Drain Screen

Abstract

A drain screen for capturing debris in a fluid in a drain. Said drain screen comprising a faceplate, a center axis, and a one or more beams. Said faceplate comprising a one or more aperture-catch arrangements, said center axis, an edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface. Said drain screen comprises a radially outward direction and a radially inward direction. Said drain screen configured to allow a fluid to move over said faceplate from said radially outward direction toward said radially inward direction. Said radially inward direction is defined as a direction across said faceplate toward said center axis. Said one or more aperture-catch arrangements comprise a one or more apertures and a plurality of raised portions. Said plurality of raised portions are arranged said radially outward direction of said one or more apertures.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT (IF APPLICABLE)

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX (IF APPLICABLE)

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typical construction of a shower-type drain assembly implements a metal sieve or “screen” that allows a human to walk on the floor while allowing prescribed amounts to water to drain through the screen, into the barrel, and orderly exit the assembly into the plumbing system. Generally, by default, manufacturers have adopted the use of stainless metal plates with perforations to make it work. In the typical implementation, manufacturers have used a metal stock in the range of 0.040″ to 0.070″ in thickness. Required plumbing association and codes standards prescribe a certain level of durability required of the screen, typically measured by supporting the outer edges of the screen and exerting pressure on the central area, then noting (a. pressure required to cause an allowed measurement of deflection of the screen.

Here's the problem: polymers and composites typically do not demonstrate the deflection strengths required to accomplish successful and required testing. Current manufacturing processes use several steps to produce the “chrome screens” (which are actually stainless steels): stamping, edge cleaning (probably vibratory polishing), finish polishing, and plastic-film covering (to protect surface). All such methods involving the requirement of stainless steels involving the typical chemistry requirements of stainless manufacturing.

Production of a composite/polymer screen involves only one step and is much more environmentally safe and energy efficient. The goal is to solidify the filing with simple granted claims as follows: About anyone wishing to make a polymer/polymerized screen will be trapped by the current mechanical standards of the cross section of the existing metal screens.

In order to get by required certification testing, a simple plastic disc of the best materials will not withstand the flexural testing of 75 psi with 0.125″ allowed deflection. Radial ribs (beams) will typically not solve the problem as the beams are not radially intersected and will independently flex without the support of the angularly-adjoining beams. In one embodiment, circular beam sections (“rounded beam section” in this disclosure), or “spider-webs”, the stresses into a net configuration where pressure exerted almost anywhere is transmitted through the web.

How, turning to a one or more beams (herein disclosed as a rounded beam section 210 and a one or more radial beam sections, infra), or webs of beams, should be positioned as to allow (a. the material (such as water) to flow at the general center of the webs voids (or apertures) and (b. where the beam is generally positioned centrally between the holes. “running a beam across a hole, decreases the cross-section thus weakening the area.

In order to duplicate what has been disclosed here, one would almost have to either (a. mold in a superlative fiber (boron, kevlar) or (b. overmold the screen over a metal framework—none of which are economically feasible.

None of the known inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant disclosure as claimed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A drain screen for capturing debris in a fluid in a drain. Said drain screen comprising a faceplate, a center axis, and a one or more beams. Said faceplate comprising a one or more aperture-catch arrangements, said center axis, an edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface. Said drain screen comprises a radially outward direction and a radially inward direction. Said drain screen configured to allow a fluid to move over said faceplate from said radially outward direction toward said radially inward direction. Said radially inward direction is defined as a direction across said faceplate toward said center axis. Said one or more aperture-catch arrangements comprise a one or more apertures and a plurality of raised portions. Said plurality of raised portions are arranged said radially outward direction of said one or more apertures. Said one or more aperture-catch arrangements are configured to capture debris in a fluid by catching a portion of a debris on said plurality of raised portions and allowing a portion of said fluid to flow through said one or more apertures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective front side view of a drain screen 100.

FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective back side view of a drain screen 100.

FIG. 2A illustrates an elevated top side view of a one or more aperture-catch arrangements 108.

FIG. 2B illustrates an elevated bottom side view of a one or more aperture-catch arrangements 108.

FIG. 2C illustrates an elevated front side view of a one or more aperture-catch arrangements 108.

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective overview view of a drain screen 100 in cross-section.

FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective bottom side view of a drain screen 100 in cross-section.

FIG. 3C illustrates an elevated front side view of a drain screen 100 in cross-section.

FIG. 4A illustrates an elevated bottom side view of a drain screen 100.

FIG. 4B illustrates an elevated first side view of a drain screen 100 in cross-section in detail.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective bottom side view of a one or more beams 106.

FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective overview view of a first aperture-catch arrangement 108a.

FIG. 6B illustrates a perspective overview view of a first aperture-catch arrangement 108a.

FIG. 7A illustrates an elevated top side view of a triangular shape 702.

FIG. 7B illustrates an elevated top side view of a heart shape 704.

FIG. 7C illustrates an elevated top side view of a fish shape 706.

FIG. 7D illustrates an elevated top side view of a cross shape 708.

FIG. 8 illustrates view of a method of use 800.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention as claimed and is provided in the context of the particular examples discussed below, variations of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation (as in any development project), design decisions must be made to achieve the designers' specific goals (e.g., compliance with system- and business-related constraints), and that these goals will vary from one implementation to another. It will also be appreciated that such development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the field of the appropriate art having the benefit of this disclosure. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto are not intended to be limited by the disclosed embodiments, but are to be accorded their widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

These parts are illustrated in the figures and discussed below:

a drain screen 100

a top surface 102

a bottom surface 104

a one or more beams 106

a first beam 106a

a one or more aperture-catch arrangements 108

a first aperture-catch arrangement 108a

a second aperture-catch arrangement 108b

a faceplate 110

a one or more apertures 202

a first aperture 202a

a second aperture 202b

a one or more fastener sockets 204

a first fastener socket 204a

a second fastener socket 204b

a plurality of raised portions 206

a first plurality of raised portions 206a

a second plurality of raised portions 206b

a rounded beam section 210

a one or more radial beams 212

a first radial beam 212a

a second radial beam 212b

a third radial beam 212c

a fourth radial beam 212d

a fifth radial beam 212e

a sixth radial beam 212f

a center axis 214

a radially outward direction 216

a radially inward direction 218

an edge 220

downward direction 302

an outer rim 402

an inner rim 404

a thickness 406

a thickness 408

a thickness 410

a triangular shape 702

a heart shape 704

a fish shape 706

a cross shape 708

a method of use 800

a first step 802

a second step 804

a third step 806

a fourth step 808

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective front side view of a drain screen 100.

FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective back side view of a drain screen 100.

In one embodiment, said drain screen 100 can comprise said top surface 102, said bottom surface 104, said bottom surface 104, said one or more beams 106, said first beam 106a and said faceplate 110.

In one embodiment, said one or more beams 106 can comprise said first beam 106a.

In one embodiment, said faceplate 110 can comprise said top surface 102, said bottom surface 104 and said one or more aperture-catch arrangements 108.

In one embodiment, drain screen 100 can comprise a substantially round piece as is known in the art.

FIG. 2A illustrates an elevated top side view of a one or more aperture-catch arrangements 108.

FIG. 2B illustrates an elevated bottom side view of a one or more aperture-catch arrangements 108.

FIG. 2C illustrates an elevated front side view of a one or more aperture-catch arrangements 108.

In one embodiment, said one or more fastener sockets 204 can comprise said first fastener socket 204a and said second fastener socket 204b.

In one embodiment, said plurality of raised portions 206 can comprise said first plurality of raised portions 206a and said second plurality of raised portions 206b.

In one embodiment, said one or more apertures 202 can comprise said first aperture 202a and said second aperture 202b.

In one embodiment, said one or more radial beams 212 can comprise said first radial beam 212a, said second radial beam 212b, said third radial beam 212c, said fourth radial beam 212d, said fifth radial beam 212e and said sixth radial beam 212f.

In one embodiment, said drain screen 100 can comprise said one or more fastener sockets 204, said center axis 214, said radially outward direction 216, said radially inward direction 218 and said edge 220.

In one embodiment, said one or more beams 106 can comprise said rounded beam section 210, said rounded beam section 210 and said one or more radial beams 212.

In one embodiment, said one or more aperture-catch arrangements 108 can comprise said one or more apertures 202 and said plurality of raised portions 206.

In one embodiment, said first aperture-catch arrangement 108a can comprise said first aperture 202a and said first plurality of raised portions 206a.

In one embodiment, said second aperture-catch arrangement 108b can comprise said second aperture 202b and said second plurality of raised portions 206b.

Said one or more aperture-catch arrangements 108 can comprise one or more apertures 202 which can comprise an attractive collection of patterns, as discussed below.

In one embodiment, said rounded beam section 210 can comprise a circular, elliptical or otherwise polygon beam section surrounding a portion of said one or more radial beam sections.

In one embodiment, said one or more radial beams can extend from said center axis 214 toward said rounded beam section 210 and/or edge 220. In one embodiment, said edge 220 can sit on a pipe under said drain screen 100. In one embodiment, said drain screen 100 can have specific regulations and codes that require different weight threshold capacities. Said regulations and codes are well known by those trained in the art.

In one embodiment, said drain screen 100 can comprise a hydroscopic material such as polymer. In one embodiment, said drain screen 100 can be designed to absorb pressure. In one embodiment, the known embodiments of drain screen are made of metal due since they must be able to withstand high weight capacities. Industry has been slow to move to plastics since they fail to have sufficient strength for drain screens; however, the combination of said one or more beams and the disclosed materials herein have overcome this shortcoming.

In one embodiment, a portion of a debris will be caught on said plurality of raised portions 206 and a portion will wash down said one or more apertures 202.

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective overview view of a drain screen 100 in cross-section.

FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective bottom side view of a drain screen 100 in cross-section.

FIG. 3C illustrates an elevated front side view of a drain screen 100 in cross-section.

In one embodiment, said drain screen 100 can comprise said downward direction 302.

FIG. 4A illustrates an elevated bottom side view of a drain screen 100.

FIG. 4B illustrates an elevated first side view of a drain screen 100 in cross-section in detail.

In one embodiment, said outer rim 402 can comprise said thickness 406.

In one embodiment, said inner rim 404 can comprise said thickness 408.

In one embodiment, said drain screen 100 can comprise said outer rim 402 and said inner rim 404.

In one embodiment, said one or more beams 106 can comprise said thickness 410.

In one embodiment, said outer rim 402 can comprise a portion of said drain screen 100 nearest to said edge 220. In one embodiment, said inner rim 404 can comprise a portion of said drain screen 100 nearer to said center axis 214 than said outer rim 402. In one embodiment, said thickness 408 of said inner rim 404 can be greater than said thickness 406 of said outer rim 402. Thus, in one embodiment said drain screen 100 can grow thicker to thinner as from said center axis 214 progressing toward said edge 220.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective bottom side view of a one or more beams 106.

In one embodiment, the disclosed configuration of said drain screen 100 with said one or more beams and disclosed materials has established that said drain screen 100 can withstand many times its required with threshold. In one embodiment, arranging said one or more beams with beams in a triangular configuration (radial beams extending from said center axis 214 to form triangle sides, as illustrated) being partially surrounded by said rounded beam section 210 can provide ample strength for the tasks required for drain screens. This configuration can overcome shortcomings in plastics which would otherwise flex outward and become unusable for the tasks common for drain screens.

FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective overview view of a first aperture-catch arrangement 108a.

FIG. 6B illustrates a perspective overview view of a first aperture-catch arrangement 108a.

Said plurality of raised portions 206 can act as a hair trap.

In one embodiment, said plurality of raised portions 206 can comprise a raised engraving above said top surface 102 of said drain screen 100. In one embodiment, said plurality of raised portions 206 can catch hair and other non-liquid materials (such as biological material) as liquid is down said one or more apertures. In one embodiment, said one or more apertures 202 can comprise singular holes and/or intersecting holes in a pattern of shapes. As illustrated above, said plurality of raised portions 206 with said one or more apertures comprise the shape of a foot and five toes.

FIG. 7A illustrates an elevated top side view of a triangular shape 702.

FIG. 7B illustrates an elevated top side view of a heart shape 704.

FIG. 7C illustrates an elevated top side view of a fish shape 706.

FIG. 7D illustrates an elevated top side view of a cross shape 708.

In one embodiment, said one or more apertures 202 can comprise said triangular shape 702, said heart shape 704, said fish shape 706 and said cross shape 708.

one or more apertures 202 can comprise a plurality of different patterns. For example, in one embodiment, one or more apertures 202 can comprise advertising logos and messages. In one embodiment, said patterns can be matched with a set of said plurality of raised portions 206.

FIG. 8 illustrates view of a method of use 800

The following sentences are included for completeness of this disclosure with reference to the claims. They can be interpreted as an preferred embodiment of the invention.

A drain screen 100 for capturing debris in a fluid in a drain. Said drain screen 100 comprising a faceplate 110, a center axis 214, and a one or more beams 106. Said faceplate 110 comprising a one or more aperture-catch arrangements 108, said center axis 214, an edge 220, a top surface 102, and a bottom surface 104. Said drain screen 100 comprises a radially outward direction 216 and a radially inward direction 218. Said drain screen 100 configured to allow a fluid to move over said faceplate 110 from said radially outward direction 216 toward said radially inward direction 218. Said radially inward direction 218 is defined as a direction across said faceplate 110 toward said center axis 214. Said one or more aperture-catch arrangements 108 comprise a one or more apertures 202 and a plurality of raised portions 206. Said plurality of raised portions 206 are arranged said radially outward direction 216 of said one or more apertures 202. Said one or more aperture-catch arrangements 108 are configured to capture debris in a fluid by catching a portion of a debris on said plurality of raised portions 206 and allowing a portion of said fluid to flow through said one or more apertures 202.

Said plurality of raised portions 206 are raised from said top surface 102 of said faceplate 110 to a general difference in planar elevations in the range of 0.2 mm to approximately 1 mm.

Said one or more aperture-catch arrangements 108 comprise formed to represent a known graphic.

Said known graphic are used for having indicia of production company, trade names, usage instructions or other notation deemed desirable.

Said debris comprise a one or more fibers, such as hair, to become folded around a portion of said plurality of raised portions 206 as said fluid moves toward said one or more aperture-catch arrangements 108. Said one or more fibers become mechanically captured by said folding around said plurality of raised portions 206.

Said one or more aperture-catch arrangements 108 allow the passing of liquids which comprises water.

Said bottom surface 104 of said faceplate 110 comprising said one or more beams 106.

Said one or more beams 106 are molded into said faceplate 110.

Said one or more beams 106 comprise a one or more radial beams 212 arranged in a radial pattern out from said center axis 214 of said faceplate 110.

Said one or more beams 106 comprise said one or more radial beams 212 and a rounded beam section 210. Said one or more radial beams 212 and said rounded beam section 210 comprise a one or more triangular sections between one another.

A portion of said one or more radial beams 212 are bounded by a rounded beam section 210.

Said one or more radial beams 212 increase a structural support of an an outer rim 402 of said faceplate 110.

Said faceplate 110 is configured in a geometric form designed fit into many existing drain barrels.

Said faceplate 110 comprising a polymer.

Said faceplate 110 comprising such material has a natural property of capturing (absorbing) water and other possible water-carried or water-soluble materials.

Said faceplate 110 uses a polymer, composite, or similar materials not having the general rigidity of plated steels in said application. The advantage for situations where the use of a thicker cross-section may not be used per standards or existing implementation of metal screens.

Various changes in the details of the illustrated operational methods are possible without departing from the scope of the following claims. Some embodiments may combine the activities described herein as being separate steps. Similarly, one or more of the described steps may be omitted, depending upon the specific operational environment the method is being implemented in. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.”

Claims

1. A drain screen for capturing debris in a fluid in a drain, wherein: said drain screen comprising a faceplate, a center axis, and a one or more beams;said faceplate comprising a one or more aperture-catch arrangements, said center axis, an edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface;said drain screen comprises a radially outward direction and a radially inward direction;said drain screen configured to allow a fluid to move over said faceplate from said radially outward direction toward said radially inward direction;said radially inward direction is defined as a direction across said faceplate toward said center axis;said one or more aperture-catch arrangements comprise a one or more apertures and a plurality of raised portions;said plurality of raised portions are arranged said radially outward direction of said one or more apertures; andsaid one or more aperture-catch arrangements are configured to capture debris in a fluid by catching a portion of a debris on said plurality of raised portions and allowing a portion of said fluid to flow through said one or more apertures.

2. The drain screen from claim 1, wherein: said plurality of raised portions are raised from said top surface of said faceplate to a general difference in planar elevations in the range of 0.2 mm to approximately 1 mm.

3. The drain screen from claim 1, wherein: said one or more aperture-catch arrangements comprise formed to represent a known graphic.

4. The drain screen from claim 3, wherein: said known graphic are used for having indicia of production company, trade names, usage instructions or other notation deemed desirable.

5. The drain screen from claim 1, wherein: said debris comprise a one or more fibers, such as hair, to become folded around a portion of said plurality of raised portions as said fluid moves toward said one or more aperture-catch arrangements; andsaid one or more fibers become mechanically captured by said folding around said plurality of raised portions.

6. The drain screen from claim 1, wherein: said one or more aperture-catch arrangements allow the passing of liquids which comprises water.

7. The drain screen from claim 1, wherein: said bottom surface of said faceplate comprising said one or more beams; andsaid one or more beams are molded into said faceplate.

8. The drain screen from claim 7, wherein: said one or more beams comprise a one or more radial beams arranged in a radial pattern out from said center axis of said faceplate.

9. The drain screen from claim 8, wherein: said one or more beams comprise said one or more radial beams and a rounded beam section; andsaid one or more radial beams and said rounded beam section comprise a one or more triangular sections between one another.

10. The drain screen from claim 8, wherein: a portion of said one or more radial beams are bounded by a rounded beam section.

11. The drain screen from claim 8, wherein: said one or more radial beams increase a structural support of an an outer rim of said faceplate.

12. The drain screen from claim 1, wherein: said faceplate is configured in a geometric form designed fit into many existing drain barrels.

13. The drain screen from claim 1, wherein: said faceplate comprising a polymer.

14. The drain screen from claim 13, wherein: said faceplate comprising such material has a natural property of capturing (absorbing) water and other possible water-carried or water-soluble materials.

15. The drain screen from claim 13, wherein: said faceplate uses a polymer, composite, or similar materials not having the general rigidity of plated steels in said application; andthe advantage for situations where the use of a thicker cross-section may not be used per standards or existing implementation of metal screens.