U.S. patent application number 12/080598 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-08 for overflow drain.
Invention is credited to Gary Uhl.
Application Number | 20090249542 12/080598 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41131861 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090249542 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Uhl; Gary |
October 8, 2009 |
Overflow drain
Abstract
An overflow drain cover assembly includes a weir that enables a
fluid level in a container to rise above the bottom of an overflow
drain in the container. The weir covers all or a portion of the
overflow drain and has a cavity portion between the weir and the
overflow drain. The cavity portion is open at the top of the weir
so when the fluid level in the container rises above the top of the
weir, fluid can flow over the top of the weir and enter cavity
portion and thence into the overflow drain.
Inventors: |
Uhl; Gary; (Fair Haven,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FROMMER LAWRENCE & HAUG
745 FIFTH AVENUE- 10TH FL.
NEW YORK
NY
10151
US
|
Family ID: |
41131861 |
Appl. No.: |
12/080598 |
Filed: |
April 4, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/694 ;
29/428 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49826 20150115;
E03C 1/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/694 ;
29/428 |
International
Class: |
E03C 1/244 20060101
E03C001/244 |
Claims
1. An overflow drain cover assembly, comprising: a weir having a
cavity portion, the cavity portion forming a gap at a top of the
weir when the weir is mounted to an overflow drain on a
substantially vertical wall of a container, wherein the weir blocks
contents of the container below the top of the weir from entering
the overflow drain, and wherein a first cross-sectional area of the
first gap is a minimum of 1000 square millimeters.
2. The overflow drain cover assembly of claim 1, comprising: a
gasket between the weir and the vertical wall, the gasket enhancing
a seal between the weir and the vertical wall when the weir is
mounted to the overflow drain.
3. The overflow drain cover assembly of claim 2, comprising: a
cover covering the weir and having one or more openings on a bottom
surface to allow contents of the container to enter behind the
cover, the cover forming a second gap between the weir and the
cover, wherein a total cross-sectional area of the one or more
openings, a second cross-sectional area of the second gap, and the
first cross-sectional area of the first gap are substantially
equal.
4. The overflow drain cover assembly of claim 3, wherein a first
cross-sectional area of the first gap is a maximum of 1500 square
millimeters.
5. The overflow drain cover assembly of claim 4, wherein the cover
is mounted to the weir.
6. The overflow drain cover assembly of claim 4, comprising one or
more mounting devices capable of mounting the weir to the overflow
drain.
7. The overflow drain assembly of claim 6, wherein the weir has
through holes and the one or mounting devices are screws that fit
through the through holes.
8. A method of raising contents of a container above the level of
an overflow drain; comprising: mounting a weir to the overflow
drain, the weir having a cavity portion, the cavity portion forming
a first gap at a top of the weir when the weir is mounted to the
overflow drain on a substantially vertical wall of the container,
wherein the weir blocks contents of the container below the top of
the weir from entering the overflow drain, and wherein a first
cross-sectional area of the first gap is a minimum of 1000 square
millimeters.
9. The method of claim 8, comprising: providing a gasket between
the weir and the vertical wall, the gasket enhancing a seal between
the weir and the vertical wall when the weir is mounted to the
overflow drain.
10. The method of claim 9, comprising: covering the weir with a
cover, the cover having one or more openings on a bottom surface
thereof; forming a second gap between the weir and the cover; and
allowing contents of the container to enter behind the cover
through the one or more openings. wherein a total cross-sectional
area of the one or more openings, a second cross-sectional area of
the second gap, and the first cross-sectional area of the first gap
are substantially equal.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein a first cross-sectional area of
the first gap is a maximum of 1500 square millimeters.
12. The overflow drain cover assembly of claim 11, comprising
mounting the cover to the weir.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to plumbing
fixtures. In particular, the invention relates to an overflow drain
in a container.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] The inner volume of a bathtub or sink is defined by a
plurality of vertical walls. One of these walls includes can
include an overflow drain opening formed therein. When water is
added to the bathtub, the overflow drain prevents the bathtub from
overflowing by providing an outlet for water at a level near the
top of the bathtub. Conventionally, the overflow drain is a pipe
having a known diameter to enable contents to flow out of the
bathtub or sink at least as fast as a predetermined rate.
[0005] A cover or escutcheon is used to conceal the overflow drain
for at least aesthetic purposes. The plate covers all or part of
the overflow drain and may have holes therein to permit water to
enter without completely sealing the overflow drain. These plates
or escutcheons typically are designed to cover overflow drains
virtually in their entirety, but include an opening in a lower
portion. The opening enables water to exit the bathtub and enter
the overflow drain.
[0006] When a person enters a partially filled bathtub or items are
put in partially filled sink, water is displaced and the water
level rises. This displacement can cause the water to rise to a
level higher than the overflow drain. When this occurs, water
channels through the plate opening and exits the tub through the
overflow drain. The water level is thereby maintained at a maximum
level that is no higher than the lowest portion of the overflow
drain. That is, the vertical location of the bottom of the overflow
drain along the vertical wall of the tub, therefore, determines the
maximum height of the water level in the bathtub.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0007] In one aspect of the invention, an overflow drain cover
assembly includes a weir having a cavity portion. When mounted to
an overflow drain on a substantially vertical wall of a container,
the cavity portion forms a first gap at a top of the weir. The weir
blocks contents of the container below the top of the weir from
entering the overflow drain. A first cross-sectional area of the
first gap is a minimum of 1000 square millimeters.
[0008] In another feature, the overflow drain cover assembly has a
gasket between the weir and the vertical wall, the gasket enhancing
a seal between the weir and the vertical wall when the weir is
mounted to the overflow drain. A cover covering the weir and having
one or more openings on a bottom surface allows contents of the
container to enter the cavity portion behind the cover, the cover
forming a second gap between the weir and the cover. A total
cross-sectional area of the one or more openings, a second
cross-sectional area of the second gap, and the first
cross-sectional area of the first gap are substantially equal.
[0009] In another feature, the first cross-sectional area of the
first gap is a maximum of 1500 square millimeters.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates an overflow drain in accordance with the
present invention;
[0011] FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate a perspective back and front view of
an implementation of a weir;
[0012] FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate a perspective back and front view of
an implementation of a cover;
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates the assembly of the drain cover assembly
to a bathtub;
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a top cutaway view of a drain cover
assembly assembled to a bathtub; and
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a side cutaway view of a drain cover
assembly assembled to a bathtub.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The present invention is an overflow drain cover assembly
for covering all or part of an overflow drain in a container. The
overflow drain in a container limits the level to which the
contents of the container may rise by providing a controlled outlet
for the contents when the contents rise above the lowermost point
of the drain. In this manner, the overflow drain can avoid having
the contents of the container from overflowing the edges of the
container in an uncontrolled manner. The overflow drain cover
assembly according to the present disclosure can raise the level to
which the contents of the container may rise before draining
through the overflow drain and maintain the function of avoiding
the contents from overflowing the edges of the container.
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an overflow drain cover assembly 100
according to the present invention. An overflow drain 102 and
overflow adapter gasket 104 are not part of the present invention
and illustrated for completeness and context. The overflow drain
cover assembly 100 includes an overflow hold ring or weir 106. The
weir 106 may be made of any suitable material such as plastic or
metal. Preferably the material is resistant to corrosion when
subjected to fluids that are held in a container (not shown). A
sealing gasket 108 is assembled between the weir 106 and the
overflow drain/adapter gasket. The sealing gasket may be made of
plastic, rubber, neoprene or other material to inhibit fluid flow
around the weir 106 until the fluid level rises above a top of the
weir 110. One or more mounting screws 112 can affix the weir 106
and gasket 108 to the overflow drain. Sealing gasket 108 and weir
106 can have through holes to permit passage of the mounting screws
112. Other mounting devices such as threaded studs and clips may be
used to retain the weir and gasket against the overflow
drain/adapter gasket. A cover 114 covers the weir and gasket to
provide an aesthetically pleasing look. The cover 114 may have
openings 116 on a bottom surface to permit the entry of fluid
therein as the level rises in the container.
[0018] FIG. 2A-2B illustrate a perspective view of a weir 200 from
the back and front views, respectively. The weir has a back surface
202 that, when assembled to a container, can rest against the
vertical wall of the container. Weir 200 can have mounting holes
204 to accept screws for mounting the weir to the container. A
sealing gasket (not shown) can be put between the weir and the
container, in the area 206 for example, to enhance the seal between
the weir back surface 202 and the container. In this way, fluid in
the container is inhibited from getting past the weir until the
fluid level in the container rises above a top of the weir 208.
[0019] FIG. 3A-3B illustrate a perspective view of a cover 300 from
the back and front views, respectively. Cover 300 has one or more
cover openings 302 in a bottom surface 306. Cover openings 302 each
have a cross-sectional area 304. Fluid can enter the cover through
the cover openings at a rate that is limited by the total of the
cross-sectional areas 304. In one embodiment, the total
cross-sectional area cover openings 302 a minimum of 1000 square
millimeters and preferably a maximum of 1500 square
millimeters.
[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates the assembly of one implementation of a
drain cover assembly to a bathtub 402 having an overflow drain 404.
The overflow drain has threaded mounting holes 418. In the
illustrated implementation, a sealing gasket 408 has through holes
410 and a weir 406 has through holes 416. Gasket through holes 408
and weir through holes 416 are aligned with threaded mounting holes
418. Screws 412 are installed through the through holes 410, 416
and threaded into threaded mounting holes 418. Tightening screws
412 pressed the weir 406 against sealing gasket 408 and a vertical
wall of the bathtub 402 inhibiting water in the bathtub from
flowing into the overflow drain 404 until the water level rises
above a top of the weir 420. A cover 414 is adapted to fit over and
attach to the weir 406.
[0021] FIG. 5 illustrates a top cutaway view of an overflow drain
cover assembly assembled to a vertical wall 502 of a bathtub having
an overflow drain 504. A weir 506 is mounted to the overflow drain
504 as described above. A front surface 516 of the weir is spaced
away from the vertical wall 502 of the bathtub creating a first gap
518. A cross-section area of the first gap is represented by the
cross-hatched area 520. In one embodiment, the cross-sectional area
520 of the first gap is a minimum of 1000 square millimeters and
preferably a maximum of 1500 square millimeters.
[0022] A cover 514, shown in cutaway view, covers the weir creating
a second gap 522 therebetween. A cross-section area of the second
gap is represented by the cross-hatched area 524. In one
embodiment, the cross-sectional area 524 of the first gap is a
minimum of 1000 square millimeters and preferably a maximum of 1500
square millimeters.
[0023] FIG. 6 a side cutaway view of the overflow drain cover
assembly assembled to a vertical wall 602 of a bathtub having an
overflow drain 604. Weir 606 is mounted to a vertical wall 602 of a
bathtub. A sealing gasket 608 is between weir 606 and vertical wall
602. Cover 614 covers the weir as described above. An arbitrary
level of water 620 is illustrated as being in the tub. As the level
620 rises in the bathtub, openings 616 in cover 614 permit water to
enter behind the cover into the cavity between the cover and the
weir. Sealing gasket 608 between the weir 606 and the vertical wall
602 inhibits water from entering the overflow drain 604 until the
water level rises above a top 610 of the weir.
[0024] Thus, the overflow drain cover assembly raises the level of
water in the tub from the bottom of the overflow drain to the top
of the weir. This allows for more water in the bathtub and deeper
water for the user. The top of the weir is above the bottom of the
overflow drain and has the opening gap at the top of the weir. This
allows the waterline in the tub to fill to a higher level before it
spills over weir into the overflow drain. The water enters the
bottom of the overflow cover through the openings in the bottom of
the cover and fills up the inside of the overflow assembly until it
reaches the top of the weir. The openings in the bottom of the
cover allow water to enter and flow up and into the overflow hole.
The sealing gasket on the back side of the weir prevents water from
entering the overflow drain until the water has reached the top of
the weir. With this overflow drain cover assembly installed, the
user can fill the bathtub to a higher level and experience a deeper
immersion of the user's body in an existing bathtub shape.
[0025] In an embodiment, the cross sectional area of the cover
opening at the bottom of the cover, the cross sectional area of the
second gap between the cover and the weir and the cross sectional
area of the first gap between the top of the weir and the overflow
drain are the same. The larger the cross-sectional area of these
three sections, the larger the volume of water flowing into the
overflow drain. The upper limit of that flow rate area is reached
when the cross sectional area of any of the three opening is equal
to the cross sectional area of the overflow drain pipe
diameter.
[0026] Other embodiments of the present invention are within the
scope of the following claims.
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