Device for concealing a plate associated with overflow plumbing.

DEVICE TO HIDE A PLATE ASSOCIATED WITH REBOSE PLUMBING

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention generally refer to devices for concealing a portion of an overflow plumbing of a bathtub. One embodiment of the present invention, specifically, employs a cover that

<td>hide a</td><td>plate</td><td>overflow</td><td>existing,</td><td></td><td>which enables</td>

<td>alterations</td><td>selective or</td><td colspan="2">repairs in</td><td>the</td><td>plumbing</td>

<td>overflow</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>The</td><td>plumbing</td><td>overflow</td><td>Commonly</td><td colspan="2">Is associated with</td>

<td>tubs for</td><td colspan="2">contain fluids</td><td colspan="2">The systems</td><td>overflow</td>

They provide an access point for drain cleaning and can help solve substantial overfilling of the tub. Bathtubs, for example, employ overflow assemblies comprised of an overflow pipe that is associated with an outlet port of the bathtub and that is interconnected to a side wall of the bathtub. An overflow plate conceals the exit port. The overflow plate includes at least one fluid flow opening that allows water to flow from the tub to the overflow pipe if the need arises.

Frequently, you want to change the look and feel of a bath. One way to achieve this is to change the plumbing fixtures associated with the bathtub, sink, etc. For example, one may wish to change an existing faucet and related plumbing components from a nickel plated finish to a chrome plated finish, or vice versa. This task may seem simple, but it is often laborious, and, as someone skilled in the art will appreciate, it may require that all, or portions of, the plumbing system associated with the bathtub, wash, etc., be retested. For example, attention is directed to US Patent No. 5,890,241 for Ball 10 (Ball I) which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The Ball I provides an overflow plumbing system that has an overflow pipe that is associated with a bath that has a cover plate interconnected to the overflow pipe by means of at least one fastener. Fasteners cooperate with associated reinforcements by the reboce pipe to keep the cover in place. The Ball I overflow system is mainly aligned with the outer portion surface of the bathtub, and as a result, a sleeve 20 that engages an inner surface of the tub and the overflow pipe is required to keep the overflow pipe in its place. Someone of skill in the art will appreciate that alignment of the sleeve and the overflow pipe is difficult when the overflow pipe is located behind the wall of the bathtub and is generally out of sight and difficult to access. In addition, the interconnection of the screw to the reinforcements of the overflow pipe is difficult, since adjustments cannot easily be made. Thus, replacing the overflow plates commonly found in many bathrooms is often very difficult, time-consuming and expensive.

This difficulty in replacing existing cover plates has been solved by leaving it in one place and hiding it with a supplementary cover. For example, attention is directed to US Patent No. 6,138,298 for Ball (Ball II), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The Ball II describes a cover that has a snap integrated into an inner surface thereof. To install, the clasp slides at least partially into a fluid opening associated with the existing overflow plate. The snaps hold the cover in place that hides the existing plate while maintaining an opening that allows fluid to flow from the bathtub to the overflow pipe. A disadvantage with Ball is that the clasp may fail or become loose over time, allowing the cover to slide with respect to the overflow plate. In addition, the clasp somehow obstructs the fluid opening provided by the existing overflow plate, which can decrease the flow rate of fluid to the overflow pipe. Finally, the Ball II device may not be adjusted to fit many overflow plates.

Thus, there has been a need for a long time to provide a device for concealing an overflow plate that is easy to install, does not interfere with the flow characteristics of the overflow system, and is universal in nature, that is, conceals the Overflow plates of various shapes, sizes and styles.

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a device for concealing a cover plate of an overflow system. More specifically, the overflow systems of certain bathtubs are comprised of an overflow pipe having a plate for association with the outer surface of a bathtub. A sleeve is interconnected to the overflow pipe where an inner surface of the sleeve and the plate are firmly engaged in the bath to keep the overflow pipe in place. That is, the wall of the bathtub is placed between the inner surface of the sleeve and the plate, thus securing the overflow pipe to the bathtub. To hide the opening associated with the overflow pipe, an overflow plate is included that is interconnected with the sleeve and / or the overflow pipe by means of at least one screw or other clamping mechanism. Someone of skill in the art will appreciate that with the review of the following, embodiments of the present invention can be used in conjunction with many reboce systems. The overflow plate includes at least one opening that allows fluid from inside the bath to enter the sleeve and the overflow pipe when the level of the liquid in the bath reaches a predetermined level 5.

An embodiment of the present invention is an overflow plate cover having an outer surface with a wall extending therefrom. The wall includes an opening that aligns with the fluid opening 10 of the overflow plate to maintain the passage of fluid from inside the bath to the overflow pipe. The contemplated cover is associated with the overflow plate by means of a retention plate, which will be described in greater detail below.

In operation, the fasteners, which interconnect the overflow plate to the overflow pipe, are released to allow the overflow plate to be removed from the bathtub wall. Then, the retention plate is placed between the overflow plate and the bathtub wall. The fasteners are secured to fix the retention plate between the overflow plate and the bathtub wall.

One embodiment of the present invention includes a retaining plate with a flange that receives at least one projection associated with the wall of the overflow plate cover to hold the overflow plate cover in place. The overflow plate cover can rotate with respect to the retention plate. To ensure that the fluid passage is not obstructed, a slanted opening or cut in the wall of the overflow plate cover is rotated and generally placed in line with the fluid opening of the overflow plate.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the overflow plate cover is placed with glue or otherwise attached to the wall of the bathtub. The overflow plate cover of this embodiment of the present invention may also include an outer surface and an inner surface with a wall depending on them. The inner surface is separated from an outer surface of the overflow plate. In one embodiment, the wall also includes a flange that extends outwardly or inwardly to receive the link material and is associated with the bathtub wall.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide an overflow plate cover that will hide the overflow plates of various types, sizes and shapes. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that overflow plates are not standard. An embodiment of the present invention in this way is the size and shape to accommodate most, if not all of the overflow plates on the market.

The summary of the invention is not intended nor should be construed as being representative of the entire extent and scope of the present invention. In addition, references made herein to the present invention or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain modalities of the present invention and should not necessarily be construed as limiting the modalities to a particular description. The present invention is set out in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the accompanying drawings and the Detailed Description of the Invention and no limitation on the scope of the present invention is intended either by the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements. , components, etc., in this Summary of the Invention. Additional aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the Detailed Description, particularly when taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description of the invention given in the foregoing and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of these inventions.

Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a typical bathtub;

Figure 2 is a partial sectional view of Figure 1 showing an overflow system;

Figure 3 is a detailed view of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is an elevation view showing other embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention employing an upper retention plate and a lower retention plate; and Figure 7 is a perspective view of Figure 6 associated with an overflow plate.

To assist with the understanding of the present invention, the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein;

<td> #</td><td>Component</td>

<td> 2</td><td>Overflow pipe</td>

<td> 6</td><td>Side wall</td>

<td> 10</td><td>Bathtub</td>

<td> 14</td><td>License plate</td>

<td> 22</td><td>Sleeve</td>

<td> 26</td><td>Inner surface</td>

<td> 30</td><td>Inner surface</td>

<td> 34</td><td>Screw</td>

<td> 38</td><td>Exit port</td>

<td> 42</td><td>Overflow plate</td>

<td> 46</td><td>Outer surface</td>

<td> 50</td><td>Opening</td>

<td> 54</td><td>Overflow Plate Cover</td>

<td> 58</td><td>outer surface</td>

<td> 62</td><td>Wall</td>

<td> 66</td><td>Opening</td>

<td> 70</td><td>Retention plate</td>

<td> 74</td><td>Flange</td>

<td> 154</td><td>Overflow Plate Cover</td>

<td> 162</td><td>Wall</td>

<td> 166</td><td>Opening</td>

<td> 170</td><td>Flange</td>

<td> 174</td><td>Inner surface</td>

<td> 178</td><td>Upper retention plate</td>

<td> 182</td><td>Bottom retention plate</td>

<td> 186</td><td>Retention tab</td>

<td> 190</td><td>Eyelash</td>

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain cases, details that were not cited to understand the invention or that make other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

Referring now to Figures 1-3, an overflow system of the prior art is shown. More specifically, an overflow pipe 2 is associated with a side wall 6 and a bathtub 10. The overflow pipe 2 includes a plate 14 that splices against an outer surface of the bathtub 10. A sleeve 22 having a surface 26 inside is spliced ​​against a bottom surface 30 of the bath wall 6 to ensure that the overflow pipe 2 to the bath 10. The sleeve 22 is associated with the overflow pipe 2 by a threaded interconnection, a friction fit, or any other common connection scheme. To hide an outlet port 38 associated with the overflow pipe 2, an overflow plate 42 is used that uses the screw 34 to interconnect to the sleeve 22 and / or the overflow pipe 2. The overflow plate 42 includes an outer surface 46 that conceals the outlet port 38 of the bath 10 and a fluid opening 50 that allows the fluid to flow into the bath 10 and into the overflow pipe 2. An overflow cover plate 54 is used to hide the overflow plate 42. Someone of skill in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present invention discussed below are not limited to incorporation on the overflow system shown in Figure 1 and can be used in conjunction with many overflow systems.

Referring now specifically to Figure 4, an embodiment of the overflow plate cover 54 of the present invention is shown which includes an outer surface 58 having a wall 62 which depends thereon. Although shown as cylindrical, someone skilled in the art will appreciate that the overflow plate cover 54 can be of any shape and can be formed of any material or finish. The wall 62 includes at least one opening 66 that aligns therethrough with fluid opening 50 of the overflow plate 42. Someone skilled in the art will appreciate that the opening 66 may also be a biased cut similar to that of the overflow plate opening 50 shown, thereby increasing the fluid flow capacity of the overflow plate cover.

In operation, a retention plate 70 is placed between the overflow plate 42 and the wall 6 of the bathtub. In operation, the screw 34 or screws associated with the overflow plate 42 are released, although not completely removed, to allow the overflow plate 42 to separate from the wall 6 of the bathtub and the retaining plate 70 inserted between the same. Of course, the screw 34 can be completely removed, but those skilled in the art can appreciate that it can be difficult to reconnect the overflow plate 42. Once the retaining plate 70 is in place, the screw 34 is tightened, thereby securing the retaining plate 70 between it. overflow plate 42 and wall 6 of the bathtub. Then, the overflow plate cover 54 is associated with the retaining plate 70 to hide the overflow plate 42. In one embodiment, the overflow plate cover 54 detachably engages the outer edge of the retaining plate 70. The retaining plate 7 0 may include a flange 74, hooks, retention tabs or other mechanisms that cooperate with projections (not shown) located in the inner portion of the wall 62. Such an interconnection scheme is similar to that shown in US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0117907, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In the embodiment shown, however, the flange 74 holds the retaining plate 70 in place so that it will not fall behind the loose overflow plate 42. Someone skilled in the art will appreciate that the overflow plate cover 54 can be interconnected to the retaining plate 70 in another way, such as by link or with other types of interference fit.

Referring now to Figure 5, another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Thus, the overflow plate cover 154 includes a wall 162, with a flange 170 associated therewith. The flange 170 receives a sealant or other types of adhesives to allow direct bonding to the wall 6 of the bathtub. A disadvantage of this system compared to the embodiment of Figure 4 is that the interconnection is permanent or semi-permanent and can damage the interior surface 30 of the bathtub. Alternatively, an inner surface 174 of the overflow plate cover 154 may include projections that interconnect directly with the outer surface 46 of the overflow plate 42. The overflow plate cover includes an opening 166 that communicates with the opening 50 of the overflow plate 42, as does the overflow plate cover.

Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, another embodiment of the present invention shows that it employs an upper retention plate 178 and a lower retention plate 182 that work together to secure the overflow plate cover 54.

The upper retention plate 178 is selectively interconnected to the lower retention plate 182 where the upper retention plate 17 8 and the lower retention plate 182 employ a series of retention tabs 186 that interconnect with an inner surface of overflow plate cover 54. This interconnection scheme is similar to that described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0117907.

In operation, the screw 34, which is associated with the overflow plate 42, is released, thereby allowing the overflow plate 42 to move away from the side wall 6. The upper retaining plate 178 is then placed between the side wall 6 and overflow plate 42. The lower retention plate 182 is also placed in the free space between the overflow plate 42 and the side wall 6 and is interconnected to the upper retention plate 178. To facilitate the placement of the upper retention plate 178 and the lower retention plate 182, at least one tab 190 can be associated with each of those elements. The tabs 190 can also be used to receive a chain from a drainage closure system with chain / plug.

Accordingly, the tabs 190 may include a hole or a groove that receives the chain. The upper retention plate 178 and the lower retention plate 182 can be interconnected in several ways. Here, a key and slot configuration are provided. Someone of skill in the art will appreciate that although the retention tabs 186 are shown on the upper retention plate 178 and the lower retention plate 182 only one of these members can contain the retention tabs 186 to secure the overflow plate cover . Once the upper retention plate 178 and the lower retention plate 182 are in place, the screw is tightened again which firmly secures the upper retention plate 178 and the lower retention plate 182 between the plate 42 overflow and side wall 6. Finally, the overflow plate cover 54 is selectively and detachably interconnected to the retention plates so that the opening thereof is aligned with the opening 50 of the overflow plate.

The embodiments of the present invention described herein can be incorporated with the inventions described in US Pat. Nos. 5745931, titled Method and Means to Cover the Tab of a Wastewater Driller, 5758368, titled Wastewater Valves for Bathtubs and Similar, 6066119, titled Wastewater Scrubber and Valve, 6148454, titled A Solenoid Control for Drainage of Bathtub Wastewater, 6173459, titled A Control for a Bathtub Wastewater Drainage, 6226806, entitled Wastewater and Similar Water Purifier, 6317906, titled Bathtub Drainage Assembly and Similar, 6418570, titled Drain Closure, 6546573, titled Drain Cover Assembly, 6631623, titled Condensate Drain Attachments and Same Use Methods, 6637050, titled Bath Overflow Assembly and Similar, 6640358, titled Scrubber Assembly for Bathtub Drains and Similar, 6675406, titled Overflow Assembly for Bathtubs and Similar, 6675407, titled Solenoid Activated Bathtub Drain Closure, 6681420, titled Method and Apparatus for Installing a Bathtub Assembly, 6691411, titled Method for Installing a Gasket Assembly

Wastewater Drainage for a Bathtub, 7127752, titled Overflow Assembly for Bathtubs and Similar, 7,451,502, titled Bathtub Drain Closing Assembly, 7503083, US Patent entitled Means for Covering the Tab of a Wastewater Scrubber, 200401003474, titled Cover for Sealing a Bath Overflow Port for Test Purposes, 2004-0117907, entitled Method and Apparatus for Assembling and Sealing Bath Overflow and Residual Bath Ports, 2007-0130689, titled Bathtub Box and Method for Use, 2008-0047060, titled Control for Bathtub Wastewater Drainage, 20070039098, titled Bathtub Drain Closing Assembly, 2008-0196161, US CIP Patent titled Pipe Assembly of Flexible Bath Wastewater for Bathtubs and Similar, 2008-0235866, US Patent CIP entitled Overflow Assembly for Bathtubs and Similar.

This application also relates to various patents and patent applications related to drainage systems for bathtubs and other tubs. More specifically, Publications of US Patent Applications Nos. 2007/0039098, filed on August 19, 2005 and 2008/0047060, filed on August 22, 2006 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61 / 089,692 filed on August 18, 2008. In addition, US Patents Nos. 5,745,931, filed on February 9, 1996; 5,758,368, filed May 21, 1997; 6,148,454, filed March 4, 1999; 6,154,898, filed May 19, 1999; 6,317,906, filed on March 10, 1998; 6,173,459, filed May 26, 1999; 6,226,806, filed on August 2, 2000; 6,640,358, filed on February 6, 2001; 6,418,570, filed on April 4, 2001; 6,546,573, filed July 17, 2002; 6,681,420, filed on December 3, 2002; 6,675,407, filed on November 8, 2002; 7,451,502, filed on August 23, 2005 and 7,503,083, filed on August 23, 2005, also relate to the inventions described herein. All descriptions of each of the references of the technique

<td>previous listed in</td><td colspan="2">previous are incorporated</td><td>in</td><td>the</td>

<td>Present for reference.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>This application</td><td>I also know</td><td>relate</td><td>with</td><td>the</td>

<td>Application Publication</td><td>patent</td><td colspan="2">U.S</td><td>Do not.</td>

<td>2008/0196161, filed on</td><td>April 10th</td><td>of 2008, the</td><td>which one</td><td>I know</td>

It relates to a flexible wastewater pipe, of which the entire description is incorporated herein for reference.

Although several modalities of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of these modalities will be presented to those skilled in the art. In addition, references made herein to the present invention or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain modalities of the present invention and should not necessarily be construed as limiting all modalities to a particular description. However, it will be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.