OVERFLOW ASSEMBLY FOR BATHTUBS AND THE LIKE

• US 20130283523A1
• Filed: 05/15/2013
• Published: 10/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WCM Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: WCM Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Ball, William T.
• Granted Patent: US 9,200,436 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 4/680
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/232 combined with overflow devices overflow devices for basins or baths per se E03C1/24
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/24 Overflow devices for basins or baths E03C1/232 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 2001/2413 Covers for temporarily closing off overflow outlets

Abstract

An overflow system in the bathtub has an overflow port and has a drain pipe in connection with the overflow port. A threaded flange has a stub shoulder on one end which is fitted into a circular sleeve on the overflow port. The threaded flange has exterior threads on its outer surface and a thin diaphragm secured to the end thereof opposite to the stub shoulder. A large internally threaded nut is threadably mounted on the outer end of the threaded flange. A decorative cap is frictionally snapped into engagement with protrusions on the outer surface of the nut. The cap can be removed when needed to permit the plumber to gain access to the diaphragm to cut it open for fluid flow after the system has been tested for leaks, or put in place after the cut takes place.

Claims

1. An overflow assembly for a bathtub, which has a bottom and adjacent side and end walls, and an overflow port in an end wall, comprising:

an overflow pipe with an elbow portion defining an upper end portion and a lower end portion, the upper end portion having an outer end defining an inlet;

threads on an outer surface of the upper end portion and surrounding the inlet;

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

a sealing element associated with said outer end that closes the inlet to fluid flow;

a nut element compatible with the threads wherein the nut element has a threaded portion for threadably mounting to said upper end portion, said nut element having at least one lug extending radially therefrom; and

a cap detachably associated to the lug and covering the nut.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the overflow pipe and sealing element is of one-piece construction.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said overflow pipe has an inverted L-shape.

4. The assembly of claim 1, further including a washer that cooperates with said nut and said lip to interconnect to said overflow pipe to the bathtub.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said sealing element is a diaphragm that is adapted to be selectively cut to provide a flow path through said overflow pipe.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said sealing element is an overflow plate that is selectively interconnected to said nut.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said nut includes a notch that receives a lip of said overflow plate.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said sealing element is a diaphragm with a pull ring.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein said diaphragm is slidingly interconnected to said overflow pipe.

10. The assembly of claim 8, wherein said diaphragm is pealably interconnected to said overflow pipe.

11. An overflow assembly for a bathtub, which has a bottom and adjacent side and end walls, and an overflow port in one end wall, comprising:

an overflow pipe having an upper end portion and a lower end portion with an elbow portion positioned therebetween, said upper end portion having threads and defining a fluid inlet;

wherein said overflow pipe further comprises a lip that extends radially outwardly from an outer surface of said overflow pipe, said lip spaced from said fluid inlet and positioned between said elbow portion and said upper end portion;

a sealing element associated with said upper end portion that closes said fluid inlet to fluid flow;

a nut element having threads compatible with said threads of said overflow pipe, said nut element having a series of retention lugs spaced about a longitudinal axis defined by said nut element, there being gaps between successive lugs; and

a cap detachably associated with said series of retention lugs and covering at least a portion of said nut.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein said cap covers substantially all of said nut.

13. The assembly of claim 11, wherein said overflow pipe and said sealing element comprises a one-piece construction.

14. The assembly of claim 11, further including a washer that cooperates with said nut and said lip to interconnect said overflow pipe to the bathtub.

15. The assembly of claim 11, wherein said gaps possess an innermost surface having an arcuate shape.

16. The assembly of claim 11, wherein said sealing element is a diaphragm.

17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein said diaphragm is adapted to be selectively cut to provide a fluid flow path through said overflow pipe