Patent Application
20200232198
Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to bathtub overflow assemblies. More specifically, some embodiments of the present invention are directed to the interconnection of an overflow elbow to an overflow cap.
In new building construction, plumbers prefer not to install finished closure valves in the bottom of bathtubs, and not to install finished decorative plates over an overflow outlets of bathtubs, until the project is finished, because these elements otherwise may be damaged during construction. Additionally, newly installed plumbing systems typically must be tested before use to ensure the system functions properly and does not leak. Testing typically involves closing off all inlets to the plumbing system, and filling the system with air or water and inspecting the entire system for leaks. Various means for closing off the inlets to the plumbing system are known, including inflatable balloons, screw-on stoppers, and pre-installed skins or membranes that close off plumbing inlets and can be cut away or otherwise removed before to use. When one of these fluid flow stopping mechanisms is not readily available, plumbers sometimes plug a plumbing system inlet with rags or other available materials.
Existing bathtub overflow assemblies comprise an overflow pipe positioned on the outer (dry) side of a bathtub wall, and that fits against or through an overflow hole in the bathtub wall. An overflow plate or cap is provided on the inner (wet) side of the bathtub wall to conceal the overflow drain opening and present a finished look. Common prior art overflow assemblies provided a cross beam that spans the overflow pipes opening that communicates with the bathtub interior. Alternatively, overflow pipe openings employ protrusions on opposite sides of the interior opening. To connect the cover, a central screw or two laterally opposite screws are threaded through a corresponding central hole or laterally opposite holes in the overflow cap, and into a corresponding central hole provided in the cross beam or laterally opposed holes provided in the protrusions. In these assemblies, the necessity of providing a cross-beam with a central hole across the opening of the overflow pipe, or of providing screw holes on the inner wall of the overflow pipe, adds complexity and proves inconvenient for testing purposes. The central cross-beam prevents the use of, or at least increases the difficulty of placing, an inflatable balloon with the pipe, or of stuffing the pipe with rags or other materials. The laterally opposite protrusions on the inner wall of the pipe typically change the shape of the inner circumference of the pipe, thus preventing the use of round stoppers to plug the pipe.
Additionally, both the one-hole and the two-hole style overflow assemblies often can only be installed by two persons, particular where the overflow cap is not installed until construction is complete. This is because the overflow pipe typically will not stay in position unless the overflow cap has been screwed thereto, and when construction is complete or nearly so the back side of the tub is inaccessible from the front side of the tub and vice-versa.
In other overflow assemblies, including those described in many of the references specifically identified and incorporated by reference above, a portion of the overflow pipe passes through the overflow hole in the bathtub wall, thus helping the pipe to stay in place without screws. The portion of the pipe that extends through the bathtub wall may also be threaded, such that a nut can be tightened onto the overflow pipe to secure the overflow pipe to the bathtub wall. In these assemblies, an overflow cap may be sized to snap onto, or otherwise deflectably interconnect to, the nut; thus, facilitating installation of the overflow cover once construction is complete, while also providing an aesthetically pleasing finish (e.g. by concealing the nut and overflow pipe). Also in these assemblies, leak testing may be facilitated by incorporating a membrane over the end of the overflow pipe that closes the overflow pipe. Once testing is complete, the membrane can be cut or otherwise removed to allow fluid to flow through the overflow pipe. Even where such a membrane is not provided, the inner circumference of the overflow pipe is free of any obstacles, such as a cross-beam or protrusions for accommodating screw holes, and can therefore readily receive a stopper, an inflatable balloon, or other available stopping mechanisms. Installation of an overflow cap on the overflow pipe of these no-screw overflow assemblies can be accomplished by one person, from the bathtub interior.
While no-screw overflow assemblies represent a significant improvement over the more traditional one-hole and two-hole overflow assemblies, such assemblies may still present various challengers to an installer. For example, bathtub walls have varying thicknesses, such that the upper portion of an overflow pipe (i.e. the portion that fits through the bathtub wall) must be carefully sized. If the upper portion is too long, then the overflow pipe will extend too far into the bathtub, and the overflow cap will not cover the entirety thereof. If the upper portion is too short, then it may be difficult or impossible to thread a nut onto the upper portion to secure the overflow pipe in position.
Additionally, the overflow cap and nut must be precisely sized so the overflow cap, when pressed over the nut, stays in position. Depending on the desired size of the overflow cap, this may necessitate a nut that is larger than necessary, which may disadvantageously drive up the cost of the assembly.
Further, some persons find that the overflow cap does not fit onto the cap as cleanly as they would like, or with proper alignment.
Still further, some customers, including particularly hotels and other places that offer temporary accommodations, desire a more substantial locking mechanism for retaining the overflow cap in position over the overflow pipe, to prevent theft of the overflow cap or to prevent the inadvertent dislodging of the overflow cap from its proper position.
It is one aspect of some embodiments of the present invention to provide an overflow cover interconnection system that is inexpensive to manufacture and efficient to install. It is another aspect to provide an overflow cover interconnection system that is adaptable to bathtub walls of varying thicknesses. It is yet another aspect to provide an overflow cover interconnection system that ensures proper alignment of the overflow cover with the overflow pipe. It is still another aspect of some embodiments to provide an overflow cover interconnection system that provides a more substantial locking mechanism for retaining the overflow cap in position on or over the overflow pipe.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, an overflow cover interconnection system comprises an overflow elbow comprising a lower portion and a threaded upper portion with a flange therebetween, the threaded upper portion having external threads and a first outer diameter, the lower portion and threaded upper portion defining an internal passageway; a snap ring having an outer sidewall, an inner sidewall, and a first inner diameter greater than the first outer diameter; a nut having internal threads for engaging the external threads; and a substantially cylindrical overflow cap having a closed front side, an open back side, and a cap sidewall, the cap sidewall comprising at least one aperture. The overflow cap is adapted to receive the snap ring through the open back side.
The nut may comprise a first portion adjacent a cylindrical second portion, the first portion having a plurality of alternating flats and peaks, and the cylindrical second portion having a second outer diameter less than the first inner diameter. The cylindrical second portion may be adapted to fit within the snap ring. The overflow cap may have a lip extending radially inwardly from the sidewall adjacent the back side. The outer sidewall may have a convex profile. The outer sidewall may comprise a plurality of cutouts. The snap ring may have a minimum outer diameter, and the nut may have a maximum diameter equal to or less than the minimum outer diameter. The nut may comprise a nut outer sidewall, and the nut outer sidewall may comprise a plurality of finger grips.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, an overflow cover interconnection system comprises an overflow elbow comprising a cylindrical portion with external threads; and an overflow cap having a closed face, a cylindrical sidewall, and an open back, the cylindrical sidewall comprising internal threads and at least one aperture.
The cylindrical sidewall may comprise a plurality of apertures. The overflow cap may further comprise an annular wall extending from the sidewall to the internal threads, and the internal threads may be adapted to engage the external threads. The overflow cover interconnection system may further comprise a nut, which may comprise second internal threads adapted to engage the external threads and second external threads adapted to engage the internal threads. The overflow cover interconnection system may further comprise a nut with second internal threads adapted to engage the external threads, and the internal threads of the overflow cap may also be adapted to engage the external threads. The sidewall of the overflow cap may extend past the internal threads, and the sidewall may have an internal diameter greater than an external diameter of the nut.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, an overflow cover interconnection system comprises an overflow elbow comprising an interior passageway and a substantially cylindrical upper portion defining an inlet to the interior passageway; and an overflow cap comprising a front surface, a substantially cylindrical sidewall, a plurality of fingers extending into a volume defined by the sidewall, and a rear opening adapted to receive at least a section of the upper portion.
The fingers may extend radially inwardly from the sidewall. The upper portion may comprise a plurality of stepped tabs on an outer surface thereof, and the stepped tabs may define a plurality of channels adapted to receive the plurality of fingers. The upper portion may comprise a plurality of branched tree tabs, and the branched tree tabs may define a plurality of channels adapted to receive the plurality of fingers. The fingers may extend rearwardly from the front face. The overflow cover interconnection system may further comprise a gasket seated in a groove in an inner wall of the substantially cylindrical upper portion of the overflow elbow; and each of the plurality of fingers may be positioned to engage the gasket when the rear opening receives at least the section of the upper portion.
Throughout this disclosure, the terms overflow plate, overflow cap, and overflow cover may be used interchangeably.
The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present invention. That is, these and other aspects and advantages will be apparent from the disclosure of the invention(s) described herein. Further, the above-described embodiments, aspects, objectives, and configurations are neither complete nor exhaustive. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the invention are possible using, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described below. Moreover, references made herein to “the present invention” or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the present invention and should not necessarily be construed as limiting all embodiments to a particular description. The present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description of the Invention and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary of the Invention. Additional aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the Detail Description, particularly when taken together with the drawings.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of these inventions.
To assist in the understanding of one embodiment of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein:
It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.
In some embodiments, an annular washer 116 may be provided to create a seal between the overflow elbow 104 and the outer side of a bathtub wall 120 in which the overflow elbow 104 is installed. Although the washer 116 is illustrated as being annular, the washer 116 may have any outside shape, provided that the washer 116 comprises a substantially circular cutout to receive the threaded upper portion 108 of the elbow 104. The thickness of the washer 116 may be selected, for example, based on the thickness of the bathtub wall 120, to ensure that the upper threaded portion 108 of the elbow 104 extends into the bathtub by a suitable amount. A flange 124 of the overflow elbow 104 presses the washer 116 against the bathtub wall 120. The threaded upper portion 108 of the overflow elbow 104 extends from the flange 124, which separates the threaded upper portion 108 from the rest of the overflow elbow 104. The washer 116 may thus help to prevent water or other liquid from leaking into the often-inaccessible area surrounding the bathtub.
The snap ring 150 of the system 100 is adapted to be held against a bathtub wall 120 (see
The snap ring 150, which is annular, may have an internal diameter slightly larger than an outer diameter of the nut extension 162, and, as noted above, may be adapted to fit over the nut extension 162 while being pressed against the bathtub wall 120 by the wider first portion of the nut 154 that defines the flats 166 and the peaks 170. The snap ring 150 may also have a shaped outer sidewall or edge with a convex profile. More specifically, the outer sidewall of the snap ring 150 may comprise a short, forward-facing incline 152 and a longer, backward facing decline 156 so that, when the open backside of the overflow cap 112 is pressed against the snap ring 150, the forward-facing incline 152 pushes the inner diameter lip 114 on the inner circumference of the sidewall of the overflow cap 112, adjacent the open back of the overflow cap 112, slightly outward. Eventually the lip 114 reaches the top of the incline 152 (e.g. the peak of the outer sidewall of the snap ring 150, where the snap ring 150 has a maximum diameter) and returns to its original size as it moves toward the bathtub wall 120 and along the decline 156. Once the overflow cap 112 is in place, the decline 156 of the snap ring 150 holds the lip 114 (which extends inwardly from the inner diameter of the overflow cap 112 to match the size, slope, and length of the decline 156) in position.
The overflow cap 112 may have a generally cylindrical shape, although the sidewall of the overflow cap 112 (i.e. the wall in which the aperture 128 is provided) may have a larger circumference or perimeter near the open backside or rear of the overflow cap 112 and a smaller circumference or perimeter near the closed front side or face of the overflow cap 112.
To allow the system 100 to be used on bathtubs with thicker bathtub walls 120, the snap ring 150 and the nut 154 may be manufactured with minimal thickness. Because the snap ring 150 is installed flush against the bathtub wall 120, and because the nut 154 is installed flush against the snap ring 150, the rigidity of the snap ring 150 and the nut 154 as installed is beneficially greater than the rigidity of either component standing alone, which effect may be utilized advantageously to justify or permit a reduced thickness of the snap ring 150 and the nut 154.
In the overflow cover interconnection system 100, the nut 154 has a shaped outer edge (e.g. with flats 166 and peaks 170) adapted to improve gripping by a wrench, pliers, or fingers, while the snap ring 150 contacts the overflow cap 112 substantially along the entire inner diameter of the overflow cap 112. As a result, the system 100 provides for significantly more contact area between the overflow cap 112 and the snap ring 150 than is achievable where the overflow cap 112 snaps directly onto the nut 154, as in some prior art overflow assemblies. This increased contact surface area improves retention of the overflow cap 112 by the snap ring 150. Additionally, the use of a separate snap ring 150 and nut 154 allows the outer edge or sidewall of the snap ring 150 to be shaped to facilitate the snapping of the overflow cap 112 onto the snap ring 150 (e.g. with an incline 152 and a decline 156), while allowing the nut 154 to have flat outer surfaces that are better adapted for gripping, whether with tools or by hand.
With reference now to
More particularly, the snap ring 350 again comprises an outer sidewall 366 with cutouts 258 extending inwardly therefrom, and again has inner diameter sized to allow the snap ring 350 to fit over the nut extension 162, but the outer sidewall 366 has a significantly more pronounced front incline 152. The inclusion of a more pronounced front incline 152 allows for a smoother, more gradual incline that facilitates installation of the overflow cap 112 onto the snap ring 350. In some embodiments, the snap ring 350 includes a shorter, less pronounced decline 156, although the lip 114 of the overflow cap 112 still matches the size, slope, and length of the decline 156. The less pronounced decline 156 facilitates removal of the overflow cap 112, while still holding the overflow cap 112 securely in position in the absence of a force being exerted on the overflow cap 112 in a direction away from the bathtub wall 120.
In an overflow cover interconnection system 400 as depicted in
The overflow cap 412 also comprises an annular rear face or wall 420. The rear face or wall 420, which extends radially inwardly from the outer circumference of the sidewall of the overflow cap 412 to the internal threads 416, may define an annular shape. In some embodiments, the annular rear wall 420 may be in direct contact with the bathtub wall 120. In other embodiments, a washer 116 may be placed onto the threaded upper portion 108 of the elbow 104, between the bathtub wall and the overflow cap 412. In such embodiments, the washer 116 may provide a seal between the threaded upper portion 108 of the elbow 104 and the bathtub wall 120, so as to prevent water from leaking around the threaded upper portion 108 and into the (typically inaccessible) area between the bathtub and the surrounding walls. In some embodiments, for aesthetic purposes, the washer 116 may have an outer diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the overflow cap 412. Also in some embodiments, the annular rear wall 420 may comprise a groove or channel in which a washer 116, an O-ring, or a gasket may be placed to provide the desired seal, while remaining out of sight and, thus, avoiding an aesthetically displeasing finish.
As with the overflow cap 412 (
Like the overflow caps described above, the overflow cap 612 may be provided with any number of apertures 128.
In use, the nut 754 is threaded onto the threaded upper portion 108 of the elbow 104 until the nut 754 abuts the bathtub wall 120. The overflow cap 712 is then aligned so that the locking pins 720 are in between the tabs 758, pushed backward toward the bathtub wall 120 so that the locking pins 720 are positioned farther rearward than the first portion of the tabs 758, and rotated until the locking pins 720 are behind the first portion of the tabs 758 and abut the second portion of the tabs 758. This bayonet-style locking mechanism allows the overflow cap 712 to be securely but easily installed on the nut 754. Additionally, in embodiments where the final rotational orientation of the overflow cap 712 is important for aesthetic purposes or otherwise, the system 700 allows greater control over the final rotational orientation of the overflow cap 712.
As with the overflow caps described above, the overflow cap 712 is shown with a plurality of apertures 128, but may have more or less apertures 128 than shown.
Here again, the overflow cap 712 is shown with a plurality of apertures 128, but may have more or less apertures 128 than shown.
Notably, the embodiments described in connection with
Referring now to
The upper portion 908 of the elbow 904 is inserted from the exterior side to the interior side of an opening in a bathtub wall 120. Here, the elbow 904 is secured by aligning the locking pins 920 with the channels 910 between the stepped tabs 906 on the upper portion 908 of the elbow 904, and then alternately pushing and rotating the overflow cap 912 until the overflow cap 912 cannot be pushed in (i.e., towards the bathtub wall 120) any farther because it contacts the bathtub wall 120. The system 900 advantageously may easily accommodate bathtub walls 120 of varying thickness, because the overflow cap 912 can lock into position at any step of the stepped tabs 906.
Turning to
Like the system 900, the system 1000 advantageously may easily accommodate bathtub walls 120 of varying thickness, because the overflow cap 912 can lock into position between any two adjacent branches of the tree tabs 1006. Additionally, although not illustrated in the figures, each branch of the branched tree tabs 1006 may comprise a locking edge 862 at the free end thereof and protruding in the axial direction. Such locking edges 862 would provide some resistance to the movement of the extending locking pins 920 into or out of the locked position relative to the branched tree tabs 1006.
One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the stepped surface of
The overflow cap 1112 comprises a plurality of deflectable tabs 1120 extending rearwardly from the front inside face 1124 of the overflow cap 1112. The tabs 1120 are curved in the circumferential direction with a radius of curvature that matches or nearly matches the radius of curvature of the threaded upper portion 108. The tabs 1120 flare radially outwardly at the free end thereof before curving radially inwardly, although in other embodiments the tabs 1120 may be shaped differently. The tabs 1120 are configured to elastically deflect in the radial direction.
Once the elbow 1104 is installed in a bathtub wall 120, and has been secured in place with the nut 154, the overflow cap 1112 is pressed onto the end of the threaded upper portion 108. The inner deflectable tabs 1120 are forced to deflect inwardly slightly when they contact the front wall 136 of the threaded upper portion 108, after which the overflow cap 1112 can be pushed toward the bathtub wall 120 until the overflow cap 1112 covers the nut 154. The inner deflectable tabs 1120 engage the inner ribs 1108 of the threaded upper portion 108, thus holding the overflow cap 1112 in position. Any number of tabs 1120 may be provided on the overflow cap 1112.
The system 1100 beneficially uses a simple nut 154 to hold the elbow 1104 in position, which is beneficially hidden from view when the overflow cap 1112 is installed. The tabs 1120 of the overflow cap 1112 allow the overflow cap 1112 to be easily installed on the elbow 1104, with more contact area (and thus a more secure connection) than if the overflow cap 1112 were to simply engage the peaks of the nut 154, as in known overflow assemblies. Further, the geometry and thickness of the tabs 1120 may be modified (prior to manufacture) to vary the strength of the interconnection between the overflow cap 1112 and the elbow 1104, such that the system 1100 is adaptable for situations requiring a stronger fit (e.g. hotels, apartments, and other temporary living quarters) and those requiring a less robust connection (e.g. homes).
After the elbow 104 has been installed in a bathtub wall 120 and secured in place with the nut 154, the overflow cap 1212 is pressed onto the end of the threaded upper portion 108. The deflectable tabs 1120 are forced to deflect inwardly slightly when they contact the front wall 136 of the threaded upper portion 108, and the outer deflectable tabs 1220 are forced to deflect outward slightly when they contact the front wall 136 and the threads of the threaded upper portion 108. The overflow cap 1212 is pushed toward the bathtub wall 120 until the overflow cap 1212 covers the nut 154. The inner deflectable tabs 1120 press against the inner wall of the threaded upper portion 108 and the outer deflectable tabs 1220 press against the threads of the threaded upper portion 108, thus holding the overflow cap 1212 in position. The geometry of the ends of the inner deflectable tabs 1120 and outer deflectable tabs 1220 may be configured to grip the inner wall or external threads, respectively, of the upper threaded portion 108. Although the overflow cap 1212 is shown with four pairs of tabs 1120 and 1220, any number of pairs of tabs 1120 and 1220 may be provided on the overflow cap 1112. Additionally, although the tabs 1120 and 1220 are shown in pairs on the overflow cap 1212, in some embodiments the tabs 1120 may not be aligned with the tabs 1220.
Although
As with the system 1100, the system 1200 uses a simple nut 154 to hold the elbow 104 in position, which is beneficially hidden from view when the overflow cap 1212 is installed. The system 1200 also uses a standard overflow elbow 104. The use of a standard elbow 104 and standard nut 154 may help to reduce manufacturing and supply chain costs. The tabs 1120 and 1220 of the overflow cap 1212 advantageously allow the overflow cap 1212 to be easily installed on the elbow 104, with more contact area (and thus a more secure connection) than if the overflow cap 1212 were to simply engage the peaks of the nut 154, as in known overflow assemblies. Further, the geometry and thickness of the tabs 1120 and 1220 may be modified (prior to manufacture) to vary the strength of the interconnection between the overflow cap 1212 and the elbow 104, such that the system 1200 is adaptable for situations requiring a stronger fit (e.g. hotels, apartments, and other temporary living quarters) and those requiring a less robust connection (e.g. homes).
The overflow cap 1312 of the system 1300 comprises at least one aperture 128 and a plurality of fingers 1320 arranged in a circular formation and extending rearward from the front inside face 1124 of the overflow cap 1312. The overflow cap 1312 may have any number of fingers 1320, provided that enough fingers 1320 are available to hold the overflow cap 1312 in position when installed on the elbow 1304.
To install the system 1300, the upper threaded portion 108 of the overflow elbow 1304 is inserted through a hole in a bathtub wall 120, after which the nut 154 is threaded onto the threaded upper portion 108 until the nut abuts the tub wall 120. The overflow cap 1312 is then pressed onto the front of the upper threaded portion 108, with the fingers 1320 extending along the inner wall of the upper threaded portion 108 and contacting the O-ring 1308. The overflow cap 1312, once installed, covers the nut 154 to advantageously provide a more aesthetically pleasing finish, and is held in place by the friction fit between the fingers 1320 and the O-ring 1308.
The fingers 1320 may be provided with a slight inward curve at the free end thereof, to prevent the fingers 1320 from catching on the O-ring 1308 as the overflow cap 1312 is pressed into position.
As with the overflow caps in each of the systems 1100 and 1200, the overflow cap 1312 of the system 1300 may beneficially be rotated after installation into any desired rotational orientation (e.g. so that the aperture 128 faces downward). Additionally, as with the overflow caps in each of the systems 1100 and 1200, the overflow cap 1312 of the system 1300 may be installed so that the fingers 1320 extend a minimal distance into the upper threaded portion 108 (e.g. just past the O-ring 1308, if, for example, the elbow 1304 were installed on a thick tub wall 120), or a greater distance into the upper threaded portion 108 (e.g. well past the O-ring 1308, if, for example, the elbow 1304 were installed on a thin tub wall 120). In other words, the system 1300, like the systems 1100 and 1200, may be used with bathtubs having varying wall thickness without needing to make any changes to the configuration of any component thereof.
Referring now to
The overflow cap 1412, like the overflow cap 1312, comprises a plurality of fingers, extending rearward from the front inside face 1124 of the overflow cap 1412 and arranged in a circular formation. Unlike the fingers 1320, however, the fingers 1420 comprises threads 1424 on a radially outward face thereof. The overflow cap 1412 also comprises at least one aperture 128. As with other overflow caps depicted and described herein, the overflow cap 1412 may comprise any number of apertures 128, and may also comprise any number of fingers 1420, provided that the fingers 1420 are sufficient in size and number to hold the overflow cap 1412 in position on the overflow elbow 1104.
Once the overflow elbow 1404 has been installed in a bathtub wall 120 and secured in place with the nut 154, in the same manner described with respect to the elbow 104, the overflow cap 1412 may be installed by threading the threads 1424 of the fingers 1420 into the inner threads 1408 of the upper threaded portion 108. The overflow cap 1412 may be threaded onto the threaded upper portion 108 as far as necessary until the overflow cap 1412 covers the nut 154, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing finish than if the nut 154 were to remain visible to a user of the bathtub.
Here again, the overflow cap 1420 may be threaded onto the inner threads 1408 of the upper threaded portion 108 as much or as little as needed to cover the nut 154 and any exposed portion of the threaded upper portion 108. The overflow cap 1412 thus need not be altered for use with thick or thin bathtub walls 120.
The outer teeth 1562 are angled outward more than the standoff teeth 1558. These outer teeth 1562 are intended to catch the lip 1516 around the inner circumference of the overflow cap 1512 and to then hold the overflow cap 1512 in position. When the overflow cap 1512 is pushed over the metal ring 1554, the lip 1516 may first press against the forward-facing surface of the outer teeth 1562, causing the teeth 1562 to deflect inwardly enough to allow the lip 1516 to pass over the outer teeth 1562. The outer teeth 1562 then spring back into position, and the rearward-facing end surface of the outer teeth 1562 block the lip 1516 from moving forward, off of the metal ring 1554, unless sufficient force is applied to again deflect the outer teeth 1562 inward and out of the way of the lip 1516.
The metal ring 1554 also includes pointed gripping teeth 1566, which are configured to point radially inward and forward at an angle from the metal ring 1554. These gripping teeth 1566 allow the metal ring 1554 to be slid over the upper portion 1508 of the elbow 1504 to secure the elbow 1504 in position in a tub wall 120. However, attempts to slide the metal ring 1554 forward, off of the upper portion 1508, will cause the gripping teeth 1566 to dig into the outer surface of the upper portion 1508, thus preventing removal of the ring 1554 from the upper portion 1508. The metal ring 1554 thus provides a largely tamper-proof mechanism for securing the overflow elbow 1504 to a bathtub wall 120. Depending on the size of the lip 1516 of the overflow cap 1512, the metal ring 1554 may also provide a largely tamper-proof mechanism for securing the overflow cap 1512 in position over the upper portion 1508. A larger lip 1516 will require greater deflection of the outer teeth 1562 when installed over the metal ring 1554, but more importantly will present a greater obstacle to removal of the overflow cap 1512.
As will be evident from the foregoing description, the system 1500 may be used with bathtubs having walls 120 of varying thicknesses, as the metal ring 1554 need only be slid onto the upper portion 1508 enough to allow the gripping teeth 1566 to engage the upper portion 1508, but may be slid substantially farther onto the upper portion 1508. The system 1500 also allows the overflow cap 1512 to be rotated after installation, so that the aperture 128 can be positioned in a desired position, or so that some other desired rotational orientation of the overflow cap 1512 may be achieved.
Many variations of the system 1500 are possible. For example, the outer teeth 1562 could be interconnected to a nut such as the nut 154, rather than to the metal ring 1554. Alternatively, the metal ring 1554 could be provided with inner threads, rather than or in addition to the gripping teeth 1566.
Additionally, instead of outer teeth 1562 provided on the metal ring 1554, the overflow cap 1512 could be provided with teeth oriented similarly to the gripping teeth 1566, but extending from an internal circumference of the sidewall of the overflow cap 1512 (e.g. from the lip 1516, or instead of the lip 1516). Such teeth would allow the overflow cap 1512 to be slid onto the upper portion 1508, but would prevent removal of the overflow cap 1512 from the upper portion 1508 by digging into the surface of the upper portion 1508 when a force is applied to the overflow cap 1512 in the forward direction.
Further, the metal ring 1554 may be provided only with outer teeth 1562, and without standoff teeth 1558 and/or gripping teeth 1566. The outer teeth 1562 could be positioned to flex just enough to allow the overflow cap 1512 to be installed over the outer teeth 1562, and may further be configured to provide some resistance to removal of the overflow cap 1512 but not so much that removal of the overflow cap 1512 is impossible.
Still further, the outer teeth 1562 may be incorporated into the upper portion 1508 of the elbow 1504, rather than provided on a separate metal ring 1554. One or more of the ring 1554, the standoff teeth 1558, the outer teeth 1562, and the gripping teeth 1566 may be made from plastic or some other material instead of from metal. Any of the standoff teeth 1558, the outer teeth 1562, and the gripping teeth 1566 may be provided at only specific locations (including as few as two locations) around a circumference of the metal ring 1554, rather than around the entire circumference of the metal ring 1554.
In the system 1600, the metal ring 1654 is intended only to hold the elbow 1504 in position in a bathtub wall 120, and does not interact with the overflow cap 912. The extended locking pins 920 of the overflow cap 912 are sized so that the radially inward ends of the extended locking pins 920 contact the outer surface of the upper portion 1508, such that the overflow cap 912 remains in position due to a friction fit between the extending locking pins 920 and the upper portion 1508. The overflow cap 912 may be provided with any number of extended locking pins 920 suitable to hold the overflow cap 912 in position on the overflow elbow 1504, which may be as few as three, but may also be more than the eight depicted extended locking pins 920. The overflow cap 912 may beneficially be installed on the upper portion 1508 in any rotational orientation.
In some embodiments, the extended locking pins 920 may be inset from the rear edge of the overflow cap 912, so that the side surface of the overflow cap 912 can extend over the metal ring 1654 to provide a more aesthetically pleasing appearance when the system 1600 is fully installed. Also in some embodiments, the overflow cap 912 may be provided with a portion that is inserted into the upper portion 1508 of the overflow elbow 1504 to help secure the overflow cap 912 in position. In other embodiments, the overflow cap 912 may not include any extended locking pins 920, but may instead be provided only with one or more fingers, tabs, cylindrical walls, or other structure(s) adapted to fit into the upper portion 1508 of the elbow 1504.
The components of the various overflow cover interconnection systems described herein may be made, for example, of plastic (including, but not limited to, PVC), metal (including, but not limited to, brass, bronze, copper, or stainless steel), ceramic, or other suitable materials, or any combination of the foregoing. Additionally, one or more components of the overflow cover interconnection systems described herein may be provided with a finish that differs from the material of which the component is primarily made. Possible finishes include but are not limited to aged pewter, brushed bronze, brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, polished brass, and wrought iron.
Additionally, as will be evident from the foregoing disclosure, many of the features described herein with respect to a particular overflow cover interconnection system may be used or included in a different overflow cover interconnection system described herein. As just one example, a membrane or skin such as the membrane or skin 1868 described in connection with the system 1800 may be attached or connected to the front face 136 of the elbow 104, or otherwise applied to the front of the upper portions of the various elbows described herein. Further still, the various benefits and advantages described in connection with one of the various overflow cover interconnection systems described herein may also be realized or provided by another of the various overflow cover interconnection systems described herein, even if not specifically mentioned or described in connection with the other of the various overflow cover interconnection systems.
References in the foregoing description to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” “some embodiments,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in conjunction with one embodiment, it is submitted that the description of such feature, structure, or characteristic may apply to any other embodiment unless so stated and/or except as will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the description.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. It is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims. Further, it is to be understood that the invention(s) described herein is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the preceding description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Also, the foregoing description utilizes examples to better illustrate one or more aspects of the disclosed embodiments, but such examples—the use of which may be indicated by language such as “for example,” “e.g.,” “such as,” and “by way of example”—are not intended to be limiting.
This application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/337,766, filed May 17, 2016; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/366,518, filed Jul. 25, 2016; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/366,982, filed Jul. 26, 2016. The entirety of each of the foregoing applications is incorporated by reference herein. This application is also related to U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,637,050; 6,675,406; 6,691,411; 7,503,083; 8,166,584; 8,028,357; 8,302,220; 8,321,970; 8,505,132; and 9,200,436; to U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. U.S. 2004/0068793, U.S. 2004/0103474, U.S. 2004/0055083, and U.S. 2006/0085907; and to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/593,724. The entire disclosures of the foregoing issued patents, published patent applications, and patent application are incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62337766 | May 2016 | US | |
| 62366518 | Jul 2016 | US | |
| 62366982 | Jul 2016 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15597691 | May 2017 | US |
| Child | 16750986 | US |
