EP0149729A2 - Dispositif de fermeture pour une bande - Google Patents

Dispositif de fermeture pour une bande Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0149729A2
EP0149729A2 EP84112580A EP84112580A EP0149729A2 EP 0149729 A2 EP0149729 A2 EP 0149729A2 EP 84112580 A EP84112580 A EP 84112580A EP 84112580 A EP84112580 A EP 84112580A EP 0149729 A2 EP0149729 A2 EP 0149729A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
stopper
post
bore
drain
strainer body
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP84112580A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0149729A3 (en
EP0149729B1 (fr
Inventor
Robert R. Watts
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to AT84112580T priority Critical patent/ATE54011T1/de
Publication of EP0149729A2 publication Critical patent/EP0149729A2/fr
Publication of EP0149729A3 publication Critical patent/EP0149729A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0149729B1 publication Critical patent/EP0149729B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
    • E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
    • E03C1/12—Plumbing installations for waste water; Basins or fountains connected thereto; Sinks
    • E03C1/22—Outlet devices mounted in basins, baths, or sinks

Definitions

  • This invention relates to drain closures which serve primarily to open and close the drains of bathtubs but which can also be used in sinks, laundry tubs and the like.
  • Bathtub drain closures are of two basic types; i.e., trip lever and non trip lever.
  • the trip lever device consists of a closure connected by means of a linkage system to a trip lever handle mounted on the front end wall of the tub. The closure is opened and closed by raising or lowering the trip lever handle.
  • the non trip lever closure requires direct contact with hand or foot to open and close.
  • the main purpose of the present invention is to combine into one closure the advantages of nontrip lever hand and foot operated closures while at the same time eliminating the disadvantages.
  • Another purpose is to provide a stopper which is interchangeable with other stoppers in foot operated closures.
  • Foot operated closures are opened and closed by pressing down with a foot on the stopper portion of the closure, as described in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,771,177 and 4,103,372.
  • the foot operated closures that are now available have several significant shortcomings. The first is that, due to the necessarily more complicated design, they are less reliable and fail more often than hand operated closures.
  • foot operated closures Another disadvantage of some foot operated closures is that the closure is susceptible to damage by guests in hotels and motels. Specifically, foot pressure on one side of the stopper is required to open the closure while foot pressure on the opposite side is required to close. Adding to the problem is the fact that the location of these two pressure points will vary from tub to tub depending upon how tightly the stopper assembly is threaded into the tub strainer body. Although the open close pressure points are marked on the stopper top, these markings are not legible to most while standing up due to poor lighting in the tub bottom and go unnoticed by others. As a result, some guests not familiar with this type of closure, will step down several times without results, becoming convinced that the closure is stuck, and then step down with excessive force or give the stopper a kick to free it up. Damage to the closure can and does occur along with an occasional bruised foot.
  • a third disadvantage is the ease with which the stopper assembly can be removed and stolen.
  • the stopper assembly is typically installed by threading the post portion of the stopper assembly into female threads located in the bottom of the strainer body. This is accomplished by hand. Further tightening by a pair of pliers or a wrench is normally not done since the application of pressure on the plastic stopper by pliers or a wrench can cause it to crack or flex enough to break the bond between the plastic and the chrome finish. Therefore, it is relatively easy for most people to remove the hand tightened stopper assembly. Unfortunately, some guests in hotels and motels do just that, as do vandals roaming through unfinished housing projects.
  • Hand operated tub closures are most often a type commonly referred to as lift and turn or lift and lock.
  • the metal stopper stays in the down position due to its own weight.
  • To open the stopper is lifted up and then turned in either direction. This rotation positions a small pin over a shoulder on either a post or sleeve and thereby holds the stopper up in the open position.
  • Lift and turn closures have advantages over foot operated closures in several important respects.
  • the lift and turn closures are much simpler, require fewer moving parts, and are not plagued by field problems to the extent that foot operated closures are.
  • the lift and turn closures can be made entirely from metal (except for the neoprene seal used by some), as preferred by many plumbers.
  • stopper can be easily stolen. Only moderate pressure with a tool can be used to tighten the stopper onto the post to avoid breaking the peg. Accordingly, the stopper can be removed relatively easily from the post by thieves and vandals. Another disadvantage is that the peg can be broken if a sharp blow is applied to the top of the stopper while it is in the up or open position.
  • Another lift and turn design features a post with a flat on one side attached to the bottom of the strainer body.
  • a brass set screw located out of sight is threaded through an integral collar on the bottom of the stopper. The end of the set screw projects beneath a head on top of the post and thereby holds the stopper on the post.
  • the stopper drops to the closed position.
  • the stopper is lifted and turned to move the set screw out of alignment with the flat, the set screw rests on a shoulder to hold the stopper up in the open position.
  • a blow applied to the stopper while in the up (open) position can bend the end of the set screw, thus making it impossible to back the set screw off to permit removal of the stopper when it is necessary to obtain access to the drain. Corrosion of the threads on the set screw or collar caused by prolonged exposure to moisture can likewise make it difficult to back off the set screw. Even if the set screw is not damaged or corroded, its out of sight location makes it necessary to locate its head by feel, Le., by applying the finger to the bottom of the stopper until the head of the set screw is located. This is difficult at best and may be impossible for persons with large fingers. Also, the type (phillips or regular) and size of screw driver to use for loosening of the set screw is not known to persons unfamiliar with this particular closure.
  • Another lift and turn closure features a plastic skirt attached to the bottom of the stopper.
  • the exterior of the skirt has vertical and horizontal grooves which receive two bosses punched into opposite sides of the top vertical wall of the strainer body. Stopper theft can be easily accomplished simply by pulling up on the stopper and continuing to rotate it.
  • Another disadvantage is that a sharp blow to the stopper top can cause damage to the plastic skirt or cause the bosses and grooves to disengage and thereby jam the closure.
  • Still another non trip lever closure is best described referred to as a push-pull. It operates the same as a lift and turn closure except that no rotation of the stopper is required in order to keep the stopper open in the up position.
  • the push-pull stopper features one or more rigid plastic legs that are deflected to install the stopper.
  • the main disadvantage of this design is that a sharp pull upward is all that is required to remove the stopper.
  • Another disadvantage is that the plastic legs are relatively fragile as compared to metal and are susceptible to fracture. A plastic construction is necessary because of the need for the legs to deflect. As a result, this design is generally unacceptable.
  • the stopper is mounted to slide up and down on a special post threaded into the bottom of the strainer body.
  • the post is equipped with a spring which expands against the internal surface of the stopper to provide a frictional force sufficient to hold the stopper in place.
  • the stopper can be closed by pushing down on any portion of it. It is noteworthy that either foot or hand pressure can be applied to any part of the stopper at virtually any angle.
  • the spring also helps to maintain the stopper in the closed position and thereby effects a more reliable seal between the stopper and strainer body.
  • the spring takes the form of an interrupted ring which fits in a groove in the post and which tends to radially expand against the stopper to apply the necessary frictional force.
  • a ball element loaded by a compression spring can be used if desired.
  • a knob is threaded into the top of the stopper to enclose the enlarged head of the post. Further inhibiting stopper theft is the fact that the knob and stopper appear to be a single integral part.
  • the manner in which the drain closure is constructed and assembled essentially eliminates the problem of stopper theft.
  • the stopper can be easily closed by hand or foot and can easily be opened by hand while the user is sitting in the bathtub.
  • the unit is considerably less complex than currently available foot actuated closures, and it can be manufactured entirely from metal to meet the requirements of many plumbers. There is no cycling of springs or other parts that can lead to fatigue or wear problems, and even repeated severe blows to the stopper do not cause significant damage.
  • a more effective seal is provided in the closed position due to the frictional force applied by the spring.
  • numeral 10 generally designates a strainer body having a cylindrical wall 12 which is externally threaded at 14 in order to thread into a drain fitting under the floor of a bathtub (or a sink, laundry tub or other drain opening).
  • a drain passage 15 is provided for draining of liquid from the tub.
  • the top edge of the strainer body 10 is provided with an annular flange 16.
  • the top or entry to passage 15 is tapered or beveled as indicated by numeral 17, although it need not be.
  • Formed within the lower portion of the strainer body is a ring 18 carried on a spider 20 secured to the inside surface of the wall 12.
  • the ring 18 is concentric with wall 12 and has internal threads 22.
  • a brass post 24 having male threads 26 on its bottom end that mate with the female threads 22 of ring 18.
  • the post 24 can thus be threaded into ring 18 and is mounted in this manner to extend along the central axis of the strainer body.
  • the main body or shank of post 24 is cylindrical.
  • a flat head 32 is formed on the upper end of post 24. The head 32 is enlarged in diameter compared to the shank of post 24.
  • An annular groove 36 is formed in the shank of post 28 at a location somewhat above its midpoint.
  • An arcuate metal spring element 38 is inserted into groove 36 and fits closely therein.
  • the spring element 38 has the shape of a discontinued or interrupted ring with two free ends 40 spaced apart and confronting one another. The ends 40 are preferably rounded so that no sharp corners are presented.
  • a metal stopper 41 having a disk shaped head 42 and an integral sleeve 44 projecting from its lower surface.
  • the head 42 has an enlarged flange 45 forming its top surface.
  • a cylindrical bore 46 is formed centrally through the stopper 41. The bore is surrounded by an internal surface 47 of the stopper.
  • the upper portion of the bore 46 within head 42 larger than the remainder of the bore and is is internally threaded at 48.
  • An upwardly facing annular shoulder 50 is formed within the bore at the lower end of the threaded portion 48 where it intersects with the main bore surface 47.
  • the stopper head 42 is larger in diameter than the drain passage 15 provided within the strainer body 10.
  • a flapper type gasket 52 includes a ring portion 52a which fits closely in an annular groove 54 formed in the outer edge of the stopper head at a location immediately below the flange 45.
  • the gasket 52 also includes a rim portion 52b which projects generally outwardly from the rim 52a. In this natural undeformed condition, the rim 52b has a frusto-conical shape.
  • the flapper 52 is optional and is not necessary for a satisfactory seal, although it does provide some added protection against leakage.
  • the stopper may instead be equipped with an O-ring or another type of sealing element, or it may be constructed to seal the drain passage without any separate sealing element at all.
  • the closure of the present invention does not depend upon any particular seal to work effectively.
  • the bore 46 has a slightly larger diameter than the post 24, and the stopper 41 is received on post 24 for up and down sliding movement thereon between the open position (Fig. 3) and the closed position (Fig. 2).
  • the close fit of bore 46 on post 24 prevents the stopper assembly from wobbling.
  • the fit of post 24 in bore 46 permits the stopper 41 to turn about the axis of the vertical post 24.
  • the stopper 41 is applied to the bottom end of post 24, and the enlarged head 32 of the post is able to enter the threaded area 48 but not the smaller main portion of bore 46.
  • the head 32 contacts shoulder 50 to prevent the stopper from being lifted off the top of the post 24 or moving upwardly on the post beyond the position shown in Fig. 3.
  • the upper end of bore 46 is closed by a knob 60 having a knurled exterior surface 62.
  • the lower end of the knob is externally threaded at 64 in order to mate with the internal threads 48 formed in the upper portion of bore 46 .
  • the knob 60 When the knob 60 is threaded into the stopper head 42, it closes the top end of bore 46 and encloses the head 32 of the post.
  • Extending upwardly into knob 60 is an internal blind passage 66 having a slightly larger diameter than the post head 32.
  • the head 32 of post 24 is accommodated within passage 66, as best shown in Fig. 2.
  • Knob 60 facilitates lifting of the stopper and inhibits stopper theft, as will be explained more fully.
  • the sleeve 44 is provided with flat opposite sides 68 for receiving a standard 9/16 inch open end wrench. As best shown in Fig. 3, the sleeve 44 and its flat sides 68 are exposed sufficiently to receive a wrench only when the stopper is in the fully open position. By applying a wrench to the flat sides 68, the stopper assembly can be held in place while knob 60 is threaded tightly into the stopper by applying pliers or another tool to the knurled portion 62 of the knob. When the knob has been fully tightened on the stopper, it appears to be an integral part of the stopper rather than a separate part as it actually is.
  • the drain closure is installed by first applying the stopper 41 to the post 24 and then threading the lower end 26 of the post into ring 18 of the strainer body.
  • the knob 60 is then threaded onto the top of the stopper to complete the installation. Once installed, the stopper 41 cannot be removed from post 24 until the knob 60 h as first been removed and post 24 has been disconnected from the strainer body 10.
  • the stopper 41 can be moved to the closed position of Fig. 2 simply by pressing downwardly with hand or foot on the stopper or knob 60. The stopper then slides downwardly until the flapper 52 is flattened and seals tightly against the flange 16 of the strainer body. In addition to the weight of the stopper assembly, the friction provided by the spring 38 helps to retain the stopper in the closed position, thereby enhancing its effectiveness in preventing leakage.
  • foot or hand pressure can be applied to any portion of the stopper assembly at virtually any angle and without the need for undue force.
  • the only force that needs to be overcome to move the stopper assembly downwardly is the frictional force provided by the spring 38 bearing against the internal surface 47 around bore 46.
  • knob 60 is grasped and pulled upwardly to raise the stopper assembly to the open position of Fig. 3. This is easily done since the user will be sitting in the bathtub at the time it is to be drained.
  • the stopper assembly has been raised to the fully open position, it can be released, and the frictional force provided by the spring 38 expanding acting against surface 47 thereafter retains the stopper in the open position.
  • the canpressed spring 38 expands outwardly with sufficient force to provide a frictional force between the spring and stopper that is greater than the weight of the stopper assembly. Accordingly, the weight of the stopper is insufficient to lower it from the open position, and it is maintained in the open position until again moved by hand or foot to the closed position.
  • the frictional force is the sole force holding the stopper open, and it can be overcome by pushing downwardly with the hand or foot.
  • the spring 38 is maintained at all times under virtually the same amount of compression and is not stretched and compressed each time the unit is cycled between the open and closed positions. Consequently, the spring is not subject to fatigue or other failure due to cycling, and it can continue to maintain the same force against surface 47 virtually indefinitely. It is also noted that the ability of the stopper assembly to rotate on post 24, along with the rounded configuration of the spring ends 40, minimizes the wear on the stopper surface 47 and avoids the formation of grooves therein.
  • the unique drain closure of this invention takes full advantage of the desirable features of both foot and hand actuated closures without any of the disadvantages of either type of unit.
  • the construction is simple and reliable in canparison to foot actuated devices, and yet it takes full advantage of the main desirable feature of the foot actuated device, namely the ability to effect closure with the foot without the necessity of bending down.
  • the closure can be constructed entirely-from metal (except for the flapper 52 if it is provided), as preferred by most plumbers and required by many. There is no tendency for the stopper assembly to stick or jam, and it is able to withstand repeated blows without being damaged. Forces that are applied to the stopper while it is in the closed position are spread throughout the assembly and are not concentrated at any one area or on any one part.
  • the entire closure unit including the strainer body 10, can be installed on both new and existing bathtubs and on other vessels such as sinks, laundry tubs and similar containers which must be drained. It is important to note that the stopper 41 and post 24 can be installed in an existing strainer body in place of the foot operated stopper that was originally in the strainer body. It is contemplated that the post and stopper will be provided in replacement kit form without the strainer body for installation in existing strainer bodies to replace foot operated stoppers.
  • Figs. 5-7 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention which for the most part is identical to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-4, as indicated by the use of the same reference numerals for identical parts.
  • the passage 136 extends generally radially into shank 28 and receives the spring 138.
  • the spring engages the base or blind end of passage 136 at one end and the ball 140 at the other end.
  • the ball is urged outwardly by spring 138 and projects slightly out of passage 136 so that it can engage and apply a friction force against the internal surface 147 of stopper 141.
  • the beveled surface 17 shown in Figs. 1-4 may be eliminated in the strainer body shown in Figs. 5 and 6, as may the enlarged flange 45 on the stopper head.
  • Figs. 5-7 differs from that of Figs. 1-4 only in the specific arrangement of the spring action between the post and stopper.
  • the gasket rim 52b seats firmly on top of the flange 16 of the strainer body in order to provide a seal between the gasket and strainer body for effective closing of the drain.
  • the use of the flapper 52 permits the stopper to be used with strainer bodies whether or not they include the beveled surface 17.
  • the stopper assembly shown in Figs. 5 and 6 can be provided along with the strainer body 10 or it can be provided alone to replace a previously installed stopper assembly such as that of a conventional foot operated closure.
  • the existing stopper assembly is removed from the strainer body, and the new stopper is installed in the strainer body in place of the old stopper assembly. Installation is carried out in the same manner set forth in connection with Figs. 1-4, and the stopper assembly functions in essentially the same manner described previously in connection with Figs. 1-4.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Sink And Installation For Waste Water (AREA)
  • Joints With Pressure Members (AREA)
  • External Artificial Organs (AREA)
  • Finger-Pressure Massage (AREA)
  • Domestic Plumbing Installations (AREA)
  • Bipolar Transistors (AREA)
  • Paper (AREA)
EP84112580A 1984-01-23 1984-10-18 Dispositif de fermeture pour une bande Expired - Lifetime EP0149729B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT84112580T ATE54011T1 (de) 1984-01-23 1984-10-18 Abflussverschluss.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US57274184A 1984-01-23 1984-01-23
US572741 1984-01-23

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0149729A2 true EP0149729A2 (fr) 1985-07-31
EP0149729A3 EP0149729A3 (en) 1987-07-01
EP0149729B1 EP0149729B1 (fr) 1990-06-20

Family

ID=24289162

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP84112580A Expired - Lifetime EP0149729B1 (fr) 1984-01-23 1984-10-18 Dispositif de fermeture pour une bande

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0149729B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE54011T1 (fr)
CA (1) CA1246302A (fr)
DE (1) DE3482559D1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7625488B2 (en) 2005-08-15 2009-12-01 Dale M Blackburn Waste water strainer
CN104842917A (zh) * 2015-05-11 2015-08-19 夏云美 一种简易式安全锤

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1760659A (en) * 1929-06-06 1930-05-27 Scovill Manufacturing Co Waste-pipe fitting
US2090299A (en) * 1936-02-13 1937-08-17 Frederick C Kuhnle Combined drain and strainer
US3010120A (en) * 1960-02-23 1961-11-28 Stephen A Young Bath plug construction
US3465372A (en) * 1968-02-19 1969-09-09 Indiana Brass Co Inc The Lavatory drain
GB1231584A (fr) * 1967-06-07 1971-05-12
US4103372A (en) * 1977-02-28 1978-08-01 Casper Cuschera Pop up drain fitting
US4160293A (en) * 1977-02-07 1979-07-10 American Standard Inc. Drain valve assembly

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1760659A (en) * 1929-06-06 1930-05-27 Scovill Manufacturing Co Waste-pipe fitting
US2090299A (en) * 1936-02-13 1937-08-17 Frederick C Kuhnle Combined drain and strainer
US3010120A (en) * 1960-02-23 1961-11-28 Stephen A Young Bath plug construction
GB1231584A (fr) * 1967-06-07 1971-05-12
US3465372A (en) * 1968-02-19 1969-09-09 Indiana Brass Co Inc The Lavatory drain
US4160293A (en) * 1977-02-07 1979-07-10 American Standard Inc. Drain valve assembly
US4103372A (en) * 1977-02-28 1978-08-01 Casper Cuschera Pop up drain fitting

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7625488B2 (en) 2005-08-15 2009-12-01 Dale M Blackburn Waste water strainer
CN104842917A (zh) * 2015-05-11 2015-08-19 夏云美 一种简易式安全锤

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3482559D1 (de) 1990-07-26
ATE54011T1 (de) 1990-07-15
CA1246302A (fr) 1988-12-13
EP0149729A3 (en) 1987-07-01
CA1253654C (fr) 1989-05-09
EP0149729B1 (fr) 1990-06-20

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