IP Library Granted Patent US 9,157,220
Granted Patent B2
US 9,157,220 · App. 13/974,690 · Granted Oct 13, 2015

Drain assembly for a bathtub and the like

Inventors: William T. Ball (Colorado Springs, CO); Eric Pilarczyk (Colorado Springs, CO)
Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
E03C1/20E03C1/22E03C1/2306
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,157,220
App. No.
13/974,690
Granted
Oct 13, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A drain assembly including a drain pipe with a threaded portion and a nut is provided. The drain pipe includes a first end, an elbow portion, and a second end. The first end includes an annular flange and the threaded portion. To interconnect the drain assembly to a bathtub, the second end of the drain pipe is inserted through a drain port of the tub until the annular flange abuts a bottom wall of the tub. The nut is then threaded onto the threaded portion of the drain pipe to secure the drain pipe to the bathtub. The second end of the drain pipe is then interconnected to drain plumbing.

Claims (24)

1. A drain assembly adapted for interconnection to a tub having a drain port formed in a bottom wall, the drain port having a diameter, the drain assembly comprising:

a drain pipe including a first portion, a second portion, and an elbow portion positioned between, and integrally connecting, said first portion and said second portion, said first portion including an annular flange and a threaded portion positioned between said annular flange and said elbow portion, wherein said threaded portion, said elbow portion, and said second portion have a diameter that is less than the diameter of the drain port, and wherein said annular flange has a maximum diameter that is larger than the diameter of the drain port; and

a nut configured to threadably engage said threaded portion of said drain pipe to secure said drain pipe to the bottom wall of the tub.

2. The drain assembly of claim 1 , further comprising at least one sealing element positioned between the annular flange and the nut.

3. The drain assembly of claim 1 , wherein said first portion further comprises a lip associated with the inner surface and adjacent to an upper surface of said annular flange.

4. The drain assembly of claim 3 , further comprising a membrane interconnected to said lip.

5. The drain assembly of claim 3 , further comprising a means for accommodating a drain stopper associated with an inner surface of said first portion.

6. The drain assembly of claim 1 , wherein said threaded portion is comprised of a series of blunted threads.

7. The drain assembly of claim 1 , wherein said nut has an upper surface and a lower surface, said surfaces having a frusto-conical shape.

8. The drain assembly of claim 7 , further comprising a seal that is adapted to contact said upper surface and the bottom surface of the bathtub.

9. The drain assembly of claim 8 , wherein said seal includes a bulge on least an upper surface and a lower surface thereof.

10. The drain assembly of claim 1 , further comprising crossbars integrally formed within the first portion of said drain pipe.

11. The drain assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a membrane interconnected directly to the annular flange.

12. A drain elbow adapted for interconnection to a tub having a drain port formed in a bottom wall, the drain port having a diameter, the drain elbow comprising:

a first portion including an annular flange and an externally threaded portion, said annular flange having a maximum diameter that is larger than the diameter of the drain port;

a second portion; and

an elbow portion positioned between, and integrally connecting, said first portion and said second portion, wherein said externally threaded portion is positioned between said annular flange and said elbow portion, and wherein said externally threaded portion, said elbow portion, and said second portion have a maximum diameter that is less than the diameter of the drain port.

13. The drain elbow of claim 12 , wherein said first portion further comprises a lip formed in an upper surface of said annular flange adjacent to an opening of said drain elbow, wherein said lip is configured to receive at least one of a membrane and a strainer body cover.

14. The drain elbow of claim 12 , further comprising a crossbar interconnected to an interior surface of said drain elbow.

15. The drain elbow of claim 14 , wherein said crossbar is integrally formed in said interior surface of said drain elbow.

16. The drain elbow of claim 14 , wherein said crossbar is threadably secured to said interior surface of said drain elbow.

17. The drain elbow of claim 14 , wherein said crossbar is interference fit within said interior surface of said drain elbow.

18. The drain elbow of claim 14 , wherein said crossbar includes a hub having a threaded aperture configured to receive a threaded post of a drain closure.

19. The drain elbow of claim 12 , wherein an interior surface of said first portion includes a concave portion configured to receive a drain closure.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 10, 2014
From: BALL, WILLIAM T.; PILARCZYK, ERIC
To: WCM INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 033929/0213 →
Continuity (6)
Continuation In Part 13726840 · Dec 26, 2012
Continuation In Part 13461422 · May 1, 2012
Continuation In Part 12057660 · Mar 28, 2008
Continuation In Part 10732726 · Dec 10, 2003
Continuation In Part 09954420 · Sep 17, 2001
Related Publication 20130340163A1 · Dec 26, 2013