Title:
STRAINER-STOPPER ASSEMBLY
United States Patent 3727763
Abstract:
A strainer-stopper assembly for location within the usual cylindrical drainage well of a sink, garbage disposer or the like. The assembly includes a resilient annular strainer body adapted for close engagement with the wall of the drainage well. The inner wall of the strainer body is frusto-conical, and a stopper having a frusto-conical outer wall is complementally engaged upon the inner wall of the strainer body. Downward urging of the stopper radially outwardly expands the strainer body into tight, sealing engagement with the adjacent wall of the drainage well.
US Patent References:
Unitary basket strainer and stopper
Wood - April 1958 - 2829380
/1203530.html
Gessler - October 1916 - 1203530
Combination sink stopper and strainer
Ulmer - July 1939 - 2166273
Subsink structure
Loose - November 1935 - 2021410
Drain strainer
Rossman - December 1935 - 2024475
Unitary basket strainer and stopper
Wood - April 1958 - 2829380
/1203530.html
Gessler - October 1916 - 1203530
Combination sink stopper and strainer
Ulmer - July 1939 - 2166273
Subsink structure
Loose - November 1935 - 2021410
Drain strainer
Rossman - December 1935 - 2024475
Application Number:
05/174459
Publication Date:
04/17/1973
Filing Date:
08/24/1971
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
4/287
International Classes:
E03C1/262; E03C1/26; E03F1/00
Field of Search:
4/287 210/163-165
Primary Examiner:
Zaharna, Samih N.
Assistant Examiner:
Granger T. A.
Claims:
I claim
1. In combination with a cylindrical sink drainage well with an inner peripheral wall surface, a strainer-stopper assembly for said sink drainage well, said assembly comprising:
1. In combination with a cylindrical sink drainage well with an inner peripheral wall surface, a strainer-stopper assembly for said sink drainage well, said assembly comprising:
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a strainer-stopper assembly of the type adapted to temporarily stop water from flowing out of a sink or the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Prior art sink stoppers providing an adequate seal are generally made of a resilient material or utilize a resilient O-ring or the like which tends to wear or abrade away an extended period of use. Once appreciable wear occurs the seal is lost.
SUMMARY
According to the present invention, a strainer-stopper assembly is provided which includes a resilient annular strainer body adapted to closely fit against the inner wall of the usual sink drainage well.
The inner wall of the strainer body is frusto-conical, and a stopper having a complemental frusto-conical outer wall is disposed against it. When the stopper is urged downwardly, the resilient strainer body is biased outwardly into tight, sealing engagement with the sink drainage well. The sloping or tapered frusto-conical surfaces enable the stopper to provide a satisfactory seal despite usual progressive wear of the engaged surfaces. In addition, most sink drainage wells are characterized by a conical or inwardly sloping transition conduit portion at the base of the cylindrical upper portion of the sink drainage well. The present strainer body is adapted to rest upon this conical portion. Accordingly, when the strainer body is resiliently urged downwardly by downward pressure upon the stopper, a seal occurs at the bottom of the strainer body as well as at the sides.
Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a conventional double sink, the strainer body of the present invention being illustrated in position in the sink drainage well on the left, both the strainer body and the stopper being illustrated in position in the drainage well on the right;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated a conventional double sink including a pair of basins having sink drainage wells 10 and 12, respectively. Identical numerals are used to designate identical components in the pair of wells 10 and 12.
Each sink drainage well includes a cylindrical inner wall 14 having a peripheral inner wall surface which terminates in a conical transition wall 16 which slopes inwardly and downwardly to a drain pipe portion 18.
The strainer-stopper assembly of the present invention comprises, generally, a solid resilient annular or circular member or strainer sleeve, cup, or body 20 having a cylindrical outer wall 22 characterized by a vertically oriented outer peripheral wall surface made to closely approximate and conform to the size of the cylindrical drainage wall 14. The body 20 is preferably molded of neoprene rubber and is typically approximately 33/4 inches in diameter and 11/8 inches in depth.
The strainer body 20 is characterized by a frusto-conical inner wall 24 having an inner peripheral wall surface which extends or is inclined upwardly and downwardly from the bottom toward the top of the body 20 to define a central drain opening 26 which diminishes in diameter in a downward direction, as will be apparent. The taper or slope of the inner wall 24 is typically 15 degrees from the vertical, with the upper portion of the wall 24 including a circumferential finger depression 28 which facilitates placement and removal of the strainer body 20 relative to the sink drainage well.
The bottom or lower portion of the inner wall 24 includes a circumferential groove 29 which receives a perforated circular strainer member or disk 30 constituting a strainer to keep foreign objects out of the sink drain. The disk 30 may be made of any suitable material, including copper screening or the like, but is preferably made of a rigid molded plastic material such as polyvinyl chloride, with the openings or apertures being formed therein at the time of molding.
The diameter of the disk 30 is preferably made somewhat less than the diameter of the circumferential groove 29 to enable the strainer body 20 to be resiliently compressed for closely fitting it within the sink drainage well. If desired, the disk 30 could be made an integral part of the body 20 by making it of molded rubber with suitable molded-in apertures or drain openings, in which case the apertured portion would be collapsible to facilitate fitting the body 20 within the sink drainage well.
The lower portion of the body 20 which rests upon the transition wall 16 of the sink drainage well is preferably rounded to more nearly approximate the rounded transition between the walls 14 and 16 and thereby provide a closer fit, as indicated at 31 in FIGS. 2 and 3.
A relatively non-yieldable or stopper 32, which is preferably made of a rigid material such as polyvinyl chloride plastic material, defines closure means removably fitted within the drain opening 26 of the strainer body 20. The stopper 32 is generally circular, and includes an upwardly projecting central portion 34 which is flat on top and circumferentially undercut to define a circumferential flange 36. The flange 36 serves as a handle to facilitate placement and removal of the stopper 32.
The stopper 32 includes a frusto-conical outer wall 38 having a peripheral edge surface inclined inwardly and downwardly for complemental engagement upon the frusto-conical inner wall 24 of the strainer body 20, as best illustrated in FIG. 3.
When the stopper 32 is pressed downwardly by the user, or by the hydraulic head of water in the sink above it, the strainer body wall 22 is biased or expanded outwardly to provide a good seal between the stopper 36 and strainer body 20 and also between the body 20 and the drainage well inner wall 14. In addition, when the stopper 32 is pressed downwardly, the lower portion of the body 20 presses against the transition wall 16 of the drainage well and also provides a seal at the bottom of the body 20.
The outward distention of the body 20 against the well inner wall 14 by the stopper 36 tends to prevent the body 20 from moving upwardly, which preserves the seal at the bottom of the strainer body 20.
The slope of the complemental surfaces or walls 38 and 24 of the stopper and strainer body, respectively, provides automatic compensation for abrading or wear of these surfaces and also of the strainer body outer wall 22. As wear occurs, the stopper 34 merely seats lower and lower within the complemental strainer body 20 and maintains the desired seal over long periods of use.
Although the stopper outer wall 38 is shown smooth, it could be provided with continuous circumferential serrations to help maintain it in seated position upon the strainer body 20.
Where the stopper and strainer body are used in connection with the usual garbage disposer, the strainer body is easily removed to place the garbage or other material in the disposer well. In addition, the replacement of the strainer body enables the strainer body to serve as a splash guard when the disposer is in operation. Alternatively, the strainer disk 30 could be removed altogether and the stopper used as the splash guard whenever the disposer is in operation. In that event, the stopper would be cocked slightly to allow water to pass to the disposer.
Various modifications and changes may be made with regard to the foregoing detailed description without departing from the spirit of the invention.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a strainer-stopper assembly of the type adapted to temporarily stop water from flowing out of a sink or the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Prior art sink stoppers providing an adequate seal are generally made of a resilient material or utilize a resilient O-ring or the like which tends to wear or abrade away an extended period of use. Once appreciable wear occurs the seal is lost.
SUMMARY
According to the present invention, a strainer-stopper assembly is provided which includes a resilient annular strainer body adapted to closely fit against the inner wall of the usual sink drainage well.
The inner wall of the strainer body is frusto-conical, and a stopper having a complemental frusto-conical outer wall is disposed against it. When the stopper is urged downwardly, the resilient strainer body is biased outwardly into tight, sealing engagement with the sink drainage well. The sloping or tapered frusto-conical surfaces enable the stopper to provide a satisfactory seal despite usual progressive wear of the engaged surfaces. In addition, most sink drainage wells are characterized by a conical or inwardly sloping transition conduit portion at the base of the cylindrical upper portion of the sink drainage well. The present strainer body is adapted to rest upon this conical portion. Accordingly, when the strainer body is resiliently urged downwardly by downward pressure upon the stopper, a seal occurs at the bottom of the strainer body as well as at the sides.
Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a conventional double sink, the strainer body of the present invention being illustrated in position in the sink drainage well on the left, both the strainer body and the stopper being illustrated in position in the drainage well on the right;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated a conventional double sink including a pair of basins having sink drainage wells 10 and 12, respectively. Identical numerals are used to designate identical components in the pair of wells 10 and 12.
Each sink drainage well includes a cylindrical inner wall 14 having a peripheral inner wall surface which terminates in a conical transition wall 16 which slopes inwardly and downwardly to a drain pipe portion 18.
The strainer-stopper assembly of the present invention comprises, generally, a solid resilient annular or circular member or strainer sleeve, cup, or body 20 having a cylindrical outer wall 22 characterized by a vertically oriented outer peripheral wall surface made to closely approximate and conform to the size of the cylindrical drainage wall 14. The body 20 is preferably molded of neoprene rubber and is typically approximately 33/4 inches in diameter and 11/8 inches in depth.
The strainer body 20 is characterized by a frusto-conical inner wall 24 having an inner peripheral wall surface which extends or is inclined upwardly and downwardly from the bottom toward the top of the body 20 to define a central drain opening 26 which diminishes in diameter in a downward direction, as will be apparent. The taper or slope of the inner wall 24 is typically 15 degrees from the vertical, with the upper portion of the wall 24 including a circumferential finger depression 28 which facilitates placement and removal of the strainer body 20 relative to the sink drainage well.
The bottom or lower portion of the inner wall 24 includes a circumferential groove 29 which receives a perforated circular strainer member or disk 30 constituting a strainer to keep foreign objects out of the sink drain. The disk 30 may be made of any suitable material, including copper screening or the like, but is preferably made of a rigid molded plastic material such as polyvinyl chloride, with the openings or apertures being formed therein at the time of molding.
The diameter of the disk 30 is preferably made somewhat less than the diameter of the circumferential groove 29 to enable the strainer body 20 to be resiliently compressed for closely fitting it within the sink drainage well. If desired, the disk 30 could be made an integral part of the body 20 by making it of molded rubber with suitable molded-in apertures or drain openings, in which case the apertured portion would be collapsible to facilitate fitting the body 20 within the sink drainage well.
The lower portion of the body 20 which rests upon the transition wall 16 of the sink drainage well is preferably rounded to more nearly approximate the rounded transition between the walls 14 and 16 and thereby provide a closer fit, as indicated at 31 in FIGS. 2 and 3.
A relatively non-yieldable or stopper 32, which is preferably made of a rigid material such as polyvinyl chloride plastic material, defines closure means removably fitted within the drain opening 26 of the strainer body 20. The stopper 32 is generally circular, and includes an upwardly projecting central portion 34 which is flat on top and circumferentially undercut to define a circumferential flange 36. The flange 36 serves as a handle to facilitate placement and removal of the stopper 32.
The stopper 32 includes a frusto-conical outer wall 38 having a peripheral edge surface inclined inwardly and downwardly for complemental engagement upon the frusto-conical inner wall 24 of the strainer body 20, as best illustrated in FIG. 3.
When the stopper 32 is pressed downwardly by the user, or by the hydraulic head of water in the sink above it, the strainer body wall 22 is biased or expanded outwardly to provide a good seal between the stopper 36 and strainer body 20 and also between the body 20 and the drainage well inner wall 14. In addition, when the stopper 32 is pressed downwardly, the lower portion of the body 20 presses against the transition wall 16 of the drainage well and also provides a seal at the bottom of the body 20.
The outward distention of the body 20 against the well inner wall 14 by the stopper 36 tends to prevent the body 20 from moving upwardly, which preserves the seal at the bottom of the strainer body 20.
The slope of the complemental surfaces or walls 38 and 24 of the stopper and strainer body, respectively, provides automatic compensation for abrading or wear of these surfaces and also of the strainer body outer wall 22. As wear occurs, the stopper 34 merely seats lower and lower within the complemental strainer body 20 and maintains the desired seal over long periods of use.
Although the stopper outer wall 38 is shown smooth, it could be provided with continuous circumferential serrations to help maintain it in seated position upon the strainer body 20.
Where the stopper and strainer body are used in connection with the usual garbage disposer, the strainer body is easily removed to place the garbage or other material in the disposer well. In addition, the replacement of the strainer body enables the strainer body to serve as a splash guard when the disposer is in operation. Alternatively, the strainer disk 30 could be removed altogether and the stopper used as the splash guard whenever the disposer is in operation. In that event, the stopper would be cocked slightly to allow water to pass to the disposer.
Various modifications and changes may be made with regard to the foregoing detailed description without departing from the spirit of the invention.