Ligature resistant floor drain and grate

A strainer for a ligature resistant floor drain and a ligature resistant floor drain incorporating a strainer. The strainer includes a top plate with two sets of openings forming rings. A cylindrical extension extends from the top plate at a location between the rings. Also provided are two series of webs, each web of which is located between an adjacent pair of openings in one of the rings. Optionally, a strainer plate is attached to the cylindrical extension and extends at least one of radially inward and outward relative from the cylindrical extension. The floor drain further includes a strainer frame having a receptacle into which the strainer is received.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to floor drains, such as a floor drain intended to be installed in a concrete floor. More specifically, the invention relates to a floor drain, and a grate for a floor drain, that is resistant to the attachment of a ligature device.

2. Description of Related Art

Floor drains are installed in buildings so that liquid, usually water, received on the floor is quickly and easily drained off of the floor, preventing both people from slipping on the floor and damage to the floor or other structural aspects of the installation site. Since the floor drain of the present type are typically installed in poured concrete floors, the floor drain are precisely located and aligned with the finished grade so as to ensure proper operation of the floor drain and to not pose a tripping hazard. Floor drains of this variety are found in numerous types of installation sites including, without limitation, the kitchens, restrooms, showers, locker rooms, patios, etc. of various types of institutions, including, again without limitation, schools, restaurants, hotels, hospitals, correctional facilities and mental health institutions.

Correctional facilities and mental health institutions have additional concerns in that there may residents at these facilities and institutions with suicidal tendencies. Recent statistics show that, annually, there are approximately 1800 in-patient suicides at mental health institutions, and that 75% of these suicides occur in the patient's bathroom, bedroom or closet. One method that patients contemplating suicide commonly consider or use involves the fastening a ligature to an object in the room. These objects might take many different forms, including a floor drain.

Typically, floor drains typically have a grate with a series of openings, generally holes or slots, to allow for the inflow of water. These openings can be used to attach a ligature (such as a string, cord, rope or wire) by looping the ligature through one opening, under the bridge or web between an adjacent opening, and back up and out of the adjacent opening. Once tied an anchor or ligature point is created.

While it may be impossible to completely eliminate the possibility of a patient suicide using a ligature, mental health and other institutions are desirous of incorporating structures within their facilities that discourage the formation of a ligature point. Such structures are typically referred to as ligature resistant structures.

SUMMARY

In satisfying the above, as well as overcoming various drawbacks and limitations in the art, in one aspect of the present invention, a strainer for a ligature resistant floor drain is provided. In a related aspect, a ligature resistant floor drain is provided and incorporates a strainer.

Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention provides a strainer for a ligature resistant floor drain in which a top plate includes portions defining a plurality of openings extending through the top plate. The openings including a first set of openings defining a first ring of openings and a second set of openings defining a second ring of openings, wherein the second ring of openings is located about the first ring of openings. The rings may be concentric. Extending from the top plate, a location between the first and second rings of openings, is a cylindrical extension that defines a longitudinal axis. A first web extends from the top plate between adjacent pairs of openings in the first ring of openings, and a second web extends from the top plate between adjacent pairs of openings in the second ring of openings.

In another aspect the invention provides a strainer for a ligature resistant floor drain in which the strainer includes a top plate having portions defining a plurality of openings that include a first set of openings defining an inner ring of openings and a second set of openings defining an outer ring of openings located about of the inner ring of openings. A cylindrical extension, which defines a central axis, extends from the top plate at a location between the inner and outer rings and separates the inner ring of openings from the outer ring of openings. A plurality of inner webs extends radially inward relative to the cylindrical extension and each of inner webs is located between an adjacent pair of openings of the inner ring thereby separating that adjacent pair of openings from one another. Additionally, a plurality of outer webs extends radially outward relative to the cylindrical extension. Each of the outer webs is located between an adjacent pair of openings of the outer ring of openings, thereby separating the adjacent pair of openings from one another in a manner similar to the inner webs and openings of the inner ring.

In another aspect, the cylindrical extension and adjacent ones of the inner webs cooperatively define an enclosing wall about one of the openings of the inner ring.

In a further aspect, each of the inner webs extends inwardly to a distal end thereof, the distal end of each of the inner webs being connected to the distal end of the inner web located adjacent thereto.

In an additional aspect, the distal ends of the inner webs are connected by a wall portion extending axially from the top plate.

In yet another aspect, the wall portion is defined by a second cylindrical extension extending from the top plate.

In a further aspect, each of the outer webs extends outwardly to a distal end thereof, the distal ends of each of the outer webs being connected to the distal end of the outer web located adjacent thereto.

In an additional aspect, the cylindrical extension and adjacent ones of the outer webs cooperatively define an enclosing wall about one of the openings of the outer ring.

In still another aspect, the distal ends of the outer webs are connected by a wall portion extending axially from the top plate.

In yet a further aspect, the wall portion is defined by a third cylindrical wall extending from the top plate.

In an additional aspect, a strainer plate is coupled to the cylindrical extension and extending parallel to the top plate.

In another aspect, the strainer plate is an annular ring, the annular ring extending at least one of inwardly and outwardly from the cylindrical extension.

In a further aspect, the first set of openings are radially offset from the second set of openings and the inner webs are radially offset from the outer webs.

In yet an additional aspect, the top plate, the cylindrical extension, the inner webs and the outer webs are of a unitarily construction.

In an additional aspect, the strainer is mounted to a strainer frame. The strainer frame includes portions defining a receptacle and the strainer is received in the receptacle. The strainer frame further including an outlet that is in fluid communication with both of the first and second sets of openings.

In another aspect, the invention provides a ligature resistant floor drain including a strainer and a strainer frame. The strainer includes a top plate having portions defining a plurality of openings extending through the top plate, the plurality of openings including a first set of openings defining an inner ring of openings and a second set of openings defining an outer ring of openings. The outer ring of openings is located radially outward of the inner set of openings. A first cylindrical extension extends from the top plate at a location between the inner ring of openings and the outer ring of openings and separates the inner ring of openings from the outer ring of openings. The first cylindrical extension also defines the central axis of the floor drain. A second cylindrical extension extends from the top plate at a location radially inward of the inner ring of openings, and a third cylindrical extension extends from the top plate at a location radially outward of the outer ring of openings. A plurality of inner webs extends between the first cylindrical extension and the second cylindrical extension. Each of the inner webs is located between an adjacent pair of openings of the inner ring of openings and separates the adjacent pair of openings from one another. A plurality of outer webs extends between the first the cylindrical extension and the third cylindrical extension. Each of the outer webs is located between an adjacent pair of openings of the outer ring of openings and separates the adjacent pair of openings from one another. The strainer is mounted to a strainer frame in a receptacle defined in the strainer frame. The strainer frame further including portions defining an outlet, and the outlet is in fluid communication with both of the first and second sets of openings.

In a further aspect, the first cylindrical extension has an axial length greater than an axial length of at least one of the second and third cylindrical extensions.

In an additional aspect, a strainer plate is mounted to the first cylindrical extension and extends substantially parallel to the top plate, the strainer plate extends at least one of radially inward and radially outward from the first cylindrical extension.

In still another aspect, the strainer plate is in the form of an annular ring having portions defining an inner aperture and portions defining an outer perimeter.

In yet a further aspect, the inner aperture defines a diameter that is less than an inner diameter defined by the first cylindrical extension.

In an additional aspect, the inner aperture defines a diameter that is less than an outer diameter defined by the second cylindrical extension.

In yet another aspect, the inner aperture defines a diameter that is greater than an outer diameter defined by the first cylindrical extension.

In still a further aspect, the outer perimeter defines a diameter that is less than an inner diameter defined by the third cylindrical extension.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will become readily apparent to persons skilled in the art after review of the following description, including the claim, with reference to the drawings that are appended to and form a part of this specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used in the description that follows, directional terms such as “upper” and “lower” are used with reference to the orientation of the features and elements of the floor drain, as represented by the installed position and as generally shown in the figures. Accordingly, “upper” indicates a direction toward the top of the figure or toward the exposed portion of the installed floor drain and “lower” indicates a direction toward the bottom of the figure or toward the non-exposed portions of the of the figure. The terms “inward” or “inner” and “outward” or “outer” indicate a direction that is generally toward or away from a central axis of the floor drain, whether or not such an axis is designated in the referred to figure. An axial surface is one that faces in the axial direction. In other words, an axial surface faces in a direction generally along the central axis. A radial surface therefore faces radially, generally away from or toward the central axis.

Referring now to the drawings, a floor drain10is generally illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2installed in a concrete floor11. The floor drain10includes as its principal components a grate12and a drain assembly13. As further explained below, the grate12mounts to the drain assembly13so as to be visible from above the concrete floor11. While illustrated in connection with a concrete floor11, it will be appreciated that the floor drain10may be installed in floors having other constructions.

The drain assembly13is configured to engage with a drain pipe24of the drain system at building or installation site. The drain assembly13may include a drain body14, a collar15and a strainer frame18to which the grate12is mounted. Additionally, the drain assembly12may include a rough-in adapter16mounted between the collar15and the strainer frame18. In its simplest form, the drain assembly10includes just the strainer frame18, which in such an instance would itself engage the drain pipe24of the drain system.

Referring toFIG. 2, the drain body14includes a centrally located outlet coupling26, extending axially and downwardly from a bottom wall28, that is received within an open end of the drain pipe24of the drain system. While shown received within the drain pipe24, the outlet coupling26may be located about the drain pipe24with an appropriate seal being located between the two portions. The drain body14may also include a cylindrical sidewall30, larger in diameter than the outlet coupling26, extending axially upward from the bottom wall28so as to define a receptacle cavity31in the drain body14. At the upper end of the sidewall30, the drain body14is provided with a radially outward extending flange32. The flange32and sidewall30may include threaded bores34for receiving correspondingly threaded fasteners36to mount the collar15to the drain body14.

The collar15also includes a radial flange38, which is sized to be received on the flange32of the drain body14. The collar's flange38is provided with bores or slots39, corresponding with the threaded bores34in drain body's flange32and through which the previously mentioned threaded fasteners36may be inserted for engagement with the threaded bores34. At the radially inward extent of the collar's flange38, the collar15includes an internally threaded and axially extending shank40. The outer diameter of the shank40is less than the inner diameter defined by the cylindrical sidewall30of the drain body14. Providing the shank40with such a reduced diameter allows the collar15to be mounted on the drain body14with the shank40extending either upward or downward. Mounting the collar15with the shank40in the upward position provides the floor drain10with its tallest possible assembled height. Mounting the collar15with the shank40in the downward position, the shank40extends into the receptacle cavity31and provides the floor drain10with a shorter assembled height.

In one embodiment, the strainer frame18engages the shank40of the collar15through its own shank48, which is provided with external threads49corresponding to internal threads41provided on the collar's shank40. The shank48defines the outlet portion of the strainer frame18. To receive and direct water to the shank48and through the floor drain10, a receptacle or funnel portion50extends outwardly and at least slightly upwardly from the upper extent of the shank48. Provided at the outer perimeter of the funnel portion50is a rim52defining the desired shape for the drain assembly13. The shape may be, without limitation, a round configuration or square configuration. The rim52may include both a flat54and an adjacent lip56, with the lip56extending axially. These features, the flat54and lip56, may cooperate to receive the grate12, which is further discussed below, within the funnel portion of the strainer frame18. More specifically, the grate12is received on the flat54inside of the lip56and is fixedly mounted to the strainer frame18via threaded bores58in the flat54that receive threaded fasteners60extending through the grate12. Alternately, other retaining mechanisms may be employed.

If provided with a rough-in adapter16, as seen inFIG. 2, the adapter16includes an axially extending shank42and a radially extending flange44. The shank42of the adapter16is externally threaded43and of a diameter allowing the shank42to be threadably received within the shank40of the collar15. With this construction, the upper end of the shank42of the adapter16is further provided with an internally threaded portion46to receive and engage the external threads49of the shank48of the strainer frame18.

As readily seen inFIG. 4, the grate12includes two components, a strainer62and a strainer plate64. Preferably, the strainer plate64is secured to the bottom of the strainer62using threaded fasteners66inserted through bores68in the strainer plate64and into threaded bores70defined in a portion of the strainer62, as further discussed below.

The strainer62is preferably a one-piece, unitary structure formed as a casting in lieu of a fabricated assembly. However, as an alternative, the strainer62may be fabricated and formed by multiple pieces joined together to form the strainer62.

Referring now toFIGS. 4-8, the strainer62includes a top plate72having an upper surface74that, when installed in a finished floor11′, is substantially flush with the upper surface76of the finished floor11′. As mentioned above, the strainer62includes bores80, provided through the top plate72, allowing for the insertion of fasteners60and securing of the grate12to the drain assembly13.

Projecting from the bottom surface78of the top plate72are three concentric and generally cylindrical walls, which are herein referred to as an inner cylindrical wall82, an intermediate cylindrical wall84, and an outer cylindrical wall86. While three wall are shown, the number of walls may be more or less than three. The cylindrical walls82,84,86are each spaced apart from one another and define an inner cylindrical space88, located between the inner cylindrical wall82and intermediate cylindrical wall84, and an outer cylindrical space90, located between the intermediate cylindrical wall84and the outer cylindrical wall86.

Webs92extend radially, at spaced intervals, between adjacent ones of the cylindrical walls82,84,86. The webs92divide each of the inner and outer cylindrical spaces88,90into multiple chamber88′,90′. As seen inFIGS. 3 and 5-7, the intermediate cylindrical wall84extends an axial distance from the top plate72that is greater than an axial distance that the inner and outer cylindrical walls82,86extend from the top plate72. As also seen in those figures, the axial distance that the webs92extend from the bottom surface78of the top plate72is the same as the distance the intermediate cylindrical wall84extends from the bottom surface78of the top plate72.

Also provide in the top plate72are a series of openings94,96. The openings94,96cooperate for form two segmented concentric rings, with the openings94forming an inner ring and the openings96forming an outer ring about the inner ring. Each opening94,96of each concentric ring respectively corresponds with one chamber88′,90′ formed by the cylindrical walls82,84,86and webs92. Cooperatively, the openings94,96and chambers88′,90′ define individual passageways through the strainer62and grate12. In some embodiments, the openings94,96may taper as they extend through the top plate72from the upper surface of the top plate into the floor drain10.

As previously noted, the mounted to the bottom of the strainer62is the strainer plate64. More specifically, the strainer plate64is mounted to the bottom of the intermediate cylindrical wall84, which may be achieved through use of the threaded fasteners66inserted through bores68in the strainer plate64and into threaded bores70defined in the intermediate cylindrical wall84.

As best seen inFIGS. 4-8, the strainer plate64is a ring shaped plate structure and therefore includes a central opening98. The central opening98has a diameter D1that is preferably less than the inner diameter D2defined by the intermediate cylindrical wall84. As seen fromFIG. 6, the diameter D1of the central opening98is shown to be less than the outer diameter D3defined by the inner cylindrical wall82. The outer diameter D4of the strainer plate64is preferably greater than the outer diameter D5defined by the intermediate cylindrical wall84, more preferably greater than inner diameter D6defined by the outer cylindrical wall86, and most preferably greater than outer diameter D7defined by the outer cylindrical wall86.

Provided as noted above, the strainer plate64cooperates with the cylindrical walls82,84,86to form the individual passageways via the inner chambers88′ radially inward and the individual passageways of outer chambers90′ radially outward. Notably, at least a portion of radially outboard side of the outer chambers90′ is not obstructed by the outer cylindrical wall86. With the present construction, it is render difficult to pass a ligature either from one of the inner chambers88′ to one of the outer chambers90′ (or vice versa) or between adjacent ones of inner chambers88′ or adjacent ones of outer chambers90′, thereby rendering it difficult to form a ligature point. The construction does not, however, obstruct the flow of water through the floor drain10.

The above description is meant to be illustrative of at least one preferred implementation incorporating the principles of the invention. One skilled in the art will really appreciate that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the true spirit and fair scope of the invention, as defined in the claims that follow. The terminology used herein is therefore intended to be understood in the nature of words of description and not of limitation.