Sinks have drains for permitting water to drain from the sink into a plumbing system. During installation, drains are typically inserted into the interior of the sink basin and dropped into an opening at the base of the basin. The drain has a rim with a diameter exceeding the diameter of the opening such that the rim rests on the top surface of the base of the sink basin. Often, the portion of the base surrounding the opening has a countersink portion such that the rim of the drain is generally flush with the adjacent portion of the base of the sink. Nonetheless, a groove is present between the rim of the drain and the sink base that is difficult to clean and susceptible to bacterial growth. In addition, the presence of the groove is visible to a user and aesthetically unappealing.
Embodiments of sinks and drains for sinks are disclosed herein. The embodiments permit the attachment of a drain to a sink such that the drain is substantially disposed below the top surface of the sink basin, and such that there is no discernable separation between the base of the sink basin and the drain when viewed from above the sink. A method of making a sink is also disclosed wherein there is no discernable separation between the base of the sink basin and the drain when viewed from above the sink.
A sink is described comprising a sink basin having a sidewall and a base in a bottom portion thereof. The base includes a drain opening and a first drain entry portion integrally formed from the base and extending from the bottom portion at the drain opening. A second drain entry portion includes a first end portion with a radially outwardly extending flange configured to connect to the base at the first drain entry portion, and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. A bracket includes a lip configured to engage the flange. A fastener attaches the bracket to the base to thereby hold the first end of the second drain entry portion to the first drain entry portion with the lip engaged with the flange.
A method of making a sink is also described. The method comprises forming a sink basin having a sidewall and a base, the base including a bottom portion and an opening. A first drain entry portion is formed integrally with the base and extending from the bottom portion at the drain opening. A second drain entry portion is provided, the second drain entry portion including a first end portion with a radially outwardly extending flange. A bracket including a lip is positioned into engagement with the flange to hold the flange on the base at the first drain entry portion. The bracket is attached to the base to thereby hold the first end of the second drain entry portion to the first drain entry portion with the lip engaged with the flange.
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The strainer 116 can be disposed above the lip 134 of the drain pipe 118 and the inner edge portion 132 of the flange plate 114. The strainer 116 can include a seal 136 for contacting the lip 134 of the drain pipe 118 and preventing the passage of water in the drain 101 past the seal 136. The strainer 116 can be press fit within the flange plate 114. The strainer 116 can have one or more openings in the bottom of the strainer to permit water to flow past the strainer 116 and into the drain pipe 118.
The drain 101 can include a cover 120 over the drain entry portion 112, the flange plate 114, and the strainer 116. The cover 120 can be secured to the sink with a locking nut 138. The drain pipe 118 can be threaded to receive the locking nut 138, and the locking nut 138 can be tightened to enhance the seal force applied between the drain entry portion 112 and the flange plate 114. A coupler 140 can be used to attach the drain pipe 118 to a pipe 142 leading to a trap.
A removeable strainer basket 144 can be disposed within the drain 101. The strainer basket 144 can include a basket portion 146 for capturing solids and a stopper 148 that can be lowered into the strainer 114 to plug the drain 101.
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The attachment portion 250 can have a threaded surface 254 and an inner edge portion 232. The attachment portion threaded surface 254 can be received and tightened to the threaded surface 252 of the drain entry portion 212. The inner edge portion 232 of the attachment portion 250 can receive a lip 234 of the drain pipe 218 for supporting the drain pipe 218.
The strainer 216 can be disposed above the lip 234 of the drain pipe 218 and the inner edge portion 232 of the attachment portion 250. The strainer 216 can include a seal 236 for contacting the lip 234 of the drain pipe 218 and preventing the passage of water in the drain 201 past the seal 236. The strainer 216 can be press fit within the attachment portion 250. The strainer 216 can have one or more openings in the bottom of the strainer to permit water to flow past the strainer 216 and into the drain pipe 218. The drain pipe 218 can be threaded to receive a coupler that can be used to attach the drain pipe to a pipe leading to a trap.
A removeable strainer basket 244 can be disposed within the drain 201. The strainer basket 244 can include a basket portion 246 for capturing solids and a stopper 248 that can be lowered into the strainer 216 to plug the drain 201.
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The attachment portion 350 can have a threaded surface 354 and an inner edge portion 332. The attachment portion threaded surface 354 can be received and tightened to the threads 352 of the drain entry portion 312. The inner edge portion 332 of the attachment portion 350 can receive a lip 334 of the drain pipe 318 for supporting the drain pipe 318.
The strainer 316 can be disposed above the lip 334 of the drain pipe 318 and the inner edge portion 332 of the attachment portion 350. The strainer 316 can include a seal 336 for contacting the lip 334 of the drain pipe 318 and preventing the passage of water in the drain 301 past the seal. The strainer 316 can be press fit within the attachment portion 350. The strainer 316 can have one or more openings in the bottom of the strainer to permit water to flow past the strainer 316 and into the drain pipe 318. The drain pipe 318 can be threaded to receive a coupler that can be used to attach the drain pipe to a pipe leading to a trap.
A removeable strainer basket 344 can be disposed within the drain 301. The strainer basket 301 can include a basket portion 346 for capturing solids and a stopper 348 that can be lowered into the strainer 316 to plug the drain 301.
The second drain entry portion 412 can include a first end portion 422 and a second end portion 424. The second drain entry portion 412 can be a component separately manufactured from the sink. The first end portion 422 of the second drain entry portion 412 can include one or more apertures such that the drain entry portion 412 can be fastened to the bottom of the sink using suitable fasteners 456 disposed through the apertures, such as one or more screws.
The second end portion 424 of the second drain entry portion 412 can include a lip 426 for receiving a seal 428. The flange plate 414 can have an outer edge portion 430 and an inner edge portion 432. The outer edge portion 430 of the flange plate 414 can rest on the seal 428 such that the seal 428 prevents water inside the drain 401 from passing between the intersection of the second drain entry portion 412 and the flange plate 414. The inner edge portion 432 of the flange plate 414 can receive a lip 434 of the drain pipe 418 for supporting the drain pipe 418.
The strainer 416 can be disposed above the lip 434 of the drain pipe 418 and the inner edge portion 432 of the flange plate 414. The strainer 416 can include a seal 436 for contacting the lip 434 of the drain pipe 418 and preventing the passage of water in the drain 401 past the seal 436. The strainer 416 can be press fit within the flange plate 414. The strainer 416 can have one or more openings in the bottom of the strainer to permit water to flow past the strainer 416 and into the drain pipe 418.
The drain 401 can include a cover 420 over the second drain entry portion 412, the flange plate 414, and the strainer 416. The cover 420 can be secured to the sink with a locking nut 438. The drain pipe 418 can be threaded to receive the locking nut 438, and the locking nut 438 can be tightened to enhance the seal force applied between the second drain entry portion 412 and the flange plate 414. A coupler 440 can be used to attach the drain pipe 418 to a pipe 442 leading to a trap.
A removeable strainer basket 444 can be disposed within the drain 401. The strainer basket 444 can include a basket portion 446 for capturing solids and a stopper 448 that can be lowered into the strainer 416 to plug the drain 401.
It will be appreciated that the above-described sink and drain embodiments may be utilized with a garbage disposer. For example,
The disposer attachment ring 562 can have a threaded surface 566 and a lower portion 568. The flange plate threaded surface 552 can be received and tightened to the threaded exterior surface 566 of the drain entry portion 512. The lower portion 568 can have a detent 570 for receiving a snap ring 572. The strainer 516 can be disposed above detent 570. The strainer 516 can have one or more openings in the bottom of the strainer to permit water to flow past the strainer 516 and into the disposer 560.
The disposer assembly 564 can include a backup flange 574 and a mounting ring 576. The backup flange 574 can be generally triangular and the mounting ring 576 can have a plurality of tightening screws 578 for contacting the backup flange 574 near each vertex of the backup flange 574. During tightening of the screws 578, the mounting ring 576 can be retained to the disposer attachment ring 562 by the snap ring 572. As is known to those of skill in the art, the disposer 560 can include a bracket for hanging the disposer from the mounting ring.
A removeable strainer basket 544 can be disposed within the drain 501. The strainer basket 544 can include a basket portion 546 for capturing solids and a stopper 548 that can be lowered into the strainer 516 to plug the drain 501.
The sink 900 includes a first drain entry portion 911 and a second drain entry portion 912 sized and shaped to receive drain elements, some examples of which are set out in the above embodiments. The second drain entry portion 912 includes a first end portion 922 that is positionable adjacent the base 908 and a second end portion 924 that is at an opposite end of the first end portion. The second drain entry portion 912 is similar in construction, shape and size as the second drain entry portion 412 in
Connection of the second drain entry portion 912 to the sink 900 proceeds by positioning the second drain entry portion on the underside of the base 908 of the sink. The bracket 984 is positioned over the second drain entry portion 912 with the flange 980 overlappingly captured by the lip 986. The fasteners 956 are screwed or otherwise secured into bores formed in the base 908 to retain the bracket 984 on the base. Alternatively, a gasket 988 may be interposed between the base 908 and the bracket 984 to provide sealing.
While the fasteners 956 may directly threadably engage the material of the base 908, other types of fasteners are contemplated. For example, as shown in
Another type of fastener is shown in
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A locking bracket or lockring 1585 is shaped and sized to interconnect and lock to the spaced blocks 1581M a first rotational orientation and disengage from the spaced blocks in a second rotational orientation. The locking function is accomplished by engaging a plurality of spaced lugs 1591 that extend radially outwardly from the bracket 1585. The lugs 1591 are configured to engage with the notches 1583 in the first rotational orientation. The bracket 1585 may be a substantially flat lock ring and includes a lip 1586 shaped and sized to retain the first end portion 1522.
The bracket 1585 includes cutaways 1589 between the lugs 1591. When the cutaways 1589 are aligned with the blocks 1581, no engagement occurs between the bracket 1585 and the blocks and second drain entry portion 1512 can be disassembled from the sink. The bracket 1585 may also include stops 1587 that are formed between the lugs 1591 and the cutaways 1589, which may be angled with respect to the plane of the bracket 1585 and contact the blocks to stop the rotation of the bracket. When the stops 1587 contact the blocks 1581 and rotation of the bracket 1585 is thereby arrested, the installer can be assured that the lugs 1591 are properly and fully engaged in the notches 1583 and the second drain entry portion 1512 is secured to the basin 1508.
During assembly, the first end portion 1522 of the second drain entry portion 1512 is positioned against the underneath of the basin 1508 surrounding the opening 1510. The bracket 1585 is installed over the second drain entry portion 1512 with the cutaways 1589 aligned to clear and pass over the blocks 1581. The lip 1586 overlaps and captures the flange (not shown) of the second drain entry portion 1512. The bracket 1585 is rotated (
All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
This patent application is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/708,883, filed May 11, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/428,625, filed Mar. 23, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,057,185, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61/467,858, filed Mar. 25, 2011, and 61/490,138, filed May 26, 2011, all of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties herein.
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Entry |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20200248441 A1 | Aug 2020 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61490138 | May 2011 | US | |
61467858 | Mar 2011 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16265647 | Feb 2019 | US |
Child | 16853263 | US | |
Parent | 15700928 | Sep 2017 | US |
Child | 16265647 | US | |
Parent | 13428625 | Mar 2012 | US |
Child | 14708883 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 14708883 | May 2015 | US |
Child | 15700928 | US |