Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Strainer – stopper – plug or closure – Combined strainer – plug – or valve
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-21
2001-08-21
Phillips, Charles E. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Strainer, stopper, plug or closure
Combined strainer, plug, or valve
C004S295000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276000
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to devices for preventing clogging of sink or basin drains. More particularly, this invention relates to a combined strainer and stopper for basin drains.
2. Prior Art
The cleaning of cooking and eating utensils, and the preparation of food, e.g., the cleaning and trimming of vegetables and other food products, normally entail the use of a sink or basin in which the items are rinsed with water. This activity results in the accumulation of debris which can clog drains, and this, in turn, frequently leads to the employment of a plumber and the attendant cost associated with unclogging the drain or drains. Moreover, a clogged drain can lead to overflow of soiled water, and damage to other equipment and structure, or at a minimum the need to clean up a mess.
Most sinks have a stopper to close the drain from the sink so that a quantity of water can be accumulated in the sink, and some type of strainer associated with the drain to prevent debris from entering the plumbing and possibly clogging it. In residential environments, these strainers are usually flat or shallow cup shapes, and frequently have a stopper or plug associated with them. While these devices are satisfactory for the intended purpose, they do not have the capacity or functionality to handle large amounts of debris without being cleaned frequently. This is particularly true in commercial environments, i.e., restaurants, where the amount of debris can be quite large. Strainers suitable for residential use are usually not satisfactory for use in these commercial environments.
Moreover, a relatively flat or short strainer and/or stopper which is located wholly within or at the drain from a basin is not accessible without immersing one's hand in the water. Further, in order to effect drainage of the water from the basin, it may be necessary to remove the strainer and stopper. This defeats the strainer function of the device and enables debris to enter the drain.
Strainers and combined strainers and stoppers have been developed in the art to eliminate some of the problems noted above. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 1,835,447 discloses an elongate strainer and stopper combination wherein an upper end of the device, and particularly the stopper actuator, is accessible above the level of water in the basin. U.S. Pat. No. 1,596,893 also discloses in
FIG. 1
a combined strainer and stopper of elongate configuration. The device shown in this patent is invertible so that it performs a straining function in one position, and a stopper function in an inverted position. To convert from one use to the other, it is necessary to remove the device from the drain.
None of the combined strainer and stopper devices known to applicant have an elongate strainer structure which is adapted to rest at one end in a drain opening and extend at its other end a substantial distance above the opening, with a stopper valve reciprocable in the strainer to cooperate with a valve seat in said one end of the strainer to selectively open and close the drain from the basin, whereby the device presents a large strainer area in the basin, and has a stopper which is actuatable to any position while the strainer remains in place in the drain opening.
Accordingly, there is need for such a device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A combined strainer and stopper is provided by the present invention, wherein the device has an elongate strainer structure which is adapted to rest at one end in a drain opening and extend at its other end a substantial distance above the opening, with a stopper valve reciprocable in the strainer to cooperate with a valve seat in said one end of the strainer to selectively open and close the drain from the basin, whereby the device presents a large strainer area in the basin, and has a stopper which is actuatable to any position while the strainer remains in place in the drain opening.
The combined strainer and stopper of the invention comprises an elongate, perforated tubular housing with an open lower end and a perforated top wall. A valve seat is formed in the lower end, and a handle is affixed to the top wall and includes a central portion spaced upwardly from the top wall. A stopper valve disc is reciprocable in the housing toward and away from the valve seat, and an elongate valve actuator is connected with the valve disc and has an upper end extending through the handle and accessible above the central portion of the handle. Cooperating detent means are on the actuator and the handle to lock the stopper valve in a raised, open position spaced from the valve seat.
The lower end of the housing is adapted to fit snugly in a drain opening so that the housing is supported in an upright position above the drain opening. When the stopper valve is in a raised position, a large perforated area is available for maximum flow of water while straining debris from the water without becoming clogged. With the stopper valve in a lowered position, the drain is closed so that water is retained in the basin.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2075443 (1937-03-01), Kirschner et al.
patent: 2429435 (1947-10-01), Vartanian
patent: 3314086 (1967-04-01), Minella
patent: 3570022 (1971-03-01), Nealy
Saman Husam
Saman Saman H.
Lambert Dennis H.
Phillips Charles E.
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