Debris trap for a drain

• US 10,017,926 B2
• Filed: 11/28/2016
• Issued: 07/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meyers, Lawrence G.
• Original Assignee: Meyers, Lawrence G.
• Inventors: Meyers, Lawrence G.
• Primary Examiner(s): CRANE, LAUREN ASHLEY
• Application Number:
  US15/361,863
• Publication Number:
  US 20170073950A1
• Time in Patent Office: 589 Days
• Field of Search: 4286, 4289, 4288, 4292, 4504, 4490
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/02 Filters adapted for location in special places, e.g. pipe-lines, pumps, stop-cocks, B01D35/05 takes precedence; water pipe system filters E03B3/18, E03B7/07; dirt catchers in sewers E03F; filters or strainers for pipe-lines in general B08B, E03F; object or dirt catching devices in sinks or the like E03C1/26; suction strainers or filters for pumps F04B53/005, F04D29/70
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/28 Strainers not provided for elsewhere
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/26 Object-catching inserts or similar devices for waste pipes or outlets E03C1/28 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/264 Separate sieves or similar object-catching inserts
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 5/0408 specially adapted for showers
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 5/041 Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 5/06 Gully gratings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49815 Disassembling

Abstract

A debris trap for a floor drain includes a rim defining an outer diameter, an inner diameter, and a radial center. A plurality of prongs are integrally formed with the rim and spaced along at least part of the inner diameter. At least some of the prongs are arranged to extend over an inlet of a drain body and have a proximal portion connected to the rim and extending radially inward from the rim, and a free distal portion that is only upwardly curved from the proximal portion toward the radial center of the rim.

Claims

1. A debris trap for a floor drain having a drain body defining an inlet, an outlet and a recess concentric with the outlet, and a grate positionable on the drain body over the inlet, the debris trap comprising:

a rim defining an outer diameter, an inner diameter, and a radial center, the rim having an annular disk shape arranged to fit in the recess below the grate; and

a plurality of prongs integrally formed with the rim and spaced along at least part of the inner diameter, at least some of the prongs arranged to extend over the outlet of the drain body and having a proximal portion starting at the rim and extending radially inward from the rim, and a distal portion that curves upwardly toward a free end of the distal portion near the radial center.

2. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein a width of the proximal portion is greater than a width of the distal portion.

3. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein a distance between adjacent ones of the prongs is greater toward the proximal portions than the distal portions.

4. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein the free ends of the prongs at least in part define a center opening.

5. The debris trap of claim 4, wherein the free ends of the prongs extend above the rim.

6. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein at least some of the prongs are flexible and resilient.

7. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein at least some of the prongs define a substantially flat top surface.

8. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein the prongs define spaces therebetween.

9. The debris trap of claim 8, wherein each space defines a curved proximal end and an open distal end.

10. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein a ring portion is integral to the rim.

11. The debris trap of claim 10, wherein a top of the ring portion defines a radial flange.

12. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein the rim and the prongs comprise a single unitary piece.

13. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein a top surface of the prongs defines a concave curvature.

14. A floor drain system comprising:

a floor drain having a drain body defining an inlet, an outlet, and a circular recess surrounding the outlet;

a grate positionable on the drain body over the outlet; and

a debris trap positionable in the circular recess below the grate, the debris trap having;

a rim defining an outer diameter, an inner diameter, and a radial center, the rim having an annular disk shape arranged to fit in the recess; and

a plurality of prongs spaced along at least part of the inner diameter and extending radially inward toward the radial center, each prong arranged to extend over and across at least a portion of the outlet and having a proximal portion starting at the rim and extending radially inward from the rim, and a distal portion that curves upwardly toward a free end of the distal portion near the radial center.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the prongs are integral to the rim.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the distal portions of the prongs include distal ends at least in part defining a center opening.