Waste trap movement system

Abstract

The invention relates to the provision of a closure system for a drain hole of a bath, sink or the like. The system comprises a closure means which is movable between an open drainage position and closed sealed position. The movement is controlled by a movement assembly mounted in connection with the closure means so as to allow the movement to be achieved without direct contact between the user and the closure means being required. Typically one or more user operable switches or remote control means are provided to allow the selective movement of the closure means by the movement assembly to be achieved.

1 . A closure system for a sink, bath or similar device in which a body of liquid can be selectively collected, said closure system located with respect to a drain hole in the sink, bath or similar device, and includes a closure means mounted with respect to the drain hole so as to be movable between a closed position in which the closure means substantially prevents the passage of liquid through the drain hole, and an open position in which the closure means is moved upwardly to allow the passage of liquid through the drain hole wherein the system includes a movement assembly including a selectively operated movement means, control means selectively actuable by a user and, when said control means are actuated, said movement means is powered to act on at least one member, which in turn is in contact with the closure means, to move the closure means in a first direction to a closed position or in an opposing direction to the open position. 
   
   
       2 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the member passes through a chamber and a seal is provided to preventingress of liquid to the movement means. 
   
   
       3 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the control means include one or more switches. 
   
   
       4 . A system according to  claim 3  wherein the switches are located on an external face of the sink, bath or similar item, or adjacent surface, removed from the body of liquid so as to allow the same to be operated by the user, without the need to place their hands into the liquid. 
   
   
       5 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein visual indication means are provided to indicate when the control means are available to be used. 
   
   
       6 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the control means are operated via a remote control system. 
   
   
       7 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the closure means comprises a body, a portion with which the member of the movement assembly contacts to move the closure means and a sealing means which, when the closure means is in the closed position substantially seals the drain hole from the passage of liquid therethrough. 
   
   
       8 . A system according to  claim 7  wherein the closure means incorporates a waste trap, said waste trap movable with the closure means between the open and closed positions. 
   
   
       9 . A system according to  claim 8  wherein the closure means includes a cover or canopy portion which is located at the top of the closure means. 
   
   
       10 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the member is rotated by the powered movement means when actuated. 
   
   
       11 . A system according to  claim 10  wherein the axis of rotation is substantially perpendicular to the axis along which the closure means is moved. 
   
   
       12 . A system according to  claim 10  wherein the member contacts with the closure means via an arm. 
   
   
       13 . A system according to  claim 12  wherein the arm includes a cam surface which contacts with the closure means. 
   
   
       14 . A system according to  claim 10  wherein the movement means is a motor. 
   
   
       15 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the movement means includes a solenoid to which power is selectively supplied in response to user generated control signals. 
   
   
       16 . A system according to  claim 15  wherein the solenoid is moved in a first direction in response to the receipt of power in a first polarity, and is movable in a second direction in response to the receipt of power in a reverse polarity, with the respective polarities selected by a control system in response to the selective control means actuation by the user. 
   
   
       17 . A system according to  claim 16  wherein the solenoid includes a member which is connected to drive and move a shaft of the closure means thereby moving the closure means between the open and closed positions. 
   
   
       18 . A system according to  claim 17  wherein the member is connected to rotate a rotatable member on which an arm is provided to contact with the shaft of the closure means. 
   
   
       19 . A system according to  claim 18  wherein the rotatable member depends into the drainage passage leading from the drain hole. 
   
   
       20 . A system according to  claim 17  wherein a seal is provided with a resilience such as to act as a diaphragm in conjunction with movement of the member. 
   
   
       21 . A system according to  claim 20  wherein the seal biases the member to a predetermined position when the member has been moved to that position. 
   
   
       22 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein a resilient means is provided to encourage the retention of the member in a predetermined position. 
   
   
       23 . A system according to  claim 22  wherein when the member is in the predetermined position, the closure means is in a closed position. 
   
   
       24 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein at least one aperture is provided in the system to allow any debris which may collect in said system, to be removed. 
   
   
       25 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the movement means is provided such that the closure means, when in the open or closed positions, is locked in that position until electrical power is supplied to the movement means. 
   
   
       26 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said member is in contact with a pivot arm on one side of a pivot axis and the pivot arm is in contact with the closure means on the other side of the pivot axis. 
   
   
       27 . A system according to  claim 26  wherein the movement of the member is along an axis which is substantially parallel with the axis along which the closure means moves. 
   
   
       28 . A system according to  claim 26  wherein the pivot arm, at the area of location with the closure means, is curved so as to ensure reliable contact with the closure means during movement of the closure means between open and closed positions. 
   
   
       29 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the movement assembly is provided in connection with a length of drainpipe, so as to allow the assembly to be fitted to a conventional drain hole and drainpipe. 
   
   
       30 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein power to the movement means is provided via one or more batteries or mains power connection connected to the closure means and control means. 
   
   
       31 . A system according to  claim 30  wherein the supply of the power to the movement means is only provided when appropriate actuation of the control means by the user is performed. 
   
   
       32 . A system according to  claim 31  wherein processing means are provided to allow the control of the power supply to the movement means. 
   
   
       33 . A closure system for a drain hole of a sink or bath, said closure system including closure means moveable between a closed sealing position, and an open drainage position, and movement means selectively operable in response to user actuation of control means wherein said movement of the closure means between said open and closed positions occurs automatically upon appropriate user actuation of the control means. 
   
   
       34 . A system according to  claim 33  wherein the closure means are moved between positions without user contact therewith. 
   
   
       35 . A method of opening and closing a closure means for a drain hole of a sink or bath, said method comprising placing the closure means in the drain hole, operating control means, to cause movement means, and hence the closure means in contact therewith, to be in either of an open drainage or closed sealing position and wherein subsequent movement of the closure means between said positions is achieved by user operation of the control means to which causes movement of the movement means and automatic movement of the closure means.