Overflow device assembly with sliding faceplate

An overflow device assembly for a vessel such as a bathtub or sink is provided. The overflow device comprises a tieplate comprising a mating flange attached to a first end of a pipe and a faceplate operable to slide onto the tieplate. The faceplate comprises a front cover portion, a backside and a groove. The pipe is operable to be concentrically disposed with a hole in a wall of the vessel. The groove is located on the backside of the faceplate, and the mating flange slides along and inside the groove. Once in place, the front cover portion of the faceplate covers the first end of the pipe.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an overflow device assembly for a vessel, and more particularly to an overflow device assembly incorporating a faceplate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A bath or sink, herein “vessel”, is drained by a “waste-overflow” bath drain assembly. The upper portion of this assembly consists of an “elbow ”, sometimes called a “head fitting”, which is fastened to the vessel wall by a “tieplate” fastened by a variety of means through the overflow hole in the vessel wall into the elbow on the outer vessel wall. Common tieplate shapes include a simple tiebar across the width of the overflow hole, and round plates with bolt holes.

In the early days of plumbed baths, a perforated metal plate was fastened to this tieplate by means of a bolt which might also bear a chain suspending a plug. This fastened plate was called a “faceplate”. This terminology stuck even when the faceplate was deepened into a cup, the perforations moving off the vertical face plane to the bottom of the cup rim, out of aesthetic sight. Ball (U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,241: Apr. 6, 1999) is an example of a bolt-on faceplate.

While not related to waste-overflow bath drain assemblies, a mating slot and tab can be found in McIlvenna (U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,492: Dec. 30, 2003) and in In (U.S. Pat. No. 7,094,969: Aug. 22, 2006).

Covering the overflow hole with a faceplate performs mainly an aesthetic function. Indeed, an open overflow without a faceplate would provide the best functionality for the drainage functions of the overflow hole; namely,(1) The overflow hole serves as a pressure relief vent when the water drains out of the waste drain in the bottom of the vessel. This avoids having the water being siphoned out of the water trap that is plumbed between the vessel drain and the pipe to the primary sanitary drain. Maintenance of water in this water trap is essential for preventing sewer gases from travelling upward into the vessel.(2) The overflow hole mitigates overflowing of liquid over the brim of the vessel, hence its name.(3) The overflow hole provides access to the household drain system as it permits the passing of a “snake” by the plumber to clear blockages. In general, contemporary tieplates and tiebars that fasten the rear elbow to the bath have (or consist of) a cross bar to which the faceplate is fastened. This prevents plumber snake access. Temporarily unscrewing the faceplate is not an option as the elbow would fall off behind the vessel.

Nonetheless, in most vessel installations the user of the vessel has come to expect that the overflow hole be discretely covered by a faceplate, though even frontal perforations became unacceptable, leading to the evolution of the cup shaped faceplate with perforations on the rim underneath.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to at least partially overcome some of the disadvantages of the prior art.

In a preferred embodiment, a tieplate is annular in shape, with a flat flange hugging to the inner side of the vessel. The internal circumference of this annular flange bears an externally or male threaded short pipe which passes through the overflow hole, through a water seal gasket, and then threads into an internal or female thread within the elbow.

In a preferred embodiment, a slot is interior and rear to a faceplate, and a mating flange on the tieplate that runs concentrically and circumferentially to the main flange has sufficient clearance from a vessel wall to allow the grooved faceplate to fit over this mating flange of the tieplate.

In a preferred embodiment, a novel faceplate-tieplate sub-assembly is designed wherein the faceplate is operable to slide over and onto the tieplate of a sink or bath drain assembly by means of a slot fitting over a mating flange. This sub-assembly covers the overflow hole of the vessel. Although simple, this sub-assembly enables all three of the overflow drainage functionalities to be realized; namely:1) Retention of functionality as an air relief vent.2) Retention of liquid overflow mitigation.3) Preservation of snake access to clear blockages in the drain.

Additionally, using a slide-on faceplate brings the following benefits:4) No fastener is required to attach the faceplate to the tieplate.5) Indentations can be moulded around the inner circumference of the tieplate to capture the chain ball and suspend a chain and plug for the vessel waste drain, meaning the faceplate can be removed without disturbing the chain, if a chain and plug are indeed selected as to be the waste drain closure.6) The faceplate is free to be shaped, patterned, or designed in any manner, no longer having a screw hole through its center or needing to accommodate snap features or hinges.

Accordingly, in at least one aspect, this invention resides in an overflow device assembly for a vessel comprising a tieplate comprising a mating flange attached to a first end of a pipe, wherein the pipe is operable to be concentrically disposed with a hole in a wall of the vessel; and a faceplate operable to slide onto the tieplate, wherein the faceplate comprises a front cover portion, a backside and a groove, wherein the groove is located on the backside of the faceplate, and wherein the mating flange slides along and inside the groove and the front cover portion of the faceplate covers the first end of the pipe.

Further aspects of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and drawings, which illustrate the invention and preferred embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now toFIG. 1, an overflow device assembly10is shown in exploded form, according to one embodiment of the invention. The overflow device assembly10includes a tieplate2and a faceplate1. Together, the tieplate2and the faceplate1are installed in an overflow hole3of a vessel wall4. The vessel may be a bathtub or a sink (not shown). When installed, the overflow device assembly acts as an air relief vent and allows liquid to flow out of the overflow hole3in the vessel wall4and into a drain, rather than flow over the top of the vessel.

The tieplate2is comprised of a pipe14connected to a tieplate flange8. The tieplate flange8is connected at an end of the pipe14opposite the vessel wall4. Furthermore, a mating flange6may be attached to the end of the pipe14, adjacent the tieplate flange8. The mating flange6may be thinner than the tieplate flange8. Furthermore, the mating flange6may have a diameter greater than the tieplate flange8, as shown inFIG. 1. The end of the pipe14opposite the vessel wall4is open and allows air and liquid to pass into the overflow hole3.

As also illustrated inFIG. 1, the faceplate1is separate from the tieplate2. The faceplate1includes a front and a rear. The front of the faceplate1is considered the front cover portion22. The rear of the faceplate1is considered the backside24.

The backside24of the faceplate1includes a groove5along the outside of the faceplate1. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the groove5is a slot located on the backside24of the faceplate1and opens inward to the interior of the backside24of the faceplate1. Furthermore, the groove5does not go completely around the faceplate1. For example, the groove5does not extend along the bottom of the backside24of the faceplate1in the preferred embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1. Accordingly, the bottom of the faceplate1may not have a groove5.

When installed into a vessel, the tieplate flange8is mechanically coupled to the elbow or head fitting of the drain assembly (not shown) located behind the vessel wall4. The tieplate2is located on the interior side of the vessel and the elbow is located on the opposite side. Both the elbow and the tieplate flange8are concentrically disposed over the overflow hole3, on opposite sides of vessel wall4. Once installed, the tieplate flange8may be flush against the vessel wall4(as seen inFIG. 2C), separating the mating flange6from the vessel wall4and forming a slot (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, the tieplate2is annular in shape and the tieplate flange8hugs the interior of the vessel wall4. In such embodiments, some or the entire pipe14may pass through the overflow hole3(as seen inFIG. 2C) to mechanically couple the elbow or head fitting of the drain assembly located on the opposite side of the vessel wall4.

In order to maintain a tight seal between the elbow and the vessel wall4, a gasket (not shown) may be used. In a preferred embodiment, the pipe14may have male threads and the elbow may have female threads, such that the tieplate2is screwed into the elbow, with the overflow hole3in the vessel wall4and gasket (not shown) sandwiched in between. Once screwed in place, no additional hardware connecting the tieplate2to the vessel wall4is visible. This architecture allows for an aesthetically pleasing design.

Once the tieplate2is installed in the vessel wall4, the faceplate1is mated with the tieplate2to form the overflow device assembly10. The faceplate1is operable to slide onto the tieplate. The mating flange6of the tieplate2is operable to slide over and along the groove5on the backside24of the faceplate1. Once installed, the front cover portion22of the faceplate1covers the end of the pipe14. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 1, the faceplate1is operable to slide down over the mating flange6, with the mating flange12guided along the groove5. Once mated, the faceplate1rests on top of the mating flange6, with the mating flange6inside the groove5. In a preferred embodiment, the faceplate1is operable to slide along and into the slot formed between the mating flange6and the vessel wall4.

As further illustrated inFIG. 1, the mating flange6and the groove5have complementary shapes such that the mating flange6fits inside the groove5. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, the groove5is located along the perimeter of the backside24of the faceplate1. Furthermore, as illustrated in the preferred embodiment, the groove5has a groove radius located at the semi-circular top portion of the faceplate1and two side grooves which are parallel to each other. Similarly, the mating flange6is circular and is designed with a semi-circular top having a top radius. As described above, the mating flange may be thinner and have a larger diameter than the tieplate flange8. In the preferred embodiment shown inFIG. 1, the top radius of the mating flange6is substantially equal to the groove radius of the groove5such that the faceplate1is operable to slide along the mating flange6. Once mated, the semi-circular top portion of the groove5rests on top of the semi-circular top of the mating flange6. Furthermore, a portion of the backside24adjacent the semi-circular top portion of the groove5may be designed to rest on the tieplate flange8; for example, in the slot between the mating flange6and the vessel wall4.

Referring now toFIG. 2A,FIG. 2BandFIG. 2C, different views of the overflow device assembly10are shown when the faceplate1is mated with the tieplate2.

FIG. 2Aillustrates a frontal view of the overflow device assembly10when the faceplate1is mated with the tieplate2. As illustrated inFIG. 2A, the tieplate (not shown) is completely hidden behind the front cover portion22of the faceplate1.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2A, only the faceplate1and the vessel wall4are visible. Accordingly, the faceplate1is capable of being decorated. While the faceplate1is shown as having a front cover portion22with a rounded top portion26and a rectangular bottom portion28, other shapes are possible. For example, the entire faceplate1may be rectangular.

The front cover portion22may take on a variety of different finishes. For example, finishes may include in-mould decorating, conventional plating, mirror finishes, different textures and three-dimensional ornamentation.

Referring now toFIG. 2B, a side view of the overflow device10is shown in a preferred embodiment. As seen from the side, only the faceplate1is seen, as the tieplate (not shown) is completely obscured from view with the front cover portion22facing outwards from the vessel wall4.FIG. 2Balso shows the pipe14(which connects to an elbow fitting (not shown) behind the vessel wall4, which is connected to the tieplate2on the opposite, interior, side of the vessel wall4. As previously described, the elbow leads to the drain assembly (not shown).

FIG. 2Bfurther illustrates that once mated to the tieplate2(as shown inFIG. 1), the periphery of the rounded top portion26and the parallel sides of the rectangular bottom portion28are flush with the vessel wall4. However, the bottom of the faceplate1is not flush with the vessel wall4. Instead, the bottom of the faceplate1provides a gap30(as better seen inFIG. 2C) to allow air and liquid to flow into the drain assembly via the tieplate2and the elbow16.

Referring now toFIG. 2C, a perspective view of the overflow device assembly10is shown from below. As seen from below, the faceplate1is convex (concave up) from the perspective of the vessel wall4, where the central portion of the front cover portion22provides a gap30between the tieplate2and the faceplate1. Meanwhile, the two sides of the rectangular bottom portion28and the periphery of the rounded top portion26, of the front cover portion22, are flush with the vessel wall4.

The gap30between the faceplate1and the tieplate2allows air and liquid to flow into the drain assembly via the hole in the tieplate2, which leads to the drain assembly. In this manner, the overflow device assembly10is operable as an air relief vent and provides drainage in an overflow condition. Furthermore, in some embodiments, additional functionality can be added to the gap30between the faceplate1and the tieplate2. For example, the gap30between the mating flange6and the faceplate1may be operable to house a drain stopper (not shown). Specifically, indentations in the tieplate2and/or backside24of the faceplate1may be operable to capture or house the ball of a chain and plug drain stopper (not shown).

The waste-overflow sub-assembly of a vessel drain assembly has an “elbow”, also known as “head fitting”, behind the bath or sink vessel, centered upon the overflow hole in the vessel wall. Between the vessel wall and the elbow is a gasket that prevents leakage of vessel liquid. In order to cinch this elbow and its sandwiched seal tight against the vessel wall, a part called the “tieplate” must be positioned on the opposite, interior, side of the vessel wall, again centered on the overflow hole. Any number of means is used to pull the the elbow tight to the part on the interior of the vessel, called the “faceplate”. Bolts are most common.

In another embodiment, an annular faceplate with a male-threaded short pipe running from inner diameter of this ring is chosen, this male thread fitting into the female thread of the interior of the elbow. This architecture allows for an aesthetic cover plate-tieplate sub-assembly. The tieplate flange bears a thinner mating flange that is of a diameter such that the fitted slot in the rear interior of the faceplate fits over and down on the mating flange to rest with the semi-circular slot portion sitting on top of the semi-circular region of the tie-plate mating flange that is orientated topmost. The male-threaded pipe of the annular tieplate inserts into the vessel wall via the overflow hole in the same vessel wall.

The slot or groove in the faceplate fits over the tieplate mating flange by means of a gap on the underside of the faceplate. This enables the following functionalities:1) No fastener necessary to attach the faceplate to the tieplate.2) No horizontal member necessary to accept these fasteners, so the center of the tieplate can remain empty and allow for the passage of a plumber's snake.

The gap also performs two traditional functions of a faceplate:1) Allows air pressure venting.2) Allows for mitigation of the liquid overflow.

This very simple method of attaching a cosmetic faceplate to a tieplate is novel both in what it lacks, that is, a fastener and a central bar on the tieplate, as for what it gains, that is, a fitted slot-flange coupling and a smooth faceplate surface opportunity for decoration. Although the faceplate illustrated in the figures is rounded at the top, any shape would be possible, including rectangular. Functionality can be optionally added to the interior region of the sub-assembly, for example, indentations to capture the ball of a chain and plug drain stopper.