DRAINAGE MECHANISM

Abstract

Draining mechanism for a sanitary vessel, such as a bathtub or the like, and method for installing such a draining mechanism on a sanitary vessel in which the draining mechanism is adapted to be installed in sanitary vessels of different wall thicknesses and comprising an actuator which does not need to be bulky or aesthetically unpleasant when the sanitary vessel wall thickness is small. The invention also facilitates the movement of the actuator even when the actuator becomes wet.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved drainage mechanism for a bathtub or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Presently, various different types of overflow mounted control mechanisms for sanitary vessels such as baths and sinks are known. These mechanisms feature a control mechanism for controlling either the raising or lowering of the outlet or the inflow of water from the taps. The control mechanism is mounted on an external (dry) side of the bath. The drainage mechanism further includes a handle, usually in the form of a knob, on the internal (“wet”) surface of bath/sink. Rotation of the knob is transferred to the control mechanism via an actuator which extends from the knob, through the overflow, to the control mechanism.

Due to the fact that there are various thicknesses of baths/sinks, the knob has to be manufactured deep enough to accommodate the longest possible length of actuator extending into the bath from the overflow mechanism, which occurs with thin walled baths or sinks.

It has been found that rotation of a deep knob can create a bending moment in the actuator, particularly where the actuator protrudes only a short distance into the internal side of the bath/sink

Furthermore to accommodate the longest possible length of actuator extending into the bath from the overflow mechanism, the actuator often has an aesthetically displeasing, bulky appearance.

Additionally, the actuator can also be difficult for the user to grip, especially when it is wet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a drainage mechanism for a sanitary vessel, the drainage mechanism comprising:

a sanitary vessel control device adapted to be located on a sanitary vessel external surface adjacent to a sanitary vessel overflow;

a securing device adapted to be located on an internal surface of the sanitary vessel, the securing device being adapted to be attached to the sanitary vessel control device to secure the sanitary vessel control device to the sanitary vessel; and

an actuator adapted to actuate the sanitary vessel control device from within the sanitary vessel, the actuator having a longitudinal axis, the actuator being attachable to the securing device to prevent movement of the actuator with respect to the securing device along the longitudinal axis, such that, in an in use position, the actuator extends from the securing device in a direction away from the securing device by a predetermined distance.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a drainage mechanism is provided which has a constant extension of actuator from the securing device into the bath or sink irrespective of the thickness of the sanitary vessel wall. This permits a relatively shallow knob to be used which has a more aesthetically pleasing finish than conventional knobs. Furthermore, a thinner knob reduces the amount of bending force which can be applied to the actuator, reducing the potential to cause damage to the knob and/or the drainage mechanism.

The sanitary vessel control device may control the flow of liquid out of the sanitary vessel.

The sanitary vessel control device may be adapted to lift and/or lower a plug in a sanitary vessel outlet.

Alternatively or additionally, the sanitary vessel control device may be adapted to control the flow of water into the sanitary vessel.

The sanitary vessel control device may comprise a housing and a control mechanism.

The sanitary vessel control device housing may be adapted to be located on an external surface of the sanitary vessel.

The sanitary vessel control device control mechanism may be adapted to control the flow in of water to the sanitary vessel and/or the flow out of water from the sanitary vessel.

The sanitary vessel control device may further comprise a sealing member.

The sealing member may be adapted to form a seal between the sanitary vessel control device housing and the sanitary vessel external surface.

The securing device may be attached to the housing by means of an attachment mechanism.

The attachment mechanism may be integral with the securing device.

Alternatively, the attachment mechanism may be separate from the securing device.

The attachment mechanism may be adapted to form a snap fit with the sanitary vessel control device.

Alternatively or additionally, the attachment mechanism may be adapted to be connected to the sanitary vessel control device by means of a threaded connection.

The attachment mechanism may comprise one or more bolts.

The drainage mechanism may be compressively attached to the sanitary vessel control device.

The drainage mechanism may be attached to the sanitary vessel control device by compressing the securing device and the sanitary vessel control device against the sanitary vessel on either side of the sanitary vessel overflow.

Attachment of the securing device to the sanitary vessel control mechanism may be adapted to compress the sanitary vessel control device rubber seal.

The securing device may comprise a plate.

The plate may be circular.

The plate may define at least one aperture adapted to permit water flow through the plate.

The securing device may further comprise apertures adapted to receive the attachment mechanism.

Particularly, the securing device may comprise one or more holes adapted to permit threaded bolts to be pushed through the securing device into engagement with the sanitary vessel control device such that the threaded bolts can be tightened to bring the sanitary vessel control device into engagement with the sanitary vessel external surface.

The actuator may be adapted to actuate the sanitary vessel control device by rotation.

Rotation of the actuator may be adapted to move the control mechanism.

The actuator may be attached to the securing device by means of a snap fit

Alternatively the actuator may be connected to the securing device by means of a joining member.

The joining member may be an O-ring.

The actuator may define an extending portion adapted to extend away from the securing device in a direction away from the sanitary vessel control device.

The actuator extending portion may be adapted to extend into the sanitary vessel.

The extending portion may define a profile.

The profile may be adapted to receive an actuating knob.

The actuating knob may be connected to the actuator such that rotation of the actuating knob rotates the actuator.

The actuating knob may be attached to the extending portion profile by means of a push fit connection.

Alternatively the actuating knob may be threadedly engaged with the extending element.

Alternatively the knob may comprise knob pin.

The knob pin may be threadedly connected to the knob and engage the actuator extending element profile. Such an arrangement secures the knob to the actuator.

The knob pin may, once secured, extend beyond a knob circumference such that it permits rotation of the knob by providing a profile surface to the knob.

A method of installing a drainage mechanism for a sanitary vessel, the method comprising the steps of;

securing a sanitary vessel control device to a sanitary vessel external surface using a securing device located on a sanitary vessel internal surface;

attaching an actuator to the securing device, the actuator extending through a sanitary vessel overflow into engagement with the sanitary vessel control device, the actuator having a longitudinal axis, the actuator being attachable to the securing device to prevent movement of the actuator with respect to the securing device along the longitudinal axis, such that, in an in use position, the actuator extends from the securing device in a direction away from the housing by a predetermined distance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a section of a drainage mechanism shown fitted to a thin-walled bathtub, according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a section of the drainage mechanism of FIG. 1, shown fitted to a thick-walled bathtub;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the drainage mechanism of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the drainage mechanism of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings, and particularly FIG. 1, there is shown a drainage mechanism, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, for a sanitary vessel 12 which in this case has a relatively thin wall 14. The drainage mechanism 10 comprises a sanitary vessel control device 16 adapted to raise and lower a sanitary vessel outlet plug (not shown) to allow water in the sanitary vessel 12 to be drained from the vessel 12. The sanitary vessel control device 16 is located on a vessel external surface 18 adjacent to the sanitary vessel overflow 20.

The drainage mechanism 10 further comprises a securing device 22 adapted to be located on the vessel internal surface 24 adjacent to the sanitary vessel overflow 20. Best seen on FIG. 3, an exploded view of the drainage mechanism 10 of FIG. 1, the securing device 22 comprises a plate 26 and first and second bolts 28, 30. The securing device 22 secures the control device 16 to the vessel 12 by passing the bolts 28, 30 through bolt holes 36, 38 defined by the securing device plate 26, and then through the overflow 20 and into engagement with first and second threaded bosses 32, 34 on the vessel control device 16. By tightening the bolts 28, 30 into the bosses 32, 34, the securing device plate 26 and the control device 16 are drawn towards each other sandwiching the sanitary vessel 14 therebetween. It can also be seen from FIG. 3 that the plate 26 defines upper and lower flow apertures 90, 92 to permit flow of fluid through the plate 26 and into the sanitary vessel overflow 20.

The control device 16 comprises a housing 40 which forms a flow path 42 between the overflow 20 and an outlet pipe 44. The control device 16 further includes a gasket 46 which forms a seal between the control device 16 and the sanitary vessel external surface 18, preventing leakage between the control device 16 and the sanitary vessel 12.

The control device 16 further comprises a control mechanism 48 which is adapted to raise and lower the sanitary vessel outlet plug (not shown). Referring to FIG. 4, the mechanism 48 comprises an arm 50, which applies a pull force or push force to a cable 52 which in turn is connected to the vessel outlet plug (not shown).

The control mechanism 48 and particularly the arm 50 are operated by a rotational force applied to a drainage mechanism knob 54 which the user rotates to raise or lower the outlet plug. This rotation is transmitted through an actuator 56 which extends through the securing device plate 26 and the overflow 20 into a control mechanism recess 58, defined by the control mechanism arm 50, where the actuator 56 forms a rotationally fixed interference fit with the control mechanism arm 50.

The actuator 56 has a longitudinal axis 60 and is attached to the securing device plate 26. The attachment of the actuator 56 to the plate 26 is created by sandwiching the plate 26 between an actuator flange 62 and an O-ring seal 64 which is located in a recess 66 defined by the actuator 56. This arrangement prevents movement of the actuator 56 with respect to the plate 26 along the longitudinal axis 60 but permits rotational movement of the actuator 56 with respect to the plate 26.

The knob 54 is secured to the actuator 56 by a pin 68 which forms a threaded connection 70 with the knob 54 and is screwed into a pin receiving recess 72 defined by the actuator 56.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, a sanitary vessel 12 with a relatively thin wall 14 can be accommodated by the drainage mechanism 10 but equally a sanitary vessel 74 with a relatively thick wall 76 can also be accommodated. The increased or decreased thickness of the wall 14, 76, resulting in to a greater or lesser depth of insertion of the actuator 56 into the control mechanism recess 58.

This arrangement of absorbing the variability in the thickness of sanitary vessel walls 14, 76 on the external side 78 of the sanitary vessel 12 means that the protrusion of the actuator 56 on the internal side 80 of the sanitary vessel is constant (indicated by letter “A” on FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) irrespective of the thickness of the sanitary vessel wall 14, 76. This allows for an aesthetically pleasing low profile knob 54 to be selected which minimises the visual impact of the drainage mechanism 10 on the sanitary vessel internal side 80.

Furthermore, provision of the pin 68 gives the opportunity to improve the handling characteristics of the knob 54 by extending the pin 68 beyond the outer edge 82 of the knob 54 to provide a grip which the user can press their fingers against to assist in rotation of the knob 54.

Various modifications and improvements may be made to the above-described embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the control mechanism may control inflow of water into the bath or sink in addition to or in the alternative to controlling the outlet plug.

Claims

1-39. (canceled)

40. A drainage mechanism for a sanitary vessel, the drainage mechanism comprising: a sanitary vessel control device adapted to be located on a sanitary vessel external surface adjacent to a sanitary vessel overflow;a securing device adapted to be located on an internal surface of the sanitary vessel, the securing device being adapted to be attached to the sanitary vessel control device to secure the sanitary vessel control device to the sanitary vessel; andan actuator adapted to actuate the sanitary vessel control device from within the sanitary vessel, the actuator having a longitudinal axis, the actuator being attachable to the securing device to prevent movement of the actuator with respect to the securing device along the longitudinal axis, such that, in an in-use position, the actuator extends from the securing device in a direction away from the securing device by a predetermined distance.

41. The drainage mechanism according to claim 40 wherein the sanitary vessel control device comprises a housing and a sealing member to form a seal between the sanitary vessel control device housing and the sanitary vessel external surface.

42. The drainage mechanism according to claim 40 wherein the sanitary vessel control device is adapted to control flow of liquid out of the sanitary vessel by lifting and/or lowering a plug in a sanitary vessel outlet.

43. The drainage mechanism according to claim 42 wherein the sanitary vessel control device comprises a housing which forms a flow path between the sanitary vessel overflow and an outlet pipe and a control mechanism, which is adapted to raise and lower the plug in a sanitary vessel outlet.

44. The drainage mechanism according to claim 43 wherein the sanitary vessel control device housing is adapted to be located on an external surface of the sanitary vessel.

45. The drainage mechanism according to claim 42 wherein the sanitary vessel control device comprises a housing and wherein the securing device is attached to the housing by means of an attachment mechanism.

46. The drainage mechanism according to claim 45 wherein the attachment mechanism is separate from the securing device.

47. The drainage mechanism according to claim 45 wherein the attachment mechanism is adapted to be connected to the sanitary vessel control device by means of a threaded connection.

48. The drainage mechanism according to claim 45 wherein the attachment mechanism comprises one or more bolts.

49. The drainage mechanism according to claim 45 wherein the securing device comprises apertures adapted to receive the attachment mechanism.

50. The drainage mechanism according to claim 49 wherein the securing device comprises one or more holes adapted to permit threaded bolts to be pushed through the securing device into engagement with the sanitary vessel control device such that the threaded bolts can be tightened to bring the sanitary vessel control device into engagement with the sanitary vessel external surface.

51. The drainage mechanism according to claim 40 wherein the drainage mechanism is attached to the sanitary vessel control device by drawing together the securing device and the sanitary vessel control device against the sanitary vessel on either side of the sanitary vessel overflow.

52. The drainage mechanism according to claim 40 wherein the securing device comprises a plate.

53. The drainage mechanism according to claim 52 wherein the plate defines at least one aperture adapted to permit water flow through the plate.

54. The drainage mechanism according to claim 40 wherein the actuator is adapted to actuate the sanitary vessel control device by rotation.

55. The drainage mechanism according to claim 54 wherein rotation of the actuator is adapted to move the sanitary vessel control device.

56. The drainage mechanism according to claim 40 wherein the actuator is attached to the securing device by means of a snap fit.

57. The drainage mechanism according to any claim 40 wherein the actuator is connected to the securing device by means of an O-ring seal, wherein the securing device is sandwiched between an actuator flange and the O-ring seal which is located in a recess defined by the actuator.

58. The drainage mechanism according to claim 40 wherein the actuator defines an extending portion adapted to extend away from the securing device in a direction away from the sanitary vessel control device and into the sanitary vessel, wherein the extending portion defines a profile adapted to receive an actuating knob, wherein the actuating knob is connected to the actuator such that rotation of the actuating knob rotates the actuator.

59. The drainage mechanism according to claim 58 wherein the actuating knob comprises a knob pin, wherein the knob pin is threadedly connected to the actuating knob and engages the actuator extending portion profile, and wherein the knob pin, once secured to the actuating knob, extends beyond an outer edge of the actuating knob to provide a grip against which a user can press their fingers to assist in rotation of the actuating knob.