Shower drain

Details Shower drain Shower drain

1999-02-19

2001-01-23

Fetsuga, Robert M. (Department: 3751)

Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons

Shower

Particular construction

C004S288000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06175971

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to discharge drain assemblies, and more particularly, to a shower drain assembly for use in the base of a shower as a transition piece from the shower to a drain pipe.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the construction industry, shower drain assemblies are used to connect the base of a shower with an outgoing drain pipe. In both new construction and remodel projects, a first worker typically inserts a drain fitting downward into a pre-existing shower base drain hole. A second worker, located beneath the floor supporting the shower, e.g., in a basement or crawl space, attaches additional assembly pieces to the fitting to seal it against the shower base underside surface and/or surrounding structure. It is usually necessary for the first worker to hold the drain fitting steady from above while the second worker attaches the additional pieces from below.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,896,511 illustrates a typical arrangement in which a shower fitting
14
is inserted downward into an opening
11
in the base of a shower receptor
12
. A discharge pipe
13
is connected to the fitting lower end. The fitting
14
includes a cylindrical body
16
having lateral threads about its exterior. Once the fitting is placed in the opening
11
, a number of seal rings are placed from below up and around the cylindrical body. A nut
22
engages the body threads to secure the seal rings and fitting to the shower receptor
12
. A flange
17
maintains the fitting in the shower receptor by providing a force on the shower base that opposes the force provided by the nut
22
.
The device described in the '511 patent has a number of disadvantages, the most significant of which is that the '511 device can be difficult to seal. Rotation of the nut
22
against the seal rings tends to also rotate the seal rings and fitting which deters a good seal and further makes it difficult to tighten the nut. Further, a number of current drain assemblies are presently manufactured such that their threads are not perpendicular to their top flanges. This creates a situation in which the nut will tighten on one side or location, but not on the opposing side. This is a problem in that it leaves the uncontacted side unsealed and not in contact with the bottom of the shower base, thereby making a complete seal unattainable. Likewise, some of these current drains are manufactured such that the threading on the inside of the nut is not perpendicular as required.
Another problem with the '511 device is that it is annoying and time-consuming to install, since rotation of the nut
22
is not always easily accomplished. This is particularly true if the only access to the underside of the drain fitting is from a confined space in which the worker's arm and/or wrist cannot easily move to rotate and tighten the nut
22
. In addition, this type of drain requires the additional person located above the drain fitting to hold the fitting in place while the first worker tightens the nut from below.
Although not applied to the shower drain art, U.S. Pat. No. 3,509,586 describes a sink strainer mounting means in which an annular carrier
16
is screwed to threads
8
on the exterior of a drain fitting lower outlet end
7
. The carrier
16
includes three ears
20
extending laterally outward at locations spaced 120 degrees apart. Screws
22
are insertable through the ears
20
to provide an upward force to a pressure member
11
. While this arrangement improves the operator's ability to effectuate a good sealing fit and further helps to reduce the frustration associated with screwing a large nut onto the fitting itself, the '586 arrangement still has the disadvantage of requiring the need to screw the carrier
16
onto the outlet end
7
. This can still pose a problem in applications having restricted space.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,052 describes a garbage disposal assembly in which a cylindrical sink flange
60
is attached to a sink bottom
22
by screws
43
exerting an upward force on a backup ring
47
. The sink flange includes an upper lip
82
that rests within the sink. The upward force of the mounting screws
43
is effectuated by inserting the mounting screws up through a mounting ring
42
. The mounting ring
42
has restricted downward motion by abutting against a snap ring
50
attached around an inward ring groove
66
formed in the lower end of the sink flange
60
. While this arrangement is easier to install, it is susceptible to damage and/or dysfunction should the snap ring
50
unseat from the sink flange
60
and/or become damaged.
Thus a need yet exists for an improved shower drain fitting that is easy to install even in confined spaces and that includes a robust means for being held in the base of a shower. The ideal assembly would further allow a single person to install the assembly and provide a good sealing fit. The present invention is directed to fulfilling these needs as well as others described below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a shower drain assembly is provided for use with a shower base having a drain opening. The drain assembly includes a drain fitting, an annular pressure plate, and an annular collar. The drain fitting has an upper lateral flange and an upright cylindrical portion extending downward from the underside of the flange. The cylindrical portion includes a number of rigid shelves extending laterally thereabout, with upright spaces being available between shelves. The annular collar has an inner diameter with a number of ribs extending laterally inward from the inner diameter surface. The collar also includes a number of holes adapted to engage fasteners. During use, the drain fitting is inserted downward through the drain hole and is stopped by the flange. The pressure plate and collar are slipped upward around the drain fitting cylindrical portion, with the ribs passing through the cylindrical portion spaces. The collar is rotated so that the bottom of the ribs rest against the surface of the shelves. The fasteners are inserted into the holes and made to create an upward force on the pressure plate and a downward force on the collar. The collar ribs engage the shelves, thereby pulling the fitting downward.
In accordance with other aspects of this invention, the shelves include notches, each having a width at least as great as the width of its corresponding rib. In an alternative embodiment, each shelf is formed in an ascending staircase manner, with the various steps having a width sufficient to support a rib during use.
In accordance with further aspects of this invention, an alternative shower drain assembly is provided in which the drain fitting has an upright cylindrical portion with a lateral radial channel formed in its exterior surface. The cylindrical portion also includes a number of upright channels extending from the bottom edge of the cylindrical portion upward to the lateral channel. The lower wall of the lateral channel providing a number of shelves. During use, the drain fitting is inserted downward through the drain hole and is stopped by the flange. The pressure plate and collar are slipped upward around the drain fitting cylindrical portion, with the ribs passing through the upright channels. The collar is rotated so that the bottom of the ribs rest against the lower wall of the lateral channel. The fasteners are inserted into the holes and are made to create an upward force on the pressure plate and a downward force on the collar. The collar ribs engage the shelves, thereby pulling the fitting downward.
In accordance with still other aspects of this invention, an improvement to a shower drain fitting having an upper lateral flange and an cylindrical portion extending downward from the underside of the flange is provided. The improvement includes a number of channels formed in the cylindrical portion exterior surfaces the channels being formed as upside down “J” shapes. The improvement further includes an annular collar having an inner diameter with a number of

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