Device for providing improved drainage

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11180908-B2
Application number	US-201916583918-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 26, 2019
Priority date	Aug 12, 2016
Publication date	Nov 23, 2021
Grant date	Nov 23, 2021

Abstract

An overflow assembly for a bathtub includes an elbow having a first threaded section and a retainer nut having a second corresponding threaded section. The retainer nut is configured to threadably mount onto the elbow. The overflow assembly further includes an overflow cover including at least one overflow opening and at least one vent opening defined therein. The overflow cover is configured to engage with the retainer nut and substantially cover the first threaded section and the retainer nut.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An overflow assembly for a bathtub comprising:
an elbow comprising a first threaded section;
a retainer nut comprising a second corresponding threaded section and a plurality of radially extending lugs, wherein at least one of the plurality of radially extending lugs has a first circumferential length, and wherein the retainer nut is configured to threadably mount onto the elbow with a bathtub wall therebetween; and
an overflow cover comprising:
an enclosed first end;
an open second end;
a wall extending between the first end and the second end that is engageable with the plurality of radially extending lugs;
at least one overflow opening; and
at least one vent opening disposed proximate the second end, wherein the at least one vent opening has a second circumferential length that is greater than the first circumferential length.

2. The overflow assembly of claim 1 , wherein when the overflow cover is engaged with the retainer nut, the retainer nut is disposed within the overflow cover and a gap is formed between the overflow cover and the retainer nut so that air can flow out of the elbow and through the at least one vent opening.

3. The overflow assembly of claim 1 , wherein when the overflow cover is engaged with the retainer nut, the retainer nut is disposed within the overflow cover and at least partially blocking the at least one vent opening.

4. The overflow assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one vent opening has a depth and the retainer nut has a thickness, and wherein the depth of the at least one vent opening is less than the thickness of the retainer nut.

5. The overflow assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one vent opening is only partially defined within the overflow cover.

6. The overflow assembly of claim 5 , wherein the at least one vent opening has a substantially arcuate shape.

7. The overflow assembly of claim 1 , wherein the overflow cover comprises an interior surface with an inwardly extending projection disposed proximate the second end, wherein the projection is configured to frictionally engage with the plurality of radially extending lugs.

8. The overflow assembly of claim 7 , wherein the second end comprises a mounting surface and the projection is offset from the mounting surface, and wherein a depth of the at least one vent opening is less than or equal to the offset between the mounting surface and the projection.

9. The overflow assembly of claim 7 , wherein the at least one overflow opening is disposed between the projection and the first end.

10. The overflow assembly of claim 1 , wherein when the overflow cover is engaged with the retainer nut, the at least one vent opening is formed between the bathtub wall and the overflow cover.

11. An overflow cover comprising:
a face having an interior surface;
a substantially cylindrical exterior wall extending from the face, wherein an end of the exterior wall defines a mounting surface that is configured to be positioned against a bathtub wall when the overflow cover is mounted over an overflow port, and wherein an interior chamber is defined by the interior surface of the face and the exterior wall;
at least one overflow opening at least partially defined by the exterior wall; and
at least one fin extending from the interior surface of the face and completely within the interior chamber, wherein the at least one fin extends from and is directly attached to the exterior wall and terminates at a tip that is offset from the exterior wall.

12. The overflow cover of claim 11 , wherein the at least one fin is curved.

13. The overflow cover of claim 11 , wherein the at least one fin comprises two fins, with each fin having a different height from the interior surface of the face.

14. The overflow cover of claim 11 , wherein the at least one fin comprises two fins, with each fin having a substantially similar height from the interior surface of the face.

15. The overflow cover of claim 11 , wherein the interior surface of the face comprises an at least partially textured surface.

16. The overflow cover of claim 11 , further comprising at least one vent opening.

17. An overflow cover comprising:
a face;
a wall extending from the face, wherein an end of the wall opposite the face defines a mounting surface that is configured to be positioned proximate a bathtub when the overflow cover is mounted to an overflow port, and wherein the wall includes at least one projection extending from the wall and offset from the mounting surface;
at least one overflow opening at least partially defined by the wall; and
at least one vent opening having a recess formed on the mounting surface and extending towards the face, wherein the at least one vent opening extends from the mounting surface to a depth that is less than or equal to the offset of the at least one projection.

18. The overflow cover of claim 17 , wherein the overflow cover is sized and shaped to be mounted to the overflow port using a retainer nut that engages the overflow port, and wherein the at least one projection engages the retainer nut when the overflow cover is mounted to the overflow port.

19. The overflow cover of claim 17 , wherein the at least one overflow opening is substantially opposite of the at least one vent opening on the wall.

Assignees

• Wcm Ind Inc

Inventors

• Ball William T
• Pilarczyk Eric

Classifications

• E03C1/232

  combined with overflow devices (overflow devices for basins or baths per se E03C1/24) · CPC title

• E03C1/244 Primary

  Separate devices to be placed on the outlet opening · CPC title