Abstract:
A drain stopper assembly for selectively opening and closing a drain located within a basin, tub or sink A lifting frame assembly is situated within the drain body supporting a stopper. The lifting frame is provided with first and second annular regions selectively coupled to a piston caused to extend within and withdrawn from the drain body. In a first orientation, the piston extends within a first annular region allowing the stopper and lifting frame to be removable from the drain body while in a second orientation, the piston extends within a second annular region which prevents the stopper and lifting aim from being removed from the drain body.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is based upon and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/044,034 filed on Apr. 10, 2008 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to drain stoppers for basins, tubs, and sinks, and including apparatus for actuating up and down movement of a drain stopper, and still more particularly to a drain stopper and apparatus for actuating the drain stopper that allows for complete removal of the drain stopper directly from the drain pipe without the use of tools for thorough cleaning, while also having an installation configuration that, at the option of a user, inhibits tampering with the drain and drain stopper. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Drain stoppers including lift rods and their linkage to drain assemblies have been employed for many years without any significant improvement. These assemblies generally include a ball rod assembly and linkage connecting the lift rod to the drain stopper including a pivot bar connected to the lower end of the lift rod which, in turn, is connected to a valve stem having a ball valve exposed inside a radially extending threaded tailpiece. As the lift rod is pulled upwardly, the drain stopper moves downwardly to close the drain opening and as the lift rod is pushed downwardly, the drain stopper rises from the drain collar allowing the basin to drain accordingly. 
         [0004]    In that the lift rod and pivot bar are linked to one another, it is extremely difficult to remove the drain stopper from its collar to clean the drain body. This linkage provides for a natural ledge which catches hair and other debris causing significant sanitary and clogging issues oftentimes requiring costly plumbing repairs. 
         [0005]    In addition to the above, drains employed in domestic installations do not present the same concerns as those of commercial installations. For example, it would greatly benefit a domestic user to be able to freely lift a drain plug from its supporting drain collar in order to clean the drain pipe. However, in a commercial installation, where theft and vandalism can be issues, it would be ideal to provide a drain plug and supporting lift rod which cannot be removed from the drain collar without a manipulative process which would not be readily apparent to an uninformed commercial user. Yet, the most ideal assembly is one in which the drain plug and lift rod can be reoriented between releaseable and locking configurations so that a single assembly can be used both domestically as well as commercially. 
         [0006]    These and further objects of the present invention will become more readily apparent when considering the following disclosure and appended claims. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A drain stopper assembly for selectively opening and closing a drain located within a basin, tub or sink, said drain having an opening within said basin, tub or sink for facilitating the selective passage of water therethrough passed the drain collar and, drain body, a threaded tailpiece open to and extending transversely from said drain body, a piston positioned within said threaded tailpiece and connected to an actuator assembly for selectively extending a distal end of said piston within said drain body, said distal end being characterized as having a downwardly angled surface, a lifting frame moveable within said drain body, said lifting frame having first and second ends, said first end attached to a stopper sized to close said drain collar in a first position and extendable therefrom in a second position, said second end having first and second annular regions, each annular region being positionable to selectively receive said downwardly angled surface such that as said piston extends within said drain body from said threaded tailpiece, said stopper is caused to separate from said drain collar and as said piston withdraws from said drain body and into said threaded tailpiece, said stopper is caused to seat upon said drain collar and further when said downwardly angled surface extends within a first of said annular regions, said stopper and lifting frame are removable from said drain body and when said downwardly angled surface extends within a second of said annular regions, said piston prevents said stopper and lifting frame from being removed from said drain body. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional side view in elevation of a first preferred embodiment of the drain stopper apparatus of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional side view in elevation showing details of the mechanism for raising and lowering the drain stopper in the present invention, and showing the drain a lowered (drain blocked) position. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2B  is the same view showing the drain in a raised (drain open) position. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an upper perspective view showing a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, including alternative mechanical means for actuating the reciprocal movement of the ramp element of the present invention 
           [0012]      FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional perspective view thereof, showing the drain in a down (closed) position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4B  is a lower perspective view thereof showing the drain in an up (open) position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4C  illustrates the lifting frame of the inventive apparatus shown in a vandal proof or locked orientation. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional side view in elevation showing a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating how the reciprocating ramp can be driven pneumatically, and showing the drain in an up (open) position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional side view thereof showing the drain in a down (closed) position 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    Referring first to  FIGS. 1 through 5B , wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in the various views, there is illustrated therein a new and improved sanitary quick connect vandal proof open drain stopper apparatus. These views show that in each of the preferred embodiments, the inventive apparatus is adapted for installation on a conventional sink, tub or basin  10  (and referred to genetically as “basin” herein), the basin having bottom portion  12  with drain collar  14  disposed in the lowest area for draining fluids form the basin. The fluids pass through the drain collar, into and through drain body  16  and, in turn, through drain tailpiece  18 , and then through a trap for eventual routing to a sewer or septic system (not shown). Although the present invention can be actuated by any well known expedient, for the sake of example, the present figures illustrate a basin that includes apron  20  with pull rod  22  having lower end  24  slidably mounted in installation opening  26  and having knob  28  at its top for easy up-down reciprocating operation. As with most convention drain assemblies, the drain body includes radially extending threaded tailpiece  30  having a threaded male end for securing a female nut and washer (these latter elements not shown, as they form no part of the present invention). 
         [0018]    The conventional drain assembly includes a ball rod assembly and linkage connecting the lift rod to the drain stopper, and this includes a pivot bar connected to the lower end of the lift rod, which is, in turn, connected to a valve stem having a ball valve exposed inside the radially extending threaded tailpiece on the drain body. The lift rod is pulled upwardly to move a drain stopper down to close drain opening  34 . In each of the preferred embodiments, this assembly has been replaced, in whole or in part, by elements for actuating the up-down movement of the drain stopper. Those embodiments are described as follows 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates a first embodiment of the sanitary quick-connect vandal proof drain stopper of the present invention, which is generally denominated  100  herein. In this embodiment, cable  120  is actuated by lift rod  22  as the actuating force. Lower end  24  of the lift rod is slidably inserted into cable actuator  110  which is linked to cable  120  and lower end  130  of threaded nut  140 . The nut is threadably installed on hollow cylindrical piston chamber  150  which is screwed onto the threaded male end of radially extending threaded tailpiece  30  of the drain body. Slidably disposed within the piston chamber is piston  160  with a downwardly angled end  170  forming a ramp that is driven laterally by the actuating force of the cable to extend into the drain body when the lift rod is pushed down Alternatively, the piston is pulled from the drain body when the lift rod is pulled up. The piston further includes a generally flat distal end  175 . Passage of fluid from the drain body through the piston chamber is prevented by the use of seal  180  disposed within the threaded tailpiece and around the piston with extremely small clearance, such that the seal prohibits fluid passage while still allowing reciprocating movement of the piston. 
         [0020]    Referring next to  FIGS. 3-4B , there is shown second preferred embodiment  300  of the present invention, the discussion of which will be employed to provide details relating to the drain stopper elements of the inventive apparatus As will be immediately evidence from these views, the piston  160  can be driven by cable, mechanical linkage and air. In every instance, when extending laterally into the drain body, the angled ramp end  170  of the piston engages annular end  190  of lifting frame  200  Extending vertically and upwardly form the annular end  190  are at least two and preferably four generally rectangular (or slightly arcuate) vertical posts  210 . Legs  220  extend downwardly from two opposing posts and connect to a semi-circular lock  230  which is spaced apart from the annular end  190  so as to form slot  240 . The slot is sized to accommodate the entire width of the piston with a small clearance 
         [0021]    At the top of the lifting frame is boss  250  into which stopper rod  260  may be threadably connected. The stopper rod extends downwardly from drain stopper  270 , which is selectively moved up and down to open and close the drain opening. 
         [0022]    Still referring to  FIGS. 3-4C , in the second preferred embodiment  300 , the lift rod is swivelingly connected to cam rod  310 , which is pivotally connected to cam  320 , having an axle  330  extending from opposite sides of the cam and rotatably disposed in a slotted socket  340  coupled to piston cylinder  150  As the cam is rotated by pulling and pushing the lift rod, cam lobe  350  engages distal end  175  of piston  160 . Excursion of the piston ramp from the drain body is actuated by optional helical spring  360  coiled around the piston and which is compressed as the piston is driven inwardly by the cam 
         [0023]      FIG. 4C  shows how the lifting frame  200  can be oriented such that the piston tamp moves through slot  240  between annular end  190  of the lifting frame and semi-circular lock  230  When so oriented, when the drain stopper is in the up position, the ramp will prevent removal of the drain stopper, and thus prevent tampering with the stopper and/or the drain However, simply placing the stopper in its down (closed position), and withdrawing the piston from the drain opening, the lifting frame can be rotated 180° so that the lock is moved away from the ramp. In this orientation, show in  FIG. 4A , the drain stopper can be popped up with the lift rod and entirely removed from the drain body simply by pulling it out. No tools are required and no mechanical linkage is involved in the removal process So in a domestic installation, the stopper can be freely removed ( FIG. 4A ) and in a commercial installation where theft can be a problem, the stopper cannot be removed unless the piston is completely withdrawn within the threaded tailpiece. In either case, once the piston is withdrawn into the threaded tailpiece, a brush can be extended within the drain and tailpiece for unimpeded cleaning. 
         [0024]    In a third embodiment of the present invention  400 , expandable pneumatic supply bellows  410  in bellows chamber  420  is operatively connected to lift rod lower end  24  to provide all under pressure through air supply tube  430  to expandable piston driving bellows  440  disposed in second bellows chamber  450 . The proximal end  460  of the piston driving bellows is connected to medial shoulders  470  so as to push the piston into the drain body and pull it from the drain body as the bellows are expanded and deflated, respectively 
         [0025]    As may be apparent from the foregoing, the sanitary quick-connect vandal proof open drain stopper of the present invention provides a dramatic improvement over corresponding devices of the prior art. 
         [0026]    The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary shill in the art to practice the invention, and provides the best mode of practicing the invention presently contemplated by the inventor. While there is provided herein a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of this invention, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction, dimensional relationship and operation shown and described. Various modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention Such changes might involve alternative materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms, functions, operational features or the like. 
         [0027]    Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims