Easy drain installation assembly for bath or shower

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11459740-B2
Application number	US-202017117253-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 10, 2020
Priority date	Apr 17, 2020
Publication date	Oct 4, 2022
Grant date	Oct 4, 2022

Abstract

A drain assembly includes a drain body and an expanding assembly. The drain body defines an axis and includes a first flange extending away from an inner surface of the drain body toward the axis and a second flange extending away from the inner surface of the drain body toward the axis. The expanding assembly is positionable within the drain body between the first flange and the second flange. The expanding assembly includes a lattice body and a fastener. The lattice body is positionable between the first flange and the second flange and a portion of the lattice body defines an aperture extending therethrough. The fastener is adjustably coupled to the lattice body at the aperture. The fastener is configured to be adjusted relative to the lattice body such that the expanding assembly applies an axial force to the first flange and the second flange.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A drain assembly comprising:
a drain body defining an axis, the drain body comprising:
a first flange extending away from an inner surface of the drain body toward the axis; and
a second flange extending away from the inner surface of the drain body toward the axis; and

an expanding assembly positionable within the drain body between the first flange and the second flange, the expanding assembly comprising:
a lattice body positionable between the first flange and the second flange, a portion of the lattice body defining an aperture extending therethrough; and
a fastener adjustably coupled to the lattice body at the aperture, the fastener configured to be adjusted relative to the lattice body such that the expanding assembly applies an axial force to the first flange and the second flange.

2. The drain assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lattice body further comprises a support structure extending toward the axis, the support structure having body for receiving a toe tap centered on the axis.

3. The drain assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a tailpiece configured to be received by the drain body, the tailpiece comprising a tailpiece flange configured to interface with the second flange, the second flange preventing axial movement of the tailpiece in a direction away from a groove of the drain body along the axis when the tailpiece is positioned within the drain body.

4. The drain assembly of claim 3 , further comprising a sealing member, the sealing member positioned about the tailpiece between the second flange and the tailpiece flange, the sealing member configured to sealingly engage between the tailpiece and the drain body when the expanding assembly applies an axial force to the first flange and the second flange.

5. The drain assembly of claim 1 , wherein the drain body further defines an outer surface, the drain body comprising a third flange extending away from the outer surface proximate an end of the drain body.

6. The drain assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the first flange defines a first flange diameter; and
the lattice body defines a plurality of lugs extending radially away from the lattice body, the plurality of lugs defining a lug diameter greater than the first flange diameter.

7. The drain assembly of claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of guidance channels extending axially through the first flange, the plurality of guidance channels configured to receive the plurality of lugs.

8. The drain assembly of claim 6 , further comprising a groove positioned between the first flange and the second flange, the groove configured to receive the plurality of lugs and configured to prevent translation of the lattice body in a direction toward the second flange along the axis.

9. A drain assembly comprising:
a drain body comprising an inner surface that defines a central axis, the inner surface further defining a body diameter, the drain body comprising:
a first flange extending inwardly toward the central axis and defining a first diameter less than the body diameter; and
a second flange extending inwardly toward the central axis and defining a second diameter less than the first diameter;

an expanding assembly positioned between the first flange and the second flange, the expanding assembly configured to apply a force to both the first flange and the second flange in opposite directions; and
a tailpiece comprising a tailpiece flange, the tailpiece flange defining a flange diameter greater than the second diameter and less than the first diameter, the tailpiece flange biased toward the second flange when the expanding assembly applies the force between the first flange and the second flange.

10. The drain assembly of claim 9 , wherein the expanding assembly comprises:
a lattice body having a plurality of lugs;
an aperture extending through the lattice body; and
a fastener threadingly coupled to the aperture and configured to extend through the aperture.

11. The drain assembly of claim 10 , wherein the lattice body further comprises a support structure extending toward the central axis, the support structure having a body centered on the central axis, the body configured for receiving a toe tap.

12. The drain assembly of claim 9 , wherein the first flange includes a plurality of guidance channels extending through the first flange and interrupting the first flange, the plurality of guidance channels configured to receive the expanding assembly.

13. The drain assembly of claim 12 , wherein the drain body further comprises a groove positioned between the first flange and the second flange, the groove contiguous with the plurality of guidance channels.

14. A drain assembly comprising:
a drain body comprising:
an inner surface defining a groove that extends circumferentially about the drain body; and
a body flange extending away from the inner surface of the drain body toward a central axis; and

an expanding assembly positionable within the groove, the expanding assembly comprising:
a lattice body comprising a lug extending radially away from the lattice body in a direction generally away from the central axis, the lattice body defining an aperture therethrough proximate to the lug; and
a fastener adjustably coupled to the lattice body and configured to extend through the aperture.

15. The drain assembly of claim 14 , wherein the lattice body further comprises a support structure extending toward the central axis, the support structure having a body centered on the central axis, the body configured for receiving a toe tap.

16. The drain assembly of claim 14 , further comprising a tailpiece configured to be positioned within the drain body, the tailpiece comprising a tailpiece flange positionable between the groove and the body flange, the body flange configured to prevent axial movement of the tailpiece in a direction generally away from the drain body along the central axis when the tailpiece flange is positioned within the drain body.

17. The drain assembly of claim 16 , further comprising a sealing member positioned between the body flange and the tailpiece flange, the sealing member compressed between the tailpiece flange and the body flange when the expanding assembly is expanded, the sealing member configured to form a sealing engagement between the drain body and the tailpiece.

18. The drain assembly of claim 17 , wherein the fastener extends through the aperture of the lattice body and engages the tailpiece flange to bias the tailpiece flange toward the body flange and compress the sealing member.

19. The drain assembly of claim 14 , further comprising guidance channels contiguous with the groove and configured to receive the lug of the lattice body.

20. The drain assembly of claim 14 , wherein the lattice body is rotatable within the groove about the central axis.

Assignees

• Kohler Co

Inventors

• Stout Kenneth L

Classifications

• F16L5/08

  by means of axial screws compressing a ring or sleeve · CPC title

• E03C1/23

  with mechanical closure mechanisms · CPC title

• E03C1/20 Primary

  Connecting baths or bidets to the wastepipe · CPC title

• F16L5/10

  by using sealing rings or sleeves only · CPC title

• A47K3/001 Primary

  Accessories for baths, not provided for in other subgroups of group A47K3/00; Insertions, e.g. for babies; Tubs suspended or inserted in baths; Security or alarm devices; Protecting linings or coverings; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting baths; Bath insulation · CPC title