U.S. patent application number 11/743210 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-06 for shower area safety drain cover.
Invention is credited to James Edward Self.
Application Number | 20080271232 11/743210 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39938478 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080271232 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Self; James Edward |
November 6, 2008 |
SHOWER AREA SAFETY DRAIN COVER
Abstract
A drain cover is fabricated with a plurality of apertures in
patterns of varying shapes. The cover is formed as a plate,
suitable for installation proximate to a drain, and capable of
bearing sufficient weight, the latter a function of the plate's
size and intended use. The construction and arrangement of the
plate, particularly the apertures, is such that the cover is
operative to protect the drain from clogging, protect an individual
near the drain from slips and falls, and still effectively and
efficiently pass fluids.
Inventors: |
Self; James Edward; (Isle of
Man, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Fleit Gibbons Gutman Bongini & Bianco PL
21355 EAST DIXIE HIGHWAY, SUITE 115
MIAMI
FL
33180
US
|
Family ID: |
39938478 |
Appl. No.: |
11/743210 |
Filed: |
May 2, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/292 ; 210/164;
29/896.62 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 1/264 20130101;
Y10T 29/49604 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/292 ; 210/164;
29/896.62 |
International
Class: |
E03C 1/26 20060101
E03C001/26 |
Claims
1. A shower area drain cover comprising: a plate having a pattern
of varying shapes of elongated arcuate apertures; wherein said
pattern comprises at least five members, separated from each other;
and, wherein said plate is operative to cover a drain, bear weight,
and pass fluids through said apertures.
2. The drain cover of claim 1, wherein said plate is fabricated
from a material selected from a group consisting of metal, plastic,
and ceramic.
3. The drain cover of claim 1, wherein said plate is fabricated
from a material selected from a group consisting of stainless
steel, vinyl, and ABS.
4. The drain cover of claim 1, wherein said apertures have a
perimeter formed with a bevel.
5. The drain cover of claim 4, wherein said drain cover has a lower
face proximate said drain, and an upper face, and wherein said
bevel is formed in said upper face.
6. The drain cover of claim 1, wherein said drain is in a floor,
and wherein said cover lies substantially at the same height as
said floor when installed.
7. The drain cover of claim 1, wherein said apertures are separated
from each other by a distance about as wide as the width of said
apertures.
8. The drain cover of claim 7, wherein said cover shape is selected
from the group consisting of rectangle, square, oval, circle,
polygon.
9. A method of fabricating a shower area drain cover, comprising
the steps of: forming a plate; creating a pattern of varying shapes
of elongated arcuate apertures in said plate, said pattern
comprising at least five members, separated from each other; and,
wherein said plate is operative to cover a drain, bear weight, and
pass fluids through said apertures.
10. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of
fastening said cover in proximity to said drain, using a fastening
method selected from the group consisting of screwing, adhering,
frictionally engaging.
11. The method of claim 1 0, wherein said plate is formed from a
material selected from a group consisting of metal, plastic, and
ceramic.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein said apertures are created with
a perimeter formed with a bevel.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein said drain is in a floor, and
wherein said cover is formed to lie substantially at the same
height as said floor when installed.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein said drain is in a floor,
further comprising the step of fastening said cover proximate to
said floor.
15. The method of claim 10, wherein said drain is in a floor,
further comprising the step of fastening said cover in operative
engagement with said drain.
16. The method of claim 10, wherein said pattern of shapes are
separated from each other by a distance about as wide as the width
of said apertures.
17. The method of claim 10, wherein said plate is formed in a shape
selected from the group consisting of rectangle, square, oval,
circle, polygon.
18. A shower area drain cover comprising: a plate, sized to cover a
drain, including quartets of a pattern of apertures spaced apart
from the center of the plate, each pattern including: five arcuate
apertures, including a first bow shaped aperture extending
substantially from a first corner of said plate towards the center
of said plate; a second bow shaped aperture extending substantially
from said first corner towards the center of said plate. wherein
said first and second apertures each have endpoints, and wherein
said endpoints face each other; a third aperture forming a sinuous
shape, extending between said first and second apertures; a fourth
aperture adjacent to said second arcuate aperture, extending
substantially from said first corner and extending substantially
parallel to an adjacent edge of said plate; a fifth aperture,
disposed between said fourth aperture and said second aperture;
and, means for supporting said drain cover in operative engagement
with a drain and a drainage surface; wherein said plate is
operative to cover a drain, bear weight, and pass fluids through
said apertures.
19. The drain cover of claim 18, wherein said apertures have a
perimeter formed with a bevel.
20. The drain cover of claim 18, wherein said drain is in a floor,
and wherein said cover lies substantially at the same height as
said floor when installed.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to the field of shower area drain
covers and more particularly, to shower/bathing area safety drain
covers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Facilities for people with special needs must accommodate a
variety of ergonomic and safety requirements which are vital to
their beneficial use. Wet environments, in particular, must be
adapted to a variety of needs, while promoting a higher degree of
safety. Circumstances which present mild or minimal risk to some
individuals represent a higher level of risk to others.
[0003] In the field of shower or bathing facilities for special
needs, a variety of appurtenances are well known, including grab
bars, seats, low level access ramps, appropriately placed controls,
and non-slip flooring. The drain, similarly, plays an important
role within a safe and effective facility.
[0004] Prior art drain covers, such as is shown in U.S. Pat. No.
4,998,387, commonly comprise a series of elongated slots defining a
circle. Such covers suffer from a variety of deficiencies which
have the potential to adversely affect those with special needs. In
particular, the longitudinal grooves are well adapted to trap
wheelchair wheels. Further, they present, at least in a direction
parallel to the grooves, a smooth linear surface upon which a foot,
cane, or walker may slip.
[0005] It is additionally important to reduce the possibility of
hair, digits, or other small objects being drawn into, or trapped
within the cover apertures, particularly while rapid drainage is
taking place. Covers relating to these problems are disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,615,417 B1 and U.S. Patent Application 2002/0078496
A1. The '496 application discloses a raised domed cover which
disperses suction pressure through a series of openings provided
with a backing mesh. The '417 patent discloses a raised flat cover
that is substantially larger than an underlying drain, wherein
fluid enters at the side, and flows under the cover.
[0006] Neither reference, however, discloses a safety drain that is
well adapted to special needs requirements. In particular, each
requires a raised portion, as well as an enlargement of the drain
area, presenting difficulties for people who may be unsteady on
their feet, or who have reduced eyesight, as well as obstructing
the passage of wheels or walking assistance devices.
[0007] Thus, there exists a need for an improved safety drain
cover.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with the present invention, a drain cover is
fabricated with a plurality of apertures in patterns of varying
shapes. In a preferred embodiment, the cover is formed as a plate,
suitable for installation in a floor, and capable of bearing
sufficient weight, the latter a function of the plate's size and
intended use.
[0009] The pattern of apertures presents a supporting structure
which allows sufficient fluids to pass there through to support the
highest anticipated fluid volume to be drained. Ideally, the
apertures are elongated arcuate shapes. As such, they are resistant
to clogging, and are easily cleaned. The edges of the apertures may
be advantageously formed with an angular or curved bevel along
their periphery, particularly on the upper face of the plate. This
further facilitates cleaning, further reduces clogging, and forms a
more comfortable surface.
[0010] The apertures are spaced apart or separated from each other,
in order to form a solid supporting structure. In a preferred
embodiment, a pattern comprises five apertures of varying lengths,
together operative to meet the criteria described above.
[0011] The cover of the present invention may be formed from a
variety of materials of suitable strength and resistance to damage
from moisture, mold, and other factors concomitant with covering
drains. Preferred materials include metals, plastics, or ceramics,
with stainless steel, vinyl, and ABS (aerylonitrile butadiene
styrene) being particularly suitable. Preferably, the material is
of sufficient thickness to provide the requisite strength, yet is
sufficiently thin to allow the cover to lie at substantially the
same height as the floor when the cover is installed.
[0012] The cover may be fastened to either the drain, the
supporting surface of the drain, such as the floor, or both, by any
suitable means, including adhesives or screws.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a cover in accordance with the
present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a cover in accordance with the
present invention, illustrating beveled apertures; and,
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a series of four of an aperture pattern
in accordance with the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a drain cover in accordance with the
invention, installed upon a gravity waste device;
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a drain cover in accordance with the
invention, being installed in a floor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] In accordance with the present invention, and with reference
to the figures, a shower area drain cover 10 is fabricated with a
plurality of a pattern of varying apertures 12a-e, which are either
unique, or are oriented differently, with respect to each other.
For brevity, the term "shower area" is intended herein to mean a
shower stall or room, open shower area, bathtub, or bathing area or
room, generally. In a preferred embodiment, the cover is formed as
a plate, suitable for installation in a floor, and capable of
bearing sufficient weight, the latter a function of the plate's
size and intended use. Typically, the cover shape is square, to
best integrate with square shaped flooring members. However, the
cover shape may be in the form of a rectangle, square, circle,
oval, polygon, or other shape, as desired or required.
[0019] The pattern of apertures presents a supporting structure,
without the smooth extended linear surfaces inherent in a pattern
of repeating, non-varying shapes, which allows sufficient fluids to
pass there through to support the highest anticipated volume.
Ideally, the apertures are elongated arcuate shapes. As such, they
are resistant to clogging, and are easily cleaned. With reference
to FIG. 2. The edges of the apertures may be advantageously formed
with an angular or curved bevel 14 along their periphery,
particularly on the upper face of the plate. This further
facilitates cleaning, further reduces clogging, and forms a more
comfortable surface. The periphery of the plate may also be formed
with a bevel 16.
[0020] Avoiding a pattern containing repeating shapes reduces
elongated and smooth extended surfaces, such as the gridlines of a
grate, or the bridging members of concentric circles. A foot, cane,
or walker may slide along a smooth uninterrupted surface, and thus
fail to provide adequate support. Moreover, extended linear
apertures may operate to trap a wheelchair wheel, or alternatively,
impede the directional change of a wheel, hampering safe passage
over the cover. In contrast, the present invention provides curved
apertures which are presented in varying shapes, thus avoiding
these potential pitfalls.
[0021] With reference to FIG. 3, in a preferred embodiment, the
apertures are spaced apart or separated from each other, preferably
by a distance about as wide as the width of the apertures, in order
to form a solid supporting structure. In a preferred embodiment, a
pattern comprises five apertures 12a-e of varying lengths, together
operative to meet the criteria described above, while disposed in
an area, in the embodiment shown, of about one fourth of the
surface of a cover. Accordingly, a quartet 18a-d of such a pattern
is used in a complete square cover. Vortex formation is diminished
by the shape of the apertures, as well as by placing each pattern
away from the center of the cover.
[0022] The preferred embodiment shown in the figures has a distinct
arrangement of apertures which best meets the criteria described
herein. Specifically, there is a quartet of a preferred pattern
which occupies a square shaped cover. The patterns are spaced away
from the center of the plate, and comprise arcuate shaped
apertures. Each pattern includes two longer bow shaped apertures
extending from a corner towards the center, one bow closer to the
corner, and the other closer to the center, whose endpoints face
each other, thus forming the shape of parentheses. Occupying the
space within the parentheses shape is a sinuous shaped aperture.
Adjacent to the parentheses shape is a curved aperture that extends
substantially along the edge of the cover. Finally, a tear drop
shaped aperture is located between the aperture extending along the
edge, and the adjacent bow of the parentheses.
[0023] The cover of the present invention may be formed from a
variety of materials of suitable strength and resistance to damage
from moisture, mold, and other actors concomitant with covering
drains. Preferred materials include metals, plastics, or ceramics,
with stainless steel, vinyl, and ABS (acrylonitrite butadiene
styrene) being particularly suitable. Preferably, the material is
of sufficient thickness to provide the requisite strength, yet is
sufficiently thin to allow the cover to lie at substantially the
same height as the floor when the cover is installed.
[0024] The cover may be fastened to either the drain, the
supporting drainage surface of the drain, such as the floor, or
both, by any suitable means, including adhesives or screws 20. When
screws are used, it is preferable that the screw heads are
countersunk, to maintain a flat and comfortable upper surface.
[0025] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a cover 10 in accordance
with the invention is installed in a gravity waste structure 30. It
should be understood that cover 10 may be used with a wide variety
of drain related structures and devices. In this embodiment, cover
10 is press fit, or frictionally engaged within a frame 32. In FIG.
5, the assembly of FIG. 4 is shown being installed within a floor
42, wherein structures below or at the floor level are not
illustrated. A collar 34 permits adjustment of the finished height
of frame 32 and cover 10. Grout 38 or functionally similar sealant
is applied, as by trowel 40, in order to seal the interstices
between frame 32 and neighboring tiles 36.
[0026] Thus, there are many different features to the invention. It
is contemplated that these features may be used either alone or in
combination. It should be understood by those familiar with the art
that numerous modifications and equivalent features may be
substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted,
therefore, to the specific embodiments described, and that
equivalent applications, modifications, and embodiments within the
scope of the invention are contemplated.
* * * * *