Universal Drain Adapter
A universal drain adapter comprising: a ring and a neck having a common substantially centrally disposed threaded hole; the ring having a plurality of holes and at least one other hole, each hole of the plurality of holes comprising a substantially centrally disposed portion, a first substantially rabbit ear portion, and a second substantially rabbit ear portion opposing the first substantially rabbit ear portion, the at least one other hole having another of the substantially centrally disposed portions, a substantially mouse ear portion, the other first substantially rabbit ear portion opposing the substantially mouse ear portion, the substantially centrally disposed portions tangentially directed about a first tangent line concentric with the ring, the first substantially rabbit ear portions tangentially directed about a second tangent line, the second substantially rabbit ear portions tangentially directed about a third tangent line, the substantially mouse ear portion tangentially directed about the first tangent line.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/801,919, filed Mar. 15, 2013, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to drain adapters and more particularly to universal drain adapters.
2. Background Art
Showers, bathtubs, and the like typically discharge water and/or wastewater into floor drains and associated piping connected to the floor drains to facilitate the discharge and disposal of the water and/or wastewater from the showers, bathtubs, and the like. A drain adapter is typically fastened to the top of the floor drain, and a strainer neck is typically fastened to the drain adapter. A shower grate is then typically mounted onto the strainer neck.
The floor drains typically have a plurality of threaded holes for receiving a plurality of bolts or screws for fastening the drain adapters to. These floor drains typically have threaded holes and hole patterns specific to particular manufacturers, and there is no standard for the locations, sizes, and thread pitches of the threaded holes. Thus, drain adapters having hole locations and hole sizes that match those of the threaded holes and hole patterns of the floor drains, which often can only be matched by those of the manufacturer of the floor drains, are required. This becomes a particular problem in retrofit situations, where the floor drains are already installed, and replacement matching drain adapters can no longer be found.
There is thus a need for a universal drain adapter that can be mounted to a variety of different floor drains. The universal drain adapter should have a plurality of hole locations, shapes, and sizes that are adapted to fit and be mounted to a variety of the different floor drains. The universal drain adapter should be quick, easy, and convenient to install, long lasting, inexpensive to manufacture, sturdy, durable, of simple construction, and have a variety of different hole patterns, shapes, and sizes to facilitate use with a variety of floor drains, strainer necks, and shower grates.
SUMMARYThe present invention is directed to a universal drain adapter that can be mounted to a variety of different floor drains. The universal drain adapter has a plurality of hole locations, shapes, and sizes that are adapted to fit and be mounted to a variety of the different floor drains. The universal drain adapter is quick, easy, and convenient to install, long lasting, inexpensive to manufacture, sturdy, durable, of simple construction, and has a variety of different hole patterns, shapes, and sizes to facilitate use with a variety of floor drains, strainer necks, and shower grates.
A universal drain adapter having features of the present invention comprises:
a ring and a neck integrally connected to one another and having a common substantially centrally disposed threaded hole therethrough;
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- the ring having a plurality of holes and at least one other hole,
- each hole of the plurality of holes comprising a substantially centrally disposed portion, a first substantially rabbit ear shaped portion, and a second substantially rabbit ear shaped portion opposing the first substantially rabbit ear shaped portion,
- the at least one other hole having another of the substantially centrally disposed portions, a substantially mouse ear shaped portion, and another of the first substantially rabbit ear shaped portions opposing the substantially mouse ear shaped portion,
- the substantially centrally disposed portions of the plurality of holes and the other substantially centrally disposed portion of the at least one other hole substantially equally spaced apart and tangentially directed about a first tangent line concentric with the ring,
- the first substantially rabbit ear shaped portions of the plurality of holes and the other first substantially rabbit ear shaped portion of the at least one other hole tangentially directed about a second tangent line concentric with the ring,
- the second substantially rabbit ear shaped portions of the plurality of holes tangentially directed about a third tangent line concentric with the ring,
- the substantially mouse ear shaped portion of the at least one other hole tangentially directed about the first tangent line.
- the ring having a plurality of holes and at least one other hole,
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to
The substantially centrally disposed portions 22 of the holes 14, 16, and 18 are typically substantially equally spaced apart. The substantially centrally disposed portions 22 of the holes 14, 16, and 18 are typically tangentially directed about a different tangent line than the different tangent lines of the substantially rabbit ear shaped portions 24 and 26. The tangent line of the substantially centrally disposed portions 22 is concentric with the ring 12.
The substantially centrally disposed portions 22 and the substantially rabbit ear shaped portions 24 and 26 are, thus, tangentially directed about different tangent lines.
The hole 20 has the substantially centrally disposed portion 22, the substantially rabbit ear shaped portion 24, and a substantially mouse ear shaped portion 28 opposing the substantially rabbit ear shaped portion 24. The hole 20 typically has substantially the same shaped centrally disposed portion 22 as in the holes 14, 16, and 18 and typically has substantially the same shaped rabbit ear shaped portion 24 having the first substantially rabbit ear shape as in the holes 14, 16, and 18. The substantially mouse ear shaped portion 28 typically has a different shape from that of the substantially rabbit ear shaped portion 24 and a different shape from that of the substantially rabbit ear shaped portion 26. The substantially mouse ear shaped portion 28 is typically tangentially directed about the same tangent line as the substantially centrally disposed portions 22 of the holes 14, 16, and 18.
The universal drain adapter 10 has neck 32, the ring 12 and the neck 32 adjoined one to the other. The universal drain adapter 10 has substantially cylindrical hole 34 therethrough and threads 36.
The universal drain adapter 10 typically has weep slots 38 for draining excess water, when necessary, and inwardly directed arcuate portions 40 adjacent the holes 14, 16, 18, and 20 for clearance to facilitate fastening and abutting heads 42 of screws 44 against the ring 12.
The universal drain adapter 10 is preferably of one piece integral construction, although other suitable construction may be used.
Each of the holes 14, 16, 18, and 20 may have different shapes and sizes, the same shapes and sizes, and/or mixed different and same shapes and sizes. In particular, the substantially rabbit ear shaped portions 24 and 26 and the substantially mouse ear shaped portion 28 may have different sizes and/or shapes to accommodate the wide variety of threaded holes and hole patterns of different floor drains. The substantially rabbit ear shaped portions 24 and 26 and/or the substantially mouse ear shaped portion 28 may be substantially wing shaped, optionally have serifs, and/or have other suitable shapes and/or sizes. The holes 14, 16, 18, and 20 are typically substantially equally spaced apart, although other suitable spacings may be used. The universal drain adapter 10 may be constructed with or without the neck 32 to facilitate fitting the universal drain adapter 10 into small spaces.
The threads 36 of the universal drain adapter 10 are adapted to matingly receive threads 54 of the strainer neck 46. The screws 44 are used to fasten the universal drain adapter 10 to the floor drain 50. The shower grate 48 is adapted to removably seat in the strainer neck 46 at top 56 of the strainer neck 46.
Now, in more detail,
The substantially centrally disposed portions 22 of the holes 14, 16, and 18 each have a first radius. The tips of the substantially rabbit ear shaped portions 24 each have a second radius, and the tips of the substantially rabbit ear shaped portions 26 each have a third radius. The tip of the substantially mouse ear shaped portion 28 has a fourth radius. The lengths of the first radius, the second radius, the third radius, and the fourth radius are each different.
The rabbit ear shaped portions may alternatively be described as cutouts, slots, or oblong shaped cutouts having tips, which have radii. The substantially rabbit ear shaped portion 24, thus, may alternatively be described as a first oblong shaped cutout having the first tip, which has the second radius; and the substantially rabbit ear shaped portion 26, thus, may alternatively be described as a second oblong shaped cutout having the first tip, which has the third radius. The neck 32 may alternatively be referred to as a collar or a hub.
The universal drain adapter 10 is preferably of cast iron or other suitable material, and is typically powder coated for long service life and durability. Epoxy or other suitable powder coatings may be used.
The substantially rabbit ear shaped portions 74 and 76 are of different sizes and are tangentially directed about different tangent lines that are concentric with ring 78. The substantially rabbit ear shaped portion 74 has a first substantially rabbit ear shape, and the substantially rabbit ear shaped portion 76 has a second substantially rabbit ear shape.
The substantially centrally disposed portions 72 of the holes 64, 66, 68, and 70 are typically tangentially directed about a different tangent line than the different tangent lines of the substantially rabbit ear shaped portions 74 and 76. The tangent line of the substantially centrally disposed portions 72 is concentric with the ring 78.
The substantially centrally disposed portions 72 and the substantially rabbit ear shaped portions 74 and 76 are, thus, tangentially directed about different tangent lines.
Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.
Claims
1. A universal drain adapter, comprising:
- a ring and a neck integrally connected to one another and having a common substantially centrally disposed threaded hole therethrough; said ring having a plurality of holes and at least one other hole, each hole of said plurality of holes comprising a substantially centrally disposed portion, a first substantially rabbit ear shaped portion, and a second substantially rabbit ear shaped portion opposing said first substantially rabbit ear shaped portion, said at least one other hole having another said substantially centrally disposed portion, a substantially mouse ear shaped portion, and another said first substantially rabbit ear shaped portion opposing said substantially mouse ear shaped portion, said substantially centrally disposed portions of said plurality of holes and said other substantially centrally disposed portion of said at least one other hole substantially equally spaced apart and tangentially directed about a first tangent line concentric with said ring, said first substantially rabbit ear shaped portions of said plurality of holes and said other first substantially rabbit ear shaped portion of said at least one other hole tangentially directed about a second tangent line concentric with said ring, said second substantially rabbit ear shaped portions of said plurality of holes tangentially directed about a third tangent line concentric with said ring, said substantially mouse ear shaped portion of said at least one other hole tangentially directed about said first tangent line.
2. The universal drain adapter according to claim 1, wherein:
- each said substantially centrally disposed portion of said plurality of holes and said other substantially centrally disposed portion of said at least one other hole having a first center of radius tangentially directed about said first tangent line concentric with said ring,
- each said first substantially rabbit ear shaped portion of said plurality of holes and said other first substantially rabbit ear shaped portion of said at least one other hole having a second center of radius tangentially directed about said second tangent line concentric with said ring,
- each said second substantially rabbit ear shaped portion of said plurality of holes having a third center of radius tangentially directed about said third tangent line concentric with said ring,
- said substantially mouse ear shaped portion of said at least one other hole having a fourth center of radius tangentially directed about said first tangent line.
3. The universal drain adapter according to claim 1, wherein:
- each said substantially centrally disposed portion of said plurality of holes and said other substantially centrally disposed portion of said at least one other hole having a first radius,
- each said first substantially rabbit ear shaped portion of said plurality of holes and said other first substantially rabbit ear shaped portion of said at least one other hole having a first tip having a second radius,
- each said second substantially rabbit ear shaped portion of said plurality of holes having a second tip having a third radius,
- said substantially mouse ear shaped portion of said at least one other hole having a third tip having a fourth radius.
4. The universal drain adapter according to claim 2, wherein:
- each said substantially centrally disposed portion of said plurality of holes and said other substantially centrally disposed portion of said at least one other hole having a first radius,
- each said first substantially rabbit ear shaped portion of said plurality of holes and said other first substantially rabbit ear shaped portion of said at least one other hole having a first tip having a second radius,
- each said second substantially rabbit ear shaped portion of said plurality of holes having a second tip having a third radius,
- said substantially mouse ear shaped portion of said at least one other hole having a third tip having a fourth radius.
5. The universal drain adapter according to claim 1, wherein:
- said universal drain adapter has a plurality of radially directed substantially equally spaced apart weep slots adapted to drain excess water.
6. The universal drain adapter according to claim 4, wherein:
- said universal drain adapter has a plurality of radially directed substantially equally spaced apart weep slots adapted to drain excess water.
7. The universal drain adapter according to claim 1, wherein:
- said neck of said universal drain adapter has an arcuate clearance cutout adjacent each said substantially centrally disposed portion of said plurality of holes and adjacent said other substantially centrally disposed portion of said at least one other hole.
8. The universal drain adapter according to claim 4, wherein:
- said neck of said universal drain adapter has an arcuate clearance cutout adjacent each said substantially centrally disposed portion of said plurality of holes and adjacent said other substantially centrally disposed portion of said at least one other hole.
9. The universal drain adapter according to claim 6, wherein:
- said neck of said universal drain adapter has an arcuate clearance cutout adjacent each said substantially centrally disposed portion of said plurality of holes and adjacent said other substantially centrally disposed portion of said at least one other hole.
10. The universal drain adapter according to claim 1, wherein:
- said plurality of holes comprises three holes and said at least one other hole comprises one hole.
11. A universal drain adapter, comprising:
- a ring and a neck integrally connected to one another and having a common substantially centrally disposed threaded hole therethrough; said ring having a plurality of holes and at least one other hole, each hole of said plurality of holes comprising a substantially centrally disposed portion, a first substantially oblong shaped portion, and a second substantially oblong shaped portion opposing said first substantially oblong shaped portion, said at least one other hole having another said substantially centrally disposed portion, a substantially mouse ear shaped portion, and another said first substantially oblong shaped portion opposing said substantially mouse ear shaped portion, said substantially centrally disposed portions of said plurality of holes and said other substantially centrally disposed portion of said at least one other hole substantially equally spaced apart and tangentially directed about a first tangent line concentric with said ring, said first substantially oblong shaped portions of said plurality of holes and said other first substantially oblong shaped portion of said at least one other hole tangentially directed about a second tangent line concentric with said ring, said second substantially oblong shaped portions of said plurality of holes tangentially directed about a third tangent line concentric with said ring, said substantially mouse ear shaped portion of said at least one other hole tangentially directed about said first tangent line; each said substantially centrally disposed portion of said plurality of holes and said other substantially centrally disposed portion of said at least one other hole having a first radius; each said first substantially oblong shaped portion of said plurality of holes and said other first substantially oblong shaped portion of said at least one other hole having a first tip having a second radius; each said second substantially oblong shaped portion of said plurality of holes having a second tip having a third radius; said substantially mouse ear shaped portion of said at least one other hole having a third tip having a fourth radius.
12. The universal drain adapter according to claim 11, wherein:
- each said substantially centrally disposed portion of said plurality of holes and said other substantially centrally disposed portion of said at least one other hole having a first center of radius tangentially directed about said first tangent line concentric with said ring,
- each said first substantially oblong shaped portion of said plurality of holes and said other first substantially oblong shaped portion of said at least one other hole having a second center of radius tangentially directed about said second tangent line concentric with said ring,
- each said second substantially oblong shaped portion of said plurality of holes having a third center of radius tangentially directed about said third tangent line concentric with said ring,
- said substantially mouse ear shaped portion of said at least one other hole having a fourth center of radius tangentially directed about said first tangent line.
13. The universal drain adapter according to claim 11, wherein:
- said universal drain adapter has a plurality of radially directed substantially equally spaced apart weep slots adapted to drain excess water.
14. The universal drain adapter according to claim 12, wherein:
- said universal drain adapter has a plurality of radially directed substantially equally spaced apart weep slots adapted to drain excess water.
15. The universal drain adapter according to claim 11, wherein:
- said neck of said universal drain adapter has an arcuate clearance cutout adjacent each said substantially centrally disposed portion of said plurality of holes and adjacent said other substantially centrally disposed portion of said at least one other hole.
16. The universal drain adapter according to claim 12, wherein:
- said neck of said universal drain adapter has an arcuate clearance cutout adjacent each said substantially centrally disposed portion of said plurality of holes and adjacent said other substantially centrally disposed portion of said at least one other hole.
17. The universal drain adapter according to claim 13, wherein:
- said neck of said universal drain adapter has an arcuate clearance cutout adjacent each said substantially centrally disposed portion of said plurality of holes and adjacent said other substantially centrally disposed portion of said at least one other hole.
18. The universal drain adapter according to claim 14, wherein:
- said neck of said universal drain adapter has an arcuate clearance cutout adjacent each said substantially centrally disposed portion of said plurality of holes and adjacent said other substantially centrally disposed portion of said at least one other hole.
19. The universal drain adapter according to claim 11, wherein:
- said plurality of holes comprises three holes and said at least one other hole comprises one hole.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 17, 2014
Publication Date: Sep 18, 2014
Inventor: Frank Antoniello (Commack, NY)
Application Number: 14/215,240
International Classification: E03F 5/04 (20060101);