U.S. patent application number 09/494265 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-21 for bathtub drain adapter.
Invention is credited to Lewis, Stephen W..
Application Number | 20020032926 09/494265 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26815650 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020032926 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lewis, Stephen W. |
March 21, 2002 |
Bathtub drain adapter
Abstract
A drain adapter assembly for joining an overflow pipe to a side
wall of a bathtub for permanently sealing the overflow pipe to the
tub prior to the installation of a suitable overflow trim plate.
The present assembly is capable of compressing the overflow pipe to
the side wall of the tub while compressibly capturing a foam
gasket, thus effectively preventing water seepage between the
bathtub side wall and gasket and thereby enabling the tub to be
filled above its overflow opening for suitable water testing.
Inventors: |
Lewis, Stephen W.;
(Sebastopol, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Doyle B Johnson
Two Embarcadero Center Suite 2000
Post Office Box 7936
San Francisco
CA
94120-7936
US
|
Family ID: |
26815650 |
Appl. No.: |
09/494265 |
Filed: |
January 28, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60117781 |
Jan 29, 1999 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/680 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 2001/2413 20130101;
E03C 1/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/680 |
International
Class: |
E03C 001/24 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A drain adapter comprising: a threaded member; a capture nut;
and a gasket.
2. The drain adapter of claim 1, wherein the threaded member
comprises an elbow and threaded section formed as a single unitary
piece.
3. The drain adapter of claim 1, wherein the threaded member
comprises a threaded insert formed to attach to a drain pipe.
4. The drain adapter of claim 2, wherein the single unitary piece
further comprises protrusions.
5. The drain adapter of claim 3, wherein the drain pipe further
comprises protrusions.
6. The drain adapter of claim 2, wherein the single unitary piece
further comprises a flange.
7. The drain adapter of claim 3, wherein the drain pipe further
comprises a flange.
8. The drain adapter of claim 1, wherein the gasket comprises a
foam gasket.
9. The drain adapter of claim 1, wherein the capture nut comprises
a flange having holes formed thereon.
10. The drain adapter of claim 1, wherein the capture nut comprises
a flange having at least two thumb tabs formed thereon.
11. The bathtub drain adapter of claim 1, further comprising a test
plug.
12. The drain adapter of claim 1, further comprising a face
plate.
13. A bathtub overflow drain test assembly comprising: a drain pipe
having a threaded member; a gasket having an opening formed to
receive the threaded member; a capture nut configured to thread
onto the threaded member; and a test plug formed to seal the drain
pipe.
14. The bathtub overflow drain test assembly of claim 13, wherein
the gasket forms a water-tight seal between the drain pipe and a
backside of a bathtub, as the capture nut is tightened on a front
side of the bathtub.
15. The bathtub overflow drain test assembly of claim 14, wherein
the drain pipe comprises an elbow and threaded section formed as a
single unitary piece.
16. The bathtub overflow drain test assembly of claim 14, wherein
the threaded member comprises a threaded insert formed to attach to
the drain pipe.
17. The bathtub overflow drain test assembly of claim 14, wherein
the capture nut comprises a flange having holes formed thereon.
18. The bathtub overflow drain test assembly of claim 14, wherein
the capture nut comprises a flange having at least two thumb tabs
formed thereon.
19. A method for leak testing a bathtub overflow drain, the method
comprising: installing a gasket over a threaded member on a
backside of the bathtub, the threaded member connected to a drain
pipe; installing a capture nut on the threaded member such that the
drain pipe and gasket are drawn to the backside of the bathtub,
compressing the gasket and thereby forming a water-tight seal;
installing a test plug in the capture nut to seal the drain; and
filling the bathtub with water above an overflow drain level.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: removing the test
plug once the test is complete; and installing a face plate over
the capture nut.
Description
[0001] The present application claims priority from U.S.
Provisional Patent application serial No. 06/117,781, filed Jan.
29, 1999, entitled "BATHTUB DRAIN ADAPTER."
TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention deals with an adapter for
incorporation in a bathtub overflow for the permanent connection of
the overflow assembly to the overflow outlet of the bathtub. When
the overflow is secured to the bathtub with the adapter, a test
plug is inserted into the overflow outlet, and a test plug is
inserted into the drain outlet in the bottom of the bathtub.
Likewise, all of the other drain outlets in the building, such as
showers, sinks and lavatories, will be plugged to allow the entire
waste system to be filled with water to the level required. At this
time, water can be added to the bathtub to a point that is above
the overflow, to test the permanent connection of the overflow
assembly to the bathtub overflow outlet for leaks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] When plumbing a structure such as a house, the piping is
subjected to at least two waste water tests, and inspection by a
building official. The first test is done after the under floor or
slab rough in is completed and requires ten feet of head pressure.
A second test is required on "top out" before close in, meaning
that after the plumbing vents are piped through the roof, and the
bathtubs are set, the waste system must be filled to the level
required and inspected for leaks by the building official before
insulation, sheetrock or plaster can be installed. Changes to the
building code over the years regarding test procedures for plumbing
waste systems now require the vents as well as the drainage piping
be tested. The current system of testing does not allow the
overflow to be secured to the bathtub while it is plugged off to
allow testing of the building waste system. The only way of
securing the current design is by installing the overflow trim
plate. The present invention alleviates the problem and allows for
a leak proof overflow connection where there was no mechanical
connection before.
[0004] As further background, reference is made to FIG. 1 which
shows, in perspective, the cutaway of a typical bathtub
installation including water service lines 1 and 2 feeding hot and
cold service and selector knob 15 for directing water either
through tub spigot 16 or, optionally, through pipe 3 to a shower
overhead outlet (not shown).
[0005] To drain water from tub 10, assembly 11 is provided
including down pipe 19 and tee 19A which in turn is fed both from
tub drain assembly 17 and overflow elbow 18.
[0006] As further background, reference is made to FIG. 2 which
shows, in perspective, an assembly employed by the prior art for
temporarily blocking overflow elbow 18 during those water tests as
described above. In use, foam gasket 9 is applied to elbow 18.
Elbow 18 is typical of such products offered by AB+A characterized
by having pegs 4 symmetrically disposed upon face 26 on elbow 18
for centering foam gasket 9 thereon. Once the gasket is in place,
test plug 8 having center screw 5 and wing nut 7 are applied to
mating threads 6 to temporarily block elbow 18 and prevent the
passage of water therethrough.
[0007] Despite the seeming acceptability of the assembly shown in
FIG. 2, the prior art cannot maintain water-tight integrity of the
overflow assembly to the tub during testing. Specifically, once the
assembly has been completed, it is the assembly trim plate (not
shown) which is employed to draw elbow 18 to the inner side wall of
tub 10. It is virtually impossible to install a trim plate while
test plug 8 is in place. As such, one cannot test the water
integrity of a tub installation including not only inspecting the
installation for leakage through elbow 18 but also between the
inner wall of tub 10 and foam gasket 9.
[0008] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a
means of permanently creating a water impervious seal between an
overflow pipe tub side wall in order to enable water testing of the
tub plumbing during a suitable waste water test.
[0009] This and further objects of the present invention will be
more readily appreciated when considering the following disclosure
and appended drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention broadly is directed to an adapter
assembly for joining an overflow pipe to the side wall of a bathtub
for permanently sealing the overflow line to the tub prior to the
installation of a suitable overflow trim plate. The present
expedient is capable of compressing the overflow pipe elbow to the
side wall of the tub while compressibly capturing a foam gasket
thus effectively preventing water seepage between the bathtub side
wall and gasket enabling the tub to be filled above its overflow
opening for suitable water testing.
[0011] In a first embodiment, the pipe elbow can be configured with
a threaded length which could be threadably joined to a nut
capturing the tub side wall and gasket. In a second embodiment, a
standard, unmodified pipe elbow can be fit with an adapter which
again can be made to threadably receive a capture nut for
compressibly joining a suitable gasket with a bathtub side wall. In
a second embodiment, the adapter can be solvently welded to the
elbow. In each instance, once the capture nut has been tightened,
an effective water-tight seal is created between the gasket and tub
side wall without the need for installation of the decorative
overflow plate at that time.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIGS. 1 and 2 represent perspective views of prior art as
discussed above.
[0013] FIG. 3a is an exploded view of one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 3b depicts, in perspective, the assembly of FIG. 3a in
use.
[0015] FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of two embodiments of
the present invention, again, in exploded view.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a side plan view of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 6
shown in use.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
the present invention in exploded view.
[0019] FIG. 9 is an illustrative view showing the hand operation of
the alternative embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Turning first to FIG. 3a, down pipe 19 is shown being
connected to overflow elbow 20 modified to enable the practice of
the present invention. In comparing elbow 20 with elbow 18 of the
prior art, it is seen that threaded member 23 is shown protruding
from elbow 20 within the confines of protrusions 4 emanating from
elbow 20 as shown. Threads 23 can be produced by extruding elbow 20
as a single unitary plastic part or, alternatively, an insert such
as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 as element 41 can be solvent welded to
element 20 as desired. In continuing the practice of the present
invention, foam gasket 9 is then placed upon elbow 20 being
centered by protrusions 4 located thereon. As noted in FIG. 3b,
foam gasket 9 is intended to reside on the backside of tub 30
which, in turn, is provided with an opening enabling access to
threaded member 23. Working from the inner side wall of tub 30,
capture nut 21 can then be screwed down upon threaded member 23
using threads 22 to match therewith. Alternatively, the threaded
member 23 could be formed with interior threads, and the capture
nut 21 with outer threads.
[0021] As further noted in reference to FIG. 3a, capture nut 21 is
provided with flange 24 further optionally being configured with
holes 25 enabling a suitable wire tool (not shown) to be inserted
within holes 25 for increasing torque rotation of capture nut 21 to
enable the capture nut to compressively draw elbow 20 to tub 10 as
shown in FIG. 3b to, in effect, tightly draw foam gasket 9 to the
side wall of tub 10 creating, for the first time, a waterproof seal
prior to the attachment of the later to be installed trim plate. In
completing the assembly, test plug 8 is then screwed down upon
elbow 20 as shown and described with reference to FIGS. 3A and
3B.
[0022] FIGS. 4 and 5 show variations to the assembly of FIGS. 3a
and 3b.
[0023] FIGS. 4 and 5 differ only in the configuration of elbow 40
(FIG. 4) and elbow 80 (FIG. 5). The remaining elements being
virtually identical between the embodiments of the two figures and
thus have been numbered with like numerals.
[0024] Elbow 80 shown in FIG. 5 is provided with protrusions 4 such
as those shown in the previously discussed figures. Elbow of this
nature are commercially available from AB+A. By contrast, elbow 40
of FIG. 4 is provided with flange 46 emanating from face 48. Elbows
of this nature are commercially available from Watco, Rapidfit, New
Style AB+A (January, 1999).
[0025] In operation, threaded insert 41 is provided for insertion
within either elbow 40 or elbow 80. Threaded insert 41 is shown
having reduced diameter section 43 which is inserted within inner
side wall 44 (FIG. 4) or 84 (FIG. 5) and the ridge created thereby
acts as a natural stop for threaded insert 41. As noted previously,
threaded insert 41 can be solvent welded.
[0026] Once threaded insert 41 has been applied to a suitable
elbow, foam gasket 9 is placed upon the elbow and centered. As
shown in FIG. 5, gasket 9 would reside upon face 26 and be centered
by protrusions 4. Similarly, gasket 9 could be placed upon elbow 40
and centered by flange 46. As noted previously, foam gasket 9 is
inserted to reside behind the side wall of tub 10 as best shown by
reference to FIG. 7.
[0027] Once the assembly comprising down pipe 19, threaded insert
41 and foam gasket 9 have been installed behind the side wall of
tub 10, capture nut 21 is compressively screwed down mating screw
threads 22 with threads 42 and tightened by use of a suitable wire
wrench whose ends are inserted within holes 25 configured within
flange 24 of capture nut 21. In so doing, down pipe 19, and elbows
40-80 are compressively drawn to the side wall of tub 10
compressing foam gasket 9 thus preventing leakage of water 60 (FIG.
7) when the tub is filled above its overflow line. To complete the
assembly, test plug 8 is inserted such that threaded screw 5 is
caused to mate with threaded opening 51 (FIG. 6) and tightened by
the application of wing nut 7.
[0028] As noted previously, FIG. 6 shows the present invention in
side plan view. In reference thereto, elbow 40, being of a standard
off the shelf configuration, is provided with face 48 and flange 46
for accepting and centering foam gasket 9 thereon. Threaded insert
41 is fit within elbow 40 at opening 52 whereby reduced
cross-sectional section 43 can be solvent welded to elbow 40.
Capture nut 21 is then screwed down upon the threaded section of
threaded insert 41 to draw foam gasket 9 against the inner side
wall of tub 10. Such an assembly, once in place, is shown in FIG. 7
creating a water-tight installation through the application of test
plug 8 screwed down within elbow 40 by mating screw 5 within
threaded opening 51 supported within elbow 40 by extruded
protrusion 50.
[0029] Once water testing has been completed, test plug 8 can be
removed by counter-clock rotation of wing nut 7. Thereupon, a
suitable trim plate (not shown) can be inserted against the
finished surface of tub 10 without disturbing any of the remaining
components as described above. In use, none of the additional
elements employed to create a water-tight installation will be
visible to the user in light of the decorative application of the
trim plate.
[0030] Another alternative embodiment of the present invention is
shown in FIG. 8. FIGS. 8 and 3a differ only in the configuration of
the capture nut. The remaining elements being virtually identical
between the embodiments of the two figures and thus have been
numbered with like numerals. As discussed with reference to FIG.
3a, the capture nut 21 may optionally be configured with holes 25
enabling a suitable wire tool (not shown) to be inserted within
holes 25 for increasing torque rotation of capture nut 21 to enable
the capture nut to compressively draw elbow to tub 10 as shown in
FIG. 3b to, in effect, tightly draw foam gasket 9 to the side wall
of tub 10. As shown in FIG. 8, the capture nut 100 may
alternatively be configured with thumb tabs 101, 102 to allow for
easy assembly and disassembly. As illustrated in FIG. 9, an
installer can use the thumb tabs 101, 102 to tighten or loosen the
capture nut 100, with no special tools required. Additional thumb
tabs or configurations may be added as desired.
[0031] Upon reading the subject application, various alternative
constructions and embodiments will become obvious to those skilled
in the art. These variations are to be considered within the scope
and spirit of the subject invention. The subject invention is only
to be limited by the claims and their equivalence.
* * * * *