High Flow Drain Control
AssigneeMcAlpine & Company Limited
InventorsJames Edward McAlpine, Robert Gemmell McAlpine, Christopher McKendrick
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lockable plug device for sanitary ware comprises a closure member operable to engage with an outlet or drain of the sanitary ware product to stop water emptying from the sanitary ware product, for example a bath. The lockable plug device also includes a closure mechanism, which is linked to the closure member and is operable to displace the closure member relative to the outlet or drain such that the outlet can be open or closed. The closure mechanism comprises a lock feature, which is operable to lock the closure member in an open position.
Claims20
A lockable plug device for sanitary ware, the lockable plug device comprises:
- a closure member operable to sealingly engage with an outlet or drain of a sanitary ware product;
- and
- a closure mechanism, wherein the closure mechanism is linked to the closure member and is operable to displace the closure member relative to the outlet to open and close the outlet;
- and wherein the closure mechanism comprises a lock feature, which is operable to lock the closure member in an open position;
- wherein the closure mechanism comprises a primary lever and a secondary lever, each comprising an upper end and a lower end;
- wherein the upper end of the primary lever engages with the upper end of the secondary lever to control movement of the closure member via the lower end of the secondary lever,
- wherein the lower end of the primary lever provides a load point, which is operable to rotate the primary lever about a pivot point thereby creating displacement of the upper end of the primary lever and consequential displacement of the upper end of the secondary lever wherein the primary and secondary levers are operable to move to a locked open position, wherein the upper ends of the primary and secondary levers are locked against rotational displacement unless a load applied to the closure member exceeds a predetermined applied load, wherein the predetermined applied load is the load created by water exiting through the outlet to which the lockable plug device is connected.
A drain shoe for sanitary ware, the drain shoe comprises:
- a pop-up plug, comprising a stem extending downwards into a hollow body defining a disposal channel between a drain hole of the sanitary ware and an outlet from the hollow body, wherein the pop-up plug is configured open and close the drain hole;
- and
- a housing, which houses a closure mechanism which is operable to control displacement of the pop-up plug by interaction with the stem, wherein the closure mechanism is operable to displace the pop-up plug relative to the drain hole between an open and a closed position, where the drain hole is open and closed respectively;
- the closure mechanism comprises a lock feature, which is operable to lock the pop-up plug in an open position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.