Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Drain – overflow or trap for a sink or bath
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-15
2001-09-18
Huson, Gregory L. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Drain, overflow or trap for a sink or bath
C004S680000, C004S694000, C138S090000, C073S049800, C285S046000, C285S206000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06289532
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to overflow waste assemblies for tubs such as bathtubs and spas, and more particularly, to an overflow waste assembly utilizing a screw-in retaining body in combination with an elbow fitting having at least one fulcrum member permitting engagement with a tub wall at various angles and an annular gasket providing a reliable, water-tight seal on the tub interior without an exterior tub gasket. This invention also relates to an overflow waste assembly having a polymeric screw-in retaining body with a removable, integrally molded test plug and attached handle member.
2. Description of Related Art
The use of waste water overflow drains in tubs such as bathtubs and spas is well known. Such overflow drains are typically located at or near the maximum intended fill level of the tub and in proximity to plumbing connecting the main tub drain to a sewer line. Prior art fittings for tub waste overflows are disclosed, for example, in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,010,469; 1,781,719; 2,052,565; 2,223,365; 2,243,204; and 5,890,241. Test plugs for hydraulic testing of plumbing systems are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,763,510; 5,507,501 and 5,890,241.
Tub waste overflows usually comprise some type of fitting that connects a portion of the fitting on the inside of the tub to a drain line disposed behind the tub wall. A cover plate having recesses that admit water but not foreign objects into the drain system is generally provided on the inside of the tub. Sealing gaskets are desirably utilized on both sides of the tub wall to prevent water from leaking around the fitting. Because tub wall angles can vary significantly, tub waste overflow assemblies are desirably adaptable to provide a water-tight connection when installed in tubs having different wall angles, preferably while maintaining a substantially vertical waste drop. Tub waste overflow assemblies should also be capable of being hydraulically tested following installation without having to break the tub seal.
In applicant's prior, copending application Ser. No. 09/452,597, filed Dec. 1, 1999, incorporated by reference herein, a tub waste overflow assembly is disclosed that is attachable to a tub wall by means of a threaded retaining body insertable through an overflow drain aperture in a tub wall to engage a cooperatively threaded pipe fitting on the opposite side of the tub wall. A chamfered washer is provided to cooperate with the retaining body and an annular sealing gasket to produce a fluid-tight seal on the interior surface of the tub wall and frictionally engage a cover member spanning the overflow drain aperture. Optionally, a removable test plug is molded in place across the mouth of the retaining body to facilitate hydraulic testing following installation. While this apparatus represents a significant and valuable improvement over prior art devices, there remains a need for a tub overflow waste assembly that does not require the use of an exterior tub gasket to accommodate various tub and elbow angles, and that does not require the use of tools to install the waste assembly on the tub. Such an apparatus is disclosed herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A tub waste overflow assembly is disclosed herein that is attachable to a tub wall by means of a threaded retaining body insertable through an overflow drain aperture in a tub wall to engage a cooperatively threaded pipe fitting on the opposite side of the tub wall. According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, a retaining body having an externally threaded end is insertable through a tub overflow waste hole, and is cooperatively alignable with the female end of an oppositely disposed drain pipe fitting outside the tub. A forwardly facing annular flange on the cylindrical retaining body compresses a sealing gasket and washer against the interior tub wall, thereby eliminating the need for a rear tub seal. A fulcrum member is desirably provided on the back side of the tub wall between the tub wall and a facing annular flange on the drain pipe fitting to facilitate connection with the retaining body over a range of angular relationships between the tub wall and the assembled elbow and retaining body. The retaining body preferably has an annular recess disposed between the threads and flange for seating a sealing ring preventing leakage between the drain pipe fitting and the retaining body behind the tub wall.
The internal bore of the retaining body preferably has an integral test plug with an attached handle member having wings projecting toward the tub interior. The wings are useful for manually threading the retaining body into the elbow and for tightening the retaining body and gasket against the tub wall without the need for tools. The test plug and handle member can be removed by knocking them out of the retaining body bore following installation and pressure testing.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a tub waste overflow assembly is provided having a pipe fitting with female threads on the end adjacent the tub and a forwardly facing annular flange with at least one fulcrum member. The fulcrum member contacts the exterior tub wall adjacent to the waste hole and facilitates attachment of the assembly to tub walls over a range of angles between the flange and tub wall without the need for a gasket on the exterior of the tub wall. Most preferably, the forwardly facing annular flange comprises two diametrically opposed fulcrum members projecting outwardly toward the tub. The fitting is most preferably an 83° molded plastic elbow attached to a drain pipe and having female threads on the end nearest the tub, although other fittings and elbows with other included angles can also be used within the scope of the invention. An externally threaded retaining body attachable to the pipe fitting, a chamfered washer, and an annular sealing gasket are preferably provided to produce a fluid-tight seal on the interior surface of the tub wall when the retaining body is inserted partially through the tub waste hole from the inside of the tub, and threaded into engagement with the pipe fitting behind the tub wall. An o-ring seal is preferably provided between the outside surface of the retaining body, forwardly of the threaded section, and the interior of the elbow to prevent any fluid leaking past the threads from wetting the space behind the tub wall.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a removable test plug is molded in place across the mouth of the retaining body to facilitate hydraulic testing following installation, and a molded plastic handle member is attached to the test plug, preferably unitarily molded with the test plug, to facilitate installation of the tub overflow waste assembly without tools. Following hydraulic testing, the test plug and handle member are removable by the application of sufficient force to the handle member to rupture an annular web connecting the test plug to the remainder of the retaining body. Following removal of the test plug and handle member, a cover can be placed over the assembly and attached by any suitable means such as fasteners, biasing members, frictional engagement, and the like.
This apparatus represents a significant and valuable improvement over prior art devices that require the use of an exterior tub gasket to accommodate various tub and elbow angles, and that require the use of tools to install the waste assembly on the tub.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1010469 (1911-12-01), Weaver
patent: 1781719 (1930-11-01), Darling
patent: 2052565 (1936-09-01), Groeniger
patent: 2223365 (1940-12-01), Groeniger
patent: 2243204 (1941-05-01), Groeniger
patent: 4006498 (1977-02-01), Cuschera
patent: 4763510 (1988-08-01), Palmer
patent: 5025509 (1991-06-01), Holt et al.
patent: 5507501 (1996-04-01), Palmer
patent: 5890241 (1999-04-01), Ball
patent: 6192531 (2001-02-01), Fritz et al.
patent: 6209584 (2001-04-01), Huber
Deeds Ted D.
Fritz Kurt M.
Howe Samuel H.
Huson Gregory L.
Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP
LSP Products Group, Inc.
Nguyen Tuan
Ross Monty L.
LandOfFree
Tub overflow waste assembly does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Tub overflow waste assembly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Tub overflow waste assembly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2475632