Shower area safety drain cover

Abstract

A drain cover is fabricated with a plurality of apertures in patterns of varying shapes. The cover is formed as a plate, suitable for installation proximate to a drain, and capable of bearing sufficient weight, the latter a function of the plate's size and intended use. The construction and arrangement of the plate, particularly the apertures, is such that the cover is operative to protect the drain from clogging, protect an individual near the drain from slips and falls, and still effectively and efficiently pass fluids.

1 . A shower area drain cover comprising:
 a plate having a pattern of varying shapes of elongated arcuate apertures;   wherein said pattern comprises at least five members, separated from each other;   and, wherein said plate is operative to cover a drain, bear weight, and pass fluids through said apertures.   
   
   
       2 . The drain cover of  claim 1 , wherein said plate is fabricated from a material selected from a group consisting of metal, plastic, and ceramic. 
   
   
       3 . The drain cover of  claim 1 , wherein said plate is fabricated from a material selected from a group consisting of stainless steel, vinyl, and ABS. 
   
   
       4 . The drain cover of  claim 1 , wherein said apertures have a perimeter formed with a bevel. 
   
   
       5 . The drain cover of  claim 4 , wherein said drain cover has a lower face proximate said drain, and an upper face, and wherein said bevel is formed in said upper face. 
   
   
       6 . The drain cover of  claim 1 , wherein said drain is in a floor, and wherein said cover lies substantially at the same height as said floor when installed. 
   
   
       7 . The drain cover of  claim 1 , wherein said apertures are separated from each other by a distance about as wide as the width of said apertures. 
   
   
       8 . The drain cover of  claim 7 , wherein said cover shape is selected from the group consisting of rectangle, square, oval, circle, polygon. 
   
   
       9 . A method of fabricating a shower area drain cover, comprising the steps of:
 forming a plate;   creating a pattern of varying shapes of elongated arcuate apertures in said plate, said pattern comprising at least five members, separated from each other; and,   wherein said plate is operative to cover a drain, bear weight, and pass fluids through said apertures.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of fastening said cover in proximity to said drain, using a fastening method selected from the group consisting of screwing, adhering, frictionally engaging. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1   0 , wherein said plate is formed from a material selected from a group consisting of metal, plastic, and ceramic. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said apertures are created with a perimeter formed with a bevel. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said drain is in a floor, and wherein said cover is formed to lie substantially at the same height as said floor when installed. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said drain is in a floor, further comprising the step of fastening said cover proximate to said floor. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said drain is in a floor, further comprising the step of fastening said cover in operative engagement with said drain. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said pattern of shapes are separated from each other by a distance about as wide as the width of said apertures. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said plate is formed in a shape selected from the group consisting of rectangle, square, oval, circle, polygon. 
   
   
       18 . A shower area drain cover comprising:
 a plate, sized to cover a drain, including
 quartets of a pattern of apertures spaced apart from the center of the plate, each pattern including:
 five arcuate apertures, including
 a first bow shaped aperture extending substantially from a first corner of said plate towards the center of said plate; 
 a second bow shaped aperture extending substantially from said first corner towards the center of said plate. 
 wherein said first and second apertures each have endpoints, and wherein said endpoints face each other; 
 a third aperture forming a sinuous shape, extending between said first and second apertures; 
 a fourth aperture adjacent to said second arcuate aperture, extending substantially from said first corner and extending substantially parallel to an adjacent edge of said plate; 
 a fifth aperture, disposed between said fourth aperture and said second aperture; and, 
 
 
   means for supporting said drain cover in operative engagement with a drain and a drainage surface;   wherein said plate is operative to cover a drain, bear weight, and pass fluids through said apertures.   
   
   
       19 . The drain cover of  claim 18 , wherein said apertures have a perimeter formed with a bevel. 
   
   
       20 . The drain cover of  claim 18 , wherein said drain is in a floor, and wherein said cover lies substantially at the same height as said floor when installed.