Bladder stopper and control assembly
OwnerScott Duncaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An assembly for selectively blocking a drain to the passage of water. A drain emanating from a substantially circular opening in a basin, sink or tub is provided with a substantially cylindrical member releasably connected to the basin, sink or tub. The substantially cylindrical member is provided with a fluid inlet for receiving a pressurized fluid and an expandable bladder located within the substantially cylindrical member in fluid communication with the fluid inlet, wherein the bladder is sized and positioned such that when expanded, it blocks the drain to the passage of water. A mechanical pump is provided having a pump chamber and a stem emanating from it such that when the stem is moved, fluid pressure is applied to a hydraulic line connected to the fluid inlet for selectively expanding the bladder.
Claims19
An assembly for selectively blocking a drain to the passage of water, said drain emanating from a substantially circular opening in a basin, sink or tub, and extending as a substantially cylindrical member releasably connected to said basin, sink or tub, said substantially cylindrical member having a fluid inlet for receiving a pressurized fluid and an expandable bladder located within said substantially cylindrical member in fluid communication with said fluid inlet wherein said bladder is sized and positioned such that when expanded, said bladder blocks said drain to the passage of water and a mechanical pump having a pump chamber, and a stem emanating from said pump chamber, such that when said stem is moved, fluid pressure is applied to a hydraulic line connected to said fluid inlet for selectively expanding said bladder.
A method of installing an assembly for selectively blocking a drain to the passage of water, said drain emanating from a substantially circular opening in a basin, sink or tub and extending as a substantially cylindrical member releasably connected to said basin, sink or tub, said substantially cylindrical member having a fluid inlet for receiving a pressurized fluid and an expandable bladder located within said substantially cylindrical member in fluid communication with said fluid inlet wherein said bladder is sized and positioned such that when expanded, said bladder blocks said drain to the passage of water and further including a mechanical pump having a pump chamber, and a stem emanating from said pump chamber such that when said stem is moved, fluid pressure is applied to a hydraulic line connected to said fluid inlet for selectively expanding said bladder, said method comprising applying said substantially cylindrical member to said substantially circular opening and applying said mechanical pump to an opening in a ledge proximate to said basic, sink or tub whereupon said hydraulic link is connected between said substantially cylindrical member and said mechanical pump.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.