Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02887181 2015-04-02
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to components of a
plumbing system that is used in conjunction with a bathtub, shower stall,
since, etc.
More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a kit that
includes
devices that facilitate interconnection of the plumbing system to the bathtub,
that
allows for testing of the interconnection, and protects finished hardware
associated
with the bathtub.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
During new building construction or renovation of an existing building
structure, plumbers often must connect or reconnect bathroom fixtures to the
plumbing system. Often plumbers find that interconnecting common bathroom
fixtures, such as a bathtub, is difficult and time consuming. "Bathtubs" as
referred to
herein include a tub with a drain port and an overflow port such that if the
drain port
is plugged, water will flow into the overflow port and drain through the
plumbing
system and not out of the tub. Generally, the bathtub is interconnected to the
plumbing system of a structure by a main drain pipe which associated to the
drain port
of the bathtub via a horizontal segment and which is associated with the
overflow port
of the bathtub via a vertical segment. These two drain segments merge at a tee
connector that is also interconnected to the main drain pipe that feeds into a
sewer
line. During construction, the often heavy bathtub must be aligned
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CA 02887181 2015-04-02
properly to interconnect with the drain pipe segment (horizontal) and the
overflow pipe
segment (vertical) of the drain pipe. Often the drain pipe segments are near a
wall,
awkwardly oriented, etc. and are thus difficult to associate with the bathtub.
Once the drain pipe segments are aligned with the bathtub, the drain pipes
must
usually be blocked for testing. In the past, a plug, bladder or cap has been
employed to
facilitate testing. Plugs and/or caps are easily misplaced, and are often
difficult to install,
thereby increasing the time and difficulty of testing a plumbing system.
Another drawback of bathtub assemblies of the prior art is that the finishing
hardware generally associated with a drain of a bathtub often becomes damaged
during
construction. Traditionally, finishing hardware is interconnected to the
bathtub drain port
during construction since a rigid interconnection between the drain pipe and
the bathtub
is required. Thereafter, workers may damage the often expensive chrome or
brass
hardware by marring, scratching, or even urinating on the same. Thereafter the
plumbing
contractor must replace the finished hardware and retest the integrity of the
new
connection, which adds expense.
Thus it is a long felt need in plumbing to provide a system that facilitates
the
interconnection of a bathtub to a plumbing system, enhances the testing of the
system and
protects expensive hardware after the assembly is complete.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Traditionally, an overflow system of a bathtub includes an overflow port that
is
interconnected to a vertical drain pipe via an elbow.
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It is one aspect of the present invention to facilitate this interconnection
by
providing an elbow with a flange protruding therefrom. More specifically,
embodiments
of the present invention employ a flange that is spaced from an end of the
elbow that will
be associated with the bathtub. The end, thus, defines a shoulder that is
adapted to
receive a cylindrical adapter having an obstructed end that prevents the flow
of fluid
through the cylindrical fitting and elbow. In one embodiment, the cylindrical
fitting
includes exterior threads that receive a nut.
In operation, one end of the elbow is interconnected to the drain pipe and the
other
end, which is located adjacent to the flange, is placed within the perimeter
of the overflow
port such that the flange abuts an outer surface of the bathtub. The
cylindrical fitting is
then interconnected to the elbow which locates the other, closed end of the
cylindrical
fitting within the bathtub. The nut is used to sandwich the bathtub between
the nut and
the flange, thereby providing a generally rigid connection. Some embodiments
of the
present invention also employ a washer between the tub and the nut. The nut
may also
provide the ability to interconnect a decorative cap.
It is a related aspect of the present invention to selectively block fluid
flow
through the overflow assembly. More specifically, the closed portion of the
cylindrical
fitting acts as a plug to aid in testing of the plumbing system. After testing
is complete
the closed portion may be cut, or otherwise removed, to allow fluid flow
through the
overflow assembly. If additional testing is required traditional methods of
plugging the
overflow assembly may be employed, which will be described in further detail
below.
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It is another aspect of the invention to provide a method of installing a
drain
assembly that can be accomplished by a single individual. A related aspect of
the
invention is to provide a method of installing a bathtub drain assembly that
allows for
ease in field testing for leaks. Yet another aspect of embodiments of the
present invention
is to provide a method of installing the drain assembly that eliminates the
need for the
removal of a strainer body often associated with drain assemblies. In
accordance with
these and other aspects, one method includes inserting an L-shaped drain pipe
having a
threaded upper end and an annular flange covered by a membrane, through a
drain port of
the bathtub, such that the annular flange rests on a bottom surface of the
bathtub. Next, a
lock washer is threadingly engaged to the inner end of the drain pipe to the
threaded
portion. The other end of the L-shaped drain pipe is then connected to the
drain system of
the building. The assembly can then be tested for leaks. Once it is determined
that no .
leaks are present, the membrane is removed from the flange on the upper end of
the drain
pipe. Finally, a finished cover is installed on the annular flange.
It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a bathtub drain
pipe
assembly that facilitates integration of the various drain pipes mentioned
thus far to the
bathtub. Embodiments of the present invention thus include a flexible hollow
tube
instead of rigid drain pipes that simplifies the installation of the bathtub
to the plumbing
system. The flexible tube of embodiments of the present invention has the
added benefit
of being easily modifiable and possesses a smooth inner surface to prevent the
often
unsanitary trapping of fluid with the flexible hollow tube.
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It is still yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a
protective cover
that interconnects to the installed drain assembly. More specifically, a
flange of the
protective drain cover is superimposed over the flange of a waste water
strainer located in
a bathtub, sink or the like. A lip located about the outer perimeter of the
flange of the
cover fits over the outer periphery of the flange of the waste water strainer
and centers the
cover on the strainer. A cylindrical wall, which extends from the flange of
the cover, is
positioned downwardly through a cylindrical wall of the waste water strainer.
The two
cylindrical walls are spaced from each other by one or more seals that are
positioned in
grooves.
It is an aspect of the embodiment of the present invention to combine some or
all
of the above-described aspects to provide a system that facilitates
interconnection of the
bathtub to the plumbing system of a structure. More specifically, it is
contemplated to
use aspects described above, provided below, or apparent to one skilled in the
art in
conjunction to alleviate all of the difficulties noted above that are
associated with
interconnecting a bathtub to a plumbing system of a structure. For example,
one skilled
in the art will appreciate the overflow assembly can be easily integrated with
the flexible
pipes described above to expand the interconnection options available to a
plumber. In
addition, the protective drain cover may also be used. It is contemplated that
the above
described aspects of the present invention will provide a complete kit wherein
all of the
necessary components will be included to aid the plumber in interconnecting a
bathtub to
the plumbing of a structure, facilitate testing of the same and protecting
fragile and
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expensive components thereof, which will increase efficiency and decreasing
costs of
the operation.
In another aspect the present invention resides in a plumbing system for
interconnection with a bathtub that has an overflow port and a drain port,
comprising:
an overflow assembly for interconnection with the overflow port that includes:
an
overflow pipe having a flange and a sleeve that extends outwardly from said
flange,
said sleeve having threads on an outer surface thereof; and a nut threadably
mounted
on said sleeve with the bathtub therebetween, wherein said nut exerts pressure
on said
flange, said nut having an outer periphery with a series of radially extending
lugs that
frictionally detachably engage an inner surface of a flange of a cap that fits
over said
nut, wherein said cap is selectively positioned on said nut to direct an
overflow of
water from the bathtub to said overflow pipe; a flexible pipe connected
between said
overflow assembly and said wastewater drain assembly, said flexible pipe being
devoid of a valve operating mechanism; and a waste water insert for selective
engagement with a strainer that is associated with a wastewater drain
assembly, said
insert comprising a wall with a cylindrical first portion and a cylindrical
second
portion with a conical portion therebetween, said cylindrical first portion
having a
diameter greater than a diameter of said cylindrical second portion, said wall
surrounding a bore and having an upper end, and a flange on said upper end
extending
outwardly from said cylindrical bore; and the wall of said insert being spaced
from
cylindrical wall of the strainer wherein said cylindrical first portion being
closer to
said cylindrical wall of the strainer than said cylindrical second portion.
In a further aspect the present invention resides in a plumbing system for
interconnection with a bathtub that has an overflow port and a drain port,
comprising:
an overflow assembly that includes: an overflow pipe with an elbow portion
defining
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1
an upper end portion, which is adapted for interconnection with the overflow
port, and
a lower end portion, which is adapted for interconnection with a wastewater
drain
assembly, said upper end portion having an outer end defining an inlet, said
upper end
having threads on an outer surface thereof; a lip extending radially outwardly
from
said outer surface of said overflow pipe between said elbow portion and said
upper
end portion and being spaced from said inlet; a nut element with a threaded
portion
that is compatible with said threads of said overflow pipe, said nut element
having an
outer periphery with a series of radially extending lugs that detachably
engage an
inner surface of a cap that fits over said nut; and a waste water insert for
selective
engagement with a strainer that is associated with the wastewater drain
assembly.
In yet another aspect the present invention resides in a plumbing system for
interconnection with a bathtub that has an overflow port and a drain port,
comprising:
an overflow assembly for interconnection with the overflow port, said overflow
assembly comprising: an overflow pipe having a flange, said overflow pipe
adapted to
be associated with a threaded portion extending from said flange, said
threaded
portion adapted to pass through a wall of the bathtub and to be at least
partially
positioned within the bathtub; a means for preventing fluid flow through said
overflow pipe that is associated with said threaded portion, said means for
preventing
fluid flow sealing an outer end of said threaded portion; a nut, having a
threaded
center opening, threadably mounted on said threaded portion of said overflow
pipe,
said nut being adapted to secure said flange to the wall of the bathtub by
exerting
pressure towards said flange; and said nut having an outer periphery with a
series of
radially extending cap retention elements which detachably engage an inner
surface of
a cap which fits over said nut; and a wastewater drain assembly for
interconnection to
the drain port.
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CA 02887181 2015-09-21
In yet another aspect, the present invention resides in a plumbing system for
interconnection with a bathtub that has an overflow port and a drain port,
comprising:
an overflow assembly adapted to be associated with the bathtub, comprising: an
overflow pipe including an upper end and a lower end; an elbow between said
upper
end and said lower end, said upper end having threads and being adapted to fit
completely through the overflow port of the bathtub; a lip extending radially
outwardly from an outer surface of the overflow pipe between said elbow and
said
upper end, the lip adapted to engage an outer surface of the bathtub adjacent
to the
overflow port; a nut element associated with said overflow pipe adapted to
secure said
overflow pipe to an end of the bathtub wherein a wall of the bathtub is
positioned
between said lip and said nut element, said nut element comprising threads
compatible
with said threads of said upper end and said nut element having a plurality of
cap
retention elements extending radially from said nut element; and a cap
selectively
interconnected to said nut element; a flexible conduit interconnected to said
lower end
of said overflow pipe; and a wastewater insert for selective engagement with a
strainer
associated with a wastewater drain assembly associated with the drain port.
In a further aspect, the present invention resides in a plumbing system for
interconnection with a bathtub that has a bottom, sidewalls, end walls, an
overflow
port, and a drain port, comprising: an overflow assembly adapted for
interconnection
to the bathtub, comprising: an overflow pipe having an elbow portion defining
an
upper end portion and a lower end portion, said upper end portion having an
outer end
defining an inlet and threads on an outer surface thereof; a lip extending
radially
outwardly from said outer surface of said overflow pipe between said elbow
portion
and said upper end portion and being spaced from said inlet; a nut element
with a
threaded portion that is compatible with said threads of said overflow pipe
for
mounting said nut element to said upper end portion, said nut element having a
series
of radially extending cap retention elements that are spaced about a
longitudinal axis
defined by said nut element, there being gaps between each of said radially
extending
cap retention elements; and a cap retained in a position of attachment to said
radially
extending cap retention elements, said radially extending cap retention
elements being
received within said cap; and a flexible conduit interconnected to said lower
end
portion of said overflow pipe; a wastewater drain assembly associated with the
drain
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CA 02887181 2015-09-21
port and interconnected to said flexible conduit; and a wastewater insert for
selective
engagement with said wastewater drain assembly associated with the drain port.
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.
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, component, 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF 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.
Fig. 1 is a partial perspective view of a bathtub;
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an overflow assembly of one
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional assembled view of the overflow assembly shown in
Fig. 3;
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Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment of an
overflow
assembly;
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional, assembled view of the overflow assembly shown in
Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a cylindrical fitting employed in overflow
assemblies of some embodiments of the present invention;
Fig. 8 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of an overflow assembly
that employs a one-piece overflow pipe and cylindrical fitting;
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the one-piece overflow pipe and cylindrical
fitting
shown in Fig. 8;
Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a drain assembly of one embodiment
of
the present invention;
Fig. 11 is a side elevation view of the drain assembly shown in Fig. 10
interconnected to the bathtub;
Fig. 12 is a side elevation view of a prior art interconnection horizontal and
vertical drain pipes;
Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a flexible overflow pipe;
Fig. 14 is a side elevation view of the flexible conduit of Fig. 13
interconnected to
the bathtub;
Fig. 15 is a side elevation of horizontal and vertical flexible conduits
interconnected to the bathtub;
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CA 02887181 2015-04-02 . =
1
Fig. 16 is a partial perspective view of a bathtub showing a test cap
interconnected
to the overflow port;
Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a test cap of one embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the test cap of Fig. 17 interconnected to
an
overflow pipe;
Fig. 19 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a test cap;
Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the test cap of Fig. 19 shown
interconnected to
an overflow pipe;
Fig. 21 is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the test cap
interconnected to an overflow pipe;
Fig. 22 is a front elevation view of another embodiment of the test cap having
a
removable diaphragm;
Fig. 23 is a rear perspective view of the test cap shown in Fig. 22;
Fig. 24 is a perspective view of a protective cover and drain;
Fig. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the protective cover shown in Fig. 23;
and
Fig. 26 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the protective
cover.
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if,
To assist in the understanding of the present invention the following list of
components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein:
# Component # Component
2 Overflow assembly 106 Opening
6 Bathtub 110 Drain assembly
Drain port 112 Edge
14 Overflow port 114 Tub floor
18 Elbow 118 Drain pipe flange
10 22 Overflow pipe 122 Nut
26 Tee connector 126 Cylindrical portion
30 First end 130 Threads
34 Second end 134 Drain pipe
38 Flange 138 Membrane
42 Shoulder 140 Cover
46 Cylindrical fitting 144 Drain closure
50 Threads 176 Test cap
54 Diaphragm 180 Cylindrical body
58 Outer surface 184 Flange
62 Wall 188 Face
66 Inner surface 192 Interior threads
70 Washer 196 Inner surface
CA 02887181 2015-04-02
______________ Component Component
74 Nut 200 Protective cover
78 Lug 204 Opening
82 Threads 208 Flange
86 Cap 212 Tubular wall
90 Notch 216 Groove
94 Protrusions 220 Seal
98 Ring 224 Strainer
102 Cutting tool
It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In
certain
instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the
invention or which
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.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to Figs. 1-9 an overflow assembly 2 adapted for interconnection
to
a bathtub 6 is provided. The overflow assembly 2 is adapted to be used in
conjunction
with a bathtub 6 having a drain port 10 and an overflow port 14. The overflow
port 14
receives an L shaped elbow 18 that leads into an overflow pipe 22 that
eventually feeds
into a tee-connector 26. The tee-connector 26 also receives fluid from the
drain port 10
11
CA 02887181 2015-04-02
of the bathtub 6 and has an opening that connects to the sewer system of the
structure.
Turning now specifically to Figs. 2-4, an overflow assembly of one embodiment
of the present invention is provided. Here, the elbow 18 includes a first end
30 and a
second end 34 wherein a flange 38 is spaced from the first end 30. Thus, the
first end 30
comprises a lip that protrudes from the flange 38. The first end 30 is adapted
to receive a
shoulder 42 of a cylindrical fitting 46 that also includes an outer surface
with a plurality
of threads 50 and may have a diaphragm 54 situated on one end thereof
In operation, the flange 38 is adapted to abut an outer surface 58 of the
bathtub 6,
thereby placing the first end 30 at least partially within the thickness of
the bathtub wall
62 or away from an inner surface 66 of the bathtub 6 which facilitates
alignment of the
overflow port and the overflow assembly 2. After the elbow 18 is properly
aligned and
engaged within the overflow port 14 of the bathtub 6, the cylindrical fitting
46 is
interconnected thereto wherein the shoulder 42 is placed in contact with the
first end 30
of the elbow 18. A washer 70 is then placed around the cylindrical fitting 46
and in
abutting relationship with the inner surface 66 of the bathtub 6. A nut 74
having a
plurality of externally protruding lugs 78 and internal threads 82 is then
screwed on to the
threads 50 of the cylindrical fitting 46, thereby sandwiching the wall 62 of
the bathtub 6
between the flange 38 and the washer 70. The lugs 78 of the nut 74 are adapted
to receive
an inner surface of a cap 86. The cap 86 also employs at least one notch 90
that allows
for water to flow from the cap 86 through the elbow 18 and into the overflow
pipe 22 of
the plumbing system.
After the overflow system is interconnected to the bathtub, testing it is
often
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CA 02887181 2015-04-02
required. Often such testing of the overflow assembly 2 must be blocked. Thus,
as
briefly described above, the cylindrical fitting 46 may include a diaphragm 54
that
prevents flow of liquid therethrough. After testing is complete the diaphragm
54 may be
cut away to provide a flow path from the notch 90 of the cap 86 into the elbow
18. No
additional hardware, such as a test cap, is needed to perform testing.
Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, an alternate embodiment of an overflow
assembly
2 is provided. More specifically, the nut 74 described above includes a
plurality of
protrusions 94 aligned on a ring 98 that is positioned adjacent to the
plurality of the lugs
78. The protrusions 94 allow for enhanced interconnectability between the nut
74 and the
cylindrical fitting 46 by providing a plurality of finger holds.
Referring now to Fig. 7, the cylindrical fitting 46 of the overflow assembly 2
of
one embodiment of the present invention is provided. As mentioned above, it is
often
desirous to maintain the integrity of the overflow assembly 2 such that fluids
or air are
maintained within the plumbing assembly, i.e. plugged. After any required
testing is
complete, a cutting tool 102 is employed to remove the diaphragm 54 of the
cylindrical
fitting 46, thereby providing an opening 106 for fluids.
Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9, yet another variation of the above-identified
overflow assembly is provided. Here, a one-piece unit is provided wherein the
cylindrical
fitting 46 and the elbow 18 are rigidly interconnected. In addition, one
skilled in the art
will appreciate that at least a portion of the overflow pipe 22 may also be
rigidly
interconnected to the elbow 18. This configuration omits at least two joints
in the system,
which reduces the likelihood of leaks between components. One skilled in the
art will
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CA 02887181 2015-04-02
also appreciate that a diaphragm may also be included in this embodiment of
the present
invention that is cut away to provide an opening 106 after testing is
performed.
Referring now to Figs. 10 and 11, the drain assembly 110 for interconnecting
the
bathtub to the plumbing system of one embodiment of the present invention is
shown.
Here, similar to the overflow assembly, the drain assembly must be rigidly
interconnected
to the bathtub 6. Thus embodiments of the present invention employ a drain
assembly
110 wherein the tub floor 114 is sandwiched between a drain pipe flange 118
and a nut
122. In operation, the drain pipe flange 118 includes a cylindrical portion
126 extending
therefrom that includes a plurality of threads 130. The drain pipe flange 118
is mated
with a drain pipe 134 wherein the nut 122 is threaded on the drain pipe 134
prior to the
marriage of the cylindrical portion 126 and the drain pipe 134. The nut 122 is
brought up
to the threads 130 and tightened such that the tub floor is sandwiched between
the drain
pipe flange 118 and the nut 122 to secure the drain assembly to the drain port
10 of the
bathtub 6. To test the system a membrane 138 may be employed to block flow to
the
drain pipe 134. After testing is completed, a cover 140 and drain closure 144,
which are
common in the art, may be incorporated.
Referring now to Figs. 12-15, a method of facilitating interconnection of the
overflow pipe 22 and the drain pipe 134 is provided. Fig. 12 shows the prior
art method
of interconnecting drain pipes and flow pipes to a bathtub 6 wherein the rigid
overflow
pipe 22 is interconnected to the elbow 18 of the overflow assembly 2 and a
rigid drain
pipe 134 is horizontally interconnected from a connector associated with the
drain port
10. These two rigid pipes merge at a tee-connector 26 and into the main drain
pipe of the
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CA 02887181 2015-04-02
r, ,
,
, (
plumbing system. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, interconnection of
these rigid
pipes is often difficult, especially when they are misaligned due to
engineering errors or
errors in interconnecting of the individual pipes to the tee-connectors 26,
for example.
Often, the interconnection of the bathtub to the overflow pipe 22 and drain
pipe 134 will
cause frustration, delays and increased costs.
Referring now to Figs. 13 and 14, this problem has been addressed by an
embodiment of the present invention that provides a flexible conduit 148 that
leads from
the elbow 18 of the overflow assembly 2 to the tee-connector 26. It is
envisioned that the
flexible conduit 148 of this embodiment of the present invention be
corrugated, however,
be not susceptible to the drawbacks of using a corrugated tube. More
specifically, as one
skilled in the art will appreciate, the use of corrugated tubing, to allow for
selective
adjustments of tube bends is common. However, the use of a corrugated surface
is not
desirable and is often counter building codes since waste and fluid can gather
in the
corrugations provided in the inner diameter of the conduit thereby providing a
breeding
ground for a mold and germs. Thus the flexible conduit 148 of embodiments of
the
present invention employ a coating that maintains flexibility but yet
eliminates at least the
corrugations in the inner surface of the flexible conduit 148.
Referring now specifically to Fig. 15, the flexible conduit 148 as described
above
may be employed in another way. That is, Fig. 14 shows the flexible conduit
148
extending from the overflow assembly 2 into the tee-connector 26 that is
associated
directly with the drain port 10. More often, it is desirable to provide a
vertical overflow
pipe 22 and a horizontal drain pipe 134. These pipes may be made of the
flexible conduit
CA 02887181 2015-04-02
as described above and interconnected as traditionally done to the tee-
connector 26 that is
associated with the main drain pipe of the plumbing system. Since the flexible
conduit
148 as provided is pliable, it is easily cut. Thus plumbers may use the
flexible conduit
148 as they would use rigid conduit and selectively cut them to lengths to
interconnect to
traditionally located tee-connectors 26.
Referring now to Figs. 16-23, a test cap 176 of one embodiment of the present
invention is provided. As mentioned above, it is often desirous to plug the
overflow port
14 and/or drain port 10 of the bathtub to facilitate testing. As also
described above, this is
most preferably done with a diaphragm that omits the need for a test cap 176.
However,
if testing needs to be performed subsequent to removal of a diaphragm, a test
cap 176 can
be used.
Referring now to Figs. 17 and 18, a test cap 176 of one embodiment of the
present
invention is provided with a cylindrical body 180 having a flange 184
positioned thereon.
The flange 184 has a face 188 that receives a diaphragm 54 and includes
internally
located threads 192 that receive the threads of the cylindrical fitting 42 of
the overflow
assembly 2, similar to that described above. The test cap 176 of this nature
can be used
on overflow assemblies as described above that include a diaphragm 54 if
further testing
is required. After testing is completed, the diaphragm 54 of the test cap 176
of this
embodiment of the present invention may be cut away to provide an opening 106
as
described above.
Referring now to Figs. 19 and 20 a test cap 176 of one embodiment of the
present
invention is shown. Here, a traditional plug having threads is used. However,
this
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CA 02887181 2015-04-02
embodiment of the present invention also includes a diaphragm 54 positioned on
one end
that may be cut-away after testing is complete.
Referring now to Figs. 21-23, yet another version of the test cap 176 is
provided
with an inner surface 196 of malleable material that helps seal the
interconnection of the
test cap 176 and the overflow elbow 18. That is, by interconnecting the test
cap 176 onto
the external threads of the overflow elbow 18, the end of the overflow
assembly 2 will
deform the inner surface of the test cap 176 somewhat to create a seal. It is
also
envisioned that a test cap 176 of this embodiment of the present invention
employs a
diaphragm 54 that can be cut away if needed.
Referring now to Figs. 24-26, a protective drain cover 200 is provided. Here,
the
protective cover 200 having an opening 204 therethrough and a flange 208 is
shown.
Emanating from the flange 208 is the tubular wall 212 having a groove 216
positioned
therearound. The groove 216 is adapted to receive at least one seal 220. The
protective
cover 200 is adapted to be associated with a strainer 224 of the drain
assembly 110,
thereby positioning the flange 208 of the protective cover 200 over the flange
118 of the
drain assembly 110. In addition, the protective cover 200 includes an edge 112
that
slightly curves downwardly to protect an edge of the strainer 224. As
described above,
the strainers 224 are often made of a brass or chrome which is easily damaged.
Thus in
operation, the tubular wall 212 of the drain cover 200 feeds into an opening
of the strainer
224. The seals 220 are then disposed between the outer surface of the tubular
wall 212
and the inner surface of the strainer 224. Thus the drain assembly 110 is
protected during
17
CA 02887181 2015-04-02
construction. After construction is completed, the protective cover 200 is
removed
and the drain assembly 110 remains within the bathtub 6.
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. However, it is to be expressly understood
that such
modifications and alterations are within the scope of the present invention,
as set forth
in the following claims
18
