# US 9,435,109 B2 · Cable actuated drain > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,435,109 B2 - Document ID: US9435109B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/463,341 - Filed: 2014-08-19 - Published: 2014-12-04 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2008-08-18 - Assignees: WCM Industries, Inc. - Applicants: WCM Industries, Inc. - Inventors: William T. Ball; Eric Pilarczyk; Kevin Hogan; Carl Riesco; William L. Carlson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9435109B2 ## CPC - E03C 1/2304: {the actuation force being transmitted to the plug via flexible elements, e.g. chain, Bowden cable} - E03C 1/232: combined with overflow devices (overflow devices for basins or baths per se E03C1/24) - E03C 2001/2315: {the actuation force created by a turning movement of a handle} - E03C: DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER (not connected to either water-supply main or to waste pipe A47K; devices of the kind used in the ground E03B, E03F); SINKS ## Abstract A drain actuation system that includes a cable to actuate a drain head or stopper is provided. More specifically, one end of the cable is associated with the drain without additional moving parts and another end of the cable associated with an overflow cap of an overflow system wherein rotation of the overflow cap selectively moves the cable to move the head of the drain. The internal components associated with the overflow end of the cable that allow it to actuate the drain are fully accessible through the overflow port of the plumbing system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for selectively opening and closing a drain stopper, comprising: an overflow assembly; a drain assembly, which includes a flexible overflow pipe and a drain stopper that is selectively moved relative to a strainer body to control the flow of fluid through the drain assembly, said strainer body possessing an inwardly-disposed hub for receipt of a hollow shaft that slidingly receives a post that is associated with said drain stopper; a shaft having a cam rotatably associated with said overflow assembly; and a cable having a first end associated with said cam of said shaft and a second end that is positioned within said hollow shaft and directly engaged with said post. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising an overflow cap rotatably associated with said overflow assembly and interconnected to a cable retainer that is associated with said shaft wherein rotation of said overflow cap rotates said shaft. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein rotation of said overflow cap about 70 degrees moves said drain stopper from said strainer body to permit fluid flow through said drain assembly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein said overflow cap further comprises a means that facilitates rotation thereof. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said post is resiliently deflectable. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said post accommodates an adjustment screw that is selectively interconnected thereto on an end opposite said drain stopper, and said second end of said cable being directly associated with said adjustment screw. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said overflow assembly is associated with a flexible riser and said drain assembly is associated with a flexible lower pipe, said flexible riser and said flexible lower pipe are also interconnected to a tee. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said cam comprises a channel that receives said cable and a cavity that receives a barrel that is associated with said first end of said cable. ### Claim 9 A bathtub drain system comprising: an overflow assembly that includes a flange that is associated with an outer surface of said bathtub and a flexible overflow pipe; a drain assembly having a drain conduit with a flange that is associated with said outer surface of said bathtub, said drain conduit interconnected to a strainer body having an outwardly extending flange that cooperates with said flange of said drain conduit to interconnect said drain conduit to said bathtub, said strainer body also possessing an inwardly disposed hub for receipt of a hollow shaft that slidingly receives a post that is associated with a stopper that controls fluid flow through the drain conduit; a shaft having a cam rotatably associated with said overflow assembly; a cable having a first end associated with said cable retainer and a second end that is positioned within said hollow shaft and directly engaged onto said post. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, further comprising a cable retainer skin that conceals said nut. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, further comprising a diaphragm associated with the threaded end of said overflow assembly. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein said overflow assembly includes a raceway and said drain assembly includes a raceway, the raceways receiving the ends of a sheath that contains said cable. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9 also comprises an anti-theft device that is associated with said stopper and said strainer body. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13 wherein said anti-theft device is an angled member comprising: a first end that terminates in a clasp that is interconnected to said post adjacent said stopper; and a second end that terminates in a hook that is adapted to selectively engage a portion of said strainer body to restrict movement of said stopper.