Drain extractor tool

A device for removing a drain in a basin comprises a pair of legs in parallel spaced relation and on either side of a rotational axis, a bridging member interconnecting the legs which are movably supported thereon, and a coupling member carried on the bridging member and configured for connecting to a rotary hand tool. The legs comprise end portions configured for insertion into the drain, and the end portions comprise outer sides configured to engage an inside wall of the drain. Stabilizers are affixed to the legs and extending outwardly therefrom in opposite directions and configured to rest on a surface interior to the basin when the end portions of the legs are inserted into the drain. A biasing member is carried between the legs and configured to urge them laterally apart to locate the outer sides of the end portions into butting engagement with the inside wall of the drain.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an adaptive tool that enables a user to extract a drain from a basin.

BACKGROUND

The proper tool for a specific use can produce a higher quality job, save time and money, provide for the increased safety of the worker, and reduce damage to equipment. Plumbing is a specialized field in which very specific tools perform very specific tasks that would otherwise be almost impossible to perform. A task that is commonly performed in many types of plumbing repairs is the removal of a drain flange from basins of tubs, sinks, showers, and the like. Often times, through either use of another tool to remove the drain, or other incidental damage over time, the center nut of these drains is broken, thereby making the removal much more difficult or impossible with conventional tools. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which drain flanges from tubs, sinks, showers, and the like can be easily removed without the disadvantages of current methods.

Typically, a liquid-receiving basin has a drain opening for gravitationally releasing liquid from the basin, and there is a drain pipe registered with the drain opening and extending therefrom to guide the liquid away from the basin. The drain, which fluidically interconnects the basin and the drain pipe, comprises a tubular portion configured for inserting into the drain pipe and having a smooth interior wall and a threaded outer wall for threadably connecting to an inside of the drain pipe. The drain further includes a rim portion which forms an annular flange at one end of the tubular portion to bridge and close an annular gap between the drain pipe and the drain opening. Typically, the drain also includes a plug which is supported on a threaded shaft coaxially of the drain's tubular portion on criss-crossing members spanning transversely of the tubular portion. These criss-crossing members are not constructed of a suitable quality to resist a rotational force applied thereto to threadably remove the drain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a device for removing a drain mounted in a basin, comprising:a pair of legs each extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, wherein the legs are substantially parallel to one another and laterally spaced-apart to be located on either side of a central rotational axis;a bridging member oriented crosswise to the rotational axis and extending in a lateral direction to interconnect the legs;wherein each of the legs is movably supported on the bridging member at a location thereon spaced from the second end, so as to be movable relative thereto and to one another in the lateral direction;a coupling member carried on the bridging member at a location registered with the rotational axis and configured for connecting to a rotary hand tool;wherein the legs comprise end portions defining the second ends thereof and configured for insertion into the drain;wherein the end portions comprise outer sides each facing away from an opposite one of the legs and configured to engage an inside wall of the drain;a plurality of stabilizers attached in fixed relation to the legs and extending outwardly therefrom in opposite directions crosswise to the longitudinal and lateral directions, wherein the stabilizers are configured to rest on a surface interior to the basin when the end portions of the legs are inserted into the drain; anda biasing member carried between the legs and configured to urge the legs laterally apart to locate the outer sides of the end portions of the legs into butting engagement with the inside wall of the drain.

This arrangement provides a relatively simple tool for removing or extracting a drain by engaging an inside wall thereof.

Preferably, the legs are slidably movably supported on the bridging member.

In the illustrated arrangement, the bridging member has a polygonal cross-section and each of the legs has an opening sized and shaped to matingly receive the bridging member such that relative rotation between the leg and the bridging member is resisted.

For example, the bridging member has a rectangular-shaped cross-section.

Preferably, the end portions of the legs comprise a plurality of spaced-apart longitudinally-extending ridges configured for gripping the inside wall of the drain.

Preferably, the stabilizers comprise a pair of the stabilizers on each of the legs and projecting in opposite directions therefrom.

In the illustrated arrangement, the biasing member is threadably carried on a first one of the legs for movement relative thereto in the lateral direction to selectively engage an opposite one of the legs.

In such an arrangement, the opposite leg comprises a recess on an inner side thereof facing the first leg and arranged to snugly receive an end of the biasing member to resist relative movement when the biasing member is selectively engaged with the opposite leg.

In the illustrated arrangement, each of the outer sides of the end portions of the legs is convexly rounded between opposite sides of the leg which span between the first and second ends thereof.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a drain extracting tool, comprising:a first leg, having:a first leg first end and a first leg second end;a first grip located at said first leg second end thereof; a first guide located superjacent said first grip;a pair of first flanges, extending perpendicularly away from said first leg second end; and,a bore located on a first leg first side thereof, superjacent to said first guide;a second leg, having:a second leg first end and a second leg second end;a second grip located at said second leg second end thereof;a second guide located superjacent said second grip;a pair of second flanges, extending perpendicularly away from said second leg second end; and,an aperture located superjacent to said second guide and vertically aligned with said bore;a bridge, wherein said first leg first end and said second leg first end travel thereabout;a first bolt removably attached to said aperture; and,a second bolt affixed to a center of a top surface of said bridge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now toFIGS.1-8, various views of the drain extractor tool10, are herein illustrated. The tool10(as it is described hereafter) includes a hardened steel assembly of disparate parts and preferably coated with a powder coating to provide added protection, resiliency, and waterproof properties. The overall size of the tool10is preferably six inches (6 in.) in height and 3 inches (3 in.) in width.

The tool10includes a first leg11and a second leg12, each coextensive with each other in length, width, and thickness. The first leg11and second leg12are planar elements each with a first end and a second end. The second ends of each leg11,12terminate in a semicircular shape. A bridge25spans the distance between the first leg11and second leg12at the first ends thereof. The bridge25enables the first ends of the first leg11and second leg12to travel thereon. Attached to a center top surface of the bridge25is a second bolt30. The second bolt30includes a second bolt head31capable of receiving a driving tool and a second bolt washer34. In a preferred embodiment, the second bolt30is affixed to the bridge25.

Located at the second end of the first leg11is a first grip17that is capable of providing a solid and non-slip grip to a side portion of a drain. Similarly, located at the second end of the second leg12is a second grip18, capable of functioning in a similar manner as the first grip17. The first grip17and second grip18are fashioned as a barbed surface to facilitate a non-slipping grip. Located immediately superjacent to the first grip17is a first guide15. The first guide15is located on an inner side (i.e., the side facing the second leg12) and has a width coextensive with the width of the first leg11. In certain embodiments, the first guide15is formed with the first leg11. The first guide15has a rounded leading edge such that the cross-section thereof is semicircular. Similarly located immediately superjacent to the second grip18is a second guide16. The second guide16is located on an inner side (i.e., the side facing the first leg11) and has a width coextensive with the width of the second leg12. In certain embodiments, the second guide16is formed with the second leg12. The second guide16has a rounded leading edge such that the cross-section thereof is semicircular. The first guide15and second guide16provide smooth transitioning of travel when the tool10is inserted into the drain and is able to contact the surface of the drain and help direct the abutment force of the tool10with the grips17,18onto the drain.

Extending perpendicularly away from the sides of the second end of the first leg11, roughly at the same vertical alignment as the first guide15are a pair of first flanges13. Similarly provided, the tool10also includes a pair of second flanges18, extending perpendicularly away from the sides of the second end of the second leg12, and also roughly at the same vertical alignment as the first guide15are a pair of first flanges13. The pair of first flanges13and the pair of second flanges14provide a downward limit of travel of the tool10(particularly the first grip17and second grip18) when installing in the drain to remove the drain nut. The pair of first flanges13and pair of second flanges14are adapted to rest on top of the bottom surface of the basin adjacent to the drain and/or rest on top of the drain nut that us to be removed.

A first bolt20is removably attached to an aperture19bof the second leg12. The aperture19bis located superjacent to the second guide16. The first bolt20includes a first bolt head21capable of receiving a driving tool, a first bolt shaft22extending away from the first bolt head21and capable of interacting with the aperture19b, and a first washer24located on a side of the second leg12not facing the first leg11and not capable of passing through the aperture19b. The driving tool is capable of driving the first bolt shaft22towards or away from the first leg11as the first bolt shaft22engages the aperture19b. Located on the first leg11and vertically aligned with the aperture19bis a bore19a. The bore19areceives the distal end of the first bolt shaft22. The first leg11may move along the bridge25when the first bolt20contacts the bore19aof the first leg11to motion the first leg11relative to the second leg12to a desired position. A nut23is removably attached to the first bolt shaft22on the opposing side of the second leg12from the first washer24(i.e., the side facing the first leg11) and is capable of securing the desired position of the second leg12relative to the first leg11.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. It is envisioned that the device10would be constructed in general accordance withFIG.1throughFIG.8. The user would procure the device10from conventional procurement channels such as discount stores, hardware stores, plumbing supply stores, mail order and internet supply houses and the like.

Upon use, the first grip17and second grip18of the tool10is placed on top of the drain nut and forced downward until a natural stop occurs or until the pair of first flanges13and second pair of flanges14contact the inner surface of the bottom of the basin. The first bolt20is then mechanically motioned towards the bore19aof the first leg11until a firm and secure contact of the tool10against the drain nut is accomplished by driving the first leg11thereagainst. This can be accomplished with a driving tool such as a wrench on the first bolt head21. The nut23can then be motioned towards the second leg12in order to secure this positioning of the tool10. Either the same or a new wrench can then contact the second bolt head31and mechanically motion the entire tool10and gripped drain nut in a rotating motion until the drain nut is broken free from the drain of the basin. If the tool10slips away from the drain nut or if the tool10rotates and the drain nut does not, the tool10can easily be repositioned according to the aforementioned steps. The pair of first flanges13and pair of second flanges14aid in protecting the surface of the basin from marring or scratches.

As described hereinbefore, the present invention relates to a device for removing a drain mounted in a basin. Generally speaking, and with reference toFIGS.9-11, a liquid-receiving basin100(schematically shown) has a bottom wall102and a peripheral wall103standing upwardly therefrom. The bottom and peripheral walls102,103collectively define a volume for containing liquid. A drain opening105is located in the bottom wall102, usually at a lowest point or elevation thereof, for gravitationally releasing liquid from the basin. An open upper end107A of a drain pipe107(schematically shown) is registered with the drain opening105for fluidic communication with the basin's interior volume. The drain pipe107extends from the drain opening105to gravitationally guide the liquid away from the basin.

A drain110(schematically shown), which fluidically interconnects the basin100and the drain pipe107, comprises a tubular portion112extending axially, along a central axis A, from a first open114A end to a second open end114B and configured for inserting into the drain pipe107. Typically, the tubular portion112is substantially circular cylindrical in shape and has a smooth interior wall117and a threaded outer wall118for threadably connecting to an inside of the drain pipe107, that is an inner wall107B thereof, which is also threaded, at least in proximity to the open end107A.

The drain110further includes a rim portion120which forms an annular flange at one end of the tubular portion, in this case that indicated at114A, to bridge and close an annular gap121between the drain pipe107and the drain opening105. Typically, the drain110also includes a plug (not shown) which is supported on a threaded shaft coaxially of the drain's tubular portion on criss-crossing members spanning transversely of the tubular portion.

Turning now to the device10, and with reference toFIGS.1-8, the device10comprises a pair of legs11,12each extending longitudinally from a first end11A,12A to a second end11B,12B. As more clearly shown inFIGS.3and4, the legs11,12are substantially parallel to one another and laterally spaced-apart to be located on either side of a central rotational axis R.

It will be appreciated that, in the illustrated arrangement, the legs are linear elements in that they extend along a linear path between their opposite ends.

The device10further includes a bridging member25oriented crosswise to the rotational axis R and extending in a lateral direction to interconnect the legs11,12.

For purposes of insertion into the drain110, each of the legs11,12is movably supported on the bridging member25at a location thereon spaced from the second end11B or12B, so as to be movable relative thereto and to one another in the lateral direction. In the illustrated arrangement, the legs11,12are slidably movably supported on the bridging member.

Despite the movability of the legs along the bridge25, the bridging member has a polygonal cross-section and each of the legs has an opening40,41sized and shaped to matingly receive the bridging member25such that relative rotation between the leg and the bridging member is resisted. For example, the bridging member has a rectangular-shaped cross-section, as in the illustrated arrangement.

To facilitate rotation of the device, a coupling member30is carried on the bridging member25at a location registered with the rotational axis R and configured for connecting to a rotary hand tool, for example a screw driver or a ratchet.

The legs11,12comprise end portions, which are indicated at17and18, defining the second ends11B,12B thereof and configured for insertion into the drain. The end portions17,18comprise outer sides17A,18A each facing away from an opposite one of the legs and configured to engage the inside wall107B of the drain110. In the illustrated arrangement, each of the outer sides17A,18A of the end portions of the legs is convexly rounded between opposite sides of the leg11C,12C which span between the first and second ends11A/11B and12A/12B.

The device10further includes a plurality of stabilizers13,14attached in fixed relation to the legs11,12and extending outwardly therefrom in opposite directions crosswise to the longitudinal and lateral directions. The stabilizers13,14are configured to rest on a surface interior to the basin100when the end portions17,18of the legs are inserted into the drain110. For example, bottoms or undersides of the stabilizers, in proximal relation to the leg second ends11B,12B, are rested against an upper surface120A of the rim portion of the drain encompassing the drain opening114A, as represented by stippled line inFIG.3andFIG.7. Thus, the legs11,12can be maintained in substantially parallel orientation to the axis A of the drain. In the illustrated arrangement, there are a pair of the stabilizers13,14on each of the legs and projecting in opposite directions therefrom.

Furthermore, the device10includes a biasing member20carried between the legs11,12and configured to urge the legs laterally apart to locate the outer sides17A,18A of the end portions of the legs into butting engagement with the inside wall107B of the drain. In the illustrated arrangement, the biasing member20is threadably carried on a first one of the legs, in this case that at12, for movement relative thereto in the lateral direction to selectively engage an opposite one of the legs, in this case that at11. Furthermore, in the illustrated arrangement, the opposite leg11comprises a recess19A on an inner side thereof facing the first leg12and arranged to snugly receive an end of the biasing member20to resist relative movement when the biasing member is selectively engaged with the opposite leg.

To improve engagement between the outer sides17A,18A of the end portions with the drain, the interior wall117of which is smooth, the end portions17,18of the legs comprise a plurality of spaced-apart longitudinally-extending ridges50configured for gripping the inside wall of the drain.

In yet other words, the present invention relates to a device for removing a drain in a basin, which comprises a pair of legs in parallel spaced relation on either side of a rotational axis, a bridging member interconnecting the legs which are movably supported thereon, and a coupling member carried on the bridging member and configured for connecting to a rotary hand tool. The legs comprise end portions configured for insertion into the drain, and the end portions comprise outer sides configured to engage an inside wall of the drain. Stabilizers are affixed to the legs and extending outwardly therefrom in opposite directions and configured to rest on a surface interior to the basin when the end portions of the legs are inserted into the drain. A biasing member is carried between the legs and configured to urge them laterally apart to locate the outer sides of the end portions into butting engagement with the inside wall of the drain.

This arrangement provides a relatively simple tool for removing or extracting a drain by engaging an inside wall thereof.