Vortex Breaker With Dome Integration

Abstract

A vortex breaker and a drainage assembly with a plurality of fins extending radially outward from a common central axis to respective terminal edges. Each fin has an attachment member for cooperation with bars of a domed strainer installed over a drain inlet. Engagement of the attachment members and domed strainer rigidly fixes the vortex breaker relative to the domed strainer.

Claims

1. A vortex breaker for use in conjunction with a domed strainer, comprising: a plurality of fins, each fin extending radially outward from a common central axis to a respective terminal edge, wherein each fin includes an attachment member for cooperation with the bars of the domed strainer to rigidly fix the vortex breaker to the domed strainer.

2. The vortex breaker of claim 1, wherein the cooperation of the attachment member and bars of the domed strainer rotationally fixes the vortex breaker about the axis.

3. The vortex breaker of claim 1, comprising three fins equiangularly spaced from one another about the axis.

4. The vortex breaker of claim 3, wherein each of the fins includes an attachment member for cooperation with bars of the domed strainer.

5. The vortex breaker of claim 4, wherein each of the attachment members on the fins is substantially identical.

6. The vortex breaker of claim 4, wherein the attachment members are independently selected from the group consisting of a tapered outer surface that tapers outward from the top edges of the fins, a projection extending outward from a fin proximate the fin terminal edge, and a fork at the terminal edge of the fin, the fork comprising two spaced fingers that extend radially from the terminal edge of the fin.

7. The vortex breaker of claim 1, wherein the attachment members are defined by an outer surface of the fins that tapers outward from the top edges of the fins.

8. The vortex breaker of claim 1, wherein the attachment members are each a projection extending outward from a fin proximate the fin terminal edge.

9. The vortex breaker of claim 1, wherein each attachment member is a fork at the terminal edge of the fin, the fork comprising two spaced fingers that extend radially from the terminal edge of the fin.

10. The vortex breaker of claim 9, wherein each fork is positioned proximate the top edge of the respective fin.

11. A drainage assembly with a vortex breaker, comprising: a drain inlet leading to drainage channel; a domed strainer positioned around the drain inlet and defining an inner area; and a vortex breaker positioned over the inlet within the inner area of the domed strainer, the vortex breaker being rigidly attached to the domed strainer via engagement with the domed strainer independent of fasteners.

12. The drainage assembly of claim 11, wherein the domed strainer comprises a series of bars and the vortex breaker includes a plurality of attachment members, and the vortex breaker is rigidly attached to the domed strainer via frictional engagement between the attachment members and the bars.

13. The drainage assembly of claim 12, wherein the bars of the domed strainer are circumferentially spaced from one another.

14. The drainage assembly of claim 13, wherein the domed strainer has a substantially frustoconical shape.

15. The drainage assembly of claim 11, wherein the domed strainer has a substantially frustoconical shape.

16. The drainage assembly of claim 11, wherein the vortex breaker comprises a plurality of fins extending radially from a central axis, the fins being circumferentially spaced from one another.

17. The drainage assembly of claim 16, wherein domed strainer comprises a series of outer bars spaced from one another along the circumference and the vortex breaker is secured to the domed strainer via wedging a fin between adjacent bars.

18. The drainage assembly of claim 17, wherein the fins of the vortex breaker have an outer surface with a contour that transitions outward from proximate the top edge.

19. The drainage assembly of claim 17, wherein the vortex breaker comprises a projection extending outward from a fin surface proximate the fin terminal edge and the projection is wedged between adjacent bars.

20. The drainage assembly of claim 16, wherein the domed strainer comprises a series of outer bars spaced from one another along the circumference and the vortex breaker comprises a fork at the terminal edge of each fin engaged with a bar to maintain the vortex breaker in rigidly secured.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a vortex breaker according to the disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 2 is another embodiment of a vortex breaker according to the disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 3 is another embodiment of a vortex breaker according to the disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 4 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 installed above a drain;

[0015] FIG. 5 shows the embodiment of FIG. 2 installed above a drain; and

[0016] FIG. 6 shows the embodiment of FIG. 3 installed above a drain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] Among the benefits and improvements disclosed herein, other objects and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent from the following wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several figures. Detailed embodiments of a vortex breaker for use with a domed strainer and a drainage assembly are disclosed; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the invention that may be embodied in various forms. In addition, each of the examples given in connection with the various embodiments of the invention which are intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive.

[0018] Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The phrases In some embodiments and in some embodiments as used herein do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment(s), though it may. The phrases in another embodiment and in some other embodiments as used herein do not necessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it may. Thus, as described below, various embodiments may be readily combined, without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

[0019] In addition, as used herein, the term or is an inclusive or operator, and is equivalent to the term and/or, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term based on is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional factors not described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, throughout the specification, the meaning of a, an, and the include plural references. The meaning of in includes in and on.

[0020] Further, the terms substantial, substantially, similar, similarly, analogous, analogously, approximate, approximately, and any combination thereof mean that differences between compared features or characteristics is less than 25% of the respective values/magnitudes in which the compared features or characteristics are measured and/or defined.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the inventive vortex breaker (10a, 10b, 10c) most generally comprises a plurality of fins (12a, 12b, 12c) extending radially from a central axis 14 to a terminal edge. The depicted embodiments include three fins spaced equiangularly around the axis, although embodiments exist with more than three fins. Each fin (12a, 12b, 12c) comprises an attachment member (16a, 16b, 16c) proximate the terminal end. As will be discussed in detail below, the attachment members (16a, 16b, 16c) are sized and shaped to cooperate with members of a domed strainer, like that depicted as reference numeral 18 in FIGS. 4-6, for securement without the use of a separate fastener or fasteners.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the vortex breaker 10a includes an attachment member 16a on each fin 12a that comprises a transitioned or flared outer surface 20a. The contour of the outer surface 20a transitions outward from the top edge 22a of each fin 12a to an intermediate portion 24a with a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the upper edge 22a.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, another embodiment of the vortex breaker 10b includes an attachment member 16b on each fin 12b that comprises a pair of projections 20b extending from a surface on each fin 12b proximate the terminal end.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, another embodiment of the vortex breaker 10c includes an attachment member 16c on each fin 12c. Each of the attachment members 16c comprises a fork 20c on the respective fin 12c proximate the terminal edge. The fork includes a pair of fingers 24c spaced from one another and extending radially from the terminal edge of the fin 12c. The fingers 24c can form part of a U-shaped member, as depicted in FIG. 3.

[0025] FIGS. 4-6 depict the disclosed embodiments of the vortex breaker (10a, 10b, 10c) installed at the inlet 28 of a drainage system via engagement with a standard domed strainer 18. The strainer 18 is typically mechanically attached to the drain 30 via fasteners and the vortex breaker engages with the strainer 18 via cooperation of the attachment member (16a, 16b, 16c) and bars 26 of the strainer independent of the fasteners. The configuration of the attachment member and the frustoconical contour of the strainer 18 with bars that taper toward one another allows cooperation for a strong and rigid securement.

[0026] Specifically, with reference to FIG. 4, in the depicted assembly 100a, the embodiment of the vortex breaker 10a (i.e., the flared outer surface 20a) cooperates with the narrowing spaces between adjacent bars 26 to allow the attachment member to be wedged between the adjacent bars 26.

[0027] With reference to the assembly 100b of FIG. 5, the embodiment of the vortex breaker 10b engages with the strainer 18 in a similar manner as the vortex breaker 10a. The projections 20b are mechanically trapped between adjacent bars 26 to hold the vortex breaker in place relative to the strainer 18.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 6, in the assembly 100c, the embodiment of the vortex breaker 10c engages with the strainer 18 via trapping a single bar 26 between the spaced fingers 24c of the forks 20c.

[0029] In all of the above-described embodiments, the vortex breaker is maintained mechanically via engagement with the bars of the domed strainer, which also rotationally fixes the vortex breaker about the axis 14. Preferred embodiments of the disclosed vortex breaker (10a, 10b, 10c) are formed from a rigid resilient material, such as a plastic or metal.

[0030] Altogether, the disclosed embodiments of the vortex breaker 10 provide a significant advantage over known vortex breakers that require mechanical attachment to the drainage system via a separate member, such as a fastener. The vortex breaker can be attached to existing installations without requiring additional parts and/or additional installation steps.

[0031] While a preferred embodiment has been set forth for purposes of illustration, the foregoing description should not be deemed a limitation of the invention herein. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the claimed coverage.