IP Library Granted Patent US 11,047,126
Granted Patent B1
US 11,047,126 · App. 16/715,780 · Granted Jun 29, 2021

Adjustable drain assembly and retrofit kit for adjustable drain assembly

Inventor: Michael J. Whiteside (Chicago, IL)
Assignee: MI-FAB Manufacturing LLC
E03F5/0407E03C1/22E03F5/041E03F2005/0413E03F2005/0415
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,047,126
App. No.
16/715,780
Granted
Jun 29, 2021
Kind
B1
Abstract

An adjustable drain assembly for adjusting the level and pitch of the frame so that, after installation, the frame can be adjust so that the strainer is level or flush with the finished floor surface. A retrofit kit for combining with a preexisting head already installed in a floor to provide an adjustable drain assembly is also disclosed.

Claims (32)

1. A structure positioned adjacent to a floor surface for connecting to a drain pipe, the structure comprising:

a head having an opening leading to an inside surface defining a passageway, the inside surface having a tab extending therefrom, the tab disposed below and in spaced apart relation to the opening;

a leveling member having a head with a with slots defined therein for turning the leveling member, the leveling member supported by the tab and configured and arranged to be displaceable in a first direction relative to the tab;

a frame having an upper surface and a lower surface, the frame having a bracket extending downward and inward from the lower surface, the bracket having a distal portion configured and arranged to attach the frame to the leveling member at a position below the head of the leveling member.

2. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the leveling member further comprises the head having a first diameter, a shank having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion having a diameter greater than the first portion such that a groove is formed between the second portion and the head, the groove configured and arranged to engage with the distal portion of the bracket on the frame.

3. The structure of claim 1 , further comprising a strainer positioned adjacent the top surface of the frame.

4. The structure of claim 3 , wherein the strainer has an access opening defined therein, at least a portion of the leveling member being aligned with the access opening.

5. The structure of claim 3 , wherein the frame is substantially ring-shaped and further comprises a rim surrounding the top surface, the rim forming a shoulder for receiving the strainer.

6. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the head has a threaded shank and a flange portion extending outwardly from the shank.

7. The structure of claim 6 , further comprising a collar having an internal surface having internal threads configured and arranged to engage with the threaded shank on the head such that the head threadingly engages with the collar and is capable of displacement relative to the collar.

8. The structure of claim 7 , further comprising a lower body configured and arranged to receive the collar, the lower body defining a passageway therethrough.

9. The structure of claim 8 further comprising a drain pipe secured to the lower body.

10. The structure of claim 1 , further comprising a cover configured and arranged to removably attach to the frame during installation.

11. A drain assembly, comprising:

a head having a threaded shank and having an upstream opening leading to an inside surface defining a passageway, the inside surface having a tab extending therefrom, the tab disposed below and in spaced apart relation to the upstream opening;

a leveling member having a head with a with slots defined therein for turning the leveling member, the leveling member supported by the tab and configured and arranged to be displaceable in a first direction relative to the tab;

a frame having an upper surface and a lower surface, the frame having a bracket angled downward and inward from the lower surface, the bracket having a distal portion configured and arranged to attach the frame to the leveling member at a position below the head of the leveling member;

a collar having an internal surface having internal threads configured and arranged to engage with the threaded shank on the head such that the head threadingly engages with the collar and is capable of displacement relative to the collar;

a lower body configured and arranged to receive the collar, the lower body defining a passageway therethrough; and,

a drain pipe secured to the lower body.

12. The drain assembly of claim 11 , wherein the leveling member further comprises the head having a first diameter, a shank having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion having a diameter greater than the first portion such that a groove is formed between the second portion and the head, the groove configured and arranged to engage with the distal portion of the bracket on the frame.

13. The drain assembly of claim 11 , further comprising a strainer positioned adjacent the top surface of the frame.

14. The drain assembly of claim 13 , wherein the strainer has an access opening defined therein, at least a portion of the leveling member being aligned with the access opening.

15. The drain assembly of claim 11 , wherein the frame is substantially ring-shaped and further comprises a rim surrounding the top surface, the rim forming a shoulder for receiving the strainer.

16. A retrofit kit for use with a head positioned adjacent to a floor surface for connecting to a drain pipe, the kit comprising:

a base ring having an opening defined therein, the base ring configured and arranged to attach to the head, the base ring having an upper surface and a lower surface, a tab supported below the lower surface of the base ring, the tab disposed below and in spaced apart relation to the opening;

a leveling member having a head with a with slots defined therein for turning the leveling member, the leveling member supported by the tab and configured and arranged to be displaceable in a first direction relative to the tab;

a frame having an upper surface and a lower surface, the frame having a bracket angled downward and inward from the lower surface, the bracket having a distal portion configured and arranged to attach the frame to the leveling member at a position below the head of the leveling member.

17. The kit of claim 16 , wherein the leveling member further comprises the head having a first diameter, a shank having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion having a diameter greater than the first portion such that a groove is formed between the second portion and the head, the groove configured and arranged to engage with the distal portion of the bracket on the frame.

18. The kit of claim 16 , further comprising a strainer positioned adjacent the top surface of the frame.

19. The kit of claim 18 , wherein the strainer has an access opening defined therein, at least a portion of the leveling member being aligned with the access opening.

20. The kit of claim 18 , wherein the frame is substantially ring-shaped and further comprises a rim surrounding the top surface, the rim forming a shoulder for receiving the strainer.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 16, 2019
From: WHITESIDE, MICHAEL J.
To: MI-FAB MANUFACTURING LLC
Reel/Frame 051296/0226 →
Cited By (6)
US 1,124,271 US 1,144,783 US 12,227,932 US 12,460,402 US 12,559,945 US 12,674,324