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Low profile drain assemblyRelated Patent Categories: Baths, Closets, Sinks, And Spittoons, TubsLow profile drain assembly description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060096019, Low profile drain assembly. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention is directed toward a bathtub drain assembly and more specifically to an assembly that eliminates the need to cut a groove in the floor during installation. [0002] Drain assemblies are well known in the art and are generally comprised of a drain pipe with a drain elbow that extends below the bottom of the tub and is connected to an overflow pipe as shown in FIG. 1. To install the drain assembly, traditionally, a plumber will cut a slot in the bathroom floor to accommodate the drain elbow and reduce the possibility of bumping or damaging the elbow when the tub is placed in its final location. This process not only is expensive, but also time consuming. Accordingly, there is a need for a drain assembly that is faster and easier to install. [0003] Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a bathtub drain assembly that eliminates the need to cut a groove in the bathroom floor. [0004] Another object of the present invention is to provide a bathtub drain assembly that is easier and more economical to install. [0005] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a drain assembly having a low profile. [0006] These and other objects, features, or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and claims. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention is for a drain assembly for use with a bathtub having a bottom, side walls, and end walls. The assembly has an overflow pipe fluidly connected to an overflow port in one end wall of the bathtub that is in fluid communication with a drain pipe that is connected to a drain port in the bottom of the tub. The drain pipe has a low profile portion where the height of the pipe is less than the width. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] FIG. 1 is a side view of a conventional bathtub; [0009] FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention; [0010] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the end pipe taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 3; and [0011] FIG. 4 is an end view of an embodiment of the end pipe. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION [0012] Referring to FIG. 2, the drain assembly of the present invention is for use with a conventional bathtub 10 having a bottom 12, sidewalls 14, and end walls 16 and 18. The bathtub has an overflow port 20 positioned in end wall 16 and a drain port 22 positioned in the bottom 12 of the tub 10. [0013] The drain assembly is referred to generally by reference numeral 24 and has an overflow pipe 26 that is connected to the overflow port 20 in any conventional manner. The drain assembly 24 also has a drain pipe 28 that is connected to the drain port 22 at a first end 30 and is connected to the overflow pipe 26 at a second end 32. The drain pipe 28 is connected to the overflow pipe 26 in any conventional manner such as integrally formed or connected by a T-bar 34 as shown in FIG. 2. [0014] The drain pipe 28 has a low profile portion 36 located near the first end 30 where the height of the low profile portion 36 is less than the width as shown in FIG. 3. Preferably, there is an elbow portion 38 that connects the low profile portion 36 to the first end 30 to facilitate the flow of fluid. The low profile portion 36 extends from the first end 30 to the second end 32 for connection to the overflow pipe 26 or the T-bar 34 or alternatively could extend from the first end 30 to a high profile portion 40 as shown in FIG. 2. [0015] The shape of the drain pipe 28 is oval as shown in FIG. 3, rectangular as shown in FIG. 4, or any other shape. Alternatively, the low profile portion 36 has a shape (i.e. oval, rectangular) that is different from the high profile portion (i.e. circular). Regardless of the shape, substantially the same flow area of the drain pipe 28 is present as compared with a conventional drain pipe. [0016] In operation, the T-bar 34 is connected to the primary drain pipe 42. The overflow pipe 26 and the drain pipe 28 having a low profile portion 36 are then connected to the T-bar 34. Next, the tub 10 is moved into position and the overflow pipe 26 is connected to the overflow port 20 and the drain pipe 26 is connected to the drain port 22 at the first end 30. Because of the low profile portion 36 of the drain pipe 28, the drain pipe 28 can extend below the bottom 12 of the tub 10 without the need to cut a slot in the bathroom floor. Accordingly, the present invention meets at least its stated objectives. Continue reading about Low profile drain assembly... Full patent description for Low profile drain assembly Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Low profile drain 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 Low profile drain assembly or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Low profile bathtub assembly Next Patent Application: Spa capacitive switch Industry Class: Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Low profile drain assembly patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.13883 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Electronics: Semiconductor , Audio , Illumination , Connectors , Crypto , 174 |
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