Drain strainer

The present disclosure is directed to a strainer cartridge that may be inserted into a drain of a drain system. The strainer cartridge includes an upper strainer portion and a lower strainer portion that are telescopically engaged with each other such that the upper strainer portion is moved into and out of the lower strainer portion telescopically. The strainer cartridge has a compressed position in which a drain opening of the drain is sealed off such that fluid collects within a fluid basin in fluid communication with the drain, and the strainer cartridge has an expanded position in which fluid may flow through the drain opening and the upper and lower strainer portions. When in the compressed position, the lower strainer portion is telescopically inset within the lower strainer portion, and, when in the expanded position, the upper strainer portion extends outward from the lower strainer portion.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a stopper assembly for a drain system of a fluid basin, and in particular, a stopper assembly with a strainer element.

Description of the Related Art

Conventional bathroom sinks typically include a stopper that serves to selectively seal or open a drain in a sink basin. The stopper is mounted to the top of a plunger seated in a drain pipe that extends below the sink basin. The stopper can be moved between open and closed positions by actuating a lever located near the sink faucet. The lever is typically mechanically linked to a horizontal rod that extends below the sink and transmits motion imparted on the lever to the plunger. The horizontal rod typically extends through a pivot seat in the drain pipe to achieve the desired lifting and lowering motion of the plunger. By actuating the lever, a user is able to raise and lower the stopper, and thereby select whether to open or close the sink drain.

The conventional drain and stopper mechanisms described above, however, can be problematic. For example, the horizontal rod tends to become misaligned relative to the plunger or the lever after a relatively short period of use, resulting in the stopper sagging or tilting in the open position or failing to close properly. In addition, hair and foreign objects that pass through the drain can clog up the sink, making it necessary to either disassemble the pipes located beneath the sink in order to unclog the drain, or to call a plumber. There is also a risk that valuable items, such as rings and contact lenses, can fall into the sink drain and potentially be lost. It is known to include a strainer beneath a stopper in a bathroom sink, tub or other fluid basin. However, conventional strainer assemblies for bathroom sinks, tubs or other fluid basins can be difficult to access for cleaning and replacement.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein provide systems and methods that enable a strainer cartridge to be installed in a drain of a fluid basin and selectively replaced or cleaned as desired in a particularly efficient manner. Systems of the present disclosure include, for example, a removable strainer cartridge having a telescopic strainer assembly including an upper strainer portion and a lower strainer portion in telescopic engagement with each other. In some instances, the telescopic strainer assembly may be easily and conveniently be moved from a compressed position to seal the drain of the fluid basin and may be easily and conveniently moved from the compressed position to an expanded position to drain the fluid basin of fluid through the drain. The strainer cartridge may be removed from the drain to clean the telescopic strainer assembly when the telescopic strainer assembly is full of collected debris or is to be replaced by a new strainer assembly. In some, embodiments the strainer cartridge may be installed in a simple drop-in or clip-in manner through clip arrangements extending from a lower end of the lower strainer portion. Embodiments provide straining functionality in addition to drain stopper functionality.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details. In other instances, well-known features or structures associated with fluid basins, drain systems, drain stoppers and strainers may not be shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments.

The present disclosure is directed to a strainer cartridge to be removably inserted into a drain of a fluid basin. The strainer cartridge may be conveniently moved from a compressed position to an expanded position and vice versa by a user either pulling upward or pushing downward on a stopper head of the strainer cartridge. This convenient movement and ease of actuation of the strainer cartridge allows a user to quickly and easily seal the drain by pushing the stopper head down to seal a drain opening of the drain with a gasket of the strainer cartridge. Alternatively, the strainer cartridge may be moved from the compressed position to the expanded position quickly and easily opening the drain opening by simply pulling upward on the stopper head in an upward direction. The strainer cartridge may include an upper strainer portion, a lower strainer portion, and a lateral strainer portion that strain fluid that passes through the upper, lower, and lateral strainer portions, respectively. This straining of the fluid by the strainer portions of the strainer cartridge reduces the likelihood of valuable objects such as rings, jewelry, a contact lenses, or some other type of object from becoming lost by passing through the drain opening into a drain pipe in fluid communication with the drain.

The strainer cartridge of the present disclosure may further include clip arrangements that mechanically engage with a grate structure at a bottom of the drain such that the strainer cartridge may be easily inserted into and removed from the drain. For example, the strainer cartridge may be easily and conveniently inserted into the drain by inserting the clip arrangements through openings in the grate structure and then rotating the strainer cartridge in a clockwise direction interlocking the clip arrangements with the grate structure such that the strainer cartridge held in a stationary position within the drain by the clip arrangements. Alternatively, the strainer cartridge may be easily and conveniently removed from the drain by rotating the strainer cartridge in a counterclockwise direction disengaging the clip arrangements with the grate structure and pulling the clip arrangements through the openings in the grate structure to remove the strainer cartridge from the drain. This ease and convenience of insertion and removal of the strainer cartridge into and out of the drain provides ease and convenience of cleaning of the strainer cartridge or replacing the strainer assembly of the strainer cartridge with a new strainer assembly.

FIGS. 1A-1Fshow a strainer or stopper cartridge100for a drain system of a fluid basin according to one example embodiment. The strainer cartridge100is configured to be installed in a drain of a drain system of a fluid basin (e.g., sink basin, tub basin, shower basin, or some other type of basin having a drain or drain system). As will be readily appreciated from the following discussion within the present disclosure, the strainer cartridge100is moveable between an expanded position (e.g., drain, draining, or unplugged position) and a compressed position (e.g., sealed or plugged position). In the expanded, unplugged or drain position, fluid (e.g., water or some other type of liquid) may drain out of the fluid basin via the drain system. For example, the drain system may include a drain pipe that extends below the fluid basin and that includes an upper portion having a flange that is received within a drain opening of the fluid basin. In the compressed, sealed, or plugged position, fluid is held and collected within the fluid basin via the strainer cartridge100blocking the fluid from draining out of the fluid basin via the drain system as the drain system is sealed off by the strainer cartridge100.

An upper strainer portion102and a lower strainer portion104are telescopically engaged with each other. The upper strainer portion102is telescopically engaged with the lower strainer portion104such that upper strainer portion102may readily be moved telescopically into and out of the lower strainer portion104. When the upper strainer portion102is telescopically moved into the lower strainer portion104, the strainer cartridge100is moved away from the expanded position and moved towards the compressed position. Alternatively, when the upper strainer portion102is telescopically moved outward from the lower strainer portion104, the strainer cartridge100is moved away from the compressed position and moved towards the expanded position. When the upper strainer portion102is moved into the lower strainer portion104, the upper strainer portion102is moved in a downward direction, and, alternatively, when the upper strainer portion102is moved outward from the lower strainer portion104, the upper strainer portion102is moved in an upward direction.

The upper and lower strainer portions102,104, respectively, each have a cylindrical three-dimensional shape. The upper strainer portion102has an outer diameter (OD) and an inside diameter (ID). The lower strainer portion104has an outer diameter (OD) and an inside diameter (ID). The inside diameter (ID) of the lower strainer portion104is slightly larger or equal to the outer diameter of the upper strainer portion102. The inside diameter of the lower strainer portion104being slightly greater than or equal to the outer diameter of the upper strainer portion102provides for the upper strainer portion102to be telescopically moved into (e.g., inserted) the lower strainer portion104and telescopically moved outward from the lower strainer portion104. The outer diameter of the lower strainer portion104is greater than the outer diameter of the upper strainer portion102, although in other embodiments the relative sizing may be reversed.

The upper strainer portion102includes a plurality of first apertures106extending entirely through sidewalls of the upper strainer portion102to form a grate structure. The lower strainer portion104includes a plurality of second apertures108extending entirely through sidewalls of the lower strainer portion104to form a grate structure. The grate structures formed by the pluralities of the first and second apertures106,108, respectively, strain fluid that passes through the upper and lower portions102,104, respectively, through the pluralities of first and second apertures106,108. The first and second apertures106,108may be referred to as strainer openings, strainer apertures, strainer holes, or some other type of aperture that extends through the upper and lower strainer portions102,104to strain fluid.

The plurality of first apertures106may include first ones having a first shape and size and second ones having a second shape and size different from the first ones of the plurality of first apertures106. The plurality of second apertures108may include first ones having a first shape and size and second ones having a second shape and size different from the first ones of the plurality of second apertures106. For example, some of the plurality of first apertures106may be larger than other ones of the plurality of first apertures106, and some of the plurality of second apertures108may be larger than other ones of the plurality of second apertures108. The different sized and shaped apertures of the pluralities of first and second apertures106,108may reduce the likelihood of the strainer cartridge100becoming clogged resulting in a slower flow of fluid through the strainer cartridge100when fluid is flowing out of a fluid basin via a drain system (e.g., drain opening and drain pipe) and is being strained by the strainer cartridge100that is positioned within the drain system.

The lower strainer portion104further includes one or more elastically deformable cantilever arm110that mechanically cooperates with ribs of a ribbed portion112of the upper strainer portion104. The ribs of the ribbed portion112may be referred to as bosses, protrusions, detents, or some other type of portion that extends outward from the ribbed portion112. The ribbed portion112may be referred to as a ribbed surface or region, a boss portion, surface or region, a protrusion portion, surface, or region, or some other type of reference to a portion, surface, or region including a ribs, bosses, detents or protrusions that extend therefrom. Some of the plurality of second openings108extend through the one or more elastically deformable cantilever arm110. The cantilever arm110slidably interlocks with the ribs of the ribbed portion112such that the upper portion102may be telescopically moved into and out of the lower strainer portion104as discussed earlier within the present disclosure. The cantilever arm110may be biased inward towards an axis ALof the strainer cartridge100. Further details of the mechanical cooperation and interaction of the elastically deformable cantilever arms110and the ribs of the ribbed portions112will be discussed in further detail with respect toFIGS. 3A-3Dof the present disclosure.

The lower strainer portion104includes one or more clip arrangements113having an L-shape that extend from a bottom end of the lower strainer portion104. The one or more clip arrangements113may interlock with a grate structure of a drain of a drain system such that the strainer cartridge100is held in a stationary position relative to the grate structure and the drain. For example, when the strainer cartridge100is inserted into a drain, the one or more clip arrangements113may be inserted into openings in the grate structure of the drain, and then strainer cartridge100is rotated such that horizontal portions of the clip arrangements interlock with the grate structure.

A lateral strainer portion114includes a plurality of fingers116that extend laterally outward and away from the lower strainer portion104and are angled upward towards the upper strainer portion102. This upward angle of the plurality of fingers116of the lateral strainer portion114assist in catching objects (e.g., rings, jewelry, a contact for an individual's eye, etc.) as the angle fingers are angled upward in a direction opposite to a flow of fluid that may pass through the plurality of fingers116. The lateral strainer portion114may be formed of an elastically deformable polymer or a semi-flexible elastically deformable polymer. The lateral strainer portion114may be detachably coupled to the lower strainer portion104. The plurality of fingers116strains fluid that passes through the lateral strainer portion114that may not pass through the plurality of first apertures106of the upper strainer portion102or the plurality of second apertures108of the lower strainer portion104. The upper strainer portion102, the lower strainer portion104, and the lateral strainer portion114reduce the likelihood of a ring, a prescription contact lens, or other similar or like valuable item from becoming lost through the drain system through which fluid passes through when exiting a fluid basin (e.g., sink basin, tub basin, shower basin, or some other similar or like type of fluid basin).

The upper strainer portion102, the lower strainer portion104, and the lateral strainer portion114may be referred to as a telescopic strainer assembly in which the upper strainer portion102and the lower strainer portion104telescopically and mechanically engage with each other.

A stopper head118is mechanically coupled to the upper strainer portion102. The stopper head118may be detachably coupled to the upper strainer portion102such that the stopper head118may be detached from the upper strainer portion102. The mechanical coupling of the stopper head118to the upper strainer portion102will be discussed in further detail with respect toFIG. 1Fof the present disclosure.

A gasket120is mechanically coupled to the stopper head118. The gasket120may be detachably coupled to the stopper head118such that the gasket120may be detached from the stopper head118. The mechanical coupling of the gasket120to the stopper head118will be discussed in further detail with respect toFIG. 1Fof the present disclosure.

The stopper head118and the gasket120may have circular profiles when viewed in a top plan view and have diameters that are greater than outer diameters of the upper and lower strainer portions102,104, respectively. For example, the stopper head118and the gasket120may have diameters slightly larger than a diameter of a drain opening such that the gasket120abuts a flange of a drain of a drain system sealing the drain opening of the drain such that fluid may not readily pass through the drain to exit a fluid basin when the strainer cartridge100is in the compressed position. The details of the gasket120sealing the drain opening of the drain of the drain system will be discussed in further detail with respect toFIGS. 3A-3Dof the present disclosure.

The upper and lower strainer portions102,104, the lateral strainer portion114, the stopper head118, and the gasket120may be concentric along an axis AL. For example, the upper and lower strainer portions102,104, the lateral strainer portion114, the stopper head118, and the gasket120may all have centers that are aligned with and along the axis AL, which may be referred to as a central axis, a center axis, or some other type of axis that extends through these respective centers. The fingers116of the lateral strainer portion114extend away from and outward from the axis AL.

FIG. 1Bis a side view of the strainer cartridge100as shown inFIG. 1A. As may more readily be seen inFIG. 1B, in this embodiment, the lower strainer portion104of the strainer cartridge100includes two elastically deformable cantilever arms110on opposite sides of the strainer cartridge100. In this embodiment, the upper strainer portion102of the strainer cartridge100includes two ribbed portions112. The ribbed portion112at the left-hand side of the upper strainer portion102mechanically cooperates and engages with the cantilever arm110at the left-hand side of the lower strainer portion104. The ribbed portion112at the right-hand side of the upper strainer portion102mechanically cooperates and engages with the cantilever arm110at the right-hand side of the lower strainer portion104.

The ribs of the ribbed portion112protrude outward from an outer sidewall surface of the upper strainer portion102. The ribbed portion112extend from a lower end of the upper strainer portion102to an upper end of the upper strainer portion102opposite to the lower end of the upper strainer portion102.

FIG. 1Cis a perspective view of the strainer cartridge of an opposite side of the strainer cartridge100than the strainer cartridge100as shown inFIG. 1A. The cantilever arm110and the ribbed portion112at the right-hand side of the strainer cartridge100as shown inFIG. 1Bmay more readily seen inFIG. 1C. As may readily be seen, ones of the plurality of second openings108extend through the elastically deformable cantilever arm110at the right-hand side of the strainer cartridge100similar to the ones of the plurality of second openings108that extend through the elastically deformable cantilever arm110at the left-hand side of the strainer cartridge100.

FIG. 1Dis a bottom plan view of the strainer cartridge100. As may readily be seen, the upper and lower strainer portions102,104are hollow such that fluid may readily pass through the pluralities of first and second openings106,108, respectively, of the upper and lower strainer portions102,104, respectively, when draining a fluid basin. Since the upper and lower strainer portions102,104, respectively, are hollow, the upper and lower strainer portions102,104, respectively, define a void138extending entirely through the upper and lower strainer portions102,104, respectively. The void138extends from the stopper head118to a lower or bottom end of the lower strainer portion104.

The lower strainer portion104includes a plurality of anti-rotation structures122that protrude outward from an inner sidewall surface of the lower strainer portion104towards an outer sidewall surface of the upper strainer portion102. First ones of the anti-rotation structures122are at a first side of the lower strainer portion104and second ones of the anti-rotation structures122are at a second side of the lower strainer portion104opposite to the first side. The anti-rotation structures122are aligned with the cantilever arms110such that the anti-rotation structure may protrude inward from the cantilever arms110towards the axis AL. In other words, the anti-rotation structures122are at and protrude from inner surfaces along the cantilever arms110and the lower strainer portion104. The anti-rotation structures122face inward and extend inward towards the axis AL.

The upper strainer portion102includes one or more anti-rotation surfaces124on opposite sides of the upper strainer portion102. The anti-rotation surfaces124may be referred to as outer surface regions, outer surfaces, or some other type of reference to a surface that abuts and engages with ones of the anti-rotation structures122. The anti-rotation surfaces124are relatively flat surfaces as compared to other curved surfaces of the cylindrical upper and lower strainer portions102,104, respectively. The anti-rotation surfaces124of the upper strainer portion102abut and mechanically engage with the anti-rotation structures122of the lower strainer portion104.

As shown inFIG. 1D, two anti-rotation structures122of the lower strainer portion104at the left-hand side ofFIG. 1Dabut the anti-rotation surface124of the upper strainer portion102at the left-hand side ofFIG. 1D. As shown inFIG. 1D, two anti-rotation structures122of the lower strainer portion104at the right-hand side ofFIG. 1Dabut the anti-rotation surface124of the upper strainer portion102at the right-hand side ofFIG. 1D. The following discussion will focus on the two anti-rotation structures122and the anti-rotation surface124at the left-hand side ofFIG. 1D. However, it will be appreciated that the following discussion readily applies to the anti-rotation structures122and the anti-rotation surface124at the right-hand side ofFIG. 1D. The two anti-rotation structures122and the anti-rotation surface124at the left-hand side ofFIG. 1Dmay more readily be seen inFIG. 1E, which is a bottom plan rotated view of the strainer cartridge100.

The two anti-rotation structures122are spaced apart such that the ribs of the ribbed portion122at the left-hand side of upper strainer portion102may pass between the two anti-rotation structures122when the upper strainer portion102is telescopically moved into and out of the lower strainer portion104. If a torque (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise) is applied to the upper strainer portion102, the upper strainer portion does not rotate relative to the lower strainer portion such that the ribs of the ribbed portions112remain aligned with the cantilever arm110and remain in mechanical cooperation and engagement with the cantilever arm110. For example, if a torque (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise) is applied to the upper strainer portion102, the anti-rotation surface124abuts against at least one of the two anti-rotation structures122and at least one of the ribs protruding from the ribbed portion112abuts against at least a sidewall surface of at least one of the two anti-rotation structures122. This mechanical abutting of these various portions and surfaces of the upper strainer portion102and the lower strainer portion104opposes the rotation of the upper strainer portion102relative to the lower strainer portion104such that the upper and lower strainer portions102,104, respectively, remain appropriately positioned and aligned relative to each other. This appropriate alignment being maintained results in the ribbed portion112remaining aligned with and in mechanical cooperation and engagement with the cantilever arm110. In other words, the anti-rotation structures122, the anti-rotation surfaces120, and the ribs of the ribbed portions112reduce the likelihood of misalignment between the upper and lower strainer portions102,104, respectively, such that the telescopic mechanical engagement and cooperation between the upper and lower strainer portions102,104, respectively, is maintained even when the strainer cartridge100is exposed to a torque (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise).

FIG. 1Fis an exploded view of the strainer cartridge100as shown inFIGS. 1A-1E. As may more readily be seen inFIG. 1F, the strainer cartridge100includes the upper, lower, and lateral strainer portions102,104,114, the stopper head118, and the gasket120.

As shown inFIG. 1F, the upper strainer portion102includes one or more elastically deformable tabs or tab portions126that extend outward from the upper end of the upper strainer portion102. One or more protrusions128extend outward from corresponding ones of the tabs126in a direction transverse to a direction from which the tabs126extend from the upper end of the upper strainer portion102. The protrusions126are inserted into one or more holes130extending through a sidewall surface of the stopper head118. The protrusions126and the holes130mechanically and detachably couple the upper strainer portion102to the stopper head118by bending the elastically deformable tabs126inward towards the axis ALand pushing the tabs126into the stopper head118until the protrusions128are aligned with corresponding ones of the holes130. Once the protrusions128are aligned with corresponding ones of the holes130, the tabs128snap outward away from the axis ALsnapping and inserting the protrusions126(e.g., snap fit) into corresponding ones of the holes130in the stopper head118. The upper strainer portion102may be detached or decoupled from the stopper head by pushing the protrusions128inward through the holes130deforming the tabs126inward toward the axis ALand pulling on the upper strainer portion102decoupling the upper strainer portion102from the stopper head130. The tabs or tab portions126may be biased outward and away from the axis ALof the strainer cartridge100.

The upper strainer portion102may be removed from the lower strainer portion104. For example, the upper strainer portion102may be removed by pulling upward enough on the upper strainer portion102until the upper strainer portion is removed from the lower strainer portion104. The upper strainer portion102may be removed from the lower strainer portion104to clean or rinse the upper and lower strainer portions102,104, respectively.

In some embodiments, the holes130may be replaced by indentations extending into an inner sidewall surface of the stopper head118. However, unlike the holes130as shown inFIG. 1F, the indentations do not extend entirely through the stopper head118and instead terminate before extending entirely through the stopper head118. When the holes130are replaced by indentations, the tabs or tab portions126may be elastically deformed to remove the upper strainer portion from the stopper head by pushing on the tab or tab portions126instead of pushing on the protrusion128.

As shown inFIG. 1F, the stopper head118further includes a first circumferential channel132that receives the gasket120such that the gasket120is detachably coupled to the stopper head118. For example, when the gasket is formed of an elastically deformable polymer, the gasket120may be removed from the stopper head118by pulling on the gasket120such that enough force is applied to elastically deform the gasket120such that the gasket120may be removed from the first circumferential channel132. In some embodiments, the gasket120may be made of an elastically deformable polymer or a semi-flexible elastically deformable polymer. The first circumferential channel132overlaps the holes130. The gasket120is circumferentially around the stopper head118.

The lower strainer portion104includes a second circumferential channel134that receives the lateral strainer portion114such that the lateral strainer portion114is mechanically coupled to the lower strainer portion104. In some embodiments, the lateral strainer portion114may be made of an elastically deformable polymer or a semi-flexile elastically deformable polymer. In some embodiments, the lateral strainer portion114may be integral the lower strainer portion104. For example, both the lateral strainer portion114and the lower strainer portion104may be made of a relatively rigid polymer material (e.g., plastic) such that both are formed at the same time and as a single unitary and integral piece of the relatively rigid polymer material by utilizing an injection molding process. The lateral strainer portion114is circumferentially around the lower strainer portion104.

The anti-rotation surfaces124are at the lower end of the upper strainer portion102and are at bottom ends of corresponding ones of the ribbed portions112. As discussed earlier, the anti-rotation surfaces124abut corresponding ones of the anti-rotation structures122to avoid rotation of the upper strainer portion102relative to the lower strainer portion104. The positioning of the anti-rotation surfaces124may more readily be seen inFIG. 4B.

FIG. 2Ais a side view of the strainer cartridge100. As shown inFIG. 2A, the strainer cartridge100is in the expanded position (e.g., drain position, draining position, etc.) in which the upper strainer portion102is fully extended outward from the lower strainer portion104.

FIG. 2Bis a side view of the strainer cartridge100when the strainer cartridge100is in the compressed position (e.g., plug position, plugged position, etc.) in which the upper strainer portion102is fully compressed such that the upper strainer portion102is fully or mostly inset within the lower strainer portion104. For example, when the upper strainer portion102is inset within the lower strainer portion104, fluid may be blocked off from exiting a fluid basin through a drain opening of a drain of a drain system in fluid communication with the fluid basin as the drain opening is sealed off by the gasket120of the strainer cartridge100.

FIG. 3Ashows a drain system200including the strainer cartridge100and a drain body202. The strainer cartridge100is in the drain body202. A flange204extends laterally outward from the drain body202and the flange204includes a peripheral region or surface206around a drain opening208, which may more readily be seen inFIG. 3C, of the drain body202. As shown inFIG. 3A, the strainer cartridge100is within a recess210, which may more readily be seen inFIG. 3C, of the drain body202and the strainer cartridge100is in the compressed position in which the gasket120abuts the peripheral surface206of the flange sealing off the drain opening206such the fluid may not exit a fluid basin through the drain opening206and the recess210of the drain body202.

FIG. 3Bis a cross-sectional view of the drain system200taken along dotted line3B-3B as shown inFIG. 3A. As may readily be seen inFIG. 3B, the gasket120abuts the peripheral surface208sealing off the drain opening208as discussed earlier with respect toFIG. 3A. As shown inFIG. 3B, the cantilever arms110include lip portions136that are sized, shaped, and structured to be received between adjacent ones of the ribs of the ribbed portion112such that the cantilever arms110may temporarily hold the upper strainer portion102stationary relative to the lower strainer portion104. For example, the lip portions136are received by a valley between two adjacent ribs along the ribbed portion112.

As shown inFIG. 3B, in this embodiment, ends of the fingers116of the lateral strainer portion114extend outward and away from the lower strainer portion104to a sidewall surface212of the drain body202. The sidewall surface212of the drain body202delimits the recess210in the drain body202. The ends of the fingers116of the lateral strainer portion114terminate proximate to the sidewall surface212of the drain body202. The ends of the fingers116may abut the sidewall surface212such that the lateral strainer portion114acts as a spacer positioning the strainer cartridge100within a central region of the recess210and such that the lateral strainer portion114. For example, as the axis ALextends through the centers of the upper, lower, and lateral strainer portions102,104,114, the stopper head118, and the gasket120, the axis ALmay extend through the center and along a central axis of the drain body202as well. The strainer cartridge100may be concentric with the drain body202, which is cylindrical similar to the strainer cartridge100.

In some embodiments, the ends of the fingers116may terminate within the recess210of the drain body202before extending to and reaching the sidewall surface212of the drain body202. In other words, in some embodiments, the ends of the fingers116do not abut the sidewall surface212delimiting the recess210of the drain body202. In other words, the lateral strainer portion only acts as a strainer and does not act as a spacer when the ends of the fingers terminate within the recess before extending to and reaching the sidewall surface212of the drain body202.

When the upper strainer portion102is inset within the lower strainer portion104as shown inFIG. 3B, bottom ends or bottom end surfaces of the upper and lower strainer portions102,104, respectively, may abut a lower surface214of the drain body202that delimits the recess210. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 3Dwhen the upper strainer portion102is extended outward from the lower strainer portion104, the bottom end of the lower strainer portion104may abut the lower surface214of the drain body202and the bottom end of the upper strainer portion102may be spaced apart from the lower surface214of the drain body202.

FIG. 3Cis a perspective view of the drain system200in which the strainer cartridge100is in the expanded position (e.g., drain position, draining position, etc.) such that fluid may successively pass into and through the drain opening208and into and through the recess210. After passing through the drain opening208and through the recess210the fluid may continue to pass along a drain pipe (not shown) in fluid communication with the drain body202. For example, the drain pipe may be a sewage pipe or some other type of pipe through which fluid passes through to exit a fluid basin in fluid communication with the drain body202.

As may readily be seen inFIGS. 3A-3Dthe upper and lower strainer portions102,104, respectively, define and delimit the void138, which is cylindrical, that extends through and between the upper and lower strainer portion102,104, respectively. The void138is in fluid communication with the pluralities of first and second openings106,108, respectively, of the upper and lower strainer portions102,104, respectively, such that fluid may flow through the pluralities of first and second openings106,108into the void138to strain the fluid passing through the strainer cartridge. The void138may be smaller when the upper strainer portion102is inset within the lower strainer portion104as shown inFIG. 3Bas compared to when the upper strainer portion102is in the expanded position and extending from the lower strainer portion104as shown inFIG. 3D.

The strainer cartridge100may be conveniently moved between the compressed position (e.g., plug position, plugged position, etc.) in which the drain opening208is sealed off by the gasket120and the expanded position (e.g., drain position, draining position, etc.) in which the drain opening208is unimpeded such that fluid may readily pass through the strainer cartridge100and the drain opening208. For example, a user may simply, easily, and conveniently pull upward on the stopper head118to mechanically move the upper strainer portion102from the compressed position to the expanded position, and, oppositely, the user may simply, easily, and conveniently push downward on the stopper head118to mechanically move the upper strainer portion102from the expanded position to the compressed position.

When the user pulls on the stopper head118moving the upper strainer portion102from the compressed position to the expanded position, the cantilever arms110successively deflect away from the axis ALand snap back towards the axis ALas the lip portions136slide and move along angled surfaces, apexes, and valleys of the ribs of the ribbed portions112. Once the user has moved the upper strainer portion102to a selected position, the user ceases pulling on the stopper head118and the lip portions136are positioned within valleys between adjacent ones of the ribs of the ribbed portions112such that the upper strainer portion102is held in the expanded position. As the upper strainer portion102is moved towards the expanded position, the user may hear a clicking sound or feel tactile feedback based on the mechanical interaction between the lip portions136of the cantilever arms110and the ribs of the ribbed portions112.

The size of the void136defined by the upper and lower strainer portions102,104, respectively, is increased by moving the upper strainer portion102from the compressed position to the expanded position. A speed of fluid flow through the drain opening208, the upper strainer portion102, and the lower strainer portion104may increase as the size of the void136increases.

When the user pushes on the stopper head118moving the upper strainer portion from the expanded position to the compressed position, the cantilever arms110successively deflect away from the axis ALand snap back towards the axis ALas the lip portions136slide and move along the angled surfaces, the apexes, and the valleys of the ribs of the ribbed portions112. Once the user has moved the upper strainer portion102to a selected position, the user ceases pushing on the stopper head118. Once the upper strainer portion102is in the compressed position, the gasket120is contacting the peripheral surface206of the flange204of the drain body202sealing off the drain opening208from fluid within a fluid basin. In other words, the gasket120and the stopper head118stop fluid within the fluid basin from exiting the fluid basin such that the fluid collects within the fluid basin.

The size of the void136defined by the upper and lower strainer portions102,104, respectively, is decreased by moving the upper strainer portion102from the compressed position to the expanded position. A speed of fluid flow through the drain opening208, the upper strainer portion102, and the lower strainer portion104may decrease as the size of the void136decreases. In other words, the upper strainer portion102may be positioned in an intermediate position between the fully compressed position and the fully expanded position to limit the speed of the fluid flow through the drain. When the upper strainer portion102is in the intermediate position, the upper strainer portion102is held stationarily in the intermediate position by the mechanical cooperation and engagement of the cantilever arms110and the ribbed portions112.

FIG. 3Eis a bottom plan perspective view of the drain system200including the drain body202and the strainer cartridge100. The drain body202further includes a grate structure216that is mechanically engaged with the clip arrangements113of the lower strainer portion104. For example, the horizontal portions of the L-shaped clip arrangements113are below corresponding bars of the grate structure216such that upper surfaces of the horizontal portions may abut the lower surfaces of the corresponding bars, and the vertical portions of the L-shaped clip arrangements113are adjacent to and may abut side surfaces of the corresponding bars. The clip arrangements113interlock with the bars of the grate structure216such that when the user pulls upward on the stopper head118to mechanically move the upper strainer portion102from the compressed position towards the expanded position the clip arrangements113abut and interlock with the corresponding bars of the grate structure216such that the strainer cartridge100is not removed from the drain body202. Alternatively, when the user pushes downward on the stopper head118to mechanically move the upper strainer portion102from the expanded position towards the compressed position, the bottom end of the lower strainer portion104is pushed against the grate structure216such that the upper strainer portion102is moved into the lower strainer portion104.

FIG. 3Fis a bottom plan perspective view of the drain system including the drain body and the strainer cartridge100. However, unlikeFIG. 3Ein which the clip arrangements113interlock with the grate structure216, the strainer cartridge100has been rotated such that the clip arrangements are fully aligned with corresponding openings218extending through the grate structure216. When in this rotated position, the clip arrangements113do not interlock with the corresponding bars of the grate structure216such that when a user pulls on the stopper head118, the strainer cartridge100is removed from the drain body202. The strainer cartridge100may be conveniently removed from the drain body202such that the strainer cartridge100may be cleaned, may have parts replaced, or may be replaced entirely by a new trainer cartridge100.

FIG. 4Ais a perspective view of the lower strainer portion104of the strainer cartridge100as shown inFIGS. 1A-1F.FIG. 4Bis a perspective view of the upper strainer portion102of the strainer cartridge100as shown inFIGS. 1A-1Fthat is telescopically received by the lower strainer portion104as shown inFIG. 4A.

In some embodiments, the outside diameter of the lower strainer portion104may be less than the inside diameter of the upper strainer portion102such that the lower strainer portion104is telescopically received within the upper strainer portion102. In other words, the upper strainer portion102may surround the lower strainer portion104when the strainer cartridge100is in the compressed position. In these embodiments, the cantilever arms110may be reversed such that the lip portions136are at an outer surface of the lower strainer portion104and the ribbed portions112are at an inner surface of the upper strainer portion102such that the cantilever arms110mechanically cooperate and engage with corresponding ones of the ribbed portion112.

Additional aspects and features of the strainer cartridges disclosed herein will be readily apparent from a detailed review of the figures.