U.S. patent application number 14/185570 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for decorative pop-up flange replacement.
This patent application is currently assigned to MASCO CORPORATION OF INDIANA. The applicant listed for this patent is MASCO CORPORATION OF INDIANA. Invention is credited to Benjamin Michael Allen.
Application Number | 20140259385 14/185570 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51520467 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140259385 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Allen; Benjamin Michael |
September 18, 2014 |
DECORATIVE POP-UP FLANGE REPLACEMENT
Abstract
A drain replacement assembly including a flange having a
downwardly extending lip configured to be received within a drain
pipe, an annular seat extending radially outwardly from the lip,
and at least one retaining finger extending axially downwardly from
the lip. The lip of the flange is inserted within a drain pipe
opening, the annular seat of the flange is positioned atop an
annular seat of the drain pipe, and the at least one retaining
finger engages a portion of the drain pipe to secure the flange to
the drain pipe.
Inventors: |
Allen; Benjamin Michael;
(Indianapolis, IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MASCO CORPORATION OF INDIANA |
Indianapolis |
IN |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
MASCO CORPORATION OF
INDIANA
Indianapolis
IN
|
Family ID: |
51520467 |
Appl. No.: |
14/185570 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61793794 |
Mar 15, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/679 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 1/2302 20130101;
E03C 1/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/679 |
International
Class: |
E03C 1/22 20060101
E03C001/22 |
Claims
1. A drain replacement assembly comprising: a drain pipe including
an annular side wall defining a drain opening, and a drain annular
seat extending radially outwardly from said side wall; and a
secondary flange including a downwardly extending annular lip sized
to fit in said drain opening, and a flange annular seat extending
radially outwardly from the annular lip; said annular lip being at
least partially inserted within said drain opening; and said flange
annular seat is positioned above said drain pipe to conceal said
drain annular seat.
2. The drain replacement assembly of claim 1, wherein said
secondary flange further includes a plurality of fingers extending
downwardly relative to said annular seat and configured to be
retained by said drain pipe.
3. The drain replacement assembly of claim 2, wherein each of said
plurality of fingers includes a malleably bendable extension, said
finger bent to engage a portion of said drain opening to secure
said secondary flange to said drain.
4. The drain replacement assembly of claim 1, further comprising an
adhesive applied between said flange annular seat and said drain
annular seat.
5. The drain replacement assembly of claim 1, further comprising a
stopper received within an opening defined by said annular lip of
said secondary flange.
6. The drain replacement assembly of claim 5, wherein said stopper
includes a plunger, and a cap coupled to an upper end of said
plunger.
7. The drain replacement assembly of claim 6, wherein said stopper
further includes an adjustable post extending downwardly from said
plunger.
8. The drain replacement assembly of claim 1, wherein said
secondary flange is integrally formed from stamped metal.
9. A drain replacement assembly comprising: a flange including a
downwardly extending annular lip, a flange annular seat extending
radially outwardly from the annular lip, and at least one malleably
bendable finger extending downwardly from said annular lip and
configured to be bent into at least one overflow hole in a drain
pipe.
10. The drain replacement assembly of claim 9, further comprising
an adhesive applied to said flange annular seat.
11. The drain replacement assembly of claim 9, further comprising a
stopper received within an opening defined by said annular lip of
said flange.
12. The drain replacement assembly of claim 11, wherein said
stopper includes a plunger, and a cap coupled to an upper end of
said plunger.
13. The drain replacement assembly of claim 12, wherein said
stopper further includes an axially adjustable post extending
downwardly from said plunger.
14. The drain replacement assembly of claim 9, wherein said flange
is integrally formed from stamped metal.
15. The drain replacement assembly of claim 9, wherein said at
least one malleable bendable finger includes a first finger and a
second finger, said first finger being shorter in length than said
second finger.
16. A drain replacement assembly comprising: a flange including a
downwardly extending annular lip, a flange annular seat extending
radially outwardly from the annular lip, and at least one finger
extending downwardly from said annular lip and configured to be
retained within a drain pipe; and a stopper received within an
opening defined by the annular lip of the flange, the stopper
including a plunger and a sealing ring supported by said plunger,
said stopper being adjustable between a lowered sealed position and
a raised unsealed position; said sealing ring being in abutment
with said annular lip when said stopper is in said sealed position
and spaced from said annular lip when said stopper is in said
unsealed position.
17. The drain replacement assembly of claim 16, wherein said at
least one finger comprises at least one malleably bendable finger,
said at least one finger bent to engage a portion of a drain pipe
to secure said flange to said drain pipe.
18. The drain replacement assembly of claim 17, wherein said at
least one malleable bendable finger includes a first finger and a
second finger, said first finger being shorter in length than said
second finger.
19. The drain replacement assembly of claim 16 further comprising
an adhesive applied to said flange annular seat.
20. The drain replacement assembly of claim 16, wherein said
stopper includes a cap coupled to an upper end of said plunger.
21. The drain replacement assembly of claim 20, wherein said
stopper further includes an axially adjustable post extending
downwardly from said plunger.
22. The drain replacement assembly of claim 16, wherein said flange
is integrally formed from stamped metal.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/793,794, filed Mar. 15, 2013, the
disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of sink drains.
More particularly, the present invention relates to improved
substitute and replacement components for sink drains.
[0003] Pop-up drains for use within sink basins are well known. The
flange of a pop-up drain typically surrounds the outlet in the
bottom center of the sink basin. The flange helps center a drain
pipe and directs water therethrough. Often, this flange may become
dirty or corroded, and/or the finish or material may no longer
provide a pleasing appearance, thus requiring replacement.
Additionally, when replacing a faucet supported above the sink
basin, the pop-up drain may likewise require replacement in order
for the faucet and the pop-up drain to have matching material
finishes.
[0004] Installation of a new flange in a sink usually requires
removal of the original flange using various tools. For example, at
times, removal of the flange may require striking the underside of
the flange with a rubber mallet or other heavy device to jar the
flange loose from the sink basin. Further, replacing the flange in
a sink usually requires the replacement of the pop-up stopper as
well, because the finishes or materials of the flange and the
pop-up stopper should preferably match, making them look more
aesthetically pleasing.
[0005] Thus, an alternative to this complicated disassembly is
desirable. An overfitting substitute flange, accompanied by a
matching replacement pop-up stopper, would allow a person to forego
the use of tools and avoid having to negotiate the underside of the
sink basin. Such a substitute flange would prevent complicated
disassembly and simplify the potentially difficult process of
improving the appearance of a sink.
[0006] According to an illustrative embodiment of the present
disclosure, a drain replacement assembly includes a drain pipe
having an annular side wall defining a drain opening, and a drain
annular seat extending radially outwardly from the side wall. A
secondary flange includes a downwardly extending annular lip sized
to fit in the drain opening, and a flange annular seat extending
radially outwardly from the annular lip. The annular lip is at
least partially inserted within the drain opening. The flange
annular seat is positioned above the drain pipe to conceal the
drain annular seat.
[0007] According to another illustrative embodiment of the present
disclosure, a drain replacement assembly includes a flange having a
downwardly extending annular lip, a flange annular seat extending
radially outwardly from the annular lip, and at least one malleably
bendable finger extending downwardly from the annular lip and
configured to be bent into at least one overflow hole in a drain
pipe.
[0008] According to a further illustrative embodiment of the
present disclosure, a drain replacement assembly includes a flange
having a downwardly extending annular lip, a flange annular seat
extending radially outwardly from the annular lip, and at least one
finger extending downwardly from the annular lip and configured to
be retained within a drain pipe. A stopper is received within an
opening defined by the annular lip of the flange. The stopper
includes a plunger and a sealing ring supported by the plunger. The
stopper is adjustable between a lowered sealed position and a
raised unsealed position. The sealing ring is in abutment with the
annular lip when the stopper is in the sealed position, and spaced
from the annular lip when the stopper is in the unsealed
position.
[0009] Additional features and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration
of the following detailed description of the illustrative
embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention
as presently perceived.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers
to the accompanying figures in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a replacement assembly
as part of a sink drain assembly in accordance with an illustrative
embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the replacement
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a detailed side cross-sectional view of the
replacement assembly of FIG. 2, during an intermediate installation
step;
[0014] FIG. 4 is another detailed side cross-sectional view of the
replacement assembly of FIG. 2, fully installed within a drain
pipe; and
[0015] FIG. 4A is a detail view of FIG. 4.
[0016] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent
embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not
necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in
order to better illustrate and explain the present invention.
Although the exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments
of the invention, in several forms, the embodiments disclosed below
are not intended to be exhaustive or to be construed as limiting
the scope of the invention to the precise forms disclosed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a sink drain assembly 10
according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention is
shown. Sink drain assembly 10 includes a drain replacement assembly
12, a sink basin 14, a drain pipe 16, and a lift rod assembly 18.
Specifically, drain replacement assembly 12 is a replacement flange
and stopper assembly. More particularly, the drain replacement
assembly 12 includes a substitute flange 20, having a flange
opening 22, that is supported within drain pipe 16, and a
replacement pop-up plug or stopper 24 (hereinafter "stopper") that
is received within flange opening 22.
[0018] Drain pipe 16, of a type well-known in the art, provides an
outlet for water from sink basin 14. Drain pipe 16 includes an
annular, illustratively cylindrical, side wall 23 defining a
longitudinal axis 25. A stopper 24 may be inserted down into drain
pipe 16 to stop the flow of water therethrough and out of sink
basin 14. Drain pipe 16 extends from upper drain opening 26
downward to tail piece 28 that extends below from near where a
pivot tip 30 is connected with a pivot rod 32 of lift rod assembly
18. Drain annular flange/seat 34 defines drain opening 26
(hereinafter "drain seat," to prevent confusion with substitute
flange 20) and extends radially outwardly from side wall 23 around
the bottom of sink basin 14. Below drain opening 26, a plurality of
overflow openings or holes 36 are circumferentially situated within
side wall 23 of drain pipe 16 to receive water from overflow
opening(s) (not shown) in an upper portion of sink basin 14.
[0019] Lift rod assembly 18, of a type well-known in the art, seals
and unseals drain pipe 16. Clevis strap 38 is affixed to lift rod
40 via set screw 42 so that clevis strap 38 moves correspondingly
up or down as lift rod 40 is raised or lowered, respectively. Lift
rod 40 may be supported by a faucet (not shown) positioned above
the sink basin 14. Lift rod 40 through clevis strap 38 is
illustratively connected to pivot rod 32, which is supported for
pivoting movement about ball 43 received within pivot seat 44, and
secured therein via retaining nut 46. Pivot rod 32 has pivot tip 30
that extends horizontally into drain pipe 16 to engage bottom loop
48 of adjustment bolt or post 50. Pivot tip 30 can either be
received within bottom loop 48, to prevent upward pulling-out
removal of stopper 24 from drain pipe 16 (for tamper resistance as
in public washrooms), or bottom loop 48 can rest atop pivot tip
30.
[0020] In FIG. 1, when lift rod 40 is lifted up, pivot rod 32
pivots within pivot seat 44, thereby allowing stopper 24 to move
downwardly due to gravity and seal flange opening 22. In the
embodiment where bottom loop 48 is placed atop pivot tip 30,
lifting lift rod 40 up simply permits stopper 24 to move towards
flange opening 22 and, when water accumulates within sink basin 14,
stopper 24 is urged downward by the pressure of the accumulating
water to seal flange opening 22. When lift rod 40 is pressed down,
pivot rod 32 pushes stopper 24 upward to unseal flange opening 22
and allow passage of water from sink basin 14 into drain pipe
16.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 2, replacement flange and stopper
assembly 12 is shown in an exploded, perspective view with the
original stopper (not shown) having been removed from drain pipe
opening 26. As noted above, drain pipe 16 has four overflow holes
36 below drain seat 34 evenly situated (i.e., circumferentially
spaced) around its cylindrical circumference of side wall 23. Drain
seat 34 extends length L.sub.1 radially outwardly from opening 26
defined by side wall 23 of drain pipe 16 in a collar-like (i.e.,
annular) manner. Drain opening 26, which leads downward and extends
through drain pipe 16, has an inner diameter D.sub.1.
[0022] Flange 20 covers drain seat 34 to provide a substitute
material and/or finish in the bottom of sink basin 14. Shaped like
a ring, flange 20 has an axially downwardly extending annular side
wall or lip 52 with four malleably bendable fingers 54 and 56
extending axially downwardly therefrom. Fingers 54 and 56 and
annular lip 52 extend axially downward to help guide and center
flange 20 within opening 26 of drain pipe 16 during installation.
In the illustrative embodiment, flange 20 is constructed of a
single piece of sheet metal that is stamped into the shape shown in
FIG. 2, with the four malleably bendable fingers 54 and 56 all
formed integrally within flange 20. Fingers 54 and 56 may define
retainers, one or more of which are formed or bent radially
outwardly into overflow holes 36 to secure flange 20 to drain pipe
16.
[0023] This single-piece design of flange 20 provides simplicity
and cost-effectiveness because it lacks extra parts and multiple
materials. As shown in the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 3,
fingers 54 have length L.sub.2 and fingers 56 have a length L.sub.3
because all four malleably bendable pieces, formed integrally with
flange 20 from a single sheet, cannot all extend equal lengths
L.sub.2 from annular lip 52 due to manufacturing constraints. Thus,
fingers 56 are shorter than fingers 54 to allow the single-piece
construction of substitute flange 20. In other embodiments, the
ratio of L.sub.2 to L.sub.3 may be adjusted. Further, providing
fingers 54 and 56 with different lengths L.sub.2 and L.sub.3,
provides greater bending compatibility with different drains having
different sizes, configurations and arrangements of overflow holes
36.
[0024] Flange 20 includes an annular flange seat 58 that extends
length L.sub.4 radially outwardly from opening 22 defined by lip 52
in a collar-like manner similar to drain seat 34. For flange 20 to
accommodate sink basins 14 and drain pipes 16 of various sizes and
designs, L.sub.4 should be greater than L.sub.1. This larger seat
58 allows flange 20 to completely cover a wide variety of different
sized drain seats 34. In other words, the outer edge 59 of the
flange seat 58 is positioned radially outwardly from the outer edge
35 of the drain seat 34. In certain illustrative embodiments as
shown in FIG. 4A, the flange 20 includes a downwardly bent lip 61
that partially wraps around outer edge 35 of the drain seat 34. The
lip 61 provides additional structural rigidity to the flange 20 and
assists in covering the drain seat 34.
[0025] Similar to drain pipe 16, flange 20 defines flange opening
22 having diameter D.sub.2, which, when flange 20 is fully
installed, leads downwardly into drain pipe 16. Diameter D.sub.2 of
flange opening 22 is smaller than diameter D.sub.1 of drain pipe
opening 26 to fit flange 20 and its axially downwardly extending
members (e.g., lip 52, and fingers 54 and 56) into drain opening
26.
[0026] Stopper 24 is designed to seal and unseal flange opening 22,
thereby selectively preventing and allowing outflow through the
bottom of sink basin 14, respectively. Stopper 24 illustratively
includes a plunger 64 supported for sliding movement within flange
opening 22.
[0027] A cap 60 is supported by an upper end of plunger 64, and
adjustment bolt or post 50 is threadably received within a lower
end of plunger 64. Immediately below cap 60, sealing ring 62,
having diameter D.sub.3, abuts the inner surface of annular lip 52
on flange 20 to seal sink basin 14. To create this seal, D.sub.3 is
substantially equal to D.sub.2 so that stopper 24 fits tightly
within flange opening 22. Thus, D.sub.3 is smaller than the
diameter of the sealing ring of the original stopper. Cap 60,
constructed of a thin rigid material having the same exterior
finish as flange 20, is at the top of stopper 24, above sealing
ring 62. Cap 60 may be formed of a stainless steel sheet affixed to
the plunger 64 in a conventional manner, for example by crimping
and/or adhesives.
[0028] In FIG. 2, stopper 24 has bottom loop 48 for engaging pivot
tip 30 (in two possible ways, as previously described and shown in
FIG. 1) so that stopper 24 can be axially adjusted by lift rod 40
to seal and unseal drain pipe 16 using lift rod assembly 18. The
downward reach of bottom loop 48 may be decreased or increased
(i.e., axially adjusted) by threading adjustment bolt or post 50
into and out of plunger 64, respectively. Plunger 64 may be
constructed of a plastic, polymer, or other corrosion-resistant
material.
[0029] For aesthetic purposes, it is desirable that both flange 20
and cap 60 be constructed of matching materials and/or have a
matching finish. These materials or finishes may include polished
chrome, copper, stainless steel, brass, or nickel, among several
others. In one illustrative embodiment, both flange 20 and cap 60
are formed of stainless steel.
[0030] Installation of flange 20 and stopper 24 is illustrated in
FIGS. 2-4. FIG. 2 illustrates drain pipe 16 with the original
stopper (not shown) having been removed and secondary flange 20 and
replacement stopper 24 in position just prior to insertion. During
assembly of the illustrative embodiment, flange 20 is installed
first, and stopper 24 follows next.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 3, flange 20, the first component to
be installed in drain pipe 16 in the illustrative embodiment, is
shown as having been partially installed, placed over the top of
drain seat 34. Stopper 24 is illustrated as being uninstalled and
above drain pipe 16. Each finger 54 is positioned along the edge of
an adjacent overflow hole 36, but has not been bent under the upper
edge 65 of each overflow hole 36 to secure flange 20. Instead, each
finger 54 extends substantially and axially perpendicularly from
annular lip 52.
[0032] In certain illustrative embodiments, when flange 20 is
placed atop drain pipe 16, a space 66 may exist between the
underside of flange seat 58 and the topside of drain seat 34
because of the angle at which drain seat 34 bends radially
outwardly may be different from the angle at which flange seat 58
bends radially outwardly. Space 66 can be sealed and filled using
plumbers putty (not shown) or any one of a number of different
adhesives (not shown). In certain illustrative embodiments, double
faced adhesive tape may be used between drain seat 34 and flange
seat 58. Sealing these two seats 34 and 58 together may provide a
tighter seal along drain pipe 16 to prevent leakage into the area
beneath sink basin 14, and may provide a cleaner and more flush
surface along the bottom of sink basin 14.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, each finger 54 of flange 20 is partially
bent through an adjacent overflow hole 36, illustratively hooking
onto the upper edge 65 of each adjacent overflow hole 36. The
excess lengths of fingers 54 extend radially out of drain pipe 16.
Advantageously, it can be contemplated then, that these excess
lengths of each finger 54 allow flange 20 to accommodate sink
drains of various sizes and overflow holes of various depths and
arrangements. Further, while fingers 54 are illustrated as
partially bent in FIG. 4, fingers 54 may be bent further upward to
more tightly hook the upper edges 65 of overflow holes 36, or
hooked to the side of the edges of overflow holes 36, to secure
flange 20 to drain pipe 16. The various ways to engage fingers 54
to drain pipe 16 are not limited to the illustrated bending shown
in FIG. 4.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 4, stopper 24, the second component to be
installed in the illustrative embodiment, and flange 20, are both
shown fully installed. Stopper 24 fits within flange 20 and extends
axially downward to engage pivot tip 30 as previously described and
shown in FIG. 1. Here, both stopper 24 and flange 20 form a
substantially flush surface along the sink basin 14. This creates
an aesthetically pleasing sink basin 14 appearance and an effective
seal because of the approximate equivalence of diameter D.sub.2 of
the flange opening 22 and diameter D.sub.3 of the sealing ring
62.
[0035] Although the invention has been described in detail with
reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and
modifications exist within the spirit and scope of the invention as
described and defined in the following claims.
* * * * *