Method and apparatus for inspecting lateral lines

Claim 2

Apparatus for inspecting a building service lateral sewer pipeline from a lateral opening in a main sewer .[.pipeline.]. .Iadd.pipeline .Iaddend.at which the lateral .[.end.]. .Iadd.and .Iaddend.main pipelines intersect, said apparatus comprising: a lateral television camera of sufficiently small size to fit in said lateral pipeline; a lateral signal conduction cable connected to said lateral camera for delivering electrical signals required to operate the lateral camera and sending a lateral video signal representing an image viewed by the lateral camera; a hollow elongated flexible push rod having a first end secured to said lateral camera and a second end, said push rod having a sufficient longitudinally compressive rigidity to push said lateral camera along said lateral pipeline when moved longitudinally into said lateral pipeline, and sufficient transverse flexibility to follow bends in said lateral pipeline when moved longitudinally into said lateral pipeline; wherein said lateral cable is disposed inside said hollow push rod; launcher means, movable longitudinally in said main pipeline, for selectively extending said lateral camera and push rod into, and retracting said lateral camera and push rod from, said lateral pipeline through said opening from said main pipeline; and means for selectively transmitting said lateral video signal along said main pipeline to a control station located remote from said lateral pipeline.

Claim 3

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said launcher means includes rotatably drivable roller means for engaging and propelling said push rod alternatively in first and second longitudinal directions.

Claim 4

The apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising reversible motor means for selectively rotatably driving said roller means in two alternative rotatable directions.

Claim 5

The apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising: monitor means for providing an electrical length measurement pulse in response to extension of each longitudinal section of predetermined length of said push rod into said lateral pipeline; and means for conducting each length measurement pulse to said control station.

Claim 6

The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising: a main television camera movable with said launcher means in said main pipeline for viewing the interior of said main pipeline and providing a main video signal representing an image viewed by said main camera; and switching means disposed in said launcher means and controlled from said control station for alternatively transmitting said main and lateral video signals to said control station.

Claim 7

The apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising: illumination means on said lateral camera for illuminating the image viewed by said lateral camera, said illumination means being selectively actuable in response to an illumination signal initiated at said control station; wherein said switching means is responsive to the absence of said illumination signal for transmitting said main video signal to said control station, and responsive to the presence of said illumination signal for transmitting said lateral video signal to said control station.

Claim 8

The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said launcher means includes rotatably drivable roller means for engaging and propelling said push rod alternatively in first and second longitudinal directions, and further comprising reversible motor means for selectively rotatably driving said roller means in two alternative rotational directions.

Claim 9

The apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising: monitor means for providing an electrical length measurement pulse in response to extension of each longitudinal section of predetermined length of said push rod into said lateral pipeline; and means for conducting each length measurement pulse to said control station.

Claim 10

The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the second end of said push rod is open and extends beyond the confines of said launcher means when said push rod is in a fully retracted position relative to said lateral pipeline, said lateral signal conduction cable extending out from said open second end and into said launcher means.

Claim 11

The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising: a selectively rotatable portion of said launcher means having a camera port therein and rotatable about an axis extending longitudinally in said main pipeline, said camera port serving as an ingress and egress opening in said launcher means for said lateral camera and said push rod, wherein said rotatable portion is rotatable to permit angular alignment of said camera port with said lateral opening.

Claim 12

The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said launcher means includes rotatably drivable roller means for engaging and propelling said push rod alternatively in first and second longitudinal directions, and further comprising reversible motor means for selectively rotatably driving said roller means in two alternative rotational directions.

Claim 13

The apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising: a main television camera movable with said launcher means in said main pipeline for viewing the interior of said main pipeline and providing a main video signal representing an image viewed by said main camera; and switching means disposed in said launcher means and controlled from said control station for alternatively transmitting said main and lateral video signals to said control station.

Claim 14

The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the second end of said push rod is open and extends beyond the confines of said launcher means when said push rod is in a fully retracted position relative to said lateral pipeline, said lateral signal conduction cable extending out from said open second end and into said launcher means.

Claim 15

The apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising: a main television camera movable with said launcher means in said main pipeline for viewing said main pipeline and providing a main video signal representing an image viewed by said main camera; switching means disposed in said launcher means and controlled from said control station for alternatively transmitting said main and lateral video signal to said control station; sled means for supporting said main camera in said main pipeline; and means for connecting said sled means to said launcher means in longitudinal alignment to permit both the launcher means and sled means to be moved together longitudinally in said main pipeline; wherein said main camera is oriented to view said launcher means and portions of the main pipeline surrounding said launcher means to permit observation of longitudinal alignment between said camera port and said lateral opening.

Claim 16

Apparatus for inspecting a building service lateral sewer pipeline from a lateral opening in a main sewer pipeline at which the lateral and main pipelines intersect, said apparatus comprising: a lateral television camera of sufficiently small size to fit in said lateral pipeline; a lateral signal conduction cable connected to said lateral camera for delivering electrical signals required to operate the lateral camera and sending a lateral video signal representing an image viewed by the lateral camera; a hollow flexible push rod having a first end secured to said camera and a second end, said push rod having sufficient longitudinally compressive rigidity to push said camera along said lateral pipeline when moved longitudinally into said lateral pipeline, and sufficient transverse flexibility to follow bends in said lateral pipeline when moved longitudinally into said lateral pipeline; launcher means, movable longitudinally in said main pipeline, for selectively extending said lateral camera and push rod into, and retracting said lateral camera and push rod from said lateral pipeline through said lateral opening from said main pipeline; a main television camera movable with said launcher means in said main pipeline for viewing the interior of said main pipeline and providing a main video signal representing an image viewed by said main camera; a selectively rotatable portion of said launcher means having a camera port therein and rotatable about an axis extending longitudinally in said main pipeline, said camera port serving as an ingress and egress opening in said launcher means for said lateral camera and said push rod, wherein said rotatable portion is rotatable to permit angular alignment of said camera port with said lateral opening; sled means for supporting said main camera in said main pipeline; means for connecting said sled means to said launcher means in longitudinal alignment to permit both the launcher means and sled means to be moved longitudinally within said main pipeline; wherein said main camera is oriented to view said launcher means and portions of the main pipeline surrounding said launcher means to permit observation of longitudinal alignment between said camera port and said lateral opening.

Claim 17

Apparatus for inspecting a building service lateral sewer pipeline from a lateral opening in a main sewer pipeline at which the lateral and main pipelines intersect, said apparatus comprising: a lateral television camera of sufficiently small size to fit in said lateral pipeline; a lateral signal conduction cable connected to said lateral camera for delivering electrical signals required to operate the lateral camera and sending a lateral video signal representing an image viewed by the lateral camera; a hollow flexible push rod having a first end secured to said camera and a second end, said push rod having sufficient longitudinally compressive rigidity to push said camera along said lateral pipeline when moved longitudinally into said lateral pipeline, and sufficient transverse flexibility to follow bends in said lateral pipeline when moved longitudinally into said lateral pipeline; launcher means, movable longitudinally in said main pipeline, for selectively extending said lateral camera and push rod into, and retracting said lateral camera and push rod from said lateral pipeline through said lateral opening from said main pipeline; a main television camera movable with said launcher means in said main pipeline for viewing the interior of said main pipeline and providing a main video signal representing an image viewed by said main camera; a selectively rotatable portion of said launcher means having a camera port therein and rotatable about an axis extending longitudinally in said main pipeline, said camera port serving as an ingress and egress opening in said launcher means for said lateral camera and said push rod, wherein said rotatable portion is rotatable to permit angular alignment of said camera port with said lateral opening; sled means for supporting said main camera in said main pipeline; means for connecting said sled means to said launcher means in longitudinal alignment to permit both the launcher means and sled means to be moved longitudinally within said main pipeline; wherein said main camera is oriented to view said launcher means and portions of the main pipeline surrounding said launcher means to permit observation of longitudinal alignment between said camera port and said lateral opening.

Claim 18

The apparatus according to claim 15 further comprising: monitor means for providing an electrical length measurement pulse in response to extension of each predetermined length of said push rod into said lateral pipeline, and means for conducting each length measurement pulse to a remote control station.

Claim 19

The apparatus according to claim 15 further comprising: switching means disposed in said launcher means and controlled from a remote control station for alternatively transmitting said main and lateral video signals to said control station.

Claim 20

The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the second end of said push rod is open and extends beyond the confines of said launcher means when said push rod is in a fully retracted position relative to said lateral pipeline, said lateral signal conduction cable extending out from said open second end and into said launcher means.

Claim 23

The method according to claim 19 wherein said step of .[.detecting.]. .Iadd.locating .Iaddend.employs a main television camera movable in said main pipeline with said launcher mechanism and disposed to view a portion of the main pipeline interior surrounding said launcher mechanism, said method further comprising the step of: alternatively transmitting the video signal from said main camera and the video signal from said miniature camera to a remote control station by switching the video signals at said launcher mechanism. .Iadd.

Claim 24

Apparatus for inspecting a building service lateral sewer pipeline from a lateral opening in a main sewer pipeline at which the lateral and main pipelines intersect, said apparatus comprising: a lateral television camera of sufficiently small size to fit in said lateral pipeline; a lateral signal conduction cable connected to said lateral camera from a remote location for delivering electrical signals required to operate the lateral camera and sending a lateral video signal representing an image viewed by the lateral camera; an elongated flexible push rod having a first end secured to said lateral camera and a second end, said push rod having sufficient longitudinally compressive rigidity to push said lateral camera along said lateral pipeline when moved longitudinally into said lateral pipeline from said lateral opening, and sufficient transverse flexibility to follow bends in said lateral pipeline when moved longitudinally therein; and means for selectively extending said push rod and said lateral camera along with said lateral cable into, and retracting said lateral camera and said push rod along with said lateral cable from, said lateral pipeline via said lateral opening..Iaddend. .Iadd.22. The apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said push rod is hollow, and wherein said lateral cable is disposed inside said hollow push rod..Iaddend. .Iadd.23. The apparatus according to claim 21 further comprising guide means, movable longitudinally in said main pipeline, for guiding said push rod into said

Claim 25

lateral opening..Iaddend. .Iadd.24. The apparatus according to claim 23 further comprising: a selectively rotatable portion of said guide means having a camera port therein and rotatable about an axis extending longitudinally in said main pipeline, said camera port serving as an ingress and egress opening in said guide means for said lateral camera and said push rod, wherein said rotatable portion is rotatable to permit angular alignment of said camera port with said lateral opening..Iaddend. .Iadd.25. The apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said means comprises: launcher means, movable longitudinally in said main pipe line, for selectively extending said lateral camera and push rod into, said retracting said lateral camera and push rod from, said lateral pipeline through said opening from said main pipeline; and, wherein said launcher means includes rotatably driven roller means for engaging and propelling said push rod alternatively in first and second longitudinal directions, and further comprising reversible motor means for selectively rotatably driving said roller means in two alternative rotational directions. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. A method for inspecting a building service lateral sewer pipeline from a lateral opening in a main sewer pipeline at which the lateral and main pipelines intersect, said method comprising the steps of: locating said lateral opening; aligning a camera port in a camera guide with said lateral opening; extending a miniature television camera through said lateral opening and along the lateral pipeline by pushing said miniature camera with an elongated flexible push rod secured to the miniature camera; and conducting electrical signals between said miniature camera and a remote location via an electrical cable connected to said camera..Iaddend.

Claim 26

.Iadd. 7. The method according to claim 26 wherein a lateral signal conduction cable delivers electrical signals required to operate said camera and sends a lateral video signal representing an image viewed by said camera, said method further comprising the step of: extending said cable along with said camera and said push rod into said

Claim 27

lateral pipeline via said lateral opening..Iaddend. .Iadd.28. Pipeline inspection apparatus for use in inspecting a lateral pipeline that enters a generally horizontal main pipeline comprising (A) an inspection camera that is sized to fit within said pipelines, (A) an elongated transporting member having one end connected to said camera and which is adapted to initially move in a generally horizontal path along the interior of said main pipeline, said elongated transporting member having sufficient flexibility that a portion thereof can be deflected at an angle reflective to the remainder of the elongated transporting member, (C) a supporting assembly sized to fit within and rest upon the lower internal surface of said main pipeline, said supporting assembly being arranged to support the portion of said elongated transporting member that is adjacent said camera and including (1) drive means which engages said elongated transporting member so that activation of the drive means can move said elongated transporting member longitudinally through said pipelines, and (2) adjustment means for adjusting the angular disposition of a portion of said elongated flexible transporting member that is adjacent said camera so that the camera is movable between a transport position in which the viewing end of the camera faces a first direction, and an inspection position in which the said viewing end of the camera faces a direction at an angle to said first direction, and the camera can be propelled in said angled direction by activating said drive means, the elongated flexible transporting member undergoing a change in direction in passing through

Claim 28

lateral pipeline via said lateral opening..Iaddend. .Iadd.28. Pipeline inspection apparatus for use in inspecting a lateral pipeline that enters a generally horizontal main pipeline comprising (A) an inspection camera that is sized to fit within said pipelines, (A) an elongated transporting member having one end connected to said camera and which is adapted to initially move in a generally horizontal path along the interior of said main pipeline, said elongated transporting member having sufficient flexibility that a portion thereof can be deflected at an angle reflective to the remainder of the elongated transporting member, (C) a supporting assembly sized to fit within and rest upon the lower internal surface of said main pipeline, said supporting assembly being arranged to support the portion of said elongated transporting member that is adjacent said camera and including (1) drive means which engages said elongated transporting member so that activation of the drive means can move said elongated transporting member longitudinally through said pipelines, and (2) adjustment means for adjusting the angular disposition of a portion of said elongated flexible transporting member that is adjacent said camera so that the camera is movable between a transport position in which the viewing end of the camera faces a first direction, and an inspection position in which the said viewing end of the camera faces a direction at an angle to said first direction, and the camera can be propelled in said angled direction by activating said drive means, the elongated flexible transporting member undergoing a change in direction in passing through

Claim 29

the support assembly..Iaddend. .Iadd.29. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said drive means comprises a pair of pulleys defining a nip through which said elongated transporting member passes and a drive motor drivingly connected to one of said pulleys..Iaddend.