U.S. patent application number 12/410896 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-15 for magnetically actuated drain stopper apparatus.
Invention is credited to Scott Duncan.
Application Number | 20090255041 12/410896 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41161243 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090255041 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Duncan; Scott |
October 15, 2009 |
MAGNETICALLY ACTUATED DRAIN STOPPER APPARATUS
Abstract
A drain stopper assembly for selectively opening and closing a
drain located within a basin, tub or sink. A clamp assembly is
affixed to the sink's drain body pivotally supporting a magnet. A
magnet or ferromagnetic material is appended to a lifting pedestal
which in turn supports a stopper sized to selectively block the
sink's drain collar. The stopper can be caused to selectively seat
upon and be removal from the drain collar through actuation of the
magnetic assembly along the drain body
Inventors: |
Duncan; Scott; (Santa Rosa,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STAINBROOK & STAINBROOK, LLP
412 AVIATION BOULEVARD, SUITE H
SANTA ROSA
CA
95403
US
|
Family ID: |
41161243 |
Appl. No.: |
12/410896 |
Filed: |
March 25, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61044036 |
Apr 10, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/295 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 2001/2311 20130101;
E03C 1/2304 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/295 |
International
Class: |
A47K 1/14 20060101
A47K001/14 |
Claims
1. A drain stopper assembly for selectively opening and closing a
drain located within a basin, tub or sink, said drain having an
opening within said basin, tub or sink for facilitating the
selective passage of water therethrough past a drain collar, drain
body and drain tailpiece, a stopper being selectively sealable on
said drain collar allowing selective passage of water therethrough,
said stopper being supported by a lifting pedestal slidably located
within said drain body having a ferromagnetically attractable
member supportably positioned thereon, a clamp assembly affixed to
said drain body pivotably supporting a magnet such that movement of
an actuating assembly moves said magnet along said drain body, said
magnet and ferromagnetic material being sufficiently attracting to
cause said lifting pedestal to slide within said drain body to
cause said stopper to selectively seat upon and be removed from
said drain, collar upon pivotal movement of said clamp
assembly.
2. The drain stopper of claim 1 further comprising a connecting rod
bridging said drain stopper to said lifting pedestal.
3. The drain stopper of claim 1 wherein said ferromagnetically
attractable member comprises a ferromagnetic ring.
4. The drain stopper of claim 1 wherein said actuating assembly
comprises a rod or cable actuable by a user remotely from said
clamp assembly.
5. The drain stopper of claim 1 wherein said magnet on said clamp
assembly comprises a magnetic collar surrounding said drain
body.
6. The drain stopper of claim 1 wherein said drain stopper and
lifting pedestal are removable from said drain body by lifting said
drain stopper from said drain collar.
7. The drain stopper assembly of claim 1 wherein said actuating
assembly comprises a source of pressurized air.
8. The drain stopper of claim 6 wherein said drain body is
characterized as having an unobstructed interior surface once said
drain stopper and lifting pedestal have been removed therefrom.
9. A drain stopper assembly fox selectively opening and closing a
drain located within a basin, tub or sink, said drain having an
opening within said basin, tub or sink for facilitating the
selective passage of water therethrough past a drain collar and
drain body, said stopper being selectively sealable as said drain
collar allowing selective passage of water therethrough, a
connecting rod appended to said stopper which extends within said
drain body when said stopper is positioned on said drain collar, a
first magnet appended to said connecting rod, a second magnet
selectively positionable proximate said first magnet, the same
poles of said first and second magnetic facing each other when said
first and second magnets are positionable proximate one another and
being of sufficient strength to selectively cause said drain
stopper to lift from said drain collar when said first and second
magnets are so proximate to one another.
10. The drain stopper assembly of claim 9 further comprising a
crossbar extending across said drain body for receipt and centering
of said connecting rod.
11. The drain stopper assembly of claim 9 wherein said second
magnet is selectively movable between first and second positions
such that in said first position, said first and second magnets are
of sufficient strength and proximity to cause said drain stopper to
lift from said drain collar.
12. The drain stopper assembly of claim 11 further comprising a
control assembly for selectively moving said second magnet between
said first and second positions.
13. The drain stopper assembly of claim 12 wherein said second
magnet is slidable on a plane substantially perpendicular to said
connection rod.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is based upon and claims priority to
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/044,036 filed on Apr.
10, 2008.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to drain stoppers
for basins, tubs, and sinks, and more particularly to apparatus for
actuating up and down movement of a drain stopper, and still more
particularly to a magnetically actuated pop-up assembly for opening
and closing a drain stopper and that allows for a complete removal
of the drain stopper directly from the drain pipe without the use
of any tools.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Drain stoppers including lift rods and their linkage to
drain assemblies have been employed for many years without any
significant improvement. These assemblies generally include a ball
rod assembly and linkage connecting the lift rod to the drain
stopper including a pivot bar connected to the lower end of the
lift rod which, in turn, is connected to a valve stem having a ball
valve exposed inside a radially extending elbow within the drain
body. As the lift rod is pulled upwardly, the drain stopper moves
downwardly to close the drain opening and as the drain rod is
pushed downwardly, the drain stopper rises from the drain collar
allowing the basin to drain accordingly.
[0004] In that the lift rod and pivot bar are linked to one
another, it is extremely difficult to remove the drain stopper from
its collar to clean the drain body. This linkage provides for a
natural ledge which catches hair and other debris causing
significant sanitary issues. In addition, such linkage oftentimes
loosens reducing the control that a user has upon the orientation
of the stopper by actuation of the lift rod. The linkage can
oftentimes fail after repeated use and its repair requires the
intervention of a plumber.
[0005] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a
novel control device for selectively moving a stopper to block or
open a drain collar without the need for complex linkages contained
within the basin, tub or sink drain pipe.
[0006] It is yet a further object of the present invention to
provide a novel installation whereby a stopper can be removed from
its supporting drain collar by merely lifting the stopper from its
supporting basin, tub or sink and without the need for disengaging
complex linkages ordinarily found within such an installation.
[0007] It is yet a further object of the present invention to
provide a novel system which, upon removal of its stopper, provides
a user with an unobstructed passage along the interior of the
system's drain pipe for ease of cleaning and maintenance.
[0008] These and further objects will be more readily apparent when
considering the following disclosure and appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A drain stopper assembly for selectively opening and closing
a drain located within a basin, tub or sink, said drain having an
opening within said basin, tub or sink for facilitating the
selective passage of water therethrough past a drain collar, drain
body and drain tailpiece, a stopper being selectively sealable on
said drain collar allowing selective passage of water therethrough,
said stopper being supported by a lifting pedestal slidably located
within said drain body having a ferromagnetically attractable
member supportably positioned thereon, a clamp assembly affixed to
said drain body pivotably supporting a magnet such that movement of
an actuating assembly moves said magnet along said drain body, said
magnet and ferromagnetic material being sufficiently attracting to
cause said lifting pedestal to slide within said drain body to
cause said stopper to selectively seat upon and be removed from
said drain collar upon pivotal movement of said clamp assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0010] FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the magnetically
actuated drain stopper of the present invention, showing the drain
stopper in an open position.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side view in elevation thereof.
[0012] FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-sectional side view in
elevation showing detail of the mechanical and functional elements
of the inventive apparatus, showing the drain stopper in an open
position.
[0013] FIG. 3B is the same view showing the drain stopper in a
closed position
[0014] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional front view in elevation
corresponding to FIG. 3A.
[0015] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional front view in elevation
corresponding to FIG. 3B.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the drain stopper
member and the magnetic collar of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 6A is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing a
second preferred embodiment adapted for use in bath tubs, showing
the drain stopper in an open position.
[0018] FIG. 6B is the same view showing the drain stopper in a
closed position
[0019] FIG. 7A is a schematic cross-sectional side view in
elevation showing the second preferred embodiment adapted for use
with strainer drain stoppers, with the drain stopper in the open
position.
[0020] FIG. 7B is the same view showing the drain stopper in a
closed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Referring first to FIGS. 1 through 7B, wherein like
reference numerals refer to like components in the various views,
there is illustrated therein a new and improved magnetically
actuated drain stopper apparatus. These views collectively show
that the inventive apparatus 10 is adapted for installation on the
main drain body 12 as commonly found under a sink, tub or
basin.
[0022] In its most essential aspect, the inventive apparatus first
includes clamp 14 adjustably tightened onto the drain body with
snap fit plastic connectors or with screw 16 threadably inserted
through holes in cuff 18. The clamp includes arm 20 extending
radially from the drain body which provides a mounting platform for
ferrule 22 terminating a twisted or braided steel strand cable 24
slidably covered in cable housing 26 (preferably a corrosion
resistant Teflon coated or lined cable in a lubricated housing).
Alternatively, the present system can be driven pneumatically, the
cable arrangement being shown for illustrative purposes. The cable
end includes expansion 28 pivotally connected to a first end of
U-shaped lever 30 which is, in turn, pivotally mounted on pivot
pins 31, 33, in medial position to legs 32, 34 depending downwardly
from clamp 14. At the opposite end, the lever terminates in rings
36, 38 that connect to short cylindrical knobs 40, 42 on opposite
sides of sliding magnetic collar 44. As is quite apparent, this
configuration enables a user to retrofit an existing drain stopper
assembly with the magnetic assembly of the present invention.
Existing drain bodies 12 can be used as support for clamp 14 and
related hardware. Such an after-market retrofit is considered an
important aspect of the present invention.
[0023] The apparatus next includes drain stopper 46 having sealing
gasket 48 for providing a fluid seal in drain collar 50. The drain
stopper includes a downwardly depending connecting rod 52, which is
threadably or otherwise connected to lifting pedestal 54 (FIG. 5)
having a plurality of fins 56 for centering the pedestal in the
drain body as it moves up and down. At the lower end of the
pedestal is ferromagnetic member 58 or magnet. When the clamp is
properly positioned and affixed in the drain body, and the drain
stopper and pedestal inserted into the drain body, the
ferromagnetic ring is engaged by the magnetic field created by
magnetic collar 44. As the cable is either pulled or pushed via a
lift rod or other control device, lever 30 moves the magnetic
collar upwardly and downwardly. The magnetic collar pulls the
ferromagnetic ring or magnet along with it, such that the lifting
pedestal is caused to move up or down, thus providing selective
control over the drain stopper.
[0024] A principal advantage of this apparatus is that the drain
stopper and lifting pedestal can be removed from a drain body
simply by pulling it out. This leaves the drain entirely open and
unobstructed by mechanical apparatus, so that it can be thoroughly
cleaned with considerable ease. By these means, environments
conductive to the growth and propagation of disease carrying
organisms can be eliminated with virtually no inconvenience.
[0025] Referring next to FIGS. 6A through 7B, a second preferred
embodiment 70 is shown. The inventive apparatus includes drain
stopper 72 (90 in FIGS. 7A and 7B) having connecting rod 74
slidably inserted through cross bar 76 that centers the connecting
rod in drain body 78. Plunger 80 is connected to the connecting rod
and terminates at a lower end in plunger magnet 82 which is
oriented with the same pole facing the pole on the upper side of
slidable magnet 84, selectively moved either immediately under
plunger magnet 82 (FIGS. 6A and 7A) or away from the plunger magnet
(FIGS. 6B and 7B) by a drain control knob, lever, rod, chain,
button, pressurized air supply or other control, device.
Accordingly, as the control magnet is placed underneath and in
proximity with the plunger magnet, the drain is forced up by the
repulsive force between the magnets. When the control magnet is
withdrawn, the drain stopper drops down under either the force of
gravity, or under an actuating force such as a spring (not shown)
or by human intervention.
[0026] The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary
skill in the art to practice the invention, and provides the best
mode of practicing the invention presently contemplated by the
inventor. While there is provided herein a full and complete
disclosure of the preferred embodiments of this invention, it is
not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction,
dimensional relationships and operation shown and described.
Various modifications, alternative constructions, changes and
equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may
be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spirit
and scope of the invention. Such changes might involve alternative
materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes,
forms, functions, operational features or the like.
[0027] Therefore, the above description and illustrations should
not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is
defined by the appended claims.
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