Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a drain assembly according to the preamble of claim 1. The present invention also proposes a lavatory having the mounted drain assembly and a method of placing the drain assembly to the lavatory.

Background of the Invention

A drain assembly with a corresponding drainage opening is configured to prevent water from accumulating in a basin of a lavatory. Such opening for drain assembly is often visible to users of the lavatory, thereby decreasing the aesthetic appearance of the user while the user uses the lavatory because foreign matter can collect at or around the opening. Accordingly, typical lavatories must be regularly cleaned to maintain the aesthetic appearance of the lavatory.

In recent years, hidden drain washbasins where the drain assembly is hidden for lavatories are demanding. In such systems, the drain assembly opening is obscured from a view of a user, thereby increasing the aesthetic appearance of the user and eliminating the collecting of foreign matters from the drain assembly opening. However, in such systems, assembling the drain assembly may be difficult. Since most of the drain assemblies can be reached from the top portion thereof, the concealed overflow system prevents such interventions and complicates the assembly steps. Therefore, there is a need for simplified drain assembly, especially for hidden- typed drain assemblies.

For example, a European patent in the technical field of the invention, which is referred to as EP1367185 (Bl), discloses a washbasin the sloping bottom surface covering an outlet duct, which extends from an inlet opening in a vertical wall of the sink, therefore scarcely visible, to an outlet opening for the trap device, completely covered by said sloping surface. In the patent, a plate is provided with a threaded collar which has to be is screwed with screws. Summary of the Invention

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved drain assembly which eliminates the shortcoming above-mentioned.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a drain assembly which easily facilitates mounting and dismounting.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a drain assembly that eliminates the usage of screws or the like attachment means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a drain assembly that allows mounting the drains assembly to different sized and shaped basins.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a lavatory having a hidden drain assembly which eliminates the need for regular cleaning to maintain the aesthetic appearance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of placing a drain assembly to a lavatory that facilities mounting and dismounting especially in a lavatory having a hidden drain system.

The present invention proposes a drain assembly for a drain assembly passage of a lavatory, the drain assembly comprising: a one-piece main body defining a fluid path, said main body having a threaded portion adapted to mate with a connector arrangement attachable to a waste pipe; a strainer disposed coaxially of and in the main body; and at least one connection member having a threaded rod portion, passing through the main body and the strainer for securing the strainer to the main body. Said main body comprises a plurality of circumferentially arranged resilient engagement flanges for seating on the drain assembly passage of the lavatory wherein the strainer is arranged to be pulled by the connection member by pressing the engagement flanges.

The present invention also proposes a lavatory comprising; a basin having a bottom surface and configured to hold a volume of water wherein the bottom surface has a first portion, a second portion, and a drain opening defined between the first portion and the second portion wherein the first portion is arranged to horizontally extend and is disposed over the drain opening such that the drain opening is obscured from a view of a user; a drain assembly passage provided at the second portion, the drain assembly passage being configured to be in fluid communication with the basin, and a drain assembly according to the present invention wherein the drain assembly is positioned in the drain assembly passage.

The present further proposes a method of placing a drain assembly to a lavatory, comprising the steps of providing a lavatory; providing a drain assembly according to the present invention; placing the drain assembly into the drain assembly passage by pushing upward in the drain assembly passage wherein an adjustment head of the connection member is reachable from an open bottom part of the drain assembly; fastening the connection member with a tool for pulling the strainer inside the drain assembly such that the strainer moves and compresses the engagement flanges outwardly for fitting to the drain assembly passage.

Brief description of the figures

The accompanying drawings are given solely for the purpose of exemplifying the invention whose advantages over prior art were outlined above and will be explained in detail hereinafter:

Fig. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a drain assembly and a partially cutaway perspective view of a lavatory, according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the drain assembly shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the drain assembly shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a mounted drain assembly in the lavatory according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional and exploded view of the drain assembly and the lavatory, according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional of the drain assembly prior to mount in the lavatory, wherein the drain assembly is pushed upwards to a drain assembly passage, according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the placed drain assembly in the drain assembly passage of the lavatory, according to the first embodiment present invention.

Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the fixed and mounted drain assembly by fastening a connection member of the drain assembly wherein a strainer presses against engagement flanges of the drain assembly, according to the first embodiment present invention.

Fig. 8 shows a side perspective cross-sectional and exploded view of the drain assembly, according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 shows a side perspective cross-sectional view of the drain assembly according to the present invention, according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 shows an exploded perspective view of the drain assembly, according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 shows a longitudinal cross-section of the drain assembly shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 shows a perspective of the drain assembly, according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 shows an exploded view of the drain assembly with parts of an engagement unit, according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of drain assembly attached with the engagement unit, according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 15 shows a mounted drain assembly without the engagement unit in the lavatory according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 16 shows the mounted drain assembly with a suitable tool wherein the tool engages with a connection member and fastens a strainer by pulling inside the drain assembly, according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 17 shows the mounted drain assembly in the lavatory and exploded view of the engagement unit, according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 18 shows the mounted drain assembly in the lavatory wherein the engagement unit is attached and keeps the drains assembly in a stable position, according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the figures

The present invention proposes a drain assembly (10, 110) for a drain assembly passage (101) of a lavatory (100), the drain assembly (10, 110) comprising: a one- piece main body (40, 140) defining a fluid path, said main body (40, 140) having a threaded portion (41, 141) adapted to mate with a connector arrangement attachable to a waste pipe; a strainer (20, 120) disposed coaxially of and in the main body (40, 140); and at least one connection member (50) having a threaded rod portion (52), passing through the main body (40, 140) and the strainer (20, 120) for securing the strainer (20, 120) to the main body (40, 140). Said main body (40, 140) comprises a plurality of circumferentially arranged resilient engagement flanges (43, 143) for seating on the drain assembly passage (101) of the lavatory (100) wherein the strainer (20, 120) is arranged to be pulled by the connection member (50) by pressing the engagement flanges (43, 143). The present invention also proposes a lavatory (100) having such drain assembly (10, 110) and a method of placing the drain assembly (10) to the lavatory (100).

A first embodiment of the drain assembly (10) is proposed in Figs. 1 to 7, a second embodiment of the drain assembly (10) is proposed in Figs. 8 and 9, and a third embodiment of the drain assembly (110) is proposed in Figs. 10 to 18. According to the first and second embodiment of the drain assembly (10), the main body (40) is preferably monolithic and comprises an outwardly extending support portion (42) for abutting the drain assembly (10) to an abutment portion (102) of the drain assembly passage (101); and a plurality of circumferentially arranged resilient engagement flanges (43) adapted to seat on the drain assembly passage (101) of the lavatory (100). According to the third embodiment of the drain assembly (110), the main body does not comprise a support portion (42), instead, an engagement unit (70) abuts the abutment portion (102) of the drain assembly passage (101).

According to all embodiments, the strainer (20, 120) is configured such that when the connection member (50) is fastened, the strainer (20, 120) is pulled inside the drain assembly (10, 110) and compress the engagement flanges (43, 143) outwardly to fit the drain assembly passage (101). Each of the engagement flanges (43, 143) has a rounded tip end (45, 145) sloped upward and forward relative to the main body (40, 140). These tip ends (45, 145) are preferably similarly shaped with the same intervals between each other. Each of the engagement flanges (43, 143) is provided with an opening on both lateral sides for determining flexibility. The tip ends (45, 145) are formed as hook-shaped to firmly seat on the drain assembly passage (101). Referring to Fig. 7, when the connection member (50) is fastened, the tip ends (45) abut an annular chamfered portion (103) of the drain assembly passage (101). Referring to Fig. 2, the drain assembly passage (101) has the annular chamfered portion (103) arranged and dimensioned with respect to the engagement flanges (43) of the main body (40). Said chamfered portion (103) can be rounded or inclined for a better engagement thereof.

According to all embodiments of the invention, the main body (40, 140) of the drain assembly (10, 110) has an intermediate portion (46, 146, 246) with a guiding hole (47, 147) through which the connection member (50) is arranged to pass. The intermediate portion (46, 146, 246) is an intermediate layer with flow openings allowing the fluid flow and has the guiding hole (47, 147) in the middle portion thereof. The guiding hole (47, 147) is shaped and dimensioned with respect to the connection member (50). Preferably, the guiding hole (47, 147) has a circular crosssection.

In the first embodiment, the intermediate portion (46) is formed integrally within the main body (40) with an inwardly inclined wall with respect to the longitudinal axis of the drain assembly (X). In the second embodiment, the intermediate portion (46) is formed integrally within the main body (40) with an upwardly inclined wall with respect to the longitudinal axis of the drain assembly (X). In the third embodiment, the intermediate portion (46) is formed integrally within the main body (40) with at least partly inwardly inclined wall with respect to the longitudinal axis of the drain assembly (X). In the second embodiment, the guiding hole (47) has an annular abutment skirt (48) for abutting against an adjustment head (51) of the connection member (50). However, in the first and third embodiments, the guiding holes (47) do not have any abutment skirt (48). The adjustment head (51) of the connection member (50) directly abuts the guiding hole (47) when fully fastened.

According to all embodiments, the threaded portion (41) has a plurality of threads adapted to mate with a connector arrangement attachable to a waste pipe. With this arrangement, the water coming from the basin (104) is securely guided to the waste pipe. The strainer (20, 120) can be made of metal and has a plurality of openings to allow fluid flow. In a first embodiment, an annular skirt is formed with a predetermined length and extends within the main body (40). A connection hole (21, 121) is formed in the middle of the strainer (20, 120). When the connection member (50) is completely fastened, a tip of the connection member (50) can extend over the strainer (20, 120).

The connection member (50) has the threaded rod portion (52) as a shank and the adjustment head (51) arranged to be operated by a suitable tool (60) (i.e., alien key having a hexagonal L-shaped body, alien wrenches, hex key). Fig. 16 shows the suitable tool (60) matched with the adjustment head (51) wherein an arrow indicates the fastening direction. The adjustment head (51) has a greater width cross-section with respect to the threaded rod portion (52) such that the position of the connection member (50) can be determined. In the second embodiment, the annular abutment skirt (48) is arranged for abutting against the adjustment head (51) of the connection member (50). When the adjustment head (51) contacts the annular abutment skirt (48), the fastening of the connection member (50) is completed.

In the usage, the connection member (50) is firstly adjustably inserted from an open bottom part (44, 144) of the main body (40, 140) to the guiding hole (47, 147) and then reaches the connection hole (21, 121) of the strainer (20, 120). The lower end of the threaded portion (41, 141) defines the open bottom part (44, 144) which is hollow for fluid flow thereof. The connection hole (21, 121) of the strainer (20, 120) is provided with internal threads adapted to mate with the threaded rod portion (52) of the connection member (50) such that when the connection member (50) is fastened more, the strainer (20, 120) is more pulled inside by pressing against the engagement flanges (43, 143).

According to the first and second embodiments, the strainer (20, 120) has an outwardly inclined outer lip (22) wherein an inner wall of the outer lip (22) is arranged to completely seat on the engagement flanges (43). The outer lip (22) is preferably annular shaped with a predetermined inclined degree. According to the third embodiment, the strainer (120) has a substantially hollow truncated-cone body. According to the first and second embodiments, the drain assembly (10) comprises an annular-shaped hollow gasket member (30) adapted to seat on the support portion (42) for increasing impermeability thereof. Referring to Fig. 3, the gasket member (30) can be made of a plastic-based material and is placed on the support portion (42) for compressing against the abutment portion (102) of the drain assembly passage (101). The gasket member (30) has also an annular neck portion (31) for at least partly covering the engagement flanges (43). The support part (42) is preferable of circular form to match the gasket member (30). The gasket member (30) is not an essential feature for the drain assembly (10).

According to the third embodiment of the invention, the gasket member (130) is hollow cylindrical -shaped and the gasket member (130) is arranged to seat around the engagement flanges (143) wherein the gasket member (130) has a plurality of circumferentially arranged support ribs (32), as shown in Fig. 13. According to the third embodiment of the invention, a plurality of circumferentially arranged engagement cavities (49) is formed between L-shaped engagement flanges (143). Accordingly, the strainer (120) has a plurality of circumferentially arranged protrusion (23) shaped and dimensioned with respect to the corresponding cavities (49). With this arrangement, the strainer (120) firmly seats in the engagement flanges (143) which prevents the rotation thereof when the strainer (120) is pulled. The protrusion (23) has a predetermined thickness and is formed on the outer surface of the strainer (120).

Apart from the first and second embodiments, in the third embodiment, the drain assembly (110) has an engagement unit (70) attachable to the threaded portion (141) of the main body (140). The engagement unit (70) mainly comprises an upper gasket member (71), an intermediate gasket member (72), and an engagement part (73) with internal threads adapted to mate with the threaded portion (141) of the main body (140). Accordingly, the upper gasket member (71) is formed as a hollow truncated cone and arranged to abut an abutment portion (102) of the drain assembly passage (101). Moreover, the intermediate gasket member (72) has a hollow circular form in which the upper gasket member (71) is guided wherein the engagement part (73) has an upper housing (74) for receiving the intermediate gasket member (72). The engagement unit (70) helps to arrange and mount the drain assembly (110) with respect to different sized and shaped lavatories (100). In an assembly method of the drain assembly (10, 110), firstly, the gasket member (30, 130) is placed on the main body (40, 140) and then the strainer (20, 120) is placed over the main body (40, 140) whereby the strainer (20, 120) is supported by the flexible engagement flanges (43, 143) of the main body (40, 140). Lastly, the connection member (51) is attached behind the main body (40) until reaching the strainer (20) and then fastened.

The present invention also proposes a lavatory (100) comprising; a basin (104) having a bottom surface (105) and configured to hold a volume of water wherein the bottom surface (104) has a first portion (106), a second portion (107) and a drain opening (108) defined between the first portion (106) and the second portion (107) wherein the first portion (106) is arranged to horizontally extend and is disposed over the drain opening (108) such that the drain opening (108) is obscured from a view of a user; a drain assembly passage (101) provided at the second portion (107), the drain assembly passage (101) being configured to be in fluid communication with the basin (104); and a drain assembly (10, 110) according to all embodiments of the invention. Said lavatory (100) has the proposed drain assembly (10, 110) positioned in the drain assembly passage (101). The basin (104) is configured to receive the fluid flow (such as a flow of water) from a fluid source.

The first portion (106) is a planar upper portion of the bottom surface (105) and the second portion (107) is a lower planar portion of the bottom surface (105) where between the drain opening (108) is formed to allow fluid communication. The fluid flow (i.e, water) first comes to the first portion (106) and then reaches the second portion (107) with the help of an inclination of the bottom surface (105) thereof. Accordingly, the drain assembly passage (101) is provided in a location where the second portion (107) directs the fluid flow to the drain assembly passage (101).

The drain assembly (10, 110) is disposed of within the drain assembly passage (101) such that the fluid flow held within the basin (104) can flow through the drain assembly passage (101) of the basin and into the drain assembly (10). The drain assembly (10, 110) can be configured to use every type of lavatory. In a preferred embodiment, the drain assembly (10, 110) is oriented within the drain assembly passage (101) such that the view of drain assembly (10) of a user of the lavatory system can be obscured by the first portion (106) thereof. Although the abutment portion (102) is shown integrally formed with the basin (104), according to an additional aspect, the abutment portion (102) is detachably coupled to the basin (104). The shape of the basin (104) may be any suitable shape such that the basin (104) is configured to hold a volume of fluid. The drain assembly (10, 110) can be used for washbasins.

The present invention also proposes a method of placing a drain assembly (10, 110) to a lavatory (100), comprising the steps of providing a lavatory (100) according to the present invention as disclosed above; providing a drain assembly (10, 110) according to the all embodiments of the invention as disclosed above; placing the drain assembly (10, 110) into the drain assembly passage (101) by pushing upward from the drain assembly passage (101) wherein an adjustment head (51) of the connection member (50) is reachable from an open bottom part (44, 144) of the drain assembly (10, 110); and fastening the connection member (50) with the tool (60) for pulling the strainer (20, 120) inside the drain assembly (10, 110) such that the strainer (20, 120) moves and compresses the engagement flanges (43, 143) outwardly for fitting to the drain assembly passage (101). Thus, an easy assembly of the drain assembly (10, 110) is provided. With this arrangement, the connection member (50) is enough to fasten for tightly fit in the drain assembly passage (101). When placing the drain assembly (10, 110) within the drain assembly passage (101), the flexible engagement flanges (43, 143) can be squeezed by the user and then released, afterwards the connection member (50) is fastened. This placing steps of the drain assembly (10, 110) in the lavatory (100) method can be used in any type of lavatory (100).

Reference list:

10, 110 Drain assembly

20, 120 Strainer

21, 121 Connection hole

22 Outer lip

23 Protrusion

30, 130 Gasket member

31. Neck portion

32. Support rib

40 140 Main body

41, 141 Threaded portion

42 Support portion

43. 143 Engagement flange

44. 144 Open bottom part

45. 145 Tip end

46, 146, 246 Intermediate portion

47, 147 Guiding hole

48 Abutment skirt

49 Engagement cavity

50. Connection member

51 Adjustment head

52 Threaded rod portion

60 Tool

70 Engagement unit

71 Top gasket member

72 Intermediate gasket member

73 Engagement part

74 Upper housing

100 Lavatory

101 Drain assembly passage

102 Abutment portion

103 Chamfered portion

104 Basin

105 Bottom surface

106 First portion

107 Second portion

108 Drain opening

X Longitudinal axis of the drain assembly