CHECK VALVE MECHANISM FOR RODENTS AND/OR ODORS

Abstract

A check valve mechanism for use with a vertical drain pipe comprises a connector portion for supporting the check valve mechanism with respect to the drain pipe, and two flaps, each being an ungula of a cylindrical tube. The flaps are pivotally connected to the connector portion, so as to be displaceable between a closed position in which the flaps are against one another such that peripheral portions of the flaps are collinear at a connection line to obstruct the drain pipe, and an opened position, in which the flaps are away from one another to allow liquids/solids to pass through the check valve mechanism and the flaps.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration a preferred embodiment thereof and in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a check valve mechanism constructed in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, with flaps in a closed position;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the check valve mechanism of FIG. 1, with the flaps in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a flap as truncated from a cylindrical tube;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the check valve mechanism of FIG. 1, as positioned with respect to a toilet bowl fixture;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the check valve mechanism of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an assembly view of the check valve mechanism of FIG. 1 with respect to a drain pipe;

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of a check valve mechanism constructed in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, with flaps in a closed position;

FIG. 8 is an elevation view of the check valve mechanism of FIG. 7, with the flaps in an open position;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the check valve mechanism of FIG. 7, as used with a floor drain; and

FIG. 10 is an assembly view of the check valve mechanism of FIG. 7 with respect to a floor drain.

Claims

1. A check valve mechanism for use with a vertical drain pipe, comprising: a connector portion for supporting the check valve mechanism with respect to the drain pipe; anda first and a second flap each being an ungula of a cylindrical tube, the first and the second flap being pivotally connected to the connector portion, so as to be displaceable between a closed position, in which the first and second flaps are against one another such that peripheral portions of the first and the second flap are collinear at a connection line to obstruct the drain pipe, and an opened position, in which the first and second flaps are away from one another to allow liquids/solids to pass through the check valve mechanism, the first and the second flap.

2. The check valve mechanism according to claim 1, wherein each of the ungula of a cylindrical tube is a special ungula of a right circular cylindrical tube.

3. The check valve mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first flap and the second flap pivot about a common axis.

4. The check valve mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a stop on the connector portion, the stop being positioned with respect to the first and the second flap to limit the rotation of the first and the second flap at the closed position.

5. The check valve mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising seals between an upper periphery of each of the first and second flap and the connector portion so as to seal air gaps between the flaps and the connector portion to block odors.

6. The check valve mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the connector portion has a flange subportion adapted to be suspended on a periphery of the drain pipe, and a cylindrical subportion to which the flaps are pivotally mounted.

7. The check valve mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the cylindrical subportion of the connector portion has a throat, so as to define an annular volume about the throat in which the flaps will be positioned in the opened position.

8. The check valve mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the flange subportion of the connector portion has holes to be fastened to a surface adjacent to the drain pipe.

9. The check valve mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the cylindrical subportion of the connector portion has seals on its outer surface so as to sealingly contact the flaps in the closed position to seal air gaps between the flaps and the connector portion to block odors.

10. Use of the check valve mechanism of claim 1 with a drain pipe of a toilet bowl.

11. Use of the check valve mechanism of claim 1 with a drain pipe of a floor drain.