Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Drain – overflow or trap for a sink or bath – Drain and overflow
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-20
2001-10-02
Eloshway, Charles R. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Drain, overflow or trap for a sink or bath
Drain and overflow
C004S687000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295665
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to sink drains and more particularly to an apparatus for utilizing the sink drain and, if present, the connected disposal, for the disposal of waste while a quantity of usable water or other liquid is contemporaneously contained in the sink.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various kinds of sink drainer assemblies are well known and are usually associated with the operation of a disposal into which waste is transferred through the sink drain. Various features associated with sink drains are known to prevent debris carried by dispensed fluid from clogging or jamming the faucet assembly, and devices of this type are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,369,815; 5,377,362; and 5,398,720.
When a disposal is involved so that there is not normally a concern of separating a liquid from solid debris as is the case with disposalless sinks, the mixture of fluid and solid waste flows through the sink drain and into the disposal for treatment. In that operation, it is not possible to use the sink in any other manner except for the disposal of waste through the drain and disposal while that operation is ongoing. Thus the sink is otherwise immobilized for any other use unless a separate isolated section of the sink or a second portioned sink is available. Even in this case, a sink normally carries only one disposal so that the isolated sink portion has to be carefully used to assure that no solid debris is passed into the drain which has no disposal.
In many instances and for many reasons, there is often a desire to utilize the sink in some other manner even when the disposal is needed. Unfortunately, the conventional procedure requires first the use of the disposal utilizing the entire sink and next utilizing the entire sink without the disposal for whatever other use is needed.
From the foregoing, it can be seen that there is a need for the ability to utilize a disposal equipped sink in more than one way simultaneously, and it is to that need that the present invention is directed.
BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a sink drain extension for introducing food and solid debris into the sink drain while the sink retains a usable quantity of water or other liquid without the introduced debris engaging and spoiling the retained usable water or other liquid. The extension includes an upstanding substantial hollow member having a first sink drain engaging end and a second free end, the first sink drain engaging end having first and second perimeter edges to cooperatively engage a stabilizing member having first and second cooperatively receiving openings. The stabilizing member fixes the hollow member and prevents relative movement between the hollow member and the sink drain in a sealable fashion. The hollow member can be of a height less than the depth of the sink so that water overflow is prevented in the event sink water flow is overlooked. Appropriate sealing and securing elements are applied to make certain that a sealed drain occurs and that the hollow member is secured so as to prevent relative movement between the member and the sink drain.
To aid in the disposal of solid and fluid debris, the free end of the hollow member can be flared outwardly so that introduction of waste into the hollow member is easily permitted.
The extension may be located along the periphery of the sink and away from the regular sink drain and connected to the drain under the sink thus freeing the sink and regular drain for independent use.
From the forgoing, it is apparent that a primary objective of the present invention is to develop an apparatus for utilizing a sink and the sink drain simultaneously to make the use of these fixtures more efficiently.
Another objective of the present invention is to develop a device of the type described that is simple in operation, uncomplicated in design and construction, and relatively inexpensive.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a device of the type described which can be utilized on existing sinks without any modification or which can be provided as an accessory to a new sink to be installed.
Thus there has been outlined the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In that respect, before explaining at least on embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its arrangement of the components set forth in the following description and illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.
It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting in any respect. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concept upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of this development. It is important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent methods and products resulting therefrom that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The application is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by its claims, nor to limit its scope in any way.
Thus, the objects of the invention set forth above, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are noted with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific results obtained by its use, reference should be made to the following detailed specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views.
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patent: 712598 (1954-07-01), None
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patent: 7707-362 (1978-10-01), None
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