Operating Means In Sink Or Bath Patents (Class 4/693)
  • Patent number: 11162251
    Abstract: A bathtub drain stopper includes an open-close mechanism having threaded upper and lower ends, a cap, a seal, and means for anchoring the open-close mechanism in a drain pipe, where the length can be adjusted and fixed with a lock nut. A threaded anchor is provided for a tub shoe having a crossbar with a threaded opening. An anchor having prongs is provided for a tub shoe having a crossbar with no opening. A wheel-shaped anchor having an O-ring about its perimeter is provided for a drain that does not have a crossbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: PF Waterworks LP
    Inventors: Harold Kent Beck, Sanjay Ahuja
  • Publication number: 20130269100
    Abstract: A foot-actuated drain stopper is provided that is interconnected to a strainer of a wastewater outlet of a bathtub. The foot-actuated drain stopper is interconnected to the strainer by way of an adapter that includes a hub that receives a carrier on which the foot-actuated stopper travels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Patent number: 8407829
    Abstract: A drain assembly for use with a faucet including a lift rod, a lever arm, and a coupler operably coupling the lift rod and the lever arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventor: John David Vogel
  • Patent number: 8210442
    Abstract: A system and method for conserving water in a hot and cold water system collects hot water that is discharged prior to the water reaching a desired temperature. A receptacle is disposed for receipt of cold and hot water from a water system, and a drain line is configured with the receptacle to drain water from the receptacle to a first collection site. A diverter valve is configured in the drain line and operates between a first position wherein water from the receptacle is directed to the first collection site, and a second position wherein water from the receptacle is directed to a branch line. A temperature activated valve is provided, and a second collection site disposed downstream of the temperature activated valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventor: Christopher Sharp Bondura
  • Patent number: 8201289
    Abstract: A control is provided adjacent an overflow of a bathtub or sink. It both remotely controls operation of a basin bottom drain, and provides an option of shutting off flow through the overflow. Rotation of a handle of the control controls the bottom drain, and axial movement of the handle controls flow through the overflow. For example, a clicker-type pop-out valve can control overflow flow. Slot and projection structures restrict use of the overflow shutoff when the drain is not closed, and/or in some circumstances even when the drain is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Cary D. Edmonds, Katherine A. Stanchak, Murali Natarajan
  • Patent number: 8201581
    Abstract: The present invention provides a waste for an item of sanitary ware generating grey water, the waste comprising: (i) an inlet for admitting grey water; (ii) first and second outlets configured to discharge grey water, the first outlet being arranged to connect to a drainage system, and the second outlet being arranged to connect to a recycling system; (iii) a valve configured to selectively direct water to the first outlet or the second outlet, the valve being located between the inlet and the first and the second outlets, wherein the valve is operable between the first and the second positions, the valve connecting the inlet to the first outlet in the first position and the valve connecting the inlet to the second outlet in the second position; and (iv) a plug dimensioned to fit the inlet and configured to operate the valve by manipulation of the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: Robert George
  • Patent number: 8096002
    Abstract: A height-adjustable shower waste for a bathroom floor having a non-flexible waterproof floor covering material, the shower waste comprising a waste body (12) for mounting in the bathroom floor and having a base (20), one or more sides extending from the base (20), a waste water inlet (26), and a waste water outlet (30) connected or connectable to a drain; a cover support element (16) on which a cover element (18) is or can be provided to cover the waste water inlet (26); distance setting means (54, 66) for selectively setting a distance between an in use upper edge of the cover support element (16) and the waste body (12); and retaining means (90, 104) for positively retaining the cover support element (16) at the said set distance. A method and an adapter device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: DLP Limited
    Inventors: Robert William Stimpson, James Edward Self
  • Patent number: 8079098
    Abstract: A pull rod coupling configured to operably couple a pull rod to a fluid control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventor: Kurt Judson Thomas
  • 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: 6973685
    Abstract: An assembly for selectively blocking a drain to the passage of water. A drain emanating from a substantially circular opening in a basin, sink or tub is provided with a substantially cylindrical member releasably connected to the basin, sink or tub. The substantially cylindrical member is provided with a fluid inlet for receiving a pressurized fluid and an expandable bladder located within the substantially cylindrical member in fluid communication with the fluid inlet, wherein the bladder is sized and positioned such that when expanded, it blocks the drain to the passage of water. A mechanical pump is provided having a pump chamber and a stem emanating from it such that when the stem is moved, fluid pressure is applied to a hydraulic line connected to the fluid inlet for selectively expanding the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Inventor: Scott Duncan
  • 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: 6484330
    Abstract: A combined faucet and drain system can be installed primarily from above the basin. The faucet includes a quick-connect fastening assembly with a threaded sleeve bolt that also doubles as a life rod guide. A spring-biased toggle fastener threads onto the sleeve bolt and collapses when inserted through an installation opening from above the basin. It then automatically unfolds and engages an undersurface when the sleeve bolt is turned. The drain assembly is mounted in a drain opening of the basin and includes a movable stopper guide that can be used during installation to align the drain flange to the drain body from above the sink. A method of installing a combined faucet and drain assembly to a plumbing fixture is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Ricardo O. Gray, Jeffrey L. Mueller, Perry D. Erickson, Mark F. McMullen
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6308351
    Abstract: An “Electromatic Pop Up Drain” for electronically raising and lowering the pop up drain plug in lavatory sinks. The “Electromatic Pop Up Drain” has infrared sensors as a triggering device, ac-dc electric motor as the actuating device, positioning and connective linkage. The user actuates the drain plug by passive hand motion detected by the infrared sensors. This detection device triggers a sequence of events that leads to the closing of the drain plug. A second detection of hand movement by the infrared sensors cause the drain plug to open allowing for the water or liquid to drain freely from the sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Inventor: Craig Robert Franke
  • 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: 5925242
    Abstract: A sand trap and flow controller mechanism for a bathtub includes an outer housing defined by an externally threaded peripheral wall having an upper outwardly directed peripheral flange and a lower inwardly directed peripheral flange with a pair of diametrically opposite openings, an inner sand trap housing defined by an outer peripheral wall, an inner peripheral wall and an annular wall therebetween collectively defining a sand trap chamber, and a flow controller mechanism having diametrically oppositely directed wings which are received in channels for guiding a valve of the flow controller toward, in sealing engagement upon and away from an upper peripheral edge of the inner peripheral wall of the inner sand trap housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Inventor: John D. McGhee
  • Patent number: 5809587
    Abstract: A safety device for use in a suction outlet assembly of a swimming pool, whirlpool, spa or the like is disclosed. More particularly, the outlet assembly has an opening therein in communication with a pump adapted to create sufficient suction for causing fluid flow through the outlet assembly and a cover mounted over the opening without substantially obstructing fluid flow therethrough. The safety device includes an obstructing mechanism for obstructing the opening when the cover is not properly positioned or affixed to the outlet assembly, whereby fluid flow through the outlet assembly is substantially prevented even if the pump is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: H-Tech, Inc.
    Inventor: Gene S. Fleischer
  • Patent number: 5394572
    Abstract: A bath drain outlet control having an actuator, a plunger valve for engaging a valve seat of a bath drain outlet, a linkage between the actuator and the plunger valve, including a one-way slip clutch enabling the linkage to be contractably adjustable, and a slip clutch deactuator movable into operative relationship with the one-way slip clutch to temporarily allow expansion adjustment of said linkage. The one-way slip clutch has an elongated rod forming part of the linkage, a retaining ring having a plurality of sloped spring fingers around the rod, having an inherent bias toward the rod, and having rod engaging ends normally allowing rod movement in a linkage-contracting direction therethrough but preventing reverse rod movement therethrough in a linkage-extending direction. A compressed O-ring engages the sloped spring fingers to add bias supplementing the inherent finger bias toward said rod and equalizing the bias of the spring fingers against the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Lakeshore Automatic Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James W. Humphreys
  • Patent number: 5333327
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mechanism for remotely opening and closing a drain of a basin by means of a flexible rod moving through a non-linear tube. The rod connects a drive member, pushed or pulled by a user, with a member linked to a plug which opens and closes the drain. Within the bend of the tube, the flexible rod and/or tube are configured to leave a void between them in order to reduce friction. The configuration of the rod may include one or more bulbous ends or a lobed cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: John C. Redding, Douglas J. Brouwer