Universal sink stopper and strainer

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10722079-B2
Application number	US-201815973260-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 7, 2018
Priority date	May 8, 2017
Publication date	Jul 28, 2020
Grant date	Jul 28, 2020

Abstract

Disclosed are various embodiments for a universal sink stopper and strainer. Various embodiments can include a handle, a first plate, a gasket, a second plate, and a fastener. The first plate can include a first plurality of holes. The gasket can include a second plurality of holes in alignment with the first plurality of holes. The second plate can include a third plurality of holes in alignment with the first and the second plurality of holes. The fastener can extend through the second plate, the gasket, and the first plate to engage the handle.

First claim

Therefore, the following is claimed:

1. A sink stopper, comprising:
a first plate comprising a first plurality of holes;
a gasket comprising a second plurality of holes in alignment with the first plurality of holes;
a second plate comprising a protrusion and a third plurality of holes, wherein the protrusion is shaped to extend through the gasket and the first plate;
a rotatable handle that, when rotated, adjusts an alignment of the third plurality of holes of the second plate with respect to the first and the second plurality of holes, wherein the rotatable handle comprises an internal cavity that is configured to engage with the protrusion of the second plate; and
a fastener extending through the second plate, the gasket, and the first plate to engage the rotatable handle.

2. The sink stopper of claim 1 , wherein the rotatable handle further comprises:
a prong extending from a base of the rotatable handle; and
the internal cavity is configured to receive the fastener.

3. The sink stopper of claim 1 , wherein the gasket further comprises:
a flexible skirt expanding from an inner diameter to an outer diameter; and
a first rim extending along an external, lateral surface of the gasket.

4. The sink stopper of claim 3 , wherein the first rim is located below the inner diameter of the flexible skirt.

5. The sink stopper of claim 1 , wherein the gasket further comprises a lip extending along an interior, lateral surface of the gasket and the first plate is shaped to fit within the lip of the gasket.

6. The sink stopper of claim 1 , further comprising a container attached to a bottom surface of the second plate.

7. The sink stopper of claim 6 , further comprising a biocide placed within the container.

8. The sink stopper of claim 6 , wherein the container is attached to the bottom surface of the second plate by a friction connection between a cavity of the second plate and a surface of a shaft of the container.

9. An apparatus, comprising:
a handle, comprising:
a grip, and
a base, comprising:
a prong extending from the base, and
an internal cavity configured to receive a fastener;

a first plate, comprising:
a first hole centered on a center of the first plate, the first hole comprising an inner edge and an outer edge, and
a second hole;

a flexible gasket, comprising:
a skirt expanding from an inner diameter to an outer diameter;
a first rim extending along an external, lateral surface of the flexible gasket;
a grate, comprising:
a third hole centered on a center of the flexible gasket, and
a fourth hole,

a lip extending along an interior, lateral surface of the flexible gasket at a sufficient distance above the grate to hold the first plate between the lip and the grate, and
a second rim extending along a bottom edge of the flexible gasket;

a second plate configured to fit within the second rim of the flexible gasket, the second plate comprising:
a protrusion extending from a center of the second plate, the protrusion shaped to extend through the third hole of the grate and the first hole of the first plate, and configured to engage the internal cavity of the base, the protrusion comprising:
a fifth hole extending through a center of the protrusion along a longitudinal axis of the protrusion,
a second rim extending along a base of the protrusion, the second rim comprising a notch configured to receive the prong extending from the base of the handle, and
a sixth hole; and

wherein the fastener extends through the fifth hole in the protrusion of the second plate to engage the internal cavity of the handle, thereby joining the second plate to the handle.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising a biocide located within a container.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the flexible gasket is manufactured from a rubber based material.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the flexible gasket is manufactured from a silicone based material.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the first rim is located below the inner diameter of the skirt.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the first rim is located at the inner diameter of the skirt.

15. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the handle, when rotated, moves the sixth hole into or out of alignment with the fourth hole.

16. An apparatus, comprising:
a handle comprising a base, the base comprising:
a prong extending from the base, and
an internal cavity configured to receive a fastener;

a gasket, comprising:
a skirt expanding from an inner diameter to an outer diameter;
a first rim extending along an external, lateral surface of the gasket;
a grate, comprising a first hole centered on a center of the gasket; and
a second rim extending along a bottom edge of the gasket;

a plate configured to fit within the second rim of the gasket, the plate comprising:
a protrusion extending from a center of the plate, the protrusion shaped to extend through the first hole of the grate and configured to engage the internal cavity of the base, the protrusion comprising:
a second hole extending through the protrusion, and
a third rim comprising a gap configured to receive the prong extending from the base of the handle; and

wherein the fastener extends through the second hole in the protrusion of the plate to engage the internal cavity of the handle, thereby joining the plate to the handle.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 , further comprising a container fastened to a bottom surface of the plate.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising a biocide within the container.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the container is fastened to the bottom surface of the plate by a friction connection between a cavity of the plate and a surface of a shaft of the container.

20. The sink stopper of claim 1 , wherein the protrusion comprises an opening that the fastener extends through in order to engage with the rotatable handle.

Assignees

• Danco Inc

Inventors

• Schuster Michael J

Classifications

• E03C1/2306

  the plug being operated by hand contact · CPC title

• E03C2001/2315

  the actuation force created by a turning movement of a handle · CPC title

• E03C1/26

  Object-catching inserts or similar devices for waste pipes or outlets (E03C1/28 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E03C1/2302

  the actuation force being transmitted to the plug via rigid elements · CPC title

• A47K1/14 Primary

  Stoppers for wash-basins, baths, sinks, or the like · CPC title