Drainage system

Abstract

A coupling system for securing a sink to a drain pipe includes a flange connector having a drainage channel and a peripheral flange. A support member for supporting the sink has a drainage channel. Engagement structure secures the flange connector to the support member such that the drainage channel of the flange connector communicates with the drainage channel of the support member. A sink system and method for installing a sink are also provided.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to sinks, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for securing sinks to drain pipes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Sinks can be secured to drain pipes by means of a number of different types of connections. These connections typically involve threaded fittings which are secured to the sink from a position below the sink. Significant time and effort is usually required to install or replace the sink. Sinks with ornamental designs made from different materials have become popular. Glass and ceramic sinks in particular are prone to chipping, scratching and breakage, and must be replaced when such damage occurs. Even if such damage does not occur, many consumers may wish to replace a sink for aesthetic purposes or to add accessories to the sink. Unfortunately, a significant amount of time is required to make these replacements, particularly in large buildings and hotels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A coupling system for securing a sink to a drain pipe includes a flange connector having a drainage channel and a peripheral flange. A support member for supporting the sink has a drainage channel. The support member also has connection structure for connecting to the drain pipe. Engagement structure is provided for securing the flange connector to the support member such that the drainage channel of the flange connector communicates with the drainage channel of the support member and the sink is secured between the flange connector and the support member.

[0004] The engagement structure can include cooperating threads on the flange connector and the support member. The support member can have a main body portion and an extension. The structure for connecting to the drain pipe can be provided on the extension.

[0005] At least one gasket can be provided for sealing against leakage. A gasket can be provided between the support member and the sink. A gasket can be provided between the peripheral flange of the flange connector and the sink. The support member can include a recess in the main body portion for receiving the gasket. The gasket can be annular and has an interior opening that is dimensioned to permit passage of a portion of the flange connector that engages the support member. The system can also include a mounting ring, which can be used to secure the support member 14 to a countertop.

[0006] A method for installing a sink includes the steps of connecting a support member for supporting the sink to a drain pipe. The support member has a drainage channel and structure for connecting to the drain pipe. The sink is placed onto the support member and is supported by the support member. The sink has a drain opening which is positioned over the drainage channel of the support member. A flange connector is positioned over the sink and a portion of the flange connector is connected to the support member. The flange connector has a peripheral flange which engages the sink so as to secure the sink to the support member when the flange connector is engaged to the support member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] There are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein:

[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a coupling system for a sink.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a cross-section of a sink system according to the invention.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross-section of an alternative sink system in accordance with the inventive arrangements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] There is shown in FIG. 1 a coupling system 10 according to the invention. The coupling system includes a support member 14 and a flange connector 18. A first gasket 22 and second gasket 26 can also be provided.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the support member 14 has a drainage channel 30 and can have a shoulder 34 for supporting a sink 40. For purposes of the invention, a sink can be any type of suitable structure for receiving and draining any suitable type of fluid such as water. The support member 14 can have structure for engaging drain pipe 44. An extension 48 can be provided with threads to engage cooperating threads on the drain pipe 44. In the embodiment shown, the extension 48 has male threads 52 which can be adapted to engage cooperating female threads 56 on an interior surface of the drain pipe 44. It is possible, however, to dimension the extension 48 such that the drain pipe 44 fits within the extension 48, and in this embodiment the drain pipe 44 would be provided with male threads and the extension 48 would be provided with female threads. Other structure for engaging the support member 14 to the drain pipe 44 is also possible, including various fittings adapted for that purpose.

[0013] The flange connector 18 can have a drainage channel 60. The flange connector 18 has structure for engaging the support member 14. The flange connector 18 can be tubular and have male threads 64 which engage cooperating female threads 68 on the support member 14, although other engagement structure is possible. The drainage channel 30 of the support member 14 can communicate with the drainage channel 60 of the flange connector 18 when the flange connector 18 is engaged to the support member 14 to permit water or other suitable fluids to flow from the sink, through the flange connector 18, the support member 14, and into the drain pipe 44.

[0014] The flange connector 18 can also have a flange 72. The flange 72 can extend about the periphery of the flange connector 18 and can be dimensioned such that it will not pass through the drain opening 78 of the sink 40. The flange 72 can press firmly against the sink 40 when the flange connector 18 is engaged and tightened to the support member 14. As such, the flange 72 can add to the watertight integrity of the engagement between the flange connector 18 and the support member 14. In addition, the flange can also increase the stability of the system 10 once a sink 40 has been installed.

[0015] The flange connector 18 can also have structure for engaging drain devices such as a drain hat (not shown). Alternatively, the flange connector 18 can support a pop-up drain plug (not shown). Male threads 80 can be provided to engage female threads of the drain hat or drain plug to be coupled to the flange connector 18. An opening 84 in the flange connector 18 can be provided to permit water or any other suitable fluid to flow from the sink 40 to the drainage channel 60.

[0016] It is preferable to seal the sink 40 against the support member 14 to prevent leaks. The gasket 22 can be provided for this purpose. The gasket 22 can be annular to allow the flange connector 18 to extend through the gasket 22 into the drainage channel 30 of the support member 14. The gasket 22 can be made out of any suitable material such as rubber or silicone. In one embodiment, the support member 14 has a main body portion 86. A recess 88 can be provided in the main body portion 86. The gasket 22 can be received by the recess 88 to secure the gasket 22 in position. The gasket 22 should be dimensioned such that, when it is positioned in the recess 88, it can extend above the shoulder 34 so that it will be partially compressed by the sink 40 when the flange connector 18 is tightened against the support member 14.

[0017] The flange 72 can be sealed against the sink 40 to prevent leaks. A gasket 26 can be provided and can be compressed between the flange 72 and sink 40 when the flange connector 18 is tightened against the support member 14. Other sealing methods, such as the application of caulks and other sealants, are possible.

[0018] In operation, the support member 14 can be connected to the drain pipe 44. The gasket 22 can be positioned on the support member 14, such as in the recess 88. The sink 40 can then be placed onto the shoulder 34 of the support member 14, with the drain opening 78 substantially aligned with the drainage channel 30. The flange connector 18 can then be positioned through the opening 78 and into the drainage channel 30 of the support member 14. The flange connector 18 is then tightened to the support member 14, whereupon the flange 72 presses against the sink 40 to secure the sink 40 in position against the support member 14. The drain device, such as a drain hat or pop-up drain plug, can then be connected to the flange connector 18, as by threads 80.

[0019] Replacement of the sink is accomplished by removing the drain device and disconnecting the flange connector 18 from the support member 14. Alternatively, the flange connector 18 can be disconnected from the support member 14 without removing the drain device. The sink 40 can then be lifted from the shoulder 34 of support member 14, and replaced with another sink. The flange connector 18 is then reconnected as previously described. As such, the inventive arrangements permit the installation and removal of a sink 40 merely by coupling or decoupling a single component (the flange connector 18) to or from a drain pipe.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows an alternative coupling system 10 within contemplation of the inventive arrangements. Similar to the coupling system 10 described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2, the coupling system 10 shown in FIG. 3 can have a flange connector 18, a support member 14, a first gasket 22, a second gasket 26 and a drain hat (not shown) or a pop-up drain plug (not shown). In addition, the support member 14 of this particular arrangement can include a drain extension 48. Although FIG. 3 illustrates the drain extension 48 and the support member 14 as a unitary piece, it mist be noted that the invention is not limited in this regard; the drain extension 48 and the support member 14 can be separate components, and the drain extension 48 can be detachably coupled to the support member 14.

[0021] In one arrangement, the drain extension 48 can include male threads 90 and can also include female threads 92. As shown in FIG. 3, the female threads 92 can be used to engage a drain pipe 44 having cooperating male threads. Alternatively, the male threads 90 can be used to engage a drain pipe 44 having cooperating female threads. Moreover, other structure for engaging the support member 14 to the drain pipe 44 is also possible, including various fittings adapted for that purpose.

[0022] The coupling system 10 of FIG. 3 can also include a mounting ring 94. The mounting ring 94 can include cooperating threads for engaging the male threads 90 of the drain extension 48. In one arrangement, the supporting member 14 can be placed on a countertop 96, which can include an aperture 98 for receiving the drain extension 48. The support member 14 can also have a substantially flat bottom surface 100 to enable the support member 14 to rest on the countertop 96. A third gasket 102 can be positioned between the bottom surface 100 and the countertop 96 to ensure a proper fit. The third gasket 102 can be silicone, rubber or any other suitable material. The mounting ring 94 can be used to secure the countertop 96 to the support member 14. If desired, another gasket (not shown) can be positioned between the mounting ring 94 and the countertop 96.

[0023] To install a sink 40, the drain extension 48 of the support member 14 can be inserted through the aperture 98 of the countertop 96. The support member 14 can rest against the third gasket 102. The drain extension 48 can then be secured to the drain pipe 44, and the mounting ring 94 can be used to secure the support member 14 to the countertop 96. Similar to the operation described in relation to FIG. 2, the gasket 22 can be positioned on the support member 14, and the sink 40 can then be placed onto the shoulder 34 of the support member 14. The flange connector 18 can then be coupled to the support member 14, and the drain device (not shown) can then be connected to the flange connector 18. Replacement of a sink can be in accordance with the procedure described above in relation to FIG. 2.

[0024] The components of the invention can be manufactured from standard plumbing materials, including metals and plastics. The invention can be made in a variety of different styles and sizes without departing from the principals of the invention. In addition, this invention can be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and accordingly, reference should be had to the following claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A coupling system for securing a sink to a drain pipe, comprising:

a flange connector having a drainage channel and a peripheral flange;

a support member for supporting a sink and having a drainage channel and connection structure for connecting to a drain pipe;

engagement structure for securing the flange connector to the support member such that the drainage channel of the flange connector communicates with the drainage channel of the support member.

2. The coupling system of claim 1, wherein said engagement structure comprises cooperating threads on said flange connector and said support member.

3. The coupling system of claim 1, further comprising a gasket for sealing said support member to a sink.

4. The coupling system of claim 3, wherein said support member comprises a seat for said gasket.

5. The coupling of claim 1, wherein said support member comprises a main body portion having a shoulder for engaging a sink and an extension comprising said structure for engaging a drain pipe.

6. The coupling system of claim 1, wherein said support member comprises a main body portion having a shoulder for engaging a sink, and a seat for a gasket, said coupling system further comprising an annular gasket.

7. The coupling system of claim 6, wherein said gasket seat comprises a recess in said main body portion, said gasket being dimensioned to fit within said recess.

8. The coupling system of claim 1, wherein said flange connector comprises a structure for engaging a drain device.

9. The coupling system of claim 1, further comprising a gasket for positioning between said flange and the sink.

10. The coupling system of claim 1, further comprising a mounting ring, wherein said mounting ring is used to secure said support member to a countertop.

11. The coupling system of claim 1, wherein said flange connector comprises male threads, said flange connector dimensioned to at least in part fit within said drainage channel of said support member, said male threads of said flange connector engaging cooperating female threads on said support member.

12. A method for installing a sink, comprising:

providing a support member having a drainage channel

connecting said support member to a drain pipe;

positioning a sink on said support member;

connecting a flange connector having a drainage channel and a peripheral flange to said support member, said drainage channel of said flange connector communicating with said drainage channel of said support member, said peripheral flange abutting said sink so as to secure said sink against said support member.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of attaching a drain device to said flange connector.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of positioning a gasket between said support member and said sink.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of positioning a gasket between said peripheral flange of said flange connector and said sink.

16. A sink system, comprising:

a sink having a drain opening;

a support member for supporting said sink and having a drainage channel;

a flange connector having a drainage channel and a peripheral flange;

said flange connector further comprising engagement structure for securing the flange connector through the drain opening of the sink to the support member such that the drainage channel of the flange connector communicates with the drainage channel of the support member.