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

• US 9,453,329 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2014
• Issued: 09/27/2016
• 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:
  US14/332,148
• Publication Number:
  US 20140325748A1
• Time in Patent Office: 805 Days
• Field of Search: 4286-295, 465/0, 465/2
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 be engaged on 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 the flange of said wastewater flange 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 edge that generally corresponds with an outer edge of said flange; and

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

6. 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,

a plate having an outer edge with a diameter approximately the same as an outer diameter of said strainer flange and an aperture therethrough, said plate resting on said strainer flange with a sealant material therebetween wherein said aperture and said cylindrical opening generally coincide;

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

a hub associated with said at least one arm; and

a post extending from said hub.

7. The combination of claim 6, wherein said outer edge of said plate comprises a downwardly-extending lip.

8. The combination of claim 6, wherein said hub has a threaded aperture for receiving said post.

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

10. The combination of claim 6, wherein said plate is adapted to be interconnected to the flange of said wastewater flange with an adhesive or tape.

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

12. The combination of claim 6, further comprising a stopper operatively associated with said post.

13. 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 be interconnected to an outer surface of the flange of the wastewater strainer with adhesive or tape, 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.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein said plate accommodates a drain stopper carrier.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein said plate is circular having an outer diameter about 2 mm to 3 mm greater than the outer diameter of the flange.

16. 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 inwardly relative to an edge of said opening and into at least one of said opening and said fluid conduit;

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

a carrier.

17. The device of claim 16, 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.

18. The device of claim 16, further comprising a stopper body operatively associated with said carrier, said stopper body having a gasket configured to selectively engage said plate.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein said fluid conduit has at least one groove.

20. A drain stopper, comprising:

a cap;

a seal associated with said cap;

a fluid conduit comprising;

a body having at least one groove,

a flange extending from said body,

at least one arm associated with at least one of said flange and said body, said at least one arm extending inwardly relative to an edge of an opening in said fluid conduit defined by an inner surface of said body, and

a hub interconnected to said at least one arm;

a carrier interconnected to said hub;

wherein said body is adapted for insertion into a strainer associated with a drain port of a bathtub; and

wherein said cap is operatively interconnected to said carrier, and wherein said cap is capable of a first position of use that spaces the seal away from said fluid conduit and a second position of use that engages the seal onto said fluid conduit.