Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
DRAIN AND DRAIN LEVELING MECHANISM
REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATION
[0001]
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Application No.
15/593,858, filed on May 12, 2017, and entitled "DRAIN AND DRAIN LEVELING
MECHANISM".
BACKGROUND
Field of the Disclosure
[0002]
The present disclosure relates in general to adjustable drains. Such drains
can be used in buildings, floors, basements, exterior areas or other areas
that require
drainage, as well as for urinals and other waste handling devices connected to
a sewer or
drain conduit. Such drains can also be used for clean outs.
Description of the Related Art
[0003]
Many varieties of adjustable drains exist, employing a variety of
adjustment mechanisms. However, such devices and certain components thereof
have
various limitations and disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004]
Various embodiments described herein relate to floor drains that can be
used to funnel liquids from a surface, such as a floor, and into a drain pipe.
Floor drains
typically have a grate or plate that allows fluids to flow through the drain
and into the drain
pipe, but that prevent larger solid objects from entering the floor drain.
Floor drains are
typically installed around a drain pipe when a floor surface is being
prepared. As used
herein, the term "floor" is understood to mean any surface that may accumulate
fluids to be
drained. Thus, it may include elevated surfaces such as ledges in addition to
standard
flooring.
[0005]
It is often desirable for a floor drain to be relatively flush with the level
of
the floor, thereby preventing accidental injuries from objects catching on a
lip of the drain or
the floor or other inconveniences associated with a floor drain that rises
above or is set below
the level of the floor. In many instances, modifications to a floor, such as
adding, modifying,
or removing a floor surface, may adjust the height of the floor. Additionally,
a floor may not
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always be completely level relative to the drain pipe. In these instances, it
can be desirable to
provide a floor drain that can be adjusted in height and/or angle. Such a
floor drain can be
adjusted to help ensure that the plate remains generally level with the floor.
Additionally, in
various embodiments it can be desirable for an adjustable floor drain to be
easily and quickly
adjustable with minimal steps.
[0006]
Various embodiments described herein present the advantage of allowing
for adjustment of the height and/or angle of a floor drain grate without
having to remove the
grate from an adjustable drain apparatus. This can increase the ease and
efficiency of
adjusting the floor drain.
[0007] Various
embodiments described herein provide additional features to
improve the ease and efficiency of adjusting a floor drain apparatus. In some
embodiments,
a floor drain assembly or apparatus can include a leveling member that can be
used to adjust
the height and/or angle of a grate and that can simultaneously be used to
attach different
components of the floor drain assembly to each other. As a result, in some
embodiments
adjusting the height and/or angle of the grate requires the manipulation of no
more than 3
screws.
[0008]
In various embodiments, an adjustable floor drain apparatus can include a
cylindrical collar comprising a threaded outer surface and an inward
projection lip, the collar
configured to be positioned at least partially around a drain pipe with the
lip positioned over
an end of the drain pipe. The apparatus can also include a cylindrical housing
comprising a
threaded inner surface configured to engage the threaded outer surface of the
collar, the
housing further comprising a plurality of receiving shafts, each receiving
shaft having a
bottom, an open top, and an open outer wall. The apparatus can include a
plurality of plates,
each plate positioned within a receiving shaft and offset from the bottom of
the shaft, each
plate comprising a channel, and a leveling frame comprising a ring and a
plurality of locking
blocks extending below the ring, each of the plurality of locking blocks
configured to be
positioned within a corresponding receiving shaft of the housing and
comprising a threaded
vertical bore. The apparatus can include a plurality of leveling screws, each
of the at least
three leveling screws comprising a head at a first end and a threaded shaft
with a tool
receiving cutout at a second end, each of the at least three leveling screws
configured to be
positioned in a respective receiving shaft of the plurality of receiving
shafts with the head
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between a respective plate of the plurality of plates and the bottom of the
respective receiving
shaft, and with the shaft threadably engaged within the threaded vertical bore
of the locking
block positioned within the respective receiving shaft. The apparatus can also
include a grate
securable to the frame, the grate comprising a plurality of openings, each of
the plurality of
openings to be aligned with the threaded bore of a respective one of the
plurality of locking
blocks.
[0009]
In various embodiments, an adjustable floor drain apparatus can include a
cylindrical collar comprising a threaded outer surface and an inward
projection lip, the collar
configured to be positioned at least partially around a drain pipe with the
lip positioned over
an end of the drain pipe. The apparatus can also include a cylindrical housing
comprising a
threaded inner surface configured to engage the threaded outer surface of the
collar, the
housing further comprising a circumferential channel having an open top, an
outer side wall,
an inner side wall, and a bottom. The apparatus can include at least three
plates positioned
within the circumferential channel and offset from the bottom of the channel,
each plate
positioned adjacent an opening in the inner side wall of the circular channel
and having a
cutout. The apparatus can include a leveling frame comprising a ring, a fin
projecting
downward from the ring along a circumference of the ring, and at least three
locking blocks
extending radially inward from the fin, each of the at least three locking
blocks comprising a
threaded vertical bore configured to be aligned with a cutout of one of the at
least three
plates. The apparatus can also include at least three leveling screws, each of
the at least three
leveling screws comprising a head at a first end and a threaded shaft with a
tool receiving
cutout at a second end, each of the at least three leveling screws configured
to be positioned
with the head between a respective plate of the at least three plates and the
bottom of the
circumferential channel, and with the shaft threadably engaged within the
threaded vertical
bore of the locking block aligned with the respective plate of the at least
three plates. The
apparatus can also include a grate securable to the frame, the grate
comprising a plurality of
openings, with an opening configured to be aligned with each of the at least
three locking
blocks of the leveling frame.
[0010]
In various embodiments, an adjustable floor drain apparatus can include a
housing configured for positioning adjacent a drain pipe, a leveling frame
configured to be
positioned at least partially above the housing, a grate configured to be
positioned at least
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partially above the leveling frame and secured to the leveling frame, and a
leveling member,
wherein the leveling member is configurable such that actuating the leveling
member adjusts
the position of the grate relative to the housing while the leveling member
remains fixed
relative to the housing.
100111 In various embodiments, an adjustable floor drain apparatus can
include a
housing configured for positioning adjacent a drain pipe, a frame configured
to be positioned
adjacent the housing, a grate configured to be positioned at least partially
above the frame,
and a leveling member configured for attachment to the frame, wherein
actuating the leveling
member moves the leveling member relative to the grate and adjusts the
position of the grate
relative to the housing.
[0012] In various embodiments, a method of operating an
adjustable floor drain
apparatus to adjust a height of a grate of the floor drain apparatus relative
to a housing of the
floor drain apparatus can include providing a floor drain apparatus comprising
a housing
positioned adjacent a drain pipe, a leveling frame positioned at least
partially above the
housing and attached to the housing, a grate positioned at least partially
above the leveling
frame and secured to the leveling frame, and a first leveling member, a second
leveling
member, and a third leveling member. The method can also include actuating
first leveling
member, actuating the second leveling member, and actuating the third leveling
member,
wherein the first leveling member, second leveling member, and third leveling
member are
actuated while the housing is fixed relative to the leveling frame.
[0013] In various embodiments, a method of operating an
adjustable floor drain
apparatus to adjust a height of a grate of the floor drain apparatus relative
to a housing of the
floor drain apparatus can include providing a floor drain apparatus comprising
a housing
positioned adjacent a drain pipe, a leveling frame positioned at least
partially above the
housing, a grate positioned at least partially above the leveling frame and
secured to the
leveling frame, and a first leveling member, a second leveling member, and a
third leveling
member. The method can include actuating first leveling member, actuating the
second
leveling member, and actuating the third leveling member, wherein the first
leveling
member, second leveling member, and third leveling member are actuated while
the grate is
attached to the leveling frame.
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[0014]
In various embodiments, an adjustable floor drain apparatus is described.
The adjustable floor drain apparatus comprises a collar, a housing, a
plurality of plates, a
leveling frame, a plurality of leveling members and a grate. The collar
extends
circumferentially about an axis and is configured to couple with a drain pipe.
The housing
extends circumferentially about the axis and comprises therein a plurality of
receiving areas,
each receiving area having a bottom, with the housing configured to couple
with the collar.
Each plate of the plurality of plates is configured to be secured within one
of the plurality of
receiving areas axially offset from the bottom, with each plate comprising a
channel
therethrough having a first width. The leveling frame comprises a ring
extending
circumferentially about the axis and a plurality of locking blocks extending
downward from
the ring, with each of the plurality of locking blocks comprising a vertical
bore configured to
align with a corresponding bottom of the housing, and the vertical bore at
least partially
threaded. Each of the plurality of leveling members comprises a shaft having a
head at a first
end and a tool receiving portion at a second end. The shaft is at least
partially threaded, with
the head including an end portion having a second width greater than the first
width, and
each shaft of the leveling members is configured to threadingly engage the
threads of the
vertical bore of the respective locking block with the end portion positioned
between the
bottom and the plate to axially secure the leveling member within the
receiving area. The
grate is securable to the leveling frame and comprises a plurality of
openings, with each of
the plurality of openings configured to be aligned with the threaded bore of a
respective one
of the plurality of locking blocks.
[0015]
In some embodiments, rotation of the leveling members may adjust the
leveling frame and thereby the grate relative to the housing and the leveling
members may
remain axially stationary relative to the housing. The adjustable floor drain
apparatus may
further comprise an outer and an inner wall of the housing extending
circumferentially about
the axis and defining a circumferential housing channel therein, and a fin
extending
circumferentially and downward from the ring, where the housing channel is
configured to
receive the fin therein. The housing channel may be wider than the fin such
that the fin can
be angled within the channel. The plurality of receiving areas may be at least
three receiving
areas, the plurality of plates may be at least three plates, the plurality of
locking blocks may
be at least three locking blocks, the plurality of leveling members may be at
least three
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leveling members, and the plurality of openings in the grate may be at least
three openings.
The housing may comprise an upper wall having a first diameter, a lower wall
having a
second diameter smaller than the first diameter, and an angled segment
extending upward
and outward from the lower wall to the upper wall, wherein the lower wall is
configured to
couple with the collar. The housing may comprise external threads, the collar
may comprise
internal threads, and the housing may be configured to couple with the collar
by engaging the
external threads of the housing with the internal threads of the collar. The
housing may
comprise internal threads, the collar may comprise external threads, and the
housing may be
configured to couple with the collar by engaging the internal threads of the
housing with the
external threads of the collar. Each of the plurality of receiving areas may
have at least one
rib coupling the bottom with the circumferential housing. Each of the
plurality of receiving
areas may have a wall extending upward from the bottom.
[0016]
In various embodiments, an adjustable floor drain apparatus is described.
The adjustable floor drain apparatus comprises a housing, a leveling frame, a
grate and a
leveling member. The housing defines an axis and is configured for positioning
adjacent a
drain pipe. The leveling frame is configured to be positioned at least
partially above the
housing and has a fin extending into a channel of the housing, and the
leveling frame is
moveable relative to the housing. The grate is configured to be positioned at
least partially
above the leveling frame and secured to the leveling frame. The leveling
member is
configured to couple with the frame and to be axially restrained by the
housing, with an end
of the leveling member accessible through the grate to be actuated, and where
actuating the
leveling member axially adjusts the position of at least a portion of the
grate relative to the
housing while the leveling member remains fixed relative to the housing.
[0017]
In some embodiments, the adjustable floor drain apparatus further may
comprise a collar configured to couple with the housing and the drain pipe.
The leveling
member may be a first leveling member and further comprise a second leveling
member and
a third leveling member, where the first leveling member, the second leveling
member, and
the third leveling members are the only leveling members. The leveling member
may be a
screw. The adjustable floor drain apparatus may further comprise a plurality
of the leveling
members configured for attachment to the frame, where actuating the plurality
of leveling
members adjusts a height of the grate relative to the housing. The frame may
comprise a
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locking block with a central bore configured to receive the leveling member.
The housing
may comprise a receiving area configured to align with the locking block.
[0018]
In various embodiments, a method of adjusting a floor drain apparatus is
described. The method may comprise providing the floor drain apparatus. The
apparatus
may comprise a housing defining an axis and positioned adjacent a drain pipe,
a leveling
frame positioned at least partially above the housing and having a fin
extending into a
channel of the housing, with the leveling frame moveable relative to the
housing, a grate
positioned at least partially above the leveling frame and secured to the
leveling frame, and a
first, second and third leveling member coupled with the frame and axially
restrained by the
housing, with an end of each leveling member accessible through the grate to
be actuated,
and where actuating each leveling member adjusts the axial position of at
least a portion of
the grate relative to the housing while each leveling member remains axially
fixed relative to
the housing. The method may further comprise actuating the first leveling
member, actuating
the second leveling member and actuating the third leveling member.
[0019] In some
embodiments, the method may further comprise coupling the
housing with the drain pipe via a collar. The method may further comprise
actuating the
first, second and third leveling members different amounts to angle the grate
relative to the
axis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020]
Elements in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale in order
to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of these various elements
and
embodiments described herein. Furthermore, elements that are known to be
common and
well understood to those in the industry are not depicted in order to provide
a clear view of
the various embodiments described herein, thus the drawings are generalized in
form in the
interest of clarity and conciseness.
[0021]
FIG. 1A illustrates one side of a cross section of one embodiment of an
adjustable drain apparatus installed in a floor.
[0022]
FIG. 1B illustrates a cross section of one embodiment of an adjustable
drain apparatus installed in a floor.
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[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates one side of a cross section of one
embodiment of an
adjustable drain apparatus installed in a floor, with a leveling member not
shown.
[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates one side of a cross section of one
embodiment of an
adjustable drain apparatus installed in a floor with a base floor.
[0025] FIG. 4A illustrates a section of a perspective view of one
embodiment of a
housing.
[0026] FIG. 4B illustrates a top view of one embodiment of a
plate.
[0027] FIG. 4C illustrates a top view of one embodiment of a
plate.
[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates a section of a perspective view of one
embodiment of a
leveling frame.
[0029] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross section of one embodiment of
an adjustable drain
apparatus with an angled fin.
[0030] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross section of one embodiment of
an adjustable drain
apparatus having a leveling frame with an upper ring.
[0031] FIG. 8A is a top view of one embodiment of an adjustable drain
apparatus, with a grate not shown.
[0032] FIG. 8B is a top view of the adjustable drain apparatus
of Figure 8A with
a grate shown.
[0033] FIG. 9 is a top view of one embodiment of an adjustable
drain apparatus.
[0034] FIG. 10 illustrates a cross section of an alternate embodiment of an
adjustable drain apparatus.
[0035] FIG. 11 illustrates a section of a perspective view of
one embodiment of a
housing.
[0036] FIG. 12 illustrates a section of a perspective view of
one embodiment of a
leveling frame.
[0037] FIG. 13 illustrates a cross section of an alternate
embodiment of an
adjustable drain apparatus.
[0038] FIG. 14 illustrates a section of a perspective view of
one embodiment of a
housing.
[0039] FIG. 15 illustrates a section of a perspective view of one
embodiment of a
leveling frame.
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[0040]
FIGS. 16A-16C are various views of another embodiment of an
adjustable drain apparatus.
[0041]
FIGS. 17A-17D are various views of another embodiment of an
adjustable drain apparatus.
[0042] FIGS. 18A-18C
are various views of another embodiment of an
adjustable drain apparatus.
[0043]
FIG. 19 is a partial cross-section view of an embodiment of an adjustable
apparatus that may be used with drains and/or other waste handling devices
connected to a
sewer or drain conduit, such as manholes, etc.
[0044] FIGS. 20A-20C
are various views of another embodiment of an
adjustable drain apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0045] In the
following discussion that addresses a number of embodiments and
applications, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part
hereof, and in
which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the
embodiments
described herein may be practiced. It is to be understood that other
embodiments may be
utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the
disclosure.
[0046] Various
inventive features are described below that can each be used
independently of one another or in combination with other features. However,
any single
inventive feature may not address all of the problems discussed above or only
address one of
the problems discussed above. Further, one or more of the problems discussed
above may not
be fully addressed by the features of each embodiment described below.
[0047] Figure 1A
illustrates one embodiment of an adjustable floor drain
assembly or apparatus 100. In some embodiments, the floor drain 100 can be a
cylindrical
structure configured to be positioned adjacent a drain pipe 6, such as
surrounding the drain
pipe 6. Figure 1A illustrates one side of a cross section of the floor drain
100. Figure 1B
illustrates an entire cross section of one embodiment of a floor drain 100
positioned about a
drain pipe 6. With reference to Figure 1A, in some embodiments a floor drain
apparatus 100
can include a cylindrical collar 20 that can be configured for positioning
around the pipe 6.
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Preferably, the collar 20 can include a lip 24 that can be positioned about an
end of the pipe
6. In some embodiments, the lip 24 can be angled, for example as illustrated,
and in some
embodiments the lip 24 can extend generally perpendicularly from the collar
20. In some
embodiments, the collar 20 can have exterior threading 22 that can be
configured to attach
the collar 20 to other components of the drain 100.
[0048]
In some embodiments, an interior of the collar 20 can be configured to
receive a valve member. In some embodiments, the collar 20 can include
internal threading
26 that can be used to attach the valve member to the collar 20.
[0049]
In various embodiments, the adjustable drain apparatus 100 can include a
cylindrical housing 30. In some embodiments, the housing 30 can include
interior threads 48
that can be configured to mate with threading on the collar 20. In some
embodiments, the
housing can include an inner flange 34 that can be positioned over an upper
end of the collar
20. As used herein, the terms "inner" and "outer" refer to radially inner and
radially outer
unless otherwise indicated. The inner flange 34 can help prevent screwing the
housing 30
too far onto the collar 20. In some embodiments, a drain apparatus 100 may not
include a
collar 20, and the housing 30 can be positioned directly over the pipe 6, such
as by having the
flange 34 positioned over an end of the pipe 6.
[0050]
A threaded relationship between the housing 30 and collar 20 can allow
for adjusting the height of the housing 30 relative to the collar 20 and pipe
6. This
adjustment is preferably done when installing the drain 100 in order to move
the housing 30
to a desired height. For example, in some embodiments the housing 30 can be
moved to a
level approximately equal with the expected height of the floor. During
installation, when
the housing 30 has been placed at a desired height, concrete 4 can be placed
to help provide a
basis for the floor.
[0051] In some
embodiments, the housing 30 can have an outer wall 36 that can
extend to a top, or adjacent a top, of the adjustable drain apparatus 100. In
some
embodiments, the outer wall 36 can taper into an upper tip or edge 32. In some
embodiments, the upper tip or edge 32 can be generally level with the surface
of the floor 2.
In some embodiments, once the housing 30 has been positioned relative to the
pipe 6,
concrete 4 can be placed to a height generally level with the tip or edge 32.
In some
embodiments, concrete can be poured to a height below the edge 32, such that a
floor surface
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2 placed above the concrete can be generally level with the tip or edge 32. In
some
embodiments, if the floor surface 2 is modified, not level, or otherwise
varies from the height
of the tip or edge 32, other components of the adjustable drain apparatus 100
can be moved
to help level a grate 10 of the apparatus 100 with the floor 2.
[0052] In some
embodiments, an adjustable drain apparatus 100 can include a
leveling frame 50 that can be used to help adjust the height, angle, and/or
other aspects of the
grate 10. As used herein, references to adjusting the height of the grate 10
refer to
adjustments that move a center of the grate 10 relative to a reference aspect
of the adjustable
drain apparatus 100 that does not move, such as the housing 30. Thus, angling
the grate 10
about an axis that passes through the center of the grate 10 would not be
considered an
adjustment to the height of the grate 10, even though portions of the grate 10
may move up or
down.
[0053]
In some embodiments, the leveling frame 50 can be placed above the
housing 30. In some embodiments, a portion of the leveling frame 50 can be
positioned
within a portion of the housing 30. For example, in some embodiments the
housing 30 can
include a channel 40 that can receive a portion of the leveling frame 50, such
as a locking
block 52. In some embodiments, the locking block 52 can include an internal
flange 59 that
can extend over a portion of the housing 30. This can help prevent fluid that
enters the grate
10 from passing into the channel 40.
[0054] In some
embodiments, the locking block 52 can include an actuation
aperture 60 that can be configured to receive a leveling member 70, such as a
leveling screw.
In some embodiments, adjusting the leveling member 70 can adjust the position
of the
locking block 52 relative to the housing 30. In some embodiments, for example
as
illustrated, the leveling member 70 can also be used to attach the leveling
frame 50 to the
housing 30. This dual functionality of the leveling member 70 can remove the
need for
separate structures, such as screws, to attach the leveling frame 50 to the
housing 30.
Additionally, it can allow for adjusting the position of the locking block 52
relative to the
housing 30 while the frame 50 remains rigidly attached to the housing 30. In
other words,
the leveling member 70 can secure the frame 50 to the housing 30 such that the
only possible
movement of the housing 30 relative to the locking block 52 and frame 50 is
through
actuating the leveling member 70.
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[0055]
In some embodiments, the leveling member 70 can include a shaft 74 and
a head 72. The shaft 74 can include external threading that is configured to
engage threading
of the actuation aperture 60. The housing 30 can include a plate 80 or other
blocking
structure that can have an opening wide enough to allow the shaft 74 to pass
through the
opening but narrow enough to block the head 72 from passing through the
opening. Thus,
the plate 80 can help block movement of the leveling member 70 relative to the
housing 30
such that the leveling member 70 can remain fixed relative to the housing 30.
Consequently,
when the leveling member 70 is positioned as illustrated in Figure 1A,
rotating the leveling
member 70 can move the leveling frame 50 at the position of the leveling
member 70 up or
down relative to the housing 30, depending on the direction of rotation of the
leveling
member 70.
[0056]
In some embodiments, the leveling member 70 can include a tool
receiving portion 76 at a top end of the leveling member 70, which can be used
to rotate the
leveling member 70. In some embodiments, the tool receiving portion 76 can be
a hexagonal
socket, such that it can receive a hex key (e.g., an Allen wrench). Other
configurations of the
tool receiving portion 76 are considered, such that a variety of types of
tools can be used to
actuate the leveling member 70. For example, the tool receiving portion 76 can
be
configured as a slot to receive a flat head screw driver, as a cross-shape to
receive a Philips
head screw driver, etc. In some embodiments, a grate 10 positioned above the
leveling
frame 50 can include an opening 14 that can allow the tool to pass through the
grate 10 and
into the actuation aperture 60.
[0057]
In various embodiments, a leveling frame 50 can include a plurality of
locking blocks 52, each of which can correspond to a leveling member 70. If
the leveling
member 70 for each locking block 52 is adjusted the same amount, the height of
the leveling
frame 50 and grate 10 can increase or decrease accordingly. In contrast,
actuating fewer than
all of the leveling members 70, or actuating them different amounts or in
different directions,
will angle the leveling frame 50 and grate 10 by raising or lowering the side
of the leveling
frame 50 and the side of the grate 10 corresponding to each leveling member
70. Preferably,
a leveling frame 50 includes at least three locking blocks 52, such that by
adjusting the
leveling members 70 a different amount at each locking block the plate 10 can
be configured
to reach any desired height in any desired angle within an available range.
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[0058]
In some embodiments, for example as shown in Figure 8A, a leveling
frame 50 can include three locking blocks 52 positioned evenly around a
circumference of
the leveling frame 50. In such embodiments, a cross section of an adjustable
drain apparatus
100 may show a portion of the leveling frame 50 that includes a locking block
52 on one side
of the drain pipe 6 and a portion of the leveling frame 50 without a locking
block 52 on
another side of the drain pipe 6. This is shown, for example, in Figure 1B. In
some
embodiments, the locking blocks 52 may be directly across from each other, for
example in
embodiments of the leveling frame 50 having two or four locking blocks 52. In
some
embodiments, a portion of the leveling frame without a locking block 52 may
include a fin
54 that extends into the housing channel 40.
[0059]
With further reference to Figures 1A and 1B, in some embodiments a
grate 10 can include an attachment opening 12 that can be configured to align
with an
attachment screw hole 56 in the leveling frame 50. The leveling frame 50 can
include an
outer ring or flange 58 with the attachment hole 56, which can be used to
secure the leveling
frame 50 to the grate 10. The outer ring or flange 58 can be integral with
another feature or
features of the leveling frame 50, for example integral with the locking block
52. In some
embodiments, the hole 56 can be threaded and can be configured to receive a
screw. In some
embodiments, the attachment opening 12 can also be threaded to receive a
screw. In some
embodiments, the attachment opening 12 is not threaded. A screw or other
locking
mechanism can be inserted through these aligned holes and can be used to
attach the grate 10
to the leveling frame 50. In some embodiments, the attachment opening 12 can
have a
counter bore, such as illustrated, thereby allowing a screw head to be flush
with an upper
surface of the grate 10. In some embodiments, for example as illustrated in
Figure 1B, the
grate 10 can include a plurality of grate openings 18, which can be sized as
desired to allow
fluid to pass through the grate 10 and into the drain pipe 6 but prevent
larger objects from
passing through and into the drain pipe 6. In some embodiments, the grate 10
can include a
plurality of the attachment openings 12 and/or screw holes 56. As shown in
Figure 1B for
example, the plurality of attachment openings 12 and/or screw holes 56 may be
located
directly across from each other, such as 180 angular degrees apart. In some
embodiments,
the plurality of attachment openings 12 and/or screw holes 56 may not be
located directly
across from each other. For example, the plurality of attachment openings 12
and/or screw
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holes 56 may be located angularly approximately 60 degrees from each other, as
shown and
further described herein, for example with respect to Figure 8A.
[0060]
Figure 2 illustrates a cross-section of Figure 1A but with the leveling
member 70 removed. Figure 2 illustrates an example of one embodiment in which
the
threading 62 in the actuation aperture 60 does not extend to a bottom end of
the actuation
aperture 60. This can assist when assembling the adjustable drain apparatus
100, because it
can help allow a leveling member 70 to be inserted into and aligned with the
actuation
aperture 60 before needing to engage the leveling member 70 with the thread
62. In some
embodiments, at least the bottom 1/8 (one eighth) inch of the actuation
aperture 60 can be
without threads 62. In some embodiments, at least the bottom 1/4 (one quarter)
inch of the
actuation aperture 60 can be without threads 62. In some embodiments, at least
the bottom
1/2 (one half) inch of the actuation aperture 60 can be without threads 62.
[0061]
In some embodiments, where a base floor 102, such as a wood or
corrugated floor, is in place, an adjustable drain apparatus 100 can include
components that
can help set the drain apparatus 100 relative to the base floor 102. For
example, with
reference to Figure 3, in some embodiments the adjustable drain apparatus 100
can include
an outer collar 90 that can attach to the collar 20. The outer collar 90 can
include a threaded
attaching portion 92 that can engage exterior threads on the collar 20. In
some embodiments,
the outer collar 90 can also include a wall 94 and an outer flange 96 that can
extend onto the
base floor 102. In some embodiments, concrete 4 and/or flooring 2 can then be
positioned
above the base floor 102, such as described above.
[0062]
Figure 4A illustrates a cutaway perspective view of a portion of a
generally cylindrical outer housing 30 that can be used with the drain
apparatus 100. As
shown for example in Figure 4A, in some embodiments the housing 30 can include
a housing
channel 40, an outer wall 44, an inner wall 46, and a base or bottom 42. In
some
embodiments, the channel 40 can extend around an entire circumference of the
housing 30.
In some embodiments, the housing 30 can include multiple channels 40, each of
which
extends around only a portion of a circumference of the housing 30.
[0063]
Figure 4A also illustrates one embodiment of a plate 80 that can be used to
lock the position of a leveling member 70 relative to the housing 30, for
example as
described above by using the plate 80 or other blocking structure. The plate
80 is shown in
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=
Figure 4A mostly as dotted lines because in the view shown and as oriented the
plate 80 is
mostly behind other features of the housing 30. As used herein, references to
locking,
blocked, fixing, etc. the position of the leveling member 70 relative to the
housing 30 refer to
translational position. It is understood that in some embodiments the leveling
member 70
may rotate relative to the housing 30.
[0064]
Figure 4B illustrates a top view of one embodiment of a plate 80 that can
be used with the drain apparatus 100. The plate can include a hole 82 through
which a
portion of the leveling member 70, such as the shaft of the leveling member
70, can pass. In
some embodiments, the plate 80 can also include a connecting cutout or channel
84 that joins
the hole 82 with an exterior surface of the plate 80. The connecting channel
84 can be used
to allow the leveling member 70 to be positioned through the hole 82. For
example, when
installing an adjustable drain apparatus, the leveling member 70 can be
inserted through an
opening 47 in the inner wall 46 that is preferably aligned with the plate 80.
The leveling
member 70 can be inserted through the channel 84 until a head, such as the
head 72, of the
leveling member 70 is below the plate 80 and a shaft, such as the shaft 74, of
the leveling
member 70 extends through the hole 82. Each leveling member 70 of the
adjustable drain
apparatus 100 can be positioned accordingly, and the frame 50 can be inserted
into position
with the leveling members extending into a corresponding actuation aperture 60
of a locking
block 52. The leveling members 70 can then be actuated to move the frame 50
and locking
blocks 52 into or further into the channel 40.
[0065]
Instead of a single structure, in some embodiments two separate blocking
structures can be used to block the head 72 of a leveling member 70. For
example, Figure 4C
illustrates an embodiment of a locking plate 80 that includes a first member
80A and a
second member 80B with a cutout or channel 84 that extends between the
entirety of both the
first and second members 80A, 80B. The channel 84 is preferably wide enough to
allow the
shaft 74 of a leveling member 70 to pass, but narrow enough to block the head
72 of the
leveling member 70.
[0066]
The plate 80 is preferably offset from the bottom 42 of the channel 40 to
provide room for a head 72 of a leveling member 70. In some embodiments, the
plate 80 can
be positioned a distance above the bottom 42 that is approximately equal to
the thickness of a
head 72 of a leveling member 70. In some embodiments, plate 80 can be
positioned a
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distance greater than the thickness of the head 72 above the bottom 42. The
plate 80 can be
attached to the housing 30, such as at the outer wall 44 and/or at a side wall
of the opening
47, through a variety of aspects known in the art, such as through welding,
gluing, or other
attachment methods. The housing 30, including the plate 80, can be made of a
variety of
materials. In some embodiments, the plate 80 and/or other parts of the housing
30 can be
formed of plastic, polymer, composites, other materials, or combinations
thereof. In some
embodiments, the plate 80 can be metal. In some embodiments, the entire
housing 30 can be
metal.
[0067]
Figure 5 illustrates a section of a perspective view of the leveling frame
50. As shown by example in Figure 5, the leveling frame 50 can include one or
more locking
blocks 52 that extend inward from a fin 54 of the leveling frame 50.
Preferably, the leveling
frame 50 forms a complete circle and has three locking blocks 52 spaced
equally around its
circumference. The locking blocks 52 can include an actuation aperture 60,
which can
receive a leveling member 70 as discussed above. The leveling frame 50 can
include an
outer ring or flange 58 with one or more attachment holes 56, which can be
used to secure
the leveling frame 50 to a grate, such as the grate 10 described herein.
[0068]
Figure 5 does not illustrate the flange 59 shown in Figure 1A, although it
is understood that in various embodiments the leveling frame 50 can include an
inner flange
59 associated with each locking block 52, or an inner flange 59 that extends
circumferentially
around the entire leveling frame 50. In some embodiments, the leveling frame
50 may not
have any inner flange.
[0069]
In some embodiments, the fin 54 can extend around an entire
circumference of the leveling frame 50. The fin 54 can help prevent any fluid
that enters
between the housing 30 and the leveling frame 50 (such as concrete, grout, or
other fluids or
semi-solids) from entering the drain pipe 6. Any such fluid would need to pass
all the way
below the fin 54 and then rise above the top of the channel 40. In some
embodiments, the
portions of the fin 54 not aligned with locking plates 80 can extend to the
bottom surface 42
of the channel 40.
[0070]
In some embodiments, to help allow the leveling frame 50 to angle
relative to the housing 30 and prevent it from binding, it can be desirable
for the fin 54 of the
leveling frame 50 to have an angle. Figure 6 illustrates an example of one
embodiment in
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which an outer wall 55 of the fin 54 is angled relative to an outer wall 44 of
the housing 30.
In some embodiments, the resulting angle a can be between 0 degrees and 15
degrees. In
some embodiments, the angle a can be between 2 degrees and 12 degrees. In some
embodiments, the angle a can be between 3 degrees and 10 degrees. In some
embodiments,
the angle a can be between 4 degrees and 8 degrees. In some embodiments, the
fin 54 can be
angled in the opposite direction, such that a bottom end of the fin can be
closer to the outer
wall 44 than a top end of the fin. In some embodiments, rather than or in
addition to angling
the fin 54, the channel 40 can be sized such that there is a gap between the
outer wall 44 and
the fin 54.
[0071] In some
embodiments the leveling frame 50 can have a portion that
extends past a bottom surface of the grate 10. For example, as illustrated in
Figure 7, in
some embodiments the leveling frame 50 can have an upper ring 51 that extends
upward
between the grate 10 and the outer wall 36 of the housing 30. In some
embodiments, the
upper ring can be flush with a top surface of the grate 10. In some
embodiments, the upper
ring 51 can be formed of a material different from the rest of the leveling
frame 50. For
example, in some embodiments, the upper ring 51 can be metal and the rest of
the leveling
frame can be plastic. In some embodiments, the upper ring 51 can be provided
as a metal
ring and the remainder of the leveling frame 50 can be injection molded onto
the bottom of
the ring 51 in order to form the leveling frame 50. In some embodiments, the
upper ring 51
can be integral with another feature or features of the leveling frame 50. The
upper ring 51
can help when positioning the grate 10 over the leveling frame 50. The upper
ring 51 can
also allow materials, for example concrete and/or grout, to be placed tightly
against the ring
51 while still allowing the grate 10 to be easily removed.
[0072]
Figure 8A illustrates a top view of one embodiment on an adjustable drain
apparatus 100 without a grate. The apparatus 100 is preferably cylindrical or
generally
cylindrical, for example as illustrated. The tip 32 of the outer wall of the
housing, such as the
housing 30 described herein, is drawn with a width, but in some embodiments
the tip 32 can
be just an edge that surrounds a portion of the leveling frame 50. Figure 8B
illustrates an
embodiment of the adjustable drain apparatus 100 with the grate 10 attached.
As shown in
Figure 8B, the attachment openings 12 can be used to attach the grate 10 to
the frame 50.
Preferably, the actuation aperture 60 is accessible through the grate 10. This
allows for
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adjusting the height and/or angle of the leveling frame 50 and grate 10
without having to
remove the grate 10. In some embodiments, for example as illustrated, the
actuation aperture
60 can be accessed through grate openings 18. In some embodiments, an outer
rim 16 of the
grate can be thicker and can extend over the actuation aperture 60. In such
embodiments, the
outer rim 16 can include actuation openings 14 (such as illustrated in Figure
1A) that can be
aligned with actuation apertures 60.
[0073] In some embodiments, for example as shown in Figure 9, an
adjustable
drain apparatus 100 can be configured with the actuation apertures 60 and the
attachment
openings 12 both positioned about the same distance from the center of a grate
(e.g., in a
shared circumference of the grate). Further examples are illustrated and
described in more
detail below. Having the actuation apertures 60 and attachment openings 12 a
similar
distance from the center of the grate can make it possible to include both the
apertures 60 and
the openings 12 within a narrower outer rim 16, thereby allowing for more
space on the grate
10 that can permit fluid to flow through. Figure 9 does not illustrate grate
openings 18, but it
is understood that a central portion 17 of the grate 10 can include grate
openings of varying
designs, including for example the designs shown in Figure 8B. Further, any of
the
embodiments of the drain apparatus 100 and/or grate 10 as shown in Figures 8A-
9 may be
included in or with the other embodiments of the drain assembly disclosed
herein, for
example with the grate 10 and/or the leveling frame 50 depicted and described
with respect
to Figure 3.
[0074] Figures 10-12 illustrate an alternate embodiment of an
adjustable drain
apparatus 100' that can be used to adjust the height and/or angle of a grate
110. In some
embodiments, the adjustable drain apparatus 100' can be adjusted without
needing to remove
the grate 110 from a leveling frame 150. Figure 10 illustrates a cross-section
of a portion of
the adjustable drain apparatus 100'. The apparatus 100' can be positioned
relative to a drain
pipe 6 and floor as described above. Further, it is understood that elements
labeled with
numbers similar to those from previous embodiments may operate in a manner
similar to that
described above unless otherwise mentioned. Thus, for example, the adjustable
apparatus
100' can include a housing 130 with a channel 140 that can receive a fin 154
of a leveling
frame 150.
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[0075]
In contrast to prior embodiments, however, when adjusting the leveling
frame 150, the leveling member 170 can move relative to the housing 130. The
leveling
member 170 can include a threaded shaft 174 that can be inserted into and
engage threading
within a locking hole 182 of the housing. The leveling member can include a
flange 178
between the housing 130 and the leveling frame 150 that can be used to engage
and move the
leveling frame 150 when the leveling member 170 is screwed in a direction that
raises the
leveling member 170 relative to the housing 130.
[0076]
The leveling member 170 can also include a head 172 that can be wider
than a shaft 174 of the leveling member 170. The head 172 can interact with
the leveling
frame 150 to help lock the leveling frame 150 relative to the housing 130.
Thus, the leveling
member 170 can serve to both adjust the height and/or angle of the leveling
frame 150 and
secure the leveling frame 150 to the housing 130. Figure 10 also illustrates a
locking screw
186 that can be used to lock the grate 110 to the leveling frame 150. Similar
locking screws
can be used in other embodiments described herein to lock grates to leveling
frames.
[0077] Figure 11
illustrates a section of a perspective view of a housing 130 that
can be used with the drain apparatus 100'. The housing can include a locking
structure 180
that can include a locking hole 182 to receive a leveling member 170. The
housing 130 can
have a plurality of locking structures 180 positioned about the circumference
of the housing.
In some embodiments, such as described above with respect to the housing 30,
the housing
130 can include three locking structures positioned generally equidistant
around the
circumference, or more or fewer locking structures in other positions.
[0078]
Figure 12 illustrates a section of a perspective view of a leveling frame
150 that can be used with the drain apparatus 100'. In some embodiments, for
example as
illustrated, the leveling frame 150 can include an attachment screw hole 156
and an actuation
aperture 160 that can receive a portion of a leveling member 170. In some
embodiments, the
leveling frame 150 can have a flanged section or flange 152 through which the
actuation
aperture 160 extends. In some embodiments, the leveling frame 150 can have a
flanged
section 152 and actuation aperture 160 that correspond to each locking
structure 180 of the
housing 130.
[0079] In some
embodiments, the actuation aperture 160 can extend laterally to
form an opening in a wall (e.g., an inner wall) of the flange 152. This can
allow a leveling
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member 170 to slide horizontally or otherwise sideways into position within
the aperture 160,
similar to how a leveling member 70 can be positioned within the hole 82 of
the plate 80 of
Figure 4A. When assembling an adjustable drain apparatus 100', the leveling
member 170
can be positioned within the actuation aperture 160 and then the leveling
frame 150 with
leveling member 170 can be positioned on the housing 130. The leveling member
170 can
then be actuated to move it into the locking hole 182, such as by screwing the
leveling
member 170 into the locking hole 182.
[0080]
Figures 13-15 illustrate an alternate embodiment of an adjustable drain
apparatus 100" that can be used to adjust the height and/or angle of a grate
210. In some
embodiments, the drain apparatus 100" can be adjusted without needing to
remove the grate
210 from a leveling frame 250. Figure 13 illustrates a cross-section of a
portion of the
adjustable drain apparatus 100". The apparatus 100" can be positioned relative
to a drain
pipe 6 and floor as described above. Further, it is understood that elements
labeled with
numbers similar to those from previous embodiments may operate in a manner
similar to that
described above unless otherwise mentioned. Thus, for example, the adjustable
apparatus
100" can include a housing 230, a collar 220, and a leveling frame 250.
Similarly, the
leveling frame can include a locking block 252 with an actuation aperture 260
that can
receive a leveling member. Also as above, a plate 280 can interfere with a
head of the
leveling member to retain the leveling member in position relative to the
housing 230. In
various embodiments the plate 280 can have a variety of configurations,
including those
described herein, such as the plates 280 illustrated in Figures 4B and 4C.
[0081]
Figure 14 illustrates a portion of a perspective view of the housing 230
that can be used with the apparatus 100". In some embodiments, for example as
illustrated,
rather than having a single circumferential channel, the housing 230 can
include one or more
channels or shafts 240 that can be configured to receive locking blocks 252 of
the locking
frame 250. This can help limit required materials for fabricating the device.
In some
embodiments, the housing 230 can have a plurality of shafts 240 with each
shaft 240
corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of locking blocks. In some
embodiments, the
housing 230 can have three shafts 240 positioned equidistant about the
circumference of the
housing. In some embodiments, the housing can have more than three shafts
and/or at
various locations relative to each other.
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[0082]
In some embodiments, the shaft 240 can be defined by a first side wall
243, a second side wall 241, and an inner side wall 246. In some embodiments,
the shaft can
have an opening 247 on its outer side (e.g., have an opening in an outer wall
or have no outer
wall) that can allow a leveling member to be positioned within the shaft 240
with a head of
the leveling member below a plate and a shaft of the leveling member extending
above the
plate (for clarity, the plate is not illustrated in Figure 14 but it can be
seen in Figure 13).
Once a leveling member has been positioned in each shaft 240, the leveling
frame 250 can be
positioned on the housing 230.
[0083]
In some embodiments, the housing 230 can include a housing collar 245
that engages the collar 220 (shown in Figure 13). In some embodiments, this
engagement
can be with interior threading 248 of the housing collar 245. In some
embodiments, the
housing collar 245 can be separated by a gap from an inner wall 246 of the
shaft 240 (the gap
is most easily visible in Figure 13). In some embodiments, struts, braces, or
other structures
can be used to connect the shaft 240 and the housing collar 245 to help
support the shaft 240.
[0084] Figure 15
illustrates a section of a perspective view of the leveling frame
250 that can be used with the apparatus 100". The leveling frame 250 can
include an
actuation aperture 260 and an attachment screw hole 256 that can be used to
attach the
leveling frame 250 to a grate. In some embodiments, rather than having the
actuation
aperture 260 and screw hole 256 aligned radially, they can be aligned
circumferentially, for
example as illustrated. The frame 250 can thus be used with a grate 10 such as
that described
with respect to Figure 9, which can provide a greater area through which fluid
can flow.
[0085]
In some embodiments, the leveling frame 250 can include an inner flange
259. The inner flange can be configured to align with the housing, for example
as shown in
Figure 13. This can help prevent water that flows through the grate 210 from
flowing into
the shaft 240 of the housing 230. In some embodiments, the flange 259 can
extend around an
entire circumference of the leveling frame 250. In some embodiments, the
leveling frame
250 can include a flange 259 associated with each locking block 252. In some
such
embodiments, each flange 259 can have the same circumferential width as its
corresponding
locking block 252. In some embodiments, each flange 259 can be wider than its
corresponding locking block 252, for example as illustrated.
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[0086]
In some embodiments, each locking block 252 can be sized such that it
maintains a relatively flush fit within a corresponding shaft 240. In some
embodiments, the
shafts 240 can be larger than the locking blocks 252. This can allow some
play, for example
angling and/or other movements, of the locking blocks 252 within the shafts,
which can
prevent binding when leveling members are actuated in such a way as to angle
the leveling
frame 250.
[0087]
FIGS. 16A-16C are various views of another embodiment of an adjustable
drain apparatus 300. FIG. 16A is a perspective view of the apparatus 300 and
FIGS. 16B and
16C are cross-section views of the apparatus 300 as taken along the line 16B-
16B indicated
in FIG. 16A. In addition or alternatively to the description below, the
apparatus 300 may be
analogous to other drain apparatuses described herein, such as the apparatuses
100, 100'
and/or 100". By "analogous" it is meant that the drain apparatuses may have
the same or
similar features and/or functionalities as each other, even if those features
or functionalities
are only described with respect to one or the other drain apparatuses. A
central, longitudinal
axis is indicated in FIGS. 16A-16C for geometrical reference only and for the
sake of
description of some embodiments of the apparatus 300.
[0088]
Referring to FIG. 16A, the apparatus 300 may include a cover 305, a
collar 320, and/or a raising core or housing 330. The collar 320 and housing
330 may be
analogous to other covers, collars and housing described herein, such as the
collar 20 and
housing 30, respectively.
[0089]
The cover 305 may be a generally rounded and flat structure. The cover
305 may have a lip 306 along an outer edge thereof. The lip 306 may extend
axially
downward from or near the edge of the cover 305. The cover 305 may attach to
various
features of the apparatus 300, as described herein, to act as a lid and cover
the drain
apparatus 300. The cover 305 may include an attachment 307 for connection to
the apparatus
300. The attachment 307 may protrude downward from the cover 305, for example
at or near
the center of the cover 305. The attachment 307 may include one or more
flexible
protrusions, such as tabs, that can extend into one or more openings of the
apparatus 300 to
keep the cover 305 attached to the apparatus, for example during construction
and before use
of the drain thereunder. The attachment 307 may connect to a grate 310, as
further
described. The cover 305 may include one or more openings 309. As shown, there
may be
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three openings 309. The openings may extend through the cover 305 to provide
access for a
tool, such as a screw driver tip, to facilitate removal of the cover 305 from
the drain
apparatus 300 after concrete or other filler has been poured around the
apparatus 300. In
some embodiments, the concrete or other filler may be poured up to the top
surface of the
cover 305. The cover 305 may then be removed prior to hardening of the
concrete.
[0090] Referring to FIGS. 16B and 16C, the apparatus 300 may
include a strainer
or grate 310. The grate 310 may be analogous to other grates described herein,
such as the
grate 10. The grate 310 may be formed of metal, alloy, plastic, polymer,
composites, other
suitable materials, or combinations thereof. The grate 310 may be a generally
flat, rigid
structure having openings therein to allow fluid to flow through the grate 310
and into the
apparatus 300. The grate 310 may include an opening 311 into which the
attachment 307 of
the cover 310 is received. The grate 310 may include attachment openings 312
and 314,
which may be analogous to attachment openings 12 and 14. The attachment
opening 312
may receive a fastener therethrough to allow for attachment of the grate 310
to a leveling
frame 350, as further described herein. The attachment opening 314 may allow
for access to
a leveling member 370 for adjusting the frame 350, as further described
herein. As further
described, the apparatus 300 may include the grate 310 securable to the
leveling frame 350,
the grate 310 comprising a plurality of openings 312, each of the plurality of
openings 312
configured to be aligned with a threaded bore (e.g. within an actuation
aperture 360) of a
respective one of a plurality of locking blocks 352 of the frame 350.
[0091] The apparatus 300 may include the collar 320. The collar
320 may extend
circumferentially about a central longitudinal axis of the apparatus 300.
"Circumferentially,"
and the like, as used herein includes but is not limited to cylindrical,
rounded, arcuate, etc. it
may or may not include the longitudinal axis as a center of rotation. The
collar 320 may
extend circumferentially about the axis and be configured to couple with a
drain pipe. The
collar 320 may provide a connection between a drain pipe and the apparatus
300. The collar
320 may extend around or within a drain pipe (not shown). The collar 320 may
extend
upward from the drain pipe to an enlarge diameter upper section having threads
to engage the
apparatus 300, as further described. The collar 320 may be formed of metal,
alloy, plastic,
polymer, composites, other suitable materials, or combinations thereof.
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[0092]
The apparatus 300 may include the housing 330. The housing 330 may be
formed of metal, alloy, plastic, polymer, composites, other suitable
materials, or
combinations thereof. The housing 330 may extend circumferentially about the
axis and be
configured to couple with the collar 320. The housing 330 may comprise therein
a plurality
of receiving areas 334, each receiving area having a bottom 337, as further
described. The
housing 330 may include a lower wall 331 and an inner upper wall 333. The
walls 331, 333
may extend circumferentially about the axis of the apparatus 300. The lower
wall 331 may
couple with, for example attach directly to, the collar 320. As shown, the
lower wall 331
may include outer threads that engage inner threads of an upper portion of the
collar 320.
The lower and upper walls 331, 333 may be connected by an angled segment or
portion 331B
that extends radially outward and upward from the lower wall 331. The housing
330 may
comprise the upper wall 333 having a first diameter, the lower wall 331 having
a second
diameter smaller than the first diameter, and the angled portion 331B
extending upward and
outward from the lower wall 331 to the upper wall 333, wherein the lower wall
331 is
configured to couple with the collar 320. When installed, for example with a
drain pipe, the
apparatus 300 may be surrounded by concrete or other filler underneath and
around the
angled portion 331B and above the collar 320, for example to facilitate with
structural
support of the housing 330 and/or other features of the apparatus 300. The
upper wall 333
may be an inner wall located radially inward of the outer wall 336.
[0093] The housing
330 may include an upper tip or edge 332. The edge 332
may be at the end of an outer wall 336 of the housing 330. The outer wall 336
may extend
circumferentially about the axis along an outer side of the upper wall 330.
The edge 332 may
be located at the end of the upward extending outer wall 336 and therefore the
edge 332 may
also extend circumferentially about the axis. When installed, the concrete or
other filler may
be poured surrounding the housing 330 and near, up to, or above the edge 332.
[0094]
The housing 330 may include one or more receiving areas or receiving
shafts 334. As used herein, the terms "receiving area" and "receiving shaft"
are used
interchangeably, unless otherwise noted, or otherwise indicated by context. As
shown, there
may be three receiving shafts 334 spaced angularly equally apart about the
axis. In some
embodiments, there may be fewer or more than three receiving shafts 334,
and/or spaced in a
variety of configurations, whether angularly equally or unequally, spaced
farther radially
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inward or outward, etc. The receiving shafts 334 may each include features for
receiving,
retaining, etc. a corresponding leveling member 370. The receiving shafts 334
may have an
open side, such as the radially inward open side as shown, or the sides may be
mostly or
entirely closed off, as with receiving shaft 334 described herein.
[0095] The receiving
shafts 334 may each include one or more generally planar
ribs 335 and a generally planar bottom 337. In some embodiments, the ribs 335
and bottom
337 may have other shapes, contours, etc. As shown, the ribs 335 may be
internal to the
housing 330. There may be six ribs 335, or fewer or more ribs 335. There may
be pairs of
ribs 335 that define spaces in which a leveling member 370 is received, as
further described.
The ribs 335 may extend from the upper wall 333 to the corresponding bottom
337. The
bottom 337 may be analogous to other bottoms described herein, such as the
bottom 42. The
bottom 337 may provide a structural stop or floor that prevents movement
axially downward
of the leveling member 370. A pair of the ribs 335 may surround each bottom
337. The ribs
335 may extend beyond the bottom 337. The ribs 335 may be underneath the
bottom 337,
either in addition to or alternatively to extending above the bottom 337. The
bottom 337 may
be supported by the angled portion 331B of the housing 330. In some
embodiments, the
angled portion 331B may form all or part of the bottom 337. Thus, the angled
portion 331B
and the bottom 337 may be portions of the same continuous, monolithic
structure. In some
embodiments, the receiving shafts 334 may only include the bottom 337, or the
bottom 337
and one rib 335, or the bottom 337 and two ribs, or the bottom 337 and more
than two ribs
337. In some embodiments, the receiving shafts 334 may be analogous to other
receiving
shafts described herein.
[0096]
The housing 330 may include a channel 340. The channel 340 may be
located in between the upper wall 331 and the outer wall 336. The channel 340
may be an
opening extending circumferentially about the axis in between the upper and
outer walls 331,
336 of the housing 330. The channel 340 may extend in the axial direction, for
example
down to or near the angled portion 331B of the housing 330. The channel 340
may be open
at a top end thereof. The channel 340 may therefore receive features of the
apparatus 300,
such as features of a leveling frame 350, as further described. In some
embodiments, the
channel 340 may be analogous to the channel 40.
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[0097]
The apparatus 300 may include a leveling frame 350. The frame 350 may
be analogous to other leveling frames described herein, such as the frames 50,
150 and/or
250. The frame 350 may extend circumferentially about the axis. The frame 350
may be
formed of metal, alloy, plastic, polymer, composites, other suitable
materials, or
combinations thereof.
[0098]
The frame 350 may include a shield or fin 354. The fin 354 may be
analogous to other fins described herein, such as the fin 54. The fin 354 may
extend
circumferentially about the axis and axially down into the channel 340 of the
housing 330.
The housing channel 340 may be wider than all or portions of the fin 354 such
that the fin
354 can be angled within the channel 340, for example as the frame 350 is
adjusted and/or
after the frame 350 is adjusted. The fin 354 may include an outer surface 355
along an
outward side thereof. The outer surface 355 may taper inward as show. In some
embodiments, the outer surface 355 may taper outward or may not taper at all,
for example
extend axially. In some embodiments, the outer surface 355 may include one or
more of
tapered inward, tapered outward, and/or axial. The fin 354 may include an
inner surface 357
along an inward side thereof. The inner surface 357 may be located opposite
the outer
surface 355. The inner surface 357 may taper outward as show. In some
embodiments, the
inner surface 357 may taper inward or may not taper at all, for example extend
axially. In
some embodiments, the inner surface 357 may include one or more of tapered
outward,
tapered inward, and/or axial. The inner and outer surfaces 355, 357 may be
symmetric or
mirror images, as shown. In some embodiments, the inner and outer surfaces
355, 357 may
not be mirror images and may have a variety of different shapes, contours,
protrusions, etc.
[0099]
The fin 354 may mitigate or prevent debris from entering the drain
apparatus 300 when the leveling frame 350 is adjusted upward. For example, one
side of the
leveling frame 350 may be adjusted upward while the opposite side is
stationary or adjusted
downward. The portion of the fin 354 that is located underneath the portion of
the leveling
frame 350 that is adjusted upward will thus cover the area underneath that
portion of the
frame 350 to block debris from entering. Further, for example, after
adjustment as described
one side of the fin 354 may be angled outward within the channel 340 and the
opposite side
of the fin 354 may be angled inward within the channel 340.
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[0100]
The frame 350 may include one or more locking blocks 352. The locking
blocks 352 may be analogous to other locking blocks described herein, such as
the locking
blocks 52 and/or 152. There may be three locking blocks 352 spaced angularly
equally apart.
The locking blocks 352 may be located on a radially inward side of the fin 354
and extend
axially downward. There may be a space in between the locking blocks 352 and
the
surrounding fins 354. The locking blocks 352 may have various lengths in the
axial
direction, for example the blocks 352 may be shorter than, longer than, or the
same length as
the lower edge of the upper wall 333. The locking blocks 352 may have various
shapes, for
example they may taper in the downward direction as shown, or be straight,
taper in the
opposite direction, have other shapes, or combinations thereof.
[0101]
The frame 350 may include an inner ring 359. The inner ring 359 may
extend circumferentially about the axis. The locking blocks 352 may extend
downward (as
oriented) from the inner ring 359. The inner ring 359 may include one or more
internal
flanges 358. The locking blocks 352 may extend from corresponding flanges 358.
There
may be three flanges 358. The flanges 358 may extend radially inward from the
fin 354.
The frame 350 may include the circumferential inner ring 359 with radially-
shorter segments
located in between the radially ¨longer flanges 359. The ring 359 may extend
radially
inward from the fin 354. The ring 359 may be radially shorter than the flanges
358. The ring
359 may provide stiffness to the frame 350. The ring 359 may include openings
356 for
attachment of the frame 350 with the grate 310. There may be three openings
356 that align
with the attachment openings 312 of the grate 310. The openings 356 may be
threaded holes,
such that a fastener, such as a screw, may be used to secure the grate 310 to
the frame 350,
for example by inserting the fastener through the attachment opening 312 and
engaging the
fastener with the aligned threaded opening 356. Thus, adjustment of the frame
350, as
further described, will result in similar adjustment of the grate 310.
101021
The frame 350 may include one or more actuation apertures 360. The
actuation apertures 360 may be analogous to other actuations apertures
described herein,
such as the actuation aperture 60, 160, and/or 260. The locking block 352 may
include the
apertures 360. There may be one aperture 360 for each locking block 352. In
some
embodiments, there may be three apertures 360, or fewer or more than three
apertures 360.
The apertures 360 may be openings or bores extending through corresponding
locking blocks
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352. The apertures 360 may extend axially or generally axially through the
locking blocks
352. The apertures 360 may be internally threaded, either partially or
entirely, with threads
362. Thus the apertures 360 may be vertical threaded bores. The threads 362
may extend
from the top end, bottom end and/or anywhere in between the top and bottom
ends of the
apertures 360. The apertures 360 may receive a leveling member 370, as further
described,
which may engage with the threads 362. In some embodiments, the apertures 360
may
include inserts or other features, for example that provide the threads or
other engagement
features for the leveling members 370. The leveling frame 350 may therefore
comprise a
ring 359 extending circumferentially about the axis and a plurality of the
locking blocks 352
extending downward from the ring 359, each of the plurality of locking blocks
352
comprising a vertical bore (e.g. within the actuation aperture 360) configured
to align with a
corresponding bottom 337 of the housing 330, the vertical bore at least
partially threaded.
[0103]
The apparatus 300 may include a strain holder 361. The holder 361 may
provide a structural support and positioning for the grate 310. The holder 361
may be
formed from brass or other metals, alloys, plastics, composites, polymers,
other suitable
materials or combinations thereof. The holder 361 may be a circumferential
ring having a
radially inward flange 363 and a lip 365 extending upward, for example
axially, therefrom.
The holder 361 may include openings 364 in the inward flange 363 through which
fasteners
may be received. The grate 310 may sit on the flange 363 and within the lip
365 of the
holder 361, and thus the holder 361 may be located in between the grate 310
and the frame
350. The openings 364 in the inward flange 363 of the holder 361 may receive
the fastener
that extends through the grate 310 and into the frame 350, for example in the
attachment
opening 312 of the grate 310, through the opening 364 in the flange 363, and
into the
opening 356 of the frame 350. Thus, the holder 361 may be sandwiched in
between the grate
310 and the frame 350. The opening 364 may be a threaded hole or a thru-hole.
In some
embodiments, the holder 361 may be integral with the frame 350. In some
embodiments, the
holder 361 may be analogous to the inner flange 259 described with respect to
the frame 250
above.
[0104]
The apparatus 300 may include one or more leveling members 370. The
leveling member 370 may be analogous to the leveling members 70 and/or 170.
The leveling
member 370 may include a head 372 on one end of an axial, elongated shaft 374
and a tool
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receiving portion 376 on an opposite end thereof. The head 372 and shaft 374
may be
analogous to the other heads and shafts of leveling members described herein,
for example
the heads 72, 172 and shafts 74, 174, respectively.
[0105]
The head 372 of the leveling member 370 may include an end portion 373,
a middle portion 375 and a bottom portion 377. The end portion 373 may be
located at the
end of the leveling member 370, such as at the bottom as oriented in the
figures. The end
portion 373 may have a width, for example a diameter, that is larger than a
width of a
corresponding channel in the corresponding plate 380 used to axially secure
the leveling
member 370, as further described. The middle portion 375 may be adjacent the
end portion
373. The bottom portion 377 may be adjacent the middle portion 375. The bottom
portion
377 may be adjacent to the shaft 374. The end and bottom portions 373, 377 may
have
radially enlarge sections relative to the middle portion 375. Thus, the
diameters of the end
and bottom portions 373, 377 may be larger than the diameter of the middle
portion 375.
The end and bottom portions 373, 377 may be tapered or otherwise have non-
constant
diameters, and thus have variable diameter sizes along an axial length of
these portions.
Thus, the largest diameters of the end and bottom portions 373, 377 may be
larger than the
diameter of the middle portion 375. The middle portion 375 may have a constant
diameter
along its length axially. In some embodiments, the middle portion 375 may have
a non-
constant diameter, and thus the largest diameters of the end and bottom
portions 373, 377
may be larger than the largest diameter of the middle portion 375. The space
created by the
differences in relative diameters of the end, middle and bottom portions 373,
375, 377 may
receive a plate 380 therein, as further described, for preventing axially
upward and/or
downward movement of the leveling member 370.
[0106]
The end of the leveling member 370 opposite the head 372 may include
the tool receiving portion 376. The tool receiving portion 376 may be
analogous to the tool
receiving region 76. The tool receiving portion 376 may be a cutout, recess or
other opening
in the end of the leveling member 370 for receiving a tool therein to cause
rotation of the
leveling member 370. In some embodiments, the tool receiving portion 376 may
be a
protrusion from the end of the leveling member 370. The tool receiving portion
376 may be
accessed through the attachment opening 314 of the grate 310. In some
embodiments, the
tool receiving portion 376 may be accessed through the openings 309 of the
cover 305. The
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tool receiving portion 376 may be a square, hexagonal or other shaped recess
or protrusion
configured to receive a complementary-shaped tool, such as an Allen wrench,
therein or
thereon for rotation of the leveling member 370. Thus, the apparatus 300 may
include a
plurality of the leveling members 370, each of the plurality of leveling
members 370
comprising a shaft 374 having a head 372 at a first end and the tool receiving
portion 376 at a
second end, the shaft 374 at least partially threaded, the head 372 including
the end portion
373 having a width greater than the width of a channel of the plate 380, each
shaft 374 of the
leveling members 370 configured to threadingly engage the threads of the
vertical bore of the
respective locking block 352 with the end portion 373 positioned between the
bottom 337
and the plate 380 to axially secure the leveling member 370 within the
receiving area 334.
[0107]
The apparatus 300 may include the plate 380. The apparatus 300 may
include a plurality of the plates 380. Each plate 380 may be configured to be
secured within
one of the plurality of receiving areas 334 axially offset from the bottom
337. As shown, the
plate 380 is a flexible clip that is separate from the housing 300 and can be
installed or
assembled with the housing 330, as described herein. The plate 380 may
comprise a channel
therethrough having a first width. Thus the plate 380 may be analogous to a
plate 480,
further detail of which is shown and described herein, for example with
respect to FIG. 17D.
[0108]
The plate 380, for example a clip, may be located and secured within the
space between the ribs 335 of the housing 330. The plate 380 may be a separate
part that is
assembled with the apparatus 300. The plate 380 may snap into place within
grooves of the
housing wall 333 and/or in the ribs 335. When installed, the plate 380 may be
offset from the
bottom 337 of the shaft 334, for example with enough space between the plate
380 and the
bottom337 to receive a portion of the head 372 of the leveling member 370,
such as the end
portion 373. The plate 380 may include a cutout or channel (see the plate 480
in FIG. 17D),
for example a radial groove, that is configured to receive therein the reduced-
diameter middle
portion 375 of the leveling member head 372, for example to prevent or reduce
axial
movement of the leveling member 370. The enlarged-diameter end and bottom
portions 373,
377of the leveling member head 372 may contact the plate 380 and thereby
prevent the
leveling member 370 from moving axially. In some embodiments, the plate 380
may be
integral to the apparatus 300, such as with the housing 330. Thus, the plate
380 may be
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analogous to other plates described herein, such as the plates 80, 180, 280.
Thus, in some
embodiments the plate 380 may be stationary, e.g. fixedly connected to the
housing 330.
101091
The apparatus 300 may be assembled with a variety of approaches. The
following is one example embodiment of assembly. Other approaches may be used.
In some
embodiments, the plates 380 may be coupled with the housing 330 within or
above the
bottoms 337. Next, the leveling members 370 may be coupled with the plates
380, for
example by radially inserting the heads 372 of the leveling members 370 into
corresponding
plates 380. In some embodiments, the leveling members 370 may first be coupled
with
corresponding plates 380, and then the leveling member 370 and plate 380
combination may
be radially inserted above the corresponding bottom 337.
101101
The frame 350 may then be placed over the housing 330, with the tool
receiving portions 376 of the leveling members 370 located underneath
corresponding
locking blocks 352. A tool, such as an Allen wrench, may be inserted through
the actuation
apertures 360 of the locking blocks 352 and into the tool receiving portions
376 of the
leveling members 370. The leveling member 370 may then be rotated and
threadingly
engage the threads 362 of the corresponding actuation aperture 360. Rotation
of the leveling
members 370 will adjust the leveling frame 350 and thereby the grate 310
relative to the
housing 330 and the leveling members 370 will remain axially stationary
relative to the
housing 330. The plate 380 will prevent upward (and downward) movement of the
leveling
member 370, and thus the frame 350 will move up or down over the leveling
member 370 as
the leveling member 370 rotates. One leveling member 370 may be rotated at a
time. In
some embodiments, more than one leveling member 370 may be rotated at the same
time.
In some embodiments, the leveling members 370 may be rotated individually and
cyclically.
For example, a first leveling member 370 may be rotated so that the frame 350
partially
moves down over the first leveling member 370, and then a second leveling
member 370
may be rotated so that the frame 350 partially moves down over the second
leveling member
370, etc. In this manner, the leveling members 370 may each be partially
rotated until the
frame 350 has moved down to the desired height. This may prevent, for example
binding of
portions of the frame 350, such as the fin 354, with portions of the housing
330, such as the
channel 340. The orientation of the grate 310 may be adjusted by making finer
adjustments
to the leveling members 370, as further described.
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101111
Next, for example, the holder 361 may be placed on top of the frame 350,
and the grate 310 in turn may be placed on top of the holder 361. Fasteners
may be used to
secure the holder 361 and grate 310 to the frame 350. In some embodiments, the
holder 361
and grate 310 may be secured the frame 350 prior to securing the frame 350 to
the housing
330, as described above. The fasteners may be inserted through the attachment
opening 312
of the grate 310, through the opening 364 of the holder 361, and into the
opening 356 of the
frame 350, as described above. Thus, the grate 310 may be fixedly attached to
the frame 350
such that adjustment of the frame 350 causes corresponding adjustment of the
grate 310. For
example, upward or downward movement or tilting of the frame 350 will cause a
similar
upward or downward movement or tilting of the grate 310.
[0112]
Next, for example, the cover 305 may be secured to the apparatus 300
over the grate 310. The lip 306 of the cover 305 may attach to outer portions
of the
apparatus, such as the outer sides and/or edges of the grate 310, the holder
361, and/or the
frame 350. The lip 305 may flex outward to create a friction fit over the
corresponding
features of the apparatus 300. The attachment 307 may couple with the opening
311 of the
grate 310, as described above. The attachment 307 may flex inward to create a
friction fit
with the opening 311.
[0113]
Next, for example, the housing 330 may be secured to the collar 320. In
some embodiments, the housing 330 may be secured to the collar 320 prior to
connecting the
frame 350, etc. to the housing 330. In some embodiments, the collar 320 may
first be
secured to a pipe or pipe adapter. The collar 320 may surround the pipe end or
fit within the
pipe end. The housing 330, either alone or with one or more other parts of the
apparatus 300,
may be secured to the collar 320, either before or after the collar 320 is
secured to the pipe
end or pipe adapter. The housing 330 may rotatably couple with the collar 320.
For
example, outer threads of the lower wall 331 may engage with inner threads of
the collar 320.
This is merely an example and other approaches may be used for connecting the
housing to
the collar 320. In some embodiments, the collar 320 may be integral with the
housing 330.
In some embodiments, the housing 330 may couple directly with the pipe end or
pipe
adapter.
[0114] The apparatus
300 may be adjusted by adjustment of the leveling members
372. The apparatus 300 may be adjusted either before or after integration with
the collar 320
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and/or pipe. A single leveling member 372 can be adjusted by inserting a tool
into the tool
receiving portion 376 of the leveling member 370, as described. Rotation of
the tool may
cause rotation of the corresponding leveling member 370. Rotation of the
leveling member
370 in a first direction, for example clockwise or counterclockwise, may cause
relative
movement between the leveling member 370 and the frame 350. For example, the
threads
362 of the actuation aperture may mechanically communicate with threads of the
shaft 374 of
the leveling member 370. The plate 380 and bottom 337 will prevent axial
movement of the
leveling member 370 in both directions. Thus, as the leveling member 370
rotates, the
threads will interact such that the frame 350 will either move up or down
(depending on the
direction of rotation of the leveling member 370) while the leveling member
370 will remain
stationary. In some embodiments, the leveling member 370 may move slightly in
the axial
direction either up or down. For example, there may be some play or gaps
between the plate
380 and the end and bottom portions 373, 377 of the head 372 of the leveling
member 370,
allowing for slight movement of the leveling member 370 up or down.
[0115] There may be
three leveling members 372. In some embodiments, there
may be fewer or more than three leveling member 372. Thus, movement of one
leveling
member 370 as described may result in axial movement of the corresponding
portion of the
frame 350. For example, the frame 350 may be oriented at an angle after
adjustment of one
leveling member 370. One or more of the remaining leveling members 370 may be
similarly
adjusted to further move the frame 350, and thus the grate 310, to the desired
orientation.
The leveling members 372 may be spaced angularly equally apart. For example,
there may
be three leveling members 372 each spaced one hundred twenty degrees apart
from each
other. Thus, the corresponding movement of a single leveling member 370 may
have a
corresponding effect on the angular orientation of the grate 310. Adjustment
of all leveling
members 370 similar amounts may result in maintaining the angular orientation
of the grate
310 but locating it farther upward or downward. For example, the grate 310 may
be flat
before adjustment and then flat after adjustment of all three leveling members
370 the same
amount. If an angled grate 310 is desired, the leveling members 370 may be
adjusted
different amounts. For example, only one or two of the three leveling members
370 may be
adjusted. Thus, a variety of adjustments to the grate 310 may be implemented.
Further,
fewer or more than three leveling members 370 and the associated features may
be
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incorporated as well, for example for finer adjustment of the grate 310.
Further, the leveling
members 370 and corresponding locking blocks 352 with actuation apertures 360,
and/or
other features of the apparatus 300, may be in a variety of different
locations, e.g. angularly
about the axis and/or radially toward the axis, and thus a variety of
different adjustments may
be implemented depending on the configuration of the apparatus 300.
[0116]
FIGS. 17A-17D are various views of another embodiment of an adjustable
drain apparatus 400. FIG. 17A is a perspective view of the apparatus 400 and
FIGS. 17B and
17C are cross-section views of the apparatus 400 as taken along the line 17B-
17B indicated
in FIG. 17A. FIG. 17D is a partial cross-section view of the apparatus 400 as
taken along the
line 17D-17D as indicated in FIG. 17C. In addition or alternatively to the
description below,
the apparatus 400 may be analogous to other drain apparatuses described
herein, such as the
apparatuses 100, 100', 100" and/or 300.
[0117]
Referring to FIG. 17A, the apparatus 400 may include a grate 410, a collar
420, a raising core or housing 430, and/or a holder 461. The grate 410, a
collar 420, housing
430, and holder 461 may be analogous to the grate 310, a collar 320, housing
330, and holder
361, respectively. In addition, the apparatus 400 may include a cover (not
shown for clarity),
which may be analogous to the cover 305. The grate 410 may include an opening
411 and
attachment openings 412 and 414, which may be analogous to the opening 311 and
the
attachment openings 312 and 314.
[0118] Referring to
FIGS. 17B and 17C, the apparatus 400 may include the collar
420. The collar 420 may include a reduced-diameter section below an enlarge-
diameter
section, as shown. Internal threads of the upper portion of the collar 420 may
provide an
engagement feature for the housing 430. In some embodiments, the collar 420
may include
internal threads in the lower reduced-diameter section, as shown.
[0119] The apparatus
400 may include the housing 430. The housing 430 may
include an outer wall 436 and an inner wall 438. The outer wall 436 may be
analogous to the
outer wall 336. The outer wall 436 may include threads that engage with
internal threads of
the collar 420. The inner wall 438 may be analogous to the upper wall 333.
Thus the outer
and inner walls 436, 438 may form a channel 440, which may be analogous to the
channel
340. In addition, the outer and inner walls 436, 438 may extend below the
channel 440, as
shown. The outer and inner walls 436, 438 may extend to or near the bottom of
the
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increased-diameter section of the collar 420. Threads on the outside of the
outer wall 436
may extend along the entire length of the outer wall 436, or they may
partially extend
therealong. An element 439 may connect the outer and inner walls 436, 438. The
element
439 may extend radially as shown and in between the outer and inner walls 436,
438. The
element 439 may in part define the channel 440. A lower space below the
element 439 may
be created, such as a lower channel similar to the channel 440, or in some
embodiments this
lower space may be filled in. The element 439 may extend circumferentially
around the axis,
either continuously or discontinuously, for example below the channel 440.
[0120]
The housing 430 may include an upper tip or edge 432 and one or more
receiving shafts 434 having one or more ribs 435 and bottoms 437, which may be
analogous
to the upper edge 332 and receiving shafts 334 having ribs 335 and bottoms
337,
respectively. As shown, the ribs 435 may extend below corresponding bottoms
437.
[0121]
The apparatus 400 may include a leveling frame 450. The frame 450 may
be analogous to other leveling frames described herein, such as the frames 50,
150, 250
and/or 350. The frame 450 may include a shield or fin 454, which may be
analogous to other
fins described herein, such as the fin 54 and/or 354. The fin 454 may be
received into the
channel 440.
[0122]
The frame 450 may include one or more locking blocks 452, which may
be analogous to other locking blocks described herein, such as the locking
blocks 52, 152
and/or 352. The locking blocks 452 may extend axially downward as oriented for
a shorter
length as compared to the locking blocks 352.
[0123]
The frame 450 may include one or more internal flanges 458 and/or an
inner ring 459, which may be analogous to the internal flanges 358 and inner
ring 359,
respectively. The locking blocks 452 may extend from corresponding flanges 458
of the
frame 450. The ring 459 may include openings 456, which may be analogous to
the
openings 356.
[0124]
The frame 450 may include one or more actuation apertures 460 having
internal threads 462. The actuation aperture 460 may be analogous to other
actuations
apertures described herein, such as the actuation aperture 60, 160, 260 and/or
360. The
apertures 460 may receive a leveling member 470, as further described, which
may engage
with the threads 462.
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101251
The apparatus 400 may include a strain holder 461 having a flange 463, a
lip 465 and openings 464, which may be analogous to the holder 361 having the
flange 363,
lip 365 and openings 364.
101261
The apparatus 400 may include one or more leveling members 470, which
may be analogous to the leveling members 70, 170 and/or 370. The leveling
member 470
may include a head 472 and shaft 474 with a tool receiving portion 476, which
may be
analogous to the other heads and shafts of leveling members described herein,
for example
the heads 72, 172, 372 and shafts 74, 174, 374 respectively. The head 472 of
the leveling
member 470 may include an end portion 473, a middle portion 475 and a bottom
portion 477,
which may be analogous to the end portion 373, the middle portion 375 and the
bottom
portion 377. The space created by the differences in relative diameters of the
end, middle
and bottom portions 473, 475, 477 may receive a plate 480 therein, as further
described, for
preventing axially upward and/or downward movement of the leveling member 470.
The
plate 480 may be analogous to the plate 380. Further detail of the plate 480
is described
herein, for example with respect to FIG. 17D.
101271
The apparatus 400 may be assembled with a variety of approaches, such as
those described herein with respect to assembly of the apparatus 300. The
apparatus 400
may be adjusted by adjustment of the leveling members 472, for example similar
to
adjustment of the leveling members 372 as described with respect to the
apparatus 300.
101281 Referring to
FIG. 17D, an embodiment of the plate 480 installed in the
apparatus 400 is shown. The plate 480 may include two prongs 481 extending
(when
assembled) radially inward as shown. The prongs 481 may define a channel 483,
which may
be a radial groove in the plate 480. The plate 380 may comprise the channel
483
therethrough having a first width, which may be smaller than a second width of
the end
portion 373 of the leveling member 370. The channel 483 may receive therein
the reduced-
diameter middle portion 475 of the leveling member head 472, for example to
prevent or
reduce axial movement of the leveling member 470. The enlarged-diameter end
and bottom
portions 473, 477of the head 472 may contact the prongs 481, and/or other
portions of the
plate 480, and thereby prevent the leveling member 470 from moving axially.
The plate 480
may include flexible tab 485 extending radially outward therefrom (when
installed). The tab
485 may flex outward and thereby bias the plate 480 radially inward. The plate
480 may sit
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within a groove or space above the bottom 437 and/or in between surrounding
ribs 435. The
plate 480 may be biased to stay in that position by the tab 485 pressing
against other features
of the apparatus 400, such as the collar 420 or housing 430. The plate 480 may
be formed of
metal, alloy, plastic, polymer, composites, other suitable materials, or
combinations thereof.
The plate 480 may be analogous to the plate 380 and/or plate 580, which is
further described
herein.
[0129]
FIGS. 18A-18C are various views of another embodiment of an adjustable
drain apparatus 500. FIG. 18A is a perspective view of the apparatus 500 and
FIGS. 18B and
18C are cross-section views of the apparatus 500 as taken along the line 18B-
18B as
indicated in FIG. 18A. In addition or alternatively to the description below,
the apparatus
500 may be analogous to other drain apparatuses described herein, such as the
apparatuses
100, 100', 100", 300 and/or 400.
[0130]
Referring to FIG. 18A, the apparatus 500 may include a cover 505 and an
outer raising core or outer housing 530A, and/or a holder 461. The cover 505
and outer
housing 530A may be analogous to the cover 305 and housings 330, 430,
respectively. The
cover 505 may include a lip 506, attachment 507, and openings 509, which may
be analogous
to the lip 306, attachment 307 and openings 309, respectively.
[0131]
Referring to FIGS. 18B and 18C, the apparatus 500 may include a grate
510, a collar 520, an inner housing 530, a holder 561, and a frame 550, which
may be
analogous to the grates 310, 410, the collars 320, 420, the housings 330, 430,
the holders
361, 461, and the frames 350, 550, respectively. The grate 510 may include an
opening 511
and attachment openings 512 and 514, which may be analogous to the openings
311, 411 and
the attachment openings 312, 412 and 314, 414, respectively.
[0132]
The collar 520 may include a cylindrical section having an outward extend
flange and downward extending lip at the upper end, as shown. External threads
of the lip of
the collar 520 may provide an engagement feature for the outer housing 530A.
In some
embodiments, the collar 520 may include an internal lip, as shown, for example
to butt up
against a drain pipe.
[0133]
The apparatus 500 may include the outer and inner housings 530A, 530B.
The outer housing 530A may include an outer wall 536 forming a reduced
diameter section
below an increased-diameter section, as shown. In some embodiments, the
diameters may be
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the same or the relation reversed. The outer wall 536 may have an edge 532 and
may be
analogous to the outer walls 336, 436 having edges 332, 432. The outer wall
536 may
include internal threads that engage with external threads of the inner
housing 530B. The
outer housing 530A may be adjustable, for example it may ride on the collar
520.
[0134] The inner
housing 530B may have a circumferential outer wall, e.g.
cylindrical or generally cylindrical, that may be analogous to the upper wall
333. The inner
housing 530B may be adjustable, for example it may adjust on the outer housing
530A. The
inner housing 530B may carry the frame 550 that can be adjusted, as further
described. The
inner housing 530B may include one or more receiving areas or receiving shafts
534 which
may be analogous to the receiving shafts 334, 434. The receiving shaft 534 may
include a
bottom 537, which may be analogous to the bottoms 337, 437. The receiving
shaft 534 may
include a wall 535 extending circumferentially to define a local axis and/or
opening therein,
such as a receiving channel 540. The wall 535 may extend to the bottom 537.
The wall 535
may have a variety of other shapes, including square, rectangular, segmented,
etc. The wall
535 may be closed off on the sides as shown or it may have side openings.
[0135]
The inner housing 530B may include the one or more receiving shafts 534
each defining a receiving channel 540 therein. The receiving channel 540 may
be analogous
to the channel 40. The receiving channels 540 may receive therein
corresponding locking
blocks 552, as further described. The channels 540 may each include a groove
538 and one
of the bottoms 537 located at or near the bottoms thereof. The channels 540
may each
receive a corresponding plate 580, which may be analogous to the plates 380,
480. The
grooves 538 may be radially outward spaces or recesses within the channels 540
configured
to receive an expanded plate 580 therein, as further described. The grooves
538 may be
located above the bottoms 537.
[0136] The apparatus
500 may include a leveling frame 550. The frame 550 may
be analogous to other leveling frames described herein, such as the frames 50,
150, 250, 350
and/or 450. The frame 550 may sit on top of the inner housing 530B, either
directly or with
intermediate structures, fittings, etc. As the frame 550 is adjusted, the
frame 550 may move
relative to the inner housing 530B.
[0137] The frame 550
may include one or more locking blocks 552, which may
be analogous to other locking blocks described herein, such as the locking
blocks 52, 152,
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352 and/or 452. The locking blocks 552 may extend axially downward as oriented
for a
shorter, longer or similar length as compared to the locking blocks 352, 452.
The locking
blocks 552 may extend into the corresponding receiving channel 540. In some
embodiments,
the locking blocks 552 may not extend into the corresponding receiving channel
540.
[0138] The frame 550
may include one or more internal flanges 558 and/or an
inner ring 559, which may be analogous to the internal flanges 358, 458 and
inner rings 359,
459, respectively. The locking blocks 552 may extend from corresponding
flanges 558 of the
frame 550. The ring 559 may include openings 556, which may be analogous to
the
openings 356, 456.
[0139] The frame 550
may include one or more actuation apertures 560 having
internal threads 562. The actuation aperture 560 may be analogous to other
actuations
apertures described herein, such as the actuation aperture 60, 160, 260, 360
and/or 460. The
apertures 560 may receive a leveling member 570, as further described, which
may engage
with the threads 562.
[0140] The apparatus
500 may include a strain holder 561 having a flange 563, a
lip 565 and openings 564, which may be analogous to the holders 361, 461
having the
flanges 363, 463, lips 365, 465 and openings 364, 464, respectively.
[0141]
The apparatus 500 may include one or more leveling members 570, which
may be analogous to the leveling members 70, 170, 370 and/or 470. The leveling
member
570 may include a head 572 and shaft 574 with a tool receiving portion 576,
which may be
analogous to the other heads and shafts of leveling members described herein,
for example
the heads 72, 172, 372, 472 and shafts 74, 174, 374, 474, respectively. The
head 572 of the
leveling member 570 may include an end portion 573, a middle portion 575 and a
bottom
portion 577, which may be analogous to the end portion 573, the middle portion
575 and the
bottom portion 577. The bottom portion 577 may be a flange or radially outward
lip as
shown. The space created by the differences in relative diameters of the end,
middle and
bottom portions 573, 575, 577 may receive the plate 580 therein, as further
described, for
preventing axially upward and/or downward movement of the leveling member 570.
The
plate 580 may be analogous to the plates 380, 480.
[0142] The apparatus
500 may be assembled with a variety of approaches, such as
those described herein with respect to assembly of the apparatuses 300, 400.
The housings
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530A, 530B of the apparatus 500 may be assembled differently from the
apparatuses 300,
400. For example, the outer housing 530A may be threaded onto the collar 520
and then the
inner housing 530B may be threaded into the outer housing 530A, or vice versa.
Further, for
example, the plates 580 may be inserted axially into the channels 540 and
secured inside the
grooves 538 within the channels 540. The plates 580 may be compressed to fit
within the
channel 540 and then expand into the groove 538 to secure therein. The
leveling members
570 may be inserted axially into the channels 540, either before or after
engagement with the
locking blocks 552.
101431
The apparatus 500 may be adjusted by adjustment of the leveling members
570, for example similar to adjustment of the leveling members 372, 472 as
described with
respect to the apparatuses 300, 400. Thus the frame 550, and therefore the
grate 510, may
translate, rotate, etc. to a desired orientation by selective rotation of one
or more of the
leveling members 570.
101441
FIG. 19 is a partial cross-section view of an adjustable apparatus 600 that
may be used with adjustable drains or other apparatuses, such as manhole
covers, etc. In
addition or alternatively to the description below, the apparatus 600 may be
analogous to
other adjustable apparatuses described herein, such as the apparatuses 100,
100', 100", 300,
400, 500 and/or 700.
101451
The apparatus 600 may include a collar 620 and a housing 630, which may
be analogous to the collars and housings described herein, for example the
collars 320, 420,
520 and housings 330, 430, 530, respectively. The collar 620 may couple with a
manhole
riser or other feature. In some embodiments, the collar 620 may be a manhole
riser. The
collar 620 may include an outer wall 620A and an inner wall 620B. The outer
and inner
walls 620A, 620B may have external threads on outer surfaces thereof.
[0146] The housing
630 may include an outer wall 636A and an inner wall 636B.
The outer and inner walls 636A, 636B may extend axially downward from a top
portion
636C. The outer and inner walls 636A, 636B may have internal threads on inner
surfaces
thereof. The outer and inner walls 636A, 636B may engage the outer and inner
walls 620A,
620B of the collar 620, respectively. Other mechanical features may be used
for securing the
collar 620 to the housing 630, such as friction fit, threads on only one or
the other wall 636A,
636B, latches, plates, etc. The housing 630 may include a stop 631. The stop
631 may be a
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spring-loaded pin extending through the outer wall 636A and biased to move
toward the
outer wall 620A of the collar 620. The outer wall 620A may include an inward
recess on an
outer surface thereof, or an opening extending therethrough, at a particular
location along the
threads of the outer wall 620. The stop 631 may be received into the recess or
opening of the
outer wall 620A and thereby prevent further rotation of the housing 630
relative to the collar
620. The stop 631 may be retracted to farther thread the two parts, either in
the reverse
direction or continuing the same direction for example to separate the housing
630 and collar
620. The stop 631 may be used to limit upward movement of the housing 630
relative to the
collar 620. For example, for uses of the apparatus 600 involving heavy and/or
large features
with large weights, such as manhole risers etc., there may be a minimum thread
engagement
required between the housing 630 and the collar 620. The location of the
recess or opening
that receives the stop 631 may be located along the thread grooves, for
example threads of
the outer wall 620A, to ensure adequate thread engagement to support the
weight of the
housing 630. The stop 631 therefore provides a limit to rotation and acts as a
warning for
assemblers of the apparatus 600 against further disengagement of the housing
630 from the
collar 620.
[0147]
The housing 630 may include a channel 640 defined by wall 636D. The
wall 636D may form an opening that defines the channel 640 therein, which may
be open at
the top. The wall 636D may extend downward from the top portion 636C, across
at a lower
portion thereof, and back up to the top portion 636C. The wall 636D may extend
downward
farther or shorter than is shown in the figure. In some embodiments, the
channel 640 may
allow for portions of a frame 650 to move therein, as further described. The
wall 636D and
outer wall 636A may define a space therebetween in which the outer wall 620A
of the collar
620 is received, as shown. This may be a friction or interference fit, or
there may be no
interference. In some embodiments, the radially outer surface of the wall 636D
that faces the
outer wall 636A may include outer threads that engage inner threads of the
outer wall 620A.
[0148]
The apparatus 600 may include a locking block 652. The locking block
652 may be composed of an upper locking block segment 652A and a lower locking
block
segment 652B. The housing 630 may include the lower locking block segment
652B. The
segment 652B may be attached to the outside of the outer wall 636A. The
segment 652B
may include a wall extending radially outward from the outer wall 636A and
then radially
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inward back to the outer wall 636A to form an opening therein. The segment
652B may have
an opening at the top, forming an axial or generally axial opening into the
segment 652B
from the top. The bottom of the segment 652B may be closed, for example with a
bottom
therein (not visible in the figure), and that may be similar to the bottoms
described herein
such as the bottoms 337, 437, 537. The segment 652B may receive therein a
leveling
member 670 or portion thereof.
[0149]
The apparatus 600 may include the frame 650. The frame 650 may be
analogous to the other frames described herein. The frame 650 may sit on top
of the housing
630. The frame 650 may include a fin 654 that extends axially downward
therefrom. The fin
654 may be analogous to the other fins described herein. The fin 654 may be
received into
the channel 640 and configured to move within the channel 640 as the frame 650
is adjusted.
[0150]
The frame 650 may include the upper locking block segment 652A. The
segment 652A may be located on the outside of the frame 650. The segment 652A
may have
a similar outer shape as the lower segment 652B. The segment 652A may include
an
actuation aperture 660 having internal threads 662. The actuation aperture 660
may be
analogous to the other actuation apertures described herein, such as the
actuation apertures
60, 160, 260, 360, 460 and/or 560. The segment 652A may be configured to
axially align
with the lower segment 652B when assembled. The aperture 660 may be aligned
with the
opening of the lower segment 652B. The aperture 660 of the segment 652A may
receive
therein the leveling member 670 or portion thereof. There may be multiple
segments 652A,
652B located circumferentially around the apparatus 600, for example one, two,
three, four,
five or more pairs of the segments 652A, 652B.
[0151]
The apparatus 600 may include one or more of the leveling members 670,
which may be analogous to the various leveling members described herein. There
may be
one leveling member 670 per pair of segments 652A, 652B. The leveling member
670 may
include a head 672, shaft 674, and tool receiving portion 676, which may be
analogous to
other heads, shafts, and tool receiving portions described herein. The shaft
674 may include
external threads that engage the internal threads 662 of the aperture 660. The
shaft 674 of the
leveling member 670 may engage the segment 652A from the bottom so that the
head 672 or
portion thereof (and possibly part of the shaft 674) protrudes from the bottom
of the segment
652A. The head 672 may contact the bottom of the segment 652B. The bottom of
the
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segment 652B may limit and prevent downward axial movement of the leveling
member 670
relative to the housing 630. In some embodiments, the head 672 may couple with
features of
the segment 652B, such as a plate located therein, which may be analogous to
other plates
described herein, or an inner annular groove of segment 6528 allowing for
rotation of the
head 672 while preventing axial movement. There may be a gap 652C formed in
between
the segments 652A and 652B when the frame 650 is assembled on top of the
housing 630. In
some embodiments, the shaft 674 (and possible part of the head 672) may
protrude into the
gap 652C when assembled. A tool such as a wrench may engage the tool receiving
portion
676 and rotate the leveling member 670 inside the aperture 660. The frame 650
may then
move up or down due to rotation of the leveling member 670, as described
herein. The
housing 630 may remain stationary. Thus, the frame 650 may be moved upward or
downward relative to the housing 630, for example to remove or install the
frame 650 onto
the housing 630. A manhole cover 601 or other feature may be attached to the
frame 650
such that removal of the frame 650 will cause removal of the manhole cover 601
or other
feature. In some embodiments a cover or lid analogous to the other covers
described herein,
such as the covers 305, 505, may be used with the apparatus 600, for example
to cover the
entire apparatus 600 or portions thereof such as the housing 630, for instance
to bury the
apparatus 600 and dig up later. Such cover may be separate and used as a
structural cover for
the housing 630, and the housing 630 with cover may be dug up after asphalt is
installed and
then the manhole device/housing 630 may be installed with the remaining
portions of the
apparatus 600.
[0152]
FIGS. 20A-20C are various views of another embodiment of an adjustable
drain apparatus 700. FIG. 20A is a perspective view of the apparatus 700 and
FIGS. 18B and
18C are cross-section views of the apparatus 700. In addition or alternatively
to the
description below, the apparatus 700 may be analogous to other drain
apparatuses described
herein, such as the apparatuses 100, 100', 100", 300, 400 and/or 500.
[0153]
Referring to FIG. 20A, the apparatus 700 may include a cover 705 and a
housing 730. The apparatus 700 may be assembled with a collar 720, such as hub
pipe
adapter. The cover 705 and housing 730 may be analogous to the cover 305 and
housings
330 respectively. The cover 705 may include a lip 706, attachment 707, and
openings 709,
which may be analogous to the lip 306, attachment 307 and openings 309,
respectively.
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[0154]
Referring to FIGS. 20B and 20C, the apparatus 700 may include a grate
710, the collar 720, the housing 730, a frame 550, and a holder 761 (which may
be integral
with the frame 750), which may be analogous to the grates 310, 410, the
collars 320, 420, the
housings 330, 430, the frames 350, 550, and the holders 361, 461 respectively.
The grate 710
may include an opening 711 and attachment openings 712 and 714, which may be
analogous
to the openings 311, 411 and the attachment openings 312, 412 and 314, 414,
respectively.
[0155]
The collar 720 may include a cylindrical section with internal threads that
provide an engagement feature for corresponding external threads of the
housing 730. A
lower cylindrical section of the collar 720 may couple with a drain pipe to
fluidly connect the
apparatus 700 with the pipe.
[0156]
The apparatus 700 may include the housing 730, which may be analogous
to the housing 330. The housing 730 may include a lower wall 731 and an inner
upper wall
733, which may be analogous to the walls 331, 333. The lower and upper walls
731, 733
may be connected by an angled segment or portion 731B, which may be analogous
to the
portion 331B. The housing 730 may have a circumferential outer wall 736, e.g.
cylindrical
or generally cylindrical, that may be analogous to the outer wall 336. The
housing 730 may
include the outer wall 736 forming a reduced diameter section below an
increased-diameter
section, as shown. In some embodiments, the diameters may be the same or the
relation
reversed. The outer wall 736 may have an edge 732 and may be analogous to the
outer walls
336, 436 having edges 332, 432. The outer wall 736 may include internal
threads and/or
external threads, such as at and/or near the bottom cylindrical section of the
housing 730.
The housing 730 may be adjustable, for example it may ride on the collar 720
by engaging
the external threads of the housing 730 with the internal threads of the
collar 720. The
housing 730 may comprise therein a plurality of receiving areas 734, each
receiving area
having a bottom 737, which may be analogous to the receiving areas 334 and
bottoms 337.
[0157]
The apparatus 700 may include a leveling frame 750. The frame 750 may
be analogous to other leveling frames described herein, such as the frames 50,
150, 250, 350,
450, and/or 550. The frame 750 may sit on top of the housing 730, either
directly or with
intermediate structures, fittings, etc. As the frame 750 is adjusted, the
frame 750 may move
relative to the housing 730.
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[0158]
The frame 750 may include one or more locking blocks 752, which may
be analogous to other locking blocks described herein, such as the locking
blocks 52, 152,
352 and/or 452. The locking blocks 752 may extend axially downward as oriented
for a
shorter, longer or similar length as compared to the locking blocks 352, 452.
The locking
blocks 752 may extend downward from the frame 750 as oriented when installed
with the
apparatus 700.
[0159]
The frame 750 may include one or more internal flanges 758 and/or an
inner ring 759, which may be analogous to the internal flanges 358, 458 and
inner rings 359,
459, respectively. The locking blocks 752 may extend from corresponding
flanges 758 of the
frame 750. The ring 759 may include openings 756, which may be analogous to
the
openings 356, 456.
[0160]
The frame 750 may include one or more actuation apertures 760 having
internal threads 762. The actuation aperture 760 may be analogous to other
actuations
apertures described herein, such as the actuation aperture 60, 160, 260, 360,
460 and/or 560.
The apertures 760 may receive a leveling member 770, as further described,
which may
engage with the threads 762.
[0161]
The apparatus 700 may include a strain holder 761 having a flange 763, a
lip 765 and openings 764, which may be analogous to the holders 361, 461
having the
flanges 363, 463, lips 365, 465 and openings 364, 464, respectively. As shown,
in some
embodiments, the holder 761 may be integral with the frame 750.
[0162]
The apparatus 700 may include one or more leveling members 770, which
may be analogous to the leveling members 70, 170, 370, 470 and/or 570. The
leveling
member 770 may include a head 772 and shaft 774 with a tool receiving portion
776, which
may be analogous to the other heads and shafts of leveling members described
herein, for
example the heads 72, 172, 372, 472, 572 and shafts 74, 174, 374, 474, 574
respectively.
The head 772 of the leveling member 770 may include an end portion 773 and a
middle
portion 775, which may be analogous to the end portion 773 and middle portion
775. The
space created by the differences in relative diameters of the end and middle
portions 773, 775
and the lower end of the locking block 752 may receive a plate 780 therein,
for preventing
axially upward and/or downward movement of the leveling member 770. The plate
780 may
be analogous to the plates 380, 480, 580. The plate 780 may have a central
engagement
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portion 781 for engaging the leveling member 770. The plate 780 may have the
central
engagement portion 781 with a ridge 782, which may be annular, that extends
from the
central engagement portion 781 to the bottom 737 on which the plate 780 sits.
The central
engagement portion 781 may include a series of rounded tabs or elements to
complement
surfaces of the head 772 of the leveling member 770 with which the plate 780
engages to
prevent movement. In some embodiments, the plates 780 may be inserted into the
respective
receiving area 734 either internally or externally. For example, the plates
780 may be
inserted externally from the outside of the housing 730 through openings in
the housing 730
and into the corresponding receiving area 734.
101631 The apparatus
700 may include a shield or fin 754. The fin 754 may be a
separate part of the apparatus 700, or it may be part of other components,
such as part of the
frame 750. The fin 754 may be analogous to other fins described herein, such
as the fin 54,
354. The fin 754 may extend circumferentially about the axis and axially down
into the
channel 740 of the housing 730. The fin 754 may include a lip 754A. The lip
754A may be
located at or near a top portion of the fin 754. The lip 754A may extend
transversely to the
fin 754, for example horizontally as shown. The lip 754A may provide a cover
for the
channel 740 to prevent debris from entering. The lip 754A may provide a
support for other
features of the apparatus 700, such as for the frame 750. In some embodiments,
the holder
761 rests on the fin 754, such as on the lip 754A. The fin 754 may or may not
be connected
to the frame 750 or other features. In some embodiments, the fin 754 is
connected to the
frame 750 such that movement of the frame 750 creates corresponding movement
of the fin
754. The housing channel 740 may be wider than all or portions of the fin 754
such that the
fin 754 can be angled within the channel 740, for example as the frame 750 is
adjusted and/or
after the frame 750 is adjusted. In some embodiments, the lip 754A may limit
the amount of
any angling of the fin 754 within the channel 740.
[0164]
The apparatus 700 may be assembled with a variety of approaches, such as
those described herein with respect to assembly of the apparatuses 300, 400
and/or 500. The
apparatus 700 may be adjusted by adjustment of the leveling members 770, for
example
similar to adjustment of the leveling members 372, 472, 572 as described with
respect to the
apparatuses 300, 400, 500. Thus the frame 750, and therefore the grate 710,
may translate,
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rotate, etc. to a desired orientation by selective rotation of one or more of
the leveling
members 770.
[0165]
The terms "approximately", "about", and "substantially" as used herein
represent an amount or characteristic close to the stated amount or
characteristic that still
performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the
terms
"approximately", "about", and "substantially" may refer to an amount that is
within less than
10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1%
of, and within
less than 0.01% of the stated amount or characteristic.
[0166]
Although the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments has
shown, described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the
inventions, it will be
understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of
the detail of the
apparatus as illustrated as well as the uses thereof, may be made by those
skilled in the art,
without departing from the spirit of the inventions.
[0167]
Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an
embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic
described in
connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus,
appearances
of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places
throughout this
specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the
particular features, structures or characteristics of any embodiment described
above may be
combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill
in the art
from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.
[0168]
Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above description of
embodiments, various features of the inventions are sometimes grouped together
in a single
embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the
disclosure and
aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects.
This method of
disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that
any claim require
more features than are expressly recited in that claim. Rather, as the
following claims reflect,
inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer than all features of any
single foregoing
disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are
hereby
expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim
standing on its own as
a separate embodiment.
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