US20150211218A1

US20150211218A1 - Combined inflow and overflow bathtub plumbing device

Info

Publication number: US20150211218A1
Application number: US14/535,024
Authority: US
Inventors: Rene Buysse
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-01-24
Filing date: 2014-11-06
Publication date: 2015-07-30

Abstract

A unitary bathtub plumbing device having a body that defines a drain cavity formed in the interior of the body. A tube-like exterior outlet coupler is formed on the exterior of the body and is fluidly connected to the drain cavity. The body also includes a tube-like interior inlet coupler formed in the interior of the body. The interior inlet coupler is fluidly connected to a tube-like exterior inlet coupler which is formed on the exterior of the body.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/931,147 filed Jan. 24, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bathtub plumbing device. In particular, the present invention relates to a bathtub plumbing device that facilitates the inflow and overflow of water using a unitary one-piece plumbing interface device.

BACKGROUND

Existing bathtubs are generally equipped with a faucet for filling water into the bathtub via a spout having an optional diverter for redirecting the flow of water to a shower head, a drain outlet for draining water, and an optional overflow port for draining water should the water exceed the capacity of the bathtub. These bathroom designs may come in various styles and configuration such as for example, faucets having modified handle designs, and spouts heads having various shapes and sizes. Bathroom plumbing supporting these bathroom fixtures and assemblies may include plumbing lines such as copper or PVC pipes and various connectors. Depending on the configuration of the bathroom fixtures, the pipes supporting these fixtures still require additional components and connectors to support various bathtub functions such as fill and overflow of water. It would therefore be desirable to be able to provide an improved bathroom plumbing device that may reduce the number of components used in the overall bathroom plumbing system.

SUMMARY

It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a unitary bathroom plumbing device to simultaneously direct water from a water inlet source to fill the bathtub and redirect overflow water away from the bathtub to a discharge outlet.
It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a unitary bathroom plumbing device having an exterior inlet coupler for receiving hot and cold water from a water inflow source.
It is yet another advantage of the present invention to provide a unitary bathroom plumbing device having an exterior outlet coupler for transferring water to a discharge outlet.
It is yet another advantage of the present invention to provide a unitary bathroom plumbing device that is compatible with a variety of infill spout designs and sizes.
It is no less another advantage of the present invention to provide a unitary bathroom plumbing device that is easy to install into existing bathtub plumbing systems.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and from the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B illustrates an alternate perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 1C illustrates a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 1D illustrates a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 1E illustrates a profile view of an in-flow structure of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 1F illustrates a profile view of an outflow structure of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with dashed lines indicating water intake and overflow directions;

In the appended figures, one or more elements may have the same reference numeral in different figures indicating previously described elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A bathtub plumbing device such as device 100 of FIG. 1A may be formed as a compact, single-piece, unitary constructed component to direct and redirect multiple sources of water flow, such as, for example, an inflow and overflow of a water source, in a bathtub plumbing system. Unlike connectors such as a T-connector, elbow connector, or a Y-connector, which are used to support only a single direction of water flow, the bathtub plumbing device 100 is configured to direct and redirect at least two water supply sources flowing in opposite directions.
Referring again to FIG. 1A, a perspective view of the bathtub plumbing device 100 that is constructed to support multiple sources of water flow. The bathtub plumbing device 100 includes a body 102 that defines an opening or drain cavity 103 formed in the interior of the body 102. A tube-like exterior outlet coupler 106 is formed on the exterior of the body 102 and is fluidly connected to the drain cavity 103. The body 102 also includes a tube-like interior inlet coupler 104 formed in the interior of the body 102. The interior inlet coupler 104 is fluidly connected to a tube-like exterior inlet coupler 108 which is formed on the exterior of the body 102. In combination, the interior inlet coupler 104 and exterior inlet coupler 108 is structurally similar to an elbow connector, forming a 90 degree angle between the face of the interior inlet coupler 104 and the face of the exterior inlet coupler 108. This design provides for easy installation in a new or existing bathtub system and also provides a drain and infill water connection on the same side of the body 102.
A circular base platform 112 and circular lip 114 are formed along the drain cavity of the interior of the body 102 and together act as a supporting structure to secure the bathtub plumbing device 100 to the bathtub. The circular base platform 112 and circular lip 114 are designed to interface and fit through a hole formed in the bathtub. The hole size may range from 2.4 inches to 3.0 inches in diameter but can be configured for various hole sizes. An O-ring, putty, or sealant (not shown) may be applied around the base platform 112 to completely seal the interface of the bathtub plumbing device 100 to the bathtub and prevent water from entering through the interface.
Raised half-cylindrically shaped structures defining securing members 111 are formed in the interior of the body 102 A hole 110 is formed in each securing member 111 for receiving a fastener such as a tapered screw or bolt (not shown) used to affix the body 102 to the bathtub.
In an alternate perspective view as shown in FIG. 1B, the interior of both the drain cavity 103 and inlet coupler 104 of the bathtub plumbing device 100 is made visible at this view. In this illustration, an opening 105 is formed in the body 102 thereby forming a passageway through the exterior outlet coupler 106.
With reference now to FIG. 1C, there is shown a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1. The shape and positioning of the drain cavity 103, interior inlet coupler 104 and fastener holes 110 are shown at the front view.
With reference now to FIG. 1D, there is shown a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 1. A solid cover plate 118 is formed at a distal end of the interior of the body 102 enclosing one end thereof. Two hexagonal shaped openings 116 are formed along each side of the cover plate 117 and provide inserts for hexagonal shaped nuts 118 which are used to receive a fastener such as a tapered screw or bolt (not shown) to affix the body 102 to the bathtub.
FIG. 1E illustrates a profile view of an in-flow structure of the embodiment of FIG. 1. The in-flow structure includes the exterior inlet coupler 108 in a form of a tube that is projected from one side of the body 102. The exterior inlet coupler 108 may be directly coupled to an inlet pipe for receiving hot and cold water inflow.
FIG. 1F illustrates a profile view of an outflow structure of the embodiment of FIG. 1. The out-flow structure includes the exterior outlet coupler 106 that is projected from another side of the body 102. The exterior outlet coupler 106 may be directly coupled to an overflow pipe for transferring water to a discharge outlet (not shown).
Although the embodiments of these figures illustrate tube-like couplers, other coupler shapes may be implemented without departing from the scope of the invention. These couple designs may include, for example, rectangular, oval, triangular or custom polygon shapes.
The body 102 which forms the bathtub plumbing device 100 is preferably made from materials such as PVC Polyvinyl chloride, commonly abbreviated PVC which is used in pipe construction. Other materials having similar properties as PVC such as ABS may be used. These materials include but not limited to, for example, galvanized metal, brass, steel, stainless steel, or copper. In addition, the bathtub plumbing device 100 is advantageously formed as a unitary or single-piece structure using fabrication processes such as injection molding, stereolithography, also known as 3-D layering or 3-D printing, or other similar fabrication methods.
In operation, the bathtub plumbing device 100 may be used as a fill and overflow plumbing component for simultaneously filling water from a water inlet source into the bathtub and redirecting any overflow water away from the bathtub to a discharge outlet and thus preventing the possibility of flooding. As shown in FIG. 2, an infill water flow path 202 for hot and cold water is directed through the exterior inlet coupler 108 and the interior inlet coupler 104 which may be connected to an infill spout (not shown) for filling the bathtub. During infilling, any water exceeding the capacity of the bathtub exits through an overflow port of the spout (not shown) to a discharge outlet (not shown) via the drain cavity 103 and the exterior outlet coupler 106 forming a water drain path 204 as shown in FIG. 2.
Several advantages of the bathtub plumbing device 100 include but are not limited to a combined or 2-in-1 dispenser for an infill water inlet and an overflow discharge outlet, compatibility with a variety of infill spout designs and sizes—from 0 inch to 8 inches in length, and ease of installation into existing bathtub plumbing systems.
Other notable related features of the bathtub plumbing device 100 include but are not limited to

- mixed cold and hot water may go through the infill inlet and exit of the bathtub plumbing device 100 through the spout into the bathtub;
- the flow of water into the bathtub is approximately 20 gallons/minute at the appropriate faucet inlet size and pressure;
- the overflow of water is gravity fed into the dispenser's overflow chamber and into the overflow drain. The maximum water overflow is approximately 22 gallons/minute and gravity fed;
- the bathtub plumbing device 100 may be secured to the wall of the bathtub by a cover inside the bathtub with two screws securing the bathtub plumbing device 100 to the wall of the bathtub;
- a bead of putty on the bathtub plumbing device 100 platform provides a secure seal for the water overflow
- the bathtub plumbing device 100 may fit through the hole in the bathtub from 2.4 inches to 3.0 inches. It can be made for smaller or bigger holes;
- with the elimination of long spouts overhanging over the bathtub, it may prevent serious injuries to individuals, with special focus on children and the elderly, who could accidentally slip or fall and hit their head or body against the extended spout over the bathtub;
- the installation of the bathtub plumbing device 100 is easy for do-it-yourself projects;
- the bathtub plumbing device 100 accepts a variety of bathtub covers and spouts are available in different finishes such as but not limited to white, chrome, copper and gold. The cover and spouts can be made with ABS plastic, steel, brass or copper;
- the shape of the cover for the bathtub plumbing device 100 provides for impact and safety;
- the bathtub plumbing device 100 is compact and has no moving parts providing reliability and efficiency
- the overflow outlet to the drain of the bathtub plumbing device 100 may be from one to nine degrees.

All patents, patent applications, and other references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entireties.
It is noted that the foregoing disclosure has been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and is in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. Although the present invention has been shown and described with respect to several preferred embodiments thereof, various changes, omissions, and additions to the form and detail thereof, may be made therein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in its aspects.
Other embodiments and modifications of the present invention may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of these teachings. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the following claims which include all other such embodiments and modifications when viewed in conjunction with the above specifications and accompanying drawings.

Claims

What is claimed is what is described and illustrated, including:

1. A unitary bathtub plumbing device for simultaneously directing water from a water inlet source to fill the bathtub and redirect overflow water away from the bathtub to a water discharge outlet comprising:

a body;

a drain cavity formed in a first interior portion of the body;

an exterior outlet coupler formed on a first exterior portion of the body, wherein the exterior outlet coupler is fluidly coupled to the drain cavity;

a interior inlet coupler formed in a second interior portion of the body; and

an exterior inlet coupler formed on the exterior of the body, wherein the interior inlet coupler is fluidly coupled to the exterior inlet coupler.

2. The unitary bathtub plumbing device of claim 1 wherein the body, the drain cavity, the exterior outlet coupler, the interior inlet coupler, and exterior inlet coupler form a single-piece structure.

3. The bathtub device of claim 2 wherein the exterior outlet coupler is coupled to an overflow pipe for transferring water to a discharge outlet.

4. The bathtub device of claim 2 wherein the exterior inlet coupler is coupled to an inlet pipe for receiving water from a water inlet source.

5. The bathtub device of claim 2 wherein the interior inlet coupler is coupled to an infill spout for filling the bathtub.