# US 9,518,383 B2 · Bathtub drain stopper assembly and screen > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,518,383 B2 - Document ID: US9518383B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/538,901 - Filed: 2014-11-12 - Published: 2016-05-12 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2014-11-12 - Assignees: John Lesmeister; Charles Siegerdt - Applicants: John Lesmeister - Inventors: John Lesmeister - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9518383B2 ## CPC - E03C 1/264: Separate sieves or similar object-catching inserts - A47K 1/14: Stoppers for wash-basins, baths, sinks, or the like - 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 - A47K: SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES ## Abstract A drain stopper assembly for a bathtub having a drain aperture, and a method for using the assembly. A guide rod may be slid within a guide slide, allowing a gasket to be sealed or unsealed against the drain aperture. Magnets or, alternatively, a spring-loaded mechanism, may be used to facilitate sealing/unsealing of the gasket. A filter may be mounted within the drain aperture, and be removably or permanently attached to the assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A drain stopper assembly for a bathtub having a drain aperture, the drain stopper assembly capable of being placed in uncompressed and compressed positions, comprising: a top cover; a gasket; a guide slide attached to the top cover; a guide rod having proximal and distal ends, the guide rod being capable of sliding within the guide slide; and a plurality of magnets including at least a first magnet located at the proximal end of the guide rod, and a second magnet located in the guide slide; wherein when downward pressure is applied to the top cover, the gasket is enabled to seal against the drain aperture, as the guide slide slides downwardly on the guide rod to a compressed, second position; and when the downward pressure to the top cover is released, and the guide slide is permitted to slide upwardly relative to the guide rod so that the drain stopper assembly is in the uncompressed position, the drain stopper assembly is facilitated in being maintained in the uncompressed position by a proximity of the first and second magnets. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The drain stopper assembly of claim 1, wherein the guide slide is removably attached to the top cover, and the gasket is mounted to the guide slide. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The drain stopper assembly of claim 1, wherein the top cover includes a knurled gripping surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The drain stopper assembly of claim 1, wherein the guide rod is integral with the slide guide. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The drain stopper assembly of claim 1, wherein the guide rod is removably attached to the slide guide. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The drain stopper assembly of claim 1, further comprising a collecting filter removably attached to the distal end of the guide rod. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The drain stopper assembly of claim 6, wherein the collecting filter comprises a cylindrical screen with a plurality of apertures located on a sidewall and a bottom surface of the screen. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The drain stopper assembly of claim 6, further comprising a third magnet located adjacent a the distal end of the guide rod, attracted to the collecting filter. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The drain stopper assembly of claim 6, wherein the distal end of the guide rod includes a finger useful for removing hair from the filter basket. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The drain stopper assembly of claim 6, wherein the collecting filter includes an upwardly facing nub, and the distal end of the guide rod includes an aperture sized to fit over the nub. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The drain stopper assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second magnets are encased by a protective coating. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The drain stopper assembly of claim 1, wherein the top cover attaches to the guide slide using a threaded connection. ### Claim 13 A drain stopper assembly for a bathtub having a drain aperture, comprising: a top cover; a guide slide attached to the top cover; a gasket capable of being sealed to and unsealed from the drain aperture; and a guide rod having proximal and distal ends; the guide rod sliding within the guide slide; wherein pushing down on the top cover causes the guide rod to slide relative to the guide slide, enabling the gasket to be sealed against the drain aperture; and means for facilitating sealing of the gasket to, and unsealing the gasket from, the drain aperture, comprising a plurality of magnets. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The drain stopper assembly of claim 13, further comprising a filter mounted at least partially within the drain aperture, and removably attached to the guide rod. ### Claim 15 A drain stopper assembly adapted for drop-fit connection to a drain aperture of a bathtub, comprising: a manually-graspable top cover; a gasket adapted for movement between a sealed engagement position to, and an unsealed engagement from, the drain aperture; a guide slide attached to the top cover; a guide rod having proximal and distal ends, the guide rod being capable of sliding relative to the guide slide, to thereby move the gasket between the sealed and unsealed engagement positions; and a filter basket removably engaged to the guide rod; whereby the drain stopper assembly may be drop-fit into the drain aperture, such that the filter basket is at least partially enclosed by the drain aperture, and wherein when only downward pressure is applied to the top cover, the gasket is enabled to seal against the drain aperture, and further comprising a plurality of magnets for facilitating the positioning of the gasket between the sealed and unsealed engagement positions. ### Claim 16 A method of providing a drain stopper assembly for a bathtub having a drain aperture, capable of being used with the following steps: providing a top cover, a gasket, a guide slide attached to the top cover, a gasket capable of being sealed to and unsealed from the drain aperture, and a guide rod having proximal and distal ends, wherein the guide rod slides within the guide slide; pushing down on the top cover, causing the guide rod to slide relative to the guide slide, and thereby enabling the gasket to be sealed against the drain aperture; and raising the top cover, again causing the guide rod to slide relative to the guide slide, and thereby enabling the gasket to be unsealed from the drain aperture; and facilitating the sealing and unsealing of the gasket relative to the drain aperture using magnetic means. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising a filter mounted within the drain aperture.