Segmented Drain Systems

Abstract

A segmented drain system comprises a drain body, operable to mate with a drain fitting installed in a bath or shower area, and a bonding flange body, adjustable relative to the drain body. An integrated bonding flange extends from the bonding flange body, the integrated bonding flange being operable to be sealably attached to a bondable waterproof membrane to provide a substantially water-tight seal between the membrane and the bonding flange body. A seal is oriented between the integrated bonding flange body and the drain body, the seal being operable to provide a slidable, substantially water-tight interface between the integrated bonding flange body and the drain body.

1 . A segmented drain system, comprising:
 a drain body, operable to substantially irremovably mate with a drain fitting installed in a bath or shower area;   a bonding flange body, adjustable relative to the drain body;   an integrated bonding flange, extending from the bonding flange body, the integrated bonding flange being operable to be sealably attached to a bondable waterproof membrane to provide a substantially water-tight seal between the membrane and the bonding flange body; and   a seal, oriented between the integrated bonding flange body and the drain body, the seal being operable to provide a slidable, substantially water-tight interface between the integrated bonding flange body and the drain body.   
     
     
         2 . The drain system of  claim 1 , wherein the seal is carried by the drain body. 
     
     
         3 . The drain system of  claim 1 , wherein the seal is carried by the bonding flange body. 
     
     
         4 . The drain system of  claim 1 , further comprising a clamping ring, attachable to an upper shoulder of the drain body, the clamping ring carrying the seal. 
     
     
         5 . The drain system of  claim 1 , wherein an elevation of the integrated bonding flange of the bonding flange body is adjustable relative to the drain body through a plurality of operable positions. 
     
     
         6 . The drain system of  claim 1 , wherein the drain body includes an upper support shoulder extending outward beneath at least a portion of the integrated bonding flange. 
     
     
         7 . The drain system of  claim 1 , further comprising: a grate collar nestable within at least a portion of the drain body; and a grate nestable within the grate collar. 
     
     
         8 . The drain system of  claim 7 , wherein the grate is nestable within the grate collar, the grate collar is nestable within the bonding flange body, and the bonding flange body is nestable within the drain body. 
     
     
         9 . The drain system of  claim 1 , further comprising a bondable fleece attached to the integrated bonding flange. 
     
     
         10 . A method for preparing a shower or bath drain for attachment to a bondable waterproof membrane, comprising:
 installing a segmented drain system on a conventional drain fitting, the segmented drain system including:
 a drain body, operable to mate with a drain fitting installed in a bath or shower area; 
 a bonding flange body, adjustable relative to the drain body; 
 an integrated bonding flange, extending from the bonding flange body, the integrated bonding flange being operable to be sealably attached to a bondable waterproof membrane to provide a substantially waterproof seal between the membrane and the bonding flange body; and 
 a seal, oriented between the integrated bonding flange body and the drain body, the seal being operable to provide a slidable, substantially water-tight interface between the integrated bonding flange body and the drain body; and 
   temporarily removing the bonding flange body from the drain body to limit damage being done to the integrated bonding flange during completion of work in or adjacent to the shower or bath area.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the seal is carried by the drain body. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the seal is carried by the bonding flange body. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein an elevation of the integrated bonding flange of the bonding flange body is adjustable relative to the drain body through a plurality of operable positions. 
     
     
         14 . A method for installing an integrated bonding flange in a shower or bath drain for use with a bondable waterproof membrane, comprising:
 slidably disposing a bonding flange body within a drain body installed on a conventional drain fitting, the bonding flange body including an integrated bonding flange, extending from the bonding flange body, the integrated bonding flange being operable to be sealably attached to a bondable waterproof membrane to provide a substantially waterproof seal between the membrane and the bonding flange body; and   adjusting an elevation of the integrated bonding flange relative to the drain body by sliding the bonding flange body within the drain body.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the seal is carried by the drain body. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the seal is carried by the bonding flange body. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising installing a grate collar adjacent to or within the drain body, the grate collar operable to receive and secure a grate atop or adjacent the drain body. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising installing a grate on or within the grate collar. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising irremovably attaching a waterproof membrane to the integrated bonding flange.