Method and apparatus for assembling and sealing bathtub overflow and waste water ports
First Claim
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1. A method for conducting a fluid leakage test on a fluid system comprising a bathtub which has a bottom and adjacent side and end walls, and an overflow port in an end wall, with the bottom having a waste water port, and with the overflow port and the waste water port being in communication with a primary drain system, comprising, placing a thin diaphragm over the overflow port and the waste water port, charging the primary drain system with fluid to conduct the leakage test, purging the primary drain system from fluid, and opening the diaphragms to thereafter permit the flow of fluid through the overflow port and the waste water port.
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Abstract
A bathtub drainage and overflow system assembly is a combination of a one-piece overflow pipe and a waste water drain assembly connected by a T-shaped elbow. The one-piece overflow pipe has an inverted L-shape having an elbow portion. A lip extends radially outwardly from an outer surface of the overflow pipe to engage an outer surface of the bathtub end wall around the bathtub overflow port. A thin diaphragm is used to close the inlet to fluid flow. The waste water drain has an L-shaped drain pipe having an annular flange resting on a bottom wall of the bathtub.
124 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method for conducting a fluid leakage test on a fluid system comprising a bathtub which has a bottom and adjacent side and end walls, and an overflow port in an end wall, with the bottom having a waste water port, and with the overflow port and the waste water port being in communication with a primary drain system, comprising,
placing a thin diaphragm over the overflow port and the waste water port, charging the primary drain system with fluid to conduct the leakage test, purging the primary drain system from fluid, and opening the diaphragms to thereafter permit the flow of fluid through the overflow port and the waste water port.
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7. An overflow fitting for a bathtub which has a bottom and adjacent side and end walls, a waste water port in the bottom and an overflow port in an end wall, comprising:
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an overflow pipe with an inverted L-shape having an elbow portion defining an upper end portion and a lower end portion, the upper end portion having an outer end defining an inlet being adapted to fit through the bathtub overflow port;
threads on an outer surface of the upper end portion and surrounding the inlet and normally extending through the bathtub overflow port;
a lip extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the overflow pipe between the elbow portion and the upper end portion and being spaced from the inlet to engage an outer surface of the bathtub end wall around the bathtub overflow port; and
a thin diaphragm sealed to the outer end of the upper end portion to close the inlet to fluid flow, a generally L-shaped drain pipe having a hollow upstanding portion with an open upper end and a horizontal portion with an open inner end with the upstanding and horizontal portions being connected by an L-shaped portion;
placing a horizontal flange around the upper end of the upstanding portion;
a horizontal flange around the upper end of the upstanding portion, external threads on an outside surface of the upstanding portion, the waste water port has a diameter greater than a diameter of the upstanding portion but less than a diameter of the flange so that the flange engages a portion of the bathtub around the drain opening;
the open inner end of the horizontal portion extending downwardly through the waste water port, a threaded lock washer with an internally threaded center bore extends over the inner end of the horizontal portion wherein the center bore of the lock washer has a diameter greater than an outside diameter of the horizontal portion, the L-shaped portion and the upstanding portion;
the lock washer extending over the L-shaped drain pipe and engages the external threads on the upstanding portion and is tightened against a portion of the tub around and underneath the drain opening in the tub to seal the flange tightly against the tub around the waste water port.
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8. A sealing system for a bathtub which has a bottom and adjacent side and end walls, an overflow port in an end wall and a waste water port, the bottom, comprising:
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an overflow pipe with an inverted L-shape having an elbow portion defining an upper end portion and a lower end portion, the upper end portion having an outer end defining an inlet being adapted to fit through the bathtub overflow port;
threads on an outer surface of the upper end portion and surrounding the inlet and normally extending through the bathtub overflow port;
a lip extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the overflow pipe between the elbow portion and the upper end portion and being spaced from the inlet to engage an outer surface of the bathtub end wall around the bathtub overflow port;
a thin diaphragm sealed to the outer end of the upper end portion to close the inlet to fluid flow;
a generally L-shaped drain pipe having an upper end extending through the waste water port and having an annular flange, a non-threaded inner end, and a threaded portion near the upper end, such that the annular flange, covered by a flat planar membrane of continuous construction that dwells in a single plane, rests on the bottom wall of the bathtub;
a lock washer over the inner end of the drain pipe on the threaded portion and threadably tightening the lock washer against a lower surface of the bottom wall of the bathtub.
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Specification
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Current AssigneeWCM Industries Incorporated
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Original AssigneeWCM Industries Incorporated
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InventorsBall, William T.
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Granted Patent
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Time in Patent OfficeDays
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Field of Search
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US Class Current4/680
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CPC Class CodesA01C 11/003 for aquatic plants; for pla...B25B 13/48 for special purposesE03C 1/22 Outlet devices mounted in b...E03C 1/24 Overflow devices for basins...E03F 3/046 Open sewage channels
