Plugs Patents (Class 4/295)
  • Patent number: 5819328
    Abstract: A hydrostatic drain plug/outlet assembly comprises a hollow body (1) with an inlet port and an outlet port for connection to a fluid conduit. A slidable valve member (6) is movable between a locked open position and a locked closed position via an intermediate position at which the valve member (6) is urged into sealing engagement with a sealing member (3) by a spring (21) which supports a hydrostatic pressure of predetermined magnitude beyond which excess hydrostatic pressure is relieved by the valve member to prevent fluid overflow in a vessel. The valve member is moved between the locked open position and the locked closed position by rotation of valve member (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Udo Jattke
    Inventor: Mitchell Lee Lewis
  • Patent number: 5799343
    Abstract: An ice protector for absorbing the expansion of ice within a pool skimmer during freezing conditions. The inventive device includes a hollow compressible container having a stopper engagable to the fluid conduit within the skimmer. The stopper is operable to plug the conduit and support the container in a vertical orientation projecting above the waterline such that freezing of the water will compress the container to preclude damage to the skimmer. The device may further include a plurality of extension caps attachable to the container to accommodate various skimmer sizes and to ensure projection of the container above a high waterline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventors: Stanley A. Semco, Joseph J. Tedona
  • Patent number: 5784725
    Abstract: A removable drain closure disclosed has a rigid closure body, a flexible sealing member on one face of the support body and flexible legs connected to the sealing member that support the body for flow past the closure in a first position and move inside a drain to a sealed second position. If the closure is inverted the legs also support the support body to allow for drainage through the drain outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Evelyn S. Joiner
  • Patent number: 5758368
    Abstract: A waste water valve for use in the bottom of a bathtub or the like has a drain insert extending through an opening in the bottom end of the receptacle. A support member extends across the lower end of the drain inset and the vertical post is secured thereto and extends outwardly therefrom. The post has a flat planar surface thereon which intersects with an annular groove adjacent the top of the post. A closure member with a central bore is rotatably mounted on the post and is rotatable with the post when lifted to a position within the annular groove. A washer is secured within the center bore of the closure member and has a circular center bore with a flat segment adjacent thereto to permit the closure member to dwell within the annular groove when the flat segment is out of alignment with the planar surface of the post, but which will permit the closure member to slidably turn relative to the post when the flat surface is in alignment with the planar surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Ball
  • Patent number: 5749105
    Abstract: A drain assembly which improves on the durability, economy and ease of manufacture and maintenance of previous drain assemblies. The drain assembly has a cartridge that threads onto a drain body. A spud or stopper slides up and down along the cartridge to open or close a drain. The improvement lies in a series of flexible structures extending outwardly from the cartridge to generate friction against the inner wall of the spud, holding the spud in the open of closed position. These structures may be finlike structures, bowlike structures, or both. The cartridge with the finlike structures and bowlike structures may be formed of a single piece of flexible plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: James F. Bruno
    Inventors: James F. Bruno, Albert L. Hass
  • Patent number: 5749561
    Abstract: A plug assembly (2) which can be used in a drain, sink or bath (5). The plug (2) is of the pop up type being spring biassed into an open position. The plug (2) includes inter-engaging means for engagement of the plug (2) with a waste pipe (3) and means to permit the movement of the plug (2) relative to the pipe (3), both of which are circumferentially situated so that there is no impediment to fluid moving through the plug (2) and into the pipe (3). The means to bias the plug (2) to the open position includes a spring (18) which is arranged between the exterior of the plug (2) side and the interior of the waste pipe (3), and shoulders (6, 19) formed in each, such that said fluid flowing through the pipe (3) does not contact the spring (18). The plug (2) can be manually operated or operated remotely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Wes Wastes Limited
    Inventor: Albert Edward Worthington
  • Patent number: 5645099
    Abstract: A sewer relief valve (40) made out of a durable plastic material comprises: a raised head or float housing (52) that serves as a gripping means during it's removal and installation; said housing (52) has male threads (53) which circumference the lower vertical exterior of said float housing (52); said housing (52) surrounding a central passageway (58) through which a hydrostatic pressure relieving float (54) may pass unobstructed; a cap (50) attached to an upper portion of float (54) effectively sealing said central passageway (58) and cosmetically dressing up said float housing (52) of said sewer relief valve (40) to give it the appearance of a conventional raised head plug (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignees: Dean L. Eaton, Michael Steele
    Inventors: Dean L. Eaton, Michael L. Steele
  • Patent number: 5640724
    Abstract: A magnetically activated drain plug apparatus employs a permanent magnet placed externally of a plastic or thin non-magnetic drain pipe while another permanent magnet is placed at the lower end of the drain plug. The external magnet can be a ring shaped magnet, a plurality of magnets in a ring held in a support arm or a magnet slideably retained in a rail on the outside of the pipe. The external magnet is operated by a lever linkage or flexible cable that is external to the drain pipe. Moving the external magnet by operating the linkage or the cable attracts or repels the magnet in the drain plug. Consequently, due to the magnetic attraction or repulsion, the drain plug is moved between an open and a closed position. Guide nubs on the interior of the drain pipe and a stem or fins on the drain plug can be interengaged, thereby preventing tilting or rotation of the drain plug while in the up or open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Inventor: John W. Holmes
  • Patent number: 5636390
    Abstract: A combination sink stoppering, surface scrubbing, garbage scooping, garbage stuffing device having a generally horizontally oriented disk-shaped body providing a downfacing surface flange for stoppering a drain of a garbage disposal device. A curved scooper extends vertically downwardly from the body, the scooper providing a curved edge designed to contact a sink surface and scoop garbage from the surface into the scooper. When the garbage collected in the scooper, the scooper is positionable vertically within the drain of the disposal so as to cleanly push the garbage into the disposal comminuting chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Strech
  • Patent number: 5592701
    Abstract: A sink stopper comprises a perforated strainer basket, a sealing member, an upwardly extending handle, and a downwardly depending locating stem. The locating stem comprises a base portion and two substantially parallel spaced-apart co-operating legs that are substantially rigid yet resiliently deformable towards each other. Each peripheral surface comprises an outwardly and upwardly sloped guide surface disposed at the bottom end portion thereof, an outwardly and downwardly sloped grate-contacting surface disposed at the top end portion thereof, and a grate-receiving notch disposed between the guide surface and the grate-contacting surface. The grate-receiving notch includes an upwardly facing catch surface shaped and dimensioned to catch on the grate in interfering relation therewith. The maximum width of the locating stem at the bottom end of the sloped grate-contacting surface is greater than the diameter of the central guiding aperture in the grate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Inventor: Ronald A. Smith
  • Patent number: 5485707
    Abstract: A fitting for relieving hydrostatic pressure under a swimming pool includes a sleeve and an associated removable plug, both of which have planar upper surfaces. Fittings in accordance with the invention are installed in the shallow end of a swimming pool and the plug is manually removed to relieve hydrostatic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Inventor: Kenneth Wilkes
  • Patent number: 5473782
    Abstract: An improved garbage disposal cap for scraping waste from eating wear and sinks that allows safe insertion of waste into the disposal unit. The improved garbage disposal cap is equipped with circular shape which may be constructed of sponge or other materials. Waste is scraped from eating wear and sink and pushed into the disposal unit. The improved disposal cap further acts as a drain cap by pushing the plunger portion thru the disposal and the cap portion sealing over the top of the splash guard. The invention further acts as a disposal guard by resting the scraper-plunger portion on the splash guard with the cap of the invention at sink level allowing for normal use of the sink and water flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: William J. Coakley
    Inventor: William J. Coakley
  • Patent number: 5428847
    Abstract: A drain assembly includes a drain body, a sleeve, a shaft and a plug. The drain body has an axial bore and a transverse cruciform web mounted in the bottom of the bore. The sleeve has an axial bore that is substantially coaxial to the drain body bore. The exterior surface of the sleeve bottom end portion is threaded for engagement with a threaded aperture in the drain body web. The shaft is slidably disposed within the sleeve bore and is retained in the sleeve by a clip. The plug has a threaded axial blind bore for engagement with the threaded outer surface of the shaft top portion and a frustum-like circumferential surface that engages the drain body seating surface to seal the drain body bore. An integral handle longitudinally extending from the top of the plug provides a means for grasping the plug to axially displace the plug to open or close the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: The Kenney Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Edwin F. Atkins, Corrado Mangiafico
  • Patent number: 5363518
    Abstract: A plunger assembly 42, which functions as a popup drain stopper, includes a one-piece plastic body 44 formed with a head 50 at an upper end thereof. A connector 48 is formed at a lower end of body 44. A dome-shaped decorative cap 52 is removably assembled at the upper end of head 50 and is supported by a dome-shaped structural grid 77 formed in the head. Projections 80 extend radially from head 50 and cooperate with an inwardly flared side wall 86 of cap 52 to retain the cap with the head and body 44. Assembly 42 is positioned within a drain assembly 12 which is coupled to a basin 10. Assembly 42 is controlled for movement by lever 62 to raise and lower head 50 relative to a drain opening 27. Head 50 seals opening 27 with a seal washer 56 in a lower position and allows water to flow from the basin in an upper position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Emhart Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Mowery
  • Patent number: 5308405
    Abstract: A method is provided for cleaning a toilet bowl and dissolving mineral deposits in the holes under the rim of the toilet which includes the steps of (a) flushing the toilet to empty the tank and to initiate the flow of refill water into the tank; (b) holding down the flush handle to cause the refill water to continuously flow out of the tank and into the toilet bowl; (c) plugging the drain to cause the water level in the bowl to rise towards the rim; (d) releasing the flush handle when the water in the bowl rises to a height proximate to the top of the bowl to prevent the flow of additional refill water into the bowl; (e) adding to the water in the bowl a cleaning agent to cleanse the bowl, including the area of the bowl under the rim; and (f) unplugging the drain and flushing the toilet to rinse the cleaning agent and water mixture from the bowl. The drain can be plugged with a drain stopper which includes a flexible disc swivably attached to a handle by a hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Inventor: John F. McElroy
  • Patent number: 5226196
    Abstract: A drain stopper including an inverted conical head fixedly and coaxially mounting a single shaft extending upwardly of the head terminating in a shaft head for ease of insertion and removal of the apparatus relative to an associated drain. A modification of the invention includes a stepped conical head to accommodate various diameters of drains, as well as a fluid port structure to project soap and the like within a water environment to enhance amusement and enjoyment of the organization by children.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Inventor: Michael Humlan
  • Patent number: 5224514
    Abstract: A temporary reusable storm drainage conduit plug sized to slidably fit into the end opening of a length of tubular conduit situated within the ground. The device in use prevents dirt and debris from entering the open end of conduit already in place during storm drainage construction and is easily manually removable when the construction is ready to proceed further.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Inventor: James R. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5209257
    Abstract: A vent for relieving pressure in a sewage collection system for buildings characterized by a buoyant float-closure which will easily open in response to fluid pressure to permit escape of gas or liquid from the system upon the build-up in the system of minimum pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure. The float closure is mounted in a threaded plug which is adapted to replace the conventional clean-out plug on the exterior of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Inventor: Clarence E. Baker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5184698
    Abstract: An expandable plug particularly adapted to plug an engine's oil pan drain hole. The expandable plug includes a threaded bolt, a compression plate assembled with the bolt, and a compression nut assembled with the bolt and adapted to bear against the compression plate. A resiliently deformable section of tubing is assembled in slip fit relation with the bolt, the tubing section being axially compressible and radially deformable but not being a specially molded part. With the plug located within the pan's drain hole, tightening of the compression nut causes the tubing section to bulge outwardly into a liquid sealing with the hole, and also to bulge inwardly into liquid sealing relation with the bolt, thereby plugging the drain hole against oil flow therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: SDI Operating Partners, L.P.
    Inventor: Norman D. Coffenberry
  • Patent number: 5115554
    Abstract: A closet flange for mounting a water closet and connecting the water closet to standard plumbing means leading to a soil pipe and vent assembly. The closet flange comprises a cylindrical body with upper and lower body portions and an axial bore. The upper body portion defines the entrance end of the body and supports an exterior annular attachment flange at the entrance end. The lower body portion defines the exit end of the body and is configured to connect with the standard plumbing means. The axial bore is provided with standard pipe threads for threaded engagement by a standard threaded screw plug to close the axial bore and seal the axial bore for air or water testing prior to installation of a water closet on the attachment flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignees: James L. Holman, Donnie R. Fell, Sr.
    Inventor: Donnie R. Fell, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5086522
    Abstract: A drain plug apparatus includes securement to an associated fluid reservoir, wherein the apparatus further includes a pressure nut mounted to the reservoir, with a discharge screw directed through the pressure nut, wherein the discharge screw includes a central conduit cooperative with and in fluid communication with a through-extending head conduit arranged orthogonally relative to the through-extending conduit to direct fluid from the reservoir exteriorly thereof. The discharge screw includes a conical head to be received within a conical seat formed within the pressure nut. The pressure nut may include a boss directed exteriorly of the pressure nut and integral therewith to receive a tube thereabout to permit directing of discharge fluid through an associated flexible tube to be received within an associated container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Inventor: George D. Stofko, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5072461
    Abstract: A movable fitting member such as a bathtub drain stopper can be constructed so as to be useful with different drain fittings which differ by having post holders with different sized openings into which a guide post can be threaded. Such a movable fitting member is constructed so as to use a body having a sleeve located around a post holder and having an enlarged cavity around the post holder within the body. The guide post used is double ended; one end is threaded into the post holder in a drain fitting and the other end is located within the cavity. A nut is located on this other end; it is sufficiently large so that it cannot pass through the sleeve. As a result of this the body cannot normally be separated from the guide post during the use of the fitting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: The Logsdon Foundation
    Inventor: Duane D. Logsdon
  • Patent number: 5038829
    Abstract: The present invention is a sewage clean-out line cover and removable cap made of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene. The interior of the cover carries a plurality of rows of upwardly inclined teeth, the rows being parallel and unconnectable to each other. The teeth comprising each row have a pitch to depth ratio of approximately 1:1. The ratio of the slope of the upper surface of the teeth to the lower surface is 1:1, thus providing a tip for installation over the open end of the upstanding clean-out pipe which tip is flexible for pushing the cover over the open end of the clean-out pipe due to the inherent lubricity of the UHMWPE but which resists removal of the cover by the tips folding over to increase friction against the clean-out pipe outer surface. The cover is usable with cast iron or PVC pipe or any other presently known material used to form sewage clean out pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Inventor: Paul Panella
  • Patent number: 5035266
    Abstract: A mechanical plug device for sealing pipeline access ports having a small threaded inner surface. The mechanical plug device has opposing inner and outer circular plate members. The rigid plate members each have interiorly tapered circumferential shoulders of generally the same predetermined slope. The inner plate member has an inner surface, an outer surface, a central aperture and a central cavity extending inward from the tapered circumferential shoulder. The outer circular plate member has an inner surface, an outer surface, a central aperture and an outwardly extending structure from the tapered circumferential shoulder for movement into the central cavity of the inner plate member. The device further has an elastomeric radially expandable pre-threaded O-ring structure which has an outer circumferential threaded surface configuration. The O-ring structure has a V-shaped bottom cross-section defining inclined surfaces of a predetermined slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Cherne Industries Incorporated
    Inventors: Bryan R. Benson, Marc P. Bevacco
  • Patent number: 4967422
    Abstract: A closet flange protector is set forth to protect and overlie a water closet flange and test plugs during a construction proceeding. The protector includes an inverted cup-shaped member including an upper disk portion provided with spaced diametrically opposed wells. A downwardly depending skirt depends downwardly from the disk and associated wells terminating in a continuous conical skirt. The conical skirt and wells include aligned through-extending apertures for receiving diametrically opposed threaded bolts. The bolts include threaded fasteners received within the wells to secure the well to a floor structure and overlie an associated water closet flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Inventor: Russell R. Novak
  • Patent number: 4926507
    Abstract: A drain closure comprises a drain stopper having a downwardly projecting sleeve, an upwardly extending post loosely received in the sleeve, and structure carrying the post, the sleeve having at least one opening through the side thereof, and a spring carried by the sleeve and having an arm received in that opening to frictionally engage the post, whereby the sleeve, spring and stopper are adjustably movable up and down relative to the post, against frictional force exerted by the spring arm engaging the post as the arm slides relative to the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: American Brass and Aluminum Foundry Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Burnie M. Craig, Roy K. Fujitaki
  • Patent number: 4908883
    Abstract: In a vandal resistant push-pull drain stopper for use with a drain plug of a bathtub or other similar vessel, there is provided a plunger having an inner cylindrical bore, a stem having a reduced portion, an expanded portion and a channeled portion, an O-ring snugly nestled between the stopper and the stem; a cap threadably engaged with the stopper and axially disposed about the upper region of the stem, the cap having a relief inside the hexagonal bore portion thereof so that the stopper freely rotates about the cap by discouraging removal of the cap from the drain stopper; the plunger having a seal radially disposed about the plunger so that when the stopper is in a closed position the seal abuts with the outer periphery of the drain plug thereby sealing the same. The reduced, expanded and channeled portion of the stem permit the drain plug to be open and closed by user and provide tactile "snap in place feel" in the open and close positions while employing only, essentially, two moving parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Price Pfister, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel T. Rivera
  • Patent number: 4908884
    Abstract: A flexible filter drain is disclosed. The drain has a flexible body, a sealing washer, and a rigid brass drain stem with a sealing lip contacting the upper end of the body. The drain stem is held in sealing engagement with the flexible body by means of the cooperative action of an internal stem rib in the body and a rib member on the stem interlocking with the stem rib biased by the upper sealing lip on the stem cooperating with the upper surface of the body. A drain groove in the body provides fluid and contaminant flow through the drain when the lower party of the body and stem are displaced from axial alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: The Aro Corporation
    Inventors: Scott E. John, Jeffrey L. Miller
  • Patent number: 4876749
    Abstract: A twist drain has a cylindrical twist drain element which is mountable on a tail piece and has a holding member and a rotatable member which rotates between open and closed positions to permit and interrupt a flow of fluid through the twist drain, a thread provided between the holding and rotatable members to rotatably connect them with one another, and a seal which prevents penetration of debris and foreign matter to the thread.This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/183,256, filed Apr. 8, 1988, now abandoned, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/068,619, filed on June 30, 1987, now abandoned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: I.W. Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Antoniello
  • Patent number: 4860390
    Abstract: A drainage plug to be used in a bathtub, a basin or the like, wherein the plug is provided with a mechanism for opening or closing a plug cap every time a direct contact of a user with the plug cap through a user's foot or hand is performed. A foot or manual depressing action is applied and a depressing of the plug cap opens or closes the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Inventor: Ikumi Ohta
  • Patent number: 4794654
    Abstract: The sealing stopper has a lid (1) which is set onto a sealing part (2) with a conical sealing surface (8), leaving an annular space (15). At the bottom side of the lid rim (11) is a protrusion with a hemispheric recess, into which an end segment (4) of a chain (3) is set. In this manner, the latter is directly and tightly fastened to the sealing body and has no protruding parts on its upper side which could interfere with use of the stopper in the drain valve of a bathtub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: Geberit AG
    Inventor: Alois Diethelm
  • Patent number: 4764993
    Abstract: A drain valve comprises:(a) a drain body defining a flow port,(b) a drain cover unit movable between a down-position in which the cover closes the port, and an up-position to open the port to drain flow, the cover having a downward projection movable up and down in the port, the projection containing an upwardly extending recess, which opens downwardly,(c) a latching post carried by the drain body and extending upwardly in the recess, so as not to be movable up and down with the cover,(d) a spring anchored to the cover unit to extend downwardly into cooperative relation with the post characterized in that the post and spring yieldably hold the cover unit in centered relation to the body, and the spring also yieldably resists movement of the cover unit to down position,(e) and structure for releasably latching the projection to the post in response to movement of the cover unit to down position, and to unlatch the cover unit in response to tilting of the cover unit in down position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: American Brass & Aluminum Foundry Co. Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Oropallo
  • Patent number: 4751752
    Abstract: A drainhole strainer plug comprising a raised central grating member, a concentric recessed trickle-down member, and a plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Assignee: Lancer Corporation
    Inventor: Leonard G. Ewing
  • Patent number: 4744110
    Abstract: An automatic drain sealer is provided for halting an infestation of insects and gas escapement into a residential or commercial enclosure from a sewer line via a drain of a sink or basin receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Inventor: Dino Ippoliti
  • Patent number: 4733415
    Abstract: An automatic drain sealer is provided for halting an infestation of insects and gas escapement into a residential or commercial enclosure from a sewer line via a drain of a sink or basin receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Inventor: Dino Ippoliti
  • Patent number: 4727604
    Abstract: An improved stopper arrangement is provided, for use with a remote stopper actuating mechanism having a mechanical lever system for raising a central post to which the waste stopper is attached. The improved stopper has a central spindle to which is attached the circular stopper disc by means of which the waste is sealed. A set of guidance vanes located beneath the stopper disc and serving to center it in the waste aperture is separably secured by locking means to the actuating spindle in variable height relationship to the stopper mechanism independently of the stopper. Special cranked tools provide access to the locking means, to preclude vandalization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Inventor: S. G. Petursson
  • Patent number: 4683597
    Abstract: A drain plug for sealing the waste and overflow drain assemblies during construction and system testing. A threaded bolt extends through a rubber washer. The bolt is screwed into a tapped hole in the shoe assembly of the drain, providing a secure plug that will not blow out during system testing. A sleeve may be employed on the bolt to allow ease of access to the bolt when deep drains are plugged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Inventors: William R. Taylor, Jr., Robert L. Taylor, Richard H. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4620330
    Abstract: Plastic plumbing joint assemblies of a universal nature are made available by this invention to provide with a single coupling unit construction a variety of different functions including clean-out access, pipe end dust covers or vents, drain assemblies, threaded pipe to plastic couplings, flush floor or wall mount, snap-in friction fit or permanent solvent welded installation, etc. The integral plastic plumbing coupling joint unit has an internally threaded barrel assembly and outside smooth cylindrical surface mating inside a plastic pipe. If flush fit thereon, a thin rim circumferential flange fits on a floor surface with a flush removable center closure plug for flush mount on a wall. A lower skirt below the threaded barrel presenting a smooth cylindrical inner surface can receive a plastic pipe internally. A thin cover plate or drain plate can be held on by one screw for flush floor mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1986
    Assignee: Plastic Oddities, Inc.
    Inventor: Lewis B. Izzi, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4597112
    Abstract: A drain fitting for bathtubs, sinks or the like has an annular body and a closure member which may be seated against the inlet end of a drain passage through the body. A stem extends from the closure member through a guide element within the drain passage and a spring acts between the stem and guide element to apply sealing pressure to the seated closure member. The closure member may be manually pulled outwardly from the body against the force of the spring and turned angularly to latch the member at an open position when fluid is to be drained. The positive sealing force generated by the spring minimizes or avoids leakage under conditions where the forces of gravity and pressure from overlying liquid may be inadequate for the purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Inventor: Casper Cuschera
  • Patent number: 4596057
    Abstract: A draining plug device includes a plug lid which opens and closes a draining port and is installed on a support provided in a water drainage cylinder, a remote operating portion which is directly connected to the support and the plug lid by means of a flexible wire-like connection, and an opening and closing holding mechanism which provides guidance and support so that an operational force generated by pushing down on the remote operating portion is transmitted to the support and the plug lid. The plug lid can be alternated between an opened state and a closed state by pushing down on the operating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Inventors: Ikumi Ohta, Shinobu Ito
  • Patent number: 4594739
    Abstract: A floor drain for hazardous environments comprises a grating, a housing, and an elastic one-way valve clamped by a flange between the grating and the housing. The valve has a tubular body with contacting parallel wall portions which open when a liquid enters the valve. The valve closes when there is no pressure at the inlet. The valve closes more tightly in the event of elevated down stream pressure, positively preventing the escape of gas. An existing, unprotected drain can be retrofitted with the one-way valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Inventors: Brian R. Watts, Robert E. Carlton
  • Patent number: 4586203
    Abstract: A sink strainer assembly includes a strainer body adapted to fit in the drain opening of a sink having a threaded bore and an annular shoulder in its interior, a strainer basket having a bottom wall formed with a bore, a post formed with a top handle, a bottom threaded portion and a reduced diameter middle portion, and a rubber stopper having a bore of the same diameter as the middle portion of the post. The strainer basket is mounted to the post by inserting the post through the bore in the strainer basket so that its top handle extends atop the bottom wall and the middle section of the post extends beneath the bottom wall. The rubber stopper is then forced over the threaded bottom portion of the post and seats within the middle portion in contact with the underside of the strainer basket to mount the strainer basket to the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Assignee: Fort Recovery Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Westgerdes
  • Patent number: 4577349
    Abstract: An outlet valve comprising a vertical outlet tube mounted inside a fixed tubular casing, a horizontal yoke engaging a collar encircling the fixed tubular casing, and a vertical rod which is revolved to move the yoke in the horizontal plane as means of revolving the collar to lower the outlet tube to the closed position or to raise the outlet tube to the open position. The outlet tube is lowered and raised by the movement of a cam pin in cam slots in the outlet tube and fixed casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Inventor: John E. Clegg
  • Patent number: 4539718
    Abstract: A drainpipe straining device can be attached either through an existing cleanout hole within the drainpipe or can be releasably secured to the drainpipe through a radial hole formed in the pipe. The device includes a plug member having substantially axially extending bristles. The shank of the plug member may be received within the bore of a cleanout hole already provided in a drain structure, or releasably received within a bore formed in a ring adapted to be secured to a radial hole drilled into the drainpipe. The ring member can be secured by strap means to the drainpipe and held in place thereon to releasably receive the plug. Solid materials will be received and collected by the bristles on the drain plug and can be removed from the drainpipe simply by removing and cleaning the plug and associated bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Inventor: Richard L. Haer
  • Patent number: 4504996
    Abstract: An improved garbage disposal utensil for use with a garbage disposal. A circular member is provided which has a stopper lip to seal the disposal drain hole and flexible lobes on the circular member to hold the lip out of sealing relationship with the drain hole. A recessed handle is provided in a recess on the upper side of the circular member and a scraper blade is provided on the lower side of the circular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Assignee: Stanley M. Weir
    Inventor: Evelyn J. Loos
  • Patent number: 4457030
    Abstract: A waste outlet fitting for a bath, basin, sink or the like comprises a tubular body in which a plug is captively mounted. The plug includes a part-spherical periphery which is complementary to a part-spherical seat formed in the tubular body. The plug may be rotated between the closed position shown and an open position in which the plug member stands up-right within the tubular body by application of finger pressure to the edge of the plug. The tubular body may comprise an outer tubular member and insert member as illustrated, or may be in the form of an integral plastics moulding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Inventor: Russell D. Burry
  • Patent number: 4420844
    Abstract: An improved drain valve is disclosed for selectively sealing a conduit. The drain valve comprises a drain housing installed in a bathtub or the like, latching means threadedly coupled to the housing and a combination drain stopper and actuator coupled to the latching means. A locking member coupled to the latching means is adapted to allow the latching means to threadedly engage the drain housing, but prevent disengagement therefrom, without the use of a tool specially made to release the locking member. Upon release of the locking member by use of the tool, the latching means and combination drain stopper and actuator may be disengaged from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Assignee: Rapid Fit Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Puckett, Wanda F. Baird, Richard C. Chappell
  • Patent number: 4412361
    Abstract: A selectively sealable drain fitting includes a tubular drain body having a spider in the lower end thereof. An upwardly extending rectangular post is joined to the center of the spider, and is provided with a lateral slot in one face thereof and an oblique camming surface directly superjacent thereto. A drain sealing cover is provided with a downwardly depending hollow tubular portion which is received about the rectangular post and maintained in an eccentric disposition thereabout by an eccentric lip extending laterally from the upper end of the post. A latch pin extending laterally through the tubular portion of the cover engages the camming surface and the slot in the post in detent fashion. A button actuator extends upwardly from the center of the cover, and is connected to an arm which is slidably disposed within a slot in the bore of the tubular member. The drain fitting is sealed by urging the cover downwardly so that the latch pin is engaged by the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1983
    Inventor: Casper Cuschera
  • Patent number: 4381569
    Abstract: An adjustable drain plug for use in sinks and lavatories especially to replace a previous drain plug which is either lost or broken. The drain plug comprises an elongated, flexible plastic or rubber stopper which removably fits into the hole in the drain and has a flanged top covered by a rigid top cover of metal or plastic. An elongated drain member is preferably constructed in a sleeve formation in two sections and receiving a threaded stud attached to the head and also adjustably threaded into the top of the member with a lock nut thereon. The two sections are adjustable being connected by a threaded stud and there is an adjustable foot on the bottom of the member either in the form of a flat disc or a hook. Alternatively, the stopper may be formed in four tapered sections which may be screwed down and over the top of the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1983
    Inventor: J. Richard Ingram
  • Patent number: 4380834
    Abstract: A pop-up plunger for selectively closing a generally cylindrical waste drain pipe having a seat at one end and a closure actuator remote from the seat, the plunger comprises a head portion including sealing means for engaging the seat for closing the waste drain pipe. The plunger also includes a support portion which extends from the head portion into the waste drain pipe. The support portion engages the closure actuator for axial displacement of the plunger relative to the waste drain pipe for opening and closing the waste drain pipe and includes guide means projecting into close proximity to the waste drain pipe for guiding the axial displacement of the plunger. The guide means provides at least one drain passage past the plunger to afford communication from the seat to a drain through the waste drain pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1983
    Inventor: Frederick E. Wentz