Device and method for concealing a flange of a waste water strainer

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022090366-A1
Application number	US-202117541487-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 3, 2021
Priority date	Oct 19, 2010
Publication date	Mar 24, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

A device used to conceal at least a portion of a wastewater strainer associated with a bathtub. More specifically, a plate having an opening therethrough is used to overlap a flange of the wastewater strainer wherein the opening in the plate generally coincides with an opening in the wastewater strainer so that the bathtub drain is unobstructed. The plate may include a downwardly extending lip to help facilitate orientation onto the flange of the wastewater strainer. The plate conceals the wastewater strainer, thereby facilitating reconfiguration of a bathtub as the existing wastewater strainer need not be removed and the plumbing system retested.

First claim

1 .- 20 . (canceled)

21 . A concealing device for a wastewater strainer, the concealing device comprising:
a plate of a wastewater strainer comprising:
an outer edge defining an external diameter of the plate;
a lip extending from the outer edge;
an opening extending through the plate; and
a ring extending in a direction parallel to the lip, the ring having a ring diameter smaller than the external diameter; and
a flange of the wastewater strainer configured to engage with at least one of the lip of the plate or the ring of the plate such that the plate obscures the flange.

22 . The concealing device of claim 21 , wherein the flange is configured to frictionally engage with the lip of the plate.

23 . The concealing device of claim 21 , wherein the flange is configured to engage with the ring to align the plate with the flange.

24 . The concealing device of claim 21 , wherein the ring is a first ring and the ring diameter is a first ring diameter, and wherein the plate further comprises a second ring with a second ring diameter different from the first ring diameter.

25 . The concealing device of claim 24 , wherein the first ring and the second ring are concentrically positioned about the plate.

26 . The concealing device of claim 25 , wherein the first ring is concentrically positioned with the lip about the plate.

27 . The concealing device of claim 21 , wherein the flange includes a flange outer edge defined by a flange diameter, and wherein the flange diameter is smaller than the external diameter of the plate.

28 . The concealing device of claim 27 , wherein the flange outer edge of the flange is configured to engage with the ring of the plate.

29 . The concealing device of claim 21 , wherein the lip extends further from the plate than the ring.

30 . The concealing device of claim 21 , further comprising an adhesive configured to be placed between the plate and the flange.

31 . A concealing device for a wastewater strainer, the concealing device comprising:
a plate of a wastewater strainer comprising:
an outer edge defining an external diameter of the plate;
an opening extending through the plate, the opening defining an interior edge defining an internal diameter of the plate; and
a set of tabs extending from the interior; and
a strainer comprising a body with a strainer opening, the strainer opening configured with at least one crossed member to engage with the set of tabs of the plate.

32 . The concealing device of claim 31 , wherein the set of tabs are removable from the plate.

33 . The concealing device of claim 31 , wherein the set of tabs includes at least two tabs.

34 . The concealing device of claim 31 , wherein the set of tabs is comprised of a flexible material.

35 . The concealing device of claim 34 , wherein the set of tabs are splayed in a direction extending away from the internal diameter and toward the lip of the plate.

36 . The concealing device of claim 35 , wherein the set of tabs flexes toward internal diameter when the set of tabs is engaged with the opening of the body of the strainer.

37 . The concealing device of claim 31 , wherein the set of tabs is a plurality of tabs and wherein the plurality of tabs are spaced evenly about the internal diameter of the plate.

38 . A concealing device for a wastewater strainer, the concealing device comprising:
a plate of a wastewater strainer comprising:
an outer edge defining an external diameter of the plate;
an opening extending through the plate, the opening defining an interior edge defining an internal diameter of the plate; and
a bellows portion extending from the interior edge; and
a strainer comprising a body with a strainer opening configured with at least one crossed-member to engage with the bellows portion of the plate.

39 . The concealing device of claim 38 , wherein the bellows portion of the plate is configured to compress when engaging with the at least one crossed member in the straining opening of the strainer.

40 . The concealing device of claim 38 , wherein the bellows portion includes a plurality of openings such that a fluid may flow through the openings.

Assignees

• Wcm Ind Inc

Inventors

• Ball William T

Classifications

• E03C1/262 Primary

  combined with outlet stoppers · CPC title

• Y10T156/10

  Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor · CPC title

• E03C1/26

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

• Y10T29/49826

  Assembling or joining · CPC title

• A47K1/14

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