AU2003100821A4 - Drainage device - Google Patents

Description

INNOVATION PATENT SPECIFICATION APPLICANT: Plastec Australia Pty Ltd TITLE: DRAINAGE DEVICE

NUMBER:

DATE FILED: P\CommonWord97\1 3001-13500\13018pla20030929. doc DRAINAGE DEVICE The invention relates to a drainage device particularly for a plumbing system, which interconnects installations such as sinks, shower pans and baths to a water discharge system; to a system comprising such a device; and to a method of installation of the device.

Typically the arrangement in position of a water outlet of for example a bath or a sink, with a discharge pipe is a complicated matter, whereby the position of the discharge pipe must be taken into consideration together with the position of the water outlet, whereby in order to provide an effective construction, the water outlet is usually affixed to the bath or sink for example by means of screws, and nuts and bolts constructions.

The secure affixing of such outlets to these bodies, is often fiddly frustrating work.

Adding to the degree of difficulty, is the fact that in most situations the securing of the water outlet in place is carried out in very cramped conditions, immediately below the water discharge of a bath or sink for example, and is often done blind and by touch alone.

The correct installation of such outlets demands a great deal of accuracy and patience.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a drainage device affixable to an outlet of a body such as a sink, shower pan or bath, which device comprises an entrance for receiving water, which entrance is arrangeable flush or slightly raised with respect to the body, the entrance being continuous with a neck portion of the device for guiding water flowing into the entrance away from the body, whereby the device further comprises self guiding fixing means for the fixing thereof to the body.

Since the fixing means are self guiding, installation and securing of the drainage device is easy and quick to effect.

The fixing means are preferably displaceable between a fixing position, wherein a portion of the body is able to be gripped between the entrance of the device and the fixing means, and a non-fixing position, and most preferably comprise a collar, displaceable between the fixing and non-fixing position, arranged over the neck of the device.

The collar may be provided with a screw thread, which corresponds with a screw thread arranged on the neck of the device.

The device can be equipped with a lip portion which extends outwardly from the entrance to be placeable against the body. Correspondingly, the collar may also be provided with a lip section which extends substantially horizontal to the lip portion of the entrance.

The lips respectively of the entrance and collar, can accordingly function as jaws of a clamp wherebetween a part of the body is clampable.

The neck of the device is preferably continuous with an elbow section which extends substantially at right angles thereto.

An overflow pipe may be arranged in the neck or the elbow.

Preferably a displaceable rubber seal is arranged over a terminal of the elbow in order to facilitate joining of the device to a plumbing system.

The device is preferably substantially made of brass or plastic and is most preferably made of molded plastic.

The entrance can be provided with a pop-up waste unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided the use of this device, for guiding water away from a body such as a sink, shower pan or bath into a drainage system.

According to another related aspect of the present invention there is provided a drainage system comprising this device.

Yet another related aspect of the present invention relates to a method of arranging the device position, comprising the steps of displacing the elbow and neck portion of the device through a drainage hole in a body such as a sink, shower pan or bath, until the lip section of the entrance rests thereon, whereafter the collar is screwed from beneath the body up and over the neck of the device to tightness, thereby gripping a rim portion of the body associated with the outlet between the lip of the entrance and the collar.

The device according to the present invention provides a very simple solution to the secure fixing of the drainage device to the water outlet of the body concerned, for example being a bath, sink or shower pan.

The invention is now described by way of the following detailed description and reference to the figures, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a cut-away side view of the device from figure 1; Figure 3 is a rear view of the device from figure 1; and Figure 4 is a view from above from the device from figure 1; Figures 5-8 correspond to figures 1-4, whereby the collar is screwed tight; Figures 9-12 correspond to figures 1-4 and show a further embodiment of the present invention provided with a swivel joint; Figures 13-16 correspond to figures 1-4, the embodiment being shown without a collar; Figures 17-20 correspond to figures 13-16, the embodiment being shown without an elbow overflow; Figures 21-24 show a further embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a device 1 having an elbow bend 2, an overflow pipe 4 arranged in the bend of the elbow 2, a rubber seal 6 attached around a terminal forearm 8 of the elbow 2, a collar 10 extending around a neck 12 of the elbow 2, which neck 12 opens and flares into a flattened rim 14.

Arranged within the neck 12 is a grate 16.

The collar 12 and neck 16 are provided with corresponding screw thread profiles (see figure 2).

The collar 10 extends around the neck 12 and is interlockable therewith and displaceable thereover by means of these corresponding screw thread profiles.

In cut-away view (see figure a body 18 of the collar 10, provided with the screw thread profile, extends outwardly from the neck 12 to then turn upwards roughly at right angles, in a support profile 20 on which a flat collar rim 22 is mounted.

In order to take account of the flared neck 12, the flat collar rim 22 is provided with an incline 24 (see also figure which extends downwardly and toward the neck 12 from an upper face 26 of the flat collar rim 22.

The body 18 of the collar 10 is provided on the outer surface thereof with rounded gripping profiles 28.

In use, the device is inserted into a water outlet so that an underside of the rim 14 rests upon a periphery of the water outlet, for example the rim of a water outlet in a bath.

In this position the collar 10 is displaced upwards over the neck 12 of the device by means of rotating the collar there around, so that the periphery of the bath outlet is sandwiched as it were between the rim 14 of the plug and the flat upper rim 22 of the collar 10. As such the device is quickly, accurately and easily secured in position.

Figures 5-8 show the embodiment as depictured in figures 1-4 whereby the collar is tightened against the rim 14 of the plug.

Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12 show a further embodiment of the device according to the present invention substantially comparing to the device as described above whereby an elbow overflow is missing, and in place of a rubber seal 6 arranged on the forearm of the elbow connection, a 15 degree swivel joint 30 is releasably arranged thereon, which swivel joint is rigid in nature.

Figures 13-16 show the embodiment from figures 1-8 minus the collar, whereas figures 17-20 show the embodiment from figures 1-8 minus the collar and the overflow outlet, and figures 21-24 show a further embodiment of the present invention conforming to the embodiment as shown in figures 1-8 whereby the elbow connection is shorter and the collar is not shown and the elbow connection is minus an overflow outlet.

Claims (18)

1. Drainage device affixable to an outlet of a body such as a sink, shower pan or bath, which device comprises an entrance for receiving water, which entrance is arrangeable flush or slightly raised with respect to the body, the entrance being continuous with a neck portion of the device.for guiding water flowing into the entrance away from the body, whereby the device further comprises self guiding fixing means for the fixing thereof to the body.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing means are displaceable between a fixing position, wherein a portion of the body is able to be gripped between the entrance of the device and the fixing means, and a non-fixing position.

3. Device according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the fixing means comprise a collar, displaceable between the fixing and non-fixing position, arranged over the neck of the device.

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the neck is provided with a screw thread, which corresponds with a screw thread arranged on the neck of the device.

Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a lip portion extends outwardly from the entrance to be placeable against the body.

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the collar is also provided with a lip section which extends substantially horizontal to the lip portion of the entrance.

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein the lips respectively of the entrance and collar, function as jaws of a clamp wherebetween a part of the body is clampable.

8. Device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the neck is continuous with an elbow section which extends substantially at right angles to the neck.

9. Device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an overflow pipe arranged in the neck or the elbow.

Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a displaceable rubber seal is arranged over a terminal of the elbow.

11. Device according to any of the preceding claims, substantially being made of plastic.

12. Device according to claim 11, wherein the device is made from brass or plastic, preferably molded plastic.

13. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the entrance is provided with a pop-up waste unit.

14. Use of a device according to any of the preceding claims, for guiding water away from a body such as a sink, shower pan or bath into a drainage system.

Water drainage system comprising a device according to any of the preceding claims 1-14.

16. Method of arranging a device according to any of the claims 1-13 in position, comprising the steps of displacing the elbow and neck portion of the device through a drainage hole in a body such as a sink, shower pan or bath, until the lip section of the entrance rests thereon, whereafter the collar is screwed from beneath the body up and over the neck of the device to tightness, thereby gripping a rim portion of the body associated with the outlet between the lip of the entrance and the collar.

17. Device substantially as herein described, having particular reference to the description and figures.

18. Method substantially as herein described, having particular reference to the description and figures. DATED THIS TWENTY-NINTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2003 PLASTEC AUSTRALIA PTY LTD BY PIZZEYS PATENT AND TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS