FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for aiding a hose and nozzle as it advances forward in a pipeline, and more particularly, to a pole roller apparatus for aiding a sewer hose and a high-pressure nozzle as it advances forward on the bottom and side surface of a pipeline.

DISCUSSION OF THE STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

A mobile truck (e.g., hydro cleaner, also known as a jet truck) and sewer cleaning machines are commonly used by municipalities and others for cleaning wastewater collection system lines (sewer lines) using a sewer hose attached to a nozzle that includes a plurality of jet holes for delivering high pressure water. Such flushing and cleaning are periodically necessary to cut away roots and to remove accumulated sludge, debris and sediment. The sewer hose is inserted into the sewer line typically at a downstream manhole. Once inserted, the sewer hose is generally propelled up-stream through the sewer line by highly pressurized water expelled or discharged from the nozzle. The debris and sediment dislodged by the pressurized water is washed downstream and collects in the downstream manhole.

The hydro cleaning truck also includes a pumping mechanism connected to a fluid supply for delivering water under pressure through one or more sewer hoses wound on a reel. The hose may be wound onto or unwound from the reel to thread the hose into or withdraw it from the sewer line. The length of the hose is typically a hundred feet or more, and as previously mentioned, is propelled up-stream through the sewer pipeline by highly pressurized water discharged from the nozzle. As the hose is propelled forward through the sewer pipeline, it takes more energy to continuously advance it forward because of various factors such as friction or drag between the hose and the surface of the sewer pipeline, the weight and length of the hose, gravity and the incline or grade of the sewer pipeline.

Often times, the sewer lines under an area form a lattice or grid-like pattern. Traditionally, an operator and crew set up their cleaning equipment on a manhole in the street and then run their hose up the line linearly to clean a desired area. If it is possible for the operator and crew to drive to the next manhole where the pipeline turns at an angle, they typically set up there and continue cleaning the sewer pipeline. However, if the next manhole is located in an easement, which is often the case and is usually not accessible by a vehicle, and a portion of the sewer pipeline veers off at an angle, the operator and crew will need to turn the nozzle and hose into the sewer line at the next manhole to allow the cleaning process to continue. To facilitate the turning of the nozzle and hose into the sewer pipeline at the next manhole, a pole roller can advantageously be used.

In use, current pole rollers are at a distinct disadvantage when compared to the present invention. For instance, current prior art pole rollers typically end up having their rollers hit and/or rub against the side surface of sewer pipelines that veer off at an angle since they do not include a protection wear ring causing the roller to break and the hose to advance forward at a shorter distance in the sewer pipeline due to the increased surface friction and/or drag. The increased surface friction and/or drag also causes the hose to wear down much faster.

In light of the shortcomings in the prior art, there clearly exists a need for an improved pole roller that allows a sewer hose and nozzle to continuously advance forward with less friction and/or drag on the side surface of a sewer pipeline that veers off at an angle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new pole roller assembly designed to simplify the cleaning of wastewater collection system lines (sewer lines) with manhole access points located in remote areas that include sewer pipelines that veer off at various angles.

The present invention also provides a pole roller assembly constructed so as to be light weight, compact, easily stored in any position on a jet truck, and then easily removed and taken to a desired location to help clean a sewer pipeline that veers off at an angle.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a low cost, high efficiency pole roller that allows sewer lines to be cleaned quickly while helping to conserve water since the hose and nozzle moves more efficiently in sewer lines that veer of at various angles.

A further aspect of the current invention is to provide a pole roller apparatus that is more compact and durable for cleaning sewer pipelines of limited dimensional space.

The present invention also provides a pole roller suitably designed to enable wastewater collection system operators to get their job done smarter, safer and faster. For example, the pole roller allows for less water pressure to be needed since the hose and nozzle can move more efficiently in sewer lines that veer of at various angles. Also, using lower water pressure in a high-pressure nozzle helps to avoid bubbling in toilets and is less dangerous to users when in use.

Consequently, for a better understanding of the present invention, its functional advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, claims and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

