Abstract:
A drain trap comprising a lid and bowl where the lid further comprises a central inlet flow tube which discharges into the bowl at a distance above the inner surface of the base of the bowl. Fluid entering through the flow tube and into the bowl fills the interior until the water level reaches the discharge opening to exit from the drain trap. Water flow is in the annular space between the inner surface of the bowl and the exterior surface of the tube.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/951,796 filed Mar. 12, 2014; U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/056,653 filed Sep. 29, 2014; and, U.S. Design Application No. 29/503,482 filed Sep. 26, 2014; the content of all applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Traps have long been used in plumbing. Designs typically involve a two-fold purpose. First, a configuration to prevent sewer gas back flow through a drain line and second, a readily cleanable trap for among other purposes, the collection of heavier weight items, such as rings or other small jewelry which may have accidently been lost down a sink drain. 
     One example of such a trap is U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,412 issued to Manuel. Manuel teaches a universal trap containing inlet and outlet conduits connecting to a bowl. The bowl utilizes a center post to assist in securing the bowl to the lid. In operation, the bowl remains completely filled with drainage liquid, and the conduits are both partially filled. A screen element having approximately the same diameter as the inside diameter of the inlet conduit is horizontally positioned across the opened top portion of the bowl and serves to prevent any material larger than the screen mesh to be discharged through the outlet conduit. The universal trap is supported by a pair of ring couplings which are both offset from the vertical centerline. Sedimentation is likely to build up particularly in the area behind the center post opposite the discharge point of the inlet conduit. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Presented is a new drain trap which is attached in-line to the discharge line downstream of an apparatus such as a sink or bath tub. It is an improvement over prior art P-traps or similar configurations. The device is distinct from what is commonly used in that it also serves as a filter to prevent heavier objects from being carried downstream. 
     The device comprises: 
     (1) an upper lid having an inlet tube and an outlet. The inlet tube is for operably receiving discharge fluids, solids and gasses which flow from a tub, sink or other apparatus where P-traps are commonly used. The outlet is operably connected to the downstream sewer line so that the fluids, lighter density solids and gasses can be discharged downstream; and, 
     (2) a vertically elongated bowl removably attached to the lid and having an open top, an inner bottom surface, and a sidewall having a pre-determined length between the open top and the inner bottom surface. 
     When the bowl and lid are attached to one another, the inlet tube extends into the bowl between about 60% to about 80% the length of the sidewall. Importantly, the inlet tube is positioned to have a common axis of symmetry with the bowl whereby the space between the sidewall of the bowl and the exterior surface of the inner tube defines an annular region as illustrated generally in  FIG. 3 . 
     Optionally, a retainer disk orientated horizontally within the interior formed by the bowl and upper lid is disposed and having a plurality of slots and a central aperture slightly larger than the outside diameter of the inlet tube. 
     The upper lid is connected at its inlet opening to the discharge line of, for example, a sink so that discharge from the sink will pass through the discharge line, flow into the inlet tube and exit the tube a distance above the inner bottom surface of the bowl. 
     The optional retainer disk can function as a filter or screen to prevent objects from exiting the drain trap. In one embodiment, the retainer disk would rest upon an inner circumferential lip formed about the bowl. The inlet tube carrying discharge into the device vertically extends down through the retainer disk and discharges into the vertically elongated bowl distal and below the retainer disk. In this manner, objects such as rings or coins will immediately settle upon the inner bottom surface of the bowl. The outlet for flow exiting the drain trap is integral with the upper lid and located above where the retainer disk would be positioned. 
     However, in a preferred embodiment, the retainer disk would not be utilized. Due to the elongation of the bowl, any object of appreciable density relative to water which flows into a sink drain or tub drain would travel into the device and down the inner tube and be deposited onto the bottom interior surface of the bowl. 
     Once the device is properly installed into the desired flow line, any sedimentation or hair and soap scum may tend to be deposited onto the bottom interior surface of the bowl would be lifted by the turbulence created by incoming water exiting the tube within the bowl. The turbulence thereafter would cause the suspended sediment to flow upwards in the annular region between the bowl sidewall and the outside diameter of the tube and out the discharge opening. If the tube is shorter than disclosed, undesired build-up of sedimentation is likely. Thus, my device provides a flow path which does not require an in-stream filter while still having the ability to retain objects lost down a sink drain. 
     A unique feature of my device is the abrupt change in the direction of water flow. Rather than a standard P-trap which incorporates a U-bend having piping of the same internal diameter, my device utilizes the annular region between the circumference of the tube and the internal sidewall of the bowl for which drain water is directed through. 
     Optionally, the exterior of the bowl comprises an enhanced gripping surface to more easily frictionally engage the bowl for detachment from the lid. In a most preferred embodiment, a plurality of vertical ribs are formed along the exterior circumference of the bowl which provides an enhanced gripping surface for disengaging the bowl-upper lid threaded connection. The lowermost portion of the bowl can be formed in a hexagonal configuration so that a wrench can be used to remove the bowl. Also, as part of the hexagonal configuration, a pair of slots 180 degrees apart from one another are formed for using a suitable screw driver or other linear object to rotate the bowl. 
     In a commercial embodiment of the device, both the lid and bowl include a locking tab perpendicularly extending away; each having an aperture and positioned near the engagement interface. When lid and bowl are threadably engaged and tightened, the apertures are aligned so a plastic strip or wire can be used to prevent disassembly of the device. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of my device installed as part of a drainage line. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the device of  FIG. 1   
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The figures are provided for illustration purposes and are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates the positioning of drain trap  10  as part of a drainage line having inlet conduit I and discharge conduit D threadably secured by couplings  11 . 
     Drain trap  10  comprises a vertical elongated bowl  12  and a lid  14 . Lid  14  includes an inlet  16 , discharge  18  and a vertical tube  20  extending into the bowl  12 . Viewing  FIG. 3 , L is the height of vertical elongated bowl  12  from the top edge to interior floor  34 . The distal end  38  of tube  20  extends into bowl  12  between about 0.60 L-0.85 L and more preferably between about 0.75 L-0.81 L. This distance permits heavy objects to fall to interior floor  34  while still being close enough to floor  34  to disperse sedimentation and carry up through the annular region and out discharge line D. 
     Optionally, a retaining disk  22  can be positioned and rest upon a series of spaced apart lips  24  which extend inward from the inside sidewall of bowl  12  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     Bowl  12  has a general frustum shape as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Bowl  12  has an open male-threaded top and an inner bottom surface  34 . The diameter of bowl across the open top is greater than the diameter across the inner bottom surface  34 . A reduced surface area across inner bottom surface  34  causes sedimentation to be deposited in a localized area resulting in easier dispersion when flow exiting the inner tube is of a sufficient velocity as when a sink is being drained of water. 
     Bowl  12  is threadably attached to lid  14 . Preferably, threaded engagement comprises male threads on bowl  12  and female threads on lid  14 . A suitably sized sealing O-ring  26  is disposed between bowl  12  and lid  14  to prevent leakage. 
     There are 2 connecting points to operatively attach drain trap  10 . Both of these connector points have typical m.i.p. threading (male iron pipe). This threading is seen on every plumbing related part currently in use. Whether using galvanized pipe, pvc or abs, this is the preferred mode for connection of plumbing parts. This allows the end user to easily connect drain trap  10  with existing plumbing. Both connecting points preferably include a 1.5 inch line that is integral to the device construction and the inlet and discharge ports are equal regarding the inside diameter. This allows for equalized discharge of received waste water. This reduces or eliminates any back up and allows waste water to flow freely into the sewer line. The 1.5 inside diameter of inlet  16  and discharge  18  also allows for universal acceptance of either 1.25 or 1.5 inch feeder/discharge lines using couplings  11 . 
     Inlet  16  of lid  14  is threadably attached to the sink discharge line I and discharge  18  of lid  13  is threadably attached to the downstream line D. 
     Bowl  12  further includes a plurality of spaced apart and vertically orientated elongated external ribs  28  which assist in gripping bowl  12  for tightening and unscrewing from lid  14 . Other features which can alternatively assist with removal or tightening include a hexagon nut  30  integral with the bottom of bowl  12 ; and, hexagon  30  further having a pair of slots  32  180 degrees from one another, suitably sized to receive the shaft of a screwdriver or the like for application of rotational torque. 
     As can be viewed in  FIG. 3 , bowl  12  has upward extending elongated sidewalls from interior floor  34  which defines an annular space for water to flow toward discharge  18 . In a preferred embodiment of the device, the internal diameter of bowl  12  is approx. 2.55 inches while the outside and inside diameters of tube  20  are approximately 1.59 inches and 1.42 inches respectively. Thus the approximate cross-sectional area of the annular region and tube interior are 3.1 sq. in and 1.59 sq. in respectively. The distance between the bowl sidewall and tube is approximately 0.48 in which is about ⅓ of the inside diameter of tube  20 . 
     Once drain trap  10  is connected to and becomes part of the discharge line, water from a source such as a sink will enter vertical tube  20 . Water will accumulate within drain trap  10  until the water level WL reaches equilibrium which is the level of discharge opening  18  and thereafter enters discharge line D to the sewer line (not shown). The arrows depicted in  FIG. 3  represent the water flow into, through and out of drain trap  10 . Device  10  has the threadable connection between bowl  12  and lid  14  near water level WL. In this design, when disconnection is desired, minimal water will be spilled with the majority being retained by bowl  12 . 
     Periodically, or after the loss down the sink drain of a ring or other object, bowl  12  can be unscrewed from lid  14  and cleaned. If retaining disk  22  is used, it can be cleaned periodically of any debris which may be clogging the slots  36 , if necessary. Any objects can also be removed from bowl  12 . Bowl  12  can thereafter be reattached to lid  14  with the retaining disk (if used) and O-ring  26  positioned as before. 
     In a commercial embodiment, drain trap  10  will further include a pair of locking tabs  40  and  42 ; one located on bowl  12  and the other on conical lid  14  as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . Each tab includes an aperture A for alignment with the other tab. A locking mechanism is thereafter run through both apertures and must be removed before lid and bowl can be detached from one another. 
     I claim: