Method and associated apparatus for assembling and testing a plumbing system

• US 8,584,272 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2012
• Issued: 11/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: WCM Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: WCM Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Ball, William T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Glessner, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): MATTEI, BRIAN DAVID
• Application Number:
  US13/691,405
• Publication Number:
  US 20130191988A1
• Time in Patent Office: 354 Days
• Field of Search: 458/4, 468/0, 468/3, 468/8
• US Class Current: 4/680
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/24 Overflow devices for basins or baths E03C1/232 takes precedence

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.

Claims

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, said overflow assembly comprising;

an overflow pipe having a flange, said overflow port adapted to be associated with a threaded portion extending from said flange, said threaded portion adapted to pass through a wall of the bathtub and to be at least partially positioned within the bathtub;

a means for preventing fluid flow through said overflow pipe that is associated with said threaded portion, said means for preventing fluid flow sealing an outer end of said threaded portion;

a nut, having a threaded center opening, threadably mounted on said threaded portion of said overflow port, said nut being adapted to secure said flange to the wall of the bathtub by exerting pressure towards said flange; and

said nut having an outer periphery with a series of radially extending cap retention elements which detachably engage an inner surface of a cap which fits over said nut; and

a wastewater drain assembly for interconnection to the drain port.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said means for preventing fluid flow is a selectively removable thin diaphragm.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said means for preventing fluid flow is associated directly with said overflow pipe and does not extend into said threaded portion of said overflow port.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said nut and said radially extending cap retention elements constitute a single-piece unit.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said means for preventing fluid flow has a circular shape.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said means for preventing fluid flow has a diameter that is not less than the diameter of said threaded portion of said overflow port.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said means for preventing fluid flow comprises a plastic material.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said means for preventing fluid flow is removable.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said means for preventing fluid flow is circular, has a diameter that is not less than the diameter of said outer end of said outlet port, is composed of a plastic material, and is removable.

10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said preventing fluid flow comprises a member that is at least one of circular, has a diameter that is not less than the diameter of said outer end of said outlet port, is composed of a plastic material, and is removable.

11. A plumbing system for interconnection with a bathtub that has an overflow port and a drain port, comprising:

an overflow assembly adapted for interconnection to a bathtub, which has a bottom, side walls, end walls, and the overflow port in one end wall, comprising;

an overflow pipe with an elbow portion defining an upper end portion and a lower end portion, said upper end portion having an outer end defining an inlet, said upper end having threads on an outer surface thereof;

a lip extending radially outwardly from said outer surface of the overflow pipe between said elbow portion and said upper end portion and being spaced from said inlet;

a device for affixing said overflow assembly to the bathtub sidewall having an internal, circular threaded surface, a nut body and radially extending cap retention elements, said circular threaded surface being compatible with said threads of said overflow pipe, said radially extending cap retention elements adapted to engage an inner surface of a cap that fits over said device for affixing said overflow assembly to the bathtub sidewall; and

a wastewater drain assembly for interconnection to the drain port.

12. A plumbing system for interconnection with a bathtub that has an overflow port and a drain port, comprising:

an overflow assembly for a bathtub, comprising;

an overflow pipe having a flange, the overflow port adapted to be associated with a threaded portion extending from said flange, said threaded portion adapted to pass through a wall of the bathtub and to be at least partially positioned within the bathtub;

a device for affixing said overflow assembly to the bathtub wall having an internal, circular threaded surface, a nut body and radially extending cap retention elements, said circular threaded surface being threadably mounted on said threaded portion of said overflow port, said device for affixing said overflow assembly to the bathtub sidewall being adapted to secure said flange to the wall of the bathtub by exerting pressure towards said flange; and

said radially extending cap retention elements which are adapted to engage an inner surface of a cap which fits over said device for affixing said overflow assembly to the bathtub wall; and

a wastewater drain assembly for interconnection to the drain port.

13. A plumbing system for interconnection with a bathtub that has an overflow port and a drain port, the plumbing system also associated with a waste water strainer, said strainer having a cylindrical wall with a bottom edge surrounding a cylindrical opening extending through the bottom of the bathtub, and a flange extending outwardly from a level above and adjacent said cylindrical opening and positioned on the bottom of the bathtub, comprising:

an overflow assembly for a bathtub, comprising;

an overflow pipe having a flange, said overflow port adapted to be associated with a threaded portion extending from said flange, said threaded portion adapted to pass through a wall of the bathtub and to be at least partially positioned within the bathtub;

a device for affixing said overflow assembly to the bathtub wall having an internal, circular threaded surface, a nut body and radially extending cap retention elements, said circular threaded surface being threadably mounted on said threaded portion of said overflow pipe, said device for affixing said overflow assembly to the bathtub wall being adapted to secure said flange to the wall of the bathtub by exerting pressure towards said flange, and said radially extending cap retention elements being adapted to engage an inner surface of a cap which fits over said device for affixing said overflow assembly to the bathtub wall; and

a waste water insert adapted for insertion within the wastewater strainer and comprising a wall with a cylindrical portion having an upper end with a flange extending outwardly from said cylindrical portion, said flange having a downwardly-extending lip associated with the outer edge thereof, said lip adapted to engage an outer edge of the flange of the wastewater strainer, and wherein.