Drain Trap with Integrated Cleanout Fittings
A drain trap for plumbing fixtures that contains integrated access piping that allow a user to easily and efficiently to clean the drain trap. The drain trap includes a U-shaped plumbing trap, a first access pipe, a second access pipe, a first sealing cap, a second sealing cap, and a cleaning brush. The first access pipe and the second access pipe are positioned adjacent to a curved portion pipe of the U-shaped plumbing trap. The first access pipe and the second access pipe each laterally traverse into the curved portion pipe to provide access to the cleaning brush. The first sealing cap is adjacently connected to the first access pipe. Similarly, the second sealing cap is adjacently connected to the second access pipe for a water-tight seal. The first access pipe, the second access pipe, and the U-shaped plumbing trap are in fluid communication with each other.
The current application is a Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application and claims a priority to a U.S non-provisional application Ser. No. 15/134,126 filed on Apr. 20, 2016. The U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 15/134,126 claims a priority to a U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/149,772 filed on Apr. 20, 2015.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to plumbing fixture accessories, in particular to drain traps. More specifically, the present invention is an environment-friendly drain trap which includes a pair of access pipes that allow for a user to easily and quickly unclog and clean the drain trap without removing or uninstalling any pipe. This eliminates the need to use of any chemicals that are used for cleaning purposes, resulting in an environment-friendly apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMost people have dealt with a clogged drain with reference to a sink, a toilet, or any other plumbing fixture that discharges water. Hair is the most common culprit when it comes to clogged drains, but a variety of other things can clog a drain such as food, small objects, etc. Typically, people attempt to unclog the pipe by sticking a brush or a similar device down the drain to pull out any unwanted substances. In many cases, a brush may not fit down the drain because it is too small or the cap blocking the opening may not be removable. Furthermore, devices that are designed to fit down most drains are limited to pulling out only hair. Objects such as jewelry, small toys, etc. cannot be pulled out using these traditional devices and methods. An alternative option is to pour chemicals down the drain that will unclog the drain. The problem with said chemicals, also known as liquid drain openers, is that they are extremely toxic. For example, any chemicals that may poured the toilet will stay there for some time due to the fact that toilet bowl is filled with water and is slow to drain without flushing. The chemicals settle onto the porcelain and heat up while sitting in the ceramic bowl. This may cause the porcelain to crack or the concoction may even cause an explosion. In some instances, the chemicals build up in a clogged area and resultantly corrode the drain. With repeated use, these chemicals may eat their way through a pipe and cause leaks or a collapse of the entire plumbing system. Along with the potential of damaging the plumbing system and the environment, the active ingredients in these chemicals can cause serious, life-threatening symptoms to humans when exposed even for a short amount of time. For example, eyes and skin can be severely burned when the chemicals come into contact with them. Mixing cleaning chemicals together presents a whole new problem in itself. Combining various cleaners can create deadly gasses which may be deadly. An individual must worry about a multitude of side effects when using chemicals to unclog a drain.
The present invention solves the aforementioned problems by integrating a pair of access pipes into the drain pipe. A brush may be used to clean out the main pipe of the drain pipe through the pair of access pipes. Thus, the present invention eliminates the need to use of harmful chemicals to unclog a drain, eliminating all dangers and problems that are associated with chemical cleaners. Anything that falls into the drain, such as hair, jewelry, small objects, etc. can be easily retrieved or cleaned out at any time. By providing access openings in the drain trap, the present invention allows an individual to easily access the internal space within the drain pipe for cleaning or inspection.
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The present invention is an alternative design for a drain trap. More specifically, the present invention is a drain trap that includes a pair of lateral access pipe for cleaning and inspection of the drain trap. The additional access pipe provides a user the ability to easily and effectively clean out the drain trap without impeding the flow rate or any major disassembly.
Referring to
The first access pipe 6 and the second access pipe 9 provide a means for easily accessing the interior space within the U-shaped plumbing trap 1 for cleaning and maintenance purposes. The first access pipe 6 and the second access pipe 9 are each an elongated tube. Referring to
During operations of the plumbing fixture the first access pipe 6 and the second access pipe 9 are closed off by the first sealing cap 19 and the second sealing cap 20, respectively. The first sealing cap 19 and the second sealing cap 20 are each a screw cap that seals off the first access pipe 6 and the second access pipe 9, respectively. More specifically, the first sealing cap 19 is adjacently attached to the first access pipe 6, opposite to the U-shaped plumbing trap 1 to seal off the first access pipe 6. It is preferred that the first sealing cap 19 is threadably attached to the first access pipe 6 to allow the user to easily attach and detach the first sealing cap 19. Similarly, the second sealing cap 20 is adjacently attached to the second access pipe 9, opposite the U-shaped plumbing trap 1 to seal off the second access pipe 9. It is preferred that the second sealing cap 20 is threadably attached to the second access pipe 9 to allow the user to easily attach and detach the second sealing cap 20. To access the interior space within the U-shaped plumbing trap 1, the user simply detaches, unscrews, either the first sealing cap 19 or the second sealing cap 20.
Referring to
During operations of the present invention, the cleaning brush 12 is stored external to the U-shaped plumbing trap 1, the first access pipe 6, and the second access pipe 9. In order to clean the U-shaped plumbing trap 1, the user may utilize either the first access pipe 6 or the second access pipe 9. For the first access pipe 6, the user first removes the first sealing cap 19 to expose an access aperture 7 of the first access pipe 6. Next, the user removably positions the cleaning brush 12 within the first access pipe 6, the curved portion pipe 4, and the second access pipe 9. To clean, the user moves the cleaning brush 12 within the U-shaped plumbing trap 1 to engage the plurality of bristles 16 with the internal surface of the U-shaped plumbing trap 1. For the second access pipe 9, the user first removes the second sealing cap 20 to expose an access aperture 10 of the second access pipe 9. Next, the user removably positions the cleaning brush 12 within the second access pipe 9, the curved portion pipe 4, and the first access pipe 6. To clean, the user moves the cleaning brush 12 within the U-shaped plumbing trap 1 to engage the plurality of bristles 16 with the internal surface of the U-shaped plumbing trap 1.
In one embodiment, referring to
Referring to
For the second access pipe 9, the first engagement element is a second annular lip 22. The second annular lip 22 is concentrically positioned within the second access pipe 9. Additionally, the second annular lip 22 is laterally connected to the second access pipe 9, adjacent to the second sealing cap 20. During cleaning through the second access pipe 9, the user inserts the cleaning brush 12 into the U-shaped plumbing trap 1 through the second access pipe 9 with the plurality of bristles 16 being positioned within the first access pipe 6. The user moves the cleaning brush 12 in and out of the U-shaped plumbing trap 1 to clear up debris. The retaining disk 17 prevents the cleaning brush 12 from accidentally fully sliding into the U-shaped plumbing trap 1 by being pressed against the second annular lip 22.
Referring to
Referring to
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
Claims
1. A drain trap with integrated cleanout fittings comprises:
- a first access pipe;
- a second access pipe;
- a first sealing cap;
- a second sealing cap;
- a U-shaped plumbing trap;
- the U-shaped plumbing trap comprises an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe, and a curved portion pipe;
- the first access pipe and the second access pipe being positioned adjacent to the curved portion pipe;
- the first access pipe laterally traversing into the curved portion pipe;
- the second access pipe laterally traversing into the curved portion pipe, opposite the first access pipe;
- the first sealing cap being adjacently attached to the first access pipe, opposite the U-shaped plumbing trap;
- the second sealing cap being adjacently attached to the second access pipe, opposite the U-shaped plumbing trap; and
- the first access pipe, the second access pipe, and the U-shaped plumbing trap being in fluid communication with each other.
2. The drain trap with integrated cleanout fittings as claimed in claim 1 comprises:
- a first accordion-style pipe;
- the first accordion-style pipe being positioned adjacent to the outlet pipe, opposite the curved portion pipe; and
- the first accordion-style pipe being concentrically integrated into the outlet pipe.
3. The drain trap with integrated cleanout fittings as claimed in claim 1 comprises:
- a second accordion-style pipe;
- the second accordion-style pipe being positioned adjacent to the inlet pipe, opposite to the curved portion pipe; and
- the second accordion-style pipe being concentrically integrated into the inlet pipe.
4. The drain trap with integrated cleanout fittings as claimed in claim 1 comprises:
- a main axis of the first access pipe being coincidentally aligned with a sagittal plane of the U-shaped plumbing trap; and
- a main axis of the second access pipe being coincidentally aligned with the sagittal plane of the U-shaped plumbing trap.
5. The drain trap with integrated cleanout fittings as claimed in claim 1 comprises:
- a cleaning brush;
- the cleaning brush comprises a flexible rod and a plurality of bristles;
- the plurality of bristles being positioned along the flexible rod, adjacent to a distal end of the flexible rod;
- the plurality of bristles being radially connected around the flexible rod; and
- the cleaning brush being removably positioned within the first access pipe, the curved portion pipe, and the second access pipe.
6. The drain trap with integrated cleanout fittings as claimed in claim 5 comprises:
- a first annular lip;
- the cleaning brush further comprises a retaining disk;
- the retaining disk being positioned opposite to the plurality of bristles, along the flexible rod;
- the retaining disk being concentrically and laterally connected around the flexible rod;
- the first annular lip being concentrically positioned within the first access pipe;
- the first annular lip being laterally connected to the first access pipe;
- the plurality of bristles being positioned within the second access pipe; and
- the retaining disk being pressed against the first annular lip.
7. The drain trap with integrated cleanout fittings as claimed in claim 5 comprises:
- a second annular lip;
- the cleaning brush further comprises a retaining disk;
- the retaining disk being positioned opposite to the plurality of bristles, along the flexible rod;
- the retaining disk being concentrically and laterally connected around the flexible rod;
- the second annular lip being concentrically positioned within the second access pipe;
- the second annular lip being laterally connected to the second access pipe;
- the plurality of bristles being positioned within the first access pipe; and
- the retaining disk being pressed against the second annular lip.
8. The drain trap with integrated cleanout fittings as claimed in claim 5 comprises:
- the cleaning brush further comprises a handle ring; and
- the handle ring being adjacently connected to a proximal end of the flexible rod.
9. The drain trap with integrated cleanout fittings as claimed in claim 1 comprises:
- a first slip-joint washer;
- an access aperture of the first access pipe;
- the first slip-joint washer being concentrically positioned with the first access pipe;
- the first slip-joint washer being adjacently connected to the first sealing cap; and
- the first slip-joint washer being pressed into the access aperture of the first access pipe by the first sealing cap.
10. The drain trap with integrated cleanout fittings as claimed in claim 1 comprises:
- a second slip-joint washer;
- an access aperture of the second access pipe;
- the second slip-joint washer being concentrically positioned with the second access pipe;
- the second slip-joint washer being adjacently connected to the second sealing cap; and
- the second slip-joint washer being pressed into the access aperture of the second access pipe by the second sealing cap.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 20, 2018
Publication Date: Nov 15, 2018
Inventors: John Wesley Corbin (Vancouver, WA), Donald Earl Hodgdon, JR. (Newberg, OR)
Application Number: 16/041,539