CHECK VALVE FLOOR DRAIN

Abstract: A method and apparatus (100) for admitting liquid from a draining surface (10) into a drain conduit (110) and for preventing discharge of waste gas from the drain conduit (110) into the atmosphere in response to a higher pressure in the drain conduit (110) than at the draining surface (10).

Description: Title: CHECK VALVE FLOOR DRAIN TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to drains for building floors, basements, exterior paved areas, and the like. The invention provides floor drain assemblies and check valves providing improved drainage performance and minimized backflow, particularly where drainage is an irregular occurrence. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION U-shaped or "gooseneck" traps have long been used in the plumbing industry to prevent backflow of harmful or annoying sewer or pipe gasses into buildings while permitting drainage of unwanted water from floors and other horizontal surfaces. Such traps operate by leaving a small quantity of fluid within the lower portion of a U-shaped trap section to act as a gas barrier. In many applications, however, particularly where access is difficult or where drainage is infrequent, it is . disadvantageous to use such drains. Fluid may evaporate from the trap, permitting free flow of obnoxious gases through the drain; insects may breed in the fluid, or in some instances the fluids may harden so as to actually block or restrict flow through the drain. Such conventional drains are also relatively difficult and expensive to install. In addition to floor drain applications, these problems are also common to other areas of fluid control, wherever fluid drainage is an occasional problem. One solution to these problems has been the use of trap primers, which operate to ensure that a minimum level of fluid is left in the drain to act as a trap for gasses which accumulate within drains. Trap primers are usually difficult and expensive to install, and require maintenance and constant monitoring to ensure their functionality. Outside the floor drain environment, the use of check valves has been suggested. As demonstrated herein, check valves can be efficient both in facilitating draining operations and in trapping drain-pipe gasses and preventing backflow. Heretofore, however, no one has suggested placing simple and efficient check valves in floor drains, either alone or in combination or in series with other types of valves. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The invention provides improved floor drains of unprecedented simplicity and reliability. In one aspect, the invention provides a check valve for a floor drain, the check valve being adapted for disposition within a floor drain or a drain basin and comprising a stop adapted for sealing engagement of a drain sealing surface located proximate an inlet to said floor drain, and further comprising means adapted to urge the stop into sealing engagement with the drain sealing surface. The means for urging the stop into sealing engagement with the drain sealing surface is adapted to permit disengagement of the stop from the sealing surface as a fluid such as water enters said drain, so as to permit drainage of the fluid through the drain is permitted, while urging the stop back into contact with the sealing surface so that backflow of gasses from within said drain is prevented after the fluid has drained. Improved drain and valve assemblies provide redundant gas- trap and backflow prevention protection through the simple, economical, and efficient application of check valves. Redundant layers of check valves are installed in series to permit one - direction fluid flow and vacuum relief in drains. In one aspect, the invention provides a drain assembly for use in the drainage of drain surfaces such as building and basement floors, exterior paved areas, swimming pools, and the like. The most common application of this aspect of the invention is in the drainage of water from flooded areas, with the water flowing downward under the influence of gravity or some other driving force. Most often, this means that the fluid drains substantially vertically under gravitational influence. An assembly according to this aspect of the invention comprises a drain basin having an inlet and an outlet, with the outlet being adapted for the attachment of a drain conduit, and at least one check valve disposed within the drain basin. In an alternative embodiment, at least two check valves can be placed in series to form a set, preferably in a substantially vertical orientation, so that a chamber is formed between the valves. Two or more sets can be used in parallel, or in series if desired, or some combination thereof. The check valves are adapted, generally by a combination of their substantially vertical series orientation and by the use of valves having suitable design opening or actuating pressures, to permit drainage of fluids through the drain inlet without substantial restriction, and to prevent backflow of gasses from the drain conduit through the chamber to the inlet. Preferably, valves are selected with opening and/or actuating pressures suitable for allowing gasses, for example air, to flow through the drain inlet and the chamber to relieve any vacuum formed within the drain conduit. The check valves are supported in a removable framework or other structure so that the valves may be removed from the drain for cleaning, repair, replacement, or other maintenance. In another aspect, the invention provides a valve assembly for use with drains for draining drain surfaces. A valve assembly according to this aspect of the invention comprises a preferably removable support structure adapted for disposition, preferably by insertion, within a drain basin installed in a floor or other drain surface. The support structure is adapted to support either a single check valve, or a plurality of check valves so as to form at least one chamber between serial individual valves or sets of valves, and to permit drainage through the drain in the manner described herein. Check valves used with the invention are of various types. For many applications, and in particular where the drain is intended to facilitate drainage of water from floors and the like, flapper valves having flexible diaphragms adapted to engage a circumferential seat, and optionally comprising backing plates to support the diaphragm, and spring-loaded or spring-biased valves, are preferred. The selection of suitable check valves for any given drainage application will not trouble the designer of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. Other preferred embodiments of this check valve aspect of the invention comprise stops incorporating "flapper" diaphragms made of elastic material, such as natural or synthetic rubbers, or other polymers. The diaphragm in such embodiments has sufficient flexibility to flex under pressure or other action of liquid entering the drain in order to allow the liquid to drain, and to return to a substantially unflexed condition in which sealing engagement of the drain sealing surface by the diaphragm is restored following drainage of said liquid. In such embodiments, as may be seen, the elasticity of the diaphragm acts as the means for urging the diaphragm into sealing contact with the drain sealing surface. A particular advantage of such embodiments of the invention is that the elastic diaphragm may be relatively easily, through well known liquid static and dynamic principles, and through well known principles of structural mechanics, be adapted to flex under the action of a preselected head pressure when liquid is present within the drain. That is, the geometry, and therefore the stiffness, of a diaphragm made of any given elastic material may be selected to ensure that the valve will open when a desired amount of water is present in the drain. As will be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, once the suggestion has been made, this purpose maybe accomplished either by selecting an appropriate uniform thickness for the diaphragm or by tailoring the thickness to provide a non-uniform thickness having any of a wide variety of desired flexure or bending characteristics. Another way of controlling flexure in the diaphragm, as will be well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, is to provide the elastic diaphragm with a back plate which serves to stiffen or otherwise support at least a portion of the diaphragm. In such cases portions of the diaphragm supported by the back plate will have a generally increased stiffness, as compared to non-backed portions of the diaphragm. In other preferred embodiments of the invention the check valve is spring-biased, such that the means for urging the stop into contact with the drain sealing surfaces comprises a spring. As will be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, in such embodiments it is a relatively straightforward matter, once the idea has been suggested, to select or adapt a spring having an appropriate thickness for peπuitting disengagement of the stop from the sealing surface when a selected head pressure had been reached inside the drain. An important advantage offered by drain valves according to the invention is that they may be provided either as integral parts of new drain assemblies or with separate housings to that they may be inserted in existing drain structures as retrofits. Thus new drains omitting P- or U-traps may be built, or existing drains having such traps may be provided with the advantages described herein. Likewise, stuck or damaged valves may be easily replaced. In preferred embodiments, the advantage of interchangeability or removability is easily provided by providing the check valve and the biasing means with a housing. Such a housing may be used with or without separate gaskets, etc., for sealing the drain, and may easily be adapted such that the housing itself provides the sealing surface engaged by the stop for sealing of the drain. Another advantage offered by drain valves according to the invention is that they are readily adapted to a wide variety of drains. For example, they are easily provided in substantially circular section, for use in a standard circular or cylindrical drain pipe, or as easily provided with a rectangular or other non-standard section. Yet another distinct advantage offered by check valves according to the invention is that they are easily installed or used in conjunction with other valves or with existing traps, so as to provide redundant valve structure and the advantages associated therewith. For example, two or more check valves according to the invention may be used together, so that if one becomes jammed or otherwise dysfunctional the other may continue to serve satisfactorily. Likewise, all of the other advantages and improvements described herein, such as the provision of the valve assembly with a housing to permit the valves to be retrofitted or removed for maintenance or replacement, are enjoyed by those embodiments incorporating additional valves. In addition to the check valves and drain assemblies described herein, as such, it is to be understood that all new and useful devices or components described herein are considered to constitute a part of the invention, claimable in their own right, whether such is stated with particularity herein or not. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a preferred embodiment of a drain assembly according to the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic cutaway cross section view of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic cutaway side view of another preferred embodiment of a valve assembly according to the invention; Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of another preferred embodiment of a check valve according to the invention; Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Fig. 4. Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Fig. 4 with the diaphragm opened by presence of a liquid; Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternative preferred embodiment of a check valve floor drain according to the invention; Figure 8 is a schematic perspective partial section view of another alternative preferred embodiment of a check valve floor drain according to the invention; and Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of yet another alternative preferred embodiment of a check valve floor drain according to the invention. BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Turning now to the drawings, the invention will be described in a preferred embodiment by reference to the numerals of the drawing figures wherein like numbers indicate like parts. The invention pertains to an apparatus for allowing substantially unrestricted flow from any draining surface while preventing backflow from the drain conduit. References in the specifications and claims to a draining surface, a floor, or the like, mean any surface requiring a drain. The surface being drained could be a roof, a compartment, a sink, a counter top, a floor, an on-grade surface, or a below-grade surface. The surface could be on land or onboard a ship. Specific references to a type surface being drained are to illustrate the invention and not limit its specifications or claims. Figure 1 shows a schematic plan view of a preferred embodiment of a drain assembly according to the invention. Figure 2 shows a schematic cross section view of the drain assembly of Figure 1. Drain assembly 100 is installed in drain surface 10 so that water or other liquids present on and above the drain surface may drain freely through the drain assembly while gasses present beneath the drain remain trapped in place. Drain assembly 100 comprises drain basin 101, which includes inlet 102 and outlet 103 ; outlet 103 is attached to drain conduit 110. A check valve assembly 120 is disposed with two check valves 125 and 126 being placed in series so as to form chamber 130 within the drain basin. By virtue of their substantially vertical orientation and their design opening or actuating pressures, check valve assembly 120 is adapted to permit drainage of a liquid from said drain inlet and from said chamber, and to prevent backflow of liquids and / or gasses located within said drain conduit and said chamber to said inlet (as shown by arrows 150 in Figure 3). Thus the drain assembly acts as both a drain valve and a trap, without the difficulties and expense of installing prior art p-shaped drain traps, and without the necessity and expense for employing a trap primer. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the substantially vertical orientation of the drain assembly and the selection and use of valves having appropriate actuation or opening pressures, prevents substantial amounts of liquid from building up within chamber the chamber 130 as liquid drains through the assembly. Preferably, valves are chosen such that their actuation or opening pressures permit air or other liquids to bleed through the drain assembly in order to relieve any vacuum which may build up in the drain conduit. The use of more than one check valve, with the valves disposed ' in series and adapted to operate independently of each other, helps to ensure proper functioning of the drain, particularly in case foreign matter intercedes between the check valve itself and any surrounding structure in such manner as to prevent the valve from closing properly or completely. This is particularly useful in ensuring that unwanted gasses remain trapped within the drain conduit, and are not permitted to escape into the atmosphere above the drain; and in preventing back flow through the drain due to floods, etc. This structure also precludes access by insects to liquids in the drain. A particularly useful optional feature of preferred embodiments of the drain assembly according to the invention is the placement or mounting of the check valves in a removable structure to facilitate cleaning, repair, replacement, or other maintenance of the valves. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 check valve assembly 120 is mounted in frame 140, which rests upon shoulder 142 in the drain basin. Proper functioning of the drain is aided, in the embodiment shown, by the use of optional sealing ring 143 , which is in place between the frame 140 and drain basin 101. Frame 140 is removable from the drain assembly by means of ring 141, or any other structure suitable or mechanism suitable for the purpose. As indicated above, check valves used with the invention may be of any suitable type. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 flapper valves 121 are used. Flapper valves 121 comprise flexible valve portions 123 and optional substantially rigid back plates 122. The construction and operation of flapper valves, with or without back plates, is well understood by those having ordinary skill in the art, and will not trouble the designer of systems of the type described herein. Figure 3 is a schematic cutaway side view of a preferred embodiment of a valve assembly 190 according to the invention. In the embodiment shown, first check valve assembly 120 and second check valve assembly 120a each comprise two spring-biased valves 128 and 128a comprising a valve plate 129 and 129a and a spring 127 and 127a. As will be readily appreciated by the artisan of ordinary skill, valves 128 and 128a open under the action of a relatively higher pressure above the drain and a relatively lower pressure beneath the drain. It is to be noted that valve assembly 190 is inserted directly into drain basin 101, which may consist of, for example, an open end of a drain conduit 103. It should also be noted that chamber 130 may comprise either a single annular (or arbitrarily shaped) chamber or a set of multiple chambers between different groups of check valves. Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of another preferred embodiment of a check valve according to the invention. Figures 5 and 6 are schematic cross-sectional views of the device of Fig. 4. Check valve 100 is in place in floor drain 10. Check valve 200 comprises diaphragm 203 adapted for sealing engagement of drain sealing surface 201, which when check valve 100 is installed in a floor drain is located proximate inlet 14 of drain 10, such that when diaphragm 203 is sealingly engaged with sealing surface 201, a liquid tight seal is produced between the drain basin 11 or the exterior of the drain and drain conduit 110 attached to the drain. Thus, gasses trapped within the interior of the drain or within drain conduit 110 are prevented from escaping from the drain. Most typically, sealing surface 201 is formed by a circumferential rim or other surface disposed about an outlet to the drain conduit, or by a part of a removable housing such as optional housing 210 for check valve 100, which is provided for ease installation or removal. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 - 3, sealing surface 101 is a part of housing 110, which together with optional gasket 112 serves to form a seal between diaphragm 203 and the wall of drain 110. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 - 3, flexible diaphragm 203 is formed to engage sealing surface 201. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, diaphragm 203 has sufficient flexibility to flex under action of a liquid (represented by arrows 17) as it enters drain basin 11, and thus to allow drainage of the liquid, and to return substantially to its original, unflexed condition, so that sealing between the diaphragm and the drain sealing surface is restored as the liquid drains. In preferred embodiments of this aspect of the invention diaphragm 203 is adapted to flex under the action of a preselected head pressure within said drain. This may be accomplished in any number of ways, most of which will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art once they have been exposed to the material herein. For example, diaphragm 203 may be made of a suitable uniform thickness such as thickness 205 shown in Figure 1, or from a variable thickness tailored for any desired change in flow rate with respect to pressure, such as thickness 206 in Figures 2 and 3. The structural properties of diaphragms being relatively well known, and hydrostatic pressure being given by the equation sp = pgh, where p = pressure, p — the specific gravity of the liquid to be drained through the valve, g = the local acceleration due to gravity or other body force acting on the liquid, and h = head, as shown by reference 204 in Figure 5. Thus, is it a straightforward matter for one having ordinary skill in the art, once armed with this disclosure, to select an appropriate head 204 and to design a diaphragm 203 which will deflect suitably in the presence of that head and permit the liquid to drain into the conduit 110. An optional alternative means for tailoring the deflection of diaphragm 203 under any given head of water or for otherwise increasing or affecting the stiffness of the plate is through the use of a back plate on one side of the diaphragm. Most commonly such a plate will be placed on the drain side of the diaphragm, as shown in Figure 9, but the effect of water accumulating in the drain basin on the diaphragm may be affected as well by placing the back plate before the diaphragm. Typically a back plate such as plate 107 in Figure 9 will support at least a portion of the diaphragm, and depending upon the stiffness of the diaphragm and the plate may support the entire diaphragm. In alternative preferred embodiments of this aspect of the invention the check valve comprises a spring or extendable mounting cord adapted to urge the stop into sealing engagement with the drain sealing surface. Such an embodiment is shown in Figure 7. Check valve 300 comprises stop 302 and spring 309, which serves to bias stop 302 into sealing contact with sealing surface 301. As shown in Figure 7, spring 309 is compressed under action of liquid in the drain, the motion of which is represented by arrows 17, so as to allow stop 302 to disengage from sealing surface 301, and therefore to allow the liquid to drain. As will appear to those of ordinary skill in the art, it is a relatively simple matter to select a spring 309 having an appropriate stiffness to allow stop 302 to disengage the sealing surface when a desired level of liquid has accumulated in the drain. In general, it has been observed that under some circumstances the selection and fabrication of a spring having just the desired stiffness may be more difficult than making a flexible diaphragm of the type described herein having an appropriate flexibility and elasticity. One advantage of providing check valves according to the invention with on optional housing such as housing 110 or 210 in the Figures is that the housing may be provided with convenient means for installing and removing the check valve in a floor drain. For example, ring 111 in Figures 4-6 permits removal of the check valve. In addition to providing an attachment for the installation and removal means housing 110 or 120 provides structural support for stop 302 or diaphragm and the biasing means, and optionally a drain sealing surface 201. In embodiments of the invention comprising flexible diaphragms 203, the housing may include cross members 114 or other structure to provide direct attachment for the diaphragm, as by means of fastener 115, which may consist of a rivet, nut and bolt, or other mechanical fastener. Alternatively, the diaphragm may be attached with adhesive or with a bonding process, or integrally molded. Similarly, diaphragm 203 and spring 309 may be supported by means of cross members 114 and fasteners 115 or by any other suitable method. It may be seen that check valves according to the invention may be of arbitrary cross section or plan view. That is, they are readily adaptable to use with drains of circular cross section, as in the case of an ordinary drain pipe, or with rectangular conduit or conduit of any other shape. Embodiments of the invention adapted for use with pipes or conduits of substantially circular cross section are shown in Figures 4 and 8. A further advantage of the use of check valves according to the invention is that they may be used singularly, as preferred, or in combination with other valves in any number. For example, two check valves according to the invention may be used in series, or in parallel. One particularly useful combination is shown in Figures 8 and 9, wherein a check valve according to the invention is housed in series with a series of side-port flapper valves 121. Side port flapper valves 121 are set in the side of housing 110 and comprise ports 122 and valve covers 123. A valve cover 123 is hinged along one edge of each of ports 122 and adapted to open under influence of liquid present in drain basin 11 , as shown in Figure 5. In preferred embodiments, valve covers 123 are fabricated from flexible elastic material such as sheet rubber (which may be either natural or synthetic, and composed of any suitable material) and are fastened or adhered along the top edge of their associated ports. As in the case of flexible diaphragms 203, valve covers 123 may be tailored by means of thickness (uniform or nonuniform) or material to open under any design hydrostatic pressure. It is advantageous, but not necessary, in making side port flapper valves to provide housing 110 with sloping sides 124, so that valve covers 123 are assisted by gravity or other body force in closing, so as to help prevent back flow of gasses from the interior of the drain conduit. Check valves and associated components of the invention are advantageously made from any suitable materials. For example, diaphragms and stops' may be fabricated from natural or synthetic rubbers, or other suitable pliant and resilient materials, including a great many polymers, while stops and housings may be made of plastics such as PVC or APP, metals, or any of a wide variety of other materials . With regard to systems and components above referred to, but not otherwise specified or described in detail herein, the workings and specifications of such systems and components and the manner in which they may be made or assembled or used, both cooperatively with each other and with the other elements of the invention described herein to effect the purposes herein disclosed, are all believed to be well within the knowledge of those skilled in the art. No concerted attempt to repeat here what is generally known to the artisan has therefore been made. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The invention has applicability in the field of plumbing and liquid control or removal. In particular, the invention represents improvements in drain systems for floors and other surfaces in which infrequent drainage must be reliably and efficiently processed. In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims: CLAIMS We claim: 1. A check valve floor drain assembly for draining liquid from a draining surface into a drain conduit, the floor drain assembly comprising: a drain basin having a drain inlet for liquid draining from the draining surface and an outlet for attachment to the drain conduit; and a check valve disposed within said drain basin, said check valve adapted to permit substantially unrestriced flow of liquid from the drain inlet to the drain conduit, and to prevent backflow of gasses located within said drain conduit to said drain inlet; whereby the check valve allows liquid to drain from the draining surface and achieves a seal to prevent backflow of gases from the drain conduit after liquid has drained. 2. A check valve floor drain assembly for draining liquid from a draining surface into a drain conduit, the floor drain assembly comprising: a drain basin having a drain inlet for liquid draining from the draining surface and an outlet for attachment to the drain conduit; at least two check valves disposed within said drain basin, said check valves adapted to permit flow of liquid from the drain inlet to the drain conduit, and to prevent backflow of gasses located within said drain conduit to said drain inlet; and two of said check valves being disposed in series as a first serial check valve and a second serial check valve, whereby a chamber is formed in the drainage flow path of liquid from the draining surface to the drain conduit between said first serial check valve and said second serial check valve, whereby the check valves allow the liquid to drain from the draining surface and the serial check valves achieve a redundant seal to prevent backflow of gases from the drain conduit in the event one of the serial check valves fails to close. 3. The assembly of Claim 2, wherein said at least one check valve is supported in a removable structure. 4. The assembly of Claim 2, wherein at least one of said check valves comprises a flapper valve. 5. The assembly of Claim 1, wherein at least one of said check valves comprises a spring- biased valve. 6. A check valve floor drain assembly for draining liquid from a floor drain inlet to a drain conduit, the check valve assembly comprising: a support structure disposed in the drainage flow path from the floor drain inlet to the drain conduit; at least two check valves removably or interchangeably disposed within said support structure, said check valves adapted to permit drainage of liquid from said floor drain inlet to the drain conduit, and to prevent backflow of gasses located within said drain conduit to said drain inlet; and two of said check valves being disposed in series as a first serial check valve and a second serial check valve, whereby a chamber is formed in the drainage flow path from the floor drain inlet to the drain conduit between said first serial check valve and said second serial check valve, whereby the check valves allows liquid to drain from the floor, and the serial check valves achieve a redundant seal to prevent backflow of gases from the drain conduit in the event one of the serial check valves fails to close. 7. The assembly of Claim 6, further comprising at least two sets of serial check valves, said sets arranged in parallel. 8. The assembly of Claim 6, wherein at least one of said check valves comprises a flapper valve. 9. The assembly of Claim 6, wherein at least one of said check valves comprises a spring- biased valve. 10. The assembly of Claim 2, further comprising a second set of at least two serial check valves, said second set arranged in parallel with said first check valve and second check valve. 11. A check valve for a floor drain, the check valve adapted for disposition within a floor drain and comprising: a drain sealing surface located proximate to an inlet to said floor drain; a stop adapted for sealing engagement of said drain sealing surface, said stop further adapted to provide substantial flow of liquid in the open position around the periphery of said stop; and a means adapted to urge said stop into sealing engagement with said drain sealing surface, said means adapted to permit disengagement of the stop from the sealing surface as liquid enters said drain, whereby free flowing drainage of liquid is permitted through said floor drain, and backflow of gasses from said floor drain is prevented after liquid has drained. 12. The check valve of Claim 11, wherein said stop is an elastic diaphragm having sufficient flexibility to flex into a open position under action of said liquid and to allow drainage of said liquid, and to return to a substantially unflexed condition in which sealing engagement of said drain sealing surface by said diaphragm is restored following drainage of said liquid. 13. The check valve of Claim 12, wherein said elastic diaphragm is adapted to flex under the action of a preselected liquid head pressure within said drain. 14. The check valve of Claim 13, wherein said diaphragm comprises a substantially uniform thickness. 15. The check valve of Claim 12 , wherein said diaphragm comprises a substantially uniform thickness. 16. The check valve of Claim 12, further comprising a back plate adapted to support at least a portion of said diaphragm. 17. The check valve of Claim 11, wherein said check valve is a spring-biased valve and said means adapted to urge said stop into sealing engagement comprises a spring adapted to urge said stop into sealing engagement with said drain sealing surface. 18. The check valve of Claim 17, wherein said spring has a stiffness adapted to permit disengagement of said stop from said sealing surface when a selected liquid head pressure had been reached inside said drain. 19. The check valve of Claim 11 , said valve comprising a housing to support said stop and said means for urging said stop into sealing contact with said drain sealing surface, said housing adapted for removable or interchangeable disposition of said check valve within said drain. 20. The check valve of Claim 11 , wherein said valve is adapted for sealing engagement of a substantially circular drain. 21. The check valve of Claim 11, wherein said valve is adapted for sealing engagement of a rectangular drain. 22. The check valve of Claim 11, connected in series with any other valve. 23. A side port floor drain apparatus for admitting liquid from a draining surface into a drain conduit and for preventing discharge of waste gas from the drain conduit into the atmosphere in response to a higher pressure in the drain conduit than at the draining surface, the floor drain apparatus comprising: a housing having circumferential walls with an exterior surface and an interior surface, an open bore extending throughout, a first section, a second inwardly tapered midsection, a third section designed for connection with the drain conduit, and a cover joined over the first section, forming a chamber adapted for connection with the drain conduit; a drain port through the walls of the housing having a non-horizontal drain sealing surface on the interior surface, the drain port creating a path for liquid from the exterior surface into the drain conduit; and a stop disposed on the interior surface, located between the non-horizontal drain sealing surface and the drain conduit, configured to sealingly engage the drain sealing surface and movably operate within the chamber, and further configured to admit liquid proximate to the exterior surface into the chamber and into the drain conduit and to prevent discharge of waste gas from the drain conduit into the atmosphere in response to a higher pressure in the drain conduit than at the draining surface. 24. The floor drain of Claim 23, wherein said stop comprises an elastic valve having sufficient flexibility to flex under action of liquid being drained and to allow drainage of said liquid, and to return to a substantially unflexed condition in which sealing engagement of said drain sealing surface by said elastic valve is restored following drainage of said liquid; 25. The floor drain of Claim 24, wherein said elastic valve is adapted to flex under the action of a preselected head pressure within said drain. 26. The floor drain of Claim 24, wherein said elastic valve comprises a substantially uniform thickness. 27. The floor drain of Claim 24, said valve comprising a housing to support said stop and said means for urging said stop into sealing contact with said drain sealing surface, said housing adapted for removable or interchangeable disposition of said floor drain within an inlet to a drain conduit. 29. Any apparatus, device, process, or method disclosed herein.

Inventors: HUBER DONALD G, STAKSET ALLEN I, HUBER, DONALD, G., STAKSET, ALLEN, I.
Applicants: HUBER DONALD G, STAKSET ALLEN I, HUBER, DONALD, G., STAKSET, ALLEN, I.
Application year: 2001
Main classification: F16K31
IPC codes: E03C1, E03F5, F16K15, F16K31