Patent Application
20150176262
This application claims priority to Canadian Application No. 2,837,391, filed Dec. 19, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.
This invention relates to a system and apparatus for relieving fluid, preferably water, overflow conditions in bathtubs.
Water overflow prevention devices are universally used in bath tubs to prevent the overflow of water in the event the tub supply tap is left open while filling the bath. Without such a device, the tub would overflow resulting in potentially extensive and costly water damage to the area surrounding the tub.
Currently-used overflow systems typically comprise multiple pieces of pipe and fittings that connect an overflow intake with the tub drain. The pipe and fittings are typically connected together using material-appropriate glue or threaded hardware to produce the overflow system. In practice, the tub is installed during construction and the supply and drain lines are attached and tested for leaks. Afterwards, the various pipes and fittings are installed in place to produce the overflow system. However, by having the overflow system installed in this fashion, manual manipulation of the overflow pieces is required by the plumber and the multiple fittings introduces potential leak (failure) points as well as increasing installation costs.
Canadian patent application 2,248,822 teaches a bath tub water overflow system using a c-shaped trough that can be affixed to a bath tub to join an overflow inlet with a tub drain.
Canadian patent 2,109,081 teaches sink basin having a water overflow device comprising an integrated, multi-channeled conduit.
Canadian patent 2,171,383 teaches a bath tub water overflow system using a c-shaped trough joining the overflow inlet to the tub drain and adaptable to the shape of the tub wall and base.
Canadian patent 2,358,171 teaches removable bath tub system that can be installed in a shower to convert the shower to a bathtub and which possesses an overflow orifice connected to the tub drain via a channel.
Canadian patent 2,480,298 teaches a bath tub overflow assembly comprising multiple pieces that are assembled and attached after bath tub installation.
There remains a need for a bath tub overflow system that is efficient, durable and easy to install
The present invention provides an overflow relief system for a bathtub. The bathtub has a drain opening and an overflow opening on a sidewall thereof. The system comprises a unitary conduit integrally formed to the bathtub and which connects to both the overflow opening and the drain opening. The conduit delivers water from the overflow opening to a drainpipe. Similarly water flows from the drain opening to the drainpipe. Preferably, both the tub and the conduit are coated by a protective coating.
In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an overflow relief system comprising a tub having a base and a sidewall, the tub defining a drain opening formed in the base and an overflow opening formed in the sidewall; an adapter having a first end attached to the drain opening for receiving fluid from the drain opening and a second end remote from the first end for connection to a drain pipe, the adapter defining an adapter body between the first end and the second end of the adapter, the adapter body defining a hollow interior surrounded by a sidewall, the sidewall of the adapter defining an adapter body opening; a unitary conduit integrally formed to the tub, the conduit having a first open end connected to the overflow opening and a second open end connected to the adapter body opening, the conduit defining a fluid passageway from the overflow opening to the adapter; and wherein the adapter forms a passageway for fluid to flow from the drain opening to the drain pipe and for fluid to flow from the second end of the conduit to the drainpipe.
In another embodiment, the conduit can be fabricated from a single piece of material. In another embodiment, the conduit can comprise multiple pieces.
In another embodiment, there is provided a bath tub overflow relief system comprising a bath tub having a fiberglass base and a fiberglass side wall, the bath tub defining an drain opening in the base and an overflow opening formed in the sidewall, an adapter having a gasketed first end attached to the drain opening for receiving fluid from the drain opening and a threaded second end remote from the first end for connection to a drain pipe, the adapter defining an adapter body between the first end and the second end of the adapter, the adapter body defining an adapter body opening; an elbow shaped unitary conduit having a flattened oval shaped cross-section integrally formed to the tub side wall, the conduit having a gasketed first open end connected to the overflow opening and a second end integrally connected to the adapter body opening, the conduit defining a fluid passageway from the overflow opening to the adapter, wherein the adapter forms a passageway for fluid to flow from the drain opening to the drain pipe and for fluid to flow from the second end of the conduit to the drain pipe.
In yet another embodiment, there is provided a bath tub overflow relief system comprising a bath tub having a fiberglass base and a fiberglass side wall, the bath tub defining an drain opening in the base and a generally rectangular overflow opening formed on the sidewall, an adapter having a gasketed first end attached to the drain opening for receiving fluid from the drain opening and a second end remote from the first end for connection to a drain pipe, the adapter defining an adapter body between the first end and the second end of the adapter, the adapter body defining an adapter body opening, an elbow shaped conduit formed from a linear conduit piece and at least two elbow shaped fittings and having a flattened oval shaped cross-section integrally formed to the tub side wall, the conduit having a gasketed first open end connected to the overflow opening and a second end integrally connected to the adapter body opening, the conduit defining a fluid passageway from the overflow opening to the adapter, and wherein the adapter forms a passageway for fluid to flow from the drain opening to the drain pipe and for fluid to flow from the second end of the conduit to the drain pipe.
Further and other embodiments will become apparent to the skilled person.
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
With reference to
With reference to
In an alternate embodiment, the second end of the adapter can be used to connect the adapter to a roughed in drain pipe for fluidly connecting the drain opening to the drain pipe. Preferably, the second end of the adapter can be adapted to fit a drain pipe having a size commonly used in the art. In this alternate embodiment, more preferably the second end the adapter comprises a threaded end to connect to a drain pipe using a threaded connector. In other embodiments, the drain opening is fitted with a strainer. In a certain embodiment the overflow opening is fitted with an overflow plate.
In another embodiment, the adapter first end gasket 21 exists proximate the adapter first end 22 to ensure a watertight seal with the drain opening.
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
In another embodiment, the conduit 30 can have a substantially oval cross-section. In this context, the term “substantially oval cross-section” means the shape is oval or elliptical and not circular. The conduit can be made from a polymer, preferably a polymer commonly used in the art.
To further enhance the strength and durability of the water overflow relief system of the present invention, the unitary conduit 30 and the bathtub 10 are preferably coated with a coating 40. Preferably the coating is a fiberglass resin coating. More preferably the coating is continuous over the conduit and tub sidewall. The coating adds strength and durability to the overflow system.
With reference to
With reference to
In operation, the drain opening 13 is stoppered by a plug to allow water to enter and fill the tub 10. Once the water level reaches the overflow opening 15, water begins flowing into the overflow opening. Water then enters the conduit 30 through the first open end 32. The water travels the length of the unitary conduit 30 to the second end 34 of the conduit 30. Since the second end of 34 of the conduit 30 is connected to the adapter body opening 28, water flows through the adapter body opening 28 and into the hollow interior of the adapter 20. The water continues to flow through the adapter to the second end 24 of the adapter. The water then flows into the connected drainpipe.
In operation of an alternate embodiment, the drain opening 13 is stoppered by a plug to allow water to enter and fill the tub. Once the water level reaches the rectangular overflow opening 16, water begins flowing into the overflow opening. Water then enters the conduit 30 through the first open end 32. The water travels the length of the conduit 30 to the conduit second open end 38, through fittings 33A and 39 to the adaptor body opening 28. Water then flows through the adapter body opening 28 and into the hollow interior 52 of the adapter 20. The water continues to flow through the adapter to the second end 24 of the adapter. The water then flows into the connected drainpipe.
Removal of the plug from the drain opening 13 allows water to flow through the drain opening 13. Water then flows from the drain opening into the hollow interior of the adapter 20. The water continues to flow through the adapter to the second end 24 of the adapter. The water then flows into the connected drainpipe. Where water is contemporaneously flowing from the overflow opening 15 or the rectangular overflow opening 16 through the conduit 30, water from the drain opening 13 and from the overflow opening 15 or the rectangular overflow opening 16 will mix in the hollow interior 52 of the adapter 20. Through this operation, the water in tub 10 does not overflow the tub and cause water damage to the area surrounding the tub.
The construction of the system as a unitary apparatus comprising a bathtub and an overflow relief conduit provides an efficient system. The fiberglass protective layer covering the bathtub and the conduit helps to avoid damage to the system during transport.
The scope of the claims should not be limited to by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2837391 | Dec 2013 | CA | national |
