Abstract:
A drain stopper assembly for a bathtub having a drain aperture, and a method for using the assembly. A guide rod may be slid within a guide slide, allowing a gasket to be sealed or unsealed against the drain aperture. Magnets or, alternatively, a spring-loaded mechanism, may be used to facilitate sealing/unsealing of the gasket. A filter may be mounted within the drain aperture, and be removably or permanently attached to the assembly.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to drain plugs for bathtubs. 
     Bathtub drains include a “tub shoe” providing a drain aperture located at a low slope in the bathtub. The drain aperture may be formed by an upper portion of a metallic drain fitting designed to connect with a pipe that takes waste water from the bathtub. A drain stopper may be used to plug the drain aperture while the bathtub is in use. 
     Drop-in screens have also been used to prevent solid detritus (hair, clippings, etc.) from clogging the drain. There are disadvantages to the use of such screens. For example, the screen and plug may not be sized to fit together, and use of the screen can cause the plug to be lost. Also, the screen can loosen during use and float, allowing detritus to clog the drain. Such devices may also not provide the stock appearance of bathtub drain plugs. Additionally, it may not be possible to fill the bathtub unless the screen and drain plug are re-installed, which can be difficult, particularly if the bathtub is already partially filled with water. 
     Conventional screens for bathtub drains can also be difficult to clean/unclog, as many have more apertures in the screen than are necessary given the flow of water passing through the screen, or the screen may have a relatively large circumference, such that it is time-consuming to remove hair from it, for example. 
     Conventional drain plugs include rubber seals/plugs that simply press-fit into the drain aperture, and can easily loosen during use. Unless only an elastomeric plug is used, conventional drain plugs may require a fixed (threaded) connection with the drain opening, such as drain plugs that are rotated into a sealing connection using a lift-and-turn movement, which can be cumbersome and/or tricky to seal in place and to unseal. “Pop and seal” (e.g., spring-loaded) drain plugs have also been used, with similar problems. Such drain plugs are also typically fixed to the screen, allowing hair to wrap around the screen, which can be time-consuming to remove. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The objects mentioned above, as well as other objects, are solved by the present invention, which overcomes disadvantages of prior screens and drain plugs for bathtubs, while providing new advantages not previously associated with them. 
     The present invention includes a bathtub drain stopper assembly with a built-in screen which is removable from the stopper assembly for ease in cleaning. The stopper and screen are drop-in ready and easy to use, and assume use by a consumer with no plumbing experience. In appearance, the invention also provides, when installed, a stock appearance. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a drain stopper assembly for a bathtub having a drain aperture is provided, having a top cover, a gasket, a guide slide attached to the top cover, and a guide rod with proximal and distal ends, capable of sliding within the guide slide. A plurality of magnets may also be provided, including at least a first magnet located at the proximal end of the guide rod, and a second magnet located in the guide slide. Alternatively, instead of or in addition to magnets, a spring-loaded assembly may be used. When downward pressure is applied to the top cover, the gasket is enabled to seal against the drain aperture, and the guide rod slides upwardly within the guide slide to a second position; the guide rod may be facilitated in being maintained in the second position by the first and second magnets. 
     The guide slide may be removably attached to the top cover, and the gasket may be mounted to the guide slide. The top cover may include a knurled gripping surface. The guide rod may be integral with the slide guide, or may be removably attached to the slide guide. 
     A collecting filter may be provided which is removably attached to the distal end of the guide rod. The filter may be a cylindrical screen with a plurality of apertures located on a sidewall and a bottom surface of the screen. A third magnet may be located at the distal end of the guide rod, attracted to the collecting filter. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the distal end of the guide rod may include a finger useful for removing hair from the filter basket. The magnets may be encased by a protective coating. The top cover may be attached to the guide slide using a threaded connection. The collecting filter may include an upwardly facing nub, and the distal end of the guide rod may include an aperture sized to fit over the nub. 
     A method of providing a drain stopper assembly for a bathtub having a drain aperture, also forms a part of the present invention. The method includes providing a top cover, a gasket, a guide slide attached to the top cover, a gasket capable of being sealed to and unsealed from the drain aperture, and a guide rod having proximal and distal ends, wherein the guide rod slides within the guide slide. Pushing down on the top cover causes the guide rod to slide relative to the guide slide, enabling the gasket to be sealed against the drain aperture. Raising the top cover causes the guide rod to slide relative to the guide slide, enabling the gasket to be unsealed from the drain aperture. Magnetic or spring-loaded means may be used to facilitate the sealing and unsealing of the gasket relative to the drain aperture. A filter may be mounted within the drain aperture. 
     DEFINITION OF CLAIM TERMS 
     The terms used in the claims of the patent are intended to have their broadest meaning consistent with the requirements of law. Where alternative meanings are possible, the broadest meaning is intended. All words used in the claims are intended to be used in the normal, customary usage of grammar and the English language. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features which are characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, together with further objects and attendant advantages thereof, can be better understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a partial side perspective view of a portion of a bathtub and drain aperture, and a preferred embodiment of the drain plug assembly of the invention; 
         FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b    are partial sectional views of the drain plug assembly taken along reference line  2   a - 2   a  of  FIG. 1 , showing the drain plug assembly in compressed and raised positions, respectively; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the components of the drain plug assembly; and 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view along reference line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 , showing the guide slide and guide rod of the preferred drain plug assembly. 
     
    
    
     The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Set forth below is a description of what are believed to be the preferred embodiments and/or best examples of the invention claimed. Future and present alternatives and modifications to this preferred embodiment are contemplated. Any alternatives or modifications which make insubstantial changes in function, in purpose, in structure, or in result are intended to be covered by the claims of this patent. 
     Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a bathtub  5  includes a bottom surface  6  with a drain aperture  7  into which drain plug assembly  10  of the present invention may be inserted. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , drain plug assembly  10  may generally include a top cover  20 , a guide slide  40  attached to the top cover, a guide rod  50  attached or integral with guide slide  40 , and a filter basket  60 . 
     Top cover  20  may include a top portion  20   a  and a bottom portion  20   b , as shown. (Alternatively, cover  20  may consist of a single cylindrical-shaped portion  20   b  as is more conventional.) Top portion  20   a  may have a smaller diameter and have knurled side surfaces  21 , for easier gripping. (Top portion  20   a  need not be used, and only bottom portion  20   b  may be used, if desired.) Bottom portion  20   b  may include a cylindrical ring  23  with male/female threads  24  designed to mate with corresponding female/male threads  41  on guide slide  40  (see  FIG. 3 ). Gasket  30 , which may be made of rubber or another suitable material, may include an inner ring surface  31  sized to fit over guide slide threads  41 , and may be fixed in place adjacent guide slide shelf  42 , between the guide slide and top cover, when the guide slide and the top cover are threadably attached. (Alternatively, the inner surface of ring  23  of top cover  20  may be connected in a frictional press-fit manner to the outer surface of the upper portion  40   a  of guide slide  40 , obviating the need for threads  24  and  41 .) Gasket  30  is designed to provide a water-resistant seal over drain aperture  7  when drain plug assembly  10  is inserted into the drain aperture. 
     In the preferred embodiment, while the upper portion  40   a  of guide slide  40  may be removably attached to cover  20 , the lower portion  40   b  of the guide slide may be adapted to allow guide rod  50  to slide within the guide slide. For this purpose, a retaining clip  50   b  with any suitable cross-section may be used to press-fit into and cover the upper opening of guide slide  40 , covering magnet  72 . The guide rod  50  may be permitted to slide within guide slide  40 , but is preferably prevented from dropping out of the guide slide (and thus potentially being lost down the drain opening), such as by forming channel  83  with step  83   a , such that the upper end of guide rod  50  with retaining clip  50   b  will catch on step  83   a.    
     Guide slide  40  may be made with a single thick wall. However, as shown in  FIG. 4 , it may be preferred to fabricate guide slide  40  with opposing inner  40   b  and outer  40   a  walls, to use less material and to allow for more rapid fabrication in an injection mold process, for example. 
     While in the preferred embodiment, the guide rod slides within the guide slide, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the guide rod could be configured so that it has a hollow shell that slides outside of the outer surface of the guide slide. 
     In the preferred embodiment, to facilitate providing the drain plug assembly in compressed, plugging ( FIG. 2 a   ) and raised, unplugged ( FIG. 2 b   ) positions, magnets may be used. Here, magnet  71  may be provided in guide slide  40 , such as within guide slide protuberance  46 , and magnet  72  may be provided at a proximal (upper) end of guide rod  50  (see  FIG. 4 ). By insuring that these magnets, when located in proximity, attract each other, they will cause the drain plug assembly to be induced to, and/or remain in, the raised, unplugged position when that position is desired. Additionally, magnet  73  may be provided in a distal end protuberance  54  of the guide rod, insuring by its attraction to metal filter basket  60 , that the drain plug assembly will be induced to, and/or remain in, the compressed, plugging position when that position is desired. Magnet  73  need not be used, however, as the distal end  52  of guide rod  50  may be designed to have a press-fit connection to nub  64 . 
     Preferably, the magnets may be provided in a protective plastic, water-resistant sleeve, for example, so that they are not visible and they are not exposed to potential rust-inducing agents such as air and water. 
     Filter basket  60  is preferably made of a magnetized metal to insure attraction to magnet  73 . Filter basket may include apertures  71  on sidewalls  72  and bottom wall  63 , preferably roughly evenly-spaced and sized as shown, to catch objects which may clog the drain, such as hair and other detritus, while allowing water and smaller particles such as dirt which will not clog the drain to pass through the screen. An upwardly-standing locating nub  64  may be located on the upper surface of bottom wall  63 , for receiving a like-sized aperture  57  at the bottom of guide rod  50 , providing a frictional engagement that facilitates the user&#39;s proper location and attachment of the guide rod to the screen. Nub  64  may be a separate attachment or may be integrally made with filter basket  60 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , the distal end of nub  64  that protrudes from the lower end of the basket may terminate in a small dimple or raised area  64   a . If nub  64  is integrally made with the basket, this obviates the need for dimple  64   a.    
     Accordingly, it will be appreciated that a drop-in-ready bathtub drain stopper is provided, with a built-in screen that is removable for cleaning of the filter basket. The device is easy to use with the consumer in mind, and requires no prior plumbing experience. The device of the present invention also does not sacrifice in appearance, as when installed it can still provide the bathtub with a conventional appearance. The invention also preferably provides magnetic technology for the drain-and-fill feature, which is easy to use and glides smooth. 
     It will also be appreciated that the bathtub drain plug assembly of the present invention need not be fixed to any other fixture or fixed object, and is easy to use. To plug the tub, the user simply pushes down on the top cover, causing the magnet at the distal end of the guide rod to be attracted to the filter basket, allowing gravity to keep the top cover down in the plugged/lowered position shown in  FIG. 2 a   , and inducing a water-resistant seal between the gasket and the upper bathtub surface  6  around drain aperture  7 . (As water fills the tub, this water-head pressure acts as an additional force tending to seal the gasket down against the bathtub bottom wall surface, insuring a water-tight seal.) 
     To drain the tub, the user simply pulls up on the top cover, releasing the gasket and causing magnets  71 ,  72  to be located within their respective magnetic fields, causing the drain plug assembly to remain in the raised/open position shown in  FIG. 2   b.    
     The top portion of the drain plug assembly is easily separated from the filter basket for easy cleaning. First, the user may simply grab hold of the top cover and lift the entire device out of the drain hole. Next, the basket and top portion of the drain plug assembly can be easily separated by pulling in opposite directions. Preferably, to insure the force required to remove the entire assembly  10  from drain aperture  7  less than the force required to separate the upper half of assembly  10  from filter basket  60 , aperture  57  on the distal end of guide rod  50  and upstanding nub  64  on basket  60  are precision-machined male and female ends that slide into each other with a tight tolerance, providing a frictional connection that will hold in place when desired, but will easily separate when pulled apart by a user, as needed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , protuberance  53  located at the distal end of guide rod  50  may be provided, and acts like a hook or finger to allow the user to easily clean the basket by swiping out hair in the basket, for example. 
     Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the invention may be made of various metal and/or plastic materials. For example, top cover  20  may be made of chrome, brushed nickel, stainless steel, or other materials. “Economy” (all plastic) or “luxury” (all stainless steel and brass) models of the drain plug assembly may be provided, if desired. Color choices for the top may include oil-rub bronze, gold, silver or other colors. The guide slide and guide rod may be made of plastic, for example, or from a metal, if desired. 
     Use of the present invention will save on the use expensive plumbers to unclog bathtub drains, and also reduce or eliminate the use of drain-cleaning chemicals that may be harmful to the environment and/or toxic to breathe and contact with the skin or eyes. 
     The above description is not intended to limit the meaning of the words used in the following claims that define the invention. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that a variety of other designs still falling within the scope of the following claims may be envisioned and used. For example, while preferred embodiments involving a top cover threadably attached to a guide slide have been disclosed, in other embodiments the top cover could be frictionally press-fit to the guide slide. Also, while the filter basket has been disclosed as removably engaged to the slide rod, it could be permanently attached instead. It is contemplated that these additional examples, as well as future modifications in structure, function, or result to that disclosed here, will exist that are not substantial changes to what is claimed here, and that all such insubstantial changes in what is claimed are intended to be covered by the claims.