Internal trap drain with adjustable height strainer and high mass seal

Abstract

An internal trap drain with large volume/high mass water seal for improved absorption of pressure fluctuations and extended duration of seal against evaporation in low-use conditions. Includes adjustable height strainer and water seal-protected weep holes.

Claims

1. An internal trap drain wherein the trap seal is formed by the interposition of an inner bowl filled with liquid and an externally-threaded adjustable height cylindrical strainer with axis perpendicular to the surface of said liquid and having a top end enclosed by strainer grid and a bottom end open and submerged below said surface and in which the adjustable strainer/seal is constructed and arranged to provide a large volume of liquid to create the seal and eliminate sewer gases thereby eliminating the need for the p-trap which conventional drains require; wherein the improvement comprises a high-volume, high mass seal to oppose sewer gases.

2. The internal trap drain of claim 1 in which an adjustable-height strainer is operably connected to the drain assembly; wherein the improvement comprises an adjustable-height strainer.

3. The internal trap drain of claim 1 in which a cleanout opening at the base of the inner bowl, a cleanout plug, and gasket to provide liquid-tight seal between said cleanout plug and said inner bowl are operatively connected to said inner bowl; wherein the improvement comprises the cleanout opening, cleanout plug and gasket.

4. The internal trap drain of claim 1 in which weep openings, said weep openings connected to weep tubes, said weep tubes comprising cylinders with the top end operatively connected to the weep openings in the top plate of the drain and the bottom end submerged below the surface of the liquid which fills the inner bowl are sealed to oppose sewer gas passage through the weep openings; wherein the improvement comprises liquid seal-protected weep holes with weep tubes.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) A more complete appreciation of the invention will be obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

(2) FIG. 1A shows a top plan view of the Internal Trap Drain with Adjustable Height Strainer and High Mass Seal with respect to the present invention.

(3) FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view of the Internal Trap Drain with Adjustable Height Strainer and High Mass Seal taken along line A-A of FIG. 1A with respect to the present invention.

(4) FIG. 2A shows a front elevation view of the Internal Trap Drain with Adjustable Height Strainer and High Mass Seal with respect to the present invention.

(5) FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view of the Internal Trap Drain with Adjustable Height Strainer and High Mass Seal taken along line B-B of FIG. 2A with respect to the present invention.

(6) FIG. 3 shows a view of outer bowl 1, in which the top surface of flange 3 is visible with respect to the present invention.

(7) FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing weep holes 16 and weep tube connection sockets 15 in top cover 5 of the Internal Trap Drain with Adjustable Height Strainer and High Mass Seal with respect to the present invention.

(8) FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the Internal Trap Drain with Adjustable Height Strainer and High Mass Seal with respect to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) The drain is comprised of outer bowl 1, inner bowl 4, top cover 5, and strainer assembly 6. Outer bowl 1 has a piping connection 2 which serves as the drain outlet. Outer bowl 1 also has flange 3 which enables mounting the top cover through circumferentially located tapped holes 7 and corresponding countersunk through holes 8 in top cover 5 by means of flat head screws (not shown). In addition, flange 3-to-top cover 5 connection is sealed by gland 9 and O-ring 10.

(10) Inner bowl 4 has threaded cleanout opening 11 at its base and polished spillway edge 12 at its upper perimeter. Three radially spaced supports 13 extend from the outside surface of inner bowl 4 and terminate in a curved shape which conforms to the interior surface of outer bowl 1.

(11) Supports 13 maintain the position and attitude of inner bowl 4 as axially aligned with outer bowl 1 and maintain space 14 between the outside of inner bowl 4 and the inside of outer bowl 1. Upper edge 12 is polished to minimize solids accumulation as wastewater overflows edge 12 and flows through space 14 to drain opening 2.

(12) In addition to through holes 8 for mounting and sealing to flange 3 of outer bowl 1, Top cover 5 has weep tube attachment sockets 15 which provide both weep holes 16 at the top surface of top cover 5 as well as connection sockets 15 for weep tubes 17, which extend down below the surface of the wastewater into inner bowl 4. Top cover 5 also has threaded hole 18 located at its center and threaded hole 18 is of the size and thread gauge to accommodate male threads 19 which form the exterior surface of the cylindrical portion of strainer assembly 6.

(13) Threaded cleanout plug 20 along with rubber washer 21 is in place to close off threaded cleanout opening 11 in inner bowl 4, and is available for removal through the strainer assembly for cleanout when necessary.

(14) As wastewater enters strainer assembly 6 it rises to edge 12 of inner bowl 4. Any additional water entering will cause a corresponding volume of water to spill over edge 12 and flow through space 14 to drain outlet 2. While the water level is at the height of edge 12, a water seal is established between the sewer gasses at the drain opening and strainer assembly 6 inlet. Weep holes 16 are also protected by the water seal. The gas cannot pass gland 9 and O-ring 10 and by applying thread sealant to male threads 19 the drain is rendered gas tight.