Abstract:
A waste water insert has a wall surrounding a vertical bore. A horizontal flange extends outwardly from the upper end of the wall and has a lip formed on its outer periphery. The horizontal flange of the waste water insert is super-imposed over the horizontal flange of a waste water strainer located in a bathtub, sink or the like. The wall of the insert extends downwardly through the cylindrical wall of the waste water strainer with the two walls being spaced from each other by virtue of the cylindrical wall of the insert having a smaller diameter than that of the strainer.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/405,956, filed Mar. 17, 2009, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/161,933, filed Aug. 23, 2005, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,503,083, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A strainer in the plumbing field is the mechanism in the bottom of a sink, bathtub, or the like through which waste water flows from the receptacle. Strainers usually have valves or the like which control the flow of water therethrough. Most of these valve assemblies are threadably mounted within a threaded aperture located in the strainer. 
         [0003]    Existing strainers have a vertically disposed externally threaded sleeve which engage corresponding threads on a fitting adjacent a vertically disposed aperture in the bottom of the water receptacle. The upper end of the sleeve terminates in a circular horizontal flange which engages and is sealed to the bottom of the receptacle around the aperture in the bottom of the receptacle. A hub with a threaded bore and with radially extending spokes is often located in a horizontal plane in the bottom of the strainer to support various closure valves. 
         [0004]    Occasionally it is necessary to change the strainer of a given receptacle because the flange thereof has become tarnished, disfigured, or because the flange is incompatible esthetically with the owner&#39;s sense of ornamentation. Removal of the strainer is often a difficult task, particularly when the strainer has been in place for a long time. Conventional tools are typically insufficient for use in removal of the strainer. Further, there is a possibility that the threads of the replacement strainer will not be compatible with the threads of the fitting or bushing associated with the aperture of the receptacle. In addition, when the strainer is removed there is nothing to retain the back drain system and it falls away. 
         [0005]    Some attempts have been made to place a substitute flange over the existing flange by providing structure whereby the substitute flange can be threadably secured to threaded bores of the strainer which originally threadably received the valve assembly of the strainer. This approach to the installation of a substitute flange is not satisfactory because variations of thread sizes in the original strainers are often incompatible with the thread sizes of the substituted flange adapter. 
         [0006]    It is therefore an aspect of this invention to provide a cover and method for covering the flange of an existing strainer without removing the existing strainer. 
         [0007]    A further aspect of this invention is to provide a cover and method for covering the flange of an existing strainer which will permit easy installation, and which will be well within the ability of those not being skilled in the plumbing art. 
         [0008]    These and other aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    A waste water insert has a cylindrical wall surrounding a cylindrical bore. A flange extends outwardly from the upper end of the wall and has a lip formed on its outer periphery. 
         [0010]    The flange of the waste water insert is superimposed over the flange of a waste water strainer located in a bathtub, sink or the like. The lip at the outer perimeter of the flange of the insert fits over the outer periphery of the horizontal flange of the waste water strainer to center the insert on the strainer. The cylindrical wall of the insert extends downwardly through the cylindrical wall of the waste water strainer with the two walls being spaced from each other by virtue of the cylindrical wall of the insert having a smaller diameter than that of the strainer. The cylindrical wall of the strainer extends below the cylindrical wall of the insert, and has a lower circular edge. One or more grooves are positioned within the cylindrical wall of the insert that receive one or more resilient ring members that engage the cylindrical wall of the strainer. 
         [0011]    It is one aspect of the present invention to provide an insert with a wall that has a portion that engages the wall of the waste water strainer. More specifically, as described above, some embodiments of the present invention employ one or more grooves that receive one or more resilient ring members to engage the wall of the waste water strainer. One skilled in the art, however, will appreciate that there are multiple ways to engage the wall of the waste water strainer. For example, one embodiment of the present invention employs seals that do not require a groove. That is, enlarged seals, broken seals, shim seals, and angled seals are contemplated. In some embodiments, the wall of the strainer is comprised of two different materials, such as a steel or aluminum flange and interconnected plastic or rubber wall. 
         [0012]    It is a similar aspect of the present invention to provide an insert having a wall that has one or more engaging lips. In operation, an outer edge of the lip engages the cylindrical wall of the waste water strainer to center the insert. A centering feature may not comprise a continuous ring, but may instead include discontinuous extensions that act in concert to center the device. The wall engaging portions, e.g. lip(s), may be located adjacent to the insert flange, the end of the insert&#39;s wall, between the flange and the end of the wall, or a combination thereof. Frictional contact between the engaging lip and the strainer wall helps maintain the position of the insert. In some embodiments of the present invention, the insert&#39;s wall is conical wherein the diameter at a lowermost portion of the insert is greater than that of the opening in the flange. It is contemplated that insertion of the insert&#39;s cylindrical body into the strainer would require some deflection of the insert wall. After insertion, the wall of the insert will deflect outwardly to firmly engage the strainer wall. One of skill in the art will appreciate that a plurality of walls or tabs may be provided as opposed to a continuous insert wall. In still other embodiments of the present invention, the wall of the insert is angled or conical such that the lowermost portion has the smallest diameter. Here, a ring may be inserted into the insert to splay the insert wall outwardly to engage the strainer wall. 
         [0013]    Still other embodiments of the present invention employ an adhesive positioned between the insert flange and the flange of the waste water strainer or set screws to secure the insert in place. 
         [0014]    The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present invention. Moreover, references made herein to “the present invention” or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the present invention and should not necessarily be construed as limiting all embodiments to a particular description. The present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description of the Invention and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary of the Invention. Additional aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the Detail Description, particularly when taken together with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of these inventions. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of a bathtub with a waste water strainer located in the bottom thereof; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view showing a preliminary step in mounting the waste water insert onto the existing waste water strainer; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is an unexploded cross sectional view of the assembly shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is an unexploded cross sectional view similar to that of  FIG. 3  showing a modified form of insert; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of an assembly of an insert of another embodiment of the present invention that employs an enlarged seal; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of an insert of another embodiment of the present invention that employs a plurality of buttons; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of an insert of an alternate embodiment of the present invention that employs a plurality of seal shims; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of an insert of another embodiment of the present invention that employs an angled sealing member; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of an insert of another embodiment of the present invention that employs an engaging lip; 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a cross sectional view of an insert of another embodiment of the present invention that employs an outwardly extending conical portion; 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is a cross sectional view of an insert of another embodiment of the present invention that employs an inwardly extending conical portion; 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is a cross sectional view of an insert of another embodiment of the present invention that employs adhesives; 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is a cross sectional view of an insert of another embodiment of the present invention that employs at least one set screw; 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  is a cross sectional view of an insert of another embodiment of the present invention that receives an edge engagement member for selective engagement with a strainer body; 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  is a cross sectional view of the insert of  FIG. 15  that receives an edge engagement member of an alternate configuration; 
           [0032]      FIG. 17  is a bottom plan view of the insert of  FIG. 15  showing the edge engagement members of  FIG. 15  or  16 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 18  is a bottom plan view of the insert of  FIG. 15  that receives an edge engagement member that has an extended outer portion; 
           [0034]      FIG. 19  is a cross sectional view of the insert of one embodiment of  FIG. 15  that receives a continuous edge engagement member; 
           [0035]      FIG. 20  is a cross sectional view of the insert of  FIG. 15  that receives an edge engagement member similar to that shown in  FIG. 19  but that has elongated inner and outer portions; 
           [0036]      FIG. 21  is a bottom plan view of the insert in combination with the edge engagement member of  FIG. 19  or  FIG. 20 ; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 22  is a bottom plan view of the insert of  FIG. 15  associated with an edge engagement member that has a plurality of grooves. 
       
    
    
       [0038]    To assist in the understanding of one embodiment of the present invention, the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided below: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 # 
                 Component 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10 
                 Fluid compartment 
               
               
                 12 
                 Bottom 
               
               
                 14 
                 Bottom surface 
               
               
                 16 
                 Waste water aperture 
               
               
                 20 
                 Waste water strainer 
               
               
                 22 
                 Upper end 
               
               
                 24 
                 Flange 
               
               
                 26 
                 Outer perimeter 
               
               
                 28 
                 Cylindrical wall 
               
               
                 30 
                 Threads 
               
               
                 34 
                 Insert 
               
               
                 36 
                 Flange 
               
               
                 38 
                 Lip 
               
               
                 40 
                 Cylindrical wall 
               
               
                 42 
                 Center opening 
               
               
                 43 
                 Space 
               
               
                 44 
                 Groove 
               
               
                 46 
                 Resilient ring member 
               
               
                 50 
                 Raised surface 
               
               
                 52 
                 Resilient ring member 
               
               
                 54 
                 First portion 
               
               
                 58 
                 Second portion 
               
               
                 60 
                 Conical portion 
               
               
                 66 
                 Enlarged seal 
               
               
                 70 
                 Tapered surface 
               
               
                 74 
                 Button 
               
               
                 78 
                 Holes 
               
               
                 82 
                 Shims 
               
               
                 86 
                 Indentation 
               
               
                 90 
                 Angled seal 
               
               
                 94 
                 Lip 
               
               
                 98 
                 Conical wall 
               
               
                 102 
                 Inner lip 
               
               
                 106 
                 Ring 
               
               
                 110 
                 Adhesive 
               
               
                 114 
                 Set screw 
               
               
                 118 
                 Edge engagement member 
               
               
                 122 
                 Outer portion 
               
               
                 126 
                 Finger 
               
               
                 130 
                 Inner surface 
               
               
                 134 
                 Bottom edge 
               
               
                 138 
                 Extended outer portion 
               
               
                 142 
                 Inner portion 
               
               
                 146 
                 Outer portion 
               
               
                 150 
                 Groove 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0039]    It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0040]    The numeral  10  designates a fluid compartment or receptacle such as a tub or a sink. Compartment  10  has a bottom  12  with an interior bottom surface  14 . A waste water aperture  16  is located in bottom  12 . 
         [0041]    A waste water strainer  20  is shown in  FIG. 2 . Strainer  20  has an upper end  22  from which a circular flange  24  extends. The outer perimeter  26  of flange  24  engages the interior bottom surface  14  ( FIG. 1 ) surrounding aperture  16 . The strainer  20  has a downwardly extending cylindrical wall  28  and external threads  30 . The typical closure valves which may be associated with strainer  20  have not been shown. 
         [0042]    The numeral  34  designates a waste water insert. Insert  34  has a flange  36  with the periphery thereof terminating in a downwardly extending lip  38 . As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the lip  38  extends downwardly and over the outer perimeter  26  of flange  24  of strainer  20 . The lip  38  engages the bottom  12  of compartment  10  when installed. 
         [0043]    Insert  34  has a downwardly extending wall  40  which surrounds a center opening  42 . The diameter of wall  40  is less than the diameter of the cylindrical wall  28  of strainer  20  so that a space  43  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) exists between the two walls. The lip  38  on the outer perimeter of the flange  36  of insert  34  centers the cylindrical wall  40  within the cylindrical wall  28  of strainer  20  ( FIG. 3 ). In one embodiment, the waste water insert  34  includes a wall  40  with a cylindrical first portion  54  and a cylindrical second portion  58  with a conical portion  60  therebetween. The diameter of the cylindrical first portion  54  is greater than the diameter of the cylindrical second portion  58  such that the space  43  is reduced adjacent to the cylindrical first portion  54 . 
         [0044]    The cylindrical wall  40  extends downwardly and has a first groove  44  in the lower end. The groove  44  receives a resilient ring member  46  that engages the cylindrical wall  28  of the strainer  20  to hold the insert  34  in place. In one embodiment, the resilient ring member  46  is an O-ring. 
         [0045]    Alternatively, the waste water insert  34 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , has a second groove  48  in spaced relation to the first groove  44  with a raised surface  50  therebetween. The second groove  48  receives a second resilient ring member  52  that also engages the cylindrical wall  28  of strainer  20 . Additional grooves and rings may be added as desired. 
         [0046]    The insert is installed by inserting the cylindrical wall  40  of the insert  34  into the opening  16  ( FIG. 2 ) of the strainer  20  until the insert is in place. At this point the resilient ring or rings of the insert will engage the cylindrical wall  28  of the strainer  20  to hold the insert  34  in place. No tools are required and the inserts are quickly, easily, and securely installed to achieve their required purpose. 
         [0047]      FIG. 5  shows another embodiment of the present invention where the insert  34  is used in conjunction with an enlarged seal  66 . Here, the seal  66  extends from a lower surface of the flange  36  to a lowermost portion of the insert  34 . One skilled in the art, however, will appreciate an enlarged seal  66  of any shape may be employed. The seal  66  blocks the space  43  between the insert  34  and the strainer  20  and centers the insert  34 . The seal  66  may have a tapered surface  70  to facilitate insertion into the waste water strainer  20 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 6  shows an insert  34  of the present invention that uses a plurality of resiliently deflectable buttons  74 , which are integrated or inserted into holes of the insert  34  to help maintain the insert&#39;s  34  position within the strainer  20 . For example, an insert  34  having a plurality of holes  78  radially drilled through the wall  40  may be provided. The buttons  74 , which are preferably made of an elastomeric material, are inserted within the holes  78  and extend out from the wall  40  such that the effective outer diameter of the wall  40  is increased to correspond with the inner diameter of the strainer  20 . Thus, the frictional engagement between the buttons  74  and the strainer  20  help secure the insert  34  within the strainer  20 . Although three buttons  74  are shown, one skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of buttons may be integrated into the insert  34 . 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , another embodiment of the present invention is shown that employs a plurality of elongated shims  82 . Here, the strainer  20  includes a wall  40  having a plurality of indentations  86  that receive elongated elastomeric shims  82 . The shims  82  are similar to that of the buttons described above and are sandwiched between the strainer wall  28  and the wall  40  of the insert  34  to hold it in place. Here, the insert wall  40  includes a plurality of indentations  86  for receiving the shims  82 . One skilled in the art, however, will appreciate that the strainer wall  28  may have openings that extend completely therethrough that receive the shims  82 . Further, although three shims  82  are shown, one skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of shims  82  may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. The shims  82  may extend from the lower portion of the insert to the underside of the flange  36  or only extend a portion of the length of the insert wall  40  as shown. 
         [0050]      FIG. 9  shows an insert  34  that is associated with a strainer  20  with an angled seal  90 . The angled seal  90  may rest in a groove incorporated in the insert wall  40 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIGS. 10-12 , another embodiment of the present invention is shown where the insert  34  includes an engaging lip  94  positioned at the lowermost portion of the wall  40 . The lip  94  engages the strainer wall  28  and frictionally aligns the insert  34  to help maintain the position of the insert  34  within the strainer wall  28 . In one embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 11 , the insert wall  40  is angled outwardly (2) and thus must be deflected inwardly for insertion into the strainer wall  28 . When the force applied to deflect the wall  40  inwardly is removed the insert wall  40  will deflect outwardly, thereby increasing friction between the lip  94  and the strainer wall  28 . To facilitate insertion of the angled wall, a taper (not shown) may be provided on the lip  94  so that when engaged onto the strainer wall  28 , the insert wall  40  will be deflected inwardly. Furthermore, those of skill in the art will appreciate that opposed to a continuous insert wall  40 , many elongated tabs or walls may be provided. 
         [0052]      FIG. 12  is an alternate embodiment wherein a conical wall  98  is provided. The conical wall  98  includes an inner lip  102  that receives a sliding ring  106 . In operation, the sliding ring  106  is placed into the strainer wall  28  and moved downwardly, thereby deflecting the sides of the insert wall  40  outwardly to place the lip  94  in engagement with the strainer wall  40 . Again, one skilled in the art will appreciate that opposed to a continuous wall, many tabs or subwalls may be provided by this embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0053]      FIG. 13 , an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown wherein an adhesive  110  is used between the insert flange  36  and the strainer body flange  24 . An engaging lip  38  may also be included to help center the insert  34  with respect to the strainer body  20 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 14  shows yet another embodiment of the present invention where a plurality of set screws  114  are used to secure the insert  34  into the strainer  20 . An engaging lip  38  may also be included in this embodiment to help center the insert  34  into the strainer  20 . In view of the foregoing, one of skill in the art will appreciate that the methods of inserting and securing the insert into the strainer may be combined. More specifically, embodiments employing the set screw  114  or an engaging lip  38  may also include seals, buttons or other centering and sealing mechanisms described herein. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 15-22  show an insert  34  of another embodiment of the present invention that is positioned within the waste water strainer  20  by way of one or more edge engagement members  148 . The edge engagement members have an outer portion  122  that selectively engages the waste water strainer  20 . The edge engagement member  118  also includes a finger  126  that interfaces with the inner surface  130  of the insert  34 . The outer portion  122  and finger  126  are spaced to provide a gap for receipt of the cylindrical sidewall  40  of the insert  34 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the edge engagement member  118  is abutted against a bottom edge  134  of the cylindrical sidewall  40 . The gap provided between the finger  126  and the outer portion  122  may be slightly smaller than the thickness of the cylindrical sidewall  40  to provide an interference fit between the edge engagement member  118  and the cylindrical sidewall  40 . 
         [0056]    Referring specifically to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the edge engagement member  118  may have a bulbous outer portion  122  for selective engagement to the strainer body  20 . In operation, a plurality of edge engagement members  118  are interconnected to the cylindrical sidewall  40  and firmly secured to the bottom edge  134  thereof. The insert  34  is then forced within the strainer body  20 , which deflects the outer portions  122  of the edge engagement members inwardly. After insertion, the resilient nature of the edge engagement members  118  of one embodiment will expand to secure the insert  34 . The outer portion may be tapered to facilitate insertion into the strainer body. Further, as shown in  FIG. 16 , the fingers  126  may be elongated so that more of the inner surface  130  is contacted. Although three edge engagement members  118  are shown, one of skill in the art will appreciate that any number of edge engagement members  118  may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0057]      FIG. 17  is a bottom plan view of the insert  34  showing a plurality of edge engagement members  118  associated with the bottom edge  134  of the cylindrical sidewall  40 .  FIG. 18  shows an alternative configuration where an extended outer portion  138  is provided that increases surface contact with the strainer body. That is, the extended outer portion provides 360° engagement between the insert  34  and the strainer body. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the extended outer portion may be non-continuous to provide less than 360° of contact. 
         [0058]      FIGS. 19 and 20  show an edge engagement member  118  of an alternative configuration wherein an inner portion  142  is provided that contacts the inner surface  130  of the insert  34 . Similar to the embodiments described above, an outer portion  146  is spaced from the inner portion  142 . The outer portion  146  may be bulbous, of a constant cross section, or tapered. As shown in  FIG. 20 , the outer portion  146  and the inner portion  142  may be elongated to increase the amount of contact area between the cylindrical sidewall  40  and the strainer body  20 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 21  is a bottom plan view of an insert  34  associated with the edge engagement member  118  of  FIGS. 19 and 20 .  FIG. 22  is a bottom plan view of an edge engagement member of another embodiment of the present invention where cut-outs or grooves  150  are provided that facilitate interconnection with the insert  34 . The grooves  150  may be of such a depth as to expose the inner surface  130  of the cylindrical sidewall  40 . 
         [0060]    While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Moreover, references made herein to “the present invention” or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the present invention and should not necessarily be construed as limiting all embodiments to a particular description. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.