IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,221,778
Granted Patent B2
US 12,221,778 · App. 17/872,083 · Granted Feb 11, 2025

Pop-up sink drain assembly with overflow knock-out blank band

Inventors: Ken Sapp (Lakeville, MN); DeChang Li (Maspeth, NY)
Assignee: COMPASS MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL, LLC
E03C1/232E03C1/2302
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,221,778
App. No.
17/872,083
Granted
Feb 11, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Sinks have an integral drain overflow protection or a conventional overflow port but not both. Conventional drain assemblies have a body comprising a hollow cylinder having either solid upper body portion or an upper body sidewall portion including an opening. The present invention defines a drain assembly having an upper body sidewall portion including a knock out blank which may be left in place or knocked out for use with either type of sink. A knock-out band can be used in combination with the knock-out drain assembly body to be positioned over the knocked out body hole providing a water tight seal should the user chooses to use the knocked out drain assembly in a sink having a conventional overflow port.

Claims (15)

1. An improved drain assembly of a type having a drain pipe with a longitudinal cylinder containing a lower unthreaded portion, a middle portion with exterior threads, and an upper unthreaded portion terminating with a flange, said longitudinal cylinder having a selected first wall thickness, the improvement consisting of:

said longitudinal cylinder including at least one thinner sidewall portion having a second wall thickness defining a knock-out blank having an exterior blank surface recessed inward compared to an exterior surface of said longitudinal cylinder, and a peripheral groove around said knock-out blank having a third wall thickness thinner than said knock-out blank providing for easy breakage and removal of said knock-out blank; and

a resilient removable knock-out band for covering a knock-out overflow aperture formed from removing said knock-out blank providing a removable water tight seal.

2. The sink drain assembly defined in claim 1 , wherein said longitudinal cylinder includes a plurality of knock-out blanks and said resilient removable knock-out band is configured to cover a plurality of knock-out overflow apertures formed from removing said plurality of knock-out blanks.

3. The sink drain assembly defined in claim 1 , wherein said longitudinal cylinder includes a ridge line formed above and below said knock-out blank to align and position said knock-out band over said knock-out overflow aperture.

4. The improved drain assembly of claim 1 , said knock-out band including a raised area of a corresponding shape and size of said knock-out blank for insertion into and cooperative engagement with said knock-out overflow aperture and for aligning and positioning said knock-out band over said knock-out overflow aperture.

5. The sink drain assembly defined in claim 4 , wherein said knock-out blank is elongated with respect to a horizontal axis.

6. The sink drain assembly defined in claim 4 , wherein said knock-out blank is elongated with rounded corners.

7. The sink drain assembly defined in claim 6 , wherein said knock-out blank is elongated with rounded corners and curved to correspond to a curvature of said longitudinal cylinder.

8. An improved drain assembly of a type having a drain pipe with a longitudinal cylinder having an upper portion terminating with a flange, said longitudinal cylinder having a selected first wall thickness, the improvement consisting of:

said longitudinal cylinder including at least one thinner sidewall portion having a second wall thickness defining a knock-out blank having an exterior blank surface recessed inward compared to an exterior surface of said longitudinal cylinder, and a peripheral groove around said knock-out blank having a third wall thickness thinner than said knock-out blank providing for easy breakage and removal of said knock-out blank;

a resilient removable knock-out band for covering a knock-out opening formed from removing said knock-out blank providing a removable water tight seal, said knock-out band including a raised area of a corresponding shape and size of said knock-out blank for insertion into and cooperative engagement with said knock-out overflow aperture and for aligning and positioning said knock-out band over said knockout overflow aperture.

9. The sink drain assembly defined in claim 8 , wherein said longitudinal cylinder includes a ridge line formed above and below said knock-out blank to align and position said knock-out band over said knock-out overflow aperture.

10. The sink drain assembly defined in claim 8 , wherein said knock-out blank is elongated with rounded corners and curved to correspond to a curvature of said longitudinal cylinder.

11. The sink drain assembly defined in claim 8 , wherein said longitudinal cylinder includes a plurality of knock-out blanks and said resilient removable knock-out band is configured to cover a plurality of knock-out overflow apertures formed from removing said plurality of knock-out blanks.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 31, 2023
From: SAPP, KEN; LI, DECHANG
To: COMPASS MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 062596/0443 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation In Part 17826151 · May 26, 2022
Provisional Application 63231177 · Aug 9, 2021
Related Publication 20230111926A1 · Apr 13, 2023
References Cited (4)
US 4218785A · Crawford · 1980 [cited by examiner]
US 5444183A · Gehrs · 1995 [cited by examiner]
US 10808386B2 · Beck · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 20170260724A1 · Beck · 2017 [cited by examiner]
Cited By (1)
US 1,133,117