Bladder-controlled stopper device
OwnerScott Duncaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A stopper for selectively blocking a drain to the passage of water. The drain has an inlet, an outlet and a substantially cylindrical throat between the inlet and outlet. A control means is provided for selectively feeding control fluid under hydraulic pressure to the cylindrical throat whereupon an expandable bladder located within the cylindrical throat selectively expands in fluid communication with the control fluid to block the drain and thus act as a stopper.
Claims6
A stopper device in combination with a sink or tub assembly for selectively blocking a drain assembly, said drain outlet having an inlet, an outlet, and a substantially cylindrical throat between said inlet and outlet, a pressurized fluid source, an expandable bladder further located within said cylindrical throat and in fluid communication with said pressurized fluid source;
- a means for selectively feeding water under pressure from said pressurized fluid source to said expandable bladder, wherein said bladder is sized and positioned such that selective actuation of said means for selectively feeding water under pressure causes said bladder to expand upon receipt of said water under pressure causing said drain outlet to selectively block the passage of water therethrough, wherein said means for selectively feeding water under pressure comprises a diverter valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.