Noise blocking drain plug
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsChristopher Pangallo, Duane Schultz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a system for reducing the noise that enters the vehicle compartment through a hole in a drain plug. In an embodiment, the system includes a drain plug with a washer, a shank with an inlet fluidly coupled to an outlet, a cylindrical wall and a disc configured to occlude the outlet. The assembly may include a seal. When installed, the seal seals the washer to the mounting surface while the disc occludes the outlet so as to reduce the entry of noise through the drain plug while providing a passageway that allows the accumulated water to drain away.
Claims20
A drain plug for use in mounting to a hole, the drain plug comprising:
- a shank, the shank having an inlet and an outlet;
- a washer mounted to the shank;
- a cylindrical wall extending from the washer;
- and
- a sound blocking element mounted inside the cylindrical wall, the sound blocking element configured to occlude a substantial portion of the outlet.
A drain plug assembly for use in mounting a hose to a hole in a panel, the assembly comprising:
- a drain plug, the drain plug comprising:
- a shank configured to accept the hose, the shank having an inlet;
- a washer mounted to the shank;
- a cylindrical wall extending from the washer;
- an outlet;
- a sound blocking element mounted inside the cylindrical wall, the sound blocking element configured to substantially occlude the outlet;
- a first retainer mounted to the cylindrical wall, the first retainer configured in operation to secure the drain plug in place when the drain plug is installed in the hole;
- and
- a seal mounted around the cylindrical wall.
A drain plug for use in mounting to a hole in a vehicle panel, the drain plug comprising:
- a washer for mounting to the panel, the washer having a first and a second side;
- a shank extending from the first side of the washer, the shank having an inlet, the inlet fluidly coupled to an outlet on the second side of the washer;
- a cylindrical wall extending from the second side of the washer and around the outlet;
- and
- a disc, the disc configured to occlude the outlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.