DRAIN FILTER APPARATUS TO CAPTURE HAIR AND DEBRIS

Abstract

A filter apparatus mounted to a drain is provided. The drain includes an upper opening extending to an inlet of a pipe. The filter apparatus collects hair and permits water to flow through into the drain. The apparatus includes a grate coupled to the drain's upper opening and has a central opening and a plurality of openings, and a trap assembly with an upper plug coupled to the grate's central opening and a rod with a first end continuously connected to the upper plug and a second end extending into the drain. The trap assembly includes a filter member disposed around the rod and positioned above the inlet of the pipe. The apparatus permits water to pass through the grate's openings and filter member for entry into the pipe's inlet for an evacuation. The apparatus permits hair to pass through the grate's openings and collect on the filter member.

Claims

1. A filter apparatus with enhanced strength mounted to a drain, the drain comprising an upper opening extending to an inlet of a pipe, the filter apparatus configured to collect hair and permit water to flow therethrough for an entry into the drain, the filter apparatus comprising: a grate coupled to the upper opening of the drain and comprising a central opening and a plurality of openings; and a trap assembly comprising an upper plug coupled to the central opening of the grate and a rod comprising a first end continuously connected to the upper plug and a second end extending into the upper opening of the drain, the trap assembly comprising a filter member disposed around the rod and positioned above the inlet of the pipe; wherein the filter apparatus is configured to permit water to pass through the plurality of openings in the grate and filter member of the trap assembly, thereby permitting entry of the water into the inlet of the pipe for an evacuation, wherein the filter apparatus is configured to permit hair to pass through the plurality of openings in the grate and collect on the filter member, thereby preventing entry of the hair into the inlet of the pipe.

2. The filter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the trap assembly further comprises a spherical member continuously connected to the second end of the rod, the spherical member configured to contact the filter member to prevent detachment of the filter member from the rod.

3. The filter apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an inner sleeve disposed around the rod and positioned between the rod and filter member.

4. The filter apparatus of claim 3, wherein the filter member comprises a plurality of wires intertwined together.

5. The filter apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a notch disposed in a top surface of the upper plug.

6. The filter apparatus of claim 5, wherein the upper plug of the trap assembly is detachably coupled to the central opening of the grate by a threaded connection.

7. The filter apparatus of claim 5, wherein the upper plug of the trap assembly is detachably coupled to the central opening of the grate by a magnetic connection.

8. A filter apparatus with enhanced strength mounted to a drain, the filter apparatus configured to collect hair and permit water to flow therethrough for an entry into the drain, the drain comprising an upper opening extending to an inlet of a pipe and a grate with a plurality of openings coupled to the upper opening of the drain, the filter apparatus comprising: a trap assembly comprising an upper plug coupled to the grate and a rod comprising a first end continuously connected to the upper plug and a second end extending into the upper opening of the drain, the trap assembly comprising a filter member disposed around the rod and positioned above the inlet of the pipe; wherein the filter apparatus is configured to permit water to pass through the plurality of openings in the grate and filter member of the trap assembly, thereby permitting entry of the water into the inlet of the pipe for an evacuation, wherein the filter apparatus is configured to permit hair to pass through the plurality of openings in the grate and collect on the filter member, thereby preventing entry of the hair into the inlet of the pipe.

9. The filter apparatus of claim 8, wherein the trap assembly further comprises a spherical member continuously connected to the second end of the rod, the spherical member configured to contact the filter member to prevent detachment of the filter member from the rod.

10. The filter apparatus of claim 9, further comprising an inner sleeve disposed around the rod and positioned between the rod and filter member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0010] The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention will be made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein the figures disclose one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 1 depicts a top plan view of certain embodiments of the filter apparatus shown in use;

[0012] FIG. 2 depicts a sectional view of certain embodiments of the filter apparatus taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view of certain embodiments of the filter apparatus; and

[0014] FIG. 4 depicts a section view of certain embodiments of the filter apparatus taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

[0015] As depicted in FIGS. 1-3, filter apparatus 10 is configured for use with a drain in a location such as a shower stall to collect hair and/or debris and prevent their entry into the drain. In one embodiment, the drain comprises an upper opening in shower floor 12 that connects to drainage pipe 34. The interior of the drain comprises seat 32, which supports filter apparatus 10 above or into the inlet of pipe 34. In certain embodiments, filter apparatus 10 generally comprises grate 14 and trap assembly 18.

[0016] Grate 14 is a generally rigid cover member with central opening 29 and a plurality of openings 16 disposed throughout the grate. As depicted in FIGS. 2-4, grate 14 is coupled to the upper opening of the drain by mechanical fasteners such as screws 24. Openings 16 in grate 14 permit water, hair and other debris to pass through. Grate 14 may be made from various materials known in the field including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, rubber or other materials.

[0017] Trap assembly 18 is coupled to central opening 29 in grate 14 and generally comprises upper plug 20, rod 26, ball nose 28 and filter member 30. Rod 26 comprises a first end continuously connected to upper plug 20 and a second end continuously connected to ball nose 28. Upper plug 20, rod 26 and ball nose 28 may be made from materials including, but not limited to, stainless steel, other metals, plastic, rubber or other materials.

[0018] Filter member 30 is a generally cylindrical member disposed around rod 26 and comprises a mesh network of a plurality of wires intertwined with each other, which are configured to catch hair and/or debris. In one embodiment, each wire of the plurality of wires comprises an approximate diameter within the range of 1-5 millimeters. In one embodiment, filter member 30 comprises a sponge pad such as a Scotch-Brite Plastic Scrubbing Pad, Scotch-Brite Copper Coated Scrubbing Pad, or similar-type pad. In an alternative embodiment, filter member 30 is a sponge member.

[0019] Ball nose 28 is a spherical member at the end of rod 26 that helps to retain filter member 30 thereon. Ball nose 28 prevents filter member 30 from inadvertent detachment from rod 26 of trap assembly 18. In one embodiment, flexible inner liner 36 is disposed around rod 26 and positioned between rod 26 and filter member 30. Flexible inner liner 36 is a sleeve made from a material such as fabric or other material, which permits a user to more easily slip filter member 30 on and off rod 26 of trap assembly 18 as desired. This is beneficial for when filter member 30 needs to be removed and replaced.

[0020] In operation, filter apparatus 10 is coupled to the upper opening of the drain as depicted in FIGS. 1-2 and 4. Specifically, grate 14 is fastened to the upper opening of the drain by screws 24 so that grate 14 remains flush with shower floor 12. Trap assembly 18 is coupled to grate 14 by inserting ball nose 28, rod 26 and filter member 30 inside the upper opening of the drain so that upper plug 20 engages with central opening 29 of grate 14.

[0021] Upper plug 20 may be secured to central opening 29 of grate 14 by a variety of connections. In a preferred embodiment, upper plug 20 comprises a series of threads that engages with a corresponding series of threads along the side wall of central opening 29 in grate 14. Upper plug 20 can be rotated in opposite directions to tighten or loosen trap assembly 18 from central opening 29 of grate 14. In one embodiment, the top surface of upper plug 20 comprises notch 22. A tool such as a screwdriver, coin or other coin-shaped device can be disposed within notch 22 to help a user to rotatably adjust upper plug 20 of trap assembly 18 relative to grate 14.

[0022] In an alternative embodiment, a low-profile handle or knob is coupled to the top surface of upper plug 20. This replaces the need for notch 22 on upper plug 20. In this embodiment, the user grabs the handle or knob to twist trap assembly 18 as needed. In an alternative embodiment, upper plug 20 of trap assembly 18 can be secured to central opening 29 of grate 14 by a snap-fit frictional connection or a magnetic connection. In this embodiment, trap assembly 18 is pushed or pulled from central opening 29 of grate 14 as needed.

[0023] In the assembled configuration, filter member 30 is disposed on seat 32 and fills up the entire upper opening of the drain. As a result, all water, hair and/or debris that passes through openings 16 in grate 14 reach filter member 30 prior to reaching the inlet of pipe 34 in the drain. Any water present continues to flow through filter member 30 and into the inlet of pipe 34. Hair and/or debris present weave through the plurality of wires of filter member 30 and become entangled thereon. As a result, filter member 30 of trap assembly 18 collects the hair and/or debris and prevents their entrance into the inlet of pipe 34. This prevents clogs within pipe 34 caused by the accumulation of hair and/or debris. Over time, a user can detach trap assembly 18 from grate 14 when the accumulation of hair and/or debris thereon requires filter member 30 to be replaced.

[0024] Filter apparatus 10 is advantageous because the device more effectively captures hair and/or debris compared to prior art devices. As a result, filter apparatus 10 effectively prevents clogs in the drainage pipe while permitting water to pass through the apparatus unobstructed. Filter apparatus 10 can be easily installed in drains commonly found in shower stalls. The components of filter apparatus 10 can be easily removed from the drain and replaced as needed. The design is adaptable to any existing shower grid by changing the grid shape and bolting pattern, and filter apparatus 10 is a flexible material that conforms to the shape of the pipe.

[0025] It shall be appreciated that the components of filter apparatus 10 described in several embodiments herein may comprise any alternative known materials in the field and be of any color, size and/or dimensions. It shall be appreciated that the components of filter apparatus 10 described herein may be manufactured and assembled using any known techniques in the field.

[0026] Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention, the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above.