Patent ID: 12188216

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:

#Component2Sink6Wastewater drain system10Body14Sink flange18Threaded portion22Seal26Nut30Drain stopper34Ball rod38First end40Second portion42Ball46Link50Second end54Clip110Body114Sink flange118Threaded portion122Seal126Nut130Drain stopper132Nut134Ball rod140Distal end142Ball146Link154Clip158Rod162Thumbscrew166Knob170Valve stem174Seat180Insert184Upper seal188Holes192Seal194Insert wall196Inner surface197Lower surface198Shoulder200Lower surface204Shoulder206Flange wall207Groove208Boss209Recess210Body214Sink flange222Seal226Nut230Drain stopper270Valve stem274Seat280Insert310Body314Sink flange326Nut330Drain stopper332Seal334Ball rod340Distal end342Threaded portion343Opening370Valve stem380Insert382Hub386Drain stopper seal

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

FIGS.2-5show a drain closure system of one embodiment of the present invention. The drain closure system is comprised of a body110having a threaded portion118that terminates at a sink flange114. 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 body110also receives a nut132that secures a ball rod134, wherein a portion of the ball rod134is positioned within the body110. The body110is interconnected to the sink, wherein the flange114is in contact with a lower surface of sink. Next, a nut126and associated seal122are interface with a threaded portion118of the body110and tighten against a lower outer surface of the sink to secure the body110to the sink. After the body110is secured to the sink, it is also interconnected to the wastewater drain plumbing of the dwelling. The ball rod134is interconnected to a link146via a clip154, or other device. The link146is secured to a rod158with a thumbscrew162, or other device. The rod terminates at a knob166, wherein movement of the rod166will selectively move the ball rod134and, thus, a portion of the ball rod134positioned within the body110. The interconnection between the ball rod134and the body110should be well known by those of ordinary skill in the art.

The end of the ball rod134positioned in the body is interconnected to a distal end140of a valve stem170. The distal end140of some embodiments is flared, or otherwise configured, to prevent hair and other debris from getting hung up on the ball rod134(seeFIG.4). The valve stem170also includes a proximal end comprised of a drain stopper130. As shown inFIGS.3and4, the drain stopper130cooperates with a seat174located within the body110to selectively allow fluid out of the sink.

The drain stopper130, seat174, etc. are concealed by an insert180. The insert180includes an upper surface184with a plurality of holes188that allow water, but not large items from entering the drain plumbing. The insert has a wall194that accommodates a seal192that cooperates with an inner surface196of the body to secure the insert180the body110. The wall194has a lower surface200that engages a shoulder204of the body110or the flange114. Because the seal192does not permanently secure the insert180the body110, if the insert becomes damaged, stained, or marred, or if the user wishes to change the aesthetic appearance of the sink, the insert180can be quickly removed and replaced without replacing the remainder of the wastewater system.

Again, the insert180of this embodiment of the present invention will selectively interconnects to a drain flange and associated drain plumbing by way of a seal192that selectively engages the inner surface196of the drain flange wall206, i.e., an interference fit (seeFIG.5). The seal192may 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 insert180to the drain flange114without 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.

FIG.2shows another feature of some embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the flange114is interconnected to the threaded portion118of the body by way of a cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, or conical wall206having the inner surface196described above. At least one groove207is provided in the wall206. Water, which does not exit the sink via the openings188in the insert180, can exit the sink through any gap between the insert flange180and the sink drain flange114and into the drain plumbing via the groove(s)207.

As discussed above,FIGS.3and5show the wastewater drain with the drain stopper130in a closed position. Here the drain stopper130is abutted against the seat174which prevents fluid from entering the body110. This configuration is achieved by pulling the knob166upwardly to move the attached rod158and link146upwardly. Movement of the rod158upwardly rotates the end of the ball rod134positioned within the body110about a ball142downwardly, which pulls a distal end140of the valve stem170downwardly.

FIG.3shows another feature provided by some embodiments of the present invention that facilitates installation. Here, a boss208that receives the nut132is positioned within a recess209that locates an outer surface of the boss208at a dimension equal to or less than the outer dimension of the body110. This embodiment facilitates installation by allowing the body110to be dropped into the sink outlet. The nut132may have outer protrusions, i.e., wings, that facilitate tightening. In contrast, the prior art system shown inFIG.1has 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 nut22is used to secure the body10to the sink2. As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, this is a two-hand or two-person operation.

FIG.4shows the wastewater drain system in an open position wherein the rod158has been pushed downwardly to rotate the end of the ball rod134upwardly to push the valve stem170upwardly, thereby moving the attached valve stem170away from the seat174to open the fluid flow path from the sink to the body110.

FIG.6shows another embodiment of the present invention where the insert280is selectively interconnected to a sink flange214. Other features of this embodiment are similar to those employed by the embodiments described above.FIG.6also shows that sink the flange214does not need to be integral to the body to10, 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 stopper230, a valve stem270, a seat274, a seal222, and a nut226are provided.

FIGS.7-10show another embodiment of the present invention wherein the drain stopper330is external to the body310. Here, the drain stopper330comprises a downwardly-extending stem370and a threaded lower portion342. The threaded portion342is operatively interconnected into the stem370, thereby allowing the length between the stopper330and a distal end340to be altered if needed. The threaded portion342also includes an opening343for receipt of an end of the ball rod334positioned within the body310. Here, the sink flange314is selectively interconnected to or integrated with the body310.

This embodiment also includes an insert380with a hub382that is attached, e.g., glued, to the flange314. The insert380may also include a wall that selectively interconnects to the sink flange or body as is shown in the embodiments discussed above. The hub382provides a cylindrical opening for receipt and securement of the stem370as shown inFIGS.8and9. Upon pulling a knob upwardly, (seeFIG.2, for example,) the stem370and threaded portion342are pulled downwardly, which pulls the stopper330and attached seal386into engagement with the insert380to close the body310to the flow. The knob is pushed downwardly, the end of the ball rod334moves upwardly, which moves the stem370upwardly to separate the seal386from the insert380allow fluid to flow into the body.

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.