Auger or boring device

Application filed. August 16,

My invention relates to an auger particularly adapted for. use in boring through stoppages in sewer pipes, waste basins and the like. .

The primary object of my invention lies in the provision of means for easily and readily boring through stoppages in pipes and the like, thus opening the normal passage therethrough for the usual drainage.

One feature of my invention lies in providing an extensible device by means of which a considerable length of piping can be reached and acted upon by the auger. . . .

Another object of my invention lies m the 15 provision of a curved piece or housing for. a portion of the auger permitting its use m basins, catchpipes and other places difficult to reach with a straight instrument.

Still another object and advantage of my 20 invention lies in the provision of rendering my boring device collapsible whereby it requires but little space for packing and transportation, but which when it is desired to use the same may be readily extended to. fit the ²⁸ requirement of the particular operation demanding its use. . ,

Other objects and advantages m details or construction and arrangement of parts will be apparent as the description proceeds, ref³⁰ erence now being had to the figures of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application and wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts.

In the drawings:— ³⁵ Figure 1 is a side view of my improved auger, certain parts being shown in section for clearness.

Figure 2 is a view of the auger in its extended position. .

⁴⁰ Figure 3 is a detail partly sectional view of the flexible wire shaft or cable forming a part of the boring device.

The reference character 1 refers to a sheath or housing formed preferably of hollow metal ⁴⁸ tubing provided at its upper end with a shoul1830. Serial No. 475,77».

dered or crimped portion 2 and curved at its lower end as at la.

This sheath member 1 is preferably of fair-* ly rigid metal tube stock and adapted to pass through the same for a portion of its length go is a fairly rigid rod or heavy wire 3, the upper outer end of which is bent as at 4. and provided with a finger piece 5 to provide a handle by means of which the rod 3 may be rotated within the sheath 1. The lower end 55 of the rod 3 terminates at a point just above where the sheath 1 is bent to form the portion la and secured to this lower end of the rod 3, is one end of a flexible cable indicated at 6. This cable 6 is adapted, when the rod 3 is eo pushed downwardly within the housing or sheath 1, to extend beyond the outer curved end of the housing, and enter the pipe or drain, or other place where a stoppage has occurred and through which it is desired to 55 bore an opening.

This flexible cable 6 is preferably formed in the manner shown in Figure 3 and consists of an inner core 7 of flexible wire about which and in engagement with which is 70 spirally coiled a wire sheath or covering 8 over which is coiled a second sheath or covering 9, wound spirally in the opposite direction from the sheath 8. Two additional spirally wound wire sheaths 10 and 11 respec- 75 tively are also wound upon the inner sheaths as shown clearly in Figure 3. This forms a four-ply winding or covering for the inner core 7 which makes a very strong and durable solid flexible shaft 6 which is sufficiently 80 bendable to follow the contour of waste pipes, drains, etc., but which will not readily kink or break. It will be understood, of course, that the particular size of the inner wire core 7 and of the sheath or covering therefor, 85 or the number of windings thereof is immaterial, the most suitable sizes being adopted for the use to which the device is to be put.

Suitably secured to the outer end of the flexible shaft 6 is a boring head or tool 12 W

1,861,766 consisting in several coils of heavy wire, the 8. A bi outer coiled end of which is preferably small- rotatable er than the rear end thereof, whereby the de- having a handle at one end, a flexible shaft sevice acts as al ’ ' ’ ‘ ....... ’ tion by means ui mt> uauuie o un mu ruu Of aiicam, auu a uoiiuy, uiuiuuur acuuiua lu to screw or bore its way through the stoppages the outer end of said shaft, a telescoping exinto which it may come in contact in use.

The inner end of the flexible shaft 6 is suitably secured to the lower end of the rod 3, and is preferably provided with a shoulder 13 for a purpose to be described.

Obviously from the foregoing construction, the flexible shaft 6 may be drawn into the sheath 1 by pulling outwardly on the rod 3, or it may be extended out of the lower bent end of the sheath by pushing inwardly on said rod, the circumstances of use and the conditions under which the device is operated dictating the proper position of the flexible shafts.

In order that the rigid portion 1 of the device may be extended in order to more property permit the support and rotation of the boring tool, I have provided slidably within the outer end of the sheath 1, a tube 14 provided at its outer end with flared portions 18 to prevent the tube passing completely downwardly into the sheath 1. The rod 3. of course, passes through the tube 14, and this ⁸⁰ tube is provided at its lower end with a flared portion 16 adapted, when the tube is pulled outwardly, to engage with the indented or crimped portion 17 adiacent the outer end of the sheath 1, whereby ³⁵ to limit the outer movement of the tube 14.

The shoulder 13 at the lower end of the rod 3 where such rod engages with the inner end of the shaft 6, is adapted to engage a crimped portion 14α in the tube 14 when the rod 3 is ⁴⁰ pulled upwardly wherebv to bring the tube outwardly to the position shown in Figure 2, which shows the device extended and with the flexible shaft 6 enclosed within the sheath 1, and whereby to limit the outer movement of the rod 3. In this position, the device is in the form of a relatively rigid holder and as the shaft 6 is pushed outwardly from the lower end thereof, it follows the contour of the drain or pipe within which the work is being done.

Of course, changes may be made in details of construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I do not limit myself therefore, to the exact structure herein shown or described, other than by the appended claims.