U.S. patent application number 13/623398 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-20 for strainer assembly for use in conjunction with seamless sink drain.
The applicant listed for this patent is Juan M. Gayoso. Invention is credited to Juan M. Gayoso.
Application Number | 20140075662 13/623398 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50272900 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140075662 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gayoso; Juan M. |
March 20, 2014 |
STRAINER ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH SEAMLESS SINK
DRAIN
Abstract
This invention relates to a strainer assembly for use in
conjunction with a drain hole in a sink. The sink comprises a
downwardly extending drain sleeve formed on the sink. The drain
sleeve is formed with inwardly extending flange adapted to engage
the strainer assembly. The strainer assembly includes an inner
strainer body having outwardly extending flange, an outer strainer
body having outwardly extending flange, a first gasket positioned
between the flange of the outer strainer body and the bottom of the
sink, and a fastening means adapted to engage the inner strainer
body and the outer strainer body such that the flange of the inner
strainer body is pressed against the flange of the drain sleeve and
the flange of the outer strainer body is pressed against the bottom
of the sink, allowing the strainer assembly to be connected to the
sink.
Inventors: |
Gayoso; Juan M.; (Toronto,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Gayoso; Juan M. |
Toronto |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
50272900 |
Appl. No.: |
13/623398 |
Filed: |
September 20, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/287 ;
4/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 1/262 20130101;
E03C 1/2306 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/287 ;
4/292 |
International
Class: |
E03C 1/262 20060101
E03C001/262 |
Claims
1. A strainer assembly for use in conjunction with a drain hole in
a sink, the sink comprising a downwardly extending drain sleeve
formed on the sink, wherein the drain sleeve is formed with
inwardly extending flange adapted to engage the strainer assembly,
the strainer assembly comprising: an inner strainer body having
outwardly extending flange; an outer strainer body having outwardly
extending flange; a first gasket positioned between the flange of
the outer strainer body and the bottom of the sink; and a fastening
means adapted to engage the inner strainer body and the outer
strainer body such that the flange of the inner strainer body is
pressed against the flange of the drain sleeve and the flange of
the outer strainer body is pressed against the bottom of the sink,
allowing the strainer assembly to be connected to the sink.
2. The strainer assembly of claim 1, wherein a second gasket is
provided to be positioned between the flange of the inner strainer
body and the flange of the drain sleeve of the sink.
3. The strainer assembly of claim 1, wherein the flanges of the
inner strainer body and the drain sleeve of the sink are at an
angle and correspond to each other.
4. The strainer assembly of claim 1, wherein the flanges of the
inner strainer body and the drain sleeve of the sink are U-shaped
and correspond to each other.
5. The strainer assembly of claim 1, wherein the top of the
fastening means includes a recess area.
6. The strainer assembly of claim 1, wherein the fastening means
comprises a centrally hallow screw having threads on the outside
wall and a nut having threads on the inside wall corresponding to
the threads of the screw.
7. The strainer assembly of claim 5, wherein a waste trap assembly
is provided having a basket for collecting waste, a sealing means
to allow the drain hole to be sealed, and a pole connecting to the
basket and the sealing means and adapted to be positioned within
the fastening means; wherein a axial movement of the pole causes
the sealing means to move between a sealing position and a drainage
position.
8. The strainer assembly of claim 7, wherein a cover is provided to
cover at least part of the basket.
9. The strainer assembly of claim 5, wherein a waste trap assembly
is provided having a basket for collecting waste, a sealing means
to allow the drain hole to be sealed, and a locking mechanism
connecting to the sealing means and adapted to be positioned within
the fastening means through an opening of the basket, the locking
mechanism adapted to secure the sealing means in a sealing position
or a drainage position.
10. The strainer assembly of claim 9, wherein a cover is provided
to cover at least part of the basket.
11. The strainer assembly of claim 10, wherein the cover has an
opening to allow access to the locking mechanism.
12. The strainer assembly of claim 7 wherein the cover is round
shaped or square shaped.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a sink drain assembly. More
particularly, this invention relates to a strainer assembly adapted
to be received by a seamless sink drain.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] For convenience, the invention and the prior art will be
generally discussed below in relation to a kitchen sink. However,
it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this
application but can be used in a bathtub drain, bidet drain,
lavatory drain, etc.
[0003] A conventional sink bottom has an opening adapted to receive
a strainer assembly with a flange sitting on top of the sink
bottom, creating an unseemly edge and groove visible by the user.
The flange also collects debris and dirt and occupies flat area of
the sink bottom. The area where the flange meets the sink is always
in two different levels reducing the working area where flat
bottomed objects (like glasses) can be placed without tipping over.
In addition, the installation of a conventional sink drain assembly
is rather time consuming and complicated.
[0004] There is therefore a need for a new sink drain assembly that
addresses the inadequacies associated with the conventional sink
drain assembly.
[0005] It is an object of the present invention, at least in some
embodiments, to provide a strainer assembly without a flange
sitting on top of sink bottom to maximize the flat area of the sink
bottom. The present invention may further provide a strainer
assembly with a cover to further maximize the flat area of the sink
bottom and provide a neat and tidy look of the sink bottom.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly, the invention provides a strainer assembly for
use in conjunction with a drain hole in a sink. The sink comprises
a downwardly extending drain sleeve formed on the sink. The drain
sleeve is formed with inwardly extending flange adapted to engage
the strainer assembly. The strainer assembly comprises an inner
strainer body having outwardly extending flange; an outer strainer
body having outwardly extending flange; a first gasket positioned
between the flange of the outer strainer body and the bottom of the
sink; and a fastening means adapted to engage the inner strainer
body and the outer strainer body such that the flange of the inner
strainer body is pressed against the flange of the drain sleeve and
the flange of the outer strainer body is pressed against the bottom
of the sink, allowing the strainer assembly to be connected to the
sink.
[0007] Preferably, a second gasket is provided to be positioned
between the flange of the inner strainer body and the flange of the
drain sleeve of the sink.
[0008] The flanges of the inner strainer body and the drain sleeve
of the sink may be at an angle and correspond to each other.
[0009] Alternatively, the flanges of the inner strainer body and
the drain sleeve of the sink may be U-shaped and correspond to each
other.
[0010] Preferably, the top of the fastening means includes a recess
area.
[0011] Optionally, the fastening means comprises a centrally hallow
screw having threads on the outside wall and a nut having threads
on the inside wall corresponding to the threads of the screw.
[0012] A waste trap assembly may be provided having a basket for
collecting waste, a sealing means to allow the drain hole to be
sealed, and a pole connecting to the basket and the sealing means
and adapted to be positioned within the fastening means; wherein a
axial movement of the pole causes the sealing means to move between
a sealing position and a drainage position.
[0013] Optionally, a waste trap assembly may be provided having a
basket for collecting waste, a sealing means to allow the drain
hole to be sealed, and a locking mechanism connecting to the
sealing means and adapted to be positioned within the fastening
means through an opening of the basket. The locking mechanism is
adapted to secure the sealing means in a sealing position or a
drainage position.
[0014] Preferably, a cover is provided to cover at least part of
the basket. The cover may have an opening to allow access to the
locking mechanism. The cover may be round shaped or square
shaped.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Preferred features of the present invention will now be
described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.
However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in
and described with reference to the drawings are not to be
construed as limiting on the scope of the invention. In the
drawings:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a sink with
seamless drain according to the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the sink of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of a
strainer assembly according to the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of
the strainer assembly of FIG. 3;
[0020] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of
the strainer assembly of FIG. 4A with a round cover;
[0021] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of a
strainer assembly according to the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of
the strainer assembly of FIG. 5;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a
strainer assembly according to the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of
the strainer assembly of FIG. 5;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a square
cover;
[0026] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of
a strainer assembly with the square cover of FIG. 9;
[0027] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
square cover;
[0028] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of
a strainer assembly of FIG. 4A with the square cover of FIG.
11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is presented a sink 10
having a hole with a downwardly extending drain sleeve 12 to
receive a strainer assembly. Drain sleeve 12 has inwardly extending
flange adapted to engage the strainer assembly.
[0030] Turning to FIG. 3, the strainer assembly comprises an inner
strainer body 24 and an outer strainer body 30. Inner strainer body
24 has outwardly extending flange for engaging the inwardly
extending flange of drain sleeve 12. The arrangement of engagement
of the flanges of the inner strainer body 24 and the drain sleeve
12 can be flat, at an angle, or in U-shape. The flange of the inner
strainer body 24 and the flange of the drain sleeve 12 can be at
any angle as long as they correspond to each other.
[0031] As shown in Circle B of FIG. 6, the flange 54 of the inner
strainer body 24 and the flange 56 of the drain sleeve 12 can be at
an angle and correspond to each other. Alternatively, the flange 50
of the inner strainer body 24 and the flange 52 of the drain sleeve
12 can be U-shaped and correspond to each other, as shown in Circle
A of FIG. 6. In this demonstration, U-shaped flanges are used with
a gasket being positioned between the flanges to eliminate leakage
of water/liquid.
[0032] The strainer assembly, as shown in an exploded view in FIG.
3, comprises inner strainer body 24, outer strainer body 30 having
outwardly extending flange, first gasket 28 positioned between the
flange of the outer strainer body 30 and the bottom of the sink 10,
second gasket 26 in an "O" ring form positioned between the flange
of the inner strainer body 24 and the flange of the drain sleeve 12
of sink 10, and a fastening means 22 for engaging the inner
strainer body 24 and the outer strainer body 30 such that the
flange of the inner strainer body 24 is pressed against the flange
of the drain sleeve 12 and the flange of the outer strainer body 30
is pressed against the bottom of the sink 10, allowing the strainer
assembly to be connected to the sink 10.
[0033] The fastening means 22, in this embodiment, is a centrally
hallow screw having threads on the outside wall corresponding to a
nut (not shown) having threads on the inside wall. Alternatively,
the fastening means 22 can be in a form of a screw with recess on
the top instead of being hallow.
[0034] A waste trap assembly is provided having a basket 16 for
collecting waste, a sealing means 18 to allow the drain hole to be
sealed, and a pole 20 with button 14 connecting to the basket 16
and the sealing means 18 to be positioned within the fastening
means 22; wherein a axial movement of the pole 20 causes the
sealing means 18 to move between a sealing position and a drainage
position. The waste trap assembly can be pulled up by lifting the
button 14 to drain the water/liquid retained in the sink 10, or
pulled all the way up to be released from the drain hole for
removing the wasted collected. To collect water/liquid in the sink
10, the waste trap assembly can be pushed down by pressing the
button 14 to cause the sealing means 18 to seal the drain hole.
[0035] FIG. 4A shows a cross section of the strainer assembly 2 of
FIG. 3 after installed onto the sink 10.
[0036] FIG. 4B shows a cross section of the strainer assembly 2 of
FIG. 3 after installed onto the sink 10 with a round cover 68. The
round cover 68 serves a decorative purpose as well as provides more
flat working area where flat bottomed objects (like glasses) can be
placed without tipping over.
[0037] In fact, the cover could be in any shape corresponding to
the shape of the recess of the sink. For example, a square cover 98
as shown in FIG. 11 may be used. FIG. 12 shows the strainer
assembly 2 of FIG. 3 installed onto the sink with a square cover
98. Similar to the round cover 68, the square cover 98 serves a
decorative purpose as well as provides more flat working area where
flat bottomed objects (like glasses) can be placed without tipping
over.
[0038] A second embodiment of the strainer assembly, as shown in
FIG. 5 in an exploded view, comprises inner strainer body 24, outer
strainer body 30 having outwardly extending flange, first gasket 28
positioned between the flange of the outer strainer body 30 and the
bottom of the sink 10, second gasket 26 in an "O" ring form
positioned between the flange of the inner strainer body 24 and the
flange of the drain sleeve 12 of sink 10, and a fastening means 22
for engaging the inner strainer body 24 and the outer strainer body
30 such that the flange of the inner strainer body 24 is pressed
against the flange of the drain sleeve 12 and the flange of the
outer strainer body 30 is pressed against the bottom of the sink
10, allowing the strainer assembly to be connected to the sink
10.
[0039] The fastening means 22 is a centrally hallow screw having
threads on the outside wall corresponding to a nut (not shown)
having threads on the inside wall. Alternatively, the fastening
means 22 can be in a form of a screw with recess on the top instead
of being hallow.
[0040] Another embodiment of waste trap assembly is provided having
a basket 16 for collecting waste, a sealing means 18 to allow the
drain hole to be sealed, and a button 32 attached to the locking
mechanism 34 connecting to the sealing means to secure the sealing
means 18 in a sealing position or a drainage position. The locking
mechanism 34 is positioned within the hollow central section of the
fastening means 22 through an opening of the basket 16.
[0041] To collect water/liquid in the sink 10, a sealing position
can be achieved by pressing the button 32 that is attached to the
locking mechanism 34 to cause the sealing means 18 to seal the
drain hole. The drainage position can be achieved by pressing again
the button 32 attached to the locking mechanism 34 to release from
the locking position to drain the water/liquid retained in the sink
10. The locking mechanism 34 has a lock ball 80 to retain/release a
locking position.
[0042] The basket 16 remains sitting on the top of the flange of
the inner strainer body 24 in both drainage and sealing
positions.
[0043] A round cover 36 is provided to cover at least part of the
basket 16 and has an opening to allow access to the locking
mechanism 32. The round cover 36 maximizes the flat area of the
sink bottom and provides a neat and tidy look of the sink
bottom.
[0044] FIG. 6 shows a cross section of the strainer assembly 2 of
FIG. 5 after installed onto the sink 10.
[0045] A cross-section of the second embodiment of strainer
assembly 2 of FIG. 5 is further shown in FIG. 8.
[0046] FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of cover 38. Cover 38 has
downwardly extending rim with apertures to allow water/liquid to
pass through. Button 40 with a bigger flat top used in the second
embodiment of strainer assembly 2 of FIG. 5 is also shown.
[0047] FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of cover 78 which is square
shaped.
[0048] The cross-section of the second embodiment of strainer
assembly 2 of FIG. 5 having the square shaped cover 78 is shown in
FIG. 10. Similar to the round cover 36 of FIG. 6, the square cover
78 serves a decorative purpose as well as provides more flat
working area where flat bottomed objects (like glasses) can be
placed without tipping over.
[0049] Throughout the specification and claims the word "comprise"
and its derivatives is intended to have an inclusive rather than
exclusive meaning unless the context requires otherwise.
[0050] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many
modifications and variations may be made to the methods of the
invention described herein without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention.
* * * * *