Trap guard device
OwnerKenneth R. Cornwallinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A valve for use in a floor drain to prevent the backflow of fluids from the drain system. The valve includes a valve member and a collar. The first end of the valve member is mounted to the outer surface of the second portion of the collar. In the normal position, the sidewall of the valve member at the second end of the valve member is curled and the valve is in the closed position. When a preset amount of fluid pressure is provided through the collar to the first end of the valve member, the sidewall of the valve member flexes to an open position forming an inner passageway between the ends of the valve member.
Claims9
A floor drain used in a drain system, the floor drain having a drain insert with a center bore and a strainer top for mounting on one end of the drain insert, the improvement which comprises:
- a valve mounted in the center bore of the floor drain to prevent fluids in the drain system from escaping the drain system through the floor drain, the valve including:
- (a) a collar having a first end and a second end with an inner passageway extending between the ends and having a first portion and a second portion, wherein an outer diameter of the first portion is greater than an outer diameter of the second portion;
- (b) a valve member having a first end and a second end with a flexible sidewall extending between the ends and forming an inner passageway, wherein the first end of the valve member is mounted over the second portion of the collar;
- and
- (c) an o-ring positioned between the first end of the valve member and the first portion of the collar, wherein an outer diameter of the o-ring is slightly greater than a diameter of the center bore of the drain insert such that the o-ring forms a seal between the center bore of the drain insert and the collar, wherein in a normal position, the inner passageway of the valve member tapers in cross-section from the first end toward the second end of the valve member and the flexible sidewall adjacent the second end of the valve member is curled and wherein when fluid is introduced into the inner passageway of the valve member at the first end, the flexible sidewall uncurls and the inner passageway of the valve member expands adjacent the second end such as to allow fluid to exit the valve member through the second end of the valve member.
A method for preventing gases in a drain system from escaping through an entrance of the drain system while allowing fluids to enter the drain system through the entrance, which comprises the steps of:
- (a) providing a floor drain having a drain insert with a center bore and having a strainer top;
- (b) providing a valve including a collar having a first end and a second end with an inner passageway extending between the ends and having a first portion and a second portion, wherein an outer diameter of the first portion is greater than an outer diameter of the second portion;
- and a valve member having a first end and a second end with a flexible sidewall extending between the ends of the valve member and forming an inner passageway of the valve member, wherein the first end of the valve member is mounted over the second portion of the collar, an o-ring positioned between the first end of the valve member and the first portion of the collar, wherein an outer diameter of the o-ring is slightly greater than a diameter of the center bore of the drain insert such that the o-ring forms a seal between the center bore of the drain insert and the collar;
- wherein in a normal position, the inner passageway of the valve member tapers in cross-section from the first end to the second end of the valve member and the flexible sidewall adjacent the second end is curled;
- (c) connecting the floor drain to the drain system;
- (d) positioning the valve in the center bore of the drain insert of the floor drain such that the valve member extends through the center bore of the floor drain and into the drain system wherein the collar of the valve forms a seal with the center bore of the drain insert;
- and
- (e) positioning the strainer top on one end of the drain insert of the floor drain opposite the valve member such as to enclose the valve in the drain insert wherein in the normal position, the second end of the valve member is closed and prevents gases from exiting the drain system through the floor drain and wherein when fluid is inserted into the inner passageway of the valve member at the first end of the valve member, the flexible sidewall uncurls and the inner passageway of the valve member expands adjacent the second end of the valve member such as to allow fluid to exit the valve member at the second end and enter the drain system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.