Threaded mack washer

Abstract

A mack washer includes an internal surface with a helical seal that engages the threads on a pop-up body, and a beveled extension depending from the bottom surface. The helical seal follows the shape of the threads on the pop-up body and assumes the shape of the threads, extending generally to the minor diameter of the threads, thereby eliminating seepage. The helical seal can be interrupted to facilitate engagement. A lock nut for use with the mack washer includes a beveled seat configured to engage the beveled extension and urge the beveled extension into further contact with the pop-up body, thereby increasing the sealing effect of the mack washer.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lavatories and bathtubs include a pluggable drain connected to a waste pipe. When a person wishes to wash, the drain is plugged and water is allowed to collect in the lavatory or tub. When finished washing, the person unplugs the drain to permit the waste water to drain away to a sewer.

The plugging function is usually accomplished by a pop-up. The pop-up typically includes a threaded body inserted into the drain hole of the lavatory. A flange extends radially outwardly from the body to cover any gaps between the pop-up and the sidewall defining the drain hole and to provide a finished appearance to the drain. A nut and friction washer engage the threaded body and the bottom of the drain hole, as illustrated in FIG. 2 cooperating with the flange to retain the pop-up in place. A mack washer is typically installed between the friction washer and the drain hole to seal the space between the drain hole and the pop-up body. However, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a gap exists between the inner wall of the mack washer and the minor diameter of the threaded portion of the pop-up body, thereby providing a path for seepage to occur. In addition, tightening a lock nut to urge the mack washer into sealing engagement with the lavatory tends to pull the bottom of the mack washer away from the pop-up body, thereby increasing the likelihood of seepage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes these and other problems by providing an effective seal against the threaded portion of the pop-up body. The present invention includes a mack washer having an internal surface with helical seal that engages the threads on the pop-up body and a beveled extension depending from the bottom of the mack washer. The helical seal follows the shape of the threads on the pop-up body and assumes the shape of the threads, extending generally to the minor diameter of the threads, thereby eliminating the seepage problem. In certain embodiments, the helical seal can be interrupted to facilitate engagement. The lock nut preferably includes a beveled seat configured to engage the beveled extension and urge the beveled extension into further contact with the pop-up body, thereby increasing the sealing effect of the mack washer and preventing the bottom of the mack washer from pulling away from the pop-up body as the lock nut is tightened.

Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description when viewed in accordance with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partially broken-away view of a lavatory illustrating a pop-up installation.

FIG. 2 is a section view of the pop-up of FIG. 1 with a conventional mack washer.

FIG. 3 is a partial section view of the lavatory of FIG. 1 illustrating a pop-up with a conventional mack washer.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mack washer according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a section view taken through the mack washer of FIG. 4 and a lock nut for use with the mack washer.

FIG. 6 is a partial section view of the lavatory of FIG. 1 illustrating the mack washer according to the present invention as installed on a pop-up.

FIG. 7 is a section view of an alternative embodiment of the mack washer.

FIG. 8 is a section view of the lavatory of FIG. 1 illustrating the alternative mack washer as installed on a pop-up.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a conventional installation of a pop-up 10 in a lavatory 12. A spout 14 includes a pop-up rod 16 connected to an adjustable connector 20 which, in turn, is attached to an actuator 22. The actuator 22 extends into the body 24 of the pop-up 10 and connects to a stopper 26 that is movable up and down along the axis A of the pop-up 10. Movement of the pop-up rod 16 causes the actuator 22 to pivot about a ball joint 30 to move the stopper 26 up and down to open and close the drain.

FIG. 3 illustrates the installation of a conventional mack washer 32 on the pop-up 10. Typically, the pop-up body 24 includes external threads 34 to accept a lock nut 36. The mack washer 32 includes a beveled portion 38 configured to abut the bottom surface 40 of the lavatory drain 42 and a flat inner surface 39 configured to seal against the threads 34. A friction washer 44 is disposed against the bottom of the mack washer 34 and the lock nut 36 abuts the bottom of the friction washer 44. Unfortunately, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the conventional mack washer 32 does not reach in to the minor diameter D of the threads 34, thereby leaving gaps 46 between the mack washer 32 and the threads 34 of the pop-up body 24. Those gaps 46 allow seepage past the mack washer 32, causing consumer complaints. In addition, increased tightening of the lock nut 36 tends to cause the mack washer to pivot about the inner edge of the bottom surface 42 of the lavatory, pulling the bottom of the mack washer 32 away from the threads 34, further aggravating the seepage problem.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate a mack washer 50 according to the present invention. The mack washer 50 includes an inner surface 52, an upper surface 54, a lower surface 56, and a beveled annular sealing portion 60 extending downwardly from the lower surface 56 at the inner surface 52. The upper surface 54 includes a beveled portion 62 that extends radially outwardly and downwardly. The inner surface 52 includes helical seals 64 that conform to the external threads 34 on the pop-up body 24 and generally extend into the minor diameter D, thereby eliminating the seepage problem associated with conventional mack washers 32. In certain embodiments of the invention, the helical seals 64 are interrupted, as indicated at 66.

A lock nut 70 includes a beveled sealing surface 72 configured to match and engage the beveled annular sealing portion 60 of the mack washer 50. Internal threads 74 engage the external threads 34 of the pop-up body 24. Tightening movement of the nut 70 on the external threads 34 urges the beveled sealing surface 72 into sealing engagement with the annular sealing portion 60, urging the sealing portion 60 into tighter contact with the external threads 34, thereby preventing the mack washer 50 from pivoting about the inner edge of the bottom surface 40 and providing additional protection against seepage.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention. Mack washer 80 includes a beveled sealing portion 81 and at least two sets of interrupted helical seals 82, 84. The first set of helical seals 82 are configured as fine threads for use with a metal pop-up body, whereas the second set of seals 84 are configured as coarse threads for use with a plastic pop-up body. In certain embodiments, each set of seals 82, 84 comprise two segments disposed 180° apart and extending about a quarter of the way around the circumference of the inner surface 86. In addition, the seals 82, 84 alternate around the circumference, leaving a gap 88 between each set of seals.

FIG. 8 illustrates the mack washer 50, 80 installed on the pop-up body 24 and secured by a friction washer 90 and a conventional lock nut 92. The friction washer 90 includes a beveled sealing surface 94 configured to mate with the beveled sealing portion 60 of the mack washer 50, 80. The lock nut 92 urges the friction washer 90 into engagement with the mack washer 50, 80.

The present invention further includes a method of sealing a pop-up body in a drain opening. A pop-up having an externally threaded body is positioned in the drain opening and a mack washer is installed on the threaded body below the drain opening. Preferably, the mack washer includes an inner surface with at least one helical seal configured to engage the threads of the pop-up body. A lock nut having internal threads configured to engage the threaded body is positioned against the bottom surface of the mack washer, urging the mack washer into sealing engagement with the bottom of the drain opening and the threads of the pop-up body.

In one preferred embodiment, the mack washer further includes an annular sealing portion extending downwardly from the bottom surface and the lock nut further includes an upper surface having a beveled portion configured to match and engage the annular sealing portion.

In another preferred embodiment, the mack washer includes an annular sealing portion extending downwardly from the bottom surface and a friction washer includes an annular sealing portion configured to mate with and engage the annular sealing portion. The friction washer is disposed between the mack washer and the lock nut, so that the lock nut urges engagement between the friction washer and the mack washer.

The above-described embodiments, of course, are not to be construed as limiting the breadth of the present invention. Modifications and other alternative constructions will be apparent which are within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A mack washer for use with a pop-up, the washer comprising:

an annular body having an inner surface, an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer surface; and

a helical seal formed on the inner surface and extending radially inwardly therefrom.

2. The washer of claim 1 further including a beveled sealing portion extending downwardly from the lower surface.

3. The washer of claim 2 further including a lock nut having a beveled sealing surface configured to mate with and engage the beveled sealing portion.

4. The washer of claim 3 further including a friction washer having a beveled sealing surface configured to mate with and engage the beveled sealing portion.

5. The washer of claim 1 wherein the helical seal includes an interrupted seal.

6. The washer of claim 5 wherein the helical seal includes a first seal in the form of fine threads and a second seal in the form of coarse threads.

7. A pop-up for use with a drain structure having a drain opening, the pop-up comprising:

a threaded body;

a flange extending radially outwardly from the body to overlay the drain opening;

a mack washer having an annular body with an inner surface and a lower surface, the inner surface including helical threads configured to sealingly engage the threads of the threaded body, the lower surface including a beveled sealing portion extending downwardly therefrom, with one surface of the beveled sealing portion operatively disposed adjacent the threaded body; and

a threaded nut configured to threadedly engage the threaded body, the nut including an upper surface, the upper surface including a beveled sealing surface configured to sealingly engage the beveled sealing portion of the mack washer and urge the beveled sealing portion into sealing engagement with the threaded body.

8. The pop-up of claim 7 wherein the helical threads include a first set of threads and a second set of threads having a configuration different from the first set of threads.

9. The pop-up of claim 7 wherein the first and second sets of threads are interrupted.

10. A pop-up for use with a drain structure having a drain opening, the pop-up comprising:

a threaded body;

a flange extending radially outwardly from the body to overlay the drain opening;

a mack washer having an annular body with an inner surface and a lower surface, the inner surface including helical threads configured to sealingly engage the threads of the threaded body, the lower surface including a beveled sealing portion extending downwardly therefrom, with one surface of the beveled sealing portion operatively disposed adjacent the threaded body;

a threaded nut configured to threadedly engage the threaded body; and

a friction washer operatively disposed between the mack washer and the threaded nut, the friction washer including a beveled portion configured to sealingly engage the beveled sealing portion of the mack washer and urge the beveled sealing portion into sealing engagement with the threaded body.

11 The pop-up of claim 10 wherein the helical threads include a first set of interrupted threads and a second set of interrupted threads.

12. The pop-up of claim 11 wherein the first set of threads has a configuration different from the second set of threads.

13. A pop-up for use in a drain opening, the pop-up comprising:

a threaded body;

a mack washer having an annular body with an inner surface and a lower surface, the inner surface including helical threads configured to sealingly engage the threads of the threaded body; and

a nut configured to threadedly engage the threaded body to retain the mack washer in position on the threaded body.

14. The pop-up of claim 13 further including an annular sealing portion extending downwardly from the lower surface, wherein one surface of the annular sealing portion is operatively disposed adjacent the threaded body.

15. The pop-up of claim 14 further including a threaded nut configured to threadedly engage the threaded body, the nut including an upper surface, the upper surface including an annular portion configured to sealingly engage the annular sealing portion of the mack washer.

16. The pop-up of claim 14 further including a friction washer and a nut, the friction washer including an upper surface, the upper surface including an annular sealing portion configured to sealingly engage the annular sealing portion of the mack washer the threaded nut configured to threadedly engage the threaded body and urge the friction washer into engagement with the mack washer.

17. A method of sealing a pop-up installed in a vessel comprising the steps of:

providing a vessel having a drain opening and a bottom surface surrounding the drain opening;

positioning a pop-up having an externally threaded body in the drain opening;

installing a mack washer on the externally threaded body, the mack washer having an annular body with an inner surface, a bottom surface, an upper surface and at least one helical seal formed on the inner surface, the at least one helical seal being configured to conform to and engage the threads of the externally threaded body and the upper surface being configured to engage the bottom surface of the vessel; and

providing a lock nut having internal threads configured to engage the externally threaded body and positioning the lock nut against the bottom surface of the mack washer.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the mack washer further includes an annular sealing portion extending downwardly from the bottom surface and the lock nut further includes an upper surface having a beveled portion configured to match and engage the annular sealing portion.

19. The method of claim 17 further including a friction washer disposed between the mack washer and the lock nut, wherein the mack washer further includes an annular sealing portion extending downwardly from the bottom surface and the friction washer including an upper surface having an annular sealing portion configured to mate with and engage the annular sealing portion.