CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This present invention pertains to a plumbing drain stopper and/or strainer and more particularly to a drain stopper and/or strainer with bristles.
2. Description of the Related Art
Water drains from a sink or bathtub through a plumbing drain system or assembly. Hair and debris can clog a drain pipe. U.S. Pat. No. 10,240,329, issued to Beck et al., discloses a pop-up drain assembly with various means for preventing a clog from forming in a drain pipe and is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. US 2020/0011038 A1 by Ahuja et al. discloses drain stoppers and various strainers and is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Further innovations in drain strainers and stoppers can prove useful in preventing a clog in a plumbing drain system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a drain stopper and/or strainer that comprises a stem, a cap on an upper end of the stem, which is preferably detachably attached to the stem, a bristle strainer sleeve having a plurality of bristles received on the stem, and retaining means on the lower end of the stem for holding the bristle strainer sleeve on the stem. The bristle strainer sleeve and/or retaining means is/are preferably detachably attached to the stem. Retaining means include a two-prong fork that engages a pivot or ball rod between the forks, a plate having one or more holes for receiving a pivot or ball rod and an object that does not connect to anything other than the stem. A cap seal is included for stopper and strainer functionality and is omitted for strainer-only functionality. The bristle strainer sleeve may be designed to engage an inside wall of a drain pipe for holding the stopper and/or strainer in a desired position. The present invention also provides a pop-up drain assembly that incorporates a drain stopper with a bristle strainer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A better understanding of the invention can be obtained when the detailed description of exemplary embodiments set forth below is considered in conjunction with the attached drawings, which can be described as follows.
FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a pop-up drain stopper and strainer, according to the present invention.
FIG. 1A is a longitudinal cross-section of the drain stopper and strainer of FIG. 1.
FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the drain stopper and strainer of FIG. 1 after removal of a cap and a bristle strainer sleeve.
FIG. 2A is a side elevation of the drain stopper and strainer of FIG. 2.
FIG. 3 is a side elevation of a bristle strainer sleeve, according to the present invention.
FIG. 3A is a cross-section of the bristle strainer sleeve of FIG. 3 as seen along the line 3A-3A.
FIG. 4 is a front elevation of a pop-up drain stopper and strainer, according to the present invention.
FIG. 4A is a longitudinal cross-section of the drain stopper and strainer of FIG. 4.
FIG. 5 is a front elevation and exploded view of the drain stopper and strainer of FIG. 4 after removal of a cap and a bristle strainer sleeve.
FIG. 5A is a side elevation of the drain stopper and strainer of FIG. 5.
FIG. 6 is a side elevation of a bristle strainer sleeve, according to the present invention.
FIG. 6A is a cross-section of the bristle strainer sleeve of FIG. 6 as seen along the line 6A-6A.
FIG. 7 is a front elevation of a pop-up drain stopper and strainer, according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a front elevation of a pop-up drain stopper and strainer, according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a front elevation of a pop-up drain stopper and strainer, according to the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a front elevation of a pop-up drain stopper and strainer, according to the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a front elevation of a drain stopper and strainer, according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a side elevation in partial cross-section of a pop-up drain assembly with a drain stopper having a bristle strainer, according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 is a side elevation and FIG. 1A is a longitudinal cross-section of a pop-up drain stopper and strainer 10 for a bathroom sink, according to the present invention. Stopper/strainer 10 comprises a cap 12, a cap seal 14, a bristle strainer sleeve 16 having a plurality of bristles 16a and a two-prong fork 18 for engaging a pivot rod or ball rod connected to a control rod for moving the drain stopper/strainer 10 between open and closed positions as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 10,240,329, issued to Beck et al. FIG. 2 is a front elevation of stopper/strainer 10 without cap 12 and bristle strainer sleeve 16. FIG. 2A is a side elevation of the stopper/strainer 10 of FIG. 2, which is also shown without cap 12 and without bristle strainer sleeve 16. FIG. 2 shows a stem 20 on which the bristle strainer sleeve 16 is received. Stem 20 is shown as an elongate cylinder, which can be hollow or solid, having an upper end 20a and a lower end 20b. FIG. 1A shows stem 20 as being a solid cylinder, but it is preferably hollow, and stem 20 can be two intersecting plates that provide a small central stem and fins that extend longitudinally and protrude radially as is common in many pop-up drain stoppers and as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 10,240,329, issued to Beck et al. A threaded stud 22 extends longitudinally and coaxially from the upper end 20a and is designed and configured to receive cap 12 in a threaded engagement. Alternative engagement means such as a snap fit, a press fit or an interference fit can be used, and a hole with internal threads can also be used. Cap 12 is preferably removably attached to stem 20 so that cap 12 can be removed to place the bristle strainer sleeve 16 onto stem 20.
The two-prong fork 18 is shown as being formed integral with the stem 20 in FIGS. 1 and 2. Two-prong fork 18 has an upper end or shoulder 18a on which bristle strainer sleeve 16 rests, thereby providing a means for holding bristle strainer sleeve 16 on stem 20. FIG. 3 is a side elevation of bristle strainer sleeve 16, which preferably comprises a hollow cylinder 16b having a longitudinal axis and preferably made using a rigid plastic such as polypropylene and bristles 16a fixed to and extending radially outwardly from cylinder 16b with respect to the longitudinal axis. Bristle strainer sleeve 16 can also be made of a rubbery material, which is somewhat flexible, but sufficiently stiff to stand upright on upper end 18a of the two-prong fork 18. FIG. 3A is a cross-section of bristle strainer sleeve 16 as seen along the line 3A-3A in FIG. 3.
FIG. 4 shows an alternative and preferred embodiment of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a front elevation and FIG. 4A is a longitudinal cross-section of a pop-up drain stopper and strainer 40 for a bathroom sink, according to the present invention. Stopper/strainer 40 comprises a cap 42, a cap seal 44, a bristle strainer sleeve 46 having a plurality of bristles 46a and a two-prong fork 48 for engaging a pivot rod or ball rod connected to a control rod for moving the drain stopper/strainer 40 between open and closed positions. FIG. 5 is a front elevation and exploded view of stopper/strainer 40 without cap 42 and without bristle strainer sleeve 46. FIG. 5A is a side elevation of the stopper/strainer 40 of FIG. 5, which is also shown without cap 42 and without bristle strainer sleeve 46. FIG. 2 shows a stem 50 on which the bristle strainer sleeve 46 is received. Stem 50 is shown as an elongate cylinder, which can be hollow or solid, having an upper end 50a and a lower end 50b. FIG. 4A shows stem 50 as being a solid cylinder, but it can be hollow, and stem 50 can be two intersecting plates that provide a small central stem and fins that extend longitudinally and protrude radially. A threaded stud 52 extends longitudinally and coaxially from the upper end 50a and is designed and configured to receive cap 42 in a threaded engagement. Alternative engagement means such as a snap fit, a press fit or an interference fit can be used, and a hole with internal threads can also be used for a reverse arrangement of internal and external threads. Cap 42 is preferably removably attached to stem 50 so that cap 42 can be removed to place the bristle strainer sleeve 46 onto stem 50.
The lower end 50b of stem 50 has a bore 50c defined by internal threads 50d. If stem 50 is generally hollow, then one needs to address the issue of how threaded stud 52 projects from the upper end 50a and how the lower end 50b has a bore. Manufacturing a hollow stem with both of these characteristics may not be practical. A solid stem made of a thermoplastic may be more practical. The two-prong fork 48 is not shown as being formed integral with the stem 50. Two-prong fork 48 has an upper end or shoulder 48a on which bristle strainer sleeve 46 rests, thereby providing a means for holding bristle strainer sleeve 46 on stem 50. Two-prong fork 48 has a lower end 48b that comprises two opposing forks pressed together by a spring force, which can be forced open to receive and hold a rod transversely, where the rod is not shown. A threaded stud 48c extends longitudinally and coaxially from the upper end 48a and is designed and configured to receive stem 50 in a threaded engagement. The two-prong fork 48 is detachably connected to the stem 50 and is shown in this embodiment as being threadedly connected to the stem 50. Alternatively, the two-prong fork 48 can have a threaded bore, and stem 50 can have a threaded stud for a removable connection, or the two-prong fork 48 can be detachably attached to stem 50 using a press or interference fit. Another type of detachable connection is a ball-and-spring detent mechanism such as described in Ahuja and Beck's U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2022/0042292 A1 published on Feb. 10, 2022, titled Bathtub Drain Stopper, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
FIG. 6 is a side elevation of bristle strainer sleeve 46, which preferably comprises a hollow cylinder 46b having a longitudinal axis. FIG. 6A is a cross-section of bristle strainer sleeve 46 as seen along the line 6A-6A in FIG. 6. Threaded stud 48c on two-prong fork 48 is screwed into engagement with the internal threads 50d that define bore 50c in stem 50, thereby connecting stem 50 to the two-prong fork 48. One then slides the bristle strainer sleeve 46 onto the stem 50 and abuts a lower end 46c of the bristle strainer sleeve 46 against the upper end or shoulder 48a of the two-prong fork 48. The upper end or shoulder 48a of the two-prong fork 48 thereby provides a means for holding the bristle strainer sleeve 46 on the stem 50 so that the bristle strainer sleeve 46 does not slide farther downwardly while in operation.
To complete the assembly shown in FIG. 4, one screws cap 42 onto stud 52, which is on upper end 50a of stem 50. This threading arrangement can be reversed with cap 42 having a stud and external threads and stem 50 having a bore with internal threads. This embodiment shows a detachable connection between cap 42 and stem 50; however, cap 42 can be fixed to or formed integral with stem 50. One end of stem 50 is preferably detachably attached so that the bristle strainer sleeve 46 can be placed on the stem 50 in order for the bristle strainer sleeve 46 to be replaceable, but alternatively, stopper/strainer 40 can be assembled in a manner that provides a fixed construction that would not allow replacement of the bristle strainer sleeve 46. The detachable connection between stem 50 and the two-prong fork 48 is useful in that it allows one to replace the two-prong fork 48 with a different means for holding the bristle strainer sleeve 46 on the stem 50 as well as different connectors and other functions.
FIG. 7 is a front elevation of a pop-up drain stopper and strainer 60 for a bathroom sink, according to the present invention. Stopper/strainer 60 comprises a cap 62, a cap seal 64, a bristle strainer sleeve 66 having a plurality of bristles 66a and a two-prong fork 68 for engaging a pivot rod or ball rod connected to a control rod for moving the drain stopper/strainer 60 between open and closed positions. Two-prong fork 68 has an upper end or shoulder 68a on which bristle strainer sleeve 66 rests, thereby providing a means for holding bristle strainer sleeve 66 on a stem, which is hidden inside the bristle strainer sleeve 66. Two-prong fork 68 has a lower end 68b that comprises two opposing forks pressed together by a spring force, which can be forced open to receive and hold a rod transversely, although the rod is not shown. A threaded stud 68c extends longitudinally and coaxially from the upper end 68a and is designed and configured to receive the stem in a threaded engagement. The two-prong fork 68 is detachably connected to the stem and is shown in this embodiment as being threadedly connected to the stem, although a different connection mechanism can be used. Alternatively, two-prong fork 68 can be formed integral with the stem or can be fixed permanently to the stem. Each of the prongs in the two-prong fork 68 has three semi-circular notches, which are arranged, designed and configured to oppose the three semi-circular notches on the other prong, thereby defining three circular openings 68d, 68e and 68f. A pivot rod or ball rod, which is not shown, can be received transversely in any one of the three circular openings 68d, 68e and 68f or just between the opposing prongs between the circular openings.
FIG. 8 is a front elevation of a pop-up drain stopper and strainer 70 for a bathroom sink, according to the present invention. Stopper/strainer 70 comprises a cap 72, a cap seal 74, a bristle strainer sleeve 76 having a plurality of bristles 76a and a two-prong fork 78 for engaging a pivot rod or ball rod connected to a control rod for moving the drain stopper/strainer 70 between open and closed positions. Two-prong fork 78 has an upper end or shoulder 78a on which bristle strainer sleeve 76 rests, thereby providing a means for holding bristle strainer sleeve 76 on a stem, which is hidden inside the bristle strainer sleeve 76. Two-prong fork 78 has a lower end 78b that comprises two opposing forks pressed together by a spring force, which can be forced open to receive and hold a rod transversely. The rod is not shown. A threaded stud 78c extends longitudinally and coaxially from the upper end 78a and is designed and configured to receive the stem in a threaded engagement. The two-prong fork 78 is detachably connected to the stem and is shown in this embodiment as being threadedly connected to the stem. A different connection mechanism can be used. Alternatively, two-prong fork 78 can be formed integral with the stem or can be fixed permanently to the stem. Each of the prongs in the two-prong fork 78 has four semi-circular notches, which are arranged, designed and configured to oppose the four semi-circular notches on the other prong, thereby defining four circular openings 78d, 78e, 78f and 78g. A pivot rod or ball rod, which is not shown, can be received transversely in any one of the four circular openings 78d, 78e, 78f and 78g or just between the opposing prongs between the circular openings. An arched opening 78h adjacent to the upper end 78a provides another opening for receiving a pivot rod or a ball rod.
FIG. 9 is a front elevation of a pop-up drain stopper and strainer 80 for a bathroom sink, according to the present invention. Stopper/strainer 80 comprises a cap 82, a cap seal 84, a bristle strainer sleeve 86 having a plurality of bristles 86a and a means 88 for retaining the bristle strainer sleeve 86 on a stem, which is hidden inside sleeve 86, and for engaging a pivot rod or ball rod connected to a control rod for moving the drain stopper/strainer 80 between open and closed positions. Retaining and engaging means 88 has an upper end or shoulder 88a on which bristle strainer sleeve 86 rests, thereby providing the means for holding bristle strainer sleeve 86 on the stem that is hidden inside the bristle strainer sleeve 86. Retaining and engaging means 88 has a lower end 88b that comprises a generally rectangular plate having openings for receiving and holding a pivot rod or a ball rod. The rod is not shown. A threaded stud 88c extends longitudinally and coaxially from the upper end 88a and is designed and configured to receive the stem in a threaded engagement. Retaining and engaging means 88 is detachably connected to the stem and is shown in this embodiment as being threadedly connected to the stem. A different connection mechanism can be used. Alternatively, retaining and engaging means 88 can be formed integral with the stem or can be fixed permanently to the stem. The generally rectangular plate of the retaining and engaging means 88 has three circular openings 88d, 88e and 88f. A pivot rod or ball rod, which is not shown, can be received in any one of the three circular openings 88d, 88e and 88f. An arched opening 88g adjacent to the upper end 88a provides another opening for receiving a pivot rod or a ball rod. The lower end 88b of retaining and engaging means 88 has a concave, arch shape 88h.
FIG. 10 is a front elevation of a pop-up drain stopper and strainer 90 for a bathroom sink, according to the present invention. Stopper/strainer 90 comprises a cap 92, a cap seal 94, a bristle strainer sleeve 96 having a plurality of bristles 96a and a means 98 for retaining the bristle strainer sleeve 96 on a stem, which is hidden inside sleeve 96, and for engaging a pivot rod or ball rod connected to a control rod for moving the drain stopper/strainer 90 between open and closed positions. Retaining and engaging means 98 has an upper end or shoulder 98a on which bristle strainer sleeve 96 rests, thereby providing the means for holding bristle strainer sleeve 96 on the stem that is hidden inside the bristle strainer sleeve 96. Retaining and engaging means 98 has a lower end 98b that comprises a generally rectangular plate having openings for receiving and holding a pivot rod or a ball rod. The rod is not shown. A threaded stud 98c extends longitudinally and coaxially from the upper end 98a and is designed and configured to receive the stem in a threaded engagement. Retaining and engaging means 98 is detachably connected to the stem and is shown in this embodiment as being threadedly connected to the stem. A different connection mechanism can be used, and alternatively, retaining and engaging means 98 can be formed integral with the stem or can be permanently fixed to the stem. The generally rectangular plate of the retaining and engaging means 98 has one circular opening 98d for receiving a pivot rod or ball rod, which is not shown, and an arched opening 98e adjacent to the upper end 98a provides another opening for receiving a pivot rod or a ball rod. The lower end 98b of retaining and engaging means 98 has a convex, arch shape 98f, which has the shape of an arc of a circle.
FIG. 11 is a front elevation of a drain stopper and strainer 100 for a bathroom sink or for a bathtub, according to the present invention. Stopper/strainer 100 comprises a cap 102, a cap seal 104, a bristle strainer sleeve 106 having a plurality of bristles 106a and a means 108 for retaining the bristle strainer sleeve 106 on a stem, which is hidden inside sleeve 106. Retaining means 108 has a disk shape like the shape of a circular coin with upper and lower planar surfaces. Retaining means 108 has an upper surface 108a on which bristle strainer sleeve 106 rests, thereby providing the means for holding bristle strainer sleeve 106 on the stem that is hidden inside the bristle strainer sleeve 106. Retaining means 108 has a lower planar surface 108b, which can rest on a pivot rod or a ball rod in a bathroom sink or on cross-bars in a bathtub drain. No pivot rod or ball rod or cross-bars are shown. A threaded stud 108c extends perpendicularly, longitudinally and coaxially from the upper surface 108a of retaining means 108 and is preferably designed and configured to receive the stem in a threaded engagement. Retaining means 108 is shown as detachably connected to the stem and is shown in this embodiment as being threadedly connected to the stem. A different connection mechanism can be used. Alternatively, retaining means 108 can be formed integral with the stem or can be fixed permanently to the stem.
The drain stopper and strainer 100 of FIG. 11 is different from the stopper/strainers shown in the previous figures. The stopper/strainers in the previous figures are designed and configured for engagement with a ball rod or a pivot rod connected to a control rod for opening and closing one of the previous stopper/strainers. While the lower surface 108b of retaining means 108 can rest on and be pushed up by a ball rod or by a pivot rod connected to a control rod, which is pushed downwardly, the control rod cannot pull the stopper/strainer 100 into a closed position. A person manually pushes downwardly on cap 102 to press cap seal 104 against a flange around an opening in a bathroom sink or in a bathtub to place stopper/strainer 100 in a closed position for retaining water in the sink or bathtub. The person manually pulls upwardly on cap 102 to separate cap seal 104 from the flange around the opening in the bathroom sink or in the bathtub to place stopper/strainer 100 in an open position for draining water from the sink or bathtub, or if the stopper/strainer 100 is resting on a pivot rod or a ball rod connected to a control rod, then the person can move the control rod to place stopper/strainer 100 in its open position.
Stopper/strainer 100 is preferably designed, configured and sized so that the bristles 106a on bristle strainer sleeve 106 engage an inside wall of a drain pipe in which it is placed in a friction fit or an interference fit. The friction fit or an interference fit allows a person to push or pull stopper/strainer 100 into a desired position, such as in an open or closed position, and the bristles 106a will press against the inside wall of the drain pipe that it is in and hold the stopper/strainer 100 in that position until the person pushes or pulls stopper/strainer 100 into a different position. Bristles 106a are shown as having different lengths or as having two different lengths, which may or may not be useful for the purpose of a friction fit. Bristles 106a are shown as having a ball on an outer tip of each bristles 106a, which may or may not be useful for the purpose of a friction fit. Bristles 106a should be flexible enough to bend sufficiently for movement of stopper/strainer 100 between open and closed positions, but bristles 106a should also be sufficiently rigid to trap and hold hair and other debris and to press against an inside wall of a drain pipe for holding stopper/strainer 100 in a fixed position with respect to the drain pipe. Stopper/strainer 100 can be used in any plumbing drain, including but not limited to a bathroom sink, a bathtub, a shower and a kitchen sink, where one wishes to have a strainer for catching debris that may be in water draining into the plumbing drain.
Cap seal 104 is not required, and without cap seal 104, a strainer is provided, which does not have the capability of providing a seal to prevent water from flowing into a drain pipe. A user may not need or want the stopper capability that cap seal 104 provides, particularly in an application where there is no need to retain water in a sink, basin, tub or the like. Examples of such an application include a shower for a person and a dog or pet grooming basin in which a dog or another pet with hair or fur is given a bath, where a person may wish to catch and trap debris in drain water but not retain water in some type of container such as a shower tub or a pet grooming basin. A user may want cap 102 to cover and hide a drain opening, but may not want to retain water, which negates the need for cap seal 104. Also, a user may want to permanently space cap 102 from a drain opening without relying on the friction fit of the bristles 106a with an inside wall of a drain pipe. In addition to the friction fit of the bristles 106a with an inside wall of a drain pipe, various other means are available for spacing cap 102 from a drain flange so that water can drain out of some type of container. U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. US 2020/0011038 A1 by Ahuja et al. discloses spacers for holding a cap away from a drain opening so that water can flow below a cap and into a drain pipe. Cap 102 can have a dome shape or a square or rectangular shape. A dome-shaped or a square or rectangular-shaped cap can have arch-shaped openings, which may not be visible from directly above, and the cap may have three or more points of contact with a drain flange with the arch-shaped openings located between the points of contact. In a bathtub drain fitted with cross-bars, a drain strainer similar to strainer 100 in FIG. 11 can be designed, sized and configured to rest on the cross-bars with the cap 102, without cap seal 104, spaced away from a drain flange around a drain opening in the bathtub, thereby providing another cap-spacing means. The friction fit or interference fit of the bristles 106a with an inside wall of a drain pipe is a preferred cap-spacing means because hair and other debris may visibly collect around cap-spacing means located between the cap and the drain flange, while the bristle friction fit is located out of sight down in a drain pipe.
Without cap seal 104, it may be practical and economical to manufacture a strainer such as described above with reference to FIG. 11 as a disposable item, in which case, there may be no need for detachable connections between the cap 102 and the stem and between the retaining means 108 and the stem. In this case, another embodiment of the present invention is a strainer that comprises: a bristle strainer having an elongate cylindrical shape and opposing first and second ends; and a cap fixed to the first end, preferably where the strainer further includes a stem inside the bristle strainer, preferably where the strainer further comprises retaining means for holding the bristle strainer on the stem, preferably where the retaining means is fixed to the second end of the stem, preferably where the strainer is designed and configured for water to drain under the cap and through bristles on the bristle strainer, preferably where water does not drain through the cap, preferably where the cap is sized to cover and hide a drain opening, and preferably where the retaining means is a disk. There may be no need for a stem in a bristle strainer, in which case one embodiment of the present invention is a strainer that comprises: a bristle strainer having an elongate cylindrical shape and opposing first and second ends; and a cap fixed to the first end, where preferably the bristle strainer comprises a hollow cylinder having an outer surface and bristles extending radially outwardly from the outer surface, and where preferably the hollow cylinder is sufficiently rigid to be pushed into a standard drain pipe and to stand upright on a table and support itself and the cap.
Turning now to FIG. 12, a pop-up drain assembly 200 is shown according to the present invention. Drain assembly 200 is received in a sink or basin 212, such as is typically used in a bathroom or a restroom. Sink 212 has a lower surface 212a that drains into a drain opening 212b. Sink 212 has an overflow port 212c in a side wall 212d, which is an optional feature. Vessel sinks do not have an overflow port. An outer wall 212e and side wall 212d define an overflow channel 212f, and side wall 212d has an overflow drain port 212g for draining overflow fluid into a port in drain assembly 200. A faucet 214 is mounted on a top deck 212h of sink 212 for supplying water or other fluid to sink 212.
A number of different manufacturers make and sell pop-up drain assemblies, which can be retrofitted to provide a pop-up drain assembly according to the present invention. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 12, pop-up drain assembly 200 comprises a drain flange 216 that fits down through drain opening 212b in sink 212. Preferably, drain flange 216 has a threaded tubular portion 216a extending essentially throughout its full length and a flange 216b extends radially outwardly on a top end. A gasket or plumber's putty 218 provides a seal between the lower surface 212a of the sink 212 and the flange 216b of drain flange 216. A flexible gasket 220 and a washer 220a are placed around a bottom portion of drain flange 216 and then pressed tightly against a bottom surface of sink 212 with a threaded nut 220b. A drain body 222 is threaded onto a lower end of drain flange 216. Drain body 222 has a wrench flange 222a for receiving a wrench for tightening and loosening drain body 222 with respect to drain flange 216. Drain body 222 has a pivot rod port 222b, and a threaded tubular stub 222c projects radially outwardly from drain body 222. A pivot rod seal 224 is received in stub 222c.
A pivot rod or ball rod 226 has a stopper end 226a and an outer end 226b. A pivot ball 228 is sealingly received on pivot rod 226 closer to stopper end 226a than outer end 226b. Pivot rod 226 is received in stub 222c such that stopper end 226a is inside the drain body 222, and the stopper ball 228 rests against pivot rod seal 224. A pivot rod cap 230 is threaded onto stub 222c sufficiently tightly to seal pivot ball 228 against pivot rod seal 224, but loose enough to allow pivot ball 228 and pivot rod 226 to pivot. An extension rod 232 having a plurality of holes, which are not shown, is received on outer end 226b of pivot rod 226 and held in place by a clip 232a. Extension rod 232 is bent so as to have two parallel portions 232b and 232c that are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the extension rod 232, and each of the two parallel portions has a hole through which a control rod 234 is received. Control rod 234 passes through a faucet port 214a and a sink control rod port 212h. Control rod 234 has a knob 234a at an upper end, and control rod 234 is fastened to extension rod 232 by a set screw 232d. There are various ways to connect a control rod to a pivot rod, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,494,800 issued to Ahuja, et al. on Dec. 3, 2019, which is incorporated by reference. There are also alternative means for controlling the pivot rod and the stopper, including a cable such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,822,812, issued to Worthington et al, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,596,057, issued to Ohta et al. and electronic means.
A pop-up drain stopper and strainer 240, according to the present invention, such as shown in FIG. 4, is received in drain flange 216 and drain body 222. Stopper/strainer 240 has an elongate, hollow, cylindrical stem 240a running its length, which has a longitudinal axis through the center of stopper/strainer 240. A cap 240b having a cap seal 240c is threadedly engaged with an upper end of the stem 240a. A pivot rod receiving member is located on an opposing lower end of stem 240a, which in this embodiment is a two-prong fork 240d. A bristle strainer sleeve 240e having a plurality of bristles 240f is removably received on stem 240a. Bristle strainer sleeve 240e surrounds the stem 240a and has the shape of a hollow cylinder. The two-prong fork 240d is threadedly engaged with the lower end of the stem 240a. The stopper end 226a of the pivot rod 226 is received between the two forks of the two-prong fork 240d in a friction fit. One pushes downwardly on knob 234a of control rod 234 to move stopper/strainer 240 into an open position. One pulls upwardly on knob 234a of control rod 234 to move stopper/strainer 240 into a closed position.
The cap 240b is shown as a separate piece that is received and threaded on the upper end of stem 240a, but the cap 240b may be formed integral with the stem 240a. In one embodiment, the cap 240b and the stem 240a are formed as an integral piece of plastic, and the cap is coated with a metal such as chrome, nickel or brass. The two-prong fork 240d is shown as a separate piece that is received and threaded on the lower end of stem 240a, but the two-prong fork 240d may be formed integral with the stem 240a. In one embodiment, two-prong fork 240d and the stem 240a are formed as an integral piece of plastic. If both the cap 240b and the two-prong fork 240d are fixed to the stem 240a, then the bristle strainer sleeve 240e is unlikely to be removable and replaceable, unless it can be removably glued to the stem 240a. Generally, one or both of the cap 240b and the two-prong fork 240d will be detachably attached to the stem 240a so that the bristle strainer sleeve 240e can be removed and replaced. Stopper/strainer 240 can be pulled out to clean or replace the bristle strainer 240e because the two-prong fork 240d engages the pivot rod 226 in a releasable friction fit and can be pushed back into the drain pipe in a manner to re-engage the two-prong fork 240d with the pivot rod or ball rod 226.
EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
The present invention encompasses a number of different embodiments. Some of the different embodiments of the present invention are described as follows.
Embodiment 1. A pop-up drain stopper and strainer for a sink or basin, comprising:
- a stem, wherein the stem has a length and upper and lower ends;
- a cap on the upper end of the stem, wherein the cap has or does not have a cap seal;
- a pivot rod holder on the lower end of the stem, wherein the pivot rod holder comprises a pair of opposing prongs, wherein the opposing prongs define a slot, wherein the slot has an upper end and a lower end, and wherein the lower end of the slot is open so that the pivot rod holder can be pressed transversely over a pivot rod or a ball rod; and
- a strainer received on the stem between the upper end and the pivot rod holder.
Embodiment 2. The pop-up drain stopper and strainer of embodiment 1, wherein the strainer surrounds the stem and has a plurality of bristles.
Embodiment 3. The pop-up drain stopper and strainer of embodiment 2, wherein the stem has at least two fins that extend along the length of the stem and project radially.
Embodiment 4. The pop-up drain stopper and strainer of embodiment 2, wherein the stem is an elongate cylinder, preferably wherein the cylinder is hollow, and preferably wherein the cylinder has a circular transverse cross-section with respect to a longitudinal axis of the cylinder.
Embodiment 5. The pop-up drain stopper and strainer of embodiment 1, wherein the strainer surrounds the stem and has a plurality of bristles, wherein the stem is an elongate cylinder, preferably wherein the cylinder is hollow, and preferably wherein the cylinder has a circular transverse cross-section with respect to a longitudinal axis of the cylinder.
Embodiment 6. The pop-up drain stopper and strainer of embodiment 5, wherein the cap is detachably attached to the stem.
Embodiment 7. The pop-up drain stopper and strainer of embodiment 5, wherein the cap is fixedly attached to the stem or formed integral with the stem.
Embodiment 8. The pop-up drain stopper and strainer of embodiment 5, wherein the pivot rod holder is detachably attached to the stem.
Embodiment 9. The pop-up drain stopper and strainer of embodiment 5, wherein the pivot rod holder is fixedly attached to the stem or formed integral with the stem.
Embodiment 10. The pop-up drain stopper and strainer of embodiment 1, wherein the opposing prongs of the pivot rod holder have inside edges that define the slot, further comprising a flexible material bonded to or formed integral with at least one of the inside edges.
Embodiment 11. The pop-up drain stopper and strainer of embodiment 10, wherein the flexible material is an elastomeric material, wherein the elastomeric material is bonded to each of the inside edges, and wherein the opposing prongs are spaced apart a distance that will provide a friction fit for the pivot rod or the ball rod.
Embodiment 12. The pop-up drain stopper and strainer of embodiment 10 or 11, wherein the pivot rod holder is detachably attached to the stem.
Embodiment 13. The pop-up drain stopper and strainer of embodiment 12, wherein the upper end of the pivot rod holder has a stud with external threads, wherein the stud has a longitudinal axis that is coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the stem, wherein the lower end of the stem has a bore defined by internal threads, wherein the bore has a longitudinal axis that is coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the stem, and wherein the stud on the pivot rod holder is threadedly engaged with the internal threads that define the bore in the stem.
Embodiment 14. The pop-up drain stopper and strainer of embodiment 10 or 11, wherein the pivot rod holder is not detachable from the stem, and wherein the pivot rod holder is fixed to or formed integral with the stem.
Embodiment 15. The pop-up drain stopper and strainer of embodiment 1, wherein the strainer is a bristle strainer sleeve that surrounds the stem, wherein the sleeve is not attached to the stem, wherein the sleeve is trapped between the cap and the pivot rod holder, and wherein the bristle strainer sleeve has a plurality of bristles.
Embodiment 16. The pop-up drain stopper and strainer of embodiment 15, wherein the bristle strainer sleeve comprises a hollow cylinder that is rigid or is flexible but sufficiently stiff enough to maintain its shape.
Embodiment 17. The pop-up drain stopper and strainer of embodiment 1, 10, 11 or 15, wherein the opposing prongs of the pivot rod holder have faces that define the slot, wherein the faces have one or more semi-circular indentations which together define one or more generally circular openings for receiving a pivot rod or a ball rod within the slot and within one of the generally circular openings.
Embodiment 18. A drain stopper and/or strainer, comprising:
- a stem, wherein the stem has a length and upper and lower ends;
- a cap on the upper end of the stem, wherein the cap has or does not have a cap seal;
- a bristle strainer sleeve received on and surrounding the stem, wherein the bristle strainer sleeve has an outer surface and a plurality of bristles projecting radially outwardly from the outer surface; and
- retaining means on the lower end of the stem for holding the bristle strainer sleeve on the stem, wherein the bristle strainer sleeve is trapped on the stem between the cap and the retaining means.
Embodiment 19. The drain stopper and/or strainer of embodiment 18, wherein the bristle strainer sleeve is not fixedly connected to the stem, and wherein the bristle strainer sleeve is not formed integral with the stem.
Embodiment 20. The drain stopper and/or strainer of embodiment 19, wherein the bristle strainer sleeve comprises a hollow cylinder that is rigid or is flexible but sufficiently stiff enough to maintain its shape.
Embodiment 21. The drain stopper and/or strainer of embodiment 18, 19 or 20, wherein the retaining means comprises a plate having one or more openings for receiving and holding a pivot rod or a ball rod.
Embodiment 22. The drain stopper and/or strainer of embodiment 21, wherein the retaining means is formed integral with the stem, or wherein the retaining means is fixed permanently to the stem.
Embodiment 23. The drain stopper and/or strainer of embodiment 21, wherein the retaining means is detachably attached to the stem.
Embodiment 24. The drain stopper and/or strainer of embodiment 23, wherein the retaining means has a threaded stud, wherein the lower end of the stem has a bore defined by internal threads, and wherein the threaded stud is threadedly engaged with the internal threads that define the bore in the stem, or wherein the retaining means has a bore defined by internal threads, and wherein the lower end of the stem has a threaded stud for connecting the retaining means to the stem.
Embodiment 25. The drain stopper and/or strainer of embodiment 18, 19 or 20, wherein the retaining means comprises a disk having upper and lower surfaces, and wherein the upper surface is planar.
Embodiment 26. The drain stopper and/or strainer of embodiment 25, wherein the retaining means is formed integral with the stem, or wherein the retaining means is fixed permanently to the stem.
Embodiment 27. The drain stopper and/or strainer of embodiment 21, wherein the retaining means is detachably attached to the stem.
Embodiment 28. The drain stopper and/or strainer of embodiment 27, wherein the retaining means has a threaded stud, wherein the lower end of the stem has a bore defined by internal threads, and wherein the threaded stud is threadedly engaged with the internal threads that define the bore in the stem.
Embodiment 29. The drain stopper and/or strainer of embodiment 18, 19 or 20, wherein the retaining means comprises a disk having upper and lower surfaces, wherein the upper surface is planar, and wherein the cap does not have a cap seal.
Embodiment 30. The drain stopper and/or strainer of embodiment 29, wherein the retaining means has a threaded stud, wherein the lower end of the stem has a bore defined by internal threads, and wherein the threaded stud is threadedly engaged with the internal threads that define the bore in the stem.
Embodiment 31. The drain stopper and/or strainer of embodiment 18, 19 or 20, wherein the retaining means comprises a disk formed integrally with or fixed permanently to the stem, and wherein the cap does not have a cap seal.
Embodiment 32. A strainer for a plumbing drain comprising:
- a bristle strainer having an elongate cylindrical shape, wherein the bristle strainer has upper and lower ends and an outer surface and a plurality of bristles projecting radially outwardly from the outer surface; and
- a cap on the upper end of the bristle strainer, wherein the cap does not have a cap seal, and wherein
- the strainer for the plumbing drain is not designed or configured to prevent water from flowing into or through the plumbing drain.
Embodiment 33. The strainer of embodiment 32, wherein the strainer for the plumbing drain is not designed or configured to be engaged with a pivot rod or ball rod.
Embodiment 34. The strainer of embodiment 33, further comprising a spacing means for preventing a seal from forming between the cap and the plumbing drain.
Embodiment 35. The strainer of embodiment 32, wherein the strainer for the plumbing drain does not have a stem inside the bristle strainer.
Embodiment 36. The strainer of embodiment 32, wherein the strainer for the plumbing drain has a lower end that is co-existent with the lower end of the bristle strainer, and wherein the lower end of the bristle strainer has an open circular shape.
Embodiment 37. The strainer of embodiment 32, wherein the strainer for the plumbing drain has upper and lower ends and a length between its upper and lower ends, and wherein the strainer for the plumbing drain does not have a means on its lower end for adjusting the length between its upper and lower ends.
Embodiment 38. A drain strainer for a plumbing drain pipe having a flow path defined by an inside wall comprising:
- a stem, wherein the stem has a length and upper and lower ends;
- a cap on the upper end of the stem, wherein the cap does not have a cap seal;
- a bristle strainer sleeve removably received on and surrounding the stem, wherein the bristle strainer sleeve has an outer surface and a plurality of bristles projecting radially outwardly from the outer surface, and wherein the bristle strainer sleeve is designed, sized and configured so that the plurality of bristles engage the inside wall of the drain pipe and hold the drain strainer in a position within the drain pipe until a user pulls or pushes on the cap to change the position; and
- retaining means on the lower end of the stem for holding the bristle strainer sleeve on the stem, wherein the bristle strainer sleeve is trapped on the stem between the cap and the retaining means, wherein the retaining means is not designed or configured to receive or to engage a pivot rod or a ball rod,
- wherein the drain strainer is not designed or configured to prevent water from flowing through the drain pipe, and
- wherein at least one of the cap and the retaining means is detachably attached to the stem so that the bristle strainer sleeve can be removed from the stem.
Embodiment 39. The drain strainer of embodiment 38, wherein the retaining means is a disk or a portion of a sphere having an upper planar surface.
Embodiment 40. The drain strainer of embodiment 38 or 39, wherein the retaining means has a threaded stud, wherein the lower end of the stem has a bore defined by internal threads, and wherein the threaded stud is threadedly engaged with the internal threads that define the bore in the stem, or wherein the retaining means has a bore defined by internal threads, and wherein the lower end of the stem has a threaded stud for connecting the retaining means to the stem.
Embodiment 41. The drain strainer of embodiment 38, wherein the retaining means is fixed to or formed integral with the stem, and wherein the cap is detachably attached to the stem.
Embodiment 42. The drain strainer of embodiment 38, 39 or 41, wherein the stem is a hollow cylinder, and wherein the upper and lower ends of the stem are enclosed or sealed after final assembly of the drain strainer.
Embodiment 43. The drain strainer of embodiment 38 or 42, wherein the drain strainer has a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal length between uppermost and lowermost ends of the drain strainer, and wherein the longitudinal length is not adjustable.
Embodiment 44. The drain strainer of embodiment 43, wherein the longitudinal length is not adjustable other than to an extent possible at connection points between the cap and the stem and between the retaining means and the stem, and wherein there is no separate length-adjustment means.
Embodiment 45. A pop-up drain assembly for a sink or basin having a drain opening, comprising:
- piping for providing a fluid flow pathway from the sink or basin through the drain opening and through the piping, wherein the piping has an inside wall that defines the fluid flow pathway, and wherein the piping has a pivot rod port;
- a stopper for retaining fluid in the sink or basin, wherein the stopper is received in the piping while in operation and is moveable between an open position and a closed position; and
- a pivot rod for moving the stopper between the open position and the closed position, wherein the pivot rod is attached to the piping at the pivot rod port, wherein the pivot rod is pivotable between upward and downward positions,
- wherein the stopper comprises:
- a stem having a length, a longitudinal axis through the length of the stem, an upper end and an opposing lower end;
- a cap received on the upper end, wherein the cap is preferably removably received on the stem;
- a cap seal engaged with the cap for providing a seal to retain fluid in the sink or basin;
- a bristle strainer sleeve received on the stem, wherein the bristle strainer sleeve has a plurality of bristles, preferably wherein the bristle strainer sleeve is removably received on the stem; and
- retaining means on the lower end of the stem for holding the bristle strainer sleeve on the stem, wherein the retaining means preferably comprises a pivot rod holder that depends downwardly from the lower end of the stem.
Embodiment 46. The pop-up drain assembly of embodiment 45, wherein the pivot rod holder comprises a pair of opposing prongs, wherein each of the prongs has an inside edge, and wherein a gap is defined between the inside edges of the opposing prongs, wherein the pivot rod is received in the gap and held between the prongs in a friction fit, and preferably wherein a flexible material bonded to or formed integral with at least one of the inside edges and preferably both of the inside edges.
Embodiment 47. The pop-up drain assembly of embodiment 45, wherein the pivot rod holder has a threaded stud, wherein the lower end of the stem has a bore defined by internal threads, and wherein the threaded stud is threadedly engaged with the internal threads that define the bore in the stem, or wherein the pivot rod holder has a bore defined by internal threads, and wherein the lower end of the stem has a threaded stud for connecting the pivot rod holder to the stem.
Embodiment 48. The pop-up drain assembly of embodiment 45, wherein the pivot rod holder comprises a plate having one or more openings for receiving and holding the pivot rod.
Embodiment 49. The pop-up drain assembly of embodiment 45, wherein the retaining means is formed integral with the stem.
Embodiment 50. The pop-up drain assembly of embodiment 45, wherein the retaining means is detachably attached to the lower end of the stem.
Embodiment 51. A drain stopper and/or strainer kit, comprising:
- a stem, wherein the stem has a length and upper and lower ends;
- a cap on the upper end of the stem, wherein the cap has or does not have a cap seal;
- a bristle strainer sleeve received on and surrounding the stem, wherein the bristle strainer sleeve has an outer surface and a plurality of bristles projecting radially outwardly from the outer surface; and
- two or more retaining means detachably attachable to the lower end of the stem for holding the bristle strainer sleeve on the stem, wherein the bristle strainer sleeve is trapped on the stem between the cap and the retaining means.
Embodiment 52. The drain stopper and/or strainer kit of embodiment 51, wherein the bristle strainer sleeve is removably received on the stem.
Embodiment 53. The drain stopper and/or strainer kit of embodiment 52, wherein the retaining means has a threaded stud, wherein the lower end of the stem has a bore defined by internal threads, and wherein the threaded stud is threadedly engagable with the internal threads that define the bore in the stem, or wherein the retaining means has a bore defined by internal threads, and wherein the lower end of the stem has a threaded stud for connecting the retaining means to the stem.
Embodiment 54. The drain stopper and/or strainer kit of embodiment 52 or 53, wherein the retaining means is selected from any of the retaining means described herein.
Embodiment 55. The drain stopper and/or strainer kit of embodiment 52 or 53, wherein the retaining means include a two-prong fork that engages a pivot or ball rod between the forks, a plate having one or more holes for receiving a pivot or ball rod and an object that does not connect to anything other than the stem.
Embodiment 56. The drain stopper and/or strainer kit of embodiment 55, wherein the object comprises a disk having upper and lower surfaces, wherein the upper surface is planar, and preferably wherein a stud projects from the upper surface.
Having described the invention above, various modifications of the techniques, procedures, materials, and equipment will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is intended that all such variations within the scope and spirit of the invention be included within the scope of the appended claims.
Patent Application
20240133168
