1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to overflow closure devices and overflow drains. More particularly, the present invention relates to an adjustable overflow drain that can vary the water level within a tub or sink.
2. Background of the Invention
A typical bathtub has a lower drain at the lowest part of the tub and an upper overflow drain mounted on a side wall near the front of the tub. The lower drain is typically used to control the amount of water located within the tub. When the lower drain is open, water can quickly exit out the lower drain. The overflow drain facilitates the water quickly leaving through the lower drain by allowing air to vent through.
When the lower drain is closed, water fills within the tub. If one was to leave the water on, the water would fill the tub and overflow the tub. To prevent this, the typical overflow drain has an opening which allows water to escape through the drainage/plumbing.
The typical overflow device is generally circular and has a water opening located at its lower most portion. A problem arises when a person wants to use the tub and allow water to fill within. It is very common for the overflow drain to prevent the water level rising to a sufficient level to make the bathing experience enjoyable. The overflow drain decreases the height of water available in the bath tub or sink. As many common tubs are as little as fourteen inches high, the amount of usable water in the tub can be as little as seven inches due to the overflow drain.
Others have attempted to solve this problem by creating plugs that can be inserted into existing overflow drains. These plugs are cumbersome, are easily lost or fall out from within the overflow drain making loud noises and risk being stepped on by the user. Also, they prevent air from escaping through the overflow device when draining a tub or sink.
Others have attempted to create cumbersome and complicated devices that allow one to control the level of water with floats, automatic switches and electronics. However, these devices are not easily incorporated into existing tub designs and are impractical for normal usage.
Others have attempted to attach snorkels to the overflow drains. The snorkels may be positioned to control the height of the water within the tub. However, these snorkels are odd in appearance and detract from the aesthetics of the tub's appearance. Also, the snorkels cannot completely seal the overflow drain completely allowing water to rise well above the snorkel.
Accordingly, there is a need for a novel adjustable overflow closure device that allows one to vary the height of the water level and even to seal the overflow completely while remaining aesthetically pleasing and functionally easy to use. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.
An exemplary embodiment discloses an overflow drain for a tub. A bracket is longer in dimension in a horizontal direction as compared to a vertical direction. The bracket is configured to be located against an inside surface of the tub and connected to an overflow elbow on an outside surface of the tub. A first elongated slot is disposed through the bracket along the horizontal direction. At least two fastener holes are disposed within the bracket. A faceplate is longer in dimension in the horizontal direction as compared to the vertical direction, wherein the faceplate is configured to be attached to the bracket. A second elongated slot is disposed through the faceplate along the horizontal direction. A first knob is movably connected to the faceplate disposed on the outside of the faceplate. An elongated seal plate is disposed on the inside of the faceplate. The seal plate is connected to the first knob. The seal plate is configured to move between an open position and a closed position by a movement of the first knob, wherein in the closed position the seal plate is configured to create a watertight seal around either the first or second elongated slots, and wherein in the open position the seal plate is configured to drain a fluid through the first and second elongated slots.
In other embodiments, the bracket and/or faceplate may be rectangular-shaped. The fastener holes may be countersunk.
The first knob may be either pivotably connected to the faceplate or translatably connected to the faceplate.
The first knob may be circular-shaped, square-shaped, rectangular-shaped or triangular-shaped.
A second knob may be connected to the faceplate disposed on the outside of the faceplate, wherein the second knob is either behind or ahead of the first knob. The second knob may be connected to a movable cable at a first cable end, wherein a second cable end is connected to a bottom drain. The bottom drain is configured to move between an open position and a closed position by movement of the second knob, wherein in the closed position the bottom drain is configured to create a watertight seal, and wherein in the open position the bottom drain is configured to drain the fluid.
A first seal or gasket may be disposed between the bracket and the inside surface of the tub. The first seal or gasket may include an adhesive backing.
A second seal or gasket may be attached to the elongated seal plate. The second seal or gasket may be configured to seal either the first or second elongated slot when the seal plate is in the closed position.
Another exemplary embodiment discloses an overflow drain for a tub. A bracket is longer in dimension in a horizontal direction as compared to a vertical direction, wherein the bracket is configured to be located against an inside surface of the tub and connected to an overflow elbow on an outside surface of the tub. A first elongated slot is disposed through the bracket along the horizontal direction. At least two fastener holes are disposed within the bracket. A faceplate is longer in dimension in the horizontal direction as compared to the vertical direction, wherein the faceplate is configured to be attached to the bracket. A second elongated slot is disposed through the faceplate along the horizontal direction. A first knob is pivotably connected to the faceplate disposed on the outside of the faceplate. An elongated seal plate is disposed on the inside of the faceplate, the seal plate connected to the first knob. The seal plate is configured to move between an open position and a closed position by a movement of the first knob, wherein in the closed position the seal plate is configured to create a watertight seal around either the first or second elongated slots, and wherein in the open position the seal plate is configured to not drain a fluid through the first and second elongated slots. A second knob is pivotably connected to the faceplate disposed on the outside of the faceplate, wherein the second knob is either behind or ahead of the first knob. The second knob is connected to a movable cable at a first cable end, wherein a second cable end is connected to a bottom drain in a bottom of the tub. The bottom drain is configured to move between an open position and a closed position by movement of the second knob, wherein in the closed position the bottom drain is configured to create a watertight seal, and wherein in the open position the bottom drain is configured to drain the fluid.
Another exemplary embodiment discloses a water-level adjustable overflow drain. A first outer dial is cylindrical in shape and incudes a circular center plate disposed inside the first outer dial and includes an overflow aperture in the circular center plate. A circular back plate includes a lower and upper aperture, the circular back plate configured to be attachable to an inside surface of a tub or sink. The circular center plate is sealed and rotatable relative to the circular back plate, where the overflow aperture can be rotated to align with either the lower aperture, the upper aperture or neither aperture. A stationary circular cover plate is disposed within the first outer dial and attached to the circular back plate forming an annular gap between the circular cover plate and the outer dial. A second outer dial is cylindrical in shape, the second outer dial disposed either ahead of or behind the first outer dial, wherein the second outer dial is pivotable relative to the circular back plate. An overflow elbow is configured to be disposed on an outside surface of the tub or sink connectable to the circular back plate. The second outer dial is connectable to a movable cable at a first cable end, wherein a second cable end is connectable to a bottom drain disposed in a bottom of the tub or sink. The bottom drain is configured to move between an open position and a closed position by rotation of the second outer dial, wherein in the closed position the bottom drain is configured to create a watertight seal, and wherein in the open position the bottom drain is configured to drain a fluid in the tub or sink.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:
On the inside surface 152 of the tub 12 is installed a bracket 112. The bracket 112 has as a slot opening 114 and two countersunk holes 116a and 116b. Screws 118a and 118b are designed to nest within the bracket 112 such that the heads of the screws are at or below the top surface of the bracket 112. The screws 118 are then able to pass through the bracket, pass through holes drilled into the tub 12 and engage into holes 120a and 120b of the elbow 14.
Another seal/gasket 122 is formed that matches the backside of the bracket 112. The seal 122 also has a slot 124 and matching holes 126a and 126b. The seal 122 could be a separate part or could be made with adhesive backing. For instance the seal 122 could be preinstalled onto the gasket 112. Then the installer would simply have to peal off a backing layer and then push the bracket 112 and seal 122 onto the appropriate location.
One will notice that the bracket 112 has a plurality of compressible nubs 128 disposed about the perimeter 130 of the bracket 112. When the faceplate 100 is pressed onto the bracket 112, the nubs compress a slight amount and hold the faceplate 100 in place.
One of the disadvantages of the embodiment described so far is that there is no longer a provision for closing the overflow closure device 10 as was taught in the '719 patent.
One of the disadvantages of the embodiments described so far is that there is not a provision for also controlling the bottom drain 132. Skipping ahead to
Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made to each without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.
This non-provisional application claims priority to provisional application 61/942,607 filed on Feb. 20, 2014. Also, this non-provisional application also claims priority to application Ser. No. 14/137,958 filed on Dec. 20, 2013, which itself was a continuation application claiming priority to application Ser. No. 13/563,666 filed on Jul. 31, 2012, now U.S. Pat No. 8,635,719 which also claimed priority to provisional application 61/514,340 filed on Aug. 2, 2011. The contents of all applications reference above are fully incorporated herein with these references.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61942607 | Feb 2014 | US | |
61514340 | Aug 2011 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 13563666 | Jul 2012 | US |
Child | 14137958 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 14137958 | Dec 2013 | US |
Child | 14626930 | US |