Abstract:
A wastewater drain assembly is provided that includes a selectively openable drain stopper. The wastewater drain assembly is interconnected to a fluid basin wherein a flange, which is interconnected to wastewater plumbing, is situated within the sink. The flange receives an insert that has a portion that conceals the flange.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/171,656, filed Jun. 5, 2015, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
         [0002]    This application is also related to U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,154,898, 7,503,083, 8,607,376, 9,015,870, and 9,015,876, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to sink drain closures. 
         [0004]    More specifically, some embodiments of the present invention are directed to selectively closable stoppers used in sinks or other fluid basins. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Sink drain closures are sometimes comprised of a selectively movable drain stopper that has a first portion used to seal the drain and a second portion operatively interconnected to a mechanism that facilitates movement of the drain stopper. An example of a common sink drain closure is shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  shows a sink  2  with interconnected to a wastewater drain system  6  of a dwelling. The wastewater drain system  6  is interconnected to a body  10  that is held to the sink  2  with a flange  14 . The body  10  includes a threaded portion  18  that selectively receives the flange  14 , wherein the body  10  is secured to the sink  2  with the seal  22  and nut  26  engaged to the threaded portion  18 , and abutted against an outer surface of the sink  2 . In other versions, the flange  14  is integrated to the body  10 . 
         [0006]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a drain stopper  30  is placed within the body  10 . Operation of the drain stopper  30  to control fluid flow from the sink is achieved by providing a ball rod  34  that is inserted into the body  10 . A first end  38  of the ball rod  34  interfaces with the second portion  40  of the drain stopper  30  such that when the ball rod  34  is rotated about a ball  42  seated in the body  10 , the drain stopper  30  will move. As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, movement of the ball rod  34  is achieved by movement of a link  46  interconnected to a second end  50  of the ball rod with a clip  54 . 
         [0007]    Common sink drain closures are expensive to manufacture and/or to install, and tend to experience decreased functionality after long-term use. They are also not easily cleaned or accessible for repair and replacement. 
         [0008]    Thus it is a long felt need to provide a sink drain closure that is easy to install and replace. The following disclosure describes an improved sink drain stopper adapted for interconnection to a sink and which includes an insert that allows for selective alteration of the aesthetic appearance of the sink. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    It is one aspect of embodiments of the present invention to provide a sink drain closure that is inexpensive to manufacture and highly efficient to use and operate. It is another aspect to provide a sink drain closure that provides enhanced access to valve closure elements. That is, embodiments of the present invention include easily-removable parts that allow access to a fluid control valve positioned within the wastewater plumbing found below the sink. 
         [0010]    More specifically, the fluid control valve comprises a drain stopper with a diameter greater than that of an opening in a valve seat integrated into the body. The drain stopper is, thus, adapted to close the opening to fluid flow. The valve element is interconnected to a valve stem that extends downwardly through the opening in the valve seat. A lower end of the valve stem is connected to a ball rod used to selectively move the drain stopper and open/close the fluid control valve. 
         [0011]    Some embodiments also provide a strainer element that extends across a port in the bottom of the sink to prevent large particulate matter to enter the wastewater plumbing. The strainer of one embodiment is incorporated into an insert selectively interconnected to a flange that connects the sink to the wastewater plumbing. Strainers of some embodiments of the present invention include a plurality of holes. The holes are large enough to allow water therethrough, but are designed to prevent hair, Q-tips, wedding rings, etc. from entering into the wastewater plumbing. 
         [0012]    It is another aspect of some embodiments of the present invention to provide a drain stopper that is concealed within the wastewater drain plumbing. For example, some embodiments employ a valve seat associated with the internal surface of the wastewater drain pipe. The valve seat selectively receives a drain stopper that is moved in the same or similar fashion as prior art systems. Here, however, the drain stopper and associated seal interact with the seat and is completely concealed from the user. Accordingly, this aspect of the present invention eliminates the unaesthetic qualities of prior art drain stoppers, e.g., they do not sit flush with the bottom surface of the sink when opened. 
         [0013]    Stated differently, the prior art drain stoppers when an open configuration, provide an unsightly, loose-fitting appearance. 
         [0014]    It is yet another aspect of some embodiments the present invention to provide a sink drain closure system that is easy to replace or repair. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that if the prior art drain stoppers become damaged, or if the homeowner wishes to change the aesthetic appearance of the sink fixtures, the drain stopper and associated strainer must be replaced. For example, changing the sink flange (i.e., the flange associated with a strainer) from chrome to a brushed-nickel finish would be a time-consuming and expensive task. Conversely, embodiments of the present invention are easily repaired by simply replacing an insert selectively interconnected to the sink flange. Again, only the insert would need to be replaced as the drain stopper and associated components are completely concealed. Indeed, the shape, color, form, etc. of the drain stopper is irrelevant in some instances as it is never visible during use. Thus some embodiments of the present invention avoid the expense associated with manufacturing an aesthetically pleasing drain stopper, e.g., one made of chrome. 
         [0015]    It is still yet another aspect of embodiments of the present invention to provide a drain stopper that provides a tight seal. More specifically, the drain stoppers of the prior art employ a seal that interfaces with an inner surface of the strainer. Thus, the drain stopper seal must be dimensioned such that it easily fits within the sink strainer, which often renders the drain stopper seal ineffective. Conversely, embodiments of the present invention employ a seal that tightly engages a seat position in the drain plumbing, thereby providing an enhanced seal that prevents water from exiting the sink. 
         [0016]    Thus it is one aspect of the present invention to provide a wastewater drain system, comprising: a body having a first, threaded end and a second end adapted for interconnection to wastewater drain pipes of a structure, the body having an opening for receipt of a ball rod; a flange interconnected to the first end of the body; a seal positioned about the body; a nut positioned about the body, the nut and the seal adapted to be abutted against an exterior of a fluid receptacle, wherein the flange is abutted against an interior of the fluid receptacle, and wherein the body is secured to the fluid receptacle by the flange and the nut; a stem having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end operatively interconnected to an end of the ball rod, wherein the proximal end includes a stopper; an insert selectively interconnected to the flange; and wherein the stem can be moved with the ball rod from a first position of use to engage the stopper against a seat positioned in the body to prevent fluid flow through the wastewater drain system, and a second position of use that separates the stopper from the seat to allow fluid flow through the wastewater drain system. 
         [0017]    Thus it is another aspect of the present invention to provide a wastewater drain system interconnected to a sink drain port, comprising: a body having a first, threaded end and a second end adapted for interconnection to wastewater drain pipes of a structure, the body having an opening for receipt of a ball rod; a stem having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end operatively interconnected to an end of the ball rod, wherein the proximal end includes a stopper; and an insert associated with the drain port and selectively interconnected to the body. 
         [0018]    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. That is, these and other aspects and advantages will be apparent from the disclosure of the invention(s) described herein. Further, the above-described embodiments, aspects, objectives, and configurations are neither complete nor exhaustive. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the invention are possible using, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described below. 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 
         [0019]    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. 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of a common wastewater drain system; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a drain closure system of one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 2  showing a stopper closed; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 2  showing the stopper open; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a detailed cross-sectional view showing the upper end of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention that employs an insert having external threads; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention that employs an external stopper; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 7 ; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 7 , wherein the stopper is opened. 
       
    
    
       [0030]    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 herein: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 # 
                 Component 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 2 
                 Sink 
               
               
                 6 
                 Wastewater drain system 
               
               
                 10 
                 Body 
               
               
                 14 
                 Sink flange 
               
               
                 18 
                 Threaded portion 
               
               
                 22 
                 Seal 
               
               
                 26 
                 Nut 
               
               
                 30 
                 Drain stopper 
               
               
                 34 
                 Ball rod 
               
               
                 38 
                 First end 
               
               
                 40 
                 Second portion 
               
               
                 42 
                 Ball 
               
               
                 46 
                 Link 
               
               
                 50 
                 Second end 
               
               
                 54 
                 Clip 
               
               
                 110 
                 Body 
               
               
                 114 
                 Sink flange 
               
               
                 118 
                 Threaded portion 
               
               
                 122 
                 Seal 
               
               
                 126 
                 Nut 
               
               
                 130 
                 Drain stopper 
               
               
                 132 
                 Nut 
               
               
                 134 
                 Ball rod 
               
               
                 140 
                 Distal end 
               
               
                 142 
                 Ball 
               
               
                 146 
                 Link 
               
               
                 154 
                 Clip 
               
               
                 158 
                 Rod 
               
               
                 162 
                 Thumbscrew 
               
               
                 166 
                 Knob 
               
               
                 170 
                 Valve stem 
               
               
                 174 
                 Seat 
               
               
                 180 
                 Insert 
               
               
                 184 
                 Upper seal 
               
               
                 188 
                 Holes 
               
               
                 192 
                 Seal 
               
               
                 194 
                 Insert wall 
               
               
                 196 
                 Inner surface 
               
               
                 197 
                 Lower surface 
               
               
                 198 
                 Shoulder 
               
               
                 200 
                 Lower surface 
               
               
                 204 
                 Shoulder 
               
               
                 206 
                 Flange wall 
               
               
                 207 
                 Groove 
               
               
                 208 
                 Boss 
               
               
                 209 
                 Recess 
               
               
                 210 
                 Body 
               
               
                 214 
                 Sink flange 
               
               
                 222 
                 Seal 
               
               
                 226 
                 Nut 
               
               
                 230 
                 Drain stopper 
               
               
                 270 
                 Valve stem 
               
               
                 274 
                 Seat 
               
               
                 280 
                 Insert 
               
               
                 310 
                 Body 
               
               
                 314 
                 Sink flange 
               
               
                 326 
                 Nut 
               
               
                 330 
                 Drain stopper 
               
               
                 332 
                 Seal 
               
               
                 334 
                 Ball rod 
               
               
                 340 
                 Distal end 
               
               
                 342 
                 Threaded portion 
               
               
                 343 
                 Opening 
               
               
                 370 
                 Valve stem 
               
               
                 380 
                 Insert 
               
               
                 382 
                 Hub 
               
               
                 386 
                 Drain stopper seal 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0031]    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 
       [0032]      FIGS. 2-5  show a drain closure system of one embodiment of the present invention. The drain closure system is comprised of a body  110  having a threaded portion  118  that terminates at a sink flange  114 . As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the body of this and other embodiments of the present invention described herein may be made of multiple pieces. The body  110  also receives a nut  132  that secures a ball rod  134 , wherein a portion of the ball rod  134  is positioned within the body  110 . The body  110  is interconnected to the sink, wherein the flange  114  is in contact with a lower surface of sink. Next, a nut  126  and associated seal  122  are interface with a threaded portion  118  of the body  110  and tighten against a lower outer surface of the sink to secure the body  110  to the sink. After the body  110  is secured to the sink, it is also interconnected to the wastewater drain plumbing of the dwelling. The ball rod  134  is interconnected to a link  146  via a clip  154 , or other device. The link  146  is secured to a rod  158  with a thumbscrew  162 , or other device. The rod terminates at a knob  166 , wherein movement of the rod  166  will selectively move the ball rod  134  and, thus, a portion of the ball rod  134  positioned within the body  110 . The interconnection between the ball rod  134  and the body  110  should be well known by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0033]    The end of the ball rod  134  positioned in the body is interconnected to a distal end  140  of a valve stem  170 . The distal end  140  of some embodiments is flared, or otherwise configured, to prevent hair and other debris from getting hung up on the ball rod  134  (see  FIG. 4 ). The valve stem  170  also includes a proximal end comprised of a drain stopper  130 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the drain stopper  130  cooperates with a seat  174  located within the body  110  to selectively allow fluid out of the sink. 
         [0034]    The drain stopper  130 , seat  174 , etc. are concealed by an insert  180 . The insert  180  includes an upper surface  184  with a plurality of holes  188  that allow water, but not large items from entering the drain plumbing. The insert has a wall  194  that accommodates a seal  192  that cooperates with an inner surface  196  of the body to secure the insert  180  the body  110 . The wall  194  has a lower surface  200  that engages a shoulder  204  of the body  110  or the flange  114 . Because the seal  192  does not permanently secure the insert  180  the body  110 , if the insert becomes damaged, stained, or marred, or if the user wishes to change the aesthetic appearance of the sink, the insert  180  can be quickly removed and replaced without replacing the remainder of the wastewater system. 
         [0035]    Again, the insert 180 of this embodiment of the present invention will selectively interconnects to a drain flange and associated drain plumbing by way of a seal  192  that selectively engages the inner surface  196  of the drain flange wall  206 , i.e., an interference fit (see  FIG. 5 ). The seal  192  may fit within a groove integrated into the insert wall, or within outwardly extending protrusions on the insert wall. Also, multiple seals can be employed, and an enlarged seal may be employed. Those of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that other interconnection methods or schemes are contemplated. For example, the interconnection methods described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,154,898, 7,503,083, 8,607,376, 9,015,870, 9,015,876, and insert interconnection methods similar thereto, may be used to selectively interconnect the insert  180  to the drain flange  114  without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, some embodiments the present invention: 1) do not employ a seal, and rely on adhesives to secure the flange to the drain flange; 2) do not employ an insert wall, wherein a circular plate is adhered or otherwise interconnected to the drain flange; 3) employ a flange with a downwardly-extending lip for selective engagement onto an outer edge of the drain flange; 4) employ a cylindrical insert wall that selectively engages seals or other interconnection device is associated with the sink strainer or drain plumbing; or 5) employ mating devices that selectively engage with corresponding mating features on the train strainer, i.e., a bayonet fitting or snap in connection. 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  shows another feature of some embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the flange  114  is interconnected to the threaded portion  118  of the body by way of a cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, or conical wall  206  having the inner surface  196  described above. At least one groove  207  is provided in the wall  206 . Water, which does not exit the sink via the openings  188  in the insert  180 , can exit the sink through any gap between the insert flange  180  and the sink drain flange  114  and into the drain plumbing via the groove(s)  207 . 
         [0037]    As discussed above,  FIGS. 3 and 5  show the wastewater drain with the drain stopper  130  in a closed position. Here the drain stopper  130  is abutted against the seat  174  which prevents fluid from entering the body  110 . This configuration is achieved by pulling the knob  166  upwardly to move the attached rod  158  and link  146  upwardly. Movement of the rod  158  upwardly rotates the end of the ball rod  134  positioned within the body  110  about a ball  142  downwardly, which pulls a distal end  140  of the valve stem  170  downwardly. 
         [0038]      FIG. 3  shows another feature provided by some embodiments of the present invention that facilitates installation. Here, a boss  208  that receives the nut  132  is positioned within a recess  209  that locates an outer surface of the boss  208  at a dimension equal to or less than the outer dimension of the body  110 . This embodiment facilitates installation by allowing the body  110  to be dropped into the sink outlet. The nut  132  may have outer protrusions, i.e., wings, that facilitate tightening. In contrast, the prior art system shown in  FIG. 1  has a larger boss, which does not fit through the drain outlet. To install the prior art system a plumber must position an upper edge of the body through the drain outlet and fasten the sink flange thereto. Then, the nut  22  is used to secure the body  10  to the sink  2 . As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, this is a two-hand or two-person operation. 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  shows the wastewater drain system in an open position wherein the rod  158  has been pushed downwardly to rotate the end of the ball rod  134  upwardly to push the valve stem  170  upwardly, thereby moving the attached valve stem  170  away from the seat  174  to open the fluid flow path from the sink to the body  110 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 6  shows another embodiment of the present invention where the insert  280  is selectively interconnected to a sink flange  214 . Other features of this embodiment are similar to those employed by the embodiments described above.  FIG. 6  also shows that sink the flange  214  does not need to be integral to the body to 10, but may be threateningly engaged thereto. The remaining operation of this embodiment of the present invention is similar to or same as that described above, wherein a drain stopper  230 , a valve stem  270 , a seat  274 , a seal  222 , and a nut  226  are provided. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 7-10  show another embodiment of the present invention wherein the drain stopper  330  is external to the body  310 . Here, the drain stopper  330  comprises a downwardly-extending stem  370  and a threaded lower portion  342 . The threaded portion  342  is operatively interconnected into the stem  370 , thereby allowing the length between the stopper  330  and a distal end  340  to be altered if needed. The threaded portion  342  also includes an opening  343  for receipt of an end of the ball rod  334  positioned within the body  310 . Here, the sink flange  314  is selectively interconnected to or integrated with the body  310 . 
         [0042]    This embodiment also includes an insert  380  with a hub  382  that is attached, e.g., glued, to the flange  314 . The insert  380  may also include a wall that selectively interconnects to the sink flange or body as is shown in the embodiments discussed above. The hub  382  provides a cylindrical opening for receipt and securement of the stem  370  as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Upon pulling a knob upwardly, (see  FIG. 2 , for example,) the stem  370  and threaded portion  342  are pulled downwardly, which pulls the stopper  330  and attached seal  386  into engagement with the insert  380  to close the body  310  to the flow. 
         [0043]    The knob is pushed downwardly, the end of the ball rod  334  moves upwardly, which moves the stem  370  upwardly to separate the seal  386  from the insert  380  allow fluid to flow into the body. 
         [0044]    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. 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. Further, it is to be understood that the invention(s) described herein is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the preceding description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.