Device and method for concealing a flange of a waste water strainer

• US 10,151,088 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2016
• Issued: 12/11/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WCM Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: WCM Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Ball, William T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Baker, Lori
• Application Number:
  US15/276,384
• Publication Number:
  US 20170009439A1
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 4286, 4287-295, 4650, 4652
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 1/14 Stoppers for wash-basins, baths, sinks, or the like
• 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 1/262 combined with outlet stoppers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A device used to conceal at least a portion of a wastewater strainer associated with a bathtub. More specifically, a plate having an opening therethrough is used to overlap a flange of the wastewater strainer wherein the opening in the plate generally coincides with an opening in the wastewater strainer so that the bathtub drain is unobstructed. The plate may include a downwardly extending lip to help facilitate orientation onto the flange of the wastewater strainer. The plate conceals the wastewater strainer, thereby facilitating reconfiguration of a bathtub as the existing wastewater strainer need not be removed and the plumbing system retested.

Claims

1. A device adapted for concealing a flange of a wastewater strainer comprising:

a plate having an outer edge with a diameter of such a dimension that is greater than an outer diameter of the flange of the wastewater strainer, said outer edge comprising a downward extending edge; and

wherein said plate is adapted to rest on top of an outer surface of the flange of the wastewater strainer that has a hub that is located directly adjacent to, 0.025 inches below, 0.05 inches below, or 0.75 inches below the flange of the wastewater strainer.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said device is adapted to be engaged to said wastewater strainer with an adhesive or tape.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said plate accommodates a drain stopper carrier.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said plate is circular having an outer diameter about 2 mm to 3 mm greater than the outer diameter of the flange.

5. A method of concealing a flange of a wastewater strainer that is positioned in a fluid receptacle, comprising:

providing a plate with an outer circumference greater than an outer circumference of said flange; and

interconnecting said plate to said flange of said wastewater strainer with adhesive or tape, wherein no portion of said plate is positioned within said wastewater strainer.

6. A device adapted for concealing a flange of a wastewater strainer comprising:

a plate having an outer edge with a diameter greater than an outer diameter of the flange of the wastewater strainer, said outer edge comprising a downward extending lip; and

wherein said plate is adapted to rest above an outer surface of the flange of the wastewater strainer, the wastewater strainer having a hub that is located directly adjacent to, 0.025 inches below, 0.05 inches below, or 0.75 inches below the flange of the wastewater strainer.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said plate accommodates a drain stopper carrier.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein said plate is circular, the outer edge of said plate having an outer diameter about 2 mm to 3 mm greater than the outer diameter of the flange.

9. A device adapted for concealing a portion of a wastewater strainer comprising:

a plate having an outer edge and an opening therethrough;

a fluid conduit associated with said plate;

at least one arm associated with at least one of said plate and said fluid conduit, said at least one arm extending into at least one of said opening and said fluid conduit;

a hub interconnected to an end of said at least one arm; and

a carrier.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said outer edge of said plate comprises a downwardly extending lip, an outside circumference with a chamfered edge, or a portion extending downwardly from said plate.

11. The device of claim 9, further comprising a stopper body operatively associated with said carrier, said stopper body having a gasket configured to selectively engage said plate.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein said fluid conduit has at least one groove.