Abstract:
An improved drain actuates system that includes a cable to actuate a head or stopper of a drain. More specifically, one end of the cable is associated with the drain without additional moving parts and another end of the cable associated with an overflow cap of an overflow system wherein rotation of the overflow cap selectively moves the cable to move the head of the drain. The internal components associated with the overflow end of the cable that allow it to actuate the drain are fully accessible through the overflow port of the plumbing system.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/089,692 filed Aug. 18, 2008, the entire disclosure which is incorporated by reference herein. 
         [0002]    This application also is related to various applications and patents related to overflow systems associated with bathtubs or other basins. That is, this application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/593,724 filed Jun. 13, 2000, U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2004/0068793, filed Sep. 30, 2003, 2004/0117907, filed Dec. 10, 2003, 2004/0111797, filed Dec. 17, 2003, 2008/0235866, filed Mar. 28, 2008 and 2004/0103474 filed Nov. 25, 2003. In addition, this application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,411, filed Sep. 17, 2001, U.S. Pat. No. 6,675,406, filed Aug. 28, 2002, U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,050, filed Aug. 16, 2002, U.S. Pat. No. 7,127,752, filed Dec. 17, 2003 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,241, filed Feb. 4, 1998. The entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
         [0003]    This application is also related to various patents and patent publications related to drain systems for tubs and other basins. More specifically, U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2007/0039098, filed Aug. 19, 2005 and 2008/0047060, filed Aug. 22, 2006. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,745,931, filed Feb. 9, 1996, U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,368 filed May 21, 1997, U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,454, filed Mar. 4, 1999, U.S. Pat. No. 6,154,898, filed May 19, 1999, U.S. Pat. No. 6,317,906, filed Mar. 10, 1998, U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,459, filed May 26, 1999, U.S. Pat. No. 6,226,806, filed Aug. 2, 2000, U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,358, filed Feb. 6, 2001, U.S. Pat. No. 6,418,570, filed Apr. 4, 2001, U.S. Pat. No. 6,546,573, filed Jul. 17, 2002, U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,420, filed Dec. 3, 2002, U.S. Pat. No. 6,675,407, filed Nov. 8, 2002, U.S. Pat. No. 7,451,502, filed Aug. 23, 2005 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,503,083, filed Aug. 23, 2005, are also related to the inventions described herein. The entire disclosures of each of the prior art references listed above are incorporated by reference herein. 
         [0004]    This application is also related to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0196161, filed Apr. 10, 2008, which is related to a flexible waste water pipe, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to devices for facilitating the opening and closing of a stopper or other closure device associated with a drain of a bathtub or other fluid-holding basin. One embodiment of the present invention, specifically, employs a sheathed cable that is associated with a portion of the overflow assembly of a bathtub that actuates a stopper by adjusting a cap of the overflow assembly. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A number of cable and chain devices currently exist that allow for manipulation of drain position and in a bathtub, a washbasin, a hot tub, a baptismal, a Jacuzzi-type product, and other similar devices (hereinafter “tubs”). Drain manipulation and control devices that employ chains and cables suffer from problems posed by corrosion, chain tangling, and rigidity issues. These drawbacks of current devices are further compounded by the fact that they are generally inaccessible for repair. As these devices are typically located within the tub or surrounding structure, maintenance or repair thereof is complicated and costly. Typically, unless the original installer provided an access panel, costly removal, replacement, and repair of the stone, tile, or other material surrounding the drain is necessary. 
         [0007]    More specifically, attention is directed to U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,738 to Gebert (“Gebert”) and U.S. Pat. No. 2,059,120 to Kreuzer (“Kreuzer”) that disclose devices that employ a cable to selectively open and close the stopper associated with a drain assembly of a bathtub. More specifically, Kreuzer discloses a handle that is rotatably interconnected by a crank arm to a cable that is positioned within an overflow drain pipe. The overflow drainpipe is also associated with a primary drain system of a bathtub. The cable is also connected to a stud that is associated with a lever that actuates the closure mechanism of the drain. Upon rotation of the handle, the crank arm repositions one end of the cable, thereby rotating the lever to move the stopper out of a strainer body associated with a drain to allow fluid to flow into the primary drain pipe. One drawback of Kreuzer is that the cable is located on the inside of the drain pipe. The problem with this configuration is that the cable cannot be easily adjusted to accommodate overflow assemblies of various lengths. More specifically, manufacturers provide bathtubs of various dimensions. Providing a fixed length of cable as taught by Kreuzer does not allow length adjustment and, thus, may require modification by the installer. The adjustment generally required is in the range of about 6-8 inches but can be much greater. Yet another problem with Kreuzer is that turning of the handle is not efficiently transferred into movement that is needed to turn the lever. This deficiency is related to the fact that nothing is constraining or guiding the movement of the cable. Embodiments of the present invention, which will be described below, include a cable with a constrained cable that is positioned between an overflow elbow and a drain elbow, which eliminates “slop” and provides sufficient force to open the drain stopper. 
         [0008]    Similarly, Gebert discloses a system that includes a rotatable linkage associated with the overflow components of a bathtub that is also associated with a bower cable situated on the outside of the overflow drain pipe. Rotation of the linkage moves the cable within its sheath to selectively move closure components associated with the drain portion that move the stopper into and out of the strainer body of the bathtub. One drawback of Gebert is that it includes a bellows portion that does not meet building code requirements. In addition, Gebert mentions the prevention of cable twisting caused by a lever associated with the drain. It is thus undesirable to use such levers and complicated devices to actuate a drain by way of the cable. 
         [0009]    These examples of the prior art illustrate some of the deficiencies thereof. Namely, the drawbacks of the prior art include the need for complicated drain actuating mechanisms and they suffer from the inability to access all of the internal components of the drain opening system. More specifically, building codes often dictate that such cables and associated components must be accessible by plumbers after the bathtub is installed in order for the plumbers to affect needed repairs. In order to meet this standard, plumbers often must install panels to provide the needed access to the drain portion and the overflow portion of the drain. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the fabrication of these access panels is costly and complicated and may be unsightly. 
         [0010]    Thus, it is a long felt need in the art to provide a system that allows for selectively opening and closing a drain stopper of a bathtub without requiring access panels. The following specification describes a system and method that provides a drain actuation mechanism that allows enhanced access to all of the components thereof to facilitate repair without requiring the need of an access panel. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a drain system for use in a bathtub, a hot tub, a baptismal or a Jacuzzi (hereinafter “a bathtub”). Drain systems have two main branches, a primary drain system and an overflow system that are interconnected into a wastewater line. With reference to  FIG. 1 , bathtubs commonly employ an overflow port and a drain port. The overflow port is often associated with an overflow cap that hides an overflow pipe associated with the overflow port. The drain port is associated with a strainer body that interconnects to a drain pipe to the bottom portion of the bathtub. In operation, the drain is closed and the bathtub is fitted with water. The drain is usually manually blocked by a plug that maintains fluid in the bathtub. If the water level reaches the overflow port, some excess water will flow therethrough. These systems are well known and described in detail in the applications and patents referred to above. 
         [0012]    It is thus one aspect of the present invention to provide an overflow port having a rotatable cover or other mechanism that is associated with a cable that is also associated with the drain. More specifically, one embodiment employs an overflow cap that is rotated to selectively close or open the drain. Such a system is aesthetically pleasing as the components associated with drain operations are hidden from view and are thus different from drain systems of the prior art that employ a stopper with a chain, a knob or other flip type switch that is used to open or close the drain. The contemplated system is also desirable since it alleviates the need for one to place his or her hands within often dirty waste water to remove the plug, for example, to open the drain. This aspect of the present invention will be appreciated by those in the medical field, for example, where basins or sinks may additionally include dangerous materials. 
         [0013]    It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a drain system that does not require an access panel to reach the cable and associated components. It will be appreciated that such a system will reduce costs and complexity associated with a bathtub installation. That is, the need to accommodate the access panel or to repair stone, tile, or other similar materials associated with a bathtub are alleviated. The cable and associated components of one embodiment of the present invention may be repaired entirely from inside the bathtub by way of the overflow port. More specifically, to facilitate repairs the cover of the overflow system and/or drain is removed to reveal the inner workings of the drain actuating system, which can then be easily replaced. 
         [0014]    It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a system that can be pressure tested. As disclosed in various patents and issued publications listed above related to overflow assemblies, embodiments of the present invention include a mechanism to selectively obstruct flow of water through the overflow system. That is, it is often required or desirable to test a plumbing system by blocking overflow ports, drains and inlets to the basin by filling the plumbing system of a house with water or air to assess leakage of any of the components. In order to facilitate these tests, the overflow port, for example, is often plugged with a balloon or a cap. One embodiment of the present invention, however, includes a diaphragm that is associated with the overflow port. After all testing is completed, the thin diaphragm is removed and discarded. This type of diaphragm helps address complexities of pressure testing a plumbing system and thus reduces costs. 
         [0015]    It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a drain actuation mechanism that does not use and is devoid of complicated linkages mentioned in the prior art, for example. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention employ a cable that is associated on one end to the cap of an overflow drain and associated on a second end with a drain stopper. Thus, this embodiment of the present invention alleviates all linkages, levers, or the like associated with the drain portion of the plumbing system. In this configuration, the cable is also not necessarily held in place with respect to rotation and is free to twist, a feature not found in the systems of the prior art. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the cable could also be moved by flip levers, push-pull devices, etc., without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0016]    It is another aspect of the present invention to employ a cable that is made of plastic instead of a braided or solid metal cables. Preferably, such cables are lighter, more flexible and corrosion resistant than metal cables. 
         [0017]    It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide an overflow cap having a handle or knob associated therewith that facilitates rotation thereof. Such a device would be ideal to be used by individuals of limited dexterity, such as the elderly or handicapped. 
         [0018]    Thus, it is one aspect of the present invention to provide a system for controlling a drain valve that comprises an overflow conduit with a plate having an aperture therethrough. In one embodiment, a shaft is also included that is rotatably positioned within the aperture, the shaft further having an associated linkage. Such embodiment may also include a sheath that is associated with the overflow conduit and a drain conduit that received the cable. The cable has a first end and a second end wherein the first end is interconnected to the linkage such that rotation of the shaft moves the linkage and thus the first end of the cable from a first position to a second position along a generally arcuate path. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the cable may be associated with the shaft in other ways wherein the first end of the cable does not move along an arcuate path. The movement of the cable opens and closes a drain valve associated with the drain conduit. A cap may also be included that is rotatably associated with the overflow port and associated with said shaft such that rotation thereof moves the cable. 
         [0019]    It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a system of controlling a drain valve that is associated with an overflow conduit and a drain conduit. In certain embodiments a sheath is associated with the overflow conduit and the drain conduit that houses a cable. The cable has a first end associated with the overflow conduit and a second end associated with the drain conduit. In this embodiment, the first end is accessible by way of an opening in said overflow conduit and the second end is accessible by way of an opening in the drain conduit. 
         [0020]    The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present invention. Moreover, references made herein to “the present invention” or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the present invention and should not necessarily be construed as limiting all embodiments to a particular description. The present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description of the Invention and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary of the Invention. Additional aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the Detail Description, particularly when taken together with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    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. 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of a bathtub assembly showing the overflow port and a drain port. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of an overflow assembly of one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is partial rear perspective view of a drain assembly of one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a partial front elevation view of the drain system of one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a right elevation view of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the overflow assembly shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the drain assembly shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of an overflow assembly employing a diaphragm; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a front elevation view of an overflow assembly employing a diaphragm after removal thereof; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is a front elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0032]    To assist in the understanding of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 # 
                 Components 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 2 
                 Bathtub 
               
               
                 6 
                 Overflow port 
               
               
                 10 
                 Drain port 
               
               
                 14 
                 Water inlet 
               
               
                 18 
                 Knob 
               
               
                 20 
                 Overflow assembly 
               
               
                 22 
                 Overflow pipe 
               
               
                 24 
                 Drain assembly 
               
               
                 26 
                 Drain pipe 
               
               
                 30 
                 Overflow cap 
               
               
                 34 
                 Cable 
               
               
                 38 
                 Sheath 
               
               
                 42 
                 Post 
               
               
                 46 
                 Head 
               
               
                 50 
                 Overflow elbow 
               
               
                 54 
                 Overflow flange 
               
               
                 58 
                 Knob 
               
               
                 62 
                 Boss 
               
               
                 66 
                 Drain elbow 
               
               
                 70 
                 Drain flange 
               
               
                 74 
                 Seal 
               
               
                 78 
                 Strainer 
               
               
                 82 
                 Strainer flange 
               
               
                 86 
                 Boss 
               
               
                 90 
                 Threaded member 
               
               
                 94 
                 Seal 
               
               
                 98 
                 Nut 
               
               
                 102 
                 Plate 
               
               
                 106 
                 Shaft 
               
               
                 110 
                 Tapped hole 
               
               
                 114 
                 Screw 
               
               
                 118 
                 Fitting 
               
               
                 120 
                 Hub 
               
               
                 122 
                 Linkage 
               
               
                 124 
                 Tapped hole 
               
               
                 126 
                 Diaphragm 
               
               
                 130 
                 Shaft 
               
               
                 134 
                 Bolt 
               
               
                 134 
                 Sidewall 
               
               
                 138 
                 Seal 
               
               
                 142 
                 Hub 
               
               
                 146 
                 Spring 
               
               
                 150 
                 Solenoid motor 
               
               
                 154 
                 Magnet 
               
               
                 158 
                 Primary drain 
               
               
                 162 
                 Tee 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0033]    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 
       [0034]      FIG. 1  shows a bathtub  2  having an overflow port  6  and a drain port  10 . The bathtub  2  is filled with water by way of a water inlet  14  where a knob  18  is rotated. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2-7 , one embodiment of the present invention is shown that employs an overflow assembly  20  with an overflow pipe  22  and a drain assembly  24  with a drain pipe  26 . The overflow pipe  22  includes a rotatable overflow cap  30  that is associated with a cable  34  situated in a sheath  38 . The cable  34  is also associated with a post  42  of the drain assembly  24  wherein selective rotation of the cap  30  moves a head  46  of the drain assembly  24  from a first position of use to a second position of use. 
         [0036]    Referring now specifically to  FIG. 2 , the overflow assembly  20  is shown that is comprised of an overflow elbow  50  interconnected to the overflow pipe  22 . The overflow elbow  50  also includes a flange  54  that is spaced from the overflow cap  30 . The overflow cap  30  may also include a knob  58  positioned thereon that facilitates rotation of the cap  30  as well. The overflow elbow  50  also includes a boss  62  that is interconnected to the sheath  38  that slidingly houses the cable  34  therein. 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the drain assembly  24  of one embodiments of the present invention is shown that includes a drain elbow  66  that is associated with a drain flange  70  on one end and a drain pipe on the other end (not shown). Embodiments of the present invention also include a seal  74  that is associated with the drain flange  70  and a strainer  78  that includes a strainer flange  82  that is spaced from the seal  74 . In operation, the strainer flange  82  and seal  74  cooperate to tightly engage the drain port of the bathtub. The drain assembly  24  includes the post  42  that is associated with the drain elbow  66  that has a head  46  that selectively moves away from the strainer flange  82  to allow water through the drain elbow  66  or against the strainer flange  82  to prevent water drainage through the drain assembly  24 . The drain assembly  24  also includes a boss  86  that receives the sheath  38  that holds the cable  34 . 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4-7 , the assembly of one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Here, the overflow assembly  20  is associated with the drain assembly  24  via the overflow pipe  22  and the drain pipe  26 . That is, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the overflow pipe  22  meets the drain pipe  26  at a tee connection that is also interconnected to a primary drain of a dwelling, the tee and the primary drain are not shown for clarity. The overflow assembly  22  also includes a threaded member  90  and a seal  94 . The threaded member  90  is adapted to be placed within the overflow port of the bathtub wherein a nut  98  is interconnected thereto and used in conjunction with the seal  94  and overflow flange  54  to firmly attach the overflow assembly  20  to the bathtub. The cap  34  is then rotatably interconnected to the nut  98  and associated with the cable  34  residing within the sheath  38 . Again, as discussed above, the drain assembly  24  includes the flange  70  and associated seal  74  that cooperates with the flange  82  of a strainer  78  to firmly secure the drain assembly  24  to the bottom portion of a bathtub. 
         [0039]    Referring now specifically to  FIG. 6 , one embodiment of the present invention is shown. It is appreciated that the overflow assembly  20  also includes a plate  102  that is situated within the overflow elbow  50 . The plate  102  rotatably receives a shaft  106  that has a tapped hole  110  on one end for receiving a screw  114  that receives a fitting  118  and secures the fitting  118  to the shaft  106 . The fitting  118  may be provided in various lengths or a shim may be used in conjunction with the fitting  118  to create sufficient spacing that allow fluid flow. The shaft  106  is also rotatably interconnected to a hub  120 . The fitting 118 is a swage fitted to the overflow cap  30 , such that rotation of the cap  30  will rotate the shaft  106 . The shaft  106  includes a linkage  122 , i.e., clevis that is rotatably associated with the cable  34  such that the rotation of the shaft  106  will move one end of the cable  34  therearound which pulls the cable  34  relative to the sheath  38 . The plate  102  may be secured to the inner portions of the overflow assembly via fasteners (not shown) that engage tapped holes  124  integrated into the overflow port.  FIG. 6  also shows that the threaded portion  90  of the overflow elbow  50  may be capped with a thin diaphragm  126 , which will be described in further detail below. 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the drain assembly  24  of one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The drain assembly  24  includes a shaft  130  that is slidingly associated with the post  42  and preferably is hollow and provides a location of a bolt  134 . The end of the cable  34  resides within the shaft  130  and contacts the end of the post  42  or the bolt  134  as shown. In operation, the bolt  134  may be used to selectively lengthen or shorten the length of the post  42  to allow for a minute adjustment of the closing operation of the cable  34 . The head  46  of the drain assembly  24  may also include a sidewall  134  that receives a seal  138  to facilitate the blocking of the strainer  78 . The shaft  130  is threadingly engaged, slidingly engaged or interference fit onto a hub  142  of the strainer  78 . 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , one embodiment of the present invention is shown that allows for selective testing of the plumbing system is shown. Here, the overflow assembly  20  includes a thin diagram  126  associated with an end thereof, a threaded portion  90 , for example. As such, fluids are prevented from passing through the overflow assembly  20 . After testing is completed, that portion of the overflow assembly is removed to allow water through the overflow assembly  20 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 9  shows the linkage  122  that is associated with the shaft  106 . The overflow assembly  20  may also include a spring  146 , such as a leaf spring, that is associated with the inner portion of the overflow assembly  124 . The spring  146  reacts loads from the linkage  122  if the device is turned too far and facilitates the return of the linkage  122  to its first position of use and thus the cable  34  to its first position of use, which aids in moving the head of the drain assembly. The spring of some embodiments of the present invention may be integrated, i.e. molded, directly into the plate  102 . One of skill in the art will appreciate that the spring, or other biasing device, may not be required wherein the cable/sheath combination may possess sufficient frictional interaction to provide the contemplated recoil. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 6 and 9  also illustrate to one skilled in the art in that the components of the system are readily accessible and easily replaced. That is, all of the components associated with moving the linkage  122  and the cable  34  may be replaced by removing the cover and/or diaphragm  126  of the overflow assembly. For example, the screw  114  may be removed to gain access to the plate  102  and the linkage  122  and associated shaft  106 . The cable  34 , which is rotatably associated with one end of the linkage  122 , may also be removed from the sheath  38  and replaced. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the other end of the cable  34  would then be abutted against the bolt  134  of the drain assembly  24 . Adjusting the location of the bolt  134  situated within the post  42  (i.e., by tightening or by loosening) will affect the interplay between the cable  34  and the head  46 . 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown. Here, a solenoid motor  150  is employed that is associated with one end of the cable  34 . In operation, one would depress a button or twist a knob, for example, to activate the solenoid  150  by creating a magnetic field that would pull magnetic portion  154  of the cable  34 . By pulling or pushing such magnet  154 , the cable  34  situated within the sheath  38  moves relative thereto to actuate the drain system of the plumbing system. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the solenoid motor can be placed anywhere within the plumbing system as long as access thereto is provided without an access panel. 
         [0045]    The embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein may be incorporated with the inventions described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,745,931, entitled “Method and Means for Covering the Flange of a Waste Water Strainer”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,368, entitled “Waste Water Valves For Bathtubs and the Like”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,241, entitled “Method and Means for Installing Overflow Outlets to Bathtubs and the Like U.S. Pat. No. 6,066,119, entitled “Waste Water Strainer and Valve U.S. Pat. No. 6,138,298, entitled “Clip on Fluid Overflow Plate for Bathtubs U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,454, entitled “A Solenoid Control for a Bathtub Waste Water Drain U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,459, entitled “A Control For a Bathtub Waste Water Drain U.S. Pat. No. 6,226,806, entitled “Waste Water Strainer and the Like U.S. Pat. No. 6,317,906, entitled “Strainer Assembly for Bathtub Drains and the Like U.S. Pat. No. 6,418,570, entitled “Drain Closure U.S. Pat. No. 6,546,573, entitled “Drain Cover Assembly U.S. Pat. No. 6,631,623, entitled “Condensate Drain Attachments and Method of Use Thereof U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,050, entitled “Overflow Assembly for Bathtubs and the Like U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,358, entitled “Strainer Assembly for Bathtub Drains and the Like U.S. Pat. No. 6,675,406, entitled “Overflow Assembly for Bathtubs and the Like U.S. Pat. No. 6,675,407, entitled “Solenoid Activated Bathtub Drain Closure U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,420, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Installing a Bathtub Assembly U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,411, entitled “Method of Installing a Waste Water Drain Assembly for a Bathtub U.S. Pat. No. 7,127,752, entitled “Overflow Assembly for Bathtubs and The Like U.S. Pat. No. 7,451,502, entitled “Bath Drain Closure Assembly U.S. Pat. No. 7,503,083, entitled U.S. Pat. “Means for Covering the Flange of a Waste Water Strainer” 2004-0103474, entitled “Cap for Sealing a Bathtub Overflow Port for Testing Purposes 2004-0117907, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Assembling and Sealing Bathtub Overflow and Waste Water Ports 2007-0130689, entitled “Tub Box and Method of Using Same 2008-0047060, entitled “Control for a Bathtub Waste Water Drain 2007-0039098, entitled “Bath Drain Closure Assembly 2008-0196161, entitled U.S. CIP Pat. “Flexible Bathtub Waste Pipe Assembly for Bathtubs and the Like” 2008-0235866, entitled “U.S. CIP Pat. “Overflow Assembly for Bathtubs and the Like” 
         [0046]    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. Moreover, references made herein to “the present invention” or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the present invention and should not necessarily be construed as limiting all embodiments to a particular description. However, 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.