US 10,119,257 B2 · Drain chain systems and methods for cleaning drains

Abstract

Drain chain systems can include a cap connected to a chain with an intermediate segment that is configured to pass between a plug and a surface of a tub or sink. The cap can be connected to a suction cup for attaching the system to the surface of the tub or sink. The intermediate segment is sized and shaped to prevent it from causing any substantial interference with the plug or plug sealing functionality. A ring can also be used, rather than the cap and suction cup, to position a chain within a drain. The ring can be positioned below the plug, so as to not interfere with the plug or plug sealing functionality at all. Small diameter caps and hooks can also be used to secure the chain within a drain, extending down from a drain cover.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A drain chain system configured in size and shape to be at least partially placed within a drain of a shower or tub and to maintain a position within the drain during use of the shower or tub and in such a manner as to entangle hair within the drain and for removing the hair from the drain, the drain chain system comprising:

a cap;
a flat intermediate segment connected to the cap, wherein the intermediate segment has a substantially rectilinear or flat cross-sectional profile with a maximum width and a maximum thickness, the maximum width being greater than the maximum thickness;
a flexible chain, the chain being connected to the intermediate segment;
and
a suction cup connected to at least one of the intermediate segment or the cap.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

15/091,120Filed 5 Apr 2016 · continuation

Priority

9 Feb 2012

Published

US 2016/0215486 A128 Jul 2016

Granted

6 Nov 2018

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

E03C 1/302
Devices to facilitate removing of obstructions in waste-pipes or sinks: using devices moved through the pipes
E03C 1/26
Plumbing installations for waste water; Basins or fountains connected thereto ; Sinks: object-catching inserts or similar devices for waste pipes…
E03C 1/264
Object-catching inserts or similar devices for waste pipes or outlets: separate sieves or similar object-catching inserts
E03F 5/041
Gullies inlets, road sinks, floor drains with or without odour seals or sediment traps: accessories therefor

Family

Application61/596,903Us provisional application · filed 9 Feb 2012

Application13/485,516Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 31 May 2012

Application61/968,050Us provisional application · filed 20 Mar 2014

Application62/047,287Us provisional application · filed 8 Sep 2014

Application14/560,056Parent of this continuation · filed 4 Dec 2014

Application62/135,302Us provisional application · filed 19 Mar 2015

PCT/US2015/048052Parent of this continuation · filed 2 Sep 2015

US 2016/0215486 A1Pre-grant publication · published 28 Jul 2016

US 9,534,365 B2Parent of this continuation

US 8,910,322 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part

Application14/560,056Parent of this continuation-in-part

US 2013/0205485 A1Published application

US 2015/0275489 A1Published application

US 10,119,257 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Drain chain systems and methods for cleaning drains

Life of this patent

Drain chain systems and methods for cleaning drains

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19