US20170268212A1

US20170268212A1 - Threaded easy Install and removal pop-up drain stopper

Info

Publication number: US20170268212A1
Application number: US14/999,025
Authority: US
Inventors: Philip Calhoun; Daryl Dibler; David Calhoun
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-03-21
Filing date: 2016-03-21
Publication date: 2017-09-21

Abstract

The new product improves upon a standard pop-up drain stopper which is controlled by a horizontal pivot rod as is used in bathroom/lavatory sinks. The stopper has a bell receiving base threaded to match a like threaded male “L” shaped pivot rod allowing the stopper removal or installation to be done without removal of the pivot rod to clear a clogged drain. The invention is installed by inserting the “L” shaped directional rod into receiving port of drain tube then inserting the threaded stopper on to the threaded pivot rod and turning in a clockwise motion until fully seated. To remove, push lever downward to raise stopper to apex and turn in a counter clockwise direction and lifting out of drain opening. This allows cleaning of drain clogs without disassembling the mechanical components located under the sink as is required to remove the typical pop-up stopper.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The submitted invention is an improvement to the current industry standard pop-up bathroom sink drain stopper. The opening and seating function of stopper is controlled by a pivot rod inserted through the drain pipe wall and passing through a hole located at the lower end of the stopper body loosely securing the stopper in place within the center of drain pipe. It is a common circumstance for residential sink drains to become clogged. In many of these circumstances, removal of the sink drain stopper is required to remove the cause of the clogged drain. The reason for this invention is to eliminate the need for disassembling the sink drain stopper from under the sink. With this design, the stopper can be easily removed from the bowl of the sink in a standing position. Currently, the typical drain stopper must be removed from under the sink in a lying down position while working above the head. Under sink disassembly is both uncomfortable and frustrating due to the nature of the plumbing and sink system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The submitted invention eliminates a problem of the current standard drain stopper through an improvement of the stopper body and connecting horizontal rod. The threaded horizontal rod and stopper connection provides a quick and easy method of removal and reinstallation. The bottom of the stopper body of the submitted invention uses a threaded bell shaped base (6) connecting to a threaded L (5) shaped angled connecting pivot rod (4). The submitted invention allows the drain stopper to be easily removed and reinstalled, to clear drain blockages, without the need to disassemble pivot rod seal cap located under the sink. The removal of threaded pop up stopper is achieved by pushing down on pivot rod actuator (not shown), causing the drain stopper to rise to apex of travel. Then rotating top of stopper in a counter-clockwise motion and lifting out of drain tube after disengagement with threaded rod.
Drain tube is now opened for clog removal or cleaning of stopper. Reinstalling is done by pushing down on pivot arm actuator rod, lowering stopper into drain tube and rotating stopper in a clockwise motion until base of stopper makes contact with threaded portion of angled pivot rod. Frequent drain clogs are frustrating to everyone who experiences them. Current drain stopper configurations make this problem even more frustrating as there isn't an easy way of addressing the clog. With the threaded stopper design, removing the drain stopper can be accomplished without the need of professional plumbers or ‘handyman’ services. This design is simple enough that people with very minimal mechanical ability are able to accomplish the task and easily solve a common household problem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

Drawing depicts the side views of the threaded pop-up drain stopper. The item descriptions are as follows:

1. Top plate

2. Gasket

3. Main body

4. Pivot rod

5. Male threaded connecting piece with swivel pin

6. Female threaded bell housing channel

7. Pivot rod guiding flange

8. Pivot ball

9. Pivot rod assembly

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

When inserted into the opening of a drain of the type employing a pivot rod to control the up and down motion of the stopper, as is commonly found in a bathroom sink, and positioning the invention with the opening vertically above the pivot rod (4), the stopper can be engaged or disengaged by a simple turning motion by turning the top plate (1) which causes the main body (3) to join with the pivot rod (4) thereby securing the stopper main body (3) to the pivot rod (4) or releasing it depending upon the direction of threading motion. The main body (3) consists of lateral fins radiating from a central vertical axis and are of a radius of such that their combined diameter is slightly less than that of the inside diameter of the drain pipe and serve to center the device within the drain. A gasket (2) positioned below the top plate prevents water leakage when the device is closed. The present invention should be constructed of a material of sufficient flexibility and durability to allow the passage of the female threaded bell housing (6) to adequately mate with the male threaded connecting piece (5) and to withstand the use of ordinary household chemicals and the routine passage of water through the stopper.

Claims

1. A Method providing for the threaded installation and quick removal of a pop-up drain stopper of the type controlled by a pivot rod as is typically found in bathroom sinks. Said device comprising: a circular top plate of a diameter slightly greater than the drain opening for which it is intended; a vertical main body consisting of laterally radiating fins of a combined diameter slightly less than that of the interior diameter of the drain pipe in which the device is inserted and centrally connected to the bottom threaded surface of the stopper by a vertical “threaded L” angled and indexed connecting rod positioned at and connected to the bottom of the main body penetrated by a base of size and dimension and thread type to accommodate the pivot rod and positioned along the vertical axis of the device. Through which the pivot rod can move vertically in an up or down motion providing a seal at sink drain or to opening drain.