U.S. patent application number 14/665569 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-29 for bathtub overflow and drain assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is DELTA FAUCET COMPANY. Invention is credited to Bernd Seckler, Anthony G. Spangler.
Application Number | 20160281341 14/665569 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56944056 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160281341 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Seckler; Bernd ; et
al. |
September 29, 2016 |
BATHTUB OVERFLOW AND DRAIN ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A bathtub waste and overflow drain assembly for use with a
thermoformed bathtub including a sidewall and a base. An overflow
housing interfaces with an overflow protrusion extending outwardly
from the sidewall of the bathtub. Waste drain housing interfaces
with a waste drain protrusion extending downwardly from the base of
the bathtub. A flexible tube assembly fluidly couples the overflow
housing and the waste drain housing.
Inventors: |
Seckler; Bernd;
(McCordsville, IN) ; Spangler; Anthony G.;
(Indianapolis, IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DELTA FAUCET COMPANY |
Indianapolis |
IN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56944056 |
Appl. No.: |
14/665569 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 1/232 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E03C 1/24 20060101
E03C001/24; E03C 1/22 20060101 E03C001/22 |
Claims
1. A fluid transport assembly for a bathtub including a sidewall
and a base, the fluid transport assembly comprising: an overflow
housing configured to interface with an overflow protrusion
extending outwardly from a sidewall of a bathtub; a waste drain
configured to be fluidly coupled to a base of the bathtub; and a
tube assembly fluidly coupling the overflow housing and the waste
drain.
2. The fluid transport assembly of claim 1, wherein the overflow
protrusion is thermoformed with the bathtub.
3. The fluid transport assembly of claim 1, wherein the tube
assembly is flexible.
4. The fluid transport assembly of claim 1, wherein the overflow
housing comprises: a tub interface portion including a face with an
opening configured to interface with the overflow protrusion; and
an outlet tube fluidly coupled with the opening in the face and
creating a fluid passageway that contains at least one bend.
5. The fluid transport assembly of claim 4, wherein the opening in
the face is elongated and at least partially rounded.
6. The fluid transport assembly of claim 4, wherein the face of the
tub interface portion is configured to conform to an outer surface
of the sidewall.
7. The fluid transport assembly of claim 4, wherein the tub
interface portion further comprises a stabilizing extension.
8. The fluid transport assembly of claim 7, wherein the stabilizing
extension contains at least one opening.
9. The fluid transport assembly of claim 1, further comprising an
adhesive gasket for securing the face of the overflow housing to
the sidewall of the bathtub.
10. The fluid transport assembly of claim 1, wherein the waste
drain includes a waste drain housing configured to interface with a
waste drain protrusion extending downwardly from the base of the
bathtub.
11. A fluid transport assembly for a bathtub including a sidewall
and a base, the fluid transport assembly comprising: an overflow; a
waste drain housing configured to interface with a waste drain
protrusion extending downwardly from a base of a bathtub; a tube
assembly coupling the overflow and the waste drain housing; and a
waste shoe interfacing with an opening in the waste drain
housing.
12. The fluid transport assembly of claim 11, wherein the waste
drain protrusion is thermoformed with the bathtub.
13. The fluid transport assembly of claim 11, wherein the waste
drain housing comprises: a T-shaped body including at least three
openings, including a first opening fluidly coupled to the waste
drain protrusion; a second opening fluidly coupled to the tube
assembly; a third opening fluidly coupled to the waste shoe; and a
support for the base extending from the first opening.
14. The fluid transport assembly of claim 13, wherein the first
opening of the waste drain body concentrically receives the waste
drain protrusion.
15. The fluid transport assembly of claim 13, wherein the support
contains ridges.
16. The fluid transport assembly of claim 11, wherein the overflow
includes an overflow housing that interfaces with an overflow
protrusion extending outwardly from a sidewall of the bathtub.
17. A fluid transport assembly for a bathtub including a sidewall
and a base, the fluid transport assembly comprising: an overflow
housing configured to interface with an overflow protrusion
extending outwardly from a sidewall of a bathtub; a waste drain
housing configured to interface with a waste drain protrusion
extending downwardly from a base of the bathtub; and a flexible
tube assembly fluidly coupling the overflow housing and the waste
drain housing.
18. The fluid transport assembly of claim 17, wherein the flexible
tube assembly comprises: a flexible tube having a proximal end and
a distal end, wherein the proximal end is interfaced with the
overflow housing and the distal end gradually increases in
diameter; and an elbow connector interfaces the flexible tube and
the waste drain housing.
19. The fluid transport assembly of claim 18, wherein the elbow
connector clamps within the distal end of the flexible tube.
20. The fluid transport assembly of claim 17, wherein the flexible
tube assembly further comprises a hose clamp for connecting the
flexible tube to the overflow housing.
21. The fluid transport assembly of claim 17, wherein the overflow
housing and the waste drain housing are interfaced with the bathtub
using at least one gasket, wherein the at least one gasket includes
adhesive.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a fluid transport
assembly and, more particularly, to an overflow and drain assembly
for a bathtub.
[0002] Conventional bathtub and overflow assemblies may present
installation difficulties given the connections required between
the overflow drain in the bathtub sidewall and the waste drain in
the bathtub base. Additionally, thin walled thermoformed bathtubs
traditionally require an overflow cover on the inside of the tub,
often presenting an aesthetically unpleasant appearance.
[0003] The present disclosure provides a bathtub overflow and drain
assembly, and related method of manufacture, wherein a thermal
forming tool may draw an overflow pocket within the surface of the
bathtub sidewall. This overflow pocket may be trimmed to define an
outwardly extending protrusion or extension received within an
overflow housing. A flange of the overflow housing may be secured
in place with a conventional fastener, such as an adhesive
gasket.
[0004] Similarly, a thermal forming tool may draw a drain pocket
within the surface of the bathtub base. This drain pocket may be
trimmed to define a downwardly extending protrusion or extension
may be formed within the base of the bathtub and is received within
an integrated overflow waste drain housing. Installation of the
bathtub is facilitated since both the overflow and the drain are
incorporated in the bathtub design, wherein the installer only has
to align the waste drain housing with the waste pipe on the floor.
A flexible hose assembly illustratively couples the overflow
housing with the waste drain housing.
[0005] According to an illustrative embodiment of the present
disclosure, a fluid transport assembly is provided for a bathtub
including a sidewall and a base. The fluid transport assembly
includes an overflow housing interfacing with an overflow
protrusion extending outwardly from a sidewall of a bathtub. A
waste drain is configured to be fluidly coupled to a base of the
bathtub. A tube assembly fluidly couples the overflow housing and
the waste drain.
[0006] According to another illustrative embodiment of the present
disclosure, a fluid transport assembly is provided for a bathtub
including a sidewall and a base. The fluid transport assembly
includes an overflow, and a waste drain housing interfacing with a
waste drain protrusion extending downwardly from a base of a
bathtub. A tube assembly fluidly couples the overflow and the
integrated drain housing. A waste shoe interfaces with an opening
in the waste drain housing.
[0007] According to another illustrative embodiment of the present
disclosure, a fluid transport assembly is provided for a bathtub
including a sidewall and a base. The fluid transport assembly
includes an overflow housing that interfaces with an overflow
protrusion extending outwardly from the sidewall of a bathtub. An
integrated drain housing interfaces with a waste drain protrusion
extending downwardly from the base of the bathtub. A flexible tube
assembly fluidly couples the overflow housing and the waste drain
housing.
[0008] 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
[0009] The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers
to the accompanying figures in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a bathtub including an
overflow and drain assembly of the present disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the bathtub including
overflow and drain assembly of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the
overflow and drain assembly of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of
FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a rear exploded perspective view of the overflow
and drain assembly of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a front exploded perspective view of the overflow
and drain assembly of FIG. 1; and
[0016] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an illustrative method of
manufacturing the overflow and drain assembly of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The embodiments of the invention described herein are not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to precise
forms disclosed. Rather, the embodiments selected for description
have been chosen to enable one skilled in the art to practice the
invention.
[0018] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a thermoformed bathtub
10 is shown as including a sidewall 12 extending upwardly from a
base or bottom wall 14. A bathtub waste and overflow drain assembly
20 is fluidly coupled to the bathtub 10 and includes a waste drain
22 and an overflow 24.
[0019] With reference to FIG. 3, the sidewall 12 and the base 14 of
the bathtub 10 are illustratively thermoformed from an acrylic
material. During the thermoforming process, an overflow protrusion
or extension 26 is formed to extend outwardly from the sidewall 12
and defines an opening 27. Similarly, a waste drain protrusion or
extension 28 is formed to extend downwardly from the base 14 and
defines an opening 29. The overflow protrusion 26 and the drain
protrusion 28 are fluidly coupled to the overflow 24 and the waste
drain 22, respectively, of the bathtub waste and overflow drain
assembly 20.
[0020] The bathtub waste and overflow drain assembly 20
illustratively includes an overflow housing 30 that interfaces with
the overflow protrusion 26 extending outwardly from the sidewall 12
of the bathtub 10. A waste drain housing 32 is configured to be
fluidly coupled to the drain protrusion 28 extending downwardly
from the base 14 of the bathtub 10. A tube assembly 40 fluidly
couples the overflow housing 30 and the waste drain housing 32.
[0021] The overflow housing 30 illustratively includes a body 42
including a tub interface portion 44 and an outlet tube 46. The
body 42 may be formed of a polymer, such as polyvinylchloride
(PVC), polypropylene (PP) or acrylic. The tub interface portion 44
defines a first fluid passageway 48 and the outlet tube 46 defines
a second fluid passageway 50. The first fluid passageway 48 is
illustratively positioned perpendicular to the second fluid
passageway 50. Illustratively, the first fluid passageway 48 may
slope away from the tub sidewall 12 to prevent water pooling.
[0022] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the tub interface portion
44 includes a face 52 defining an opening 54 that interfaces with
the opening 27 of the overflow protrusion 26. The opening 54 in the
face 52 is elongated and at least partially rounded. Moreover, the
face 52 illustratively conforms to the outer surface 56 of the
sidewall 12. The overflow protrusion 26 is illustratively received
within the opening 54 of the tub interface portion 44. The tub
interface portion 44 further comprises a downwardly extending
stabilizing extension 58 configured to contact the sidewall 12 of
the bathtub 10. The stabilizing extension 58 illustratively
includes a plurality of openings 60 which may reduce required
material and receive an adhesive.
[0023] In one illustrative embodiment, an adhesive gasket 62 is
used to secure the overflow housing 30 to the bathtub 10. More
particularly, the adhesive gasket 62 may secure the face 52 to the
sidewall 12 of the bathtub 10. Other conventional securing means,
such as an adhesive, may be used to secure the overflow housing 30
to the bathtub 10.
[0024] The waste drain 22 illustratively includes a conventional
toe-tap or pop-up waste drain 64 positioned within an upwardly
facing cavity 66 defined by the waste drain protrusion 28 from
above the base 14 of the bathtub 10. The toe-tap waste drain 64
illustratively includes a spring-biased plug 68 that may toggle
between raised and lowered positions by being pressed downwardly by
a user. An illustrative pop-up drain is shown in U.S. Pat. No.
4,103,372 to Cuschera, the disclosure of which is expressly
incorporated herein by reference.
[0025] With further reference to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the waste drain
22 includes the integrated drain housing 32 that interfaces with
the waste drain protrusion 28 extending downwardly from the base 14
of the bathtub 10. The integrated drain housing 32 includes a
T-shaped body 70 including a passageway or chamber 72 with at least
three openings 74, 76, 78. First opening 74 is defined by a
cylindrical wall 75 and is fluidly coupled to the opening 29 of the
waste drain protrusion 28. Second opening 76 is defined by a
cylindrical tube 77 and is fluidly coupled to the tube assembly 40.
Third opening 78 is defined by cylindrical wall 79 and is fluidly
coupled to a waste shoe 80. The first opening 74 is illustratively
round to concentrically receive the waste drain protrusion 28 and
is in fluid communication with the opening 29.
[0026] A stabilizing support 82 of the drain housing 32 extends
from the body 70 outwardly from the first opening 74. The
stabilizing support 82 is configured to assist in stabilizing the
body 70 and includes a plurality of grooves 84. An adhesive may
secure the drain housing 32 to the base 14 of the bathtub 10.
Illustratively, the adhesive may be received within the grooves 84
of the stabilizing support 82. The integrated drain housing 32 may
also interface with the base 14 of the bathtub 10 through an
adhesive gasket (not shown).
[0027] The tube assembly 40 illustratively includes a flexible tube
86 having a proximal or upper end 88 and a distal or lower end 90,
wherein the proximal end 88 interfaces with the overflow housing
30, and the distal end 90 interfaces with the drain housing 32
through an elbow connector 92. The flexible tube 86 is
illustratively formed of a resilient material, such as
polyvinylchloride (PVC) or silicone. A hose clamp 94 illustratively
secures the upper end 88 of the flexible tube 86 to the overflow
housing 30. The distal end 90 of the tube 86 gradually increases in
diameter wherein a slip joint nut 96 and a hose clamp 97
illustratively secure the distal end 90 of the tube 86 to a first
or proximal end 98 of the elbow connector 92. The second opening 76
of the drain housing 32 secures to the second or distal end 100 of
the elbow connector 92. Conventional securing means, such as mating
threads or adhesives, may be used to secure the cylindrical tube 77
of the drain housing 32 to the distal end 100 of the elbow
connector 92.
[0028] The waste shoe 80 may be secured to the third opening 78 of
the drain housing 32 through an adhesive gasket 102. The waste shoe
80 illustratively includes a body 104 having an outlet 106 fluidly
coupled to a conventional drain pipe 108 (FIG. 4). The waste shoe
80 may be formed of a polymer, such as polypropylene (PP).
[0029] An illustrative method 200 is shown in FIG. 7, where the
bathtub waste and overflow drain assembly 20 is manufactured during
the thermoforming process of the bathtub 10 where the sidewall 12
and the base 14 are formed. At step 202, a first thermal forming
tool is used during the thermoforming process to draw an overflow
pocket in the sidewall 12 of the bathtub 10. At step 204, this
overflow pocket is illustratively trimmed by a cutting device to
define the outwardly extending overflow protrusion 26.
[0030] The method continues at step 206 by using a thermal forming
tool during the thermoforming process to draw a drain pocket within
the base 14 of the bathtub 10. At step 208, this drain pocket is
then trimmed by a cutting device to define downwardly extending
drain protrusion 28 within the base 14 of the bathtub 10.
[0031] At step 210, the overflow housing 30 is fluidly coupled to
the waste drain housing 32 through the tube assembly 40 including
flexible tube 86 and elbow connector 92. At step 212, the overflow
protrusion 26 is received within the opening 54 of the overflow
housing 30. At step 214, the face 52 of the overflow housing 30 is
illustratively secured to the sidewall 12 of the bathtub 10 with
adhesive gasket 62. At step 216, the drain protrusion 28 is
received within the opening 74 of the drain housing 32. At step
218, the drain housing 32 is illustratively secured to the base 14
of the bathtub 10 with an adhesive. The toe-tap waste drain 64 is
then positioned within the cavity 66 defined by the drain
protrusion 28 at step 220.
[0032] With the bathtub waste and overflow drain assembly 20 of the
present disclosure, installation of the bathtub 10 is facilitated
since both the overflow 24 and the waste drain 22 are incorporated
in the bathtub design. During installation, the installer simply
aligns the waste drain housing 32 and the waste shoe 80 with the
drain pipe 108 in the floor. The flexible tube assembly 40
illustratively couples the overflow housing 30 with the waste drain
housing 32.
[0033] 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.
* * * * *