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  Drain surrounding structure protective cosmetic coverUSPTO Application #: 20060090257Title: Drain surrounding structure protective cosmetic cover Abstract: A drain surrounding cover (30) is configured to be easily installed about a drain ring (12) in the bottom of a drain-including structure and/or fixture, such as tubs, basins, bathtubs, showers, sinks, laundry tubs, and the like (22), for protecting from, and/or cosmetically covering, damage and/or discoloration in the surrounding area. The drain surrounding cover (30) may be easily, quickly, and economically installed about the drain ring 12 and covering the surrounding area. Also disclosed is a drain assembly (10) including the drain surrounding cover (30). (end of abstract) Agent: Fleit, Kain, Gibbons, Gutman, Bongini & Bianco P.l. - Boca Raton, FL, US Inventor: Randy Geller USPTO Applicaton #: 20060090257 - Class: 004584000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Baths, Closets, Sinks, And Spittoons, Tubs, Particular Construction Or Configuration Details The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060090257. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of drains and associated structures and fixtures, such tubs and basins, bathtubs, showers, sinks, laundry tubs, and the like, and more particularly to materials, structures, and techniques, for repairing and protecting drains and the surrounding area of drain-including structures and fixtures. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Drains, such as used in tubs, basins, bathtubs, showers, sinks, etc., conventionally have a drain ring that is adapted to fit over and around a drain port about the bottom of a drain-including structure and/or fixture, such as a bathtub or the like. The drain ring is normally connected to a drain pipe positioned under the drain port. To prevent water from seeping between the drain port and the drain ring, the drain ring is connected to the drain port through the use of a sealant material. For example, plumber putty can be placed between the drain port and the drain ring, sealing the area from water seepage. [0003] During use, the area surrounding a drain port of a drain-including structure or fixture, such as a bathtub, a shower, a sink, a laundry tub, and the like, tends to wear and damage. A discoloration, chipping, or flaking of the material in that area can occur. This discoloration, chipping, or flaking can be aesthetically unpleasing or sufficiently severe that the structure and/or fixture, e.g., the bathtub, may require repair or replacement, for which there can be significant costs. [0004] Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] The present invention, according to an embodiment, provides a protective and/or cosmetic cover for the surrounding structure about a drain, the protective and/or cosmetic cover (herein also referred to as a "drain surrounding cover") is configured to be easily installed in proximity to a drain ring about the bottom of structures and/or fixtures, such as bathtubs, sinks, laundry tubs, showers, and the like (herein also referred to as "drain-based structures"), protecting and/or covering any damage and/or discoloration in the surrounding area of a drain. [0006] According to an embodiment, a drain surrounding cover may include a top surface, a bottom surface, an inner radius substantially equal to an outer radius of the drain ring; and an outer radius. The drain surrounding cover may cover at least a portion of a surface area generally surrounding the drain ring. An adhesive backing may be provided on the bottom surface of the drain surrounding cover, allowing the drain surrounding cover to be adhered to the surface area of the drain-based fixture surrounding the drain ring. [0007] The drain surrounding cover may be provided in a kit form, included with a drain assembly. The drain assembly includes a drain pipe which is positionable under a drain port. A drain ring is provided which is positionable over the drain port, comprising to the drain pipe through the drain port. The drain surrounding cover is attached to the bottom surface of the drain-based structure and/or fixture, substantially covering the area of the bottom surface adjacent to and surrounding the drain ring. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. [0009] FIG. 1 shows a prior art drain assembly; [0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a drain-including structure and/or fixture, and incorporating a drain surrounding cover, according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0011] FIG. 3 depicts a drain surrounding cover according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0012] FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the drain surrounding cover shown in FIG. 3; [0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional plan view of the drain surrounding cover and drain assembly shown in FIG. 2; and [0014] FIGS. 6 and 7 depict alternative drain surrounding covers according to alternative embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0015] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. [0016] The terms "a" or "an", as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). [0017] An embodiment of the present invention provides a drain surrounding protective and/or cosmetic cover (herein also referred to as a "drain surrounding cover") configured to be easily installed about a drain ring in the bottom of drain-based structures and/or fixtures, such as tubs, basins, bathtubs, sinks, laundry tubs, and the like, protecting and/or covering any damaged or discoloration in the surrounding area about the drain. [0018] Referring now to the drawing figures, there is shown in FIG. 1 an exemplary drain assembly 10 of the prior art. The drain assembly 10 includes a drain ring 12 connected to a hollow fluid conduit member 14. The fluid conduit member 14 includes an open end 16 with internal or external threads 18 that penetrates and extends through a drain port 20 in the bottom of a drain-including structure and/or fixture such as a bathtub 22. The open end 16 is threadably affixed to a primary drain pipe 28. Alternatively, the open end 16 can be unthreaded, wherein the open end 16 is telescopically affixed to a primary drain pipe 28. The drain port 20 is inset with the bathtub 22, such that the top of the drain ring 12 is substantially flush with the bottom surface 24 of the bathtub 22. The inset of the drain port 20 forms an arcuate surface 26 between the drain port 20 and bottom surface 24 of the bathtub 22. [0019] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a drain-including structure and/or fixture such as a bathtub 22, and incorporating a drain surrounding cover 30, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The drain surrounding cover 30 is positioned on the arcuate surface 26, interpose between the bottom surface 24 of the bathtub 22 and the drain ring 12. The drain surrounding cover 30 acts to substantially protect the surrounding surface area such as the arcuate surface 26 from discoloration or damage. This is a commercially valuable feature for new drain-including structures and/or fixtures to provide protection to the surrounding surface area from an initial or early use of the product. It provides extended life, and an aesthetically pleasing decor, to the drain-including structure and/or fixture. Alternatively, the drain surrounding cover 30 may be used after occurrence of discoloration and/or damage to cover such discoloration and/or damage to the surrounding surface area such as the arcuate surface 26. This again provides a commercially valuable benefit to users by allowing quick and economical repair and restoration of a drain-including structure and/or fixture that has suffered unfortunate discoloration and/or damage. The drain surrounding cover 30 will cover the damage and/or discoloration thereby substantially restoring the aesthetic appearance, and repairing and extending the useful life, of the product. Lastly, the drain surrounding cover 30 can add new and commercially desirable aesthetics to the surrounding area about a drain. A variety of shapes and patterns of drain surrounding covers 30 may be provided to significantly enhance the aesthetic appearance of a drain-including structure and/or fixture as viewed by users, as will be discussed in more detail below. Continue reading... Full patent description for Drain surrounding structure protective cosmetic cover Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Drain surrounding structure protective cosmetic cover 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. 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