Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Drain – overflow or trap for a sink or bath
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-06
2001-08-07
Huson, Gregory L. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Drain, overflow or trap for a sink or bath
C004S286000, C004S613000, C004S695000, C285S261000, C285S262000, C210S163000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06269495
ABSTRACT:
RELATED APPLICATIONS
The following related applications are currently pending, “Adjustable Floor Drain Apparatus” filed on May 8, 2000 and “Adjustable Pipe Connector” filed on May 9, 2000 both by the same inventor, Chris Sondrup.
THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to drains. More particularly, the present invention relates to a drain which is adjustable in height and pitch to allow the top of the drain to conform to the pitch of a surrounding surface, such as a floor.
BACKGROUND ART
Floor and shop drains have been known and used for many years. A floor drain in its simplest form funnels liquids from a floor surface into a drain pipe. Typically floor drains have a grate attached to their top to allow liquid to flow but to prevent larger solid objects from entering the floor drain.
Drains found in restroom facilities, showers, kitchen floors and shop floors are used to drain liquids such as shower water or waste water. The problem with prior art drains is that they are often installed in floor surfaces that are neither level, flat, nor perpendicular to the drain pipe to which the drains must connect. Drains need to be at a proper height and level with the surfaces surrounding them in order to function properly. Drains which are not properly placed relative to surrounding surfaces also can pose a safety threat. In the prior art, it has been difficult and time-consuming to properly install level drains.
As mentioned, one problem associated with the construction of floor drains is the problem of being able to align the drain and grating with the portion of the floor around it. Adjusting mechanisms have not been available to accomplish this result without inordinate trouble and expense. Often, the floor drain does not conform precisely to and is not in alignment with the top of the floor. Even the adjustable floor drains which exist do not fully meet the needs of plumbing installation professionals.
One patent which illustrates an adjustable floor drain is U.S. Pat. No. 4,883,590 to Papp. The device designed by Papp is an adjustable floor drain having an outer cylindrically shaped body with threads on the inside thereof attached to the top of a drain pipe. A cylindrical member is disposed inside of the outer body so that concrete can be poured around the cylindrical member and the concrete will not enter the outer body. An inner cylindrically shaped body having threads on the exterior thereof is provided for mating with the inside threads on the outer body whereby the inner body can be threaded into the outer body and whereby the top thereof can be adjusted up or down to conform to the height of the finished floor. A ring is adapted to engage the top of the the inner body, and the ring has a partially spherical surface around the lower periphery thereof which contacts the top of the inner body, which also has a complementary shaped partial spherical surface thereon for providing a mating slidable joint between the ring and the inner body. A grate is disposed in a recess on the ring, and an optional basket strainer can be installed under the grate.
Consequently, there is a need for an improved floor drain apparatus which will easily and quickly allow for vertical and angular horizontal adjustment. Additionally, there is a need for an adjustable drain which is simple to use and which allows a plumbing installer to quickly and easily install a drain that is level with the surrounding surfaces.
INVENTION SUMMARY
It is therefore a feature of the present invention to provide a drain. More particularly, the present invention relates to a drain that is adjustable in height and pitch to allow the top of the drain to conform to the pitch of the surface of the floor.
A further feature of the invention is to provide an adjustable drain apparatus to be positioned with a floor therearound. The drain has a drain channel, having an upper end to receive fluid, and a lower end to expel the fluid. The drain also has a base, positioned proximate to the drain channel, having a cavity to receive the fluid expelled from the lower end. Additionally, the drain has pivoting means, coupled to the lower end of the drain channel, for enabling pivoting of the drain channel relative to the base. Moreover, there is a securing means for pivotally securing the pivoting means to the base. Uniquely, the securing means comprises a pair of plates, each having an inner concentric substantially spherical surface designed to mate with the pivoting means and be coupled to the base. Also, the pivoting means comprises a ring having an inner surface that is attached to the lower end of the drain channel, and an outer spherical surface designed to smoothly pivot against the spherical surfaces of the pair of plates. Additionally, the securing means holds the pivoting means away from a surface of the cavity of the base. Moreover, the securing means has a first configuration that holds the pivoting and drain channel in a first position and has a second configuration that holds the pivoting and drain channel in a second position that is higher than the first position relative lo the base.
There has thus been outlined broadly the more important features of the invention so that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and so that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. Other features of the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of the invention, taken with the accompanying drawings and claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1779936 (1930-10-01), Hess
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patent: 3420552 (1969-01-01), Mork
patent: 4273467 (1981-06-01), Cronk
patent: 4337005 (1982-06-01), LeBaron
patent: 4879771 (1989-11-01), Piskula
patent: 4883590 (1989-11-01), Papp
patent: 5044674 (1991-09-01), Hendrickson
patent: 5366317 (1994-11-01), Solimar
patent: 5451119 (1995-09-01), Hondulas
patent: 5470172 (1995-11-01), Wiedrich
patent: 5496128 (1996-03-01), Odill
patent: 5564855 (1996-10-01), Anderson
patent: 5956905 (1999-09-01), Wiedrich
patent: 6-322804 (1994-11-01), None
C&D Innovations, L.C.
Huson Gregory L.
Nguyen Tuan
Thorpe North & Western
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