Drain apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drain apparatus and method of covering a drainage inlet. In one embodiment the apparatus consists of a drain cover 10, which is a dish or bowl like structure having outer and inner wall surfaces 13 and 14 respectively, base 15 and rim 16. Outlet 12 is centrally positioned within the wall surfaces 13 and 14 and extends laterally through the base 15, allowing the drain to draw liquid there through.

1 . A drain apparatus comprising: 
 at least one drain opening; and    a drain cover selectively engagable across said at least one opening by a rotary engagement which resists manual removal from said opening, said drain cover including an outlet allowing liquid to pass through said drain cover.    
   
   
       2 . The drain apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the rotary engagement is selected from one or more of the following: a threaded relation, a bayonet type arrangement, or interrupted thread, and wherein said rotary engagement requires concurrent axial pressure for initial disengagement.  
   
   
       3 . The drain apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the drain cover has a dish shape or a bowl shape.  
   
   
       4 . The drain apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said drain cover includes, a base a peripheral wall defining inner and outer wall surfaces and an upper rim finishing substantially flush with the drain opening.  
   
   
       5 . The drain apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said the retaining rotary engagement is associated with the outer wall surface of said drain cover.  
   
   
       6 . The drain apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said outlet comprises an outlet body raising the outlet above the base of said drain cover to a height substantially co-incident with said upper rim thereby forming an annular well between the inner wall surface and the outlet body.  
   
   
       7 . The drain apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the annular well is filled with a filler to prevent gripping or purchase on said outlet body for manual removal of said drain cover.  
   
   
       8 . The drain apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said inner wall surface is angled; or stepped; or ribbed.  
   
   
       9 . A drain apparatus comprising: 
 at least one drain opening to a wall or a floor of a reservoir for liquid; and    a drain cover selectively engagable across said opening by a rotary engagement which resists manual removal from said opening, said drain cover including an outlet allowing the liquid to pass through said drain cover.    
   
   
       10 . The drain apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said drain comprises a plastic body secured to or cased into the wall or the floor of said reservoir.  
   
   
       11 . The drain apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said drain cover in use is substantially flush with said wall or floor.  
   
   
       12 . The drain apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the rotary engagement is selected from one or more of the following: a threaded relation, a bayonet type arrangement, or interrupted thread, and wherein said rotary engagement requires concurrent axial pressure for initial disengagement.  
   
   
       13 . The drain apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the drain cover is a dish or bowl shape.  
   
   
       14 . The drain apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the drain cover includes a base, a peripheral wall defining inner and outer wall surfaces and an upper rim finishing substantially flush with the drain opening.  
   
   
       15 . The drain apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said rotary engagement is associated with the outer wall surface.  
   
   
       16 . The drain apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said outlet comprises an outlet body raising the outlet above the base of said cover to a height substantially co-incident with said upper rim thereby forming an annular well between the inner wall and the outlet body.  
   
   
       17 . The drain apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the annular well is filled with a filler prevent gripping or purchase on said outlet body for manual removal of said cover.  
   
   
       18 . The drain apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said filler is adapted to blend in with the material of the wall or floor of said reservoir.  
   
   
       19 . An assembly for covering a drain having at least one opening, the assembly comprising: 
 an insert adapted for installation about the at least opening of said drain; and    a drain cover selectively engagable with the insert by a rotary engagement which resists manual removal from said insert, said drain cover including an outlet allowing liquid to pass through said drain cover.    
   
   
       20 . The assembly of  claim 19  wherein the rotary engagement is selected from one or more of the following: a threaded relation, a bayonet type arrangement, or interrupted thread, and wherein said rotary engagement requires concurrent axial pressure for initial disengagement.  
   
   
       21 . The assembly of  claim 20  wherein the drain cover is a dish or bowl shape.  
   
   
       22 . The assembly of  claim 20  wherein the drain cover includes a base, a peripheral wall defining inner and outer wall surfaces and an upper rim finishing substantially flush with the drain opening.  
   
   
       23 . The assembly of  claim 22  wherein said rotary engagement is associated with the outer wall surface.  
   
   
       24 . The assembly of  claim 22  wherein said outlet comprises an outlet body raising the outlet above the base of said cover to a height substantially co-planar with said upper rim thereby forming an annular well between the inner wall and the outlet body.  
   
   
       25 . The assembly of  claim 24  wherein the annular well is filled with a filler to prevent gripping or purchase on said outlet body for manual removal of said drain cover.  
   
   
       26 . The assembly of  claim 19  wherein said insert includes a surface shape complementary to said rotary engagement such that in use the surface shape and said retaining means rotary engagement co-operate to secure said drain cover within said insert.  
   
   
       27 . An assembly for covering a drain opening to a wall or a floor of a reservoir for liquid, the assembly comprising: 
 an insert adapted for installation about the opening of said drain; and    a drain cover selectively engagable with the insert by a rotary engagement which resists manual removal from said insert, said drain cover including an outlet allowing the liquid to pass through said drain cover.    
   
   
       28 . The assembly of  claim 27  wherein the rotary engagement is selected from one or more of the following: a threaded relation, a bayonet type arrangement, or interrupted thread, and wherein said rotary engagement requires concurrent axial pressure for initial disengagement.  
   
   
       29 . The assembly of  claim 27  wherein the drain cover has a dish shape or a bowl shape.  
   
   
       30 . The assembly of  claim 27  wherein the drain cover includes a base, a peripheral wall defining inner and outer wall surfaces and an upper rim finishing substantially flush with the drain opening.  
   
   
       31 . The assembly of  claim 30  wherein said rotary engagement is associated with the outer wall surface.  
   
   
       32 . The assembly of  claim 30  wherein said outlet comprises an outlet body raising the outlet above the base of said cover to a height substantially co-incident with said upper rim thereby forming an annular well between the inner wall surface and the outlet body.  
   
   
       33 . The assembly of  claim 32  wherein the annular well is filled with a filler to prevent gripping or purchase on said outlet body for manual removal of said drain cover.  
   
   
       34 . The assembly of  claim 33  wherein said filler is adapted to blend in with the material of the wall or floor of said reservoir.  
   
   
       35 . The assembly of  claim 27  wherein said insert includes a surface shape complementary to said rotary engagement such that in use the surface shape and said rotary engagement co-operate to secure said drain cover within said insert  
   
   
       36 . A method of covering a drain having at least one opening, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a drain cover having an outlet allowing the passage of liquid into said drain;    (b) providing the opening of said drain and said drain cover with complementary elements of a rotary engagement selected to resist manual disengagement; and    (c) engaging said drain cover with said drain opening.    
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the drain cover includes a base, a peripheral wall defining inner and outer wall surfaces and an upper rim finishing substantially flush with the drain opening.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 37  wherein said outlet comprises an outlet body raising the outlet above the base of said cover to a height substantially co-incident with said upper rim thereby forming an annular well between the inner wall surface and the outlet body.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 38  further including the step of: 
 (d) filling the annular well of said drain cover with a filler to prevent gripping or purchase on said outlet body for manual removal of said drain cover form said at least one    
   
   
       40 . A method of covering a drain opening to a wall or a floor of a reservoir for liquid, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) forming the drain within the wall or floor of said reservoir;    (b) providing an insert about said at least one opening;    (c) providing a drain cover having an outlet allowing the passage of liquid into said drain;    (d) providing said insert and said drain cover with complementary elements of a rotary engagement selected to resist manual disengagement; and    (e) casting the reservoir thereby embedding said inset within the wall or floor of the reservoir; and    (f) engaging said drain cover with said insert.    
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the drain cover includes a base, a peripheral wall defining inner and outer wall surfaces and an upper rim finishing substantially flush with the drain opening.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41  said outlet comprises an outlet body raising the outlet above the base of said cover to a height substantially co-incident with said upper rim thereby forming an annular well between the inner wall surface and the outlet body.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 42  further including the step of filling the annular well of said drain cover with a filler to prevent gripping or purchase on said outlet body for manual removal of said drain cover form said at least one opening prior to engaging said drain cover with said insert.  
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 43  wherein said filler is adapted to blend in with the wall or floor of said reservoir.  
   
   
       45 . The drain apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said outlet comprises an outlet body raising the outlet above the base of said drain cover to a height substantially co-incident with said upper rim thereby forming an annular well between the inner wall surface and the outlet body.  
   
   
       46 . The drain apparatus of  claim 45  wherein the annular well is filled with a filler to prevent gripping or purchase on said outlet body for manual removal of said drain cover.  
   
   
       47 . The drain apparatus of  claim 45  wherein said inner wall surface is angled; or stepped; or ribbed.  
   
   
       48 . The drain apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said outlet comprises an outlet body raising the outlet above the base of said cover to a height substantially co-incident with said upper rim thereby forming an annular well between the inner wall and the outlet body.  
   
   
       49 . The drain apparatus of  claim 48  wherein the annular well is filled with a filler prevent gripping or purchase on said outlet body for manual removal of said cover.  
   
   
       50 . The drain apparatus of  claim 49  wherein said filler is adapted to blend in with the material of the wall or floor of said reservoir.