High Flow Drain Control

Abstract

A lockable plug device for sanitary ware comprises a closure member operable to engage with an outlet or drain of the sanitary ware product to stop water emptying from the sanitary ware product, for example a bath. The lockable plug device also includes a closure mechanism, which is linked to the closure member and is operable to displace the closure member relative to the outlet or drain such that the outlet can be open or closed. The closure mechanism comprises a lock feature, which is operable to lock the closure member in an open position.

Claims

1. A lockable plug device for sanitary ware, the lockable plug device comprises: a closure member operable to sealingly engage with an outlet or drain of a sanitary ware product; and a closure mechanism, wherein the closure mechanism is linked to the closure member and is operable to displace the closure member relative to the outlet to open and close the outlet; and wherein the closure mechanism comprises a lock feature, which is operable to lock the closure member in an open position; wherein the closure mechanism comprises a primary lever and a secondary lever, each comprising an upper end and a lower end; wherein the upper end of the primary lever engages with the upper end of the secondary lever to control movement of the closure member via the lower end of the secondary lever, wherein the lower end of the primary lever provides a load point, which is operable to rotate the primary lever about a pivot point thereby creating displacement of the upper end of the primary lever and consequential displacement of the upper end of the secondary lever wherein the primary and secondary levers are operable to move to a locked open position, wherein the upper ends of the primary and secondary levers are locked against rotational displacement unless a load applied to the closure member exceeds a predetermined applied load, wherein the predetermined applied load is the load created by water exiting through the outlet to which the lockable plug device is connected.

2. The lockable plug device according to claim 1, wherein the upper end of the secondary lever comprises a slot and the upper end of the primary lever comprises a pin, wherein the pin engages with the slot such that upon rotation of the primary lever relative to the secondary lever the pin is displaced translationally along the slot to an extremity of the slot, wherein rotation of the secondary lever relative to the primary lever displaces the closure member to a locked open position when the pin reaches an extremity of the slot.

3. The lockable plug device according to claim 2, wherein the slot is J-shaped comprising a leg portion and a foot portion, wherein the pin locates in the leg portion of the slot when the closure member is in a closed or partially open/closed position and wherein the pin locates in the foot portion of the slot in a locked open position.

4. The lockable plug device according to claim 3, wherein when the pin is located in the extremity of the foot portion of the slot in a locked open position, an action of applying a load on the closure member acts to rotate the secondary lever in a direction opposite to the direction in which the lock is effective such that the pin locking engagement is ensured under normal operating conditions.

5. The lockable plug device according to claim 2, further comprising a recess adjacent to the slot, wherein the recess is shallower than the slot, such that a step is defined to one side of the slot, wherein the step acts as a guide for the upper end of the primary lever to adopt a position associated with the closure member being fully open and an edge of the recess acts as a guide for the upper end of the primary lever in the event that excessive load is applied to the closure member whilst in the locked open position.

6. The lockable plug device according to claim 5, wherein the upper end of the primary lever is configured to flex relative to the pivot point in the event that an excessive load is applied to the closure member.

7. The lockable plug device according to claim 6, wherein the primary lever is moulded plastic.

8. The lockable plug device according to claim 6, wherein the secondary lever is moulded plastic.

9. The lockable plug device according to claim 5, wherein, in response to an event of excessive load being applied to the closure member when in the locked open position, the upper end of the primary lever flexes, which causes the pin to jump from the slot into the recess, wherein the recess comprises an edge that extends between the extremities of the slot, and wherein moving the closure member from a locked open position to a closed position the pin is guided against the edge.

10. The lockable plug device according to claim 1, wherein the pivot point is located centrally between the upper end and lower end of the primary lever, and wherein the pivot point divides the primary lever into a first arm and a second arm.

11. The lockable plug device according to claim 10, wherein the first arm extends between the upper end and the pivot point and the second arm extends between the lower end and the pivot point, wherein the first arm is longer than the second arm.

12. The lockable plug device according to claim 1, wherein the secondary lever is straight.

13. The lockable plug device according to any claim 1, wherein the primary lever comprises a bend, wherein the pivot point is located at the bend.

14. The lockable plug device according to claim 1, wherein the primary lever comprises a pivotal member coincident with the lower end of the secondary lever.

15. The lockable plug device according to claim 14, wherein the pivotal member comprises a shaft configured to rotate upon rotation of the secondary lever relative to the primary lever, wherein an extension member extends from the shaft, wherein the extension member is operable to interact with the closure member to displace the closure member between open and closed positions.

16. The lockable plug device according to claim 15, wherein the extension member extends, substantially perpendicular to a rotational axis of the shaft such that upon rotation of the secondary lever about the pivot point the shaft rotates and the extension member traces an arc and thereby interacts with the closure member to provide directional displacement of the closure member.

17. The lockable plug device according to claim 16, wherein the extension member is a rod.

18. The lockable plug device according to claim 1, wherein the primary and secondary levers are arranged relative to each other such that intentional closure of the closure member is controlled by applying a load to the lower end of the primary lever to rotate the upper end relative to the pivot point.

19. The lockable plug device according to claim 1, wherein the primary lever and the secondary lever are configured and connected to each other at the upper ends such that maximum leverage to move the closure member is realised when the closure member is moved from a closed to an open position.

20. A drain shoe for sanitary ware, the drain shoe comprises: a pop-up plug, comprising a stem extending downwards into a hollow body defining a disposal channel between a drain hole of the sanitary ware and an outlet from the hollow body, wherein the pop-up plug is configured open and close the drain hole; and a housing, which houses a closure mechanism which is operable to control displacement of the pop-up plug by interaction with the stem, wherein the closure mechanism is operable to displace the pop-up plug relative to the drain hole between an open and a closed position, where the drain hole is open and closed respectively; the closure mechanism comprises a lock feature, which is operable to lock the pop-up plug in an open position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0042] FIG. 1a is a schematic representation of a drain shoe for a walk-in bath comprising a closure mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] FIG. 1b is a schematic representation of a secondary lever of a closure mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] FIG. 2a is a schematic representation of a pop-up plug and stem;

[0045] FIG. 2b; is a schematic representation of a primary lever of a closure mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an assembled lockable plug device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the lockable plug device comprises a pop-up plug in a closed position;

[0047] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an assembled lockable plug device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the lockable plug device comprises a pop-up plug in an open position.

DESCRIPTION

[0048] FIG. 1 illustrates a drain shoe 10 intended for use with a walk in bath, where high flow drainage is desirable. The drain shoe 10 includes a hollow body 11 which defines a channel between a drain port 12 and an outlet port 14. The drain port 12 is configured to connect the drain shoe 10 to the underside of a drain hole provided in a bath or the like (not illustrated).

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the drain port 12 includes a cross member 16, which includes a hole 18 in the centre. The hole 18 is configured to receive a stem 19 (see FIG. 2a) through it. The stem 19 is attached to and extends down from a pop-up plug 20 (see FIG. 2a) into the channel.

[0050] The hole 18 at the centre of the cross member 16 acts as a guide to ensure vertical translational movement of the stem 19 to raise and lower the pop-up plug 20.

[0051] In a raised position the pop-up plug 20 represents the open position, which allows water to exit the bath via the outlet 14. In the lowered position, the pop-up plug 20 adopts a closed position such that the bath can be filled with water. This will be discussed further below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0052] The moulded body 11 defines a channel from the drain port 12 to the outlet port 14 and a housing 28. The outlet port 14 facilitates removal of water from the bath to waste. The housing 28 houses a closure mechanism 30 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] In the illustrated embodiment the outlet port 14 includes a threaded end 26, which facilitates connection of the drain shoe 10 to a waste system (not illustrated).

[0054] In the illustrated example, the closure mechanism 30 comprises an arrangement of two levers 32, 34 which operate together to impart a load on the stem 19 such that the pop-plug 20 can be raised and lowered.

[0055] In the illustrated example, the secondary lever 32 is straight and comprises a J-shaped slot 36 at the upper end and a pivotal shaft 38 at the lower end. The J-shaped slot 36 includes a leg section 40 and a foot section 42 (see FIG. 1b), the function of which will be described further below in relation to the primary lever 34.

[0056] The pivotal shaft 38 extends into the channel which defines the outlet path from the drain port 12 to the outlet port 14.

[0057] A rod 46 is attached to the pivotal shaft 38. The rod 46 extends substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the pivotal shaft 38 and is located on the pivotal shaft 38 at a position, within the channel, that aligns with the stem 19 extending down from the pop-up plug 20.

[0058] The rod 46 is operable to raise and lower the pop-up plug 20 under the controlled operation of the levers 32, 34, where rotation of the secondary lever 32 causes rotation of the pivotal shaft 38 such that the rod 46 traces an arc, which causes the end of the rod 46 to contact the end of the stem 19 to raise or lower the pop-up plug 20.

[0059] In the illustrated example and with reference to FIG. 2b, the primary lever 34, the primary lever, is shaped similar to a boomerang, which includes a first arm section 48 and a second arm section 50 and a bend 52 at the junction of the two arms 48, 50. In the illustrated example, the first arm section 48 is longer than the second arm section 50.

[0060] The primary lever 34 includes a pivot point 54, which is coincident with the bend 52.

[0061] An upper end 56 of the primary lever 34 includes a pin 58 which, in use, extends in to the housing towards an outside wall of the channel. The pin 58 is received in the slot 36 at the upper end of the secondary lever 32 to engage the upper ends of the two levers 32, 34.

[0062] A lower end 60 of the primary lever 34 is attached to a cable or the like such that the operation of the levers 32, 34 can be controlled remotely, for example from a point within the bathtub under which the drain shoe 10 is installed.

[0063] It will be appreciated that, in use, the housing 28 will include a cover plate (not illustrated) to conceal the closure mechanism 30. The cover plate may be removable for maintenance or replacement of the closure mechanism 30.

[0064] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the operation of the closure mechanism 30. The operation of the closure mechanism is described further below with reference to the figures.

[0065] FIG. 3 illustrates the relative position of the primary lever 34 and the secondary lever 34 when the pop-up plug 20 is in the closed position. This will generally be the situation where the bathtub is full of water and when the pop-up plug 20 is subject to the greatest load acting on it. This represents the status of maximum resistance (effort) and therefore it will be appreciated that this also represents the situation that will require the maximum load to overcome the resistance; the resistance is due to the pressure on the pop-up plug 20 due to the weight of water acting on the plug 20.

[0066] The initial leverage L1 (pulling to the right as viewed in FIG. 3) required to lift the plug 20 to an open position will be the largest load required to operate the closure mechanism 30.

[0067] The effective length of the primary and secondary levers 32, 34 and the position of the pivot points 38, 54 relative to the load point 60, which is coincident with the lower end of the primary lever 34, delivers the maximum leverage required to raise the pop-up plug 20 to the open position.

[0068] To raise the pop-up plug 20, to an open position (as illustrated in FIG. 4), the pin 58 travels along the leg portion 40 of the J-shaped slot 36. The fully open position is reached when the pin 58 comes to rest in the toe section 43 (the toe section 43 acts as a stop) of the foot portion 42 of the J-shaped slot 36 (see FIGS. 1b, 3 and 4). This provides a locking function where the secondary lever 32 is locked substantially perpendicular to the axis of the first arm 48 on the primary lever 34.

[0069] In normal circumstances, a slight pressure applied on top of the plug 20 would be sufficient to move the plug 20 towards the closed position. This is not the case here, because applying a load (not excessive) on top of the plug 20 acts on the secondary lever 32 via the stem 19 pushing down on the rod 46 to create a clockwise rotation of the secondary lever 32. This action actually enhances the locking function by pushing the pin 58 further towards the toe section 43 of the slot 36. The locking function can only be overridden, via an excessive load being applied to the plug 20.

[0070] An excessive load is quantified as a load, which is greater than the load generated by water exiting the bath via the drain port. The override feature to safeguard the closure mechanism 30 is described further below.

[0071] In the illustrated example, the primary lever 34 is turned clockwise towards the closed position such that the pin 58 moves from the toe 43 and foot 42 sections of the slot 36 to the leg portion 40 of the slot 36; this releases the lock. When the pin 58 is located in the leg portion 40 of the slot 36, minimal force is required directly on the plug 20 or via the cable to lower and close the plug 30.

[0072] The locking function is designed to resist loads comparable to the pressure created due to water draining from the bath, through the drain shoe 10 to waste. As such, inadvertent closure of the plug is avoided whilst emptying the bathtub.

[0073] The secondary lever 32 includes a failsafe or override feature, which is operable to allow the plug 20 to close under excessive load conditions, but maintains control of the levers 32, 34 and maintains engagement of the upper ends of the primary lever 34 and the secondary lever 32.

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a triangular portion 62 is evident adjacent to the slot 36. In the illustrated example, the slot 36 is defined through the full thickness of the primary lever 34. The triangular portion 62 is partial thickness and defines a recess cut into the edge of the slot 36.

[0075] In the event that an excessive force is applied to the plug 20, for example the plug 20 is stood on, the primary lever 34 will be forced to move in a clockwise direction, but the foot portion 42 of the slot 36 will oppose the motion. As such, the lever 34 will flex and the pin 58 will be forced to jump from the path defined by the slot 36. The triangular portion or recess 62 provides a return track for the pin 58. The return track defines a path along which the pin 58 can travel to reach the top of the leg portion 40 of the slot 36. As described above, when the pin 58 is located at the top of the leg portion 40 this represents the plug 20 in a fully closed position. Therefore, the override facility provided by the recess 60 allows the plug 20 to close in a substantially controlled manner whilst resetting the closure mechanism 30 such that normal operation can resume.

[0076] The provision of a recess 60 allows the closure mechanism 30 to be reset in a controlled and contained manner without damage to the closure mechanism 30 or to the plug 20.

[0077] The arrangement and configuration of the primary lever 34 and the secondary lever 32 is such that the action of the primary lever 34 relative to secondary lever 32 provides varying leverage through the sweep of the levers 32, 34, where maximum leverage is achieved to dislodge the plug 20 from a closed position as described above with reference to FIG. 2.

[0078] As the pin 58 follows the leg portion 40 of the slot 36 (mid-range sweep) the leverage or force required to move the plug 20 is reduced with greater movement.

[0079] Whilst specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it will be appreciated that departures from the described embodiments may still fall within the scope of the present invention.