Plugs Patents (Class 4/295)
  • Patent number: 7530123
    Abstract: An automatic drain device for a sink and especially a sink without an overflow hole is provided. The device includes a magnetically controlled valve to open a return path for the flow of overflow fluid to the draining pipe. When the sink is about to overflow, water pressure increases causing the valve in the magnetically controlled valve to open a bypass path to the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Inventors: Zheng Cao, Zhongyan Lv
  • Patent number: 7480954
    Abstract: A scraper and stuffer tool for a sink disposer having a split rubber entry portion in a bottom portion of a sink well comprises: a) an upper portion having a bottom portion sized to generally extend around a peripheral portion of the split rubber entry portion so that the tool can be carried/stored on and above the split rubber entry portion of the disposer; b) a central push portion extending centrally beneath the upper portion, configured to push food centrally through the split rubber entry portion into the disposer; c) a singular blade portion extending centrally across and beneath the push portion for scraping food off dishes and the sink into the disposer well; and, d) a top lift means extending centrally above the upper portion so that the tool can be lifted up and out of a storage/drain position in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Inventor: Theresa A. Houck
  • Patent number: 7367078
    Abstract: A “plunger-brush” is described and claimed. The plunger-brush includes a surface cleaning element at one end of a cylindrical member, which is used to sweep debris from a surface. The cylindrical member also bears a collar that closes a drain opening when the plunger-brush is placed in a drain, for example of a kitchen sink. A handle at the other end of the plunger-brush provides for easy handling of the implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Inventors: John Mameletzi, Mark J. Nuell
  • Publication number: 20080072387
    Abstract: An improved combination garbage disposal safety poker and scraper for scraping waste from eating ware and sinks and pushing such materials into the disposal unit so that such wastes are close as possible to the blades of the disposal. The safety poker/scraper has interchangeable tops which may consist of a cup-shaped drain and handle, an elastomeric cap and handle or simply an enlarged handle. The scraper portion is detachable and can be replaced when worn. The scraper portion is curved so that it can fit more easily into the garbage disposal unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas K. Dombrowski
  • Patent number: 7290295
    Abstract: A captive drain plug assembly is securely attached to a drain trap and has a mounting anchor mounted inside the drain trap, a sleeve mounted slidably on the mounting anchor and a decorative stopper attached to the sleeve. When the drain plug is used, the decorative stopper will not detach from the mounting anchor. Further, the decorative stopper can be formed as an interesting figure to increase fun when the decorative stopper is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Inventor: Chin-Chi Pan
  • Publication number: 20070174954
    Abstract: A dissolving drain plug includes a body made of a material which is adapted to dissolve within a specific time interval when exposed to a specific liquid solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventor: Nancy Millard
  • Patent number: 7082961
    Abstract: An apparatus for flood relief comprising a bell shaped hollow body having a top, a bottom, a top opening suitable for attaching a hose, and a bottom opening; a base ring having a center opening, a bottom surface, a side, an adhesive material on the bottom surface, and a protective sheet attached to the adhesive material; and a hose having the means for attaching said hose to the top opening of the body, whereby the protective sheet is removed from the adhesive material on the bottom surface of the base ring and the base ring is placed on the floor of a basement so that the center opening of the base ring is juxtaposed with a drain opening and the body is screwed on the base ring and the hose is attached to the body whereby water that rises through a basement trap will pass through the body and the hose and will be deposited onto a yard of a house.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Inventor: Linda Phillips
  • Patent number: 7032254
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an optimized plug for a sink drainage to solve the inferior plug shaft and plug knob structure. The plug shaft and plug knob has two engaging structures, namely, rotating engagement and vertically sliding structure; the plug includes a plug body, a plug shaft, a plug knob, and a plug cap, wherein the plug shaft has side slot defined a top end, the plug knob has a trans-slot, a longitudinal annual channel, and knob shoulder and a biasing bridge slidable inserted into the side slot; by rotating the plug cap from 10° to 170° angular degree, the biasing bridge is supported by the top edge of the plug shaft for ensuring the plug in a water-flowing position, while from 171° to 11° degree, the plug knob is slide into the plug shaft for sealing the water; by inserting an elastic member into the trans-slot, the elastic member is adapted to extend out for biasing the plug shaft edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventors: Weilong Dong, Hanping Ding
  • Patent number: 7013500
    Abstract: A strainer includes a water collector on an upper side, and a tube coupled on the bottom of the water collector. The tube has flutes formed on the inner wall. An extendable rod is housed in the tube and has lugs on the periphery to slide in the flutes. A latch member is housed in a housing chamber on the bottom of the extendable rod and has coupling sections formed on the bottom in an annular manner. An elastic element has a top end housed in the latch member and a bottom end fastened to a coupling member to couple on the bottom end of the tube. The top end of the extendable rod is fastened to a plug which is insertable in the drain port of the water collector. A filter is located in the water collector and has a button in the center depressible up and down to control water collection or discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Kun-Hsi Lin
  • Patent number: 7013501
    Abstract: Apparatus for sealing an aperture against ingress of floodwater is disclosed. The apparatus comprising a cover portion for covering and forming a seal around an aperture, and location means for engaging with a component associated with the aperture to retain the cover portion in place. For example, the locating means may include a securing element that engages with the fixed component, and screw threaded components to draw the cover portion into place. Embodiments of the invention may be applied to seal an aperture such as an airbrick, a wastewater outlet, an overflow, etc. Further apparatus comprises a sealing portion and a securing portion whereby the apparatus can be disposed for use in a toilet bowl such that the sealing portion is retained in position by the securing portion to substantially seal an outlet of the toilet bowl. Once the risk of flooding has passed, the apparatus can be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Alexander Jones, Peter Anthony Jones
  • Patent number: 6966077
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for opening and shutting a drain valve in a washstand, particularly, an apparatus for automatically opening and shutting a drain valve in a washstand, wherein an automatic opening and shutting means for automatically opening and shutting the drain valve is mounted. The apparatus for automatically opening and shutting the drain valve in the washstand, wherein a drain-pipe is connected to the bottom of a washstand, and the top of the drain-pipe, i.e., a drain-outlet is opened and shut by a drain valve built in the drain-pipe, including a deceleration motor formed at one side of the drain-pipe, a working cam closely contacting the bottom of the drain valve, wherein the working cam is disposed on the axis of the deceleration motor, and a touch button for turning on/off the deceleration motor, wherein the touch button is disposed at a predetermined portion of the washstand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Inventor: Sang-Ik Cho
  • Patent number: 6938279
    Abstract: A container having an opening that extends through the container. The outer surface of the container includes a tapered section located within the opening. The tapered section extends from the bottom of the container towards the inner surface of the container. A plug is retained within the opening of the container. The plug has a head, an upright section and a base with a peripheral edge. The peripheral edge of the base contacts the tapered section of the container to enable the plug to remain in an upright drainage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: The Little Tikes Company
    Inventor: Gregg A. Henderson
  • Patent number: 6934975
    Abstract: An adapter device, intended to be used with a conventional kitchen hose spray nozzle attached to a flexible hose, on most kitchen faucets can be used to clear drains. The adapter device can be mated or secured to the kitchen hose spray and will close the drain opening when the kitchen hose spray ejects a water spray into the drain to remove impacted matter in the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: American Technology Solutions, Inc
    Inventors: Thomas Andrew Hope, Gettys Haywood Knox, Robert James Sandee
  • Patent number: 6904623
    Abstract: A protrusion of the plug lid out of a bath tub is restricted to prevent the plug lid from being a hindrance, and water-tightness of the plug is improved. The plug lid is dropped into a notch formed in such a way that the circumferential edge of the plug lid becomes lower than the bottom surface of the bath tub. The packing closely contacts a packing close-contact surface narrowed from the bottom surface of the notch in a downward direction. The bottom part of the notch is formed into the horizontal plane and the plug lid is supported while it is not inclined under application of weight (such as a hydraulic pressure or an artificial pressure applied by a user) and the packing is protected from unnecessary crushing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Inventors: Ikumi Ohta, Masaki Ishigaki, Shinichi Ohta
  • Patent number: 6880179
    Abstract: A sink stopper is provided for a sink body having a base formed with a drain hole, and includes a strainer, an operating device and a closure member. The strainer is mounted on the base, and has a perforated strainer wall disposed in the drain hole. The operating device includes a stationary member mounted on the strainer wall, a movable member coupled movably to the stationary member, and a switching unit operable to retain releasably the movable member between first and second positions relative to the stationary member. The closure member is mounted on the movable member, is configured to form a clearance with the base to permit draining of water through the drain hole when the movable member is at the first position, and abuts sealingly against the base to seal the drain hole when the movable member is at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Fu Luong Hi-Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu-Jen Wang
  • Patent number: 6845528
    Abstract: For pressure testing a drain and vent piping system communicating with a tub opening having an anchoring structure a plug has a central, axially extending aperture therethrough. The plug has a resilient, compressible portion and is provided with inner and outer ends. An anchor is located at the inner end of the plug and extends axially beyond the inner end to engage with the anchoring structure and seal the tub opening. The test plug assembly also includes a threaded shaft that passes through the aperture in the plug and connects to the anchor. A manually operated threaded actuator is located at the outer end of the plug and is configured for threadingly engaging the shaft to draw the actuator towards the anchor and compress the compressible portion of the plug to block fluid flow through the bath tub opening and permit pressure testing of the drain and vent piping system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Geberit Technik AG
    Inventor: Shannon R. Bantz
  • Patent number: 6836911
    Abstract: A waste and overflow system for a bathtub includes an overflow conduit having a threaded end and an overflow cap threaded at one end extending through the overflow opening in the bathtub into threaded engagement with the threaded end of the conduit. The other end of the overflow cap has a test cap portion removably connected thereto for closing off an overflow passage through the overflow cap during pressure testing of the system. The test cap portion is removable from the other end of the overflow cap upon completion of the system pressure test to open up the overflow passage through the overflow cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Oatey Co.
    Inventor: Michael W. Minnick
  • Publication number: 20040226085
    Abstract: A sink stopper is provided for a sink body having a base formed with a drain hole, and includes a strainer, an operating device and a closure member. The strainer is mounted on the base, and has a perforated strainer wall disposed in the drain hole. The operating device includes a stationary member mounted on the strainer wall, a movable member coupled movably to the stationary member, and a switching unit operable to retain releasably the movable member between first and second positions relative to the stationary member. The closure member is mounted on the movable member, is configured to form a clearance with the base to permit draining of water through the drain hole when the movable member is at the first position, and abuts sealingly against the base to seal the drain hole when the movable member is at the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventor: Yu-Jen Wang
  • Publication number: 20040143892
    Abstract: For pressure testing a drain and vent piping system communicating with a tub opening having an anchoring structure a plug has a central, axially extending aperture therethrough. The plug has a resilient, compressible portion and is provided with inner and outer ends. An anchor is located at the inner end of the plug and extends axially beyond the inner end to engage with the anchoring structure and seal the tub opening. The test plug assembly also includes a threaded shaft that passes through the aperture in the plug and connects to the anchor. A manually operated threaded actuator is located at the outer end of the plug and is configured for threadingly engaging the shaft to draw the actuator towards the anchor and compress the compressible portion of the plug to block fluid flow through the bath tub opening and permit pressure testing of the drain and vent piping system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: GEBERIT TECHNIK AG
    Inventor: Shannon R. Bantz
  • Patent number: 6756151
    Abstract: A draining device including a threaded portion, the threaded portion depending outwardly from an annular portion and having an inner opening in fluid communication with a pair of openings in the annular portion, where said pair of openings provides a pathway for draining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Shijian Zhou, Timothy H. Kline, Donald F. Turner, James R. Nowakowski
  • Patent number: 6732385
    Abstract: A drain stopper includes a suction cup. The drain stopper is configured to block a drain opening and prevent water from entering the drain. The suction cup allows the drain stopper to be stored on a variety of surfaces, such as a vertical bathtub wall. In one form, the suction cup is on the bottom of the drain stopper and fits within the drain opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: WKI Holding Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Henderson, Wilfrido Loor
  • Patent number: 6513549
    Abstract: A plug structure of a liquid drainage installation includes a sealing ring clamped between two combined half bodies. The outer periphery of the sealing ring protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the two half bodies. Thus, the protruding dimension of the sealing ring may be adjusted by the clamping extent of the two bodies, thereby compensating the wearing amount due to usage. The two half bodies may be separated easily, thereby facilitating replacing the sealing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Avision Inc.
    Inventor: Philip Chen
  • Publication number: 20030000590
    Abstract: A plug structure of a liquid drainage installation includes a sealing ring clamped between two combined half bodies. The outer periphery of the sealing ring protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the two half bodies. Thus, the protruding dimension of the sealing ring may be adjusted by the clamping extent of the two bodies, thereby compensating the wearing amount due to usage. The two half bodies may be separated easily, thereby facilitating replacing the sealing ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Philip Chen
  • Patent number: 6490738
    Abstract: An overflow preventer comprising a plug receivable in a drain hole and provided with a valve movable between a first closed position and a second open position, the valve being resiliently biased to the first position while the pressure on the valve is less than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Liforma Investments NV
    Inventor: Trevor Blaney
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6427255
    Abstract: A stopper device for selectively blocking a drain to the passage of water. The drain is provided with an inlet, an outlet and a substantially cylindrical throat between said inlet and outlet. A controllably expandable bladder is located within the cylindrical throat which is sized and positioned such that when the bladder is compressed, the drain is selectively blocked to the passage of water and when the bladder is extended, the drain is selectively opened to the passage of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Scott Duncan
  • Patent number: 6418570
    Abstract: A drain closure that maintains a stopper in any open position by force exerted by the post against the internal surface of the bore of the stopper. The post has ridges that extend outwardly from the outer surface of the post. The post also has an open elongated slot that extends through the post. When the post is received in the bore of the stopper the ridges are compressed toward the open slot and expand outwardly against the bore to maintain the stopper in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Ball
  • Publication number: 20020083515
    Abstract: A drain stopper for use in closing a drain opening in a receptacle such as, but not limited to, a sink or a tub. The drain stopper has a central region for frictionally engaging the conduit defining the opening. The central region having a first surface and an opposing surface, each of the surfaces having respective protrusions allowing for removal thereof. The double-sided drain stopper allowing for removal of the stopper even if it becomes inverted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Robert A. Bart
  • Publication number: 20020029411
    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: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventor: Michael C. H. Lin
  • Patent number: 6347417
    Abstract: There is provided a stable drain plug device in which main bodies (the plug lid and the ascending or descending member) are not floated under a pushing operation of the operating part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: Ikumi Ohta
  • Publication number: 20010054196
    Abstract: A drain stopping apparatus for the cylindrical drain of a lavatory or sink basin having a faucet provided thereover, the stopping apparatus comprising: a round plastic plug, adapted to seat in the drain, with a vinyl sealing ring around the perimeter and weighted lower portion; and, a chain fastened at its proximate end to the center of the plug to allow the plug to be extracted from the basin without placing one's hand below the waterline in the basin, the chain being secured its other or distal end to the faucet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventor: Earl Street
  • Patent number: 6282730
    Abstract: A waste outlet fitting for use in tubs, sinks and basins. A magnetic plug is mounted in the waste outlet which can be rotated between open and closed positions through the use of a rotatable magnetic located proximate to the plug. The magnetic is rotatable by use of a remotely located handle employing cable, wire or rods for connecting the handle and magnetic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: E-Ticket Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Scott Duncan
  • Patent number: 6279175
    Abstract: An overflow preventer comprising a plug receivable in a drain hole and provided with a valve movable between a first closed position and a second open position, the valve being resiliently biased to the first position while the pressure on the valve is less than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Liforma Investments NV
    Inventor: Trevor Blaney
  • Patent number: 6276000
    Abstract: A combined strainer and stopper device for basins, sinks and the like. The device has a perforated cylindrical housing having an open lower end and a perforated top wall. An annular valve seat is formed in the lower end, and a handle is affixed to the top wall. A valve disc is reciprocable in the housing into and out of sealing engagement with the valve seat. An actuator stem is connected at a lower end to the valve disc and extends at its upper end through an opening in the handle. Outwardly projecting retaining lugs are on the stem for cooperation with the handle to retain the valve disc in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventors: Husam Saman, Saman H. Saman
  • Patent number: 6273124
    Abstract: An improved floor drain for buildings, basements, exterior paved areas, and the like. The invention provides floor drain assemblies and check valves providing improved drainage performance, particularly where drainage is an irregular occurrence, and having unprecedented simplicity and reliability. Floor drains according to the invention comprise check valves adapted for disposition within floor drains, the check valves generally comprising spring-loaded stops or elastic diaphragms, either of which may be tailored for opening under a selected hydrostatic pressure. Use of the check valves according to the invention permits drainage through the drain conduit while preventing back flow from the drain of undesirable or unwanted gasses. Check valves according to the invention are preferably installable in existing drain structures, and easily removable for maintenance or replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventors: Donald G. Huber, Allen I. Stakset
  • Publication number: 20010007159
    Abstract: A strainer assembly for bathtub drains has a strainer body with a circular horizontal flange having a center opening and which is adapted to fit over and around a vertically disposed drain port in the bottom of a tub or the like. A hollow bushing extension extends downwardly from the center opening and terminates in an open lower portion with external threads. A hollow attachment bushing having a center opening is threadably secured around the lower portion of the bushing extension and extends downwardly therefrom. The attachment bushing has a lower open end with at least one crossbar extending thereacross. A bearing hub is formed in the center of the crossbar on the center axis of the aforesaid center openings. A vertically disposed threaded aperture is located in the hub and is adapted to threadably receive a connecting stud from a drain strainer or closure valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Publication date: July 12, 2001
    Inventor: William T. Ball
  • Patent number: 6237168
    Abstract: A sink drain assembly includes a waste plug, a drain cap and a sink seal cap. The sink seal cap is formed and adapted to be attached to a sink drain conduit and to be mounted thereon in a sink drain opening. The waste plug and drain cap are detachably secured together so that the drain cap may be removably mounted on the waste plug and when so combined the waste plug and drain cap function to control the flow of water through the sink seal cap to the sink drain conduit. The waste plug, when removed from the drain cap, functions as a tool to remove the sink seal cap, thus the waste plug performing dual functions in the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: John H. Daniel, III, Allen L. Talley
  • 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: 6219861
    Abstract: The drain structure includes a valve seat axially secured into a tube drain of a sink or basin, a sleeve disposed in the valve seat and a slider slidably engaged in the sleeve to discharge water from the sink. A double V-shaped slot in a lateral side of the slider is slidably engaged by a transverse end of a U-shaped positioning rod which controls the sliding span of the slider. When a button on the top of the slider is pressed a first time, the valve seat prevents discharge of water. When the button is pressed a second time, the valve seat is moved to discharge the water from the sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Chin-Yuan Chen
  • Patent number: 6195819
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a touch pop-up stopper for basin drain which comprises a stopper assembly for draining (ON) or stopping (OFF) water which is fitted to the inside of a drain flange, wherein the stopper assembly includes a casing, a lift body, a turning body, a spring, a bottom casing, a cap and a sealing ring, and wherein an engaging member is created by means of the structure of longitudinal notches at the inner rim of the casing and disposed between a first slide way and a second slide way, and wherein the outer rim of the lift body is provided with protruding pieces corresponding to the longitudinal notches, and wherein a plurality of slide pieces fitted with a slant end at the top thereof and corresponding to protruding pieces are provided at the outer rim of the turning body; by means of the sliding and shifting movement of the three above-mentioned components and through an upward resilient force of the spring, the user only requires to give a slight force to the cap at the top of the li
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Ching-Piao Wang
  • 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: 6088844
    Abstract: A drain stopper for not invoking as much fear in animals as do traditional holed drains when the animals are placed in a sink or tub for bathing. The drain stopper includes an outer housing that has a lower portion and a peripheral sidewall that extends from the lower portion. The outer housing is adapted for insertion in a drain hole. The peripheral sidewall of the outer housing has a plurality of slots extending through it. A lid is coupled to the outer housing. The lid has an upper surface which is textured for helping reduce slipping of skin along the lid. A generally round screen portion is disposed between the lower portion of the outer housing and an inner sidewall of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Larry R. Killham
  • Patent number: 6067669
    Abstract: A drain plug assembly having a strainer removably fitted between a bottom of a drain housing that is to be mounted in the drain of a vessel and a stopper that is mounted to be moved along a central stem between a locked open position permitting flow through the drain housing and strainer and a closed position wherein flow through the drain housing and strainer is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Bathcrest, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron L. Peterson, Craig S Peterson
  • Patent number: 5915847
    Abstract: A drain stopper having a lift mechanism or assembly and, optionally, a strainer assembly, is provided wherein a sealing member which may be a stopper plug or a flat disc is coupled to an elongate rod having a pair of legs extending in one direction and a handle extending in an opposite direction. The rod extends transversely across a top of the sealing member, and is coupled to the sealing member in a manner so as to permit rotation thereof. When the rod is rotated to urge the legs downwardly along the sides of the sealing member, the legs will engage the drain and, through lever or camming action, lift the sealing member upwardly from the drain. A strainer assembly includes a member extending downwardly from the underside of the sealing member which holds a screen at a lower extent of the extension member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Inventor: Cecil J. Spears
  • Patent number: 5884668
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a plumbing tool for temporarily plugging a pipe which normally contains fluid or gas under pressure. The plumbing tool includes an elongate threaded rod having proximal and distal ends. A hollow elongate sleeve is disposed around the threaded rod. Similarly, a cylindrical gasket is disposed around the rod between the hollow sleeve and a gasket stop located at the distal end of the elongate rod. The plumbing tool further includes an arcuate handle extending proximally from the proximal end of the elongate threaded rod. The arcuate handle is configured to include a radius sufficiently great to permit valves to be telescopically communicated along the entire length of the arcuate handle and along the length of the hollow elongate sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Inventor: Brent H. Larkin
  • Patent number: 5881398
    Abstract: To simplify fitting, securing and cleaning of a water trap to/from a washbasin or sink, there is provided a washbasin valve which has a water trap integral therewith and which forms a unit that can be inserted into and secured to the bottom of a washbasin, therewith a water drainage system can be connected directly to the valve. The washbasin valve is fitted by pushing the valve into a hole in the bottom of the basin and securing the valve therein, whereafter the valve is connected directly to a drain pipe. In cleaning the water trap, the seal is drawn-up out of the valve with the water drainage system still connected. No water will be spilled unnecessarily onto the floor beneath the washbasin in so doing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignees: Hans Franzen, System Teeg AB
    Inventor: Hans Franzen
  • Patent number: 5881397
    Abstract: A bathtub drain closure having a strainer element with an internally threaded recess that engages male threads on the lower end of an upwardly extending post. The post has at least one transverse passageway containing a polymeric pin having ends that project slightly beyond the ends of the passageway. A stopper having a centrally disposed, internal bore slides up and down the post between open and closed positions. The central bore of the stopper has a stepped profile having upper and lower portions with an internal diameter slightly greater than the length of the polymeric pin and a middle portion with an internal diameter slightly less than the length of the polymeric pin, thereby causing the pin to be compressed into frictional engagement with the central bore as the stopper slides up and down between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: LSP Products Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Billy J. Hobbs
  • Patent number: 5860173
    Abstract: A metering dispenser for bubble bath which may be optimally positioned and anchored within a drain of a bath tub is disclosed. The bubble bath dispenser comprising: a container body having a bottom portion having a bottom sidewall and adapted to closely seat within and across the bath tub drain; a central portion adapted to peripherally surround the drain and sealingly seat on the interior bottom side portion of the bath tub; a top wall portion extending upwardly above and around the central portion; and, a cover adapted to seat on the top wall portion of the container body. In the preferred embodiment the dispenser has an overall disk shape and a layered appearance decorated with light markings giving it an unidentified flying object appearance which appeals to young children.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Inventor: Gregory L. Herring
  • 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