Patent US4841581A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4841581A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drain plug assembly for dishwasher, and the like
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-05-12
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Granted: 1989-06-27
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Expires: 2007-05-12
Abstract
Abstract An assembly of a drain plug for a dishwasher is disclosed, comprising a hollow stem portion and a drain plug body. A double O-ring is provided to seat and seal the ball body into a drain pipe, and to make a light, sliding fit with the interior of the drain pipe. The sliding fit guides the assembly during vertical movement and enables the assembly to maintain a vertical position without tilting. When the O-rings become worn, they are replaced, rather than having to discard the entire assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 William K. Russell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 03:42
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L15/00; A47L15/42; A47L15/4214; A47L15/4223; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2496; Y10T137/2559; Y10T137/265; Y10T137/2668; Y10T137/2688
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
282 words
A drain plug assembly for a dishwasher, including an interconnecting dishwasher sump, drain sump and, drain tee, the drain sump including an inclined ball seat and a connecting drain pipe defining an inner wall; the drain plug assembly comprising: (a) a hollow, elongate stem, providing upper and lower ends, the upper end of the stem being connected to a solenoid switch, the stem extending upwardly through the drain sump and into the dishwasher sump; (b) a ball body mounted adjacent the lower end of the elongate stem, and providing a circumferential groove thereon; (c) an inwardly tapered extension terminating the lower end of the stem, and providing a circumferential groove thereon; and, (d) a replaceable, upper O-ring mounted within the groove on the ball body and a replaceable lower O-ring mounted within the groove on the tapered extension, the upper O-ring seating and sealing on the inclined ball seat, and the lower O-ring seating and sealing on the inner wall of the drain pipe; whereby: (i) the ball body is moveable by gravity to seat and seal the inclined ball seat by contact with the upper O-ring thereon; (ii) the tapered extension is adapted to guide the drain plug assembly in a vertically upright manner, without tilting, by forming a sliding fit with the lower O-ring and the inner wall of the drain pipe; (iii) a constant level within the dishwasher and drain sumps is maintained by overflow of wash water through the hollow, elongate stem, thereby effecting a leakage reduction of about 85% of wash water; and, (iv) elevation of the drain plug assembly releases wash water from the dishwasher through the dishwasher sump, drain sump, drain seat and drain tee.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
282 words
A drain plug assembly for a dishwasher, including an interconnecting dishwasher sump, drain sump and, drain tee, the drain sump including an inclined ball seat and a connecting drain pipe defining an inner wall; the drain plug assembly comprising: (a) a hollow, elongate stem, providing upper and lower ends, the upper end of the stem being connected to a solenoid switch, the stem extending upwardly through the drain sump and into the dishwasher sump; (b) a ball body mounted adjacent the lower end of the elongate stem, and providing a circumferential groove thereon; (c) an inwardly tapered extension terminating the lower end of the stem, and providing a circumferential groove thereon; and, (d) a replaceable, upper O-ring mounted within the groove on the ball body and a replaceable lower O-ring mounted within the groove on the tapered extension, the upper O-ring seating and sealing on the inclined ball seat, and the lower O-ring seating and sealing on the inner wall of the drain pipe; whereby: (i) the ball body is moveable by gravity to seat and seal the inclined ball seat by contact with the upper O-ring thereon; (ii) the tapered extension is adapted to guide the drain plug assembly in a vertically upright manner, without tilting, by forming a sliding fit with the lower O-ring and the inner wall of the drain pipe; (iii) a constant level within the dishwasher and drain sumps is maintained by overflow of wash water through the hollow, elongate stem, thereby effecting a leakage reduction of about 85% of wash water; and, (iv) elevation of the drain plug assembly releases wash water from the dishwasher through the dishwasher sump, drain sump, drain seat and drain tee.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
291 words
A method for reducing leakage from a dishwasher, including an interconnecting dishwasher sump, drain sump and drain tee, the drain sump including an inclined ball seat and a connecting drain pipe defining an inner wall, and for reducing wear of a drain plug assembly positioned at the drain seat, the said assembly comprising: (a) a hollow, elongate stem, providing upper and lower ends, the upper ends of the stem being connected to a solenoid switch, the stem extending upwardly through the drain sump and into the dishwasher sump; (b) a ball body mounted adjacent the lower end of the elongate stem, and providing a circumferential groove thereon; (c) an inwardly tapered extension terminating the lower end of the stem, and providing a circumferential groove thereon; and, (d) a replaceable, upper O-ring mounted within the groove on the ball body and a replaceable, lower O-ring mounted within the groove on the tapered extension, the upper O-ring seating and sealing on the inclined ball seat, and the lower O-ring seating and sealing on the inner wall of the drain pipe; the method comprising: (i) seating and sealing the inclined ball seat by gravity contact with the ball body and upper O-ring thereon; (ii) guiding the tapered extension of the drain plug assembly in a vertically upright manner, without tilting, by forming a sliding fit with the lower O-ring and the inner wall of the drain pipe; (iii) maintaining a constant level within the dishwasher and drain sumps by overflow of wash water through the hollow, elongate stem, thereby effecting a leakage reduction of about 85% of wash water; and, (iv) elevating the drain plug assembly to release wash water from the dishwasher through the dishwasher sump, drain sump, drain seat and drain tee.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
291 words
A method for reducing leakage from a dishwasher, including an interconnecting dishwasher sump, drain sump and drain tee, the drain sump including an inclined ball seat and a connecting drain pipe defining an inner wall, and for reducing wear of a drain plug assembly positioned at the drain seat, the said assembly comprising: (a) a hollow, elongate stem, providing upper and lower ends, the upper ends of the stem being connected to a solenoid switch, the stem extending upwardly through the drain sump and into the dishwasher sump; (b) a ball body mounted adjacent the lower end of the elongate stem, and providing a circumferential groove thereon; (c) an inwardly tapered extension terminating the lower end of the stem, and providing a circumferential groove thereon; and, (d) a replaceable, upper O-ring mounted within the groove on the ball body and a replaceable, lower O-ring mounted within the groove on the tapered extension, the upper O-ring seating and sealing on the inclined ball seat, and the lower O-ring seating and sealing on the inner wall of the drain pipe; the method comprising: (i) seating and sealing the inclined ball seat by gravity contact with the ball body and upper O-ring thereon; (ii) guiding the tapered extension of the drain plug assembly in a vertically upright manner, without tilting, by forming a sliding fit with the lower O-ring and the inner wall of the drain pipe; (iii) maintaining a constant level within the dishwasher and drain sumps by overflow of wash water through the hollow, elongate stem, thereby effecting a leakage reduction of about 85% of wash water; and, (iv) elevating the drain plug assembly to release wash water from the dishwasher through the dishwasher sump, drain sump, drain seat and drain tee.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-06-26 | 1992-12-26 | 1993-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-06-26 | 1996-12-26 | 1997-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-06-26 | 2000-12-26 | 2001-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |