Magnetically activated lavatory drain plug

Abstract

A magnetically activated drain plug apparatus employs a permanent magnet placed externally of a plastic or thin non-magnetic drain pipe while another permanent magnet is placed at the lower end of the drain plug. The external magnet can be a ring shaped magnet, a plurality of magnets in a ring held in a support arm or a magnet slideably retained in a rail on the outside of the pipe. The external magnet is operated by a lever linkage or flexible cable that is external to the drain pipe. Moving the external magnet by operating the linkage or the cable attracts or repels the magnet in the drain plug. Consequently, due to the magnetic attraction or repulsion, the drain plug is moved between an open and a closed position. Guide nubs on the interior of the drain pipe and a stem or fins on the drain plug can be interengaged, thereby preventing tilting or rotation of the drain plug while in the up or open position. The emplacement of the linkage or cable on the exterior of the pipe promotes the cleaning of and the ongoing sanitary condition of the apparatus by permitting easy removal of the drain plug and eliminating any mechanical linkage within the drain pipe to actuate the drain plug.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.