Pop-up Drain Stopper Linkage Assembly

Abstract

A pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly contains: a drain base, a connector, a lift rod, a connection seat, a flexible clamper, an adjustment member, a driving rod, and a drain stopper. The drain base includes an outlet, the connector is fixed on the drain base, and the lift rod is pulled upward and pressed downward by a user. The connection seat includes a first through orifice in which the lift rod is fitted, an accommodation groove defined in the first through orifice, and at least one locking structure formed on the accommodation groove. The flexible clamper is housed in the accommodation groove, and the adjustment member is disposed on the connection seat. The driving rod includes a first end rotatably connected with the connector and includes a second end connecting with the connection seat. Furthermore, the drain stopper is secured on the drain base.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a basin accessory, and more particularly to a pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly adapted for the basin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,136,179 B2 and contains: a lift rod fixed on a basin on which a faucet is mounted and configured to be pulled upward and pressed downward; a drain base screwed with a bottom of the basin and cooperating with a screwing element, the draining base including an outlet defined on a top thereof and a through hole formed on a peripheral side thereof; a connector connected with the through hole of the drain base; a coupling rod retained with a bottom of the lift rod and moving vertically in response to the lift rod, the coupling rod including a plurality of orifices formed thereon; a driving rod including a first segment, a second segment, and a spherical ball adjacent to the first segment and rotatably connected with the connector so as to form a fulcrum, wherein the first segment extends into the drain base from the through hole, the driving rod also includes plural fitting portions arranged proximate to the second segment, and one of the plural fitting portions selectively fits with one of the plurality of orifices on the coupling rod, such that the driving rod moves upward or downward in response to the coupling rod and causes a lever movement along the fulcrum; a drain stopper including a bottom end retaining with the first segment of the driving rod from the outlet of the drain base, and the drain stopper moving upward or downward in response to the lever movement of the driving rod, wherein the drain stopper moves downward, the outlet of the drain base is turned off, and when the drain stopper moves upward, the outlet of the drain base is turned off. However, the coupling rod is removed from and is fitted with the first segment of the driving rod repeatedly, thus fixing the conventional pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly under the basin troublesomely.

A distance exits between any two adjacent orifices on the coupling rod, so the first segment of the driving rod cannot be adjustably moved on the coupling rod.

The driving rod selectively retains with the one of the plurality of orifices on the coupling rod by using the plural fitting portions, and a protrusion of any two adjacent fitting portions resists against the plurality of orifices, thus adjusting the driving rod difficulty.

The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly which contains the lift rod fixed in a limited space under the basin easily and quickly, and the drain stopper is turned on/off to discharge or accommodate water when the lift rod is pulled upward or is pressed downward.

To obtain the above aspect, a pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly provided by a first embodiment of the present invention contains: a drain base, a connector, a lift rod, a connection seat, a flexible clamper, an adjustment member, a driving rod, and a drain stopper.

The drain base includes an outlet, the connector is fixed on the drain base, and the lift rod is pulled upward and pressed downward by a user. The connection seat includes a first through orifice in which the lift rod is fitted, an accommodation groove defined in the first through orifice, and at least one locking structure formed on the accommodation groove. The flexible clamper is housed in the accommodation groove, and the adjustment member is disposed on the connection seat. The driving rod includes a first end rotatably connected with the connector and includes a second end connecting with the connection seat. Furthermore, the drain stopper is secured on the drain base.

Preferably, the accommodation groove of the connection seat has two opposite locking structures formed on a peripheral wall thereof.

Preferably, each of the at least one fixing structure is a channel spirally and obliquely extending around the peripheral wall of the accommodation groove, and each locking structure has at least two recesses configured to form the at least one locking position and the at least one unlocking position; the adjustment member includes at least one protrusion, when the adjustment member is rotated, and the at least one protrusion is retained in the at least two recesses respectively.

Preferably, each of the least two recesses extends from a first upper fringe of each locking structure along an extending direction and has a height difference on an axial direction, wherein a lower portion of each recess has each of the at least one locking position, and an upper section of each recess has each of the at least one unlocking position.

Preferably, each locking structure has four recesses which are a first recess, a second recess, a third recess, and a fourth recess formed from a bottom of each locking structure to a top of each locking structure; the first recess is configured to retain a lift rod of a smallest diameter, the second recess is configured to retain a lift rod of a small diameter, the third recess is configured to retain a lift rod of a large diameter or a lift rod of a largest diameter, and the fourth recess is configured to remove the lift rod of the largest diameter.

Preferably, the adjustment member includes a grip portion, a cylinder portion extending from the grip portion, an opening defined on a center of the grip portion and communicating with the cylinder portion so as to accommodate the lift rod, two opposite tabs extending outward from the cylinder portion so as to be rotated by the user, a bottom of the cylinder portion abutting against the flexible clamper, the at least one protrusion formed below the two opposite tabs, and a cutout defined between the at least one protrusion.

Preferably, the accommodation groove of the connection seat has a first inverted conical fence, and the flexible clamper is in an inverted cone shape and includes a second inverted conical fence so as to be accommodated inside the first inverted conical fence of the accommodation grove; the flexible clamper further includes a second upper fringe formed on an upper portion of an inner wall thereof so as to be forced by a bottom of the adjustment member, a second through orifice defined in the flexible clamper and having the flexible clamping portion, a mouth defined in the second through orifice proximate to a bottom of the connection seat, such that when the second upper fringe is pressed downward to abut against the first inverted conical fence, the flexible clamping portion retracts flexibly by way of the mouth so as to clamp the lift rod.

Preferably, the flexible clamper is annular and includes a peripheral ring and multiple flexible feet separately and circumferentially extending inward from the peripheral ring; wherein the peripheral ring is forced by a bottom of the adjustment member; a cavity is defined among distal ends of the multiple flexible feet so that the lift rod is inserted through the cavity and is clamped by the distal ends of the multiple flexible feet.

Preferably, each of the multiple flexible feet has two first extensions obliquely extending downward from an inner side of the peripheral ring, each flexible foot has two second extensions obliquely extending upward from distal ends of the two first extensions respectively, and the two second extensions connect together, such that a hollow orifice is defined between each flexible foot and the peripheral ring, and a connecting section of the two first extensions and the two second extensions abuts against the first inverted conical fence of the accommodation groove.

Preferably, the pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly further contains a buffer member fitted on the lift rod between the adjustment member and the flexible clamper so that the flexible clamper deforms, after the bottom of the adjustment member forces a top of the flexible clamper via the buffer member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the assembly of a pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view showing the application of the pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the exploded components of the pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the assembly of a part of the pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view showing the assembly of a part of the pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the assembly of a part of the pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is another perspective view showing the assembly of a part of the pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is also another perspective view showing the assembly of a part of the pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is still another perspective view showing the assembly of a part of the pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side plan view showing the operation of a part of the pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view showing the operation of a part of the pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is another cross sectional view showing the operation of a part of the pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the operation of a part of the pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the exploded components of a part of the pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is across sectional view showing the assembly of a part of the pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the assembly of a pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view showing the application of the pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the exploded components of the pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the assembly of a part of the pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a side plan view showing the assembly of a part of the pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view showing the assembly of a part of the pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view showing the operation of a part of the pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is another cross sectional view showing the operation of a part of the pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is adapted for a basin 2 and comprises: a draining base 10, a connector 20, a lift rod 30, a connection seat 40, a flexible clamper 50, an adjustment member 60, a driving rod 70, and a drain stopper 80.

The drain base 10 is disposed on the basin 2 and includes an outlet 11.

The connector 20 is fixed on the drain base 10.

The lift rod 30 extends through the basin 2, and wherein when a faucet is mounted on the basin 2, the lift rod 30 also extends through the faucet, such that the lift rod 30 is pulled upward and is pressed downward by a user after extending through the basin 2 or the faucet.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the connection seat 40 includes a first through orifice 41 in which the lift rod 30 is fitted downward, an accommodation groove 42 defined in a top of the first through orifice 41, and at least one locking structure 43 formed on a peripheral wall of the accommodation groove 42, wherein each of the at least one fixing structure 43 has at least one locking position P1 and at least one unlocking position P2.

As shown in FIGS. 6-8, the flexible clamper 50 is housed in the accommodation groove 42 of the connection seat 40 and includes a flexible clamping portion 51 in which the lift rod 30 is inserted. As illustrated in FIG. 11, a top of the flexible clamper 50 is forced by an action force so as to flexibly retract and to clamp the lift rod 30 inward. As shown in FIG. 12, after releasing the flexible clamper 50, the flexible clamper 50 expends outward and to unclamp the lift rod 30, hence the lift rod 30 is adjustably moved upward or downward.

With reference to FIGS. 6, 9 and 10, the adjustment member 60 is disposed on a top of the connection seat 40 and is adjustably rotated among the at least one locking position P1 and the at least one unlocking position P2. When the adjustment member 60 is located at the at least one locking position P1, the flexible clamper 50 is forced by the action force. When the adjustment member 60 is located at the at least one unlocking position P2, the flexible clamper 50 is removed.

The driving rod 70 is rotatably connected with the connector 20 and a bottom of the connection seat 40 so as to have a lever movement, when the lift rod 30 moves upward or downward with the connection seat 40.

The drain stopper 80 is secured on the drain base 10 and includes a bottom end moving upward or downward in response to the lever movement of the driving rod 70, such that the outlet 11 of the drain base 10 turns on/off, when the bottom end of the drain stopper 70 moves upward or downward respectively.

The accommodation groove 42 of the connection seat 40 has two opposite locking structures 43 formed on the peripheral wall thereof. Referring to FIG. 4, each of the two opposite locking structures 43 is a channel spirally and obliquely extending around the peripheral wall of the accommodation groove 42, and each locking structure 43 has at least two recesses 430 configured to form the at least one locking position P1 and the at least one unlocking position P2.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 11 and 12, the adjustment member 60 includes at least one protrusion 61, and when the adjustment member 60 is rotated, the at least one protrusion 61 is retained in at least two recesses 430 respectively.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, each of the least two recesses 430 extends from a first upper fringe 431 of each locking structure 43 along an extending direction L and has a height difference on an axial direction X, wherein a lower portion of each recess 430 has each of the at least one locking position P1, and an upper section of each recess 430 has each of the at least one unlocking position P2.

With reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 10, each locking structure 43 has four recesses 430 which are a first recess 432, a second recess 433, a third recess 434, and a fourth recess 435 formed from a bottom of each locking structure 43 to a top of each locking structure 43. The first recess 432 is configured to retain a lift rod 30 of a smallest diameter, the second recess 433 is configured to retain a lift rod 30 of a small diameter, the third recess 434 is configured to retain a lift rod 30 of a large diameter or a lift rod 30 of a largest diameter, and the fourth recess 435 is configured to remove the lift rod 30 of the largest diameter.

For example, the lift rod 30 of 4 mm or the lift rod 30 of 5 mm are provided. When the lift rod 30 of 4 mm is provided, the second recess 433 has one of the at least one locking position P1 so that after one of the at least one protrusion 61 is retained in the second recess 433, the one protrusion 61 forces the flexible clamper 50, and the flexible clamping portion 51 retracts inward to clamp the lift rod 30 of 4 mm.

The third recess 434 has one of the at least one unlocking position P2 so that after the one protrusion 61 is retained in the third recess 433, it does not force the flexible clamper 50, and the flexible clamping portion 51 expends outward to unclamp the lift rod 30 of 4 mm. Thereafter, the lift rod 30 of 4 mm is moved upward or downward, and the one protrusion 61 of the adjustment member 60 is rotated to move back to the second recess 433 so that the lift rod 30 is retained, thus controlling an angle of the driving rod 70 so as to adjust the drain stopper 80 to a desired position.

When the third recess 434 is configured to retain the lift rod 30 of 5 mm, the adjustment member 60 moves downward to force the flexible clamper 50. When the third recess 434 is higher than the fourth recess 435, it is configured to remove the lift rod 30 of 5 mm, i.e., the third recess 434 has the one unlocking position P2 so that after the one protrusion 61 is rotated into the fourth recess 433, it does not force the flexible clamper 50 downward, such that the flexible clamping portion 51 expands outward to unclamp the lift rod 30 of 5 mm, thus moving the lift rod 30 upward or downward.

Accordingly, the third recess 434 is configured to remove the lift rod 30 of 4 mm or to retain the lift rod 30 of 5 mm, and the third recess 434 has the one locking position P1 and the one unlocking position P2. In this embodiment, the third recess 434 is configured to retain the lift rod 30 of 5 mm and the fourth recess 435 is configured to remove the lift 30 of 4 mm. Preferably, the first recess 432 is configured to retain another lift rod 30 of less than 4 mm, and the second recess 433 is configured to remove another lift 30 of less than 4 mm, thus fixing the lift rods 30 of various diameters.

When the at least one protrusion 61 of the adjustment member 60 is located in the at least two recesses 430 of different heights, a height difference between any two adjacent of the at least two recesses 430 is 1.5 mm so that the flexible clamper 50 retains and removes the lift rod 30.

The at least two recesses 430 windingly extend from the first upper fringe 431 of each locking structure 43, so the adjustment member 60 is not rotated directly. For example, the at least one protrusion 61 of the adjustment member 60 is rotated into the other recesses 430 by pressing the adjustment member 60 downward so that the adjustment member 60 removes from the one recess 430 and is rotated. When the lift rod 30 is retained, the flexible clamper 50 expends upward so that the at least one protrusion 61 is retained in the other recesses 430 tightly.

Accordingly, the adjustment member 60 is rotated directly to move into the at least two recesses 430 easily and quickly.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 9, the adjustment member 60 includes a grip portion 601, a cylinder portion 602 extending from the grip portion 601, an opening 600 defined on a center of the grip portion 601 and communicating with the cylinder portion 602 so as to accommodate the lift rod 30, two opposite tabs 62 extending outward from the cylinder portion 601 so as to be rotated by the user, a bottom of the cylinder portion 602 abutting against the flexible clamper 50, the at least one protrusion 61 formed below the two opposite tabs 62, and a cutout 63 defined between the at least one protrusion 61 so that the cylinder portion 602 deforms flexibly and the at least one protrusion 61 is rotated into each locking structure 43 via the accommodation groove 42 of the connection seat 40.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the accommodation groove 42 of the connection seat 40 has a first inverted conical fence 421, and the flexible clamper 50 is in an inverted cone shape and includes a second inverted conical fence 52 so as to be accommodated inside the first inverted conical fence 421 of the accommodation grove 42. The flexible clamper 50 further includes a second upper fringe 53 formed on an upper portion of an inner wall thereof so as to be forced by the bottom of the adjustment member 60, a second through orifice 54 defined in the flexible clamper 50 and having the flexible clamping portion 51, a mouth 500 defined in the second through orifice 54 proximate to the bottom of the connection seat 40, such that when the second upper fringe 53 is pressed downward to abut against the first inverted conical fence 421, the flexible clamping portion 51 retracts flexibly by way of the mouth 500 so as to clamp the lift rod 30.

The second through orifice 54 has multiple first ribs 541 arranged thereon so as to contact with the lift rod 30 matingly.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the flexible clamping portion 51 includes a rubber portion 501 and a plastic portion 502 which is a part of the second inverted conical fence 52, wherein the rubber portion 501 is integrally molded with the plastic portion 502 so that the flexible clamping portion 51 deforms flexibly and has frictional resistance, hence the flexible clamping portion 51 of the second through orifice 54 clamps the lift rod 30 (made of metal) securely, the plastic portion 502 reduces friction between the second inverted conical fence 52 and the first inverted conical fence 421, and the flexible clamper 50 moves upward and downward smoothly as the adjustment member 60 is rotated tightly or loosely.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the connection seat 40 includes a first engagement portion 44 formed on the bottom thereof. The driving rod 70 includes a first segment 71, a second segment 72, a spherical knob 73 located adjacent to the first segment 71 and rotatably connected with the connector 20, and multiple second engagement portions 74 horizontally arranged proximate to the second segment 72. The first engagement portion 44 of the connection seat 40 is engaged with one of the multiple second engagement portions 74, wherein one of the first engagement portion 44 and the one second engagement portion 74 is a column, and the other of the first engagement portion 44 and the one second engagement portion 74 is a hole. In this embodiment, the first engagement portion 44 is a column integrally extending from the connection seat 40, and the one second engagement portion 74 is the hole so that the first engagement portion 44 (i.e. the column) is engaged with the one second engagement 74 (i.e. the hole). Alternatively, the first engagement portion 44 is a column integrally extending from the connection seat 40, and each of the multiple second engagement portions 74 is a hole.

Preferably, the column has a spherical surface so as to insert through and engage with the hole matingly.

With reference to FIG. 3, the drain base 10 includes a metal tube 101, a plastic sleeve 102 fitted on the metal tube 101 and connected with the connector 20, a plastic tube 103 screwed, fitted or adhered on a bottom of the metal tube 101, wherein the metal tube 101 is made of copper or stainless steel.

Referring further to FIGS. 3 and 13, the metal tube 101 has a third through orifice 12 defined thereon relative to the plastic sleeve 102, and the metal tube 101 has a second rib 13 extending outward from an outer wall thereof. The plastic sleeve 102 has a fourth through orifice 14 defined thereon relative to the second through orifice 12, and the plastic sleeve 102 has a slot 15 formed on an inner wall thereof so that the second rib 13 slidably retains in the slot 15 after moving into a top of the plastic sleeve 102, hence the plastic sleeve 102 is rotatably limited on the outer wall of the metal tube 101, and the lift rod 30 is inserted through the fourth through orifice 14 of the plastic sleeve 102 and the second through orifice 12 of the metal tube 101 so as to retain with the bottom end of the drain stopper 80. The plastic tube 103 is capable of reducing a length of the metal tube. 101 so as to reduce material cost of the metal tube 101.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 14, and 15, the plastic sleeve 102 includes a coupling portion 16 having two symmetrical hooks 161 between which the fourth through orifice 14 is defined. The connector 20 includes a positioning member 21, a covering member 22, and two washers 23. The positioning member 21 has an internal end 211, an external end 212, and two flaps 213 extending from an outer wall of the internal end 211 so as to rotatably retain with the two hooks 161 of the plastic sleeve 102 respectively. The covering member 22 is screwed with the external end 212 of the positioning member 21 so that a chamber 200 is defined between the covering member 22 and the positioning member 21 to accommodate the spherical knob 73 of the driving rod 70. One of the two washers 23 is fixed between an inner surface of the covering member 22 and the spherical knob 73, and the other washer 21 is defined between an inner surface of the positioning member 21 and the spherical knob 73, such that the spherical knob 73 is rotatably connected between the two washers 23.

The internal end 211 of the positioning member 21 has a support peg 214 formed thereon and partially inserting into the second through orifice 12 of the metal tube 101, a first aperture 215 defined in the internal end 211 so that the first segment 71 of the driving rod 70 is inserted into the metal tube 101 via the first aperture 215 of the internal end 211. The connector 20 further includes a seal sleeve 24 fitted between an outer wall of the support peg 214 and the fourth through orifice 14 of the plastic sleeve 102 so as to avoid water leaking out of the fourth through orifice 14 from the drain stopper 80 via the second through orifice 12.

With reference to FIGS. 16-18, a difference of a pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly 1 of a second embodiment from that of the first embodiment comprises:

a flexible clamper 50a being annular, as shown in FIGS. 19-21, and the flexible clamper 50a including a peripheral ring 55 and multiple flexible feet 56 separately and circumferentially extending inward from the peripheral ring 55, wherein the peripheral ring 55 is forced by a bottom of the adjustment member 60. A cavity 560 is defined among distal ends of the multiple flexible feet 56 so that the lift rod 30 is inserted through the cavity 560 and is clamped by the distal ends of the multiple flexible feet 56. When the peripheral ring 55 is forced by the bottom of the adjustment member 60, the multiple flexible feet 56 abut against the first inverted conical fence 421 of the accommodation groove 42, and the flexible clamping portion 51 flexibly retracts to clamp the lift rod 30.

Each of the multiple flexible feet 56 has two first extensions 561 obliquely extending downward from an inner side of the peripheral ring 55, each flexible foot 56 has two second extensions 562 obliquely extending upward from distal ends of the two first extensions 561 respectively, and the two second extensions 562 connect together, such that a hollow orifice 563 is defined between each flexible foot 56 and the peripheral ring 55, and a connecting section of the two first extensions 561 and the two second extensions 562 abuts against the first inverted conical fence 421 of the accommodation groove 42.

Thereby, the hollow orifice 563 is configured to enhance deformation of each flexible foot 45, and each flexible foot 56 has flexibility by using the two first extensions 561 and the two second extensions 562 so as to clamp the lift rod 30 securely.

When the peripheral ring 55 of the flexible clamper 50a is forced, it is accommodated in the accommodation groove 42, and the connecting section of the two first extensions 561 and the two second extensions 562 abuts against the first inverted conical fence 421 of the accommodation groove 42, so a tilted angle of the two first extensions 561 and the two second extensions 562 changes, and the flexible clamping portion 51 defined by distal ends of the multiple flexible feet 56 retract inward to clamp the lift rod 30. When the peripheral ring 55 of the flexible clamper 50a is released, the tilted angle does not change and the flexible clamping portion 51 expands outward so that the lift rod 30 is not clamped by the flexible clamping portion 51 and is moved adjustably.

The flexible clamper 50a is integrally stamped from metal material so as to obtain flexible deformation and brilliant reinforcement, wherein the metal material is stainless steel.

A buffer member 90 is fitted on the lift rod 30 between the adjustment member 60 and the flexible clamper 50a so that the flexible clamper 50 deforms, after the bottom of the adjustment member 60 forces a top of the flexible clamper 50a via the buffer member 90.

When the at least one protrusion 61 of the adjustment member 60 is located in the at least two recesses 430 of different heights, a height difference between any two adjacent of the at least two recesses 430 is 0.8 mm so that the flexible clamper 50a clamps and unclamps the lift rod 30.

In this embodiment, the metal tube 101 extends downward in a predetermined length so as to replace the plastic tube 103 of the first embodiment.

The plastic sleeve 102 has a fitting section 17 extending outward from an outer wall thereof, and the fitting section 17 has a receiving room 171 defined therein and communicating with the fourth through orifice 14. The connector 20a includes a first sheath 25, a cap 26, and a second sheath 27, wherein the first sheath 25 is accommodated in the receiving room 171 and has an internal end 251, an external end 252, a support peg 253 formed on the internal end 251 and partially inserting into the second through orifice 12 of the metal tube 101, and a spherical concave face 254 defined on an inner wall of the external end 252. The cap 26 is screwed on the external end 252 of the first sheath 25 so that the spherical knob 73 of the driving rod 70 is rotatably connected between the cap 25 and the spherical concave face 254 of the first sheath 25. The second sheath 27 is fitted between the support peg 253 and the fourth through orifice 14.

Accordingly, the lift rod 30 is rotatably fixed among the at least one locking position P1 and the at least one unlocking position P2 by way of the adjustment member 60 so as to be adjustably moved and positioned on the connection seat 40.

Thereby, the lift rod 30 is fixed in a limited space under the basin 2 easily and quickly, and the drain stopper 80 is turned on/off to discharge or accommodate the water when the lift rod 30 is pulled upward or is pressed downward.

The connection seat 40 and the driving rod 70 are connected quickly and exactly by using the first engagement portion 44 and the multiple second engagement portions 74.

The lift rod 30 is rotatably fixed among the at least one locking position P1 and the at least one unlocking position P2, and the lift rod 30 is clamped by the flexible clamper 50 properly so as to avoid damage.

The plastic sleeve 102 is rotatably limited on the outer wall of the metal tube 101 or the plastic tube 103 is formed on the drain base 10 so as to reduce the material cost. The coupling portion 16 or the fitting section 17 is molded from plastic material so as to decrease the material cost.

The support peg 214 of the positioning member 21 or the support peg 253 of the first sheath 25 supports the seal sleeve 24 so as to avoid the water leaking out of the fourth through orifice 14.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

1. A pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly comprising:

a drain base including an outlet;

a connector fixed on the drain base;

a lift rod pulled upward and pressed downward by a user;

a connection seat including a first through orifice in which the lift rod is fitted, an accommodation groove defined in the first through orifice, and at least one locking structure formed on the accommodation groove;

a flexible clamper housed in the accommodation groove of the connection seat;

an adjustment member disposed on the connection seat;

a driving rod including a first end rotatably connected with the connector, and the driving rod including a second end connecting with a the connection seat; and

a drain stopper secured on the drain base.

2. The pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the drain base is disposed on a basin;

the lift rod extends through the basin;

the lift rod inserts into the connection seat, and

each of the at least one fixing structure has at least one locking position and at least one unlocking position;

the flexible clamper includes a flexible clamping portion in which the lift rod is inserted, a top of the flexible clamper is forced by an action force so as to flexibly retract and to clamp the lift rod inward, and after releasing the flexible clamper, the flexible clamper expends outward and to unclamp the lift rod, hence the lift rod is adjustably moved upward or downward;

the adjustment member is disposed on a top of the connection seat and is adjustably rotated among the at least one locking position and the at least one unlocking position; when the adjustment member is located at the at least one locking position, the flexible clamper is forced by the action force, and when the adjustment member is located at the at least one unlocking position, the flexible clamper is removed;

the driving rod is in connection with the connector, and the driving rod has a lever movement, when the lift rod moves upward or downward with the connection seat;

the drain stopper includes a bottom end moving upward or downward in response to the lever movement of the driving rod, such that the outlet of the drain base turns on/off, when the bottom end of the drain stopper moves upward or downward respectively.

3. The pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the accommodation groove of the connection seat has two opposite locking structures formed on a peripheral wall thereof.

4. The pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the at least one fixing structure is a channel spirally and obliquely extending around the peripheral wall of the accommodation groove, and each locking structure has at least two recesses configured to form the at least one locking position and the at least one unlocking position;

the adjustment member includes at least one protrusion, when the adjustment member is rotated, and the at least one protrusion is retained in the at least two recesses respectively.

5. The pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the least two recesses extends from a first upper fringe of each locking structure along an extending direction and has a height difference on an axial direction, wherein a lower portion of each recess has each of the at least one locking position, and an upper section of each recess has each of the at least one unlocking position.

6. The pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein each locking structure has four recesses which are a first recess, a second recess, a third recess, and a fourth recess formed from a bottom of each locking structure to a top of each locking structure; the first recess is configured to retain a lift rod of a smallest diameter, the second recess is configured to retain a lift rod of a small diameter, the third recess is configured to retain a lift rod of a large diameter or a lift rod of a largest diameter, and the fourth recess is configured to remove the lift rod of the largest diameter.

7. The pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the adjustment member includes a grip portion, a cylinder portion extending from the grip portion, an opening defined on a center of the grip portion and communicating with the cylinder portion so as to accommodate the lift rod, two opposite tabs extending outward from the cylinder portion so as to be rotated by the user, a bottom of the cylinder portion abutting against the flexible clamper, the at least one protrusion formed below the two opposite tabs, and a cutout defined between the at least one protrusion.

8. The pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the accommodation groove of the connection seat has a first inverted conical fence, and the flexible clamper is in an inverted cone shape and includes a second inverted conical fence so as to be accommodated inside the first inverted conical fence of the accommodation grove; the flexible clamper further includes a second upper fringe formed on an upper portion of an inner wall thereof so as to be forced by a bottom of the adjustment member, a second through orifice defined in the flexible clamper and having the flexible clamping portion, a mouth defined in the second through orifice proximate to a bottom of the connection seat, such that when the second upper fringe is pressed downward to abut against the first inverted conical fence, the flexible clamping portion retracts flexibly by way of the mouth so as to clamp the lift rod.

9. The pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second through orifice of the flexible clamper has multiple first ribs arranged thereon.

10. The pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the flexible clamping portion includes a rubber portion and a plastic portion which is a part of the second inverted conical fence.

11. The pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the flexible clamper is annular and includes a peripheral ring and multiple flexible feet separately and circumferentially extending inward from the peripheral ring; wherein the peripheral ring is forced by a bottom of the adjustment member; a cavity is defined among distal ends of the multiple flexible feet so that the lift rod is inserted through the cavity and is clamped by the distal ends of the multiple flexible feet.

12. The pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of the multiple flexible feet has two first extensions obliquely extending downward from an inner side of the peripheral ring, each flexible foot has two second extensions obliquely extending upward from distal ends of the two first extensions respectively, and the two second extensions connect together, such that a hollow orifice is defined between each flexible foot and the peripheral ring, and a connecting section of the two first extensions and the two second extensions abuts against the first inverted conical fence of the accommodation groove.

13. The pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the flexible clamper is integrally stamped from metal material.

14. Preferably, the pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly further contains a buffer member fitted on the lift rod between the adjustment member and the flexible clamper so that the flexible clamper deforms, after the bottom of the adjustment member forces a top of the flexible clamper via the buffer member.

15. The pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the connection seat includes a first engagement portion formed on the bottom thereof; the driving rod includes a first segment, a second segment, a spherical knob located adjacent to the first segment and rotatably connected with the connector, and multiple second engagement portions horizontally arranged proximate to the second segment; the first engagement portion of the connection seat is engaged with one of the multiple second engagement portions.

16. The pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein one of the first engagement portion and the one second engagement portion is a column, and the other of the first engagement portion and the one second engagement portion is a hole.

17. The pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first engagement portion is a column integrally extending from the connection seat, and each of the multiple second engagement portions is a hole.

18. The pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the column has a spherical surface so as to insert through and engage with the hole matingly.

19. The pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the drain base includes a metal tube, a plastic sleeve fitted on the metal tube and connected with the connector, a plastic tube connected on a bottom of the metal tube.

20. The pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly as claimed in claim 19, wherein the metal tube has a third through orifice defined thereon relative to the plastic sleeve, and the metal tube has a second rib extending outward from an outer wall thereof; the plastic sleeve has a fourth through orifice defined thereon relative to the second through orifice, and the plastic sleeve has a slot formed on an inner wall thereof.

21. The pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein the plastic sleeve includes a coupling portion having two symmetrical hooks between which the fourth through orifice is defined; the driving rod includes a first segment, a second segment, and a spherical knob located adjacent to the first segment and rotatably connected with the connector; the connector includes a positioning member, a covering member, and two washers; the positioning member has an internal end, an external end, and two flaps extending from an outer wall of the internal end so as to rotatably retain with the two hooks of the plastic sleeve respectively; the covering member is screwed with the external end of the positioning member so that a chamber is defined between the covering member and the positioning member to accommodate the spherical knob of the driving rod; one of the two washers is fixed between an inner surface of the covering member and the spherical knob, and the other washer is defined between an inner surface of the positioning member and the spherical knob, such that the spherical knob is rotatably connected between the two washers.

22. The pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein the internal end of the positioning member has a support peg formed thereon and partially inserting into the second through orifice of the metal tube, a first aperture defined in the internal end so that the first segment of the driving rod is inserted into the metal tube via the first aperture of the internal end; the connector further includes a seal sleeve fitted between an outer wall of the support peg and the fourth through orifice of the plastic sleeve.

23. The pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein the plastic sleeve has a fitting section extending outward from an outer wall thereof, and the fitting section has a receiving room defined therein and communicating with the fourth through orifice; the driving rod includes a first segment, a second segment, a spherical knob located adjacent to the first segment and rotatably connected with the connector, and multiple second engagement portions horizontally arranged proximate to the second segment; the connector includes a first sheath, a cap, and a second sheath, wherein the first sheath is accommodated in the receiving room and has an internal end, an external end, a support peg formed on the internal end and partially inserting into the second through orifice of the metal tube, and a spherical concave face defined on an inner wall of the external end; the cap is screwed on the external end of the first sheath so that the spherical knob of the driving rod is rotatably connected between the cap and the spherical concave face of the first sheath; the second sheath is fitted between the support peg and the fourth through orifice.