Debris trap for a drain

• US 9,528,252 B2
• Filed: 08/25/2015
• Issued: 12/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meyers, Lawrence G.
• Original Assignee: Meyers, Lawrence G.
• Inventors: Meyers, Lawrence G.
• Primary Examiner(s): CRANE, LAUREN ASHLEY
• Application Number:
  US14/834,626
• Publication Number:
  US 20150361646A1
• Time in Patent Office: 490 Days
• Field of Search: 428/6, 428/9, 428/8, 429/2, 450/4, 449/0
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/02 Filters adapted for location in special places, e.g. pipe-lines, pumps, stop-cocks, B01D35/05 takes precedence; water pipe system filters E03B3/18, E03B7/07; dirt catchers in sewers E03F; filters or strainers for pipe-lines in general B08B, E03F; object or dirt catching devices in sinks or the like E03C1/26; suction strainers or filters for pumps F04B53/005, F04D29/70
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/28 Strainers not provided for elsewhere
• 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 1/264 Separate sieves or similar object-catching inserts
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 5/0408 specially adapted for showers
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 5/041 Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 5/06 Gully gratings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49815 Disassembling

Abstract

A debris trap for a floor drain includes a rim defining an outer diameter, an inner diameter, a center, and a rim portion extending upwardly from an upper surface portion of the rim at or near the outer diameter. Prongs are integrally formed with the rim and spaced along at least part of the inner diameter. Each prong has a proximal portion extending radially inward from the rim, a free distal end that is only upwardly curved from the proximal portion toward the center, and a width that varies along a length of the prong.

Claims

1. A debris trap for a floor drain having drain body defining an inlet, the debris trap comprising:

a rim defining an outer diameter, an inner diameter, a center opening, and a ring portion extending upwardly from an upper surface portion of the rim at or near the outer diameter; and

a plurality of prongs integrally formed with the rim and spaced along at least part of the inner diameter, each prong arranged to extend over and across at least a portion of the inlet of the drain body and having a proximal portion connected to the rim and extending radially inward from the rim, a free distal portion that is only upwardly curved from the proximal portion toward a radial center of the rim, and a width that varies along a length of the prong.

2. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein the width of the proximal portion is greater than the width of the distal portion.

3. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein a distance between adjacent ones of the prongs is greater toward the proximal portions than the distal portions.

4. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein the distal ends of the prongs extend above the ring portion.

5. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein at least some of the prongs are flexible and resilient.

6. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein at least some of the prongs define a substantially flat top surface.

7. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein the prongs define spaces therebetween.

8. The debris trap of claim 7, wherein each space defines a curved proximal end and an open distal end.

9. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein the ring portion is integral to the rim.

10. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein a top of the ring portion defines a radial flange.

11. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein the rim and the prongs comprise a single unitary piece.

12. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein a top surface of the prongs defines a concave curvature.

13. A debris trap for use with a floor drain having a drain body defining an inlet and a circular recess surrounding the inlet, the debris trap comprising:

a rim defining a center opening, an inner diameter, and an outer diameter dimensioned and configured to fit within the circular recess of the drain body; and

a plurality of prongs integrally formed with the rim and spaced along at least part of the inner diameter of the rim, each prong arranged to extend over and across at least a portion of the inlet of the drain body and having a proximal portion connected to the rim and extending radially inward from the rim, a free distal portion that is upwardly curved from the proximal portion toward a radial center of the rim, and a width that varies along a length of the prong.

14. The debris trap of claim 13, wherein the rim defines a ring portion extending upwardly from an upper surface portion of the rim at or near the outer diameter of the rim.

15. The debris trap of claim 14, wherein a top of the ring portion defines a radial flange.

16. A floor drain system comprising:

a floor drain having a drain body defining an inlet and a circular recess surrounding the inlet; and

a debris trap positionable over the inlet of the drain body, the debris trap having;

a rim defining an outer diameter, an inner diameter, a center opening, and a ring portion extending upwardly from an upper surface portion of the rim at or near the outer diameter; and

a plurality of prongs spaced along at least part of the inner diameter and extending radially inward toward the center, each prong arranged to extend over and across at least a portion of the inlet and having a proximal portion connected to the rim and extending radially inward from the rim, a free distal portion that is only upwardly curved from the proximal portion toward a radial center of the rim, and a width that tapers from the proximal portion toward the distal portion.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the prongs are integral to the rim.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the circular recess is arranged to receive the debris trap.