WO1997004696A1

WO1997004696A1 - A drainage plug assembly

Info

Publication number: WO1997004696A1
Application number: PCT/AU1996/000479
Authority: WO
Inventors: William James White; Johanna Kay White
Original assignee: William James White; Johanna Kay White
Priority date: 1995-07-31
Filing date: 1996-07-31
Publication date: 1997-02-13
Also published as: AUPN452495A0

Abstract

A decorative multi-fit drainage plug assembly (10) adapted to secure removable interchangeable sealing rings (14) of different diameters to accommodate drainage openings of various sizes. In a preferred aspect the plug incorporates a decorative element (18) having the dual purpose of functioning as a handle providing a mechanical advantage to facilitate easier removal of the plug from a drainage opening.

Description

A DRAINAGE PLUG ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION THIS INVENTION relates to a drainage plug assembly and in particular but not limited to a multifit decorative drainage plug assembly. BACKGROUND ART

Existing drainage plugs are available in two forms, a spigot form where a cylindrical plug body wedges in a drain opening to plug the drain opening and the so called multi-fit plugs where a flat mushroom like body has an annular sealing flange which sits around the drainage opening and is located by a stalk section which sits inside the opening. Since the width of the flange of the multifit plug provides the seal there are not as many sizes in the plug multifit range as in the spigot type. The plugs come in a range of sizes from small vanity basin size to a large bath size.

Plug designs have not varied significantly over the years. In the case of the spigot type they generally carry a small metal ring so that the plug can be manually pulled from the drainage opening. The multifit plugs are usually equipped with a recess so that a finger can be inserted to enable the plug to be released. The plugs are extremely functional and it would be desirable to provide as an alternative decorative plugs for those who desire a little more decoration in the bathroom or kitchen and also for those who would find a decorative plug a suitable gift for a friend.

One problem the applicant has encountered with the creation of a range of decorative plugs is the inventory due to the size variation and therefore the expense of maintaining enough plugs to suit the different size drainage openings. In order to provide a variety of different plugs and in the light of the wide range of drainage openings to be provided a high inventory of decorative plugs must be held to give variety.

It is an object of the present invention to provide decorative plugs where the inventory is minimised in order to reduce expense. It is another object of the present invention to provide a decorative plug where the decorative element has the dual purpose by functioning as a handle providing a mechanical advantage in order for the new plugs to be easily removed from drainage openings.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a decorative plug with projecting handles which are safe. OUTLINE OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect therefore the present invention resides in a multifit drainage plug assembly comprising a plug body having an outer annular seating surface, an enlargement defining an axially projecting neck and a removable ring secured to the neck so that the size of the neck can be altered by removing the ring. The plug body can be any shape but typically includes a relatively flat base of flexible material and the assembly further including a decorative element atop the plug body and functioning as a handle. The decorative element is preferably in the form of a decorative metal, plastic or other element secured to the base so the element provides a handle having a mechanical advantage while at the same time decorates the plug. Typically the decorative element includes a main portion extending diametrically across the plug and having one end thereof projecting upwardly and defining an off centre shoulder so that the decorative element can operate as a lever in order to allow a user to remove the plug from a drainage opening. In another form the decorative element includes a plurality of laterally projecting and most preferably radially projecting bilaterally extending sections providing finger grips so that the element can be grasped and raised vertically as an action used to remove the plug from a drainage opening.

In yet a further form, the invention resides in a decorative drainage plug assembly incorporating a decorative element having the dual purpose of functioning as a handle providing a mechanical advantage in order for the plug to be easily removed from drainage openings. The decorative plug assembly preferably has a plug body comprising a relatively flat base of flexible material upon which the decorative element is mounted. Preferably a rigid relatively large washer is provided between the element and the flexible base material to strengthen the assembly.

Suitably the shape of the decorative element is such that it has relatively smooth surfaces and rounded edges making it safe to use. In a particularly preferred form a washer is employed between the plug body and the decorative element, the washer having an outer peripheral edge and a major portion of the decorative element is confined inside the outer peripheral edge of the washer, the plug body extending beyond the washer and providing a marginal area surrounding the decorative element.

Preferably the flat base is off a circular shape. However where the flat base is moulded as part of the decorative element, it may have an irregular shape according to the type or configuration of the decorative element. For example, where the decorative element is in the form of a fish, the base portion may be moulded to represent waves and therefore be of a non circular or non regular shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention can be more readily understood and be put into practical effect reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and wherein:-

Figure 1 is an exploded view of a typical plug made according to the teachings of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a drawing illustrating a typical handle and its operation; Figure 3 is an altemative handle arrangement suitable for use in connection with the present invention; and

Figures 4 to 13 are examples of bath plugs employing the present invention; and

METHOD OF PERFORMANCE

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure 1 there is illustrated a decorative plug 10 comprising a plug body 1 1 having an outer annular seating surface 12, an enlargement defining an axially projecting neck 13 and a removable ring 14 which can be secured to the neck so the size of the neck can be altered by removing the ring. As can be seen the neck 13 includes an annular channel 1 5 and an enlargement 16 and as a consequence of the body 1 1 and the ring 14 being made from rubber material the inside diameter of the ring 14 is matched generally to the outside diameter of the channel 1 5 so that the ring can be locked in place in the channel 1 5 beyond the enlargement 16. The body 1 1 matched generally to the outside diameter of the channel 1 5 so that the ring can be locked in place in the channel 1 5 beyond the enlargement 16. The body 1 1 includes a through hole shown in phantom at 17 and a decorative element 18 in this case in the form of a small frog 19 mounted on a mounting washer 20. The decorative element 18 includes a threaded rod 21 that can project down through the through hole 1 7 and be secured using the washer 22 and the nut 23. The neck 16 is recessed at 24 so that the nut 23 is not projecting from the neck 13. In the illustrated embodiment it will be appreciated that the position of the element 18 in the form of the frog 19 is such that the head of the frog provides a off centre projecting section providing a shoulder at 25 and therefore effectively a handle suitable for providing a lever action so that the head of the frog can be raised in the sense of the arrow 26 in order to assist in lifting the plug from its seated position when in use.

It is clear that other decorative forms may be utilised for this purpose with many variations. Although in the embodiment of Figure 1 the decorative element includes a washer section 20 formed with the frog 19 these can be formed as two separate parts where the washer forms a support for the rubber body. Other decorative forms can be utilised having the same general mechanical structure and a similar arrangement is illustrated in Figure 2. In Figure 2 where appropriate like numerals have been used to illustrate like features. In this case an octopus is formed as the decorative element at 27 and the head of the octopus forms the handle so that the plug can be raised and lowered in the sense of the arrow 28 to the positions of the octopus at 29 and 30 so that the plug can be raised in order to be released. An alternative to this kind of handle illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2 is the kind illustrated in Figure 3. In this case the plug body 1 1 is equipped with a decorative element 31 in the form of a flower having a plurality of radially projecting petals 32 so that the petals form a finger grip arrangement so that the plug can be raised vertically as the preferred and natural action as opposed to being levered as in the case of the previous embodiments. In all other respects the plug embodiments of Figures 2 and 3 are made and constructed from the same general parts illustrated in Figure 1 . The Figures following Figure 3 illustrate a range of different decorative plugs that are typical of ways in which the present invention may be implemented and are given by way of a illustrative example. In each case the same arrangement of the decorative element provides and facilitates manual handling of the plug while at the same time provides a suitable decoration that makes the plug suitable as a gift for a friend.

In particular, Figure 4 is a plan view of a plug showing the decorative element 33 in the shape of a frog mounted on a mounting washer 34 attached to the rubber body 35. Figure 5 is a plan view showing the decorative element 36 in the shape of a turtle mounted on a mounting washer 37 attached to the rubber body 38 wherein the head of the turtle 39 functions as a handle suitable for providing a lever to assist in lifting the plug from its seated position when in use.

Figure 6 is a plan view showing the decorative element 40 in the shape of a flower having a plurality of radially projecting petals 41 mounted on a mounting washer 42 attached to a rubber body 43 wherein the petals 41 form a finger grip arrangement so that the plug can be raised vertically as the preferred and natural action as opposed to being levered in the case of plugs with decorative elements as shown by Figure 1 and Figure 2. Figure 7 is a plan view showing the decorative element 44 in the shape of soap and bubbles mounted on a mounting washer 45 attached to the rubber body 46 wherein the soap 47 functions as a handle suitable for providing a lever to assist in lifting the plug from its seated position when in use.

Figure 8 is a plan view showing the decorative element 48 in the shape of a spoon mounted on a mounting washer 49 attached to the rubber body 50.

Figure 9 is a plan view showing the decorative element 51 in the shape of a person mounted on a mounting washer 52 attached to the rubber body 53 wherein the head of the person 54 functions as a handle suitable for providing a lever to assist in lifting the plug from its seated position when in use. Figure 10 is a plan view showing the decorative element 55 in the shape of a sea-slug mounted on a mounting washer 56 attached to the rubber body 57. Figure 1 1 is a plan view showing the decorative element 58 in the shape of a star-fish mounted on a mounting washer 59 attached to the rubber body 60 wherein the arms of the star-fish 61 form a finger grip arrangement so that the plug can be raised vertically as with the arrangement of the projecting petals 41 of the flower shaped decorative element 40 as shown by Figure 6.

Figure 12 is a plan view showing the decorative element 62 in the shape of an octopus mounted on a mounting washer 63 attached to the rubber body 64 wherein the head of the octopus 65 functions as a handle suitable for providing a lever to assist in lifting the plug from its seated position when in use. Figure 1 3 is a plan view showing the decorative element 66 in the shape of a fish mounted on a mounting washer 67 which has further ornamentation 69 to represent waves and is attached to the rubber body 68. In this example, the mounting washer 67 has an irregularly shaped edge 70 as an additional artistic feature sympathetic to the wave ornamentation 69. It will be appreciated that a consequence of the use of the removable ring depicted at 14 in Figure 1 is that each decorative plug is capable of being used for a range of different drainage openings therefore the inventory is reduced by at least a factor of two and the ring 14 can be so chosen and arranged and the neck diameter can be so chosen and arranged that the multi-fit plug or any decorative element can be packaged to fit all typical drainage opening sizes. Therefore any particular plug can be packaged as an "all fit" package where the ring element 14 can be used as required therefore the high expense of maintaining a wide variety of decorative elements for each size can be avoided using the present invention. Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the present invention, many variations and modifications thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad ambit and scope of the invention as herein set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A multi-fit drainage plug assembly comprising a plug body having an outer annular seating surface, an enlargement defining an axially projecting neck and a removable ring secured to the neck so that the size of the neck can be altered by removing the ring.

2. A multi-fit drainage plug assembly comprising a plug body having an outer annular seating surface, an enlargement defining an axially projecting neck and a removable ring secured to the neck so that the size of the neck can be altered by removing the ring, and incorporating a decorative element having the dual purpose of functioning as a handle providing a mechanical advantage in order for the plug assembly to be easily removed from drainage openings.

3. A multi-function drainage plug assembly according to Claim 2 wherein the plug body is a relatively flat base of flexible material.

4. A multi-function drainage plug assembly according to Claim 2 wherein the plug body is a relatively flat base of flexible material and is secured to the decorative element.

5. A multi-function drainage plug assembly according to Claim 2 wherein the decorative element has relatively smooth surfaces and rounded edges.

6. A multi-function drainage plug assembly according to Claim 2 wherein the decorative element includes a main portion extending diametrically across the plug and having one end thereof projecting upwardly defining an off centre shoulder so that the element can operate as a lever in order to allow a user to remove the plug assembly from a drainage opening by using a lever action.

7. A multi-fit drainage plug assembly according to Claim 2 wherein the decorative element includes a plurality of laterally projecting sections providing finger grips so that the decorative element can be grasped about the projecting section and raised vertically as an action used to remove the plug assembly from a drainage opening.

8. A multi-fit drainage plug assembly according to Claim 2 wherein the decorative element includes radially projecting bilaterally extending sections providing finger grips so that the element can be grasped about the bilaterally extending sections and raised vertically as an action used to remove the plug assembly from a drainage opening.

9. A multi-fit drainage plug assembly according to Claim 2 wherein the plug body is a relatively flat base of flexible material having a rigid relatively large washer provided between the decorative element and the flexible base material to strengthen the assembly.

10. A decorative drainage plug assembly incorporating a decorative element having the dual purpose of functioning as a handle providing a mechanical advantage in order for the plug assembly to be easily removed from drainage openings.

1 1. A decorative drainage plug assembly according to Claim 10 including a plug body comprising a relatively flat base of flexible material.

12. A decorative drainage plug assembly according to Claim 10 having a plug body comprising a relatively flat base of flexible material secured to the decorative element.

13. A decorative drainage plug assembly according to Claim 10 wherein the decorative element has relatively smooth surfaces and rounded edges.

14. A decorative drainage plug assembly according to Claim 10 wherein the decorative element includes a main portion extending diametrically across the plug and having one end. thereof projecting upwardly defining an off centre shoulder so that the element can operate as a lever in order to allow a user to remove the plug from a drainage opening by using a lever action.

15. A decorative drainage plug assembly according to Claim 10 wherein the decorative element includes a plurality of laterally projecting sections providing finger grips so that the decorative element can be grasped about the projecting sections and raised vertically as an action used to remove the plug assembly from a drainage opening.

16. A decorative drainage plug assembly according to Claim 10 wherein the decorative element includes radially projecting bilaterally extending sections providing finger grips so that the element can be grasped about the bilaterally extending sections and raised vertically as an action used to remove the plug assembly from a drainage opening.

17. A decorative drainage plug assembly according to Claim 10 including a plug body, the decorative element seated upon the plug body, the plug body comprising a relatively flat base of flexible material, a rigid relatively large washer being provided between the decorative element and the flexible base material to strengthen the assembly.

18. A decorative drainage plug assembly according to Claim 10 including a plug body beneath the decorative element, the decorative element having an outer periphery and the plug body having an outer periphery defining a marginal region surrounding and projecting beyond the outer periphery of the decorative element, a flat washer disposed between the decorative element and the plug body and extending into the marginal region, the decorative element having a major portion of the decorative element is confined to the flat washer.

19. A decorative drainage plug assembly according to Claim 10 wherein the decorative element is mounted on a flat base which provides an annular margin surrounding the decorative element.

20. A decorative drainage plug assembly according to Claim 10 wherein the decorative element has a base which is ornamental in sympathy with the type or configuration of decorative element.