Universal Adaptor for Tub Drains
An adaptor that fits inside of a drain tub insert. The adaptor has a central hub that connects to a radial flange at the top of the hub. The radial flange on the adaptor fits over the tub drain flange to provide a clean and new appearance. There are a plurality of compression clips extending out from the outer wall of the circular hub that engage the inner wall of the drain tub insert. This holds the adaptor in place within the drain tub insert so that there is very limited lateral movement and the adaptor is further securely retained inside the drain tub insert. The adaptor is designed to receive several types of stoppers such as a flip top stopper, toe touch stopper, and other stoppers in which the user raises a central post to raise and lower a resilient seal.
Bathtubs and showers have tub drain inserts that allow water to drain from the tub into the waste water drain. The drain tub insert is generally fitted with a stopper, closure or valve that controls the flow of water from the tub into the tub drain. Although some types of stoppers, closures, or valves can be replaced with another type, generally the tub is fitted with one specific type of stopper, closure or valve that remains with the tub during its life. Oftentimes, the user would like a different type of stopper than the one originally provided. However, the drain tub insert will not accommodate the various types of stoppers on the market.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONRecognizing that homeowners and renters would like a different type of stopper, while not requiring a major repair and replacement of the bathtub, shower or drain insert, Applicant invented an insert or adaptor that easily fits within the drain tub insert and can accommodate various stoppers on the market. All of this is accomplished with the adaptor invented by Applicant that easily and quickly fits into the drain tub insert with no tools. Furthermore, the adaptor can then receive several different types of stoppers available in the marketplace.
Applicant's adaptor comprises a circular hub that fits inside of the drain tub insert and a radial flange at the top of the hub that fits over the tub drain flange to provide a clean and new appearance. There are a plurality of clips extending out from the outer wall of the circular hub and engage the inner wall of the drain tub insert. This holds the adaptor in place within the drain tub insert. The adaptor is designed to receive several types of stoppers such as a flip top stopper and various stoppers in which the user raises a central post to raise and lower a resilient seal.
Turning first to
An adaptor 14, has a radial flange 16 extending out from the center of the adaptor 14. The radial flange 16 has smooth top and bottom surfaces 18, 20. A circular hub 22 extends down from the radial flange 16. The circular hub has an outer wall 24 from which extend a plurality of clips 26 that extend out from the outer wall 24. The clips 26 can be attached to the outer wall 24 by means of welding, glue, or other joining techniques. Alternatively, they can be formed from the circular hub 22 by a punch press that forms and pushes the clips 26 out from the circular hub 22. The clips 26 are flexible and act like springs extending out from the circular hub 22 and function as compression members disposed between the hub 22 and the drain insert 4. Although clips 26 are illustrated, other compression members such as rubber inserts, or other flexible inserts that serve to hold the adaptor 14 firmly within the circular hub 22 could be utilized. In order for the user to install the adaptor 14, he or she need only position the adaptor centrally over the tub drain insert 4 and push down on the radial flange 16. The clips 26 compress and firmly engage the cylindrical lower body 6 of the tub drain insert 4 and retain the adaptor 14 within the tub drain insert 4. However, the adaptor 14 can be removed from the tub drain insert 4 by wedging a tool between the bottom surface 16 and the upper annular flange 8 of the tub drain insert 4.
The top portion of the circular hub 22 has a curved inner wall 30 as seen in
In the alternate embodiment illustrated in
With the inventive adaptor, many other types of stoppers can also be accommodated without the necessity of any major modification to the adaptor or the tub drain insert. The adaptor is preferably made of corrosion resistant material to reduce the possibility of rust and corrosion and presents an attractive appearance.
Thus, there has been provided a universal adaptor that easily fits into the tub drain insert and provides a device that will accommodate various types of stoppers. While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. An adaptor for tub drains for receiving a variety of drain stoppers without modification of the adaptor comprising:
- a radial flange having a centrally disposed opening, the radial flange having a substantially flat top and flat bottom surface,
- a cylindrical hub with a top, a bottom, and an outer wall, the top connected to the bottom surface of the radial flange,
- a plurality of compression members each comprising an outstanding flexible clip having a proximal end affixed to the outer wall above the bottom of the cylindrical hub, and a distal end protruding radially out from the outer wall,
- the distal end of the compression members engaging the tub drain for securely mounting the adaptor inside the tub drain when the adaptor is inserted into the tub drain,
- the cylindrical hub receiving a drain stopper which selectively opens and closes the centrally disposed opening to allow water to flow into the tub drain or to stop water from flowing into the tub drain.
2- (canceled)
3. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein the cylindrical hub has a centrally disposed axis that is in axial alignment with the centrally disposed opening in the radial flange.
4- (canceled)
5. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein the cylindrical hub further comprises a curved surface disposed at the top of the cylindrical hub for receiving a circular disc that is rotated to open or close the centrally disposed opening in the radial flange.
6. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein the centrally disposed opening and cylindrical hub are adapted to receive a toe touch stopper.
7. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein the centrally disposed opening and cylindrical hub are adapted to receive a stopper comprising a central shaft and seal, wherein the central shaft can be operated to raise and lower the seal over the centrally disposed opening in the radial flange.
8- (canceled)
9. An adaptor for tub drains for receiving a variety of drain stoppers without modification of the adaptor comprising:
- a radial flange having a centrally disposed opening, the radial flange having a substantially flat top and flat bottom surface,
- a cylindrical hub with a top, a bottom, and an outer wall, the top connected to the bottom surface of the radial flange,
- a plurality of compression members surrounding the outer wall of the cylindrical hub, the compression members comprising outstanding clips having a proximal end and a distal end, with the proximal end attached to the outer wall above the bottom of the cylindrical hub and the distal end, being a free end, protruding out from the outer wall, the compression members having a spring action whereby the distal end flexes about the proximal end that is attached to the outer wall,
- the distal end of the compression member engaging the tub drain for securely mounting the adaptor inside the tub drain when the adaptor is inserted into the tub drain, and
- the cylindrical hub receiving a drain stopper which selectively opens and closes the centrally disposed opening to allow water to flow into the tub drain or to stop water from flowing into the tub drain.
10. The adaptor of claim 9 wherein the cylindrical hub further comprises a curved surface disposed at the top of the cylindrical hub for receiving a circular disc that is rotated to open or close the centrally disposed opening in the radial flange.
11. The adaptor of claim 9 wherein the centrally disposed opening and cylindrical hub are adapted to receive a toe touch stopper.
12. The adaptor of claim 9 wherein the centrally disposed opening and cylindrical hub are adapted to receive a stopper comprising a central shaft and seal, wherein the central shaft can be operated to raise and lower the seal over the centrally disposed opening in the radial flange.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 16, 2017
Publication Date: Feb 21, 2019
Inventor: Fan Zhang (Lake Barrington, IL)
Application Number: 15/678,268