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

• US 8,813,272 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2011
• Issued: 08/26/2014
• 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 LYNN
• Application Number:
  US13/274,804
• Publication Number:
  US 20120090084A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,044 Days
• Field of Search: 4286-295, 465/0, 465/2
• US Class Current: 4/286
• 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 and an opening therethrough, said opening defining an inner edge;

a first arm having a first end interconnected to said inner edge and a second end interconnected to a hub positioned in the center of said opening;

a second arm having a first end interconnected to said inner edge and a second end interconnected to said hub;

a carrier associated with said hub and extending from said plate; and

wherein said plate is adapted to be associated with the flange of the wastewater strainer to conceal the flange.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said outer edge of said plate comprises a downwardly extending lip.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said hub has a threaded aperture for receiving said carrier.

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

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said device is adapted to be interconnected to the flange of said wastewater flange with an adhesive or tape.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said plate is fabricated of at least one of chrome, brass, pewter, bronze, nickel, bone, biscuit and iron.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a stopper operatively associated with said carrier.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising an adapter selectively interconnected to at least one of said first arm, said second arm and said plate, said adapter extending away from said plate in a direction opposite said carrier.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said adapter includes a groove for receiving an o-ring seal.

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

a plate having an outer edge and an opening therethrough;

an arm associated with said plate and extending into said opening;

a hub positioned within said opening and associated with said arm; and

a carrier associated with said hub and extending from said plate.

11. The device of claim 10, 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.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of said plate is fabricated of at least one of chrome, brass, pewter, bronze, nickel, bone, biscuit and iron.

13. The device of claim 10, further comprising a stopper operatively associated with said carrier.

14. The device of claim 10, further comprising a second arm associated with said hub and said plate.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein said second arm is positioned at an angle relative to said first arm.

16. The device of claim 14, further comprising an adapter selectively interconnected to at least one of said first arm, said second arm and said plate, said adapter extending away from said plate in a direction opposite from said carrier.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein said adapter includes a groove for receiving an o-ring seal.

18. A member adapted for interconnection with a flange of a wastewater strainer for concealing the same, the wastewater strainer including a cylindrical wall extending from the flange, the cylindrical wall positioned in a drain port of a bathtub, the member comprising an outer edge that generally coincides with an outer edge of the strainer flange and having an opening that coincides with an opening in the wastewater strainer defined by the cylindrical wall thereof, the improvement comprising:

a first arm associated with said member having a first end interconnected to a hub located in said opening of said member;

a second arm associated with said member having a first end interconnected to said member and a second edge interconnected to said hub;

a carrier associated with said hub and extending from said plate; and

wherein no portion of said member said first arm, said second arm and said carrier extend below a lowermost portion of said flange of the wastewater strainer and into the cylindrical wall thereof when said member is interconnected to said wastewater strainer.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein said outer edge of said member comprises a downwardly extending lip that overlaps the outer edge of the strainer flange.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein said member is interconnected to the wastewater strainer by way of an adhesive or tape.

21. The member of claim 18, further comprising a stopper operably associated with said carrier.

22. In combination with a fluid compartment having a bottom surface with a waste water strainer associated with said bottom surface, said strainer having a cylindrical wall surrounding a cylindrical opening extending through said bottom surface of said fluid compartment, and a strainer flange extending outwardly from said cylindrical opening and positioned on said bottom surface of said fluid compartment, the combination comprising:

a plate having an outer diameter larger than a diameter of said strainer flange and having an aperture therethrough, said plate adapted to rest on said strainer flange with a sealant material therebetween, wherein said aperture has a diameter equal to or less than a diameter of said cylindrical opening;

at least one arm associated with said plate and that extends into said aperture;

a hub associated with said at least one arm; and

a carrier that extends from said hub.

23. The combination of claim 22, wherein said plate includes an outer peripheral edge with a downwardly extending lip that extends over and in engagement with one of said bottom surface of said fluid compartment and an outer edge of said strainer flange.

24. The combination of claim 23, wherein said sealant is located between said strainer flange and said plate in an area that does not extend to said downwardly extending lip.