Drain flow vortex breakers
OwnerDonald Gene Huberinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices and methods are provided for preventing vortices of liquids as they flow down a drain. The drain flow vortex breakers can have radially-extending fins and can be secured to a drain cover or in the drain body or drain bowl. The vortex breakers can hang from a drain cover with support tabs. The vortex breakers can have compressible portions with an outward bias to secure them within the drain body and/or bowl. The vortex breakers can have rigid overhang portions that can sit in the drain bowl. The vortex breakers can have radial fins that extend and retract radially.
Claims15
A drain flow vortex breaker apparatus configured to be positioned within a drain body and suspended from a drain cover, the drain flow vortex breaker apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of fins extending radially outward from a central portion, the central portion extending along a longitudinal axis of the drain flow vortex breaker apparatus;
- and
- a generally planar securement structure extending generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the drain flow vortex breaker apparatus, the plurality of fins secured to and extending from a first surface of the securement structure, a second surface of the securement structure configured be secured against an overlying drain cover to secure the drain flow vortex breaker apparatus to the overlying drain cover and prevent radial rotation of the drain flow vortex breaker apparatus relative to the overlying drain cover.
A method for securing a drain flow vortex breaker apparatus in a drain, the method comprising:
- providing a drain flow vortex breaker apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of fins extending radially outward from a central portion, the central portion extending along a longitudinal axis of the drain flow vortex breaker apparatus;
- and
- a securement structure overlying the plurality of fins;
- securing an upper side of the securement structure relative to a bottom side of a drain cover;
- and
- securing the drain cover to a drain such that the plurality of fins extend into the drain.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.