Bathtub drain adapter

Abstract

A drain adapter assembly for joining an overflow pipe to a side wall of a bathtub for permanently sealing the overflow pipe to the tub prior to the installation of a suitable overflow trim plate. The present assembly is capable of compressing the overflow pipe to the side wall of the tub while compressibly capturing a foam gasket, thus effectively preventing water seepage between the bathtub side wall and gasket and thereby enabling the tub to be filled above its overflow opening for suitable water testing.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A drain adapter comprising: 
 a threaded member;    a capture nut; and    a gasket.    
     
     
         2 . The drain adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the threaded member comprises an elbow and threaded section formed as a single unitary piece.  
     
     
         3 . The drain adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the threaded member comprises a threaded insert formed to attach to a drain pipe.  
     
     
         4 . The drain adapter of  claim 2 , wherein the single unitary piece further comprises protrusions.  
     
     
         5 . The drain adapter of  claim 3 , wherein the drain pipe further comprises protrusions.  
     
     
         6 . The drain adapter of  claim 2 , wherein the single unitary piece further comprises a flange.  
     
     
         7 . The drain adapter of  claim 3 , wherein the drain pipe further comprises a flange.  
     
     
         8 . The drain adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the gasket comprises a foam gasket.  
     
     
         9 . The drain adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the capture nut comprises a flange having holes formed thereon.  
     
     
         10 . The drain adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the capture nut comprises a flange having at least two thumb tabs formed thereon.  
     
     
         11 . The bathtub drain adapter of  claim 1 , further comprising a test plug.  
     
     
         12 . The drain adapter of  claim 1 , further comprising a face plate.  
     
     
         13 . A bathtub overflow drain test assembly comprising: 
 a drain pipe having a threaded member;    a gasket having an opening formed to receive the threaded member;    a capture nut configured to thread onto the threaded member; and    a test plug formed to seal the drain pipe.    
     
     
         14 . The bathtub overflow drain test assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the gasket forms a water-tight seal between the drain pipe and a backside of a bathtub, as the capture nut is tightened on a front side of the bathtub.  
     
     
         15 . The bathtub overflow drain test assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the drain pipe comprises an elbow and threaded section formed as a single unitary piece.  
     
     
         16 . The bathtub overflow drain test assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the threaded member comprises a threaded insert formed to attach to the drain pipe.  
     
     
         17 . The bathtub overflow drain test assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the capture nut comprises a flange having holes formed thereon.  
     
     
         18 . The bathtub overflow drain test assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the capture nut comprises a flange having at least two thumb tabs formed thereon.  
     
     
         19 . A method for leak testing a bathtub overflow drain, the method comprising: 
 installing a gasket over a threaded member on a backside of the bathtub, the threaded member connected to a drain pipe;    installing a capture nut on the threaded member such that the drain pipe and gasket are drawn to the backside of the bathtub, compressing the gasket and thereby forming a water-tight seal;    installing a test plug in the capture nut to seal the drain; and    filling the bathtub with water above an overflow drain level.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 removing the test plug once the test is complete; and    installing a face plate over the capture nut.