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  Bath drain closure assemblyUSPTO Application #: 20070039098Title: Bath drain closure assembly Abstract: A drain closure assembly for use with a bathtub, having a drain closure device with a stopper positioned above a lower drain and a plunger device attached to the stopper adapted to bias the stopper in a downward direction. An actuating mechanism received within a housing in communication with a conduit extending from the lower drain, the actuating member having a main body that contacts the drain closure device and moves the drain closure device to an open position when activated and a closed position when deactivated. (end of abstract)
Agent: Zarley Law Firm P.L.C - Des Moines, IA, US Inventor: William T. BALL USPTO Applicaton #: 20070039098 - Class: 004689000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Baths, Closets, Sinks, And Spittoons, Drain, Overflow Or Trap For A Sink Or Bath, Drain Valve, Pop-up The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070039098. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a bathtub drain closure assembly. More particularly, this invention relates to a bath drain closure device that is opened and closed by an electronic activating member. [0002] Bathtub drains commonly have a closure valve therein which can open or close the drain by being lifted manually upward to open the drain or drop to an initial seating position to close the drain. While such drain closures work well, they are not convenient to operate because they are located on the bottom of the bathtub where the drain is located. [0003] Further, there have been some prior automated bathtub drain valves. However, valves of this type usually suffer from one or more of the following deficiencies: (1) they subject electrical parts and/or connections to a risk of fluid contact by positioning the electrical parts and/or connections within the valve housing; and/or 2) they are overly expensive to manufacture, install, or repair. While these systems have solved some of the problems, other problems still remain. [0004] It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide a drain closure assembly for a bathtub which has an actuating member where a coil and electrical contact are located exterior to the housing that contain the moving parts. [0005] A further object of this invention is to provide a drain closure assembly for a bathtub which has a drain closure device that is engaged by an electrical actuating member to move the drain closure between an open and closed position. [0006] These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] A drain closure assembly for use with a bathtub having a drain closure device that is mounted to and extends through the drain port of the bathtub. Mounted below the drain port, and in communication with the drain conduit, is an actuating member that engages the end of the drain closure device. When activated, the actuating member moves such that the drain closure device is moved to an open position. When deactivated, the actuating member moves such that the drain closure device moves to a closed position. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bathtub environment; [Para 12] [0009] FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of a drain closure assembly device associated with a bathtub taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1; [0010] FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional side view of a drain closure assembly device associated with a bathtub taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2; [0011] FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional side view of a drain closure assembly when activated; [0012] FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of a drain closure assembly device associated with the bathtub; and [0013] FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional side view of a drain closure assembly when activated. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0014] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional bathtub 10 has an upper overflow drain 12 and a lower drain 14. The upper overflow drain 12 is located at one end wall 16 of the bathtub 10 for draining overflow fluids from the bathtub 10. The lower drain 14 is located in the bottom 18 of the bathtub 10 for draining fluids from the bottom of the bathtub 10. [0015] The bath drain closure assembly 20 is mated with the lower drain 14 to open and close the drain 14 to allow and prevent fluid flow. An activation switch 22 is preferably located in the end wall 16 of the bathtub 10 and is electronically connected to the drain closure assembly 20. Alternatively, the activation switch 22 is located on a far wall or deck of the tub. The activation switch 22 allows a user to selectively activate the drain closure assembly 20 to open and close drain 14. [0016] A power source 24 is connected to the activation switch 22 to provide power to the drain closure assembly 20 through the activation switch 22. Alternatively, the power source 24 and the activation switch 22 are connected to the drain closure assembly. The power source 24 may be any conventional power source including, but not limited to, an electrical outlet. [0017] A transformer 26 may optionally be inserted between the power source 24 and the activation switch 22 to modify the power sent to the activation switch 22. [0018] A control box 28 is associated with the activation switch 22. The control box 28 regulates the operation and flow of electricity through the activation switch 22. Alternatively, the control box 28 is associated with the transformer 26 and can be connected between the activation switch 22 and the drain closure assembly or between the transformer 26 and the activation switch 22. The connection may be in parallel or series. [0019] With reference to FIG. 3, the bath drain closure assembly 20 includes a strainer body 30 which is attached to the lower drain 14. [0020] A drain closure device 32 is mounted to the strainer and is movable to allow and prevent fluid flow from the bathtub 10 through the drain port 14, to a drain conduit or pipe 35. The drain conduit 35 can be of any configuration including those shown in FIGS. 3-6. Many different drain closure devices may be used. An example includes a drain closure device 32 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 having a plunger device 36 is mounted within the strainer body 30. The plunger device 36 movably associates a stopper 38 with the strainer body 30 to open or close the strainer body 30 to fluid flow. The plunger device 36 includes a threaded surface 42 for mating with the threaded nut portion 34 of the strainer body 30. A hollow sleeve 44 extends upwardly from the threaded surface 42, and slidably receives shaft 46. Continue reading... Full patent description for Bath drain closure assembly Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Bath drain closure assembly patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Bath drain closure assembly or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Lift for raising and lowering the user of a toilet Next Patent Application: Adjustable mattress foundation Industry Class: Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Bath drain closure assembly patent info. 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