Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02645418 2008-11-28
PLUMBING TOOL
Technical Field
[0001] The invention relates to plumbing. Embodiments of the invention provide
tools
for holding drain bodies during installation.
Back ound
[0002] Bathtub drains typically include a drain body that attaches under the
bathtub to a
drain line. The drain body is sometimes called a `shoe plug' or `drain
basket'. The drain
body extends through a drain opening in the bottom of the bathtub. A sealant,
such as a
suitable gasket, a curable sealant - for example a suitable silicone sealant,
or a non-curing
sealant, such as plumber's putty or the like is provided between a flange
projecting from
the drain body and the inside of the bathtub. The drain body typically has
male threads
which thread into femal threads of a waste shoe located under the bathtub.
[0003] A person installing a bathtub drain may need to hold the drain body in
place from
inside the bathtub while working under the bathtub to fasten the drain body to
a drain
shoe or other plumbing. This can be awkward but is especially difficult where
the
bathtub has an integral enclosure. In some cases access to the underside of a
bathtub is
only available from a nearby room from which a person cannot reach the inside
of the
bathtub to hold the drain body in place.
[0004] There are a range of tools available for installing and removing drain
bodies.
These include strainer basket wrenches, dumbbell tub drain wrenches, internal
tub drain
wrenches. Some tools are described in the following US patents and patent
applications:
2007/0028726 (Kunkel et al.)
= 6698317 (Machovsky)
= 6044732 (Astle)
= 2956460 (Anderson)
= D480933 (Wendt)
5083758 (Duke)
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= 2004/0255727 (Kovach)
= 6044502 (Fountain)
= 6978528 (Stallings)
= 3468198 (De Maio)
2668466 (Schofield)
= 6058813 (Bryant et al.)
= 6212709 (Newton)
= 2522038 (Houghton)
= 2006/0207393 (Stupar)
2007/0157772 (Parker)
= 2007/0256237 (Mayer)
= 5946990 (Bonacci)
= 7013764 (Leatherby)
= 3675516 (Knudsen et al.)
D311315 (Duke)
These tools do not address the above-noted problem.
[0005] There is a need for tools and methods which facilitate the efficient
installation of
tub drains, especially for tubs that include integral enclosures.
Summary of the Invention
[0006] This invention has a number of aspects. Some aspects of the invention
provides a
tool for holding drain bodies during installation. Some aspects of the
invention provides
methods for installing drain bodies.
[0007] One aspect of the invention provides a plumbing tool comprising a head
configured to engage a drain body and a handle coupled to the head. The handle
is
configured to project through an overflow opening of a bathtub with the head
engaged
with a drain body in a drain opening of the bathtub. In some embodiments the
handle
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comprises a first part pivotally coupled to the head and a second part
pivotally coupled to
the second part. A point of coupling of the first part to the second part may
be adjustable
along the second part.
[0008] Another aspect of the invention provides a method for holding a drain
body in a
drain opening of a bathtub. The method may be performed for installation of
the drain
body. The method comprises engaging a head of a tool with the drain body and
placing a
handle connected to the head so that a portion of the handle extends through
an overflow
opening of the bathtub. The method continues by holding the extending portion
of the
handle while connecting the drain body to plumbing under the bathtub. The
plumbing
may, for example, comprise a drain shoe.
[0009] Further aspects of the invention and features of specific embodiments
of the
invention are described below.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0010] The accompanying drawings illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the
invention.
[0011] Figure 1 shows a tool according to an example embodiment of the
invention.
[0012] Figure 2 is detailed view illustrating the engagement of a head of the
tool of
Figure 1 with a drain body.
[0013] Figure 3 is a view showing the deployment of the tool in a bathtub.
[0014] Figure 4 is a view showing use of the tool to hold a drain body in
place.
[0015] Figure 5 is a sketch illustrating geometry of an example embodiment of
the tool.
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[0016] Figure 6 is a sketch illustrating a tool according to an example
embodiment that
has been used to install a drain body.
List of References
10 tool 12 handle
14 head 15 nose
16 projection 16A channel
17 thickened portion 18 first part of handle
18A first end of first part 18B second end of first part
19 coupling 19A ear
19B pin 19C pivot axis
second part of handle 20A first end of second part
20B second end of second part 21 coupling
21A arm 22 pivot axis
15 23 holes 24 pin
clip 30 bathtub
32 tub surround 34 drain opening
36 overflow opening 38 drain shoe
39 portion of drain body 39A threads
20 40 drain body 42 flange
43 bore 44 threads
46 spider 47 axis of head
48 range of pivotal motion 48A range of pivotal motion
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H horizontal distance V vertical distance
Description
[0017] Throughout the following description, specific details are set forth in
order to
provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, the invention
may be
practiced without these particulars. In other instances, well known elements
have not
been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the
invention.
Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an
illustrative, rather
than a restrictive, sense.
[0018] Figure 1 illustrates a tool 10 according to an example embodiment of
the
invention. Tool 10 has a handle 12 connected to a head 14. Head 14 is
configured to
engage a drain body 40. In the illustrated embodiment, head 14 has a nose 15
that is
dimensioned to extend into the bore 43 of drain body 40 and projections 16 on
nose 15
that engage a spider 46 of drain body 40. In alternative embodiments, head 14
has
interchangeable nose pieces configured to engage drain bodies of different
kinds or an
expandable nose capable of engaging the wall of bore 43.
[0019] Head 14 is advantageously weighted so that tool 10 can be held in place
in a drain
body 40 by its own weight. In an example embodiment, head 14 has a weight in
the range
of about 2 to 9 pounds (about 3/4 to 4 kilograms). In another example
embodiment, head
14 has a weight if 5 pounds 1 pound. In the illustrated embodiment, head 14
is made of
steel and has a thickened portion 17. Thickened portion 17 increases the mass
of head 14
and in some embodiments a lower side of thickened portion 17 may also bear
against a
drain body in a way that stabilizes tool 10 in use.
[0020] Handle 12 comprises first and second parts 18 and 20. In the
illustrated
embodiment, each of the first and second parts comprises an elongated member.
First and
second parts 18 and 20 may comprise, for example, straight metal rods or bars.
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[00211 First part 18 is pivotally attached to head 14 at coupling 19. In the
illustrated
embodiment, coupling 19 comprises a pair of ears 19A and a pin 19B. Coupling
19
permits first part 18 to pivot relative to head 14 about a pivot axis 19C.
[00221 In some embodiments, first part 18 is capable of pivoting relative to
head 14 only
through a restricted range of motion. For example, as shown in Figure 5, first
part 18 may
be roughly aligned with an axis 47 of head 14 and have a range of pivotal
motion 48 of a
few degrees (e.g. about 5 to 30 degrees) either way. In some embodiments, the
range of
pivotal motion of first part 18 is asymmetrical such that first part 18 can
pivot farther
from vertical in a direction away from the side on which second part 20
projects than it
can pivot in the direction toward the side on which second part 20 projects.
This is
indicated by the range 48A shown in Figure 5, for example. Range 48A is
advantageous
because first part 18 is on either side of vertical when it is at either one
of the ends of
range 48A Thus, as long as head 14 is held upright, first part 18 can remain
standing
stably at either end of its range 48A.
[00231 In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, a limitation in the range of
pivotal
motion of first portion 18 maybe provided by allowing corners of first end 18A
of first
part 18 to hit head 14 at ends of the range of pivotal motion 48. In the
alternative other
range-limiting features may be provided such as stops located to hit first
part 18 at the
ends of the range of pivotal motion and the like.
[00241 In some alternative embodiments, coupling 19 provides sufficient
resistance to
pivoting motion of first part 18 (for example, by providing suitable indetents
or frictional
resistance to pivotal motion) that first part 18 tends to remain at an angle
to which it is set
but can be pivoted about axis 19C.
[0025) Second part 20 of handle 12 is pivotally coupled to first part 18 by a
coupling 21
located toward a second end 18B of first part 18. Coupling 21 allows second
part 20 to
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pivot relative to first part 18. A wide range of designs maybe applied to
coupling 21. In
the illustrated embodiment, coupling 21 comprises arms 21A that extend on
either side of
first part 18 and a pin 24 that passes through apertures in arms 21A and an
aperture 23 in
first part 18. This permits second part 20 to pivot relative to first part 18
about an axis 22
that is generally parallel to axis 19C. In the illustrated embodiment, pivot
axes 19C and
22 are both generally at right angles to axis 47 of head 14.
[0026] The location at which second part 20 is coupled to first part 18 is
adjustable along
first part 18. In the illustrated embodiment, this adjustability is achieved
by providing
multiple holes 23 at various locations along first part 18. Pin 24 can be
withdrawn from
one hole 23 after removing clip 25 and inserted through a different one of
holes 23. The
same result could be achieved by providing a coupling that can slide along
first part 18
and be clamped to first part 18 at a desired location, for example.
[0027] In a prototype embodiment:
= first part 18 has a length of approximately 17 inches (about 43 cm) measured
from pivot axis 19C,
= the distance between pivot axis 19C and the pivot axis defined by bn 24 is
adjustable in a range of about 8 V2 inches (about 21 cm) to about 16 inches
(about
41 cm),
= the distance from the tip of nose 16 to pivot axis 19C is about 2 3/4 inches
(about
7 cm), and
= second part 20 has a length of approximately 12 inches (about 30 cm)..
These dimensions are by way of example only.
[0028] Figure 1 illustrates a use of tool 10. A bathtub 30 has a surround 32.
Bathtub 30
has a drain opening 34 and an overflow opening 36. The relative locations of
drain
opening 34 and overflow opening 36 vary with the design of bathtub 30. In
typical cases,
drain opening 34 and overflow opening 36 are separated by a horizontal
distance H (see
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Figure 5) in the range of about 6 inches (about 15 cm) to about 10 inches
(about 26 cm)
and a vertical distance V in the range of about 10 inches (about 25 cm) to
about 16 inches
(about 41 cm).
[0029] A drain body 40 fits through drain opening 34 into a drain shoe (or
other below-
tub plumbing) 38. Drain body 40 is received in drain opening 34 and has a
flange 42 that
extends around drain opening 34 inside bathtub 30. A portion 39 of drain body
40
extends through drain opening 34 and connects to drain shoe 38. In the
illustrated
embodiment, portion 39 has external (male) threads 39A that engage internal
(female)
threads 44 in drain shoe 38. Drain body 40 has a bore 43.
[0030] In many cases, drain body 40 includes a spider 46 that extends across
bore 43.
Spider 46 may, for example, provide a guide or support for a stopper assembly,
prevent
larger objects from going through drain body 40 or the like. Spiders 46 are a
feature of
many commercially-available drain bodies. In the illustrated embodiment,
spider 46 is
generally X-shaped. In some embodiments a tool has elements that engage a
spider of a
drain body to prevent rotation of the drain body. The presence of a spider is
not
mandatory since a tool according to the invention could engage a drain body in
other
ways.
[0031] From Figures 1 and 3 it can be seen that the illustrated tool 10 can be
used by
placing drain body 40 in drain opening 34 and placing nose piece 15 of tool 10
into drain
body 40 so that projections 16 engage a spider 46 of drain body 40 in channels
16A (see
Figure 2, spider 46 is not shown in Figure 1). Second part 20 of handle 12 is
coupled to
first part 18 at a position such that second part 20 can be extended through
overflow
opening 36 of bathtub 30.
[0032] The length of second part 20 is sufficient to allow second part 20 to
project
through a drain opening far enough to be held by a user working on the far
side of the
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drain opening. First part 18 can pivot sufficiently relative to head 14 to
allow the free end
20B of second part 20 to be brought into general alignment with the overflow
opening
without scraping the end of the bathtub.
[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the location at which second part 20 is
coupled to
first part 18 can be adjusted to suit overflow openings 36 at various
elevations above
drain openings 34. A tool intended for use only with a specific type of
bathtub or for use
with bathtubs having a given relative location of the drain and overflow
openings would
not need this adjustability.
[0034] Figure 4 shows a user located behind the drain end of bathtub 30 where
the user
can connect drain body 40 to a drain shoe 38 under bathtub 30. The user can
hold the end
20B of tool 10 that projects through overflow opening 36. The user can thereby
prevent
drain body 40 from rotating and can also hold drain body 40 firmly in place in
drain
opening 34 while drain body 40 is coupled to plumbing under bathtub 30.
[0035] The user can adjust the connection of second part 20 to first part 18
so that second
part 20 is at least roughly aligned with the overflow opening of the bathtub
when head 14
of tool 10 is engaged with a drain body in the drain opening of the bathtub.
The user can
then set tool 10 in place and manipulate second part 20 so that its end
projects through
overflow opening 36. This can be done while the user is working from beside
bathtub 30.
If tool 10 is constructed such that the range of pivotal motion of first part
18 about axis
19C is limited or there is resistance to pivoting about axis 19C then this
construction will
help to keep tool 10 in place while a user moves to a location behind the
drain end of
bathtub 30.
[0036] After the user finishes securing the drain body 40 then second part 20
of handle 12
may be pushed back into bathtub 30 and out of overflow opening 34. Preferably,
tool 10
remains standing after this has been done. This is shown in Figure 6 in which
the weight
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of head 14 and/or the engagement of head 14 in drain body 14 is sufficient to
keep tool 10
upright. With second part 20 clear of drain opening 34 the user can arrange a
drain fixture
to connect with overflow opening 34 still working from the location behind the
drain end
of bathtub 30. The user can then return to beside bathtub 30 to remove tool 10
and to
complete installation and tightening of the drain fixture.
[0037] One method of use of a tool like tool 10 comprises providing a tool
having a head
and a handle coupled to the head; engaging the head with a drain body in the
drain
opening of a tub; positioning the handle so that an end of the handle projects
through an
overflow opening of the bathtub; and then grasping the projecting end of the
handle to
hold the drain body in place while coupling the drain body to a drain shoe or
other
plumbing beneath the bathtub.
[0038] It can be understood that the tool 10 illustrated in the accompanying
drawings is a
specific embodiment of a general inventive concept which provides a tool
having a head
adapted to engage a drain body and a handle coupled to the head and configured
so that
the handle can be placed to project through an overflow opening of a bathtub
with the
head engaged with a drain body in a drain opening of the bathtub.
[0039] Where a component (e.g. a handle, coupling, etc.) is referred to above,
unless
otherwise indicated, reference to that component (including a reference to a
"means")
should be interpreted as including as equivalents of that component any
component which
performs the function of the described component (i.e., that is functionally
equivalent),
including components which are not structurally equivalent to the disclosed
structure
which performs the function in the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the
invention.
[0040] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the
foregoing
disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of
this
invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. For example:
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a tool according to the invention may engage a drain body 40 in a wide range
of
different ways such as, for example, by means of: rubber or other suitable
material
that frictionally engages flange 42 and/or bore 43 of drain body 40;
projections,
pins or the like that engage a spider of drain body 40; a mandrel or the like
that
can be expanded to grip the inside of bore 43; etc.
= Second part 20 of handle 12 could be adjustable in length. For example,
second
part 20 could be telescopic or could slide longitudinally relative to coupling
21. In
some embodiments where the length of projection of second part 20 from first
part 18 is adjustable, the range of pivotal motion of first part 18 relative
to head
14 may be reduced, even to the point that first part 18 is rigidly affixed to
head 14
in some embodiments.
= Various other handle designs can permit the handle to be placed to project
through
an overflow opening of a bathtub while the head is engaged with a drain body
in a
drain opening of the bathtub. For example, a handle may have several (e.g.
two,
three or more) sections that are pivotally coupled to one another and equipped
with clamps or other locking means to hold them at set angles.
= It is desirable but not mandatory that second part 20 is short enough to be
inserted
through a drain opening of a bathtub while head 14 is engaged with a drain
body
in a drain opening of the bathtub. Where second part 20 is longer, second part
20
could be inserted first through the overflow opening and then head 14 could be
engaged to the drain body.
= A tool as described herein may be used to tighten drain bodies without
projecting
the tool though an overflow opening.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with
the
substance defined by the following claims.
