US2915762A - Drain plug - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 8, 1959 s. E. KlVELA 2,915,762

DRAIN PLUG Filed April 10, 1957 2 Sheets- -Sheet 1 g Stanley E. Kive/a INVEN TOR.

BY @406. W lm 5. E. KIVELA Dec. 8, 1959 DRAIN PLUG 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 10, 1957 m a a y United States Patent DRAIN PLUG Stanley E. Kivela, Fond du Lac, Wis.

Application April 10, 1957, Serial No. 651,948

7 Claims. (Cl. 4-295) This invention relates to a drain plug and more particularly to a stopper assembly for a pull-out plug and chain, plug or mechanically operated stopper for a plumbing fixture.

An object of the present invention is to provide a plug assembly which may be installed as original equipment or may be used as a replacement assembly for the plug of a plumbing fixture, for example a basin, sink, a bathtub, laundry tub, etc.

Often pull-out plugs or pop-up plugs of the type which are mechanically operated by a linkage become ineffectual or lost, and they must be replaced. My invention provides a replacement assembly which cannot be lost because it is mechanically connected to the plumbing fixture drain, and my assembly more effectively closes the drain, preventing leakage. Leakage is a problem with ordinary plugs, particularly when the plugs become some- What worn. My construction is such that when originally installed it will remain closed in a sealed condition very effectively and tightly, and even after wearing a considerable length of time, the plug is automatically self-sealing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a practical assembly of the type to be described. I am aware of prior assemblies for plumbing fixtures, but in every instance prior structures that have been called to my attention have been either complicated or impractical for some other reason.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a part of a plumbing fixture having a plug assembly constructed in accordance with the invention located therein;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1 and showing the stopper assembly in a closed position;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view somewhat similar to Figure 2 but showing the stopper assembly in the opened position; and

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the .parts which are used in the construction of my assembly.

In the accompanying drawings there is a plumbing fixture which typifies any type of fixture which is capable of effectively using a plug assembly 12 which is constructed in accordance with the invention. The illustrated fixture is a wash stand, however, it is to be clearly understood that other fixtures, tanks, etc. may be the recipient of assembly 12 or an assembly like it which would even vary in dimension and size. The fixture 10 has a drain 14 connecting to sewer line 16 by standard conneetor assembly 18. The drain consists of a tube that has a flared mouth 20 which functions as a seat for an ordinary stopper. 0

Assembly 12 consists of a stem 22 having a transverse plate 24 at its lower end which functions as a stop :by coming in contact with transverse stop plate 26 that is attached to tube 14, extending thereacross. Aperture 28 is formed in the stop plate 26 and is of rectangular or oval formation to allow the stop 24 to be passed through it when the stem '22 is oriented properly, but when the stem is rotated approximately a few degrees after passing through aperture 28, the stop assumes a stop function by contacting the lower surface of plate 26. The upper end of stem '22 has a T-shaped anchor 32 thereon which is fitted between the prongs 34 and 36 that depend from cap 38. This cap has a finger grip 40 on the top surface thereof and annular grooves 42 on the bottom surface thereof. The prongs 34 and 36 have a slot 44 formed at the root end thereof in order to function as a pocket to accommodate the extremity -of the T-shaped member 32 on stem 22. The prongs, then, hold cap 38 assembled on the upper end of stem 22, and the two earns 46 and 47 formed on the sides of the T-shaped member 32 spread the prongs thereby aiding in the locking of the cap 38 on stem 22.

Seal 48 in the form of an annular collar is fitted on the lug 50 that protrudes from the lower surface of cap 38 and on which the prongs 34 and 36 are integrally attached. Annular rib 54 on lug 50 fits in a corresponding groove 52 that is formed in the central passage 56 of seal 48 thereby aiding in holding it firmly attached onto the cap 38. The depending neck 55 of seal 48 fitting over the ends of the slot 44 helps to hold the cap and stem assembled and facilitates holding the seal 48 secure on the cap 38. Annular ribs 57 and 58 on the top surface of seal 48 snap into the grooves 42 of cap 38 to further aid in the holding of the cap assembled with seal 48. The side Wall 60 of the seal is tapered to fit within the mouth 20 which functions as a valve seat with the seal 48 functioning as the valve member. Seal 48 may be made of an elastomer or rubber or some other synthetic material which has the characteristics of rubber. Regardless -of the material of construction of seal 48, it is preferred that the lower edge 64 thereof have a plurality of alternate grooves and ribs 66 and 67 formed radially therearound to open the drain in response to a short rise in position of the seal 48.

Coil spring 70 is concentrically arranged with stem 22 and seats on the transverse stop plate 26 and also on the tapered sides of the prongs 34 and 36. Accordingly, the stored energy of spring 70 tends always to push the seal 48 vertically upward in such direction as to unseat the same. Lateral cars 74 and 76 protrude from stem 22 and are of such size and shape as to be capable of pass ing through aperture 28 to a position alternately below and above stop plate 26. The ears 74 and 76 have sloped upper surfaces that serve as cams when slid over ribs which form reaction means 80 and 82 that are formed on the lower surface of transverse stop plate 26 and on opposite sides of aperture 28.

In use, after installation as shown in Figure 2, the finger grip 40 is rotated thereby rotating stem 22 and causing the cars 74 and 76 to align with aperture 28. At this position the ears are capable of passing through aperture 28 and this permits spring 70 to elevate the seal 48, and cap 38 until stop 24 bears against the lower surface of stop plate 26. In this position the plug assembly is in the open condition (Figure 4). Then, to close the plug assembly the cap 38 is pushed downwardly and at the same time it is rotated to align the ears 74 and 76 with aperture 28 enabling them to pass through this aperture. Thereafter the plug consisting of cap 38 and seal 48, together with stem 22, are rotated bringing the upper surface of ears '74 and 76 against the ribs 80 and 82 and camrning the stem, cap 38 and seal 48 downwardly to bring the seal into engagement with its seat It is understood that various modifications, rearrangements, deviations, and omissions and additions may be made without departing from the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For use in the drain tube of a plumbing fixture, a plug assembly comprising a flexible annular seal adapted to seat in the drain tube, a cap to which said seal is attached, a stem secured to said cap, a stop plate disposed in said drain tube and having an aperture through which said stem passes, at least one locking ear protruding laterally from said stem and disposed below said aperture when said stem is depressed, a spring reacting on said stop plate and said cap and tending to push said stern upward to press said ear against the lower surface of said stop plate while said seal is seated in the drain tube, and said spring urging said stem upward and unseating said seal when said stem is rotated to a position wherein said ear is registered with said aperture and said ear is spring urged through said aperture.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said seal is constructed on an annular collar, said cap having a part projecting therefrom, means engaging said part to fasten said seal and part together, and said seal having a central aperture through which said cap part is passed.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said seal has a plurality of ribs and grooves at the lower end thereof which are adapted to compress when said seal is pressed into said drain.

4. A stopper assembly for a plumbing fixture drain wherein there is a transverse stop plate having an aperture and ribs adjacent to said aperture, said assembly comprising a stern having a stop at one end and locking ears adjacent to said stop, said locking ears having earn surfaces for engaging said ribs so that upon rotation of said stem the stem is moved axially downward within said drain by the action of said ears on said ribs, a seal, means at the upper end of said stem for attaching said seal to said stem and comprising a cap attached to said stem, a pair of prongs depending from said cap and around which said seal is fitted, and means on said stern adapted to spread said prongs and frictionally retain said prongs assembled with said stem.

5. A stopper assembly for a plumbing fixture drain wherein there is a transverse stop plate having an aperture and ribs adjacent to said aperture, said assembly comprising a stem having a stop at one end and locking ears adjacent to said stop, said locking ears having cam surfaces for engaging said ribs so that upon rotation of said stem the stem is moved axially downward within said drain by the action of said ears on said ribs, a seal, means at the upper end of said stem for attaching said seal to said stem and comprising a cap attached to said stem, a pair of prongs depending from said cap and around which said seal is fitted, means on said stem adapted to spread said prongs and frictionally retain said prongs assembled with said stem, and means including ribs and grooves further connecting said seal to said cap.

6. In a sink drain which has a transverse stop plate provided with an aperture and in a fixed position within said drain, a stopper assembly for said drain and comprising an elongated stern, a flexible seal, means at the upper end of said stem fastening said seal to said stem so that said seal and said stem are movable simultaneously, said seal movable to seating and unseating positions with respect to said drain, a transverse member protruding laterally from said stern and in one direction, said laterally protruding member disposed beneath said stop plate and adapted to contact the bottom surface of said stop plate to limit the movement of said stern in a drain unseating direction, an ear protruding laterally from said stern and in a direction different from the laterally protruding member and spaced from said laterally protruding member in a direction longitudinally of said stem, said ear being movable through said aperture when said stem is rotated to a position that said ear is aligned with said aperture so that said seal can be seated with respect to said drain, said ear engageable with a part of said stop plate below said aperture when said stern is rotated after moving said ear through said aperture, a spring disposed about said stem and between said seal supporting means and said stop plate, and said spring yieldingly urging said stem and seal axially and outwardly of said drain and in a direction tending to unseat said seal so that the bias of said spring yieldingly presses said ear against the bottom part of said stop plate when said ear is moved through said aperture and rotated to a position beneath said stop plate and alongside of said aperture.

7. The stopper assembly of claim 6 wherein there is a cam beneath said stop piate and engageable by said ear when said ear is rotated in order to latch said seal firmly in the seated position.

References 'Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 641,185 Borein Jan. 9, 1900 1,107,363 Schmidt Aug. 18, 1914 1,161,766 Ferran Nov. 23, 1915 1,300,593 Fairchild Apr. 15, 1919 1,511,017 Binder Oct. 7, 1924 1,630,352 Mortimer May 31, 1927 2,225,693 Francis Dec. 24, 1940 2,524,823 Noyes Oct. 10, 1950 2,720,999 Gamundi Oct. 18, 1955

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