Overflow assembly for bathtubs and the like

• US 9,200,436 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2013
• Issued: 12/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: WCM Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: WCM Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Ball, William T.
• Primary Examiner(s): BAKER, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US13/894,626
• Publication Number:
  US 20130283523A1
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 468/0
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 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 said overflow pipe has an inverted L-shape.

3. 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.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said nut includes a notch that receives a lip of said overflow plate.

5. 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 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.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein said cap covers substantially all of said nut.

7. The assembly of claim 5, further including a washer that cooperates with said nut and said lip to interconnect said overflow pipe to the bathtub.

8. The assembly of claim 5, wherein said gaps possess an innermost surface having an arcuate shape.

9. An overflow assembly adapted for interconnection to a bathtub, which has a bottom, side walls, end walls, and the overflow port in one end wall, comprising:

an overflow pipe with an elbow portion defining an upper end portion and a lower end portion, said upper end portion having an outer end defining an inlet, said upper end portion having threads on an outer surface thereof;

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

a device for affixing said overflow assembly to the bathtub sidewall having an internal, circular threaded surface, a nut body and radially extending cap retention elements, said circular threaded surface being compatible with said threads of said overflow pipe, said radially extending cap retention elements adapted to engage an inner surface of a cap that fits over said device for affixing said overflow assembly to the bathtub sidewall.

10. an overflow assembly for a bathtub, comprising:

an overflow pipe having a flange, the overflow pipe having an end adapted to pass through a wall of the bathtub and to be at least partially positioned within the bathtub;

a device for affixing said overflow assembly to the bathtub wall interconnected to the overflow pipe, the device for affixing having radially extending cap retention elements, said device for affixing said overflow assembly to the bathtub sidewall being adapted to secure said flange to the wall of the bathtub by exerting pressure towards said flange; and

said radially extending cap retention elements which are adapted to engage an inner surface of a cap which fits over said device for affixing said overflow assembly to the bathtub wall.

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;

an element for interconnection to said upper end portion having a series of retention lugs spaced about a longitudinal axis defined by said 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 overflow assembly of claim 11, further comprising 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.

13. An overflow assembly adapted for interconnection to a bathtub, which has a bottom, side walls, end walls, and an overflow port in one end wall, comprising:

a pipe with an elbow portion defining an upper end portion and a lower end portion, said upper end portion having an outer end defining an inlet, said upper end portion having threads on an outer surface thereof;

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

a nut element with a threaded portion that is compatible with said threads of said overflow pipe, said nut element having an outer periphery that detachably engages an inner surface of a cap that fits over said nut.

14. The overflow assembly of claim 13, wherein said nut is comprised of a first portion that includes said outer periphery that is adapted to selectively engage said cap, and a second portion that extends from said first portion, said second portion having a portion that has an outermost dimension that is less than a maximum outer dimension of said outer periphery.

15. The overflow assembly of claim 13, wherein said nut is comprised of a first portion that includes said outer surface, which includes said outer periphery, and a second portion that extends from said first portion, said second portion having a portion that has an outermost dimension that is less than that of said outer periphery.

16. The overflow assembly of claim 13, wherein said cap has an outer surface with a wall extending therefrom, such that an end of said wall is adjacent to said bathtub when said cap is installed, said end having a protrusion associated with an inner surface of said wall, and wherein said protrusion is adapted to engage an inner surface of said nut when said nut is interconnected to said pipe.