Patent Document

PRIORITY DOCUMENTS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/980,722, filed on Apr. 17, 2014, entitled “Drain Cross Bar Repair Insert” the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Bath tubs, sinks, and many other fluid holding platforms almost always use some device or mechanism which is incorporated into their drains that limit the size of the effective drain opening so that larger objects which could potentially pass through the drain opening and clog the plumbing are prevented from going down. The Pop-up stopper is one such commonly used device. When its open, or in the up, position water may pass through freely but because of its design, shape and placement in the drain opening it effectively limits the size of the drain opening to keep larger objects from falling through. The pop up stopper has a mechanical connection to an actuator rod, which would cause the stopper to move to an open position, permitting water to drain from the platform, and to a closed position, holding the water in the sink, tub or other water holding platform, hereinafter collectively but not limited to sink. When the stopper is in the closed position, it forms a seal with a flange of the plumbing drain of the sink preventing the water from draining from the basin of the sink. It is known that the pop up stopper in time may fail, become damaged, lost, or that the sink basin may not include a stopper at all. Some sinks and tubs may have a different type of stopper or no stopper at all. These sinks may have been designed with an element which is located further down in the drain which passes in front of the water flow and reduces the size of the effective opening to prevent larger objects from going down past it and potentially clogging the plumbing. These elements can also break, rot or be missing altogether. Depending on the specific sink or other water holding platform, it may be difficult to replace the pop up stopper, or other damaged or missing device designed to prevent larger objects from passing through and causing a clog, and professional repair services are expensive. What is required is an inexpensive repair device which may be easily placed in the plumbing drain, that can adjust to the inside diameter of the plumbing drain of the sink, is easily removable, and would restore the original look and function of the drain, including prevention of the loss of items down the drain to the trap, while still providing a large, unrestrictive opening that would not trap hair or otherwise restrict water flow. Specifically it is a goal of the present invention to maximize the unrestricted area of fluid flow through the inner channel and minimize the surface area of any occluding objects such as the cross bars in the present invention. Preferably a ratio of the top surface area of the cross bars, the occlusions, to the open area of the inner channel being less than 30 percent and an optimal ratio of less than 25 percent and a preferred range between 15 to 20 percent depending on the area of the inner channel. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a drain catch cross bar repair insert for receiving water or fluid and discharging the fluid into the plumbing drain, which includes a cylindrical element with a circular top flange connected to a cylindrical wall. At or near the bottom of the cylindrical wall are two cross-bars or other occlusions to prevent items from further travel with or without the fluid into the plumbing drain. The two cross bars are connected at or near the bottom of the cylindrical walls in a perpendicular relationship forming a shape similar to a letter “X”: and are shown in the drawings. After the removal of the damaged or non-functioning stopper from the plumbing drain of the sink, the invention may be simply inserted into the plumbing drain of the sink, bathtub or other water holding platform with a drain preferably with a friction fit. Once the drain catch is installed, water may freely drain through the drain catch, while objects larger than the openings formed by the cross bar insert will be prevented from going down the drain because of the restriction at the end or within the cylindrical wall of the present invention. When desired, a rubber stopper may be externally placed inside or on the top of the open end of the invention, to prevent fluid from flowing through the drain catch and permitting the sink or bath to be filled when desired. 
     Beneath the circular top flange close to the top of the cylindrical wall are about six horizontal ovoid openings which are generally spaced equally apart. These openings are provided to permit a regular head screwdriver, or other lever to be inserted there through, and by pushing the lever downward, the drain catch is forced upward, to allow the removal of the invention from the drain. The invention removal device is not limited to a regular head screwdriver, any device or lever which can act as a pry bar could be employed. The device may also be removed using other methods such as a hook shaped tool to pull the drain catch upward from the plumbing drain for removal. 
     In the middle region of the cylindrical wall are about six seating elements which are generally spaced equally apart. Each of the seating elements are identical and include a right side crescent opening, a left side crescent opening, and the seating element intermediate the right side crescent opening and the left side crescent opening. Both the right and left side crescent openings are vertical and are about the same height as the seating elements. Although other arrangements of openings and seating elements can be constructed. Each of the seating elements are designed to be bent outwardly and displaced away from the extension face of the cylindrical wall toward the inner surface of the plumbing drain. This may be performed by a screwdriver or other lever or prying instrument. This effectively increases the diameter of the cylindrical sidewall and permits the invention to fit snugly into a plumbing drain against the inner wall of the plumbing drain. 
     At or near the bottom of the cylindrical wall is a cross bar or other occlusion. These cross bars are the length of the inner diameter of the circle formed by the cylindrical wall. They are attached to the internal surface of the cylindrical wall, and preferably meet in the inner channel formed by the cylindrical wall in a perpendicular fashion forming a barrier or restriction to prevent larger objects from falling in and proceeding through into the plumbing drain to clog the drain. 
     The invention may be manufactured from, but it not limited to 0.020 gauge stainless steel. Stainless steel prevents any part of the invention from rusting. Stamping manufacturing techniques may also be employed. 
     In summary the invention is a drain catch for receiving fluid in a plumbing drain, having a drain body with a cylindrical wall constructed and arranged for having a fluid flow there through, the drain body having a first end and a second end, the cylindrical wall having an internal surface defining an inner channel and an external surface, the first end of the drain body having a flange extending from the cylindrical wall for supporting the drain body on a plumbing drain, and the second end of the drain body having one or more elongated bars extending from the internal surface of the cylindrical wall into the inner channel. 
     Further, the drain catch includes a first bar and a second bar that intersect one another. 
     Additionally, the drain catch includes a first bar that extends from a first point on the internal surface to a second point on the internal surface and a second bar extends from a third point on the internal surface to a fourth point on the internal surface. 
     Further, the first the bar and the second bar may intersect one another and can intersect at their respective midpoints. 
     Additionally the drain catch can include at least one seating element defined by the cylindrical wall and configured for engaging an inner diameter of a plumbing drain and holding the drain catch in place. The at least one seating element is defined by one or more cutouts within the cylindrical wall adjacent the at least one seating element. 
     Further, the at least one seating element is defined by a first cutout adjacent one side of the at least one seating element and a second cutout adjacent a second side of the at least one seating element, and the first cutout and the second cutout are congruent. 
     Additionally, at least one seating element extends in a direction from the first end to the second end. 
     Additionally, the at least one seating element may be displaced beyond the external surface. 
     Further, the at least one seating element is manually displaceable into a position displaced beyond the external surface. 
     Additionally, the drain catch includes a plurality of lift opening within the cylindrical wall spaced apart from one another in close proximity to the first end of the cylindrical wall. Additionally, the lift openings can be generally oval in shape. 
     Further, the edges of the bars have flanges protruding therefrom to provide for a smoother flow and original appearance. 
     The invention also includes a method for securing the drain catch into a plumbing drain snugly after determining if the outside diameter of the cylindrical wall is less than the inside diameter of the plumbing drain. Then one or more of the seating elements may be displaced beyond the external surface, and then inserting the drain catch into the plumbing drain such that one or more of the seating elements are in contact with the inner surface of the plumbing drain. 
     Additionally, the method for removing the drain catch includes inserting an end of a lever into one of the lift openings, and rotating the lever to lift the drain catch from the plumbing drain. 
     Further, the elongated bars have a top surface orientated toward the top of the drain catch, and the ratio of the top surface area of the elongated bars in comparison to the inner channel area is less than 30 percent, and the ratio is preferably less than 25 percent. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the drain catch. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the catch. 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the drain catch. 
         FIG. 4  is a left side view of the drain catch. 
         FIG. 5  is a right side view of the drain catch. 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of the drain catch. 
         FIG. 7  is a cut away view of a sink showing a prior art drain stopper being removed from the plumbing drain. 
         FIG. 8  is a view showing the screwdriver using the tip to displace a vertical bar, the seating element, away from the external surface of the cylindrical wall. 
         FIG. 9  is a view showing a screwdriver using the tip and a leverage point to remove the catch from a plumbing drain. 
         FIG. 10  is a cut-away view of a sink with the drain catch insert into the plumbing drain. 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the dashed line portion of  FIG. 10  showing a close up of that portion of the sink after the drain catch has been fitted into the plumbing drain. 
         FIG. 12  is a bottom view, similar to  FIG. 2  showing in cross-hatching the occluded area of the elongated bars, in comparison to the non-occluded area of the inner channel and shown without a bottom flange  23 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now specifically to  FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 6 , a variety of views of the drain catch  10  is shown. Drain catch  10  has a drain body having a cylindrical wall  14 , with an open end  11  and an open second end  13 . Cylindrical wall  14  has an internal surface  15  and an external surface  17 . The internal surface  15  defines an inner channel for receiving a fluid. The fluid contained within for example sink  74  which drains through a first end  11  of drain catch  10  and through a second end  13  of drain catch  10  into a plumbing drain  76 . Plumbing drain  76  has a sealing flange  68  to engage sink  74  and to receive drain catch  10 . A flange  12  extends outward from external surface  17  of cylindrical wall  14 . The flange  12  has a perimeter edge  5 . The flange  12  is adapted to be supported by the flange  68  of the plumbing drain  76  in sink  74  (best seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11 ). A small curved portion  13  has a radius where flange  12  connects to cylindrical wall  14  and prevents a sharp edge on the inner portion of drain catch  10 . In some embodiments of the invention the flange  12  may be directly connected to the vertical cylindrical wall  14  without a radius. When in place, drain catch  10  allows water or other fluid to flow through, drain catch  10 . Drain catch  10  includes a restriction within the inner channel of cylindrical wall  14  to prevent objects or items from moving into or passing through plumbing drain  76 . 
     On the upper portion of the cylindrical wall  14 , below the flange  12 , are six horizontal equally spaced ovoid cutouts  16 . The ovoid cutouts  16  pass through the cylindrical wall  14 . When it is necessary to remove the drain catch  10  from the plumbing drain  76 . A screwdriver  72 , lever or other prying instrument would be used to pry the drain catch  10  out of the plumbing drain  76 . This is best shown in  FIG. 9  where a downward force ‘F’ on the handle  73  of screwdriver  12  would rotate drain catch  10  to lift an edge  5  of flange  12  above flange  68  in order to remove drain catch  10 . Although six ovoid cutouts  16  are shown, it is to be understood that less or more ovoid cutouts  16  may be employed if desired. 
     On the middle portion of the cylindrical wall  14  are six seating elements  19  which include a vertical seating element  18  intermediate a right side crescent shaped cutout  20  and a left side crescent shaped cutout  22 . A screwdriver  72  or other prying instrument may be placed through either the right side crescent cutout  20  or the left side crescent cutout  22 , slid under the seating element  18  to displace the seating element  18  in an outward fashion beyond the external surface  17  of cylindrical wall  14 . This could be performed on one or more or all six of the seating elements  18 , giving the drain catch  10  a greater diameter about midway down the cylindrical wall  14  which would permit and be able to size the drain catch  10  to fit snugly, with a friction fit, within the inner diameter of plumbing drain  76  and against internal surface  77  of plumbing drain  76 . Each seating element  18  is displaceable outwardly and beyond the external surface  17  a variety of distances, which allows drain catch  10  to be sized to fit snugly within a plumbing drain  76 , no matter what the actual size or inner diameter of plumbing drain  76 . Although six sizing elements  19  are shown it is to be understood that less or more sizing elements  19  may be employed if desired. 
     The drain catch  10  may include a bottom flange  23  which is connected to and forms a part of the internal surface  15  of cylindrical wall  14 . Drain catch  10  preferably includes an elongated first cross bar  90  and an elongated second cross bar  92 . Other restriction elements or other arrangements of cross bars  90  and  92  can be arranged to create a restriction within the inner channel of cylindrical wall  14 , to prevent objects from travel or passing through drain catch  10  into the plumbing drain  76 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a top plan view of the drain catch  10  is shown. The perimeter  5  of flange  12  is circular. Flange  12  is horizontal until flange  12  intersects a small downwardly curved element  13  which in turn is connected to the vertical cylindrical wall  14 . Within the inner channel of cylindrical wall  14  of the drain catch  10  are a first elongated cross bar  90  and a second elongated cross bar  92  connected together perpendicularly in the bottom center  94 . Both the first cross bar  90  and the second cross-bar  92  extend radially from the bottom center  94  where they are connected to the bottom flange  23  or the internal surface  15  of cylindrical wall  14 . This internal surface  15  defines an inner channel of cylindrical wall  14 . The occluding elements, cross bars  90  and  92 , are preferably constructed and arranged to be perpendicular to one another, to prevent larger objects from passing through the drain, but not prevent smaller objects from clogging the drain catch  10 . For example hair can pass through, otherwise hair would eventually clog the openings created by the occluding elements, bars  90  and  92 . Thus in a preferred embodiment the elongated bars  90  and  92  have a small occluding surface area in comparison to the overall area of the inner channel thus maximizing the open area within the inner channel to allow increased or maximum fluid flow through the drain catch. As used herein the surface area of the elongated bars  90  and  92  would be defined as the area on the upper portion of each bar  90  and  92  that obstruct any fluid flow through drain catch  10 . This surface area for each bar  90  and  92  is marked in  FIG. 12  with cross-hatch lines, which shows the top surface area of each bar  90  and  92 , where the top is oriented toward the top of the drain catch  10  where the fluid enters. In a preferred embodiment this occluded area would be as small as possible in comparison to the overall area of the open inner channel area, where the area of the inner channel would be calculated as πr 2  and where “r” is the radius of the inner channel. See  FIG. 12  showing the radius “r”. 
     The first cross bar  90  has a curved radius edge portion  52  which forms a flange at  54 . The second cross bar  92  also has a curved radius edge portion  52  which forms a flange  54 . The bottoms  56  of flanges  54  can be seen in  FIG. 3 . The cross bars  90  and  92  allow water or fluid to pass through the cylindrical sidewall  14  but restrict or prevent objects and/or items from passing through the drain catch  10  and into the plumbing drain  76 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3  a bottom view of the drain catch  10  is shown. The perimeter  5  of flange  12  is circular. At the bottom of the drain catch  10  are elongated first cross bar  90  and an elongated second cross bar  92  connected together and which are perpendicularly to one another in the bottom center  94 . First cross bar  90  extends from a first point  14  on internal surface  15  to a second point  14   b  on internal surface  15 . Likewise second cross-bar  92  extends from a third point  14   c  on internal surface  15  to a fourth point  14   d  on internal surface  15 . First bar  90  and second bar  92  intersect at bottom center  94 . The bottom edges  56  of flanges  54  can be seen in  FIG. 3 . 
     Referring now specifically to  FIG. 7 , a sink  74  mounted on and surrounded by a sink table  75  is shown. At the bottom of the sink  74  is the plumbing drain  76  having a sink sealing flange  68 . A pop-up stopper  78  is shown elevated above the sealing flange  68 . The pop up stopper  78  must be removed prior to the insertion of the drain catch  10 . The drain catch  10  is employed when the conventional drain stopper  78  fails or is damaged. The drain catch  10  may also be employed in the plumbing drain  76  prior to the failure of the pop up stopper  78  if so desired. The pop up stopper  78  may be disposed of appropriately. 
     Referring now specifically to  FIG. 8 , the method of prying out the sizing element  19  is shown. The screwdriver  72  (or other lever or prying device) slides blade  73  under the deformable seating element  18  through the (in this case) the right side crescent shaped cutout  20 . By manipulating the screwdriver  72 , the deformable seating element  18  is displaced outwardly from the external surface  17  of cylindrical wall  14 . Alternatively, the blade  73  of screwdriver  72  may slide under the deformable seating element  18  through the left side crescent shaped cutout  22 . By manipulating the screwdriver  72 , the deformable seating element  18  is displaced outwardly. This outward deformation can be seen in  FIG. 8  where a deformed seating element  18   a  is shown displaced away from external surface  17  of cylindrical wall  14 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8  a seating element  18  marked as  18   a  is shown in a deployed position, and seating element  18  marked as  18   b  is shown in a non-deployed position, (also shown and marked in  FIG. 6 ). When all six seating elements  18  are deployed outwardly, a maximum width is obtained, the drain catch  10  can be placed into the sink drain  76  until the drain catch  10  flange  12  rests firmly over the sealing flange  68 . 
     Referring now specifically to  FIG. 9 , attaching the drain catch  10  is not in plumbing drain  76 , it is shown how to remove the drain catch  10  from the plumbing drain  76  by inserting into one of the six ovoid  16  a blade  73  of a screwdriver  72  or other lever, and prying the drain catch  10  in an upward direction marked “u” by rotating the handle  73  in a downward direction with a force “F”. This would permit the drain catch  10  to be removed and cleaned of hair and other items which may be blocking the flow of water into the plumbing drain  76  which have been caught by the restriction within drain catch  10  such as bars  90  and  92 , and then when cleared, drain catch  10  can be reinserted to plumbing drain  76 . 
     Referring now specifically to  FIG. 10 , sink  74  is shown depending from a sink table  75 . The drain catch  10  is shown inserted into the plumbing drain  76  of the sink  74 . The dashed lines  80  will show an exploded view of the plumbing drain  76  and the drain catch  10  at  FIG. 11 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , an exploded view of the interior of the dashed lines  80  of  FIG. 10  is shown. The drain catch  10  is shown in an inserted position in the plumbing drain. 76 . The flange  12  of the repair insert  10  is shown abutting sealing flange  68 . The oval cutouts  16  for the removal of the drain cross bar repair insert  10  are shown below the flange  12 . Below the oval cutouts  16  are the sizing elements  19 . Each of the sizing elements  19  include a seating element  18  intermediate a right side crescent shaped cutout  20  and a left side crescent shaped cutout  22 . Although not shown in  FIG. 11 , a seating element  18  may have been deformed outwardly away from external surface  17  by a screwdriver  72  or the like, and the cylindrical wall  14  of the drain catch  10  and/or the seating elements  18  contract the internal surface  77  of the plumbing drain  76 . The drain catch  10  fits into the drain  76  of the sink  74  a distance “D,” the height of the drain catch  10 . The external surface  17  of drain catch  10  is adjacent the internal surface  77  of plumbing drain  76 . The drain catch  10  fits into the drain  76  a distance “D” as seen in  FIG. 10 ; however, it is not limited to such a distance. The letter “R” represents the radius of the drain catch  10 . This radius “R” is not limited to the radius “R” in this view. The radius “R” can be selected to be an appropriate distance which would permit the drain catch  10  to accommodate the diameter of different sized drains  76  and which can be adjusted by the outward displacement of one or more of the seating element  18 . As seen in  FIG. 11 , the direction of “fluid” not shown but contained within sink  74  is from sink  74 , drain catch  10  and through the inner channel of plumbing drain  76 . 
     While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, sizes, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Category: e