US3972078A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drain sieve
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-09-24
•
Granted: 1976-08-03
•
Expires: 1995-09-24
Abstract
Abstract A device protects against inadvertent loss of objects down drain pipes when the associated drain stopper is in an opened position. The associated stopper includes a top closure portion, an intermediate guide portion and a bottom actuated means for moving the top closure portion between opened and closed positions relative to a drain fitting which has a flange surrounding a drain bore in which said intermediate guide portion travels. The device for protecting against inadvertent loss comprises screening means of toroidal configuration for mounting about the stopper adjacent and below the top closure portion. The screening means rides on the intermediate guide portion into the drain bore upon closure of the stopper and, out of the drain bore upon opening of the stopper. The screening means fills a toroidal zone substantially between the outer marginal underside areas of the top closure portion and an upper inner area of the drain fitting flange, whereby the drain bore is screened against the loss of objects therethrough when the stopper is in an opened position.
Inventors
- 👤 George A. Maki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:23
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47K; A47K1/00; A47K1/14; E; E03; E03C; E03C1/00; E03C1/12; E03C1/26; E03C1/262
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A device for protecting against inadvertent loss of objects down drain pipes when the associated drain stopper is in an opened position, said stopper having a top closure portion, an intermediate guide portion and a bottom actuated means for moving the top closure portion between opened and closed positions relative to a drain fitting having a flange surrounding a drain bore in which said intermediate guide portion travels, said device comprising in combination with a drain pipe, screening means of toroidal configuration for mounting about said stopper adjacent and below said top closure portion to ride on said intermediate guide portion into said drain bore upon closure of said stopper and, out of said drain bore upon opening of said stopper, to fill a toroidal zone substantially between outer marginal underside areas of said top closure portion and an upper inner area of said drain fitting flange, whereby said drain bore is screened against the loss of objects therethrough when said stopper is in an opened position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
167 words
A device for protecting against inadvertent loss of objects down drain pipes when the associated drain stopper is in an opened position, said stopper having a top closure portion, an intermediate guide portion and a bottom actuated means for moving the top closure portion between opened and closed positions relative to a drain fitting having a flange surrounding a drain bore in which said intermediate guide portion travels, said device comprising in combination with a drain pipe, screening means of toroidal configuration for mounting about said stopper adjacent and below said top closure portion to ride on said intermediate guide portion into said drain bore upon closure of said stopper and, out of said drain bore upon opening of said stopper, to fill a toroidal zone substantially between outer marginal underside areas of said top closure portion and an upper inner area of said drain fitting flange, whereby said drain bore is screened against the loss of objects therethrough when said stopper is in an opened position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said screening means further comprises: elastic means for causing radial expansion and contraction of said toroidal configurated screening means when the same is alternately moved between positions outside of and within said drain bore, as during routine raising and lowering of said stopper.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said screening means comprises: a coil spring having the free ends fixedly connected together in order to provide said toroidal configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
95 words
In a stopper having a top closure portion for a drain fitting having a flange surrounding a drain bore, the improvement in said stopper comprising the provision of: coil spring means having the free ends thereof connected together forming a toroidal configuration connected to said stopper adjacent and below said top closure portion such that said coil spring means partially obstructs a toroidal zone between said top closure portion of said stopper and said drain fitting flange when said stopper is raised, whereby protection is provided against inadvertent loss of objects down said drain bore.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
In a stopper having a top closure portion for a drain fitting having a flange surrounding a drain bore, the improvement in said stopper comprising the provision of: coil spring means having the free ends thereof connected together forming a toroidal configuration connected to said stopper adjacent and below said top closure portion such that said coil spring means partially obstructs a toroidal zone between said top closure portion of said stopper and said drain fitting flange when said stopper is raised, whereby protection is provided against inadvertent loss of objects down said drain bore.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US594169A
Cited
US659514A
Cited
US1118235A
Cited
US1122745A
Cited
US3082957A
Cited
US3314085A
Cited
US3453667A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-03 | 1980-02-02 | 1980-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-03 | 1984-02-02 | 1984-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-03 | 1988-02-02 | 1988-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |