Drain plug linkage device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9593472-B2
Application number	US-201514692900-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 22, 2015
Priority date	Apr 22, 2014
Publication date	Mar 14, 2017
Grant date	Mar 14, 2017

Abstract

A drain plug linkage device ( 100 ) comprises a pull rod assembly ( 10 ) including a pull rod ( 1 ) and a link rod ( 2 ) operatively connected with each other; a lever member ( 3 ); and an engagement mechanism ( 6 ). One of the link rod ( 2 ) and the lever member ( 3 ) comprises a plurality of through-holes ( 21 ) and has the engagement mechanism ( 6 ) slidably mounted thereon, and the other one of the link rod ( 2 ) and the lever member ( 3 ) is configured to be inserted through one of the through-holes ( 21 ) and includes a plurality of axially-spaced circumferential ridges ( 32 ) and recesses ( 33 ) defined between the circumferential ridges ( 32 ). The engagement mechanism ( 6 ) is configured, when sliding into a position of engaging with the recess ( 33 ), to prevent the other one of the link rod ( 2 ) and the lever member ( 3 ) from being axially displaced with respect to the through-hole ( 21 ).

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A drain plug linkage device, comprising:
a drain plug;
a pull rod assembly including a pull rod and a link rod operatively connected with each other;
a lever member having a first end operatively connected with the link rod, and a second end configured to operate the drain plug;
an engagement mechanism;
wherein the link rod comprises a plurality of through-holes and has the engagement mechanism slidably mounted thereon;
wherein the lever member is configured to be inserted through one of the plurality of through-holes and includes a plurality of axially-spaced circumferential ridges, a vertically longitudinal ridge and a horizontally longitudinal ridge, wherein a pair of top recesses are defined between adjacent circumferential ridges of the plurality of axially-spaced circumferential ridges; and
wherein the engagement mechanism is configured, when sliding into a position of engaging with the pair of top recesses, to prevent the lever member from being axially displaced with respect to the through-hole through which the lever member is inserted.

2. The drain plug linkage device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of through-holes each have a greater size than the first end of the lever member.

3. The drain plug linkage device according to claim 1 , wherein the engagement mechanism comprises a rear wall, a front wall, two side walls, and a longitudinal through-hole defined by the rear wall, the front wall, and the side walls, wherein the link rod is configured to be inserted through the longitudinal through-hole.

4. The drain plug linkage device according to claim 3 , wherein the rear wall comprises a first opening and the front wall comprises a second opening, and the rear wall is configured to engage into the pair of top recesses.

5. The drain plug linkage device according to claim 4 , wherein the first opening of the rear wall defines a pair of first engagement sides with a first distance between the pair of first engagement sides, and a pair of second engagement sides with a second distance between the pair of second engagement sides, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.

6. The drain plug linkage device according to claim 5 , wherein a pair of snapping protrusions is arranged at a lower portion of the pair of second engagement sides.

7. The drain plug linkage device according to claim 3 , wherein the link rod has a pair of longitudinally arranged tracks, and the rear wall of the engagement mechanism forms a concave feature which defines a first guiding channel and a second guiding channel for receiving the pair of tracks in the longitudinal through-hole.

8. The drain plug linkage device according to claim 1 , wherein the link rod comprises an elastic stopping member for preventing the engagement mechanism from being detached.

9. The drain plug linkage device according to claim 1 , further comprising a pivot assembly comprising a sleeve means and a spherical portion pivotably arranged in the sleeve means, wherein the spherical portion is fixedly attached to or integral with the lever member between the first end and the second end of the lever member.

10. The drain plug linkage device according to claim 9 , wherein the spherical portion has a pair of substantially vertical planes, and the sleeve means has corresponding flat sections.

11. The drain plug linkage device according to claim 9 , further comprising an elastically deformable snapping means fixedly attached to or integral with the pivot assembly.

12. The drain plug linkage device according to claim 11 , wherein the snapping means comprises a pair of elastically deformable tabs, each having a flange and a press portion.

13. The drain plug linkage device according to claim 1 , wherein the vertically longitudinal ridge and the horizontally longitudinal ridge form a cross-shaped cross section such that a pair of bottom recesses are defined between adjacent circumferential ridges of the plurality of circumferential ridges.

Assignees

• Xiamen Lota Int Co Ltd
• La Vida Ind Co Ltd

Inventors

• Ye Liming
• Zhang Yan
• Zhou Jianping

Classifications

• E03C1/2302 Primary

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