U.S. patent application number 12/639116 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-16 for universal drain stopping device with enlarged stopper.
Invention is credited to R. Stuart Holden, JR., Chris W. Jeffers, Matthew J. Siena.
Application Number | 20110138527 12/639116 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44141270 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110138527 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Siena; Matthew J. ; et
al. |
June 16, 2011 |
UNIVERSAL DRAIN STOPPING DEVICE WITH ENLARGED STOPPER
Abstract
A universal drain stopping device with enlarged stopper is
installable in drains having different sized central threaded
bores. A stopping assembly with a stopper and hollow shaft is
removably engageable with a reversible stem. The stopping assembly
and stem are axially reciprocable relative to each other when
engaged. The reversible stem has opposite threaded ends having
different sizes. The device is installable into a drain by threaded
mating of one end of the stem with the central threaded bore of the
drain. The stem can be axially reversed for installation into
another drain with a different sized threaded bore. The stopper has
a diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the drain in
which the device is installed.
Inventors: |
Siena; Matthew J.;
(Portland, CT) ; Jeffers; Chris W.; (Hebron,
CT) ; Holden, JR.; R. Stuart; (Farmington,
CT) |
Family ID: |
44141270 |
Appl. No.: |
12/639116 |
Filed: |
December 16, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/295 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 1/2306 20130101;
A47K 1/14 20130101; E03C 1/23 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/295 |
International
Class: |
A47K 1/14 20060101
A47K001/14 |
Claims
1. A drain closure device for use in one of multiple tub drains
with a central threaded bore, each respective drain defining a
substantially cylindrical passage and having an upper flange that
extends radially outwardly from the passage, the outer edge of the
flange having a diameter, comprising: (a) a reversible stem having
an axial length and opposite threaded first and second ends, the
first end having thread of a first size for engagement with a
central threaded bore of one drain and the second end having thread
of a second size that is different from the first size; and (b) a
stopping assembly configured for detachable substantially coaxial
engagement with the reversible stem and having a stopper that is
axially reciprocable relative to the stem when the stopping
assembly and stem are engaged, wherein the drain closure device is
installable in a drain by mating of either the first or second end
of the stem with the central threaded bore of the drain, and the
stopper has a diameter that is at least equal to the diameter of
the upper flange of the respective drain.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein, when the device is installed in
a drain, the stopping assembly is reciprocable between a raised
opened position permitting fluid communication between the tub and
the passage and a lowered closed position substantially fluidly
sealing the tub from the passage.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the stopping assembly comprises a
shaft extending substantially coaxially from a stopper, the shaft
being detachably slidingly engagable to the reversible stem and
optionally detachable from the stopper.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the stopping assembly is
maintained in the raised opened by a cooperating spring-loaded ball
detent mechanism operable between the stem and the shaft.
5. The device of claim 3, wherein the shaft and stopper are
optionally detachable by cooperating male and female threaded
units.
6. The device of claim 3, wherein the stopper has a bottom portion
from which a central projection extends, and a sealing member is
positioned around the central projection and adapted to contact the
drain to assist in sealing the tub from the passage when the
stopper is in the closed position.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the thread on the first end of
the stem is approximately 3/8 inch size and the thread on the
second end of the stem is approximately 5/16 inch size.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the first end of
the stem is between approximately 78 percent and approximately 88
percent of the diameter of the second end of the stem.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the stopping assembly comprises a
polymeric sealing member adapted to contact the respective drain
and assist in sealing the tub from the passage when the stopping
assembly is in the closed position.
10. An interchangeable drain closure device for use in first and
second tub drains that each define a substantially cylindrical
passage, have outer radial edges with diameters, and a central
threaded bore, the size of the respective central threaded bores
differing from each other, comprising: (a) a stopper having a top
portion and bottom portion and a diameter D.sub.1; (b) a hollow
shaft extending downwardly from the stopper, the shaft and stopper
being substantially coaxial; (c) a reversible stem having an axial
length and opposite first and second ends with respective threaded
outer surfaces of different sizes, the hollow shaft being slidably
engaged with and disengagable from the stem; wherein the device is
installable in a first drain by mating of the first threaded end of
the stem and the threaded bore of the first drain to fix the stem
in the first drain such that the stem and stopper can be slidingly
reciprocated from a raised opened position to a lowered closed
position fluidly sealing the tub from the first drain passage, and
the device is installable in a second drain by disengagement of the
stem from the hollow shaft, axial reversal of the stem and
re-engagement to the hollow shaft, and mating of the second
threaded end of the stem with the threaded bore of the second
drain, the diameter D.sub.1 of the stopper being at least equal to
the diameter of outer radial edge of each of the first and second
drains.
11. The device of claim 10, wherein the stopper is optionally
disengagable from the hollow shaft.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein the stopper and hollow shaft
are optionally disengagable via cooperating male and female
threaded units.
13. The device of claim 10, wherein the stopper comprises a sealing
member proximate the bottom portion adapted to contact the drain to
assist in sealing the tub from the passage when the stopper is in
the closed position.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein the sealing member is made of a
polymeric material.
15. The device of claim 10, wherein the bottom portion of the
stopper comprises a central projection around which a sealing
member is positioned, the sealing member being adapted to contact
the drain to assist in sealing the tub from the passage when the
stopper is in the closed position.
16. The device of claim 10, comprising a knob adapted to be
grippable by an individual projecting from the top portion of the
stopper.
17. The device of claim 10, wherein the thread on the first end of
the stem is approximately 3/8 inch size and the thread on the
second end of the stem is approximately 5/16 inch size.
18. The device of claim 10, wherein the stopper is maintained in
the opened position with the stopper raised from the drain by a
cooperating spring-loaded ball detent mechanism operable between
the stem and the shaft.
19. A drain closure device for use in one of two tub drains with
central threaded bores of different sizes, the respective tub
drains each defining a substantially cylindrical passage and having
an upper radial flange that extends radially outwardly from the
passage, the outer edge of the flange having a diameter,
comprising: (a) a reversible stem with an axial length, cylindrical
wall and opposite threaded first and second ends, the first end
being mateable with the central threaded bore of one drain and the
second end being mateable with the central threaded bore of the
other drain, the cylindrical wall having an axially extending
opening defining a track; (b) a stopper with a substantially
circular cross section, an upper portion with a knob projecting
therefrom, and a lower portion with a threaded recess; and (c) a
hollow shaft with an axial length, cylindrical wall with a lateral
opening, and an upper threaded end that mates with the threaded
recess in the stopper lower portion, the shaft being slidably and
detachably engaged with the reversible stem by a removable pin
extending through the lateral opening into the track, wherein when
the device is installed in a drain by threaded mating of one of the
first and second ends of the stem with the respective drain bore to
fix the stem in the drain, the stopper is manually reciprocable
between a lowered closed position substantially fluidly sealing the
tub from the respective passage and a raised opened position
permitting fluid communication between the tub and the passage, the
stopper being maintained in the raised opened position by a
cooperating spring-loaded ball detent mechanism operable between
the stem and the shaft.
20. The device of claim 19, wherein the diameter of the first end
of the stem is between approximately 78 percent and approximately
88 percent of the diameter of the second end of the stem.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure relates to drain stoppers, and more
particularly, to drain stopping devices that are installable in tub
drains with threaded central bores, such as a bathtub or the
like.
[0002] Most consumer tubs, such as bathtubs, can be ordered in a
wide variety of sizes, styles, and colors. Regardless of this wide
variety of available options, nearly all bathtubs can be fit with a
drain having a central threaded bore that is mateable with the
threaded stem of a variety of drain stopping device. Appropriate
drain stopping devices generally comprise a stopper carried on a
threadably mateable stem. However, drains with different sized
threaded bores exist in the marketplace, requiring stopping devices
with like sized thread on the appropriate stem end. For instance,
drains are commonly sold with 3/8 inch and 5/16 inch diameter
threaded bores.
[0003] Additionally, most drains are fit with outer radial flanges
that extend beyond the diameter of an installed stopping device,
requiring matching of finish between the drain and stopping device
for aesthetic purposes. In order to change the aesthetics of the
drain area, one must replace not only the stopping device, but the
entire drain itself. The varying finishes on drains and stoppers
and the sizes of threaded bores in drains create obvious challenges
for repair, replacement and/or installation.
SUMMARY
[0004] There is a need for a universal drain stopping device with
parts that allow installation into drains with different sized
threaded bores as well as parts that conceal the drain when
installed. The embodiments of the presently disclosed drain
stopping device is installable into many different types of drains
without requiring replacement of the drain to aesthetically match
the finish of the device.
[0005] According to one disclosed embodiment, the drain closure
device is for use in one of multiple tub drains, each defining a
passage and having a central threaded bore and a radial flange with
a diameter extending from the passage. The device has a reversible
stem and a stopping assembly. The reversible stem has an axial
length and opposite first and second ends. The first end has thread
of a first size for engagement with a central threaded bore of one
drain. The second end has thread of a second size that is different
from the first size. The stopping assembly is configured to
detachably engage with the reversible stem substantially coaxially.
The stopping assembly has a stopper that is axially reciprocable
relative to the stem when the stopping assembly and stem are
engaged. The device is installable in a drain by mating of either
of the first or second end of the stem with the central threaded
bore of the drain. The diameter of the stopper is at least equal to
than that of the outer radial edge of the drain in which the device
is installed.
[0006] In another embodiment, a drain closure device is for use in
first and second tub drains. The drains each define a substantially
cylindrical passage, have outer radial edges with diameters, and a
central threaded bore. The size of the respective threaded bores
differs from each other. The drain closure device has a stopper,
hollow shaft and reversible stem. The stopper has a top portion, a
bottom portion and a diameter D1. The hollow shaft extends
downwardly from the stopper. The hollow shaft and stopper are
substantially coaxial. The reversible stem has an axial length and
opposite first and second ends. The respective ends of the stem
have threaded outer surfaces of different sizes. The hollow shaft
is slidably engaged with and disengagable from the stem. The device
is installable in a first drain by mating of the first threaded end
of the stem with the threaded bore of the drain. The mating fixes
the stem in the first drain such that the stem and stopper can be
slidingly reciprocated from a raised opened position to a lowered
closed position. The stopper seals the tub from the first drain
passage in the lowered closed position. The device is installable
in a second drain via disengagement of the stem from the hollow
shaft, axial reversal of the stem and re-engagement to the hollow
shaft, and mating of the second threaded end with the second drain
threaded bore. The diameter D1 of the stopper is at least equal to
the diameter of the outer radial edge of either of the first and
second drains.
[0007] In yet another embodiment, a drain closure device is for use
in two drains with central threaded bores of different sizes. The
respective tub drains each define a substantially cylindrical
passage and have an upper radial flange extending radially outward
from the passage. The outer edge of the flange has a diameter. The
device has a reversible stem, stopper and hollow shaft. The
reversible stem has an axial length, cylindrical wall and opposite
first and second ends. The first end is mateable with the central
threaded bore of one drain while the second end is mateable with
the central threaded bore of the other drain. An axial opening
defining a track extends along the cylindrical wall. The stopper
has a substantially circular cross section. A knob projects from an
upper portion of the stopper. There is a threaded recess in a lower
portion of the stopper. The hollow shaft has an axial length and a
cylindrical wall with a lateral opening. An upper threaded end of
the hollow shaft mates with the threaded recess in the stopper
lower portion. The shaft is slidably and detachably engaged with
the reversible stem by a removable pin extending through the
lateral opening into the track. When the device is installed in a
drain by threaded mating of one of the first and second stem ends
with the respective drain bore, the stopper is manually
reciprocable between a lowered closed position to a raised opened
position. The stopper fluidly seals the tub from the respective
passage in the closed position and permits fluid communication
between the tub and the passage in the opened position. The stopper
is maintained in the raised position by a cooperating spring-loaded
ball detent mechanism operable between the stem and the shaft.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0008] Aspects of the preferred embodiment will be described in
reference to the Drawing, where like numerals reflect like
elements:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a partial longitudinal cross section view of a
drain stopping device according to the disclosure in the opened
position;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a partial longitudinal cross section view of the
drain stopping device of FIG. 1 in the closed position;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross section view of a drain into
which the disclosed drain stopping device is installable;
[0012] FIG. 4A is an elevation view of the reversible stem of the
disclosed drain stopping device;
[0013] FIG. 4B is a partial cross section view of the reversible
stem of FIG. 4B from a different angle;
[0014] FIG. 5A is a longitudinal cross section view of the hollow
stem of the disclosed drain stopping device;
[0015] FIG. 5B is an elevation view of the stem of FIG. 5A from a
different angle; and
[0016] FIG. 6 an example of a conventional tub within which the
disclosed drain stopping device is installable from multiple
views.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] With reference to the drawing wherein like numerals
represent like parts throughout the Figures, a universal drain
stopping device with an enlarged stopper is disclosed. Embodiments
allow installers to use the same device in tub drains with central
threaded bores of different sizes. Additionally, embodiments allow
the aesthetics of a drain to be altered without replacing the drain
itself or any other plumbing pieces.
[0018] As depicted in FIG. 1, this embodiment of the drain stopping
device 10 has a stopper 12, hollow shaft 14 and reversible stem 16
engaged in a substantially coaxial arrangement. The reversible stem
16 has opposite first and second ends, 18 and 20, separated by a
body 22. An opening 24 that defines a track extends axially along
the body 22. As can be seen, the first and second ends, 18 and 20,
have threaded outer surfaces, 48 and 50, of different sizes. In one
preferred embodiment, the first end has an approximately 5/16 inch
diameter and the diameter of the second end is approximately 3/8
inch.
[0019] The stopper 12 has a generally circular cross section with
an outer diameter D1. An upper portion 26 of the stopper 12 has a
knob 28. A lower portion 30 extends from the top portion 26 and has
a threaded recess 32. Here, the bottom portion also defines a lower
radial ridge 34. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a sealing member 36 is
positioned around the lower portion 30 axially between the ridge 34
and the upper portion 26. The sealing member 34 is generally a
wear-resistant pliable material suitable for creating a fluid tight
seal with a surface, such as rubber or another polymeric
material.
[0020] As depicted, the top end 38 of the hollow shaft 14
threadably mates with the threaded recess 32 in the stopper 12 with
the shaft 14 extending downwardly therefrom. The threadable mating
is not limiting, as the shaft 14 and stopper 12 can rigidly mate in
any known way or comprise a single fused element. As shown in
greater detail in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the hollow shaft has a
cylindrical wall 40 that defines a cavity 42. A lateral opening 44
extends through the cylindrical wall 40. The hollow shaft 14 is
configured to radially surround the reversible stem body 22 and
engage slidably and detachably with the stem 16. In this
embodiment, the removable slidable engagement is achieved by a
removable pin 46 positioned extending through the lateral opening
44 into the axial opening 24 in the reversible stem body 22.
[0021] The disclosed drain stopping device 10 is configured for
installation into a relatively standard drain 52 of the type
depicted in FIG. 3. The drain 52 has a cylindrical wall 54 and a
central threaded bore 56. In the depicted drain, a radial flange 58
extends outwardly from the upper edge 60 of the cylindrical wall 54
and has a diameter D2. The cylindrical wall defines a substantially
cylindrical passage 62 with a diameter D3. Such drains typically
include a plurality of straining members 64 and have a threaded
outer surface 66, though neither is necessary. Notably, standard
commercially available drains employ central threaded bores having
different sizes. For example, two common sizes of central threaded
bores are 3/8 inch and 5/16 inch in diameter. The particular drain
depicted in FIGS. 1-3 has a 3/8 inch threaded bore. With the
assistance of the outer threaded surface 66, the drain 52 is
installable into the discharge hole 69 of a tub 68 (for example,
the tub 68 depicted in FIG. 6).
[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drain stopping device 10 is
installable into a drain 52 by threaded mating of the second end 20
of the reversible stem 16 with the central threaded bore 56. The
threaded mating of the second end 20 and bore 56 axially fixes the
stem 16 relative to the drain 52. When the drain stopping device 10
is assembled and installed in a drain, the slidable relationship
between the hollow shaft 14 and the axially fixed stem 16 allows
the stopper 12 and shaft 16 to be reciprocated between an opened
position (FIG. 1) and a closed position (FIG. 2).
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the opened position allows fluid
communication between the tub and the drain passage 62, thereby
allowing fluid to discharge from the tub. The upper end of the
track 24 serves as an axial boundary for the pin 46, thereby
preventing the stopper 12 and shaft 14 from axially disengaging
from the stem 16 when shifted into the opened position. When the
stopper is lowered into the closed position depicted in FIG. 2, the
sealing member 36 assists in fluidly sealing the tub from the
passage 62, allowing the tub to be filled and/or maintain volume.
In the depicted embodiment, the outer diameter of the sealing
member 36 is at least moderately greater than the passage diameter
D3. In the lowered closed position, the stopper 12 presses the
sealing member 36 toward the passage 62 with the outer edge 37
pressed against the upper edge 60 of the wall 54. The force acting
upon the stopper 12 by the mass of the fluid in the tub assists in
keeping the stopper 12 in the lowered closed position.
[0024] In the depicted embodiment, the stopper 12 is maintained in
the raised opened position by a cooperating spring-loaded ball 70
detent mechanism that is operable between the reversible stem 16
and hollow shaft 14. With reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the stem 16
has a generally circular opening 72 in the body 22. A spring 74 is
positioned laterally within the body 22 to bias a ball 70 toward
the opening 72. The opening 72 is configured to maintain the ball
70 within the body 22 at all times, while allowing part of the ball
70 to project past the outer surface 22a of the body 22 when the
stopper 12 and shaft 14 are in the opened position. In the raised
opened position, the ball 70 forms a detent that holds up the
hollow shaft 14 at the lower edge 15, thereby preventing the
stopper 12 from closing under the force from the fluid emptying
from the tub. When the stopper 12 and shaft 14 are pushed downward,
the spring's bias is overcome and the ball 70 is forced within the
outer surface of the stem body 22, thereby allowing the shaft 14 to
descend to the closed position.
[0025] The configuration of the reversible stem 16 allows the same
device 10 to be installed into a drain having a different sized
central threaded bore. The pin 46 can be removed. The hollow shaft
14 can then be slid past the first end 18 of the stem 16, thereby
disengaging the shaft and stem (with or without disengagement of
the stopper 12 from the shaft 14 at any time). After axial reversal
of the stem 16, the shaft 14 can be reengaged by sliding over the
second stem end 20 and reinserting the pin 46 through the lateral
opening 44 to the stem track 24, leaving the first end 18 exposed.
Thus, the device 10 is also installable into a different drain
having a central bore that is mateable with the first end 18 ( 5/16
inch in the depicted embodiment). Notably, the disassembly and
reassembly of the individual disengagable elements--stopper 12,
shaft 14, stem 16 and pin 46--can be performed in any order.
[0026] Commonly, altering the aesthetics of a tub drain requires
completely removing the installed drain and replacing it with a
drain having a different type of finish to match a drain stopper.
Occasionally, additional plumbing must be replaced as well. The
drain replacement process is often time consuming and costly. As
mentioned above, embodiments of the drain closing device 10 are fit
with an enlarged stopper 12. In a preferred embodiment, the stopper
12 is configured so that the outer edge 13 extends at least to and
preferably beyond the outer edge of a typical drain flange, like
that depicted in the Figures as Reference Numeral 58. That is, D1
is at least equal to and preferably greater than D2. The enlarged
stopper 12 generally conceals the finish of any drain when the
device 10 is installed. Consequently, matching the stopper and
drain finish is unnecessary and the tub aesthetics can be altered
effectively by simply installing the disclosed device 10 into the
previously installed drain. Replacement of the drain is
avoided.
[0027] While a preferred embodiment has been set forth for purposes
of illustration, the foregoing description should not be deemed a
limitation of the invention herein. Accordingly, various
modifications, adaptations and alternatives may occur to one
skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the
invention and scope of the claimed coverage.
* * * * *