Seal for a joint or juncture – Seal between fixed parts or static contact against... – Contact seal for a pipe – conduit – or cable
Reexamination Certificate
2001-11-16
2004-05-25
Knight, Anthony (Department: 3676)
Seal for a joint or juncture
Seal between fixed parts or static contact against...
Contact seal for a pipe, conduit, or cable
C277S602000, C277S608000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06739597
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to gaskets and, more particularly, to gaskets for use in floor drains.
Floor drains are installed in most basements of building constructions. In most drainage systems, floor drain pipes are run to an elevation below the expected finished basement floor level so that the upper surface of the drain will be flush with or slightly below the finished floor. In new construction, the drainage system is first plumbed and then pressure tested for leaks. A prior art floor drain, commercially available under the name JONESPEC®, includes an integral test cap to assist in pressure testing.
More specifically, referring to
FIGS. 1
a
,
1
b
, and
2
show a prior art floor drain and/or closet drain
10
, such as the Zurn Model Z-415, which includes a strainer
12
attached to an adjustable head
14
which is secured to a finished floor
16
. The finished floor
16
is spaced a distance away from a waterproof membrane
18
which rests on a rough floor slab
20
. Typically, the rough floor slab
20
is made of concrete. A collar
22
is attached via fasteners
24
to a cast iron drain body
26
. The cast iron drain body
26
is embedded in the concrete forming the rough floor slab
20
. As shown in
FIG. 1
b
, a prior art seal
30
without a test cap is secured to the drain body
26
and receives a pipe
28
.
FIG. 2
shows a prior art seal
32
having a test cap
38
secured to the drain body
26
for receiving a pipe
28
. Typically, the pipe
28
is made of cast iron or plastic. A retainer
34
(shown in
FIG. 2
) is secured to a first portion of the prior art seal
32
to hold it in place and is likewise embedded in the concrete that forms the rough floor slab
20
.
Referring to
FIG. 2
, the prior art seal
32
includes an integral seal body
36
having a disk portion
38
(test cap) attached to an annular portion
40
. The annular portion
40
of the seal body
36
defines an outer sealing surface
42
and an inner sealing surface
44
wherein each surface has a plurality of ribs
46
. The annular portion
40
defines a seal between the pipe
28
and the drain body
26
and the retainer
34
.
In operation,
FIGS. 2
,
3
a
, and
3
b
show the prior art seal
32
installed in a drainage system. The system is then pressurized with either water or air to test for leakage. If no leaks are identified, then the disk portion
38
is cut using a knife so that a passageway
48
(shown in
FIG. 3
b
) is defined in the drain
10
.
Although the prior art seal
32
works well, there are problems when removing the disk portion
38
. First, cutting the disk portion
38
can result in an uneven surface pattern. In some instances, tearing of the disk portion
38
may result in uneven edges which may affect the performance of the drain
10
.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the above-mentioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a drain gasket or seal for use with a drain that includes a seal body having an annular portion, a mounting flange, and a disk portion. The annular portion defines an outer sealing surface and inner sealing surface. A plurality of ribs defining a portion of the outer sealing surface and a portion of the inner sealing surface provides a fluid seal. The mounting flange is integrally attached to a first end of the annular portion. The disk portion, having a first surface and a second surface, is integrally attached to a second end of the annular portion. The inner sealing surface of the annular portion and the second surface of the disk portion define a cavity. A handle extends from the first surface of the disk portion in a direction opposite the cavity. Preferably, the handle and disk portion are integrally formed. The disk portion also defines at least one scribe line adapted to facilitate removal of the disk portion from the annular portion when a pulling force is applied to the handle in a direction opposite the cavity. The scribe line is defined by a recess in the disk portion which facilitates the tearing of the disk portion when the handle is pulled. Preferably, a plurality of scribe lines are defined on the disk portion so that an outer rim portion and an inner ring portion are defined on the disk portion wherein the handle is defined. In this manner, when the handle is pulled in a direction opposite the cavity, the disk portion tears about the outer rim portion to facilitate removal of the disk portion. Preferably, the first surface of the disk portion includes only one circular scribe line while the second surface of the disk portion defines two circular scribe lines.
A method of installing a seal in a drain includes the steps of (i) providing a seal made in accordance with the present invention; (ii) inserting the seal into a drain body wherein the handle on the disk portion extends in a first direction; (iii) inserting a pipe into the cavity of the seal body; (iv) pressurizing the cavity to test for leaks; and (v) pulling the handle in a direction opposite the cavity until the disk portion separates from the annular portion of the body along the scribe line. Preferably, a slit is cut in the scribe line of the disk portion before the handle is pulled in order to help facilitate removal of the disk portion.
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Majocka Chris
Nicolia Carl R.
Verdecchia William
Knight Anthony
Kyle Michael J.
Webb Ziesenhiem Logsdon Orkin & Hanson P.C.
Zurn Industries, Inc.
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