Abstract:
A control is provided adjacent an overflow of a bathtub or sink. It both remotely controls operation of a basin bottom drain, and provides an option of shutting off flow through the overflow. Rotation of a handle of the control controls the bottom drain, and axial movement of the handle controls flow through the overflow. For example, a clicker-type pop-out valve can control overflow flow. Slot and projection structures restrict use of the overflow shutoff when the drain is not closed, and/or in some circumstances even when the drain is closed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to basin type plumbing fixtures (especially bathtubs and sinks). More particularly it relates to controls useable with such basins that can both govern flow through a basin&#39;s lower drain outlet and the basin&#39;s overflow outlet. 
         [0004]    It is conventional to have a drain outlet at the bottom of a bathtub, sink or the like, and an overflow outlet positioned adjacent an upper rim. If water is running into the basin, and the bottom drain is closed or clogged, continued flow could cause excess water to spill, absent such an overflow. As such, these overflows are typically designed so that if water rises too high in the basin, before reaching the rim and spilling the water will instead pass out the overflow outlet and go to a by-pass drain line. See e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 3,835,484. 
         [0005]    The bottom drain outlet used with these basins is typically controlled by a plug or stopper that is remotely actuatable without the need to touch the plug itself. This is often achieved through the use of mechanical levers or cable linkages. See e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,051. It is also sometimes achieved where an actuator for the linkage is associated with a control mounted adjacent the overflow outlet. See e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,738. 
         [0006]    Regardless, provision is typically made to always leave the overflow outlet open. Whatever benefits this has for avoiding spillage, it necessarily also prevents the tub from being filled up all the way to the rim. Hence, some volume capacity of the tub is “wasted”. This can make it difficult for large consumers to have their torso completely immersed during bathing when using standard size bathtubs. 
         [0007]    There have therefore been some attempts to have a drain control that also provides an option to close off the overflow somewhat when extra water volume is desired in the tub. See e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,835,484 and 3,859,676. However, these prior designs could increase clogging potential by mounting linkages along the drain passageways, and in any event were non-intuitive and relatively expensive to produce. 
         [0008]    In separate work there have been a variety of drain stoppers developed which act somewhat like a ballpoint pen. When stepped on once they will click to a closure position. When stepped on a second time they will click to an open position. Hence, using a foot (or optionally a hand) the bottom drain outlet can be controlled by direct contact. See e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,195,819, 6,442,770 and 6,880,179. However, this requires a willingness to have a foot or hand pass through standing water to open the bottom drain after use, may leave an uncomfortable projection in the tub, and in any event does not address control of the overflow outlet. 
         [0009]    There is therefore a need for providing improved combined controls for basin bottom drains and overflow outlets. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    One aspect of the invention provides a combined control for a basin overflow and basin drain. The controls of the present invention are particularly suitable for use with bathtubs such as standard bathtubs or whirlpools. 
         [0011]    There is an operator mountable adjacent a basin overflow, a drain closure valve mountable adjacent a basin drain, and a linkage extending between the operator and the drain closure valve such that rotation of a portion of the operator can cause movement of the drain closure valve between an open and a closed position. There is also a seal portion of the operator mounted for axial movement between two axial positions, and a pop-out type activator portion of the operator linked to the seal. 
         [0012]    When installed, a first push of the activator (e.g. on a handle portion thereof) will move the seal from a first of the two axial positions to a second of the two axial positions. This will close off the overflow. Then, a second push of the activator in the same direction will pop the seal back to the first of the two axial positions. 
         [0013]    Preferably, the seal is in a form of an overflow stopper skirt which is annular, and the activator includes a post defining a cavity extending along an axis, a sleeve member telescoped over the post, and a spring positioned within the cavity. 
         [0014]    Note that the term “seal” is not intended to require a complete closure. Rather, it is enough that the closure be sufficient to permit water to rise past the overflow towards the rim. Moreover, it is not required that a gasket-type seal be present. 
         [0015]    In other preferred forms the actuator is linked to a rotatable handle that controls movement of the drain closure valve. One can then, in one rotational position, push the handle axially to cause the overflow seal to initiate, and a second push will end the overflow seal. 
         [0016]    In especially preferred forms the construction is such that axial handle movement is precluded when the drain outlet is open, and can be precluded even when the drain outlet is closed (if desired). However, there is a third rotational position of the handle that permits axial handle movement when the drain outlet is closed. This can be facilitated with a projection and slot construction. 
         [0017]    In one form rotation of the handle causes movement of a cam which in turn causes a cable linkage to open or close the primary drain. That same handle can be pushed to first close the overflow, and then pushed again in the same direction to open the overflow. 
         [0018]    Hence, a single operator will govern flow through the basin&#39;s bottom drain outlet, will preclude the overflow from being closed in some rotational positions, and will permit the overflow to be closed in another rotational position. The operational mechanism is highly intuitive, and thus something that does not require extensive explanation to first-time users. 
         [0019]    Moreover, the product can be manufactured at reasonably low additional cost (relative to a standard cable driven drain control which does not have overflow control). Also, as pop-up type valves have been shown to have long-term reliability in this type of environment as applied to bottom drains, it is highly likely that incorporating them into the present assembly will not trigger significant maintenance issues. 
         [0020]    The foregoing and still other advantages of the invention will appear from the following description. In that description reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and in which there is shown by way of illustration a preferred embodiment of the invention. That embodiment does not represent the full scope of the invention. Rather, the claims should be looked to in order to judge the full scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a bathtub which has been installed with a combined control of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a partially exploded perspective view focusing on the overflow area of the bathtub; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged, partially exploded assembly view of a portion of the control; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged, partially exploded view somewhat similar to  FIG. 3 , but showing a further stage of assembly; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of an actuating assembly of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged sectional view of the overflow area, when both the drain and overflow outlets are open; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 6 , but showing the configuration when the bottom drain outlet is closed and the overflow is open; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a view similar to  FIG. 6 , but showing the configuration when both the bottom drain out and overflow are closed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a bathtub generally  10  having a control  12  provided through an overflow opening  13  of the side wall  14 . There is also a drain outlet valve  16  positioned at a bottom opening  17  of a basin bottom wall  18 . 
         [0030]    Housing  20  is mounted to the side wall  14  and an actuator handle  22  controls both drain closure and overflow closure. Housing  24  is mounted to the bottom wall  18  in communication with the drain outlet valve  16 . A T-shaped fitting  26  connects a cross channel  28  coupled to the housing  24 , and a down channel  30  couples to the housing  20  and also a sewer line  32 . 
         [0031]    Referring now also to  FIG. 2 , housing  20  has a cylindrical portion  34 , and retains an actuating assembly  36  and the beginnings of cable linkage  38 . There is also a drain flange/escutcheon  40 . Note that the handle  22  also has an edge  42  which functions as a stopper. The cylindrical portion  34  has an open front inlet end  44 , and includes an outlet port  46 . 
         [0032]    Referring now also to  FIG. 4 , a cross bar  48  is provided to enable the escutcheon  40  and cylindrical portion  34  to be coupled to secure the assembly to the bathtub  10 . The cross bar  48  includes posts  50  on radially opposite sides of a central aperture  52 . The central aperture  52  permits the cross bar  48  to be inserted into the cylindrical portion  34  over the actuating assembly  36 . The cross bar  48  is secured via fasteners  54  inserted through apertures  56  formed at ends of the bar  48 . 
         [0033]    Referring now also to  FIG. 6 , the escutcheon  40  has an inner rim  58  surrounding an opening  59 , sized to extend beyond an outer rim  60  when it is inserted into the opening  13  of the bathtub  10 . The escutcheon  40  has a frustoconical surface  62  extending outwardly to a lip  64  with a diameter larger than the drain opening  13  to prevent it from being pressed through. 
         [0034]    A pair of apertures  66  are formed through the inner rim  58  of the escutcheon  40 . The lip  64  of the escutcheon  40  rests on the side wall  14  and the apertures  66  in the inner rim  58  are aligned with openings  68  in the vertical posts  50  of the crossbar  48  secured within the cylindrical portion  34 . Fasteners  70  extend through the openings  66  and are threaded into the vertical legs  50 . The fasteners  66  are tightened to draw the cylindrical portion  34  and escutcheon  40  towards each other and into contact with opposing sides of the side wall  14 . A rubber gasket  72  positioned on the outer rim  60  seals against the bathtub  10 . 
         [0035]    Referring now also to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , an actuating assembly  36  includes a cam  74  and cam linkage  76  coupled to a waste drain stopper  78  via the cable linkage  38 . As shown, the cable linkage  38  includes a movable cable  80  and a protective sheath  82 . The cable  80  enters the cylindrical portion  34  via an opening  84  and a barrel-shaped end  86  is received by a slotted aperture  88  in a first end  90  of the cam linkage  76 . 
         [0036]    A second end  92  of the cam linkage  76  includes an aperture  94  that is positioned onto an integral pivot post  96 . An arcuate opening  98  extending across the cam linkage  76  receives a toe  100  projecting outwardly from the cam  74  when assembled within the cylindrical portion  34 . The cable linkage  38 , cable opening  84 , cam  74 , and cam linkage  76  are sealed within the cylindrical portion  34  via a gasket  102  and plate  104  fastened by screws  106 . 
         [0037]    The actuating assembly  36  is rotatable, via the handle/stopper  42 , to effect pivotable movement of the cam linkage  76 . At a first angular position shown in  FIG. 6 , the toe  100  is adjacent to the first end  90  of the linkage  76  and the waste drain stopper  78  is open. Moving the actuating assembly  36  to a second angular position, such as shown in  FIG. 7 , causes the cam  74  to rotate, pivoting the cam linkage  76  and pulling the cable  80 . 
         [0038]    Although not illustrated, the other end of the cable  80  is linked to an internal second pivot in the housing  24  which pivots a part under the waste drain stopper  78  to pull the stopper  78  closed. At a third angular position of the actuating assembly  36  shown in  FIG. 8 , the handle/stopper  42  can be pressed into and out of the escutcheon  40 . 
         [0039]    As seen best in  FIG. 5 , the actuating assembly  36  includes a clicker assembly  108  to temporarily hold the handle/stopper  42  against the inner rim  58  of the escutcheon  40  to close the overflow opening  13 . The clicker assembly  108  includes a post  110  and a cylindrical sleeve  112  partially telescoped onto the post  110 . Axial movement of the sleeve  112  further onto the post  110  is resisted by a compression spring (not shown) captured between the post  110  and the sleeve  112 . A catch wire  114  ( FIG. 4 ) secures the sleeve  112  to the post  110 . Radial movement of the sleeve  112  relative to the post  110  is prevented by a groove  116  in the post  110  and a set screw  118  extending through the outer sleeve  112 . 
         [0040]    A conventional clicker assembly  108  includes a circuitous groove (not shown) formed in the post  110  to guide an end of the catch wire  114 . The end of the catch wire  114  travels within the groove allowing the sleeve  112  to telescope between an open, intermediate, and closed position. When the post  110  is axially fixed in place, a pressing force causes the spring to compress and the sleeve  112  is moved from an open to an intermediate position. When the force against the sleeve  112  is released, the spring decompresses slightly, moving the sleeve  112  to the closed position. A subsequent pressing force moves the sleeve  112  back to an intermediate position and after the subsequent force against the outer sleeve  112  is released, the spring forces the sleeve  112  back to the open position. 
         [0041]    Various other known clicker assemblies may be used. See e.g. clicker  2  of U.S. Pat. No. 6,442,770. 
         [0042]    The actuating assembly  36  includes the aforementioned plate  104  which has a central boss  120  defining a cavity  122  and a telescoping sleeve  124  received over the boss  120 . The clicker assembly  108  is received within the central boss  120  with one end portion  126  of the post  110  extending through an opening  128  in the plate  104  with an integral flange  130  on the post  110  abutting against the plate  104  from inside the boss  120 . 
         [0043]    An o-ring  132  on the end portion  126  of the post  110  prevents leakage into the sealed portion of the cylindrical portion  34 . The cam  74  is retained on the end portion  126  of the post  110  via a c-clip  134  inserted into a groove  136  and abuts the opposing side of the plate  104 . Together, the integral flange  130  and cam  74  keep the clicker assembly  108  affixed to the plate and within the boss  120 . 
         [0044]    The clicker assembly  108  extends through the boss  120  and into the telescoping outer sleeve  124 . A beveled square-shaped portion  138  of the inner sleeve  112  passes through a similarly shaped opening  140  in an axial face  142  of the outer sleeve  124 . A c-clip  144  inserted into a groove  146  in the square-shaped portion  138  secures the outer sleeve  124  to the clicker assembly  108 . 
         [0045]    Ribs  148  formed in the outer sleeve  112  are received in slots  150  in the handle  42 . A set screw  152  prevents the handle  42  from being pulled off of the outer sleeve  124 . 
         [0046]    Rotation of the outer sleeve  124  translates into rotation of the clicker assembly  108  due to the interface between the square-shaped portion  138  of the clicker assembly sleeve  112  and the matching square-shaped opening  140  in the outer sleeve  124 . Likewise, the rotation of the clicker assembly  108  translates into rotation of the cam  74  due to the interface between the end portion  126  of the post  110  and a square-shaped opening  148  in the cam  74 . 
         [0047]    Importantly, in the first (drain open) and second (drain closed, but overflow protection desired) angular positions, an axial projection  150  on the central boss  120  prevents axial movement of the outer sleeve  124  and handle/stopper  42 . However, in the third (more rotationally extreme) angular position, a slot  152  in the outer sleeve  124  is aligned with the projection  150  on the central boss  120 . Pressing against the handle  42  moves the handle  42  and sleeve  124  connected thereto into contact with the escutcheon  40 . The handle/stopper  42  is preferably disk-shaped and provided with an annular rubber gasket  154 . The gasket  154  and stopper  42  are sized to fit tightly against the inner rim  58  of the escutcheon  40  to make a water tight seal at the overflow opening  13 . 
         [0048]    The clicker assembly  108  automatically holds the handle  42  in a closed position. Subsequently pressing the handle  42  releases the handle  42  back to an open position. The handle  42  may then be rotated back to the second or first angular position as desired. 
         [0049]    Hence, a single control will remotely activate the bottom drain for the tub, and also provide an option for closing off the overflow. The assembly is designed so that normally the overflow won&#39;t be closed off (even when the tub bottom drain is closed). However, when a conscious decision is made to shutoff the overflow, further rotation of a handle, followed by a pushing motion, can intuitively cause the overflow shutoff. 
         [0050]    While a specific embodiment of the present invention has been shown, various modifications falling within the breadth and scope of the invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art. For example, the assembly need not rely on cable linkage, as distinguished from mechanical leverage systems, to activate the bottom drain. Thus, the following claims should be looked to in order to understand the full scope of the invention. 
       Industrial Applicability 
       [0051]    Disclosed is a combined control for basin bottom drain and basin overflow, particularly where the bottom drain can be controlled separately from overflow control.