Strainer, Stopper, Plug Or Closure Patents (Class 4/286)
  • Patent number: 6453482
    Abstract: A safety cover for swimming pool drains for dispersing suction pressure and preventing a person's hair or other body parts from becoming entangled and otherwise preventing injury or death. A generally dome-shaped drain cover is removably affixed to a new and/or existing suction drain using a universal mounting mechanism. The drain cover is preferably circular and includes a peripheral lip, a sidewall, and a segmented dome-shaped top portion. The peripheral lip functions to form a seal with the bottom surface of the pool surrounding the drain, while the sidewall defines a plurality of openings therein and the segmented dome-shaped top portion defines a plurality of segments each of which include a plurality of openings. Each opening incorporates screen mesh material for allowing water to flow therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Inventor: Paul M. Mullings
  • Patent number: 6442770
    Abstract: A shutoff assembly includes a main body, a drain cover, a plugging device, and a shutoff cap. The plugging device is disposed in a through hole of the main body and connected to a drain opening coupler. A sliding path is formed in a side recessed slot on the plugging device for a hook lever to slide through. A spring is disposed between the shutoff cap and the plugging device. The drain cover is placed below the top portion of the main body. When the shutoff assembly is pressed, the bottom end of the hook lever is trapped in a bottom recess and the drain cover blocks the drain hole of the drain opening coupler. When the shutoff assembly is pressed again, the hook lever is released and the drain cover is moved up to open the drain hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: Michael C. H. Lin
  • Publication number: 20020104156
    Abstract: A lock for holding a drain screen in place on the end of a drainpipe has a bolt passing through the screen and screwed into a lateral bore of a cross brace within the drainpipe. The cross brace has an elongated body with a longitudinal bore having left and right threaded rods for easy insertion and the bolt has a non-standard head to thwart removal thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventor: Peter C. Rao
  • Patent number: 6381775
    Abstract: An adjustable drain apparatus includes a drain base received within a floor. A flange is coupled to the drain base. A ring is disposed in a flange cavity and selectively movable therein. A grate is coupled to the ring. At least one retainer is coupled to the flange to retain the ring in the flange cavity. Preferably, two opposite rings selectively secure the ring in the flange. The flange has two different orientations with respect to the drain base to selectively position the grate at two different elevations with respect to the drain base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: C&D Innovations, L.C.
    Inventor: Chris Sondrup
  • Patent number: 6367102
    Abstract: A drain assembly mountable in a drain opening of a wash basin includes a movable stopper guide that can be used during installation to align the drain flange to the drain body from above the sink. The stopper guide supports at an upper end a stopper for closing the drain opening. The stopper guide has an axial opening accommodating an axial fastener joining the drain flange and drain body to the basin. The stopper guide also has downwardly extending legs defining an axial slot extending from the axial opening for accommodating cross-members extending laterally between each of the drain flange and drain body. The drain flange can be aligned to the drain body by engaging the drain flange cross-member and rotating it as needed. A method of installing a drain assembly to a basin is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Mark F. McMullen
  • Patent number: 6338168
    Abstract: A drain covering system for preventing water from going down the drain. The drain covering system includes a basin that has a drain and a drain covering member that includes an outer covering and a weighted core. The drain covering member is positionable over the drain such that the outer perimeter of the drain covering member contacts a portion of the basin around the drain. The drain covering member is adapted for preventing a liquid from passing through the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Carolyn E. Valentine
  • Patent number: 6330724
    Abstract: A drain cover locking device which fits into a drain pipe for the purpose of receiving and holding in place a standard drain cover. In general, the locking device is made of a solid generally rectangular piece of bar material, usually of metal, with one hole drilled through the center of the bar for receiving a fastener, such as a screw, and preferably a tamper-proof screw head, which is first inserted through a center hole in the drainer cover. A threaded rod having an “L” shaped hanger is threaded into each end of the bar material and the “L” shaped piece fits over the drain pipe for holding the mechanism in place. The center piece or generally rectangular piece of bar material is then turned with a wrench or other device until the bar material is firmly held in place over the pipe and the drain screw is then placed over the pipe with the center hole aligned with the center hole of the center bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Inventor: Robert K. Belle
  • Patent number: 6314590
    Abstract: A drainage device (1) for a waste water outlet (12) includes an outer tubular member (102) adapted to fit within the waste water outlet (12). An inner tubular member (103) is located within the outer tubular member (102). The interior of the inner tubular member (103) provides a first outlet and a second outlet is defined by the external wall of the inner tubular member (103) and the internal wall of the outer tubular member (102). A valve member (108, 109) is movably mounted with respect to the inner and outer tubular members (102, 103) for movement between a first position in which the second outlet is obturated and the first outlet is open to permit a liquid to flow therethrough, and a second position in which the second outlet is open to permit liquid to enter the second outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Inventor: Kok Wing Lee
  • Patent number: 6269495
    Abstract: An adjustable drain apparatus to be positioned with a floor therearound. The drain has a drain channel, having an upper end to receive fluid, and a lower end to expel the fluid. The drain also has a base, positioned proximate to the drain channel, having a cavity to receive the fluid expelled from the lower end. Additionally, the drain has pivoting means, coupled to the lower end of the drain channel, for enabling pivoting of the drain channel relative to the base. Moreover, there is a securing means for pivotally securing the pivoting means to the base. Uniquely, the securing means comprises a pair of plates, each having an inner concentric substantially spherical surface designed to mate with the pivoting means and be coupled to the base. Also, the pivoting means comprises a ring having an inner surface that is attached to the lower end of the drain channel, and an outer spherical surface designed to smoothly pivot against the spherical surfaces of the pair of plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: C&D Innovations, L.C.
    Inventor: Chris Sondrup
  • Patent number: 6263518
    Abstract: An apparatus for straining fluid flow in a drainpipe, including a cylindrical body having a sidewall terminating with an integral closed end providing a means for engaging a drain plate, and, in opposition, an open end providing an integral uniform peripheral flange extending outwardly. The peripheral flange is adapted for a tight fitting relationship with a drain pipe inside surface; and, further, the side wall provided a plurality of apertures and a further plurality of surface protuberances extending outwardly from an exterior surface of the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: Reynaldo B. Magtanong
  • Patent number: 6249920
    Abstract: A grid drain for use in sinks without overflow drains comprising a solid cylindrical shell having an upper end and a lower end; the exterior side of the solid cylindrical shell has threads which thread from the lower end to the upper end; the upper end has an angulated flange arranged to seat in the drain opening in the sink; and the angulated flange has a top solid surface having a plurality of drain holes; wherein the size of the drain holes is large enough so that an air bubble will not form or will break immediately upon formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: McGuire Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Michael McRoberts
  • Patent number: 6230337
    Abstract: An anti-vacuum drain cover is defined by a centrally supported grating together with at least one outwardly extending tributary tube. When the grating is obstructed, the fluid may still be suctioned through at least one tributary tube preventing the formation of vacuum conditions within the main drain. The outboard end of the tributary tube may be fashioned in an irregular pattern to preclude deliberate blockage with one's hand. The grating may further incorporate an anti-hair entanglement design, such as self shedding cantilever elements, which provide anti-hair snare properties. The tributary tubes may be straight or curved with sufficient length to minimize hair entanglement through the tributary tubes. The outboard ends of the tributary tubes may also be located sufficiently far from the grating to eliminate the possibility of simultaneously blocking all suction sites with a single body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Ralph L. Barnett
  • Patent number: 6226806
    Abstract: A waste water strainer has a horizontal flange having a center opening. A hollow barrel is secured to and extends downwardly from the flange and has a center opening concentrically located with respect to the center opening in the flange. A hollow strainer extension is threadably secured to a lower end of the barrel. A sleeve with an internal concave surface is slidably and removably mounted within the upper end of the strainer extension. A circular disk valve having an annular outer surface symmetrical with the concave surface of the sleeve is pivotally mounted on the concave surface of the sleeve. The sleeve is supported at the lower end of the hollow strainer and extends upwardly to engagement with a lower surface of the flange. The flange and the barrel have a chrome-like finished surface, and the strainer extension has a different finish surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Ball
  • Patent number: 6209572
    Abstract: A coupling system that can be placed into the existing drain and over the existing drain pipe to effect a repair without removal of an existing tub, shower or similar receptacle. The drain coupling system is self-sealing and can be locked into place from above. After ensuring that the proper seal is obtained between the invention and the drain pipe, the body of the invention is pushed downward until the upper collar lip engages the floor surrounding the drain opening. The system is then secured in position from above by the plurality of hex head set screws provided. The hex head set screws extend downward from the upper most surface of the invention. The coupling system is supplied with locking tabs. When the present invention is in the proper position within the drain opening, the rotation of the screws forces the wings of the locking tabs to rotate in a lateral fashion. The rotation of the locking tab continues until the wings contact the walls of the drain opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Dale Alan Wicklund
  • Patent number: 6192532
    Abstract: A shower drain replacement device for replacing existing shower drains in most shower stalls. The device includes a drain sleeve for inserting into a drain hole of a fixture, and having an open upper end and an open lower end and a peripheral side wall. A peripheral flange extends outwardly from the upper end for resting on a portion of the fixture adjacent to the drain hole. A plurality of mounting assemblies are provided for securing the drain sleeve in the drain hole of the fixture. Each of the mounting assemblies comprises an aperture in the flange of the drain sleeve, a support sleeve mounted on the drain sleeve, a rod extending through the aperture and through the support sleeve, and a mounting member rotatably mounted on the rod. The mounting member is rotatable between a retracted position and an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Plumbrite, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Sesser, Michael W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6185758
    Abstract: A device in draining gutters comprises a gutter member (11) adapted to be imbedded in a hole in a floor in relation to the surrounding floor, connectable to a conduit (6) for draining water, said member being adapted to receive water, and an arrangement for sealing the floor covering (8) in relation to the gutter member, for preventing water from finding its way between the latters. This sealing arrangement has means (23, 24, 25) aranged to seal against the floor covering (8) by bearing on the latter from above around an upper water receiving opening (32) of the gutter member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventors: Lars Croon, Bertil Eriksson
  • Patent number: 6163896
    Abstract: An auxiliary strainer that covers the large openings of a stall shower drain strainer that will protect against the loss of earrings and small valuables in the shower as well as protect against broken toes and fingers of curious children. The strainer with approximately 160 holes of 1/8 inch plus a larger center resilient hole is snapped to a ball on the end of a weighted rod that drops into the existing shower drain strainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventor: Bing Wang Lee
  • Patent number: 6154898
    Abstract: A wastewater drain control for fluid compartments has a waste water discharge port in the bottom thereof and in communication with a vertical drain pipe. A valve seat element is in the pipe below the port and has an inclined annular valve seat surface and a center opening. A spherical valve element has a diameter greater than the center opening in the valve seat surface and is adapted to close the center opening to fluid flow when dwelling on the valve seat element above the center opening. A valve stem is rigidly secured by an upper end to the spherical valve element. The lower end extends downwardly through the center opening and terminates in a lower end. This lower end is connected to a linkage assembly which extends through a seal element in the vertical pipe and extends to a remote location accessible in the environment of the fluid compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Ball
  • Patent number: 6138290
    Abstract: A movable fitting member for use with a drain fitting for controlling the discharging of fluid, comprises a drain fitting, a cylindrical guide post with an inserting plate, a lower bearing portion, and a fitting member. If the guide post is in a position that the inserting plate thereof is aligned with a deeper groove within fitting member, it will insert into the bore at its full length, so that the fitting member tightly covers the drain and thus, fluid is sealed and does not discharge out. However, if the guide post is aligned with a shallow groove formed by the second and fourth slots and the cylindrical bore, it will insert into the fitting member by only a part of its full length, so that the fitting member does not completely cover the drain fitting and thus a gap is formed therebetween. Therefore, water discharges therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: Michael C. H. Lin
  • Patent number: 6108828
    Abstract: An improved drain cover assembly for a sink is provided. The assembly includes a generally cylindrical basket having a flat bottom. A sealing plate is attached to the underside of the flat bottom. A plurality of apertures sized to permit the drainage of liquids from the sink, but prevent solid materials from passing therethrough, are located on the bottom of the basket about the sealing plate. An externally threaded member extends from the bottom of the sealing plate. The plug may be cylindrically shaped or frustoconically shaped and is press fit into a drainpipe. The plug has an open upper end and a bottom surface. The bottom surface contains a plurality of apertures to allow for liquid to drain but to prevent solid materials from passing therethrough. The bottom surface of the plug has an internally threaded member extending upwardly therefrom which mates with the threaded member extending from the bottom of the sealing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: Jip Cheng
  • Patent number: 6092244
    Abstract: A locking grate for a floor sink includes a screen member having holes dimensioned to allow the passage of liquid but prevent the passage of solid waste and a mounting hole, a threaded member dimensioned to extend through the mounting hole, and a locking member which is adapted to be engaged by the threaded member. According to a presently preferred embodiment, the threaded member is a screw having a non-standard or atypical head which requires a non-standard or unusual screw driver. The locking member includes a tube which is orthogonally engaged by the screw and which has at least one rod slideably disposed therein. The tube and the rod are arranged such that when the screw engages the tube, the screw forces the rod to slide partially out of the tube. The end of the rod which extends out of the tube is preferably provided with a surface which frictionally engages the inner wall of the floor sink drain pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Perlucid Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Rizzardi, Guido Greco
  • Patent number: 6088842
    Abstract: A drain structure for disposal with a pool or hot tub where suction or vacuum forces are normally present. The drain has interiorly a plurality of grating members having lower surfaces adapted to facilitate release of entangled hair. In certain embodiments, the grating elements are cantilevered from the inner wall of the drain and having tapered lower release surfaces. In another embodiment, the lower surfaces comprise share lower edges for severing entangled hair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Ralph L. Barnett
  • Patent number: 6066119
    Abstract: A waste water strainer has a horizontal flange having a center opening. A hollow barrel is secured to and extends downwardly from the flange and has a center opening concentrically located with respect to the center opening in the flange. A hollow strainer extension is threadably secured to a lower end of the barrel. A bushing with an internal concave surface is mounted within the upper end of the strainer extension. A circular disk valve having an annular outer surface symmetrical with the concave surface of the bushing is pivotally mounted on the concave surface of the bushing. The flange and the barrel have a chrome-like finished surface, and the strainer extension has a different finish surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Ball
  • Patent number: 5978981
    Abstract: A hair control device for pools/spas and a method for using the same includes a grate disposable in the pump inlet of a pool/spa with a plurality of elongate flow channels extending between a first end of the grate and a second end of the grate. The elongate flow channels are isolated from one another so as to decrease turbulence and to prevent hair from tangling or knotting behind the grate in such a manner that a person's head is held under water. Preferably, the channels of the grate will be at least 18 inches long. The channels can be linear, or can be disposed in a helical pattern through the housing of the grate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventor: John Nelson
  • Patent number: 5940898
    Abstract: A drain assembly for providing a leak-free linkage between a sink and a drainpipe. The drain assembly includes an inner linkage member and an outer linkage basket. The inner linkage member has inner and outer surfaces, open upper and lower ends, a basket strainer portion, an elongate drain tube portion. The inner linkage member is designed for extending through the drain opening of a sink with the upper end of the inner linkage member positioned adjacent the periphery of the drain opening of the sink and the lower end of the inner linkage member coupled to the free end of the drainpipe. The outer surface of the inner linkage member has spaced apart locking flanges extending outwardly therefrom with each locking flange defining a locking groove. The outer linkage basket has inner and outer surfaces, a bottom portion, a side portion, and an upper edge. The bottom portion of the outer linkage basket has a hole therethrough between the inner and outer surfaces of the outer linkage basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Inventor: Harold F. Rowe
  • Patent number: 5862535
    Abstract: A drain guard, for use in sinks having a drain, a bottom wall and a side wall, wherein the drain guard includes a screen for holding debris away from the sink drain. A seal, which abuts sealingly against the sink side wall, is disposed between the screen and the sink side wall to prevent debris from passing between the side wall and the screen, the seal and the screen being fixed in a frame which holds the screen a predetermined distance from the sink bottom. The frame includes a pair of arched bands which are useful as handles for moving the drain guard into, and out of the sink. In addition, the arched bands of a sink installed drain guard support heavy pots and other utensils away from the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Noga Design
    Inventors: Robert A. Noga, Raymond C. Matthias
  • Patent number: 5832544
    Abstract: A sink drain stopper has a main body provided therein with a cover body capable of rising and descending. The cover body is provided in the top thereof with a pull head. A center rod is located in the extension of the cover body by a bolt such that the center rod is fastened at the bottom end thereof with the main body. The cover body is raised or descended by rotating the cover body such that the bolt is moved on the center rod. The cover body is provided therein with a washer to avert the water leak. The cover body, the center rod and the main body can be easily dismantled for cleaning or replacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventor: Chin-Chi Pan
  • Patent number: 5832545
    Abstract: A sink drain plug is composed of a main body, a cover body, a center rod, a pull head, and an elastic wire body. The main body is fastened with a sink or lavatory. The cover body is located on the top of the main body and is provided with a hollow column extending from the underside thereof. The center rod is fitted into the hollow column such that the center rod is fastened at the bottom end thereof with the bottom end of the main body. The pull head is fastened with the top of the cover body. The elastic wire body is engaged with the center rod such that two lugs of the elastic wire body are jutted out of the center rod to urge the inside of the hollow column so as to locate securely the cover body at a level at which the main body is opened or closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventor: Chin-Chi Pan
  • Patent number: 5799339
    Abstract: A safety cover for mounting upon a suction drain that removes water from a jetted tub or spa. The safety cover can handle a high fluid flow intake rate and has a relatively small size, yet is unlikely to entangle the hair of a user and can pass the industry standard five pound pull test. The safety cover has at least one internal wall that acts as a guide vane thereby advantageously tending to reduce turbulence and vortexing of the water as it passes through the cover and into the suction drain. Because turbulence and vortexing of the water is reduced, the possibility that a user's hair could extend through the cover and become entangled thereunder is likewise reduced. Further, because of the stabilized fluid flow inside the safety cover, the cover can have a size that is smaller than otherwise possible without the anti-vortexing interior wall. The interior wall also can extend from the cover to a supporting base to advantageously increase the structural strength of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: American Products
    Inventors: Loren Perry, Darrin Swanson
  • Patent number: 5773281
    Abstract: Water contained in raw garbage introduced through a throw port is drained off by a filter member and a water-draining gate, and is drained into a drainpipe, the water having good quality. The raw garbage from which water is drained off to a sufficient degree is dry-pulverized by a pulverizer unit and is smoothly blown into the microorganism decomposition chamber through a carrier duct having a flared end, utilizing the impact force of the impeller revolving in the pulverizer unit. The dry-pulverized raw garbage that is thus conveyed is decomposed by a microorganism carrier in the microorganism decomposition chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Ichikawa, Junichi Ooki, Toru Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 5745931
    Abstract: A waste water insert has a cylindrical wall surrounding a vertical cylindrical bore. A horizontal flange extends outwardly from the upper end of the wall and has a lip formed on its outer periphery. The horizontal flange of the waste water insert is superimposed over the horizontal flange of a conventional waste water strainer located in a bathtub, sink or the like. The lip at the outer perimeter of the flange of the insert fits over the outer periphery of the horizontal flange of the waste water strainer to center the insert on the strainer. The cylindrical wall of the insert extends downwardly through the conventional cylindrical wall of the waste water strainer with the two walls being spaced from each other by virtue of the cylindrical wall of the insert having a smaller diameter than that of the strainer. A sealant material is placed between the horizontal flanges of the insert and the strainer and provides the sole means of attachment between the insert and the strainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Ball
  • Patent number: 5724684
    Abstract: A drain covering composed of an upper straining region and a lower threaded region. The straining region is in the shape of any conventional drain and has a plurality of straining holes set in various locations on the drain piece. The threaded region is connected to the bottom of the drain, and can be connected to any standard sink. A number of holes are also provided in the strainer to allow a rod to tighten the drain covering into the sink. Waterproof putty is used to seal the connection between the drain covering and the sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Inventor: Peter Fedorvich Paar
  • Patent number: 5692248
    Abstract: A waste water insert has a cylindrical wall surrounding a vertical cylindrical bore. A horizontal flange extends outwardly from the upper end of the wall and has a lip formed on its outer periphery. The horizontal flange of the waste water insert is super-imposed over the horizontal flange of a conventional waste water strainer located in a bathtub, sink or the like. The lip at the outer perimeter of the flange of the insert fits over the outer periphery of the horizontal flange of the waste water strainer to center the insert on the strainer. The cylindrical wall of the insert extends downwardly through the conventional cylindrical wall of the waste water strainer with the two walls being spaced from each other by virtue of the cylindrical wall of the insert having a smaller diameter than that of the strainer. The conventional cylindrical wall of the strainer extends below the cylindrical wall of the insert, and has a lower circular edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Ball
  • Patent number: 5636390
    Abstract: A combination sink stoppering, surface scrubbing, garbage scooping, garbage stuffing device having a generally horizontally oriented disk-shaped body providing a downfacing surface flange for stoppering a drain of a garbage disposal device. A curved scooper extends vertically downwardly from the body, the scooper providing a curved edge designed to contact a sink surface and scoop garbage from the surface into the scooper. When the garbage collected in the scooper, the scooper is positionable vertically within the drain of the disposal so as to cleanly push the garbage into the disposal comminuting chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Strech
  • Patent number: 5535455
    Abstract: A sink strainer for a garbage disposal unit includes a strainer unit, a seat and a mounting flange. The strainer unit includes a handle, a strainer member and a plug member. The plug member has a platform and a surrounding wall depending from the platform on which multiple slope guide are located. The seat includes a limiter located at a lower portion of the seat, a stopping surface protruding from and surrounding a middle portion of the seat, a snapping portion at a top of the seat, and another snapping portion at a bottom of the seat. The mounting flange is provided at a top end with a flange portion and at a bottom end with a mounting portion. The sink strainer may further include a decorative flange having a flange portion and a snapping portion which are dimensioned and configured to abut on, and be engaged with, the flange portion and top snapping portion of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Enlight Corporation
    Inventor: Morgan C. Liu
  • Patent number: 5509148
    Abstract: A three-way elbow for connection between a trap and a waste line is provided with a valved access ending in a plug. Removal of the plug allows attachment of a first end of a hose in its place. The second end of the hose is held above the water level of a sink by attachment to a board that fits over the sink. A snake inserted through the hose is directed by passageways in the elbow to the waste line. A container is mounted between a faucet for the sink and the second end of the hose so that disinfectant in the container can be carried into the hose. Brushes are mounted in the second end of the hose so as to aid in cleaning the snake as it is withdrawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Inventors: David S. Steele, Robert R. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5481766
    Abstract: A guard for repelling rats and other animals from entering a toilet bowl fixture installed on a wax sealing ring. The guard comprises a guard tube and a plurality of flexible, resilient wires having their base ends attached to circumferentially-spaced points of the tube and their free ends extending longitudinally and radially inward in a generally truncated, conelike formation. When the toilet is flushed, the wires spread radially outward to permit human waste and wads of toilet paper to easily pass. When an animal attempts to enter a toilet bowl fixture from an attached sewer line, however, pressure by the animal against the wires moves the wires radially inward to obstruct passage of the animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Inventor: James Steadman
  • Patent number: 5418983
    Abstract: A changeable sink strainer in a drain opening of a sink has a strainer body installed between the sink and a waste pipe. A threaded receiver including a flanged nut is mounted within and at a lower end of the strainer body. A decorative insert is removably disposed within the strainer body. A hollow securing element, e.g. a screw or bolt, removably engages a lower end of the decorative insert within the strainer body and threadably engages the threaded receiver to removably secure the decorative insert to the strainer body. A basket strainer with a depending stem retains the basket strainer within the strainer body. The stem has a retractable element for removably retaining the stem in the hollow securing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Jameco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Garguillo, Israel Gajer
  • Patent number: 5372715
    Abstract: A floor drain and method for its installation, such floor drain incorporating: (1) a flange clamp ring with multiple weep holes, drain tubes with siphonage drain lines, and a tongued and grooved boss, and; (2) a permeable port protector, installed over the floor drain housing and the flange clamp ring, which prevents mortar and debris from entering and clogging drainage holes while allowing water to drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: MagDouglas, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald D. Maggard, Gerald L. Evans
  • Patent number: 5308405
    Abstract: A method is provided for cleaning a toilet bowl and dissolving mineral deposits in the holes under the rim of the toilet which includes the steps of (a) flushing the toilet to empty the tank and to initiate the flow of refill water into the tank; (b) holding down the flush handle to cause the refill water to continuously flow out of the tank and into the toilet bowl; (c) plugging the drain to cause the water level in the bowl to rise towards the rim; (d) releasing the flush handle when the water in the bowl rises to a height proximate to the top of the bowl to prevent the flow of additional refill water into the bowl; (e) adding to the water in the bowl a cleaning agent to cleanse the bowl, including the area of the bowl under the rim; and (f) unplugging the drain and flushing the toilet to rinse the cleaning agent and water mixture from the bowl. The drain can be plugged with a drain stopper which includes a flexible disc swivably attached to a handle by a hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Inventor: John F. McElroy
  • Patent number: 5284580
    Abstract: A refuse collecting frame for a drainage sewer, particularly a frame placed beneath a cover of a sewer drainage opening to accumulate refuse and permit easy disposal of refuse accumulated therein in order to prevent blockage of the sewer. The refuse collecting frame includes a frame body and a refuse collecting basin. The frame body is preferably a rectangular or cubic frame structure having a dimension corresponding to the opening of the sewer drain. A filtering net or a porous board with a plurality of penetrating holes is incorporated at each lateral side and bottom of the frame. A plurality of right-angled hangers are formed at spaced positions along the upper edges of an open upper side of the frame for firmly hanging the frame on a sewer opening by positioning the right-angled hangers on a stepped portion formed along edges of the sewer opening beneath a separate cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Inventor: Shyh-Yuan Shyh
  • Patent number: 5271571
    Abstract: A perforated cylindrical receptacle is fitted within the main cylinder of an ordinary sink drain. A conical elevation of the bottom of the receptacle provides at the apex, a bearing point for a propeller, which may spin by the flow of draining fluid to free and fragment debris. By depressing a spring loaded bearing point, the same propeller can be used to manually force the propeller against the floor of the receptacle to crush and grind more resistant material. A plug placed below the receptacle and prop assembly can be raised or lowered by rotation of the assembly. The assembly is removable for cleaning and inspection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Inventor: Stuart T. Maynard, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5208921
    Abstract: A stopper assembly for a drain pipe includes a closure member having a stopper at one end and a cylindrical portion configured to fit into the drain pipe. An actuator disposed outside the drain pipe is magnetically coupled to the closure member and may be manipulated to raise and lower the closure member so as to open and close the drain outlet. The magnetic coupling avoids the need for any levers or other mechanical elements to pass through the wall of the drain pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Inventor: James D. Nicoll
  • Patent number: 5165118
    Abstract: A sink strainer assembly consisting of a body member of upright tubular shape having a lower portion connected to a drain and a larger upper portion joining to the lower portion so as to form a seat. A grid is mounted in the lower portion below the seat and a strainer basket is concentrically disposed within the upper portion. An upright plastic post is secured to said basket and a spring pressed ball member is mounted in the post so that it extends transversely outwardly at a position adjacent the lower end of the post. A resilient stopper secured to the bottom side of the strainer basket is movable into sealing engagement with the seat in a position of said post extending downwardly through said grid opening and with said ball engaging the underside of said grid so as to restrain upward movement of said post, and enable the stopper to be moved upwardly away from the seat by manual lifting of the post so as to cause the ball to be moved against the spring to a release position in the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: Guarantee Specialties, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph E. Cendrowski
  • Patent number: 5072461
    Abstract: A movable fitting member such as a bathtub drain stopper can be constructed so as to be useful with different drain fittings which differ by having post holders with different sized openings into which a guide post can be threaded. Such a movable fitting member is constructed so as to use a body having a sleeve located around a post holder and having an enlarged cavity around the post holder within the body. The guide post used is double ended; one end is threaded into the post holder in a drain fitting and the other end is located within the cavity. A nut is located on this other end; it is sufficiently large so that it cannot pass through the sleeve. As a result of this the body cannot normally be separated from the guide post during the use of the fitting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: The Logsdon Foundation
    Inventor: Duane D. Logsdon
  • Patent number: 4999858
    Abstract: A drain pipe assembly, which includes a S-shaped drain pipe having mounted on its orifice a cup-like filter plate and a strainer and having inserted therein a cleaning brush. The S-shaped drain pipe includes a bent pipe portion extending from a vertical end pipe portion to define therewith a first bent on its upper side and a second bent on its bottom side, wherein the second bent is arranged at a level much higher than the first bent so that impurities and mud carried by rain water can be retained in the bottom of the vertical end pipe portion and vermin can be prohibited from passing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Inventor: Chih-Cheng Wu
  • Patent number: 4964180
    Abstract: A shower strainer mounting assembly (10) comprises an elongated cast-in adaptor coupling (12) for being cast into concrete having a lower end portion (16) for receiving standard 2 inch pipe (24) and an upper portion end (18) with an inner diameter of at least 37/8 inches. A separate pan-mounting flange member (14) comprises a circular tubular portion (36) having a continuous round external surface of a size and shape for fitting snugly into the top of the cast-in adaptor coupling and an internal surface with a diameter of less than 3 5/16 inches but at least 2 11/16 inches in cross section and a flange portion (38) attached to the upper end of the tubular portion extending radially outward from an outer surface (40) thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Inventor: Gerold J. Harbeke
  • Patent number: 4949406
    Abstract: A filter trap assembly of the type to be used in a sink or other similar plumbing facility and including an elongated vertical pipe section connected at an open end to the drain of a sink and including a closed end defining a liquid reservoir. A filter housing is disposed intermediate said open and closed ends and is structurally adapted to have a filter element removably disposed therein in interruptive relation to liquid flow passing along the length of said vertical pipe section from said open to said closed end in order to trap any solid materials therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Inventor: Giuseppe Canelli
  • Patent number: 4926507
    Abstract: A drain closure comprises a drain stopper having a downwardly projecting sleeve, an upwardly extending post loosely received in the sleeve, and structure carrying the post, the sleeve having at least one opening through the side thereof, and a spring carried by the sleeve and having an arm received in that opening to frictionally engage the post, whereby the sleeve, spring and stopper are adjustably movable up and down relative to the post, against frictional force exerted by the spring arm engaging the post as the arm slides relative to the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: American Brass and Aluminum Foundry Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Burnie M. Craig, Roy K. Fujitaki
  • Patent number: D333342
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Inventor: Harry L. Newhard