Drain assembly for a bathtub and the like

• US 9,074,358 B2
• Filed: 12/26/2012
• Issued: 07/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: WCM Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: WCM Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Ball, William T., Pilarczyk, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): BAKER, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US13/726,840
• Publication Number:
  US 20130180045A1
• Time in Patent Office: 923 Days
• Field of Search: 4679-694
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/22 Outlet devices mounted in basins, baths, or sinks stoppers A47K1/14
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/2306 the plug being operated by hand contact
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/24 Overflow devices for basins or baths E03C1/232 takes precedence

Abstract

A drain assembly including a drain pipe with a threaded portion and a nut. The drain pipe includes a first end, an elbow portion, and a second end. The first end includes an annular flange and the threaded portion. To interconnect the drain assembly to a bathtub, the second end of the drain pipe is inserted through a drain port of the tub until the annular flange abuts a bottom wall of the tub. The nut is then threaded onto the threaded portion of the drain pipe to secure the drain pipe to the bathtub. The second end of the drain pipe is then interconnected to drain plumbing.

Claims

1. A drain assembly adapted for interconnection to a tub having a drain port formed in a bottom wall, the drain port having a diameter, the drain assembly comprising:

a drain pipe including a first portion, a second portion, and an elbow portion positioned between, and integrally connecting, said first portion and said second portion, said first portion including an annular flange and a threaded portion positioned between said annular flange and said elbow portion, wherein said threaded portion, said elbow portion, and said second portion have a maximum diameter that is less than the diameter of the drain port, and wherein said annular flange has a maximum diameter that is larger than the diameter of the drain port; and

a nut configured to threadably engage said threaded portion of said drain pipe to secure said drain pipe to the bottom wall of the tub.

2. The drain assembly of claim 1, further comprising a sealing element positioned between the annular flange and the nut.

3. The drain assembly of claim 1, wherein said first portion further comprises a lip formed in an upper surface of said annular flange.

4. The drain assembly of claim 3, further comprising a membrane interconnected to said lip.

5. The drain assembly of claim 3, further comprising a strainer body interconnected to said lip.

6. The drain assembly of claim 3, further comprising a strainer body cover interconnected to said lip.

7. The drain assembly of claim 1, wherein said first portion has an inner surface having a concave portion.

8. The drain assembly of claim 7, further comprising a drain closure seated in said concave portion of said first portion.

9. The drain assembly of claim 1, further comprising crossbars integrally formed within the first portion of said drain pipe.

10. The drain assembly of claim 1, further comprising a membrane interconnected directly to the annular flange.

11. A drain elbow adapted for interconnection to a tub having a drain port formed in a bottom wall, the drain port having a diameter, the drain elbow comprising:

a first portion including an annular flange and an externally threaded portion, said annular flange having a maximum diameter that is larger than the diameter of the drain port;

a second portion; and

an elbow portion positioned between, and integrally connecting, said first portion and said second portion, wherein said externally threaded portion is positioned between said annular flange and said elbow portion, and wherein said externally threaded portion, said elbow portion, and said second portion have a maximum diameter that is less than the diameter of the drain port.

12. The drain elbow of claim 11, wherein said first portion further comprises a lip formed in an upper surface of said annular flange adjacent to an opening of said drain elbow, wherein said lip is configured to receive at least one of a membrane, a strainer body, and a strainer body cover.

13. The drain elbow of claim 11, further comprising a crossbar interconnected to an interior surface of said drain elbow.

14. The drain elbow of claim 13, wherein said crossbar is integrally formed in said interior surface of said drain elbow.

15. The drain elbow of claim 13, wherein said crossbar is threadably secured to said interior surface of said drain elbow.

16. The drain elbow of claim 13, wherein said crossbar is interference fit within said interior surface of said drain elbow.

17. The drain elbow of claim 13, wherein said crossbar includes a hub having a threaded aperture configured to receive a threaded post of a drain closure.

18. The drain elbow of claim 11, wherein an interior surface of said first portion includes a concave portion configured to receive a drain closure.