US3593344A

US3593344A - Tub box structure

Info

Publication number: US3593344A
Application number: US823346A
Authority: US
Inventors: Duane D Logsdon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-05-09
Filing date: 1969-05-09
Publication date: 1971-07-20
Anticipated expiration: 1988-07-20

Abstract

A tub box structure is disclosed for use in enclosing a drain trap and a connected part of a sewerline in a concrete slab floor. In use container and closure portions of this box structure are assembled so as to enclose such a line and trap, and then the concrete to form such a slab floor is cast around the structure so that the upper part of the structure is exposed above the concrete. After the concrete has set the portion of the structure exposed above the concrete is severed and connection is made to the drain trap.

Description

United States Patent 3.276.176 l0/l9o6 Jonssonetal.

| lmentm Duane D. Logsdon HI) (anyon Road. Fullerton. Calif. 92631 group July 23, l965,

Primary Examiner-Henry K. Artis Attorney-Edward D. O'Brian m UF .m UW m D S 3 Ms Bm M UC T2 521 4/1 [5]] ...A47kl7/00 ABSTRACT: A tub box structure is disclosed for use in enpart of a sewerline in a Field of Search closing a drain trap and a connected concrete slab floor. In use container and closure portions of [56] References C'ted this box structure are assembled so as to enclose such a line UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1940 Gerriets.

slab floor is pper part of the strucand trap, and then the concrete to form such a cast around the structure so that the u fter the concrete has set portion of the structure exposed above the concrete is ture is exposed above the concrete. A the it" s 2,270.286 l/l942 Gerriets.

5/l957 Cauffiel 9/1965 Wagner...

52/577 vered and connection is made to the drain trap.

'TUB BOX STRUCTURE BACKGROUND or THE INVENTION This invention pertains to an enclosure termed a tub box structure" which is utilized with a drain trap and a connected portion of the sewerline beneath a concrete slab floor. At the present time many different buildings are constructed utilizing such floors. One of the problems with this type of construction concerns how to locate drain fittings beneath the surface of such a slab floor in a satisfactory manner so that appropriate plumbing connections may be made to such fittings. This problem is considered to be particularly pronounced where it is necessary to locate a drain trap below floor level so that upon installation of the floor a bathtub or similar fixture may be connected to the trap.

In the past various different procedures have been followed in attempting to solve this problem. Probably the most conventional procedure followed involves the assembly of a so called-tree of drain or sewerlines and appropriate traps in trenches on the surface where a concrete slab is to be located. After such assembly, frequently a wood, bottomless box is located around the trap and a connected portion of a sewerline and filled with sand or similar material. Then the concrete slab is cast in place. After such a slab has hardened the sand or other fill material used in this procedure is dug out from around the trap and the wood box is disassembled and pulled from its location. Following this. in order to comply with appropriate plumbing codes, the resultant cavity is lined with plaster or similar material so=as to make it immune to rats and similar vermin.

It will be realized that the type of procedure outlined in the preceding is highly disadvantageous and expensive. It involves a great deal of manual labor. Normally plumbers are relatively highly paid because of their unique skills and abilities. From an economic standpoint it is undesirable to require them to perform the various manual operations necessary with the procedure outlined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TI-IE-INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide new and improved tub box structures which can. be utilized so as to eliminate prior related procedures suchas the procedure outlined in the preceding. A related objective of this invention is to provide a tub box structure which is relatively inexpensive, which is relatively simple to use and which when used results in significant labor savings.

These and various other objectives of this invention are achieved by providing a tub box structure for the purpose indicated which includes: a container having a bottom, continuous sidewall means, an open top and a sewerline openingin the sidewall means, and a closure for the container. Preferably the structure includes means for attaching the closure to the container and means for supporting the container in a vertical position. Preferably the structure is made out of a comparatively light weight thermoplastic material of such a character that it can be buried in the ground to serve as a permanentinstallation and which is of such a character that it is effectively immune to vermin such as rats.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The actual nature of this invention is best explained by referring to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. I is a cross-sectional view ofa presently preferred embodiment or form of a tub box structure of this invention in use;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a container part of' this tub box structure; and

FIG. 3 is an inverted isometric view of a closure part of this structure.

The accompanying drawing is primarily intended to clearly illustrate for explanatory purposes a presently preferred embodiment or form of a tub hox structure of this invention. It will be realized that other differently appearing tub box structures may be satisfactorily utilized in place of the precise structure illustrated. Such other structures may be easily designed through the use or exercise of routine engineering skill on the basis of the disclosure embodied herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the drawing there is shown a tub box structure 10 of this invention which includes a container 12 and a closure 14. Both of these parts are preferably manufactured out of a nonporous material such as ABS plastic or high-impact styrene acceptable for use for various purposes in the plumbing and/or construction industries.

The container 12 includes a bottom 16 carrying continuous sidewall 18 appearing much like the sidewall of a common tub. In effect the bottom 16 and the wall 18 form a type of nonporous tub. This container I2 has an open top 20 which is surrounded by an attaching flange 22. This flange is preferably provided with four extensions or cars 24, each of which is intersected by a hole 26. The closure 14 has a top 28 carrying a continuous sidewall 30 which terminates in an open bottom 32. This also constitutes a nonporous structure. This bottom 32 is surrounded by an attaching flange 34 of the same dimensions as the flange 22 previously described. This flange 34 is carried by the wall 30.

The use of the tub structure 10 is essentially relatively simple. In use a so-called tree" of sewerlines (notshown) including a particular sewerline 40 is assembled in a ditch (not shown) underneath the surface 42 upon which a concrete slab 44 is to be located; Then the container 12 is located on the sewerline 40 so that a hole 46 is the sidewall 18 is traversed by this sewerline 40. Preferably the hole 46 is dimensioned so that the sewerline 40 fits very closely within it'in order to provide as little space as possible through which vermin or the like might pass. If desired a conventional sealant may be applied between-the line 40 and the wall 18.

Then a conventional trap 48 is assembled upon the sewerline 40 in a conventional manner. At this time, support and reinforcing rod 50 may be driven through the'holes 26 in extensions 24 so as to tend to support the container 12 in a vertical position. Next the closure 14 is located on top of the container 12. Before, or as this is done, an appropriate conventional adhesive is applied to one or both'of the

flanges

22 and 24 sothat after flanges are brought together upon hardening of the adhesive 50 the container I2 and the closure 14 will form the tub structure 10. When formed this structure I0 is completely enclosed. This combined structure 10 is then preferably secured in place to the rods 50 by using wires 54 to attach these rods to the extensions 24. Then the area around the line 40 and the structure 10 is filled in up to the level of the surface 42. At this point, the concrete slab 44 may be cast upon the surface 42 in accordance with conventional practice. It will be noted that this slab 44 should not extend to the top 28 of the closure I4 and that it terminates along the sidewall 30. The slab 44 as cast comes into direct intimate contact with the exterior of the tub structure 10 so as to form ajoint with it which is relatively immune to vermin such as rats. During the casting of the slab 42 the interior of the structure I0 is protected against contamination.

After the slab 44 has been formed, the projecting portion of the closure I4 above it as indicated by phantom lines in FIG. I may be severed through the use of an appropriate cutting tool. This will expose the trap 48 so that further plumbing connection may be easily made to it. When such connection is made, there is no necessity for digging out the trap, and/or lining the cavity containing it, since the portion of the tub structure I0 remaining in the slab 44 provides an effective permanent enclosure against rats and the like.

Iclaim:

portion of a sewerline connected to it which comprises:

a nonporous plastic container having a bottom and a continuous, upwardly extending attached sidewall connected to said bottom, said sidewall having a sewerline opening in said sidewall means, said sewerline opening being capable of fitting closely around the outside of the sewerline said container having an open top:

a nonporous, plastic closure for said container having a top and a continuous attached downwardly directed sidewall, said closurchaving an open bottom capable of fitting over and enclosing the top ofsaid container;

attaching flanges formed on the end of said sidewall of said container and on the end of the sidewall of said closure for attaching said closure to said container so that said closure flts over and encloses the top of said container said attaching flanges on said container and said closure extending from said container and said closure and fitting against one another;

said container being capable of being located with a sewerline extending through said opening and a trap attached to an end oi'said line in said container;

said tub box structure serving to protect said trap from the accumulation of material during the formation of a concrete slab around and in contact with the exterior of said container and the sidewall of said closure;

said tub box structure being capable of being severed along said sidewall of said closure at the top of such a slab in order to provide access to said trap and to provide a permanent enclosure around said trap.

2. A tub box structure as claimed in claim I including:

means for supporting said container in a vertical position;

said means for supporting being extensions on said attaching flanges, said extensions having holes formed therein which are dimensioned so as to receive support rods.

Claims

1. A tub box structure for use in enclosing a drain trap and a portion of a sewerline connected to it which comprises: a nonporous plastic container having a bottom and a continuous, upwardly extending attached sidewall connected to said bottom, said sidewall having a sewerline opening in said sidewall means, said sewerline opening being capable of fitting closely around the outside of the sewerline said container having an open top: a nonporous, plastic closure for said container having a top and a continuous, attached downwardly directed sidewall, said closure having an open bottom capable of fitting over and enclosing the top of said container; attaching flanges formed on the end of said sidewall of said container and on the end of the sidewall of said closure for attaching said closure to said container so that said closure fits over and encloses the top of said container said attaching flanges on said container and said closure extending from said container and said closure and fitting against one another; said container being capable of being located with a sewerline extending through said opening and a trap attached to an end of said line in said container; said tub box structure serving to protect said trap from the accumulation of material during the formation of a concrete slab around and in contact with the exterior of said container and the sidewall of said closure; said tub box structure being capable of being severed along said sidewall of said closure at the top of such a slab in order to provide access to said trap and to provide a permanent enclosure around said trap.

2. A tub box structure as claimed in claim 1 including: means for supporting said container in a vertical position; said means for supporting being extensions on said attaching flanges, said extensions having holes formed therein which are dimensioned so as to receive support rods.