IP Library Granted Patent US 12,188,216
Granted Patent B2
US 12,188,216 · App. 18/466,317 · Granted Jan 7, 2025

Wastewater drain stopper system

Inventors: William Ball (Colorado Springs, CO); Eric Pilarczyk (Colorado Springs, CO)
Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
E03C1/262E03C1/2302
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,188,216
App. No.
18/466,317
Granted
Jan 7, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A wastewater drain assembly that includes a selectively openable drain stopper. The wastewater drain assembly is interconnected to a fluid basin wherein a flange, which is interconnected to wastewater plumbing, is situated within the sink. The flange receives an insert that has a portion that conceals the flange.

Claims (28)

1. A wastewater drain system comprising:

a ball rod;

a body comprising a first end, an opposite second end, and an opening positioned between the first end and the second end, wherein at least a portion of the ball rod is receivable through the opening;

an insert configured to cover a sink flange, the insert positioned at the first end of the body; and

a stem slidingly disposed at least partially within a hub of the insert and comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end comprises a stopper and the distal end is coupled to the portion of the ball rod received within the body, wherein the ball rod is configured to actuate the stem, and wherein actuating the stem causes the stopper to engage or disengage the insert.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a threaded lower portion threadingly coupled to the distal end of the stem, wherein the threaded lower portion is coupled to the portion of the ball rod received within the body and extends between the stem and the ball rod.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein a length between the stopper and the ball rod is adjustable via the threaded lower portion.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a seal attached to the stopper such that the seal is positioned between the stopper and the insert.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising the sink flange positioned at the first end of the body, wherein the first end of the body is threaded and the sink flange is threadingly coupled to the first end.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising the sink flange positioned at the first end of the body, wherein the sink flange is integrated with the first end of the body.

7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising the sink flange positioned at the first end of the body, wherein the insert further comprises an insert flange, and wherein the insert flange is glued to the sink flange.

8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising the sink flange positioned at the first end of the body, wherein the insert further comprises an insert flange and an annular insert wall, and wherein the insert wall selectively couples to the sink flange, the first end of the body, or a combination thereof.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the insert wall threadingly couples to the sink flange.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the insert wall couples to an inner surface of the first end of the body with a seal member.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the seal member is an O- ring.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hub defines a substantially cylindrical opening for receipt of the stem.

13. A wastewater drain system comprising:

a ball rod;

a body comprising a first end, an opposite second end, and an opening positioned between the first end and the second end, wherein at least a portion of the ball rod is receivable through the opening;

an insert for a sink flange, the insert positioned at the first end of the body; and

a stem slidingly disposed at least partially within a hub of the insert and comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end comprises a stopper and the distal end is coupled to the portion of the ball rod received within the body, wherein the ball rod is configured to actuate the stem, and wherein actuating the stem causes the stopper to engage or disengage the insert.

14. The system of claim 13 , further comprising a threaded lower portion threadingly coupled to the distal end of the stem, wherein the treaded lower portion comprises an opening configured to receive at least a portion of the ball rod.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the threaded lower portion adjusts a length between the stopper and the ball rod.

16. The system of claim 13 , further comprising a seal attached to the stopper.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the ball rod is configured to actuate the stem between a first position that engages the seal against the insert preventing fluid flow through the insert and the body, and a second position that separates the seal from the insert allowing fluid flow through the insert and the body.

18. The system of claim 13 , wherein the stopper is threadingly coupled to the proximal end of the stem.

19. The system of claim 13 , wherein the insert further comprises a strainer element.

20. The system of claim 13 , further comprising the sink flange positioned at the first end of the body, wherein the insert is selectively coupled to the sink flange, the first end of the body, or a combination thereof.

Continuity (6)
Continuation 17649480 · Jan 31, 2022
Continuation 17104785 · Nov 25, 2020
Continuation 16280158 · Feb 20, 2019
Division 15171642 · Jun 2, 2016
Provisional Application 62171656 · Jun 5, 2015
Related Publication 20240003127A1 · Jan 4, 2024
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