WASTEWATER DRAIN STOPPER SYSTEM

Abstract

A wastewater drain assembly is provided that includes a selectively openable drain stopper. The wastewater drain assembly is interconnected to a fluid basin wherein a flange, which is interconnected to wastewater plumbing, is situated within the sink. The flange receives an insert that has a portion that conceals the flange.

Claims

1-19. (canceled)

20. A wastewater drain system comprising: a ball rod; a body configured to be coupled to a wastewater drain port of a fluid receptacle, the body comprising a first end having a flange and an opposite second end, and an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein a first opening is defined in the body between the first end and the second end for at least partial receipt of the ball rod, and wherein a second opening is defined in the body proximate the first end; a seat disposed within the body and coupled to the inner surface between the first end and the second opening; a stem movably disposed within the body and comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end has a stopper configured to selectively engage with the seat in a closed position and be raised above the seat in an open position, and wherein the distal end couples to the ball rod that drives movement of the stem and the stopper between the open position and the closed position; and an insert removably coupled to the first end of the body, wherein when the insert is coupled to the first end of the body, the stopper and the seat are concealed by the insert when the stopper is in the open position and when the stopper is in the closed position.

21. The wastewater drain system of claim 20, wherein a boss at least partially surrounds the first opening and is disposed within a recess, further comprising: a fastener that couples to the boss to secure the ball rod to the body, wherein the fastener comprises a nut having one or more outer wings that extend out of the recess when coupled to the boss.

22. The wastewater drain system of claim 21, further comprising a ball rod having a ball, wherein the ball is captured between the boss and the fastener when secured to the body.

23. The wastewater drain system of claim 20, wherein the seat is integral with the body.

24. The wastewater drain system of claim 20, wherein the seat is offset from the first end of the body.

25. The wastewater drain system of claim 20, further comprising an insert replaceably coupled to the first end of the body.

26. The wastewater drain system of claim 25, wherein the insert comprises an insert flange and an insert wall, the insert wall having an O-ring configured to cooperate with the inner surface of the body.

27. A wastewater drain system comprising: a body configured to be coupled to a wastewater drain port of a fluid receptacle, the body comprising a first end having a flange and an opposite second end, and an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein a shoulder is defined in the inner surface proximate the first end, and wherein an opening is defined in the body between the first end and the second end for at least partial receipt of a ball rod; a stem disposed within the body and comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end has a stopper and the distal end couples to the ball rod that drives movement of the stem and the stopper between an open position and a closed position; and an insert removably coupled to the first end of the body, wherein the insert comprises an insert flange and an insert wall, and wherein, when the insert is coupled to the body, a lower surface of the insert wall engages with the shoulder, and wherein the stopper and the seat are concealed by the insert when the stopper is in the open position and when the stopper is in the closed position.

28. The wastewater drain system of claim 27, wherein the insert comprises an upper surface opposite of the lower surface of the insert wall that has a plurality of holes.

29. The wastewater drain system of claim 27, wherein the insert further comprises a seal member coupled to the insert wall, the seal member configured to cooperate with the inner surface of the body.

30. The wastewater drain system of claim 27, further comprising a seat disposed within the body and coupled to the inner surface proximate the first end, wherein the seat is offset from the shoulder and is configured to selectively engage with the stopper of the stem.

31. The wastewater drain system of claim 27, wherein the body further comprises at least one groove defined within the inner surface.

32. The wastewater drain system of claim 31, wherein the at least one groove extends at least partially between the flange and the shoulder.

33. The wastewater drain system of claim 27, wherein the body comprises a boss that at least partially defines the opening that receives the ball rod, and wherein the boss is recessed within the body such that an outer surface of the boss is aligned with or below an outer dimension of the body.

34. A wastewater drain system comprising: a ball rod; a body configured to be coupled to a wastewater drain port of a fluid receptacle, the body comprising a first end having a flange and an opposite second end, and an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein a first opening is defined in the body between the first end and the second end for at least partial receipt of the ball rod, and wherein a second opening is defined in the body between the first end and the first opening and configured to receive fluid from the fluid receptacle; a fastener that secures the body at the wastewater drain port; a seat disposed within the body and coupled to the inner surface between the first end and the second opening; a stem movably disposed within the body and comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end has a stopper configured to selectively engage with the seat and the distal end couples to the ball rod that drives movement of the stem and the stopper between an open position and a closed position; and an insert removably coupled to the first end of the body, wherein the stopper and the seat are concealed by the insert when the stopper is in the open position and when the stopper is in the closed position.

35. The wastewater drain system of claim 34, wherein when the stopper is engaged with the seat in the closed position, fluid can accumulate above the seat and below the insert within the body.

36. The wastewater drain system of claim 34, wherein the body comprises at least one groove defined in the inner surface proximate the first end so that fluid can flow between the insert and the body.

37. The wastewater drain system of claim 34, wherein the stopper comprises a seal member.

38. The wastewater drain system of claim 34, wherein the body comprises a boss that at least partially defines the first opening that receives the ball rod, and wherein the boss is recessed within the body such that an outer surface of the boss is aligned with or below an outer dimension of the body.

39. The wastewater drain system of claim 34, wherein the insert comprises an insert flange and an insert wall, the insert wall having an O-ring configured to cooperate with the inner surface of the body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of these inventions.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a common wastewater drain system;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a drain closure system of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 showing a stopper closed;

[0021] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 showing the stopper open;

[0022] FIG. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view showing the upper end of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2;

[0023] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention that employs an insert having external threads;

[0024] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention that employs an external stopper;

[0025] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7;

[0026] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 7; and

[0027] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 7, wherein the stopper is opened.

[0028] To assist in the understanding of one embodiment of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein:

TABLE-US-00001 # Component 2 Sink 6 Wastewater drain system 10 Body 14 Sink flange 18 Threaded portion 22 Seal 26 Nut 30 Drain stopper 34 Ball rod 38 First end 40 Second portion 42 Ball 46 Link 50 Second end 54 Clip 110 Body 114 Sink flange 118 Threaded portion 122 Seal 126 Nut 130 Drain stopper 132 Nut 134 Ball rod 140 Distal end 142 Ball 146 Link 154 Clip 158 Rod 162 Thumbscrew 166 Knob 170 Valve stem 174 Seat 180 Insert 184 Upper seal 188 Holes 192 Seal 194 Insert wall 196 Inner surface 197 Lower surface 198 Shoulder 200 Lower surface 204 Shoulder 206 Flange wall 207 Groove 208 Boss 209 Recess 210 Body 214 Sink flange 222 Seal 226 Nut 230 Drain stopper 270 Valve stem 274 Seat 280 Insert 310 Body 314 Sink flange 326 Nut 330 Drain stopper 332 Seal 334 Ball rod 340 Distal end 342 Threaded portion 343 Opening 370 Valve stem 380 Insert 382 Hub 386 Drain stopper seal

[0029] It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] FIGS. 2-5 show a drain closure system of one embodiment of the present invention. The drain closure system is comprised of a body 110 having a threaded portion 118 that terminates at a sink flange 114. As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the body of this and other embodiments of the present invention described herein may be made of multiple pieces. The body 110 also receives a nut 132 that secures a ball rod 134, wherein a portion of the ball rod 134 is positioned within the body 110. The body 110 is interconnected to the sink, wherein the flange 114 is in contact with a lower surface of sink. Next, a nut 126 and associated seal 122 are interface with a threaded portion 118 of the body 110 and tighten against a lower outer surface of the sink to secure the body 110 to the sink. After the body 110 is secured to the sink, it is also interconnected to the wastewater drain plumbing of the dwelling. The ball rod 134 is interconnected to a link 146 via a clip 154, or other device. The link 146 is secured to a rod 158 with a thumbscrew 162, or other device. The rod terminates at a knob 166, wherein movement of the rod 166 will selectively move the ball rod 134 and, thus, a portion of the ball rod 134 positioned within the body 110. The interconnection between the ball rod 134 and the body 110 should be well known by those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0031] The end of the ball rod 134 positioned in the body is interconnected to a distal end 140 of a valve stem 170. The distal end 140 of some embodiments is flared, or otherwise configured, to prevent hair and other debris from getting hung up on the ball rod 134 (see FIG. 4). The valve stem 170 also includes a proximal end comprised of a drain stopper 130. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the drain stopper 130 cooperates with a seat 174 located within the body 110 to selectively allow fluid out of the sink.

[0032] The drain stopper 130, seat 174, etc. are concealed by an insert 180. The insert 180 includes an upper surface 184 with a plurality of holes 188 that allow water, but not large items from entering the drain plumbing. The insert has a wall 194 that accommodates a seal 192 that cooperates with an inner surface 196 of the body to secure the insert 180 the body 110. The wall 194 has a lower surface 200 that engages a shoulder 204 of the body 110 or the flange 114. Because the seal 192 does not permanently secure the insert 180 the body 110, if the insert becomes damaged, stained, or marred, or if the user wishes to change the aesthetic appearance of the sink, the insert 180 can be quickly removed and replaced without replacing the remainder of the wastewater system.

[0033] Again, the insert 180 of this embodiment of the present invention will selectively interconnects to a drain flange and associated drain plumbing by way of a seal 192 that selectively engages the inner surface 196 of the drain flange wall 206, i.e., an interference fit (see FIG. 5). The seal 192 may fit within a groove integrated into the insert wall, or within outwardly extending protrusions on the insert wall. Also, multiple seals can be employed, and an enlarged seal may be employed. Those of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that other interconnection methods or schemes are contemplated. For example, the interconnection methods described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,154,898, 7,503,083, 8,607,376, 9,015,870, 9,015,876, and insert interconnection methods similar thereto, may be used to selectively interconnect the insert 180 to the drain flange 114 without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, some embodiments the present invention: 1) do not employ a seal, and rely on adhesives to secure the flange to the drain flange; 2) do not employ an insert wall, wherein a circular plate is adhered or otherwise interconnected to the drain flange; 3) employ a flange with a downwardly-extending lip for selective engagement onto an outer edge of the drain flange; 4) employ a cylindrical insert wall that selectively engages seals or other interconnection device is associated with the sink strainer or drain plumbing; or 5) employ mating devices that selectively engage with corresponding mating features on the train strainer, i.e., a bayonet fitting or snap in connection.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows another feature of some embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the flange 114 is interconnected to the threaded portion 118 of the body by way of a cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, or conical wall 206 having the inner surface 196 described above. At least one groove 207 is provided in the wall 206. Water, which does not exit the sink via the openings 188 in the insert 180, can exit the sink through any gap between the insert flange 180 and the sink drain flange 114 and into the drain plumbing via the groove(s) 207.

[0035] As discussed above, FIGS. 3 and 5 show the wastewater drain with the drain stopper 130 in a closed position. Here the drain stopper 130 is abutted against the seat 174 which prevents fluid from entering the body 110. This configuration is achieved by pulling the knob 166 upwardly to move the attached rod 158 and link 146 upwardly. Movement of the rod 158 upwardly rotates the end of the ball rod 134 positioned within the body 110 about a ball 142 downwardly, which pulls a distal end 140 of the valve stem 170 downwardly.

[0036] FIG. 3 shows another feature provided by some embodiments of the present invention that facilitates installation. Here, a boss 208 that receives the nut 132 is positioned within a recess 209 that locates an outer surface of the boss 208 at a dimension equal to or less than the outer dimension of the body 110. This embodiment facilitates installation by allowing the body 110 to be dropped into the sink outlet. The nut 132 may have outer protrusions, i.e., wings, that facilitate tightening. In contrast, the prior art system shown in FIG. 1 has a larger boss, which does not fit through the drain outlet. To install the prior art system a plumber must position an upper edge of the body through the drain outlet and fasten the sink flange thereto. Then, the nut 22 is used to secure the body 10 to the sink 2. As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, this is a two-hand or two-person operation.

[0037] FIG. 4 shows the wastewater drain system in an open position wherein the rod 158 has been pushed downwardly to rotate the end of the ball rod 134 upwardly to push the valve stem 170 upwardly, thereby moving the attached valve stem 170 away from the seat 174 to open the fluid flow path from the sink to the body 110.

[0038] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention where the insert 280 is selectively interconnected to a sink flange 214. Other features of this embodiment are similar to those employed by the embodiments described above. FIG. 6 also shows that sink the flange 214 does not need to be integral to the body to 10, but may be threateningly engaged thereto. The remaining operation of this embodiment of the present invention is similar to or same as that described above, wherein a drain stopper 230, a valve stem 270, a seat 274, a seal 222, and a nut 226 are provided.

[0039] FIGS. 7-10 show another embodiment of the present invention wherein the drain stopper 330 is external to the body 310. Here, the drain stopper 330 comprises a downwardly-extending stem 370 and a threaded lower portion 342. The threaded portion 342 is operatively interconnected into the stem 370, thereby allowing the length between the stopper 330 and a distal end 340 to be altered if needed. The threaded portion 342 also includes an opening 343 for receipt of an end of the ball rod 334 positioned within the body 310. Here, the sink flange 314 is selectively interconnected to or integrated with the body 310.

[0040] This embodiment also includes an insert 380 with a hub 382 that is attached, e.g., glued, to the flange 314. The insert 380 may also include a wall that selectively interconnects to the sink flange or body as is shown in the embodiments discussed above. The hub 382 provides a cylindrical opening for receipt and securement of the stem 370 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Upon pulling a knob upwardly, (see FIG. 2, for example) the stem 370 and threaded portion 342 are pulled downwardly, which pulls the stopper 330 and attached seal 386 into engagement with the insert 380 to close the body 310 to the flow.

[0041] The knob is pushed downwardly, the end of the ball rod 334 moves upwardly, which moves the stem 370 upwardly to separate the seal 386 from the insert 380 allow fluid to flow into the body.

[0042] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. It is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims. Further, it is to be understood that the invention(s) described herein is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the preceding description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.