Automatically releasing bathtub overflow stopper

Abstract

Described are devices, systems, and methods for blocking or impeding the flow of fluid through the overflow drain of a bathtub. A device may include a stopper configured to be removably held in place by water pressure or buoyancy only when water level in the bathtub is above at least one overflow opening. The stopper may include a body defining an internal arcuate surface configured to cover the at least one overflow opening. A system may include: a cover plate comprising at least one overflow opening in one of an annular skirt and a domed portion; and a stopper comprising a body defining an internal arcuate surface, the stopper removably held in place by fluid pressure or buoyancy only. A method may include: covering at least one overflow opening with a stopper; and removably holding the stopper in place by fluid pressure or buoyancy only.

1 . A device for blocking or impeding the flow of water through at least one overflow opening of a bathtub, the device comprising: 
 a stopper configured to be removably held in place by a pressure differential or buoyancy only when water level in the bathtub is above the at least one overflow opening, the stopper comprising a body defining an internal arcuate surface configured to cover the at least one overflow opening.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body is one of a semi-annular body, a semi-circular body, and a circular body.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , the semi-circular body comprising a semi-disc-shaped front portion surrounded by a semi-annular portion, the semi-annular portion defining the internal arcuate surface.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 2 , the circular body comprising a disc-shaped front portion surrounded by an annular portion, the annular portion defining the internal arcuate surface, and the disc-shaped front portion and the annular portion defining an internal cavity.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the internal arcuate surface is a concave surface.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the stopper includes a tether attachment aperture.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the tether attachment aperture is defined in a free end of a handle attached to an external portion of the body.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the stopper is formed of one of a material which has a negative buoyancy in water, a material which has a neutral buoyancy in water, a material which has a positive buoyancy in water, and vinyl.  
   
   
       9 . An overflow drain and stopper system, the system comprising: 
 an overflow drain comprising an overflow drain opening in a wall of a bathtub and a cover plate over the overflow drain opening, the cover plate comprising at least one overflow opening in one of an annular skirt and a domed portion; and    a stopper for blocking or impeding the flow of water through the overflow drain, the stopper comprising a body defining an internal arcuate surface, and the stopper removably held in place by a pressure differential or buoyancy only when water level in the bathtub is above the at least one overflow opening.    
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the body is one of a semi-annular body, a semi-circular body, and a circular body.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , the semi-circular body comprising a semi-disc-shaped front portion surrounded by a semi-annular portion, the semi-annular portion defining the internal arcuate surface.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 10 , the circular body comprising a disc-shaped front portion surrounded by an annular portion, the annular portion defining the internal arcuate surface, and the disc-shaped front portion and the annular portion defining an internal cavity.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the internal arcuate surface is a concave surface.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the stopper includes a tether attachment aperture.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the tether attachment aperture is defined in a free end of a handle attached to an external portion of the body.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the stopper is formed of one of a material which has a negative buoyancy in water, a material which has a neutral buoyancy in water, a material which has a positive buoyancy in water, and vinyl.  
   
   
       17 . A method for blocking or impeding the flow of water through an overflow drain, the overflow drain comprising an overflow drain opening in a wall of a bathtub and a cover plate over the overflow drain opening, the cover plate comprising at least one overflow opening in one of an annular skirt and a domed portion, the method comprising: 
 covering the at least one overflow opening with a stopper; and    removably holding the stopper in place by a pressure differential or buoyancy only when water level in the bathtub is above the at least one overflow opening.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein covering the at least one overflow opening comprises covering the at least one overflow opening with a stopper having a body defining an internal arcuate surface.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein covering the at least one overflow opening comprises covering the at least one overflow opening with a stopper having one of a semi-annular body, a semi-circular body, and a circular body.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein covering the at least one overflow opening comprises covering the at least one overflow opening with a stopper having one of a negative buoyancy in water, a neutral buoyancy in water, and a positive buoyancy in water.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein covering the at least one overflow opening comprises covering the at least one overflow opening with a vinyl stopper.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising tethering the stopper.