US3835484A

US3835484A - Bathtub or the like drain control and overflow regulator

Info

Publication number: US3835484A
Application number: US00318898A
Authority: US
Inventors: M Kato
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-12-27
Filing date: 1972-12-27
Publication date: 1974-09-17
Anticipated expiration: 1991-09-17
Also published as: JPS506469A; JPS526664B2

Abstract

A rotary drain control for the outlet of a bathtub or the like includes an overcenter crank operating the main drain valve and an adjustable rotary valve for controlling access to the overflow drain adjacent the top of the tub or the like to provide for variations in water level in said tub.

Description

a United States Patent 1191 1111 3,835,484

Kato 1 Sept. 17, 1974 [54] BATHTUB OR THE LIKE DRAIN CONTROL 2,059,120 10/1936 Krenzer ct a1. 4/199 AND OVERFLOW REGULATOR 2323365 12/1940 2,271,837 2/1942 [76] Inventor: Mikio Kato, 1003 Nottingham PL, 2,371,4 7 2 1959 La Vale, Md. 21502 2,910,704 11 1959 [22] Filed: Dec. 27, 19 2,925,989 2/1960 Hcmpel 251/351 1 l PP 318,898 Primary Examiner-Leon G. Machlin Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Gardiner, Sixbey, Bradford 1521 vs. (:1. 4/199, 251/351 and [51] Int. Cl. E03c [/232, E03c H24 [58] Field of Search 4/198, 199, 200, 201, 202; [57] ABSTRACT 251/351 339; 137/6373 A rotary drain control for the outlet of a bathtub or [56] References Cited the; like includes an overcenter crank operating the mam drain valve and an ad ustable rotary valve for UNITED STATES PATENTS controlling access to the overflow drain adjacent the 1,901,118 3/1933 Pope 4/199 top of the tub or the like to provide for variations in 1,931,568 10/1933 BI'OIZ 4/199 water level in Said tub 1,943,628 1/1934 Schultis 4/199 2,052,565 9/1936 Groeniger 4/199 5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 'IlllIIl/a L PRIOR ART Any conventional bathtub or bathroom sink is provided with two drains. One drain is located at the low point at the bottom of the tub or sink. The second drain is located in a wall of the particular receptacle generally just below the top of the wall. The first drain is identified as the main drain while the second drain is commonly called an overflow drain. The main drain is closed by any one of a variety of means ranging from simple stoppers to mechanically actuated valves when the receptacle is to be filled. The overflow drain is customarily open at all times and thus provides an emergency or overflow drain when the receptacle is full and serves to prevent overflow of water from the receptacle 1 if the water level gets too high.

Unfortunately, however, because the overflow drain is generally positioned at a point somewhat below the edges of the receptacle, in some cases as much as 6.0 inches below the edges, receptacles having overflow drains cannot be completely filled. While this fact is an advantage insofar as it protects against inadvertent overflow and resultant damage to the surrounding structure, it is a distinct disadvantage where, for one reason or another it is desired to fill the receptacle to its greatest capacity.

In recent years, the very simple expedient of closing the main drain with a simple rubber stopper has given way to more sophisticated valve closing systems utilizing a lever or rotary valve operator which is located for convenience in the same assembly as the overflow drain. Early examples of such devices are found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,871,487 and also later in U.S. Pat. No. 3,307,206. Thus where it is desired to provide means, such as shown in Kato U.S. Pat. No. 3,570,020 or Emery U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,221,347 and 3,497,878, whereby an overflow drain may be blocked, such devices are either unusable with the overflow drainoperator type of structure or are not particularly convenient in that the main drain valve operator is blocked requiring removal of the deviceto be effected before the operator can be used. Also, such devicesv as Emery U.S. Pat. No. 3,221 ,347 are subject to loss and are difficult to keep clean having in mind the natural affinity of soaps and grease for most conventional rubber or plastic based devices. Too, where the operator for the main drain is covered, there is the inherent danger that the heat of the water or receptacle contents would prevent removal of the device or rapid draining of the receptacle via the main drain under pain of severe burns where a person to immerse his hand in the fluid filled receptacle to gain access to the main drain operator.

THE INVENTION The instant invention is designed to provide not only the convenience of an adjustable overflow outlet, but to do so in conjunction with a main drain valve operator which is easily and readily operated at all times, particularly in case of an emergency situation. The valve operator is also simply designed to provide for easy and reliable day-to-day operation and the assembly retains all of the advantages, both plumbing-wise and aesthetically of the common overflow drain-main drain valve operators so prevalent today. Additionally the overall unit and/or various components are compatible with and may be applied to almost every overflow drain in use including those made by such manufacturers as American Standard. Kohler and the like. The invention then comprises a valved overflow outlet combined with a main drain valve operator having a rotary overcenter crank interconnected with a reciprocating rod disposed within the overflow pipe; a hollow cylindrical valve also in said pipe and movable to a position so as to block the main drain pipe; the rotary crank is supported in a spider mounted in the outlet part in the tub, said spider including a threaded shoulder having a threaded shoulder extension projecting inwardly toward the tub interior; an internally threaded cap is mounted on said shoulder and the skirt of the cap has an elongated opening therein for registry with said shoulder projection for flow regulation or cessation through the overflow pipe; and a handle and shaft assembly is connected to the rotary lever to permit operation thereof.

Having defined the invention in general terms, the details thereof will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description wherein reference is made to the drawings forming apart of this specification, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation partly in section, showing the invention installed in a typical bathroom fixture,

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the valve operator assembly taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a view of the assembly shown in FIG. 2 but showing the operator rotated to the drain position,

FIG. 4 is a view in section through the operator assembly taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 1, while FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the operator assembly as it appears installed within the interior of the bathroom fixture,

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but showing a modified form of main drain operator,

FIG. 7 is a partial view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

Turning now to FIG. 1, it may be seen that installation of the valve operator overflow control assembly 20 follows conventional plumbing practice. The main drain of the receptacle, not shown communicates with a T-connector l which in turn is connected to the sewer access pipe 3 and a vertical overflow drain pipe 5.

Overflow drain pipe 5 is connected to an elbow 7 of conventional design, by means of a typical threaded collar 9 and seal 11. As shown the elbow 7 is a reducing elbow, i.e., one end is smaller in diameter than the other with the large end 15 being connected to the receptacle wall and the smaller end 17 connected to the overflow drain pipe. As shown, the large end of the elbow includes an annular stepped face 19 having peripheral lip 21 which fits inside of the overflow port 23 provided in the wall 25 of the receptacle. Suitable seal means not shown may be interdigitated between the outside surface of wall 25 and the face 19 of the elbow.

Disposed within the sewer outlet pipe 3 is a hollow cylindrical main drain valve 29 which in one position is located either above or below the main drain opening 1 and in the other position blocks the same opening. Thus, this valve 29 may either open or close the main drain of the receptacle depending on its position relative to the main drain outlet 1, while at the same time, because it is hollow, it does not, in any position block flow pipe 5. Thus, if the receptacle is to be filled above the position of the overflow port 23, some means must be provided to block port 23. This means is in the form of a combined valve operator and overflowvalve assembly 30.

Assembly 30 is comprised of a spider plate 31 having a flat annular rim 33 and a diametrically-extending cross rib 35. Rib 35 is provided with two apertures 37, 37', see FIG. in particular, through which a pair of machine bolts 39, 39' pass to engage suitable threaded bores (not shown) provided in elbow 7 adjacent the large end thereof. Thus the spider plate is mounted in abutment with the wall of the receptacle 25 and aligned with the overflow port 23 and the open larger end of elbow 7.

The spider plate is provided with an inwardly, i.e., toward the receptacle interior, projecting central boss 40 and a second concentric outer boss defining an externally-threaded annular shoulder 41. As shown, in particular in FIGS. 4 and 5, shoulder 41 is provided along a portion of its inner terminal edge with an extension 43 which extension is positioned so as to be symmetrically-disposed above and below the diametric center line of said rib. In other words, as viewed in FIG. 4, the shoulder extension occupies an 8 oclock to l 1 oclock position.

Threadedly secured on shoulder 41 and shoulder extension 43 is a skirted cap 45 having very fine, shallowpitched, interior threads on skirt 47 adapted to mate with similar threads on the shoulder and

shoulder extension

41 and 43. The shallow pitch enables the cap 45 to be rotated but with a very little axial travel for a given degree of rotation. Further, the fineness of the threads causes an action similar to a labyrinth seal to prevent leakage of liquid between skirt 47 and shoulder 41.

As clearly seen in FIG. 5, the skirt 47 of cap 45 is provided with an elongated slot 49 which is considerably narrower than the width of the skirt and is also less wide than shoulder extension 43. Thus, when the slot 49 is positioned, by rotation of cap 45, so as to be aligned with the shoulder extension 43, the assembly is sealed against the passage of liquid therethrough. When, however, the cap is rotated, as in FIGS. 4 and 5 so as to be disposed out of alignment with the shoulder extension 43, there is provided a flow passage through assembly 30 which functions as a conventional overflow drain. Thus, one of the stated functions is served by the overflow valve operator assembly 30.

As stated previously, the spider plate 33 is provided with a central inwardly-extending boss 40 carried centrally of the diametric rib 35. The boss and rib are bored to provide a central opening 51 through which extends a shaft 53. The inner or receptacle end of shaft 53 carries a handle 55 suitably afiixed thereto by any conventional fastener. A suitable seal 77 surrounds shaft 53 and is seated in the opening 79 of the skirted cap 45 through which shaft 53 also passes.

Shaft 53 is prevented from axial movement by a spring clip locking means 81 which engages a groove 85 provided in shaft 53 as shown in FIG. 1. The outer, i.e., drain end of the shaft 53 has fixed thereto as by pinning or keying an over-center crank means which is comprised of a drum 57 and a crescent-shaped drum extension 59 connected to said drum by a necked-down connecting area 61. A clevis 63 is connected to one terminus of the drum extension and has an eye bolt 65 threadedly engaged therein, said eye bolt being locked against rotation by a lock nut 67. The eye end of eye bolt 65 is in turn connected to one end of a reciprocating rod 69 which has its lower end connected to a cross pin 71 affixed to the drain closure or valve 29.

As clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when handle 55 is rotated counter-clockwise (clockwise as viewed in FIG. 5), the rotary assembly comprising shaft 53, drum 57 and half-moon drum extension are rotated so that the terminus of the extension is rotated toward and to the low point of its rotary travel. The valve 29 and rod 69, clevis 63 and eye bolt- 65 move downwardly and the main drain of the receptacle is closed.

On the other hand, when rotation of handle 55 is reversed, the terminus moves counter-clockwise as the drum extension rotates until the free end 75 of the extension abuts against clevis 63. In this position the coupled terminus has passed dead center, i.e., the clevis connection has passed over the high point of its motion so that lever 55 and the entire assembly tend to continue clockwise rotation except for the interference between the free end 75 of extension 59. Thus the rod 69 and valve 29 are lifted and will remain lifted so that main drain is completely open.

As described above the entire unit is an integrated assembly designed for installation as a unit in a conventional bathroom receptacle such as a bathtub or the like. It will be appreciated however, that in some instances it may be desirable to install the overflow valve assembly 20 in an existing receptacle having a different type of operator for example a lever type of main drain operator such as shown in US. Pat. No. 3,493,978. Also, certain rotary type main drain operators employ a simple eye connection to the over center crank means.

In order to accomodate the valve assembly 20 to any conventional overflow drain regardless of the type of operator, the machine bolts 39, 39' are removed and the entire assembly removed. The operator overflow assembly 20, FIG. 4 is then repositioned over the tub outlet and depending on the type of connection the over-center lever of FIGS. 2 and 3 is used or alternatively the modified over center lever of FIGS. 6 and 7 is used. In this latter version a substitute shaft 53' is inserted through the

central apertures

77 and 79 of the skirted cap and spider plate respectively. The substitute shaft 53 carries an L-shaped crank 81 having a longer leg 83 and a shorter leg 85. The terminal end of leg 85 carries a stop pin 87 while the terminal end of longer leg 83 is provided with a removable journal pin 89 fastened by means of a threaded and nut 91 connection to the lever arm. If the connection to the main drain rod is an eye connection, then the hournal pin 89 is removed slipped through the eye and replaced quite readily before the machine bolts 39 and 39' pre reinserted through

apertures

37, 37 to anchor the spider plate 31 against the wall of the particular receptacle.

Form the above description it can be seen that a combined overflow drain valve and valve operator have been provided in a complete package not heretofore available and which can be installed and utilized in a conventional manner by both plumber and consumer regardless of the type of overflow, main drain operator that may be previously installed. Various changes and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art all falling within the purview of the claims wherein:

What is claimed is:

1. In combination a rotary valve operator for the main drain of a bathtub or the like receptacle and a control valve for the overflow drain of said receptacle comprising in combination a spider plate mounted in abutment with the interior of the receptacle and in registry with the overflow drain port therein; a skirted cap rotably mounted on said spider plate, an opening being provided in said cap; means on said spider plate for closing said opening in one position of said cap and uncovering said opening progressively upon rotation of said cap from said one position; a rotatable shaft extending through said spider plate and having its ends disposed interiorly of said receptacle and exteriorly of said receptacle; a handle on the interior end of said shaft; a rotatable over-center crank means on the exterior end of said shaft; a reciprocating rod means connected to said over-center crank means; a valve means connected to said rod and operable to open or close the main drain of the receptacle whereby rotation of said crank means in one direction closes said valve while rotation of said crank means in the opposite direction opens said valve means and means fixed on said crank means to maintain said valve in the open position.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said crank means comprises a drum and a crescentshaped drum extension carried thereon; and said reciprocating rod is connected to one end of said crescentshaped extension, the other end of said crescentshaped extension defining an over-center stop means.

3. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said crank means comprises integrally joined L-shaped arms, one of which is longer than the other and said longer arm is provided with a removable journal pin and the shorter of the arms carries a stop pin.

4. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said cap is a skirted cap and said opening is a narrow slot disposed in said skirt and said means on said spider plate comprises a fixed extension on said spider plate adapted to register with and close said slot in one position of said skirted cap.

5. A closure assembly for the overflow drain of a bathtub or similar receptacle comprising a plate having openings therein disposed over the overflow port of said receptacle; an annular shoulder extending from said plate toward the interior of said receptacle; an extension on said shoulder; a skirted cap in engagement with said shoulder and said shoulder extension, the skirt of said cap having an aperture therein adapted for registry with said shoulder extension in one position of said skirted cap, whereby flow of liquid through said closure assembly may be terminated at will; and a main drain valve operator disposed centrally of and passing through said closure assembly.

Claims

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said crank means comprises a drum and a crescent-shaped drum extension carried thereon; and said reciprocating rod is connected to one end of said crescent-shaped extension, the other end of said crescent-shaped extension defining an over-center stop means.