Of Receptor Patents (Class 4/613)
  • Patent number: 8918926
    Abstract: A one piece shower drain pan, encapsulated in a water proof membrane, wherein one embodiment provides a one piece shower pan which includes a recessed drain portion supporting a square insert made of pvc or poly vinyl material which includes a plurality of drain channels extending from the outer edge of each wall of the insert into the recessed drain portion. The insert would be covered by tile members similar to the tiles of the shower floor, so to provide the visual effect of no drainage opening in the floor of the shower. There would be provided a perimeter water flow space between the side edges of the tiles covering the insert and the edges of the surrounding tiles, so that water flowing onto the floor of the shower would flow through the perimeter water flow space, through the drain channels and into the main drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Inventor: Avery Scott Herring
  • Publication number: 20140331403
    Abstract: A shower base for a shower assembly comprising a floor, a drain cavity, and a transition. The floor includes an end and at least one side. The drain cavity is disposed at the end, and the drain cavity is recessed downwardly relative to the floor to capture water therein. The transition connects the end of the floor to a portion of the drain cavity. The transition comprises a first section having a compound radius that varies in size along the first section, wherein the first section extends outwardly from a vertex to the at least one side of the floor, and where the first section is directly connected to the end of the floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventor: John Kenneth Adams
  • Publication number: 20140317841
    Abstract: A combination for plumbing fixtures, particularly tiled floors with drains, is disclosed along with a method for building a tile floor using the combination. An exemplary combination includes a substantially planar shower tray bonding disk on a flooring substrate and surrounded by a prefabricated polymer foam shower tray on the flooring substrate and at the circumference of the bonding disk. The disk includes an interior rim that defines a drain opening and a plurality of slotted openings for permitting mortar to penetrate the disk. The drain opening in the disk can thus be positioned at a drain cut out in the flooring substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: William M. DeJesus, Peter Nielsen, Larry Meyers
  • Patent number: 8869321
    Abstract: A wall panel holder for a shower pan which comprises a holding body including first and second spaced apart sidewalls. The sidewalls define a holding gap between them which is sized and shaped to permit a lower part of a wall panel to be snuggly received by it. the holding gap is located away from a perimeter wall of the shower pan so as to hold the wall panel away from the perimeter wall and to allow water to flow between the perimeter wall and under the lower part of the wall panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Maax Bath Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Donnelly, Pierre Alexandre Hamel
  • Publication number: 20140304907
    Abstract: A floor support structure for a bathtub or a shower tray floor, taking the form of a separate element to be used in conjunction with a traditional bathtub or shower tray floor, or as a unitary shower tray floor formed with the support structure integrated therein. The supports include a hollow plastic shell having a lower surface for lying on a planar subfloor, an upper surface contoured to the desired shape and a peripheral sidewall extending there between. Preferably, a drain hole is formed in the plastic shell which also interconnects the upper and lower surfaces thereby defining a hollow interior cavity. The cavity is filled with expandable thermoplastic foam beads which are expanded in place with steam in order to substantially fill the interior cavity thermally bonding the beads together and to the shell interior wall. The expanded foam bead is capable of being compressed without substantial permanent set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventor: Richard W. Roberts, JR.
  • Patent number: 8856980
    Abstract: The invention relates to a one-piece shower pan with no openings for water leakage, other than the drain hole, and designed for easy installation of tiles of various thicknesses. The shower pan comprises a drain hole designed to fit a conventional drain pipe such that when the conventional drain pipe is fastened to the shower pan, the conventional drain pipe extends ½ to 2 inches above the bottom of the shower pan. In this way, when cement or other adhesive is floated on the interior surface of the shower pan, tiles of varying thickness can be installed in such a manner that the top surface of the tiles are substantially flush with the top portion of the conventional drain pipe. The shower pan also has a waterdam with a fin extending vertically on the outer edge of the waterdam as added protection against water migration outside the shower pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: Leonard Eriksson
  • Patent number: 8844068
    Abstract: A shower drain adapter configured to allow use of a bondable waterproof membrane with a shower pan drain system comprises a drain body and a lower mating flange extending from the drain body. The lower mating flange is operable to mate with an upper portion of a body of a shower pan drain installable on a waste pipe. An integrated bonding flange extends from the drain body and is operable to be sealably attached to a bondable waterproof membrane to provide a waterproof seal between the membrane and the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Schluter Systems L.P.
    Inventor: Lonnie C. DeGooyer
  • Publication number: 20140259370
    Abstract: A shower threshold and a method of implementing a shower threshold are disclosed. The shower threshold includes an elongated base component having one or more sidewalls extending from a base region of the elongated base component to an apex of the elongated base portion. The shower threshold also includes a flexible cap coupled to and extending from the elongated base component along the apex of the elongated base component. The flexible cap may be composed of a plurality of layers. The plurality of layers includes a core layer and a shell layer. The core layer is composed of a material that is softer than the shell layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Matthew Joseph Ball, Weerasak Taingtae
  • Publication number: 20140259371
    Abstract: A shower pan provides a shower floor adjoining a surrounding bathroom floor with no raised lip, curb or other obstruction between the two. This allows easy wheeled access for the disabled and comprises a drain plate in combination with an underlayment, which provide a gradual slope from a surrounding floor to a drain and supported on unmodified joists with upper surfaces in the same plane as surrounding bathroom floor joists.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Fin-Pan, Inc.
    Inventors: Lisa K. Schaffer, Ryan D. Schaffer, Jason T. Clear
  • Patent number: 8833387
    Abstract: A floor drain having a drainage gutter and a detachable cover that is firmly attached to the floor drain and configured to hold a tile that complements or accents the tile in the shower, the surrounding floor, or the floor plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventors: Timothy Lucas, Kent Charles Curley
  • Patent number: 8819876
    Abstract: An example shower assembly includes a mount for removeably securing and supporting an accessory item to a shower wall. The mounts are permanently attached to the shower wall and are spaced apart a set desired distance. Slots on the accessory item receive the mounts to support the accessory item firmly and substantially rigidly to the shower wall. Removal of the accessory item is performed by lifting to allow installation of another accessory item as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Peter Dabrowski, Michael Krushlin
  • Patent number: 8813273
    Abstract: A waste outlet unit cover for a waste water outlet unit for a shower tray, the cover comprising a non-screw threaded attachment arrangement by which the cover can be securely and releasably attached to the waste water outlet unit. A waste water outlet unit having such a cover is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: DLP Limited
    Inventor: Robert William Stimpson
  • Publication number: 20140230140
    Abstract: A tile-ready shower base system including a composite curb, and methods of manufacturing and installing the same. A sloped structural core is provided having a top side and a bottom side. A first waterproof panel or coating is applied to the top side and a second waterproof panel or coating is applied to the bottom side. A thin fiberglass flange is provided about at least a portion of the perimeter of the core to create a lip. The basin further includes a first hole or recess formed into the basin, which does not extend through the basin, and a second hole, axially aligned with the first, which does extend through the basin, for directly receiving and coupling a drain therein. The composite curb is provided along at least one side of the basin. Optionally, a compressible soft material or cushioned layer can be applied over the first waterproof panel of the sloped structural core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: DAVIS INTELLECTUAL ASSETS, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas A. DAVIS, JR.
  • Patent number: 8789217
    Abstract: A method of installing a prefabricated tileable shower bench includes placing a seating member which defines at least one peripheral edge, and at least one sidewall depending downwardly therefrom, in a shower enclosure space. The sidewall has an upper edge and a lower edge, The upper edge is connected along a corresponding peripheral edge of the seating member, The lower edge terminates at a height above the ground which is the same as or slightly greater than the height of a corresponding sidewall of a prefabricated shower module. The lower edge of the downwardly depending sidewall is situated substantially in registry with an upper edge of the prefabricated shower module sidewall, which lies in a plane that is substantially contiguous with a plane formed by the downwardly depending sidewall of the bench. The combination provides a contiguous surface over which finishing material such as shower tile may be installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Inventor: Joseph R. Cook
  • Publication number: 20140201902
    Abstract: A washing-area drainage trough comprises a sloping-walled drainage channel having a water flow surface defining at least one fall, at least two predefined recessed waste-water outlet locators in the water flow surface, and at least one bridging element locatable in at least one of the recessed waste-water outlet locators. The bridging element has an upper surface which lies flush or substantially flush with at least a portion of the water flow surface to define a smooth or substantially smooth flow path transition between the water flow surface of the drainage channel and the bridging element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: DLP LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert William STIMPSON, Mark Ian LUXTON
  • Publication number: 20140157513
    Abstract: A shower pan (10), preferably having rectangular planform includes a central drain (20) that is centered in a floor portion that inclines at a shallow angle (i.e., 3 degrees or so) to front and back sides and opposite ends. The floor portion and includes a shallow channel (46) along the front edge of the shower pan (10) into which all or substantially all water is drained to a second channel (48) into a central drain (20). An apertured grill or cover plate assembly (36) is mounted in the channels and serves as a cover for the various channels. The shower pan (10) is typically installed so that a sill surface (50) is at the same elevation as the pre-existing floor (52) to provide an entry that does not have any type of ‘trip’ points or obstructions that could pose a hazard to the useror impede assistive aids, such as walkers or wheeled chairs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventor: Ryan L. Whitinger
  • Patent number: 8739325
    Abstract: A shower unit including a shower receiver (1) and a pumping device (2), whereby the shower receiver (1) includes a first portion (100) forming the shower tray and a second portion formed by a recess (120). The aforementioned pumping device (2) is positioned in the recess (120) of the receiver (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Societe Francaise d'Assainissement—SFA
    Inventor: Victor Jean Ballestra
  • Publication number: 20140130248
    Abstract: A water-resistant, flexible sealing member having a lower portion, a central lateral portion, and an upper portion offset from the lower portion, the lower portion including an adhesive for affixing the sealing member to a facing of a tile flange of a shower base or bathtub. The central lateral portion of the sealing member contacts and overlies an upper edge of the tile flange and the upper portion extends upwardly from the tile flange. The sealing member contacts and seals against the tile flange and a bottom wall of a drywall board positioned above the tile flange to inhibit ingress of water between the tile flange and the bottom wall of the drywall board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: E.L. Mustee & Sons, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin F. Mustee
  • Patent number: 8677521
    Abstract: A former creates a sloping profile for waste-water run off below a waterproof floor covering of a shower area. The former is made of a molded or cast plastics material and has sloping surfaces converging to define an integral linear drainage trough having upstanding side walls and a base, the base of the trough containing at least one predefined drainage hole for connection to a shower waste. The former may be covered with a flexible waterproof floor covering, the covering placed between the sides of the trough and a support frame, and retained in position by fasteners through the frame and trough. A perforated drainage cover is mounted on and secured to the support frame by fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: DLP Limited
    Inventor: Robert William Stimpson
  • Publication number: 20140075666
    Abstract: A support for supporting a shower pan is provided. The support comprises an expanded polypropylene tray defining a cavity, an intermediate layer made of oriented strand board and disposed with the cavity, and a top layer made of expanded polystyrene foam disposed with the cavity and having a contoured top surface substantially matching the contoured underside of the shower pan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: SONOCO DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Campbell, Ajit Ranade
  • Patent number: 8661574
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a drain which comprises an inlet member (1), a grating (13) or cover plate laid loosely or detachably on top of the inlet member, and an outlet member (2). To achieve a short line of contact between the surface covering's sealing layer (6) and the drain while at the same time the sealing layer is fastened by means of a clamping ring (5) or a bonding flange, thereby reducing the risk of leakage and affording the possibility of connecting an aesthetically more pleasing inlet member (1), the inlet member (1) takes the form of an elongate or trilateral plate-like element (11) disposed on top of the sealing layer or the sealing layer (6) and the clamping ring (5) and provided with a recess (12) for flow communication with the outlet member (2). The present invention relates also to an inlet member (1) for a drain as above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Purus AB
    Inventor: Hakan Larsson
  • Publication number: 20140041112
    Abstract: Methods for creating mortar-bed or other handmade tileable shower pan assemblies are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: procuring a pre-manufactured molded trench; integrally connecting a standard drain to the trench to form a one-piece trench and standard drain assembly; and installing a mortar-bed or other handmade shower pan in conjunction with the prefabricated trench and standard drain. A mortar-bed or other handmade tileable shower pan is also disclosed which, in one embodiment, comprises: a molded prefabricated trench; a standard drain attached to the trench subsequent to the manufacture of the trench to form a one-piece trench and standard drain assembly; the prefabricated trench and standard drain being incorporated into a mortar bed or other handmade tileable shower pan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventor: Joseph R. Cook
  • Publication number: 20140033424
    Abstract: Methods of assembling and installing prefabricated shower pan assemblies with premanufactured trenches, and resulting structures, including providing a prefabricated trench; providing a standard drain to be connected to the trench; attaching the standard drain to the trench to produce a pre-manufactured trench and standard drain assembly; providing a pre-fabricated shower pan floor; and installing the prefabricated shower pan floor adjacent the trench body, thereby forming a partially prefabricated shower pan assembly having a trench and standard drain. In another embodiment, a trench cover and supporting structure are provided. Partially prefabricated shower pan bases including a premanufactured shower pan floor comprised of one or more pieces, a pre-manufactured trench to be integrally connected to one or more of the floor pieces, the trench defining a trench floor; a standard drain connected to an aperture in the trench floor; and a standard drain attached to a waste pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventor: Joseph R. Cook
  • Publication number: 20140033423
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing prefabricated shower pans with standard trench drains, and resulting structures. In one embodiment, a shower pan is comprised of a floor, one or more sidewalls and a recessed trench, which may or may not all be manufactured simultaneously to form a water proof module. Other features, such as one or more curbs, may be integrated into the pan during manufacture by modifying the molding tool. In another embodiment, a variety of pre-manufactured trenches to act as stand alone linear drains which can be combined with shower pan components after manufacture are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventor: Joseph R. Cook
  • Publication number: 20140033425
    Abstract: Methods for creating tileable shower pans and resulting apparatus. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a tileable shower pan comprises the steps of: forming, through CNC lathing, a shower pan with a tileable shower pan floor containing a trench with a trench floor; selecting one or more additional tileable shower pan components selected from a group consisting of a standard drain, one or more sidewalls, one or more curbs, and one or more barrier free entrances; providing an aperture in the trench floor; and attaching a standard drain to the aperture in the trench at the time the trench is formed or any time thereafter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventor: Joseph R. Cook
  • Patent number: 8640390
    Abstract: A decorative strip (10; 40; 60; 80; 100; 120; 150; 180; 230; 260; 290) for ceramic, natural stone or synthetic coverings or coatings, in particular for the formation of walk-in showers with a sloped floor, comprising a decorative strip profile (12; 42; 62; 82; 102; 122; 152; 182; 232; 262; 292) having a visible decorative surface (16; 50; 70; 92; 142; 164; 196; 236; 274; 302), characterized in that the decorative strip (10; 40; 60; 80; 100; 120; 150; 180; 230; 260; 290) has a holding profile (14; 44; 64; 84; 104; 124; 154; 184; 234; 264; 294) in which the decorative strip profile (12; 42; 62; 82; 102; 122; 152; 182; 232; 262; 292) is retained height-adjustably so as to vary the height of its visible decorative surface (16; 50; 70; 92; 142; 164; 196; 236; 274; 302).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Schlueter-Systems KG
    Inventor: Werner Schlueter
  • Publication number: 20130326806
    Abstract: A trench drain with a trench body and a grate for use with a flush-threshold or low-threshold shower. The trench body is rectangular, with a drain hole positioned in the bottom. Front and back flanges extend from the bottom of the front and back sides for an absolute flush installation of the trench drain to the shower body and the bathroom flooring. The trench body may extend under the shower walls on each side. A grate fits into the top of the trench body onto a lip or edge on the interior of the front and back sides. Protrusions may extend inward to help provide support and stability for the grate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: SCOTT STONECIPHER, WILL RICE, RICHARD MILLARD
  • Publication number: 20130318705
    Abstract: A tile installation comprises a plurality of surface tiles installed upon a surface, the plurality of surface tiles defining a perimeter area that at least partially circumscribes a drain area. A drain fitting is installed within the drain area. A frame is in fluid communication with the drain fitting, the frame including: i) an at least partially horizontal support surface; and ii) installation block receiving structure, with which an installation block can be mated. A drain tile support is removably fittable within the frame, the drain tile support including an upper surface to which a drain tile can be attached, and at least one support feature extending away from the upper surface and restable upon the support surface of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Schluter Systems L.P.
    Inventors: Reinhard H. Plank, Sean P. Gerolimatos
  • Publication number: 20130318704
    Abstract: A tile installation comprises a plurality of surface tiles installed upon a surface, the plurality of surface tiles defining a perimeter area that adjoins a drain area. An elongate drain pan is installed within the drain area and is fluidly coupled via at least one outlet to a drainage system to allow flow of liquid to the drainage system. The drain pan includes: an at least partially horizontal support surface; and ii) a drain pan wall having an interior face. An elongate drain tile support is removably fittable within the drain pan, the drain tile support including an upper surface to which one or more drain tiles are attached, and at least one support leg extending downwardly from the upper surface and being restable upon the support surface of the drain pan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Schluter Systems L.P.
    Inventor: Reinhard H. Plank
  • Patent number: 8596021
    Abstract: The invention is a modular wall system and floor system for bathrooms, gang showers or any other room space having at least one generally 90 degree room corner with a first wall panel on one of the two intersecting room walls of said room corner intersecting and joining to a second wall panel on the other intersecting room wall. Each embodiment of the invention features a plurality of spring clips that together with a plurality of globs of adhesive form a room corner attaching means for wall panels or other wall members that intersect one another in a generally 90 degree room corner that provides a tight, closely abutting fit between the adjacent, perpendicularly intersecting panels or members in the room corner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Best Bath Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Van Ravenhorst
  • Patent number: 8566976
    Abstract: An adjustable drain assembly is provided. The assembly includes a base that has a concave inner pivoting surface and a top surface. An upper member is present and has a bottom surface located above the top surface. The upper member may have a concave inner pivoting surface. A pivot component may be present and have a convex outer pivoting surface that engages the concave inner pivoting surface of the base and upper member. The pivot component may be configured for engagement with a cover member. The base may have a pipe engagement surface for engagement with a pipe that is located completely below the pivot component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Leveler Specifics, LLC
    Inventors: Jesse R. Evans, Bruce D. Niemitalo
  • Publication number: 20130276226
    Abstract: In one embodiment a shower pan is comprised of a floor, one or more sidewalls and a recessed trough, which are all manufactured simultaneously to form a water proof module. Other features, such as one or more curbs, may be integrated into the pan during manufacture by modifying the molding tool. In another embodiment, a variety of pre-manufactured trenches to act as stand alone linear drains which can be combined with shower pan components after manufacture are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Joseph R. Cook, Phillip Roth, Benjamin A. Neff, James W. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 8561224
    Abstract: A bathroom floor module is used in conjunction with a fully or partially curbless, handicapped-accessible, waterproof shower module. The bathroom floor module defines one or more drain apertures to mate with a bathroom floor drain. The bathroom floor module and shower module mate to define a contiguous surface over which a bathroom floor and/or wall tile can be applied to create a transition between the bathroom floor and shower over which a wheelchair can be easily rolled. Installation of the handicapped accessible shower comprises installing the shower module, by adhering the bathroom floor module on the bathroom floor, placing an edge of the bathroom floor module in registry with an edge of the shower module, sealing the joint formed between the edges of the shower and bathroom modules, and installing a finishing surface material over the floor and sidewalls of the shower module, and over the bathroom floor module and threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventor: Joseph B. Cook
  • Publication number: 20130239319
    Abstract: A threshold assembly for mounting to a barrier free access shower, the threshold assembly having a primary barrier having a top face and opposing side faces and a secondary barrier having a flat portion and a vertical portion. The secondary barrier is mounted to a barrier free side of a barrier free access shower pan and the primary barrier being engaged with the barrier free side of the barrier free access shower pan so that the primary barrier substantially encloses the secondary barrier when the primary barrier is fully engaging the barrier free side, and, at least a portion of the primary barrier may be moved to expose the secondary barrier and the barrier free side of the barrier free access shower pan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: LUXURY BATH LINERS, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Serina, Callie J. Kincaid, Jody L. Factor
  • Patent number: 8505130
    Abstract: A bath apparatus or a shower machine includes a housing and a showerhead mounted therein. The housing includes a door opening where a door body is installed. The housing has an egg-shell shape with the door opening provided at a front side and a back panel provided at a rear side. A slide rail fixedly connected to an inside wall of the housing, extends from a rear end that is fixed to the back panel to a front end at the door opening. The front end of the slide rail includes a locking clip body that matches a locking clip socket fixed on the housing. A sliding block is installed on the slide rail and fixedly connected to a supporting rod. A top end of the supporting rod is hinge jointed to the door body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventors: Zhongxian Wang, Hanlin Wang
  • Patent number: 8505131
    Abstract: A trench drain system and method of installation thereof on a level floor surface. An elongate channel member is placed on the floor surface. A preformed elongate sloping member having a thick end tapering to a thin end in inserted into the channel with its thin end closest to the channel drain opening, thereby forming an inclined sloping surface. A grate extends over the channel inlet. The area adjacent the channel is filled to the height of the channel, whereby water thereon flows through the grate into the channel, along the inclined surface and out through the drain opening. The channel can be placed adjacent a vertical wall whereby wall tile may be installed over a channel top edge. The floor area adjacent the channel is filled with preformed sloping sheet members or with plastically formable material positioned at an incline using a floor height setting post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Perimedrain Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Mark E. Doolittle, Jeffrey Harmon
  • Patent number: 8474068
    Abstract: A shower trench drain apparatus includes a shower trench drain body of polymeric material having an integrally-formed drain channel with angled bottom surface and drain opening or openings, a waterproof membrane over the drain body, a clamp ring retaining the membrane to the drain body, and a grate adjustably retained to the drain body by a height adjustment mechanism. The trench drain body formed from a block of material such as PVC or ABS, which are compatible with approved plumbing materials and codes. The block has a flat bottom adapted for horizontal support during installation and includes integrally-formed features facilitating adjustment during installation while minimizing components and separate parts and simplicity of installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Noble Company
    Inventors: Paul S. Kik, Sr., Paul S. Kik, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8474069
    Abstract: A shower pan (10), preferably having rectangular planform includes a central drain (20) that is centered in a floor portion that inclines at a shallow angle (i.e., 3 degrees or so) to front and back sides and opposite ends. The floor portion and includes a shallow channel (46) along the front edge of the shower pan (10) into which all or substantially all water is drained to a second channel (48) into a central drain (20). An apertured grill or cover plate assembly (36) is mounted in the channels and serves as a cover for the various channels. The shower pan (10) is typically installed so that a sill surface (50) is at the same elevation as the pre-existing floor (52) to provide an entry that does not have any type of ‘trip’ points or obstructions that could pose a hazard to the user or impede assistive aids, such as walkers or wheeled chairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Mti Whirlpools, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan L. Whitinger
  • Publication number: 20130061388
    Abstract: Disclosed is a shower base for a space-limited room. The base includes a floor and two rear perimeter portions orthogonally connected at a first junction. The rear perimeter portions are sized and shaped to locate the shower base into a corner of the room. Two front perimeter portions are connected respectively to the two rear perimeter portions at second and third junctions at first and second inner angles each greater than ninety degrees. A third front perimeter portion interconnects the two front perimeter portions at fourth and fifth junctions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: MAAX BATH INC.
    Inventor: Nicolas Lebrun
  • Publication number: 20130061387
    Abstract: Provided is a shower drain cover configured to enhance the aesthetic appeal of a shower surface having a drainage opening formed therein. It is understood that shower surfaces are typically formed from a design material, such as tile or stone. Accordingly, the shower drain cover includes a design cavity sized and configured to receive a portion of the design material such that the drain cover will more effectively blend into the design surface to enhance the overall appearance of the shower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Michael A. Stetson, Robert Weiss
  • Patent number: 8393021
    Abstract: A non-flexible floor covering adaptor is provided for use with a shower tray (10) having a peripheral trough (18) and means for engaging flexible floor covering material in the trough (18). The adaptor (30) comprises a first profiled portion (32) locatable in the trough (18) of the shower tray (10); a second profiled portion (34) which matches or substantially matches a peripheral edge of the shower tray (10), and a floor flange (36) for engagement with non-flexible floor covering material, such as tiles or boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: DLP Limited
    Inventors: Robert William Stimpson, Mark Luxton
  • Patent number: 8375479
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for recycling wasted heat using waste hot water that includes: a tub that charges and discharges waste hot water; a heat exchange unit that transfers the heat of waste hot water to cold water supplied to a shower bat; and an upper cover that the open upper portion of the tub, and is friendly to the environment by reducing the amount of fuel consumed to supply hot water and it is possible to reduce the fuel cost by the reduced amount of fuel consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Gomyung-Enertech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong Il Kim
  • Patent number: 8375480
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a leak-proof shower module suitable for use in constructing a tiled shower is implemented in one embodiment when a manufacturer provides a tool for creating the leak-proof shower module. The tool includes a cavity portion and a core portion which define a shape corresponding to the shape of the shower module. Next, the manufacturer inserts at least one form into the tool between the cavity portion and the core portion at a location corresponding to a drain aperture, injects a polymeric material into the tool to produce the shower module, and removes the shower module from the tool while retaining the form in place. In one embodiment, the manufacturer clamps the shower module to a rigid surface such that the module is prevented from flexing and the drain aperture rests in a hole in the rigid surface, and cools the shower module while retaining the form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Tile Redi, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph R. Cook
  • Patent number: 8347426
    Abstract: A shower device level with a surrounding floor includes a surface for recovering waste water combined with an element for draining the water. The recovery surface includes a tub embedded in the floor, whose peripheral edge, over all or part of its periphery, is essentially flush with the floor, and a detachable support element, forming the shower floor, essentially at a level with the surrounding floor, in an operative position, so as to form a surface continuity between the latter and the detachable support element. The peripheral edge of the tub includes a preferably flat seat surface, and the tub is supported in a recess of the floor at least by the seat surface that rests on a belt of the recess at a level below that of the surrounding floor, and the seat surface extends by a raised surface whose upper edge is essentially flush with the surrounding floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Societe Nouvelle Jedo
    Inventor: Jacques Valdenaire
  • Publication number: 20130000034
    Abstract: A superstructure system for a drain located in the floor region of a wash area or shower stall, including a cover box which is to be placed over the drain and has a closed rear side and top and end faces connecting the rear side and the top, a side which is open toward the drain and a visible side which is open toward the water collection element of the drain, and in which a cover flap (10) is vertically oriented, the lower face of which, when installed, delimits a drain slot of the superstructure system and is connected to the cover box by way of a hinge so as to be horizontally pivotable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: wedi GmbH
    Inventor: Stephan WEDI
  • Publication number: 20120272449
    Abstract: A sub-base element (1), for example a shower tray base element, for designing a floor-level overall system. An essential component of such sub-base elements is generally a carrier element made of a rigid foam core, which has lower pressure resistance than the floor region surrounding the sub-base element. If the surrounding floor region and the sub-base element are not directly covered with a load-distributing and deformation-rigid layer, such as a covering made of floor tiles, but rather, for example, with a flexible covering, such as PVC, the rim zone of the carrier element constitutes a problem region. Notably with loads that are introduced in substantially punctiform manner, such as when passing over the edge with a wheel chair wheel, for example, frequent load changes in the edge region of the carrier element can result in mortar spalling beneath the flexible covering and in permanent deformation of the carrier element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: Stephan WEDI
  • Patent number: 8272080
    Abstract: A pumped shower draining device for shower apparatus, the device comprising a housing having a waste water inlet and a waste water outlet, a pump element provided within or adjacent to the housing which pumps waste water from the waste water inlet to the waste water outlet, a first pump-driving device drivably engaged with the pump element, a second pump-driving device drivably engaged with the pump element, and a controller to control the first and/or second pump-driving devices. The first pump-driving device is hydraulically operable by shower water supplied to a shower head. The second pump-driving device is electrically operable, and the controller controls at least one of the first pump-driving device and second pump-driving device to supplement and/or to be substituted for the other. Shower apparatus having the pumped shower draining device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: DLP Limited
    Inventor: Robert William Stimpson
  • Patent number: 8230535
    Abstract: A manufactured shower base assembly includes a thermoplastic honeycomb structure with a spun bond polyester fabric bonded to its base surface. The upper surface of the honeycomb structure is contoured to a desired slope and drain opening configuration, and includes a thermoplastic pre-formed thermoplastic waterproof membrane integrally bonded to its top surface, the membrane being contoured to conform to a shape of the honeycomb structure. A structural ring is utilized to provide added structure around the drain opening. The configuration allows for adjustment when placing/installing the shower base in relation to walls of the shower enclosure and to a floor drain in the shower enclosure, and further allows for attachment to any common clamping ring style drain, and provides for efficient and quick installation with minimization of skilled labor time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Noble Company
    Inventors: Paul S. Kik, Sr., Paul S. Kik, Jr., James A. Wadaga
  • Patent number: 8209795
    Abstract: A prefabricated, polyurethane reaction injection molded, leak-proof shower module suitable for use in constructing a tiled shower includes a floor and a plurality of sidewalls wherein a first sidewall is taller than at least a portion of a second sidewall and the difference in height between the first sidewall and the second sidewall is sufficient to permit the attachment of a modular curb to the second sidewall. The floor is bounded along peripheral edges by the plurality of sidewalls which extend substantially vertically from the edges. A method of installing a tiled shower is implemented in one embodiment by applying adhesive material on a subfloor within an area bounded by stud framing, setting the prefabricated shower module in place on the subfloor, installing a prefabricated modular curb proximate to at least one sidewall of the module, attaching wallboard to the framing, and installing tile over the wallboard, module and curb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventor: Joseph R. Cook
  • Patent number: 8201287
    Abstract: A moisture barrier is formed between a water bearing floor surface and external material, such as flooring or water bearing wall surfaces, wherein the water bearing floor surface includes an embedded water barrier membrane incorporated into one or more of the edges of the water bearing floor surface. The water bearing floor surface may include a shower floor pan, sink, or similar water collecting surface. The external material may include water bearing wall surfaces, such as FRP, or flooring material, such as ceramic tile or epoxy flooring materials. The combination of the water barrier membrane and external materials creates a water proof seal without caulk or other sealant which does not deteriorate with time and usage. Also, the invention may include a non-porous adjacent material including a notch for accepting the water barrier membrane and wherein the water barrier membrane is glued or otherwise affixed to the water bearing floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: Bill Oetting