl. B08B 9/045 (2006.01); E03F 9/00 (2006.01); F16H 37/04 (2006.01)
CPC B08B 9/045 (2013.01) [E03F 9/005 (2013.01); B08B 2209/04 (2013.01); F16H 37/041 (2013.01); F16H 2702/02 (2013.01)] 28 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A drain cleaning machine comprising:
a snake inlet tube defining a snake axis;
a clamping mechanism including
a first support member supported by the snake inlet tube, the first support member having an inclined surface,
a second support member having an inclined surface, the second support member movable along the snake axis between a first position in which a first distance is defined between the first support member and the second support member, and a second position in which a second distance is defined between the first support member and the second support member, wherein the second distance is less than the first distance, and
a plurality of collets supported by the first and second support members, each of the plurality of collets having a first inclined surface engaged against the inclined surface of the first support member and a second inclined surface engaged against the inclined surface of the second support member, wherein when the second support member is in the first position, each collet is in a disengaged position, and wherein in response to the second support member moving from the first position to the second position, each of the collets is moved from the disengaged position to an engaged position, in which each collet is closer to the snake axis than when in the disengaged position;
a motor switchable between a deactivated state and an activated state in which the motor is configured to rotate the clamping mechanism about the snake axis;
an actuating lever supported by the snake inlet tube and operable to move the second support member from the first position to the second position, the actuating lever moveable between a deactivated position, in which the second support member is moved to the first position, and an activated position, in which the second support member is moved to the second position.