Method and associated apparatus for assembling and testing a plumbing system
First Claim
1. A plumbing system for interconnection with a bathtub that has an overflow port and a drain port, comprising:
- an overflow assembly for interconnection with the overflow port that includes;
an overflow pipe having a flange and a sleeve that extends outwardly from said flange, said sleeve having threads on an outer surface thereof; and
a nut threadably mounted on said sleeve with the bathtub therebetween, wherein said nut exerts pressure on said flange, said nut having an outer periphery with a series of radially extending lugs that frictionally detachably engage an inner surface of a flange of a cap that fits over said nut, wherein said cap is selectively positioned on said nut to direct an overflow of water from the bathtub to said overflow pipe;
a flexible pipe connected between said overflow assembly and said wastewater drain assembly, said flexible pipe being devoid of a valve operating mechanism; and
a waste water insert for selective engagement with a strainer that is associated with a wastewater drain assembly, said insert comprising a wall with a cylindrical first portion and a cylindrical second portion with a conical portion therebetween, said cylindrical first portion having a diameter greater than a diameter of said cylindrical second portion, said wall surrounding a bore and having an upper end, and a flange on said upper end extending outwardly from said cylindrical bore; and
the wall of said insert being spaced from cylindrical wall of the strainer wherein said cylindrical first portion being closer to said cylindrical wall of the strainer than said cylindrical second portion.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system is provided for enhancing the interconnectability of a bathtub to a plumbing system. More specifically, provided is a flexible conduit and an overflow assembly that allows for a portion of the overflow assembly to be easily located with the wall of a bathtub. The flexible conduit provided allows for adjustability of the conduit to the openings of the bathtub. In addition, provided are methods and apparatus that facilitate testing of a plumbing assembly. Finally, an apparatus and methods are provided that protect portions of the finished bathtub assembly to decrease in the need for replacing said hardware. It is envisioned that aspects and inventions disclosed herein can be used in conjunction to facilitate the interconnection and protection of hardware associated with a bathtub.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A plumbing system for interconnection with a bathtub that has an overflow port and a drain port, comprising:
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an overflow assembly for interconnection with the overflow port that includes; an overflow pipe having a flange and a sleeve that extends outwardly from said flange, said sleeve having threads on an outer surface thereof; and a nut threadably mounted on said sleeve with the bathtub therebetween, wherein said nut exerts pressure on said flange, said nut having an outer periphery with a series of radially extending lugs that frictionally detachably engage an inner surface of a flange of a cap that fits over said nut, wherein said cap is selectively positioned on said nut to direct an overflow of water from the bathtub to said overflow pipe; a flexible pipe connected between said overflow assembly and said wastewater drain assembly, said flexible pipe being devoid of a valve operating mechanism; and a waste water insert for selective engagement with a strainer that is associated with a wastewater drain assembly, said insert comprising a wall with a cylindrical first portion and a cylindrical second portion with a conical portion therebetween, said cylindrical first portion having a diameter greater than a diameter of said cylindrical second portion, said wall surrounding a bore and having an upper end, and a flange on said upper end extending outwardly from said cylindrical bore; and the wall of said insert being spaced from cylindrical wall of the strainer wherein said cylindrical first portion being closer to said cylindrical wall of the strainer than said cylindrical second portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A plumbing system for interconnection with a bathtub that has an overflow port and a drain port, comprising:
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an overflow assembly for interconnection with the overflow port; a wastewater drain assembly for interconnection to the drain port; a pipe connected between said overflow assembly and said wastewater drain assembly; and a waste water insert for selective engagement with a strainer interconnected to a strainer that is associated with said drain assembly, said waste water insert comprising a wall having a first portion and a second portion with a transition portion therebetween, said first portion having a diameter greater than a diameter of said second portion, and a flange on said upper end extending outwardly from said wall; said wall of said insert being spaced from a wall of said strainer wherein said first portion being closer to said wall of said strainer than said second portion. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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14. A plumbing system for interconnection with a bathtub that has an overflow port and a drain port, comprising:
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a duct with a non-continuous outer surface having a first end and a second end, the second end extending away from a protrusion that extends from the duct and a means for fastening associated with said second end and in compressive relationship with said protrusion of the duct with the bathtub therebetween; a wastewater drain assembly for interconnection to the drain port, said drain assembly including a drain pipe having an upper end with an annular flange that rests on a bottom wall of the bathtub, and a means for locking slidingly mounted over said drain pipe that is adapted to be tightened to secure said means for locking against a lower surface of the bottom wall of the bathtub; a flexible pipe connected between said overflow assembly and said wastewater drain assembly, and an insert for selective engagement with a strainer that is associated with said drain assembly comprising a wall surrounding a bore, said wall having a first portion and a second portion with a transition portion therebetween, said first portion having an outer dimension greater than an outer diameter of said cylindrical second portion, said wall having an upper end with a flange extending therefrom; the wall of said insert being spaced from cylindrical wall of the strainer wherein said first portion being closer to said cylindrical wall of the strainer than said second portion; and the second portion of said insert receiving a resilient ring that engages said cylindrical wall of the strainer. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification