Tub box and method of using same

Abstract

A tub box, for use in enclosing a drain trap and a portion of a sewer-line pipe connected to the drain trap, includes a closed hollow one-piece housing adapted to receive the drain trap and sewer-line. The housing has opposite first and second end walls, and a compressible continuous side wall having a plurality of collapsible parallel folds attaching the end walls. A knock-out part has a base portion extending outwardly from the housing and a crown portion extending from the base portion. The base and crown portions are of different diameter so that removal of the crown portion creates a crown hole sized for a pipe of a given diameter while removal of the base portion creates a base hole sized for a pipe of a different diameter. A stake fastener, adapted to be secured about a stake, is located on the housing.

1 . A tub box for use in enclosing a drain trap and a portion of a sewer-line pipe connected to the drain trap, comprising: 
 a closed hollow one-piece housing adapted to receive a drain trap and a portion of a sewer-line pipe connected to the drain trap; and    wherein the housing has opposite first and second end walls, and a continuous side wall attaching the end walls.    
   
   
       2 . The tub box of  claim 1 , wherein the continuous side wall include a plurality of collapsible parallel folds so that the box can be compressed.  
   
   
       3 . The tub box of  claim 2 , wherein the parallel folds allow the tub box to varying in size to accommodate the restrictions of an area in which the box is placed.  
   
   
       4 . The tub box of  claim 2 , wherein the parallel folds allow the tub box to be flattened for shipment.  
   
   
       5 . The tub box of  claim 1 , further comprising a knock-out part in the housing for receiving a plumbing pipe that extends through the part into the interior of the box.  
   
   
       6 . The tub box of  claim 5 , wherein the knock-out part extends outwardly from the surface of the housing.  
   
   
       7 . The tub box of  claim 5 , wherein the knock-out part has a base portion and a crown portion, the base portion being directly adjacent to the housing, the base and crown portions being of different diameter so that removal of the crown portion creates a crown hole sized for a pipe of a given diameter while removal of the base portion creates a base hole sized for a pipe of a different diameter.  
   
   
       8 . The tub box of  claim 1 , further comprising a stake fastener located on the housing adapted to be secured about a stake.  
   
   
       9 . The tub box of  claim 2 , wherein the parallel folds are lock open ribs that lock into a given position once the tub box is expanded.  
   
   
       10 . The tub box of  claim 5 , wherein the knock-out part extends outwardly from an angularly extending portion of the surface of the housing.  
   
   
       11 . A tub box for use in enclosing a drain trap and a portion of a sewer-line pipe connected to the drain trap, comprising: 
 a housing having opposite first and second end walls, and a side wall attaching the end walls, the housing adapted to receive a drain trap and a portion of a sewer-line pipe connected to the drain trap; and    the side wall including a plurality of collapsible parallel folds so that the box can be compressed.    
   
   
       12 . The tub box of  claim 11 , wherein the parallel folds allow the tub box to varying in size to accommodate the restrictions of an area in which the box is placed.  
   
   
       13 . The tub box of  claim 11 , wherein the parallel folds allow the tub box to be flattened for shipment.  
   
   
       14 . The tub box of  claim 11 , further comprising a knock-out part extending outwardly from the surface of the housing for receiving a plumbing pipe that extends through the part into the interior of the box, wherein the knock-out part has a base portion and a crown portion, the base portion being directly adjacent to the housing, the base and crown portions being of different diameter so that removal of the crown portion creates a crown hole sized for a pipe of a given diameter while removal of the base portion creates a base hole sized for a pipe of a different diameter.  
   
   
       15 . The tub box of  claim 11 , further comprising a stake fastener located on the housing adapted to be secured about a stake.  
   
   
       16 . The tub box of  claim 11 , wherein the parallel folds are lock open ribs that lock into a given position once the tub box is expanded.  
   
   
       17 . The tub box of  claim 14 , wherein the knock-out part extends outwardly from an angularly extending portion of the surface of the housing.  
   
   
       18 . A tub box for use in enclosing a drain trap and a portion of a sewer-line pipe connected to the drain trap, comprising: 
 a housing having opposite first and second end walls, and a side wall attaching the end walls, the housing adapted to receive a drain trap and a portion of a sewer-line pipe connected to the drain trap;    a knock-out part extending outwardly from the surface of the housing for receiving a plumbing pipe that extends through the part into the interior of the box; and    wherein the knock-out part has a base portion and a crown portion, the base portion being directly adjacent to the housing, the base and crown portions being of different diameter so that removal of the crown portion creates a crown hole sized for a pipe of a given diameter while removal of the base portion creates a base hole sized for a pipe of a different diameter.    
   
   
       19 . The tub box of  claim 18 , further comprising a stake fastener located on the housing, the stake fastener having an elongated vertical slot adapted to be secured about a stake.  
   
   
       20 . A method of installing a tub box for use in enclosing a drain trap and a portion of a sewer-line pipe connected to the drain trap, comprising: 
 providing a tub box with a top portion;    pouring a concrete slab around to the tub box so that the top portion extends above the concrete slab; and    cutting the top portion from the remainder of the tub box to create an opening in the tub box that permits the insertion of the drain trap into the tub box.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the step of securing the tub box to the ground.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising the step of adjusting the shape of the tub box to fill a desired space near the drain trap.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the desired space is defined by a staked area and the tub box is secured to the stakes.  
   
   
       24 . The Method of  claim 23 , further comprising the step of adjusting the shape of the tub box to conform to the staked area.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 22 , the shape of the tub box is locked into a given position once the tub box is expanded.