US3745594A - Shower floor drain - Google Patents

Abstract

The shower floor drain has a main casting of iron which includes a downwardly projecting portion adapted to be connected to the drainpipe. An outwardly and slightly upwardly extending flange is integral with the upper end of the tubular portion and has an upward lip formed on its circular outer periphery. There are a pair of upwardly facing, diametrically opposite and tapped bosses on said flange within the lip. A decorative rim made of stainless steel or the like is pressed on and encloses the lip and has a narrow horizontal flange below its upper limit and spaced slightly above the upper faces of the bosses. A stainless steel strainer overlies the rim flange, is of less diameter than the inner diameter of the lip, and is screwed to the bosses to anchor the rim to the casting and to insure that the exposed surfaces of the drain are corrosive resistant.

Description

United States Patent 1 1 Cosper 1 July 17, 1973 SHOWER FLOOR DRAIN Prima r q rniner-Henry rti s [75] inventor: John Gospel. Birmingham, AtnriJmey---Curtis F. Prangley, Harold V. Statland [73] Assignee: Cosper Manufacturing Company, g a I Inc., Birmingham, Ala. [5 ABSTRACT Filed: J 1971 The shower floor drain has a main casting of iron which [21] APPL No: 153,730 includes a downwardly projecting portion adapted to i be connected to the drainplpe. An outwardly and slightly upwardly extending flange is integral with the U68. Clupper end of the tubular portion and has an upward [5 l 1 Int. Clforr ed on circular outer periphery There are a of Search of upwardly facing diametrically ppgsite and tapped 286, 288, 291, 292, 235/42, 46 bosses on said flange within the lip. A decorative rim made of stainless steel or the like is pressed on and en- References Cited closes the lip and has a narrow horizontal flange below UNITED STATES PATENTS its upper limit and spaced slightly above the upper 1,828,601 10 1931 Frye 285 42 faces Of'the A Stainless Steel Strainer overlies 3,105,707 10/1963 Jacobson 285/46 x the rim g is of less diameter than the inner diame- 2,780,303 2/1957 Yavitch 4/146 ter of the lip, and is screwed to the bosses to anchor the 2,783,852 3/1957 Sisk 4/292 X rim to the casting and to insure that the exposed sur- 2,859,452 I H1958 Seewack 4/146 X faces of the drain are corrosive resistant 3,420,552 l/l969 Mork 4/146 X 1 3,615,108 10/1971 T6111 285/46 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 1 SHOWER FLOOR DRAIN BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Rusting is an important factor to be avoided in the manufacture of the exposed components in the drains for showers, particularly shower floor drains. This is an important concept in making surface drains for floors and areaways. This is traditionally avoided by making the base or body, which is set in the floor and connected to the drain pipe, of brass or similar non-rusting materials. The strainer which also ia made of nonrusting metal is recessed in the body. Much of the prior art is devoted to various structures for mounting and supporting the strainer in the brass body and the entire unit in the floor or shower stall.

The use of brass or similar metals contributes appreciably to the relatively high cost of manufacture of such drains. This expense could be avoided if cast or ductile iron or similar low cost metals could readily be used.

The shower floor of the present invention contemplates the use of a cast iron base or body which is inexpensive as compared to the materials traditionally used. The base casting is recessed to receive the strainer which is made of stainless steel or a similar rust resistant material. The exposed part of the casting is enclosed within or covered by a rim made of rust proof material such as stainless steel. The entire exposed surface of the strainer is of rust proof or resistant material such as stainless steel or brass chrome or brass chrome plated metal.

It is, therefore, the principal object of the present invention to provide a new and improved shower floor drain wherein the base casting may be made of cast iron or similar inexpensive material and the exposed portions are made of a rust proof or rust resistant material such as stainless steel, chrome plated metal and the like.

Another object is to provide a shower floor drain having the advantages and characteristics set forth in the preceding paragraph which has relatively few parts and may be manufactured at low cost.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. In this description and the claims the term shower floor drain is used to embrace drains for showers, floors, areaways, and similar surfaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING DETAILED DESCRIPTION The drawing shows a shower stall having a floor l2 sloping toward a shower floor drain 14 of the present invention. The drain 14 has a body 16 made of cast iron or some similar inexpensive, easy to form material of substantial strength. The body 16 includes a tubular depending portion 18 connected to a conventional drain pipe 20 by inside caulking; 22. As shown in FIG. 4 the depending portion 18 may be threaded at 24 to be connected into the drainage system in the manner shown for example in A. A. Baker, U.S. Pat. NO.

2,629,457, dated Feb. 24, 1953.

At its upper end the tubular portion 18 is integral with an outwardly and slightly upwardly sloping circular flange 30 by means of which the drain 14 may be set in and supported by the material of the floor 12. At its outer periphery the flange has an upstanding lip 32. lmmediately within the lip 32 the flange is formed with a narrow horizontal shelf 34 which adds material at the edge of the flange 30 to provide strength against breaking or cracking.

A pair of bosses 36 are formed on the upper surface of the flange 30 at opposite sides of the body casting l6, and they have their upper faces 38 coplanar with the horizontal shelf 34. The bosses are tapped at 40 to receive flat headed screws or bolts 42.

The lip 32 and outer peripheral edge of the flange 30 is enclosed within a rim 44 made of a rust proof or resistant material, such as stainless steel, which is pressed thereon so as to become a fixed part of the drain body. Other suitable materials are brass chrome or brass chrome plated metal. The rim 44 has a depending skirt 46 which covers the outer surface of the lip 32 and the flange 30. The skirt 46 extends into a curved crown 48 which covers the upper edge of the lip 32 and extends a slight distance down the inner face of the lip. The rim 44 is completed by a narrow inwardly horizontal flange 50 which overlies and is spaced slightly abovethe shelf 34. The flange 50 is cut away at 52 to accommodate the screws 42.

The rim crown 48 and flange 50 form a recess 54 to receive a strainer 56 which has a plurality of holes 58 therein to permit draining the waste water to the drainpipe 20. Adjacent its marginal edges the strainer 56 has a pair of diametrically opposite holes60 therein to receive the screws 42. The screws 42 hold the strainer 56 tightly against the rim flange 50 and the rim 44 against the lip 32. While it is preferred that the rim 44 has a press fit over the lip 32 and the edge of the flange 30, the mounting of the strainer 56 is such that it presses against the rim in the holding direction, and inadvertent dislodgment or removal of the rim is not possible. FIG. 3 shows that the upper surface of the strainer is slightly below the rim crown 48 so that any person using the shower is protected against injury from the strainers edge.

FIG. 2 shows the strainer 56 to have round drain holes 58. It may be formed with straight or arcuate slots or combinations thereof in accordance with the artistry of the designer. The specific arrangement of such outlets is not part of this invention.

The construction of the shower floor drain provides a device where the visible parts are made of rust proof material or have rust proof surfaces thus protecting the device against corrosion. It is also clear'from this description that the drain has a minimum number of parts and is inexpensive to manufacture, install, and maintain.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A floor drain for use with a drainpipe, said floor drain comprising an integral body including a depending portion for connection to the drainpipe, a body flange on said depending portion and directed outwardly therefrom, a lip on said body flange and extending in a direction opposite to said depending portion, and at least two bosses on said body flange and extending in the same direction as said lip; a decorative integral rim made of a corrosion-resistant metal including a crown which substantially conforms to the shape of said lip and mates therewith, and a rim flange on said crown and projecting inwardly therefrom; a strainer made of a corrosion-resistant metal and having a diameter less than the diameter of said crown and overlying said rim flange; and fastening means securing said strainer to said bosses and thereby securing said rim therebetween.

2. The floor drain set forth in claim 1, wherein said body flange has a shelf with a surface directed opposite to said depending portion, said rim flange being disposed substantially parallel to said surface and spaced therefrom.

3. The floor drain set forth in claim 1, wherein said rim flange is offset from said crown, said strainer resting on said rim flange and constrained by said crown.

4. The floor drain set forth in claim 1, wherein said rim and said strainer are made of stainless steel'so that no exposed part of said floor drain is made of a material that can corrode.

5. The floor drain set forth in claim 1, wherein said crown is press-fitted onto said lip.

6. The floor drain set forth in claim 1, wherein said bosses respectively have threaded tapped bores therein, and said fastening means includes two screws passing through openings in said strainer and respectively threadably engaging in said tapped bores.

7. The floor drain set forth in claim 1, wherein said body flange has a side surface therearound and said rim has a skirt depending from said crown which abuts said side surface.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION 3,7 6,594 Dated July 17, 1975 Patent No.

Inventor(s) John A. Cosper' It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet F73] the assignee should read as follows:

-- Cosper Manufacturing Company, Inc. Birmingham, Ala.

Signed and sealed this 6th day of May 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

- C. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. MASON Commissioner of Patents Attest ing 0f f icer and Trademarks FORM PO-1OSO (10-69) useomm DC 60376 a -P 9 u.s. eovsmmzur rmmms orncz; 93 o P UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OFTCORRECTION Patent No. 3,745,594 Dated July 17, 1973 Inventor (s') N .f A COSPER It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent .and that said Letters Patent are hereby 'correctedas shown below;

On the cover sheet [73], the assignee should read as follows: I I

-- Cosper Foundry, Inc. a corporation of Q Alabama Signed ainc1' ;se'a1edthis 13th day of August l974.

(SEAL) Attest: I

McCOY M. GIBS'QN,,JR. c. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents F ORM PO-1 050 (10-59) USCOMM-DC 603764 09 1 U. 54 GOVIRNIINT PRINTING OFHCI "I. 0-3li-3Sl.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE V CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION I Patent No. 3,7435% a Date Julv 17.1973

Inventor-(5) JOhfi A. Cosper' It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Attorney should be "Curtis F. Prang ley, Harold- V. Stotlahd et a1=.-

Column 1, line: 11, "ia" shou ld b e --is--.

Signed and sealed this 25th day of December 1973.

(SEAL) Attest: H

EDWARD M. FLETCHER,JR. RENE D. TEGTMEYER I I Attesting Officer 1 Acting Commissioner of Patents FORM PC4050 (10-69) 1 USCOMM-DC 60376-P69, v U. 5. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1961! O36633l I

Claims (7)

1. A floor drain for use with a drainpipe, said floor drain cOmprising an integral body including a depending portion for connection to the drainpipe, a body flange on said depending portion and directed outwardly therefrom, a lip on said body flange and extending in a direction opposite to said depending portion, and at least two bosses on said body flange and extending in the same direction as said lip; a decorative integral rim made of a corrosion-resistant metal including a crown which substantially conforms to the shape of said lip and mates therewith, and a rim flange on said crown and projecting inwardly therefrom; a strainer made of a corrosion-resistant metal and having a diameter less than the diameter of said crown and overlying said rim flange; and fastening means securing said strainer to said bosses and thereby securing said rim therebetween.

2. The floor drain set forth in claim 1, wherein said body flange has a shelf with a surface directed opposite to said depending portion, said rim flange being disposed substantially parallel to said surface and spaced therefrom.

3. The floor drain set forth in claim 1, wherein said rim flange is offset from said crown, said strainer resting on said rim flange and constrained by said crown.

4. The floor drain set forth in claim 1, wherein said rim and said strainer are made of stainless steel so that no exposed part of said floor drain is made of a material that can corrode.

5. The floor drain set forth in claim 1, wherein said crown is press-fitted onto said lip.

6. The floor drain set forth in claim 1, wherein said bosses respectively have threaded tapped bores therein, and said fastening means includes two screws passing through openings in said strainer and respectively threadably engaging in said tapped bores.

7. The floor drain set forth in claim 1, wherein said body flange has a side surface therearound and said rim has a skirt depending from said crown which abuts said side surface.

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