Magnetically actuated drain stopper apparatus

Abstract

A drain stopper assembly for selectively opening and closing a drain located within a basin, tub or sink. A clamp assembly is affixed to the sink's drain body pivotally supporting a magnet. A magnet or ferromagnetic material is appended to a lifting pedestal which in turn supports a stopper sized to selectively block the sink's drain collar. The stopper can be caused to selectively seat upon and be removal from the drain collar through actuation of the magnetic assembly along the drain body

1 . A drain stopper assembly for selectively opening and closing a drain located within a basin, tub or sink, said drain having an opening within said basin, tub or sink for facilitating the selective passage of water therethrough past a drain collar, drain body and drain tailpiece, a stopper being selectively sealable on said drain collar allowing selective passage of water therethrough, said stopper being supported by a lifting pedestal slidably located within said drain body having a ferromagnetically attractable member supportably positioned thereon, a clamp assembly affixed to said drain body pivotably supporting a magnet such that movement of an actuating assembly moves said magnet along said drain body, said magnet and ferromagnetic material being sufficiently attracting to cause said lifting pedestal to slide within said drain body to cause said stopper to selectively seat upon and be removed from said drain, collar upon pivotal movement of said clamp assembly. 
   
   
       2 . The drain stopper of  claim 1  further comprising a connecting rod bridging said drain stopper to said lifting pedestal. 
   
   
       3 . The drain stopper of  claim 1  wherein said ferromagnetically attractable member comprises a ferromagnetic ring. 
   
   
       4 . The drain stopper of  claim 1  wherein said actuating assembly comprises a rod or cable actuable by a user remotely from said clamp assembly. 
   
   
       5 . The drain stopper of  claim 1  wherein said magnet on said clamp assembly comprises a magnetic collar surrounding said drain body. 
   
   
       6 . The drain stopper of  claim 1  wherein said drain stopper and lifting pedestal are removable from said drain body by lifting said drain stopper from said drain collar. 
   
   
       7 . The drain stopper assembly of  claim 1  wherein said actuating assembly comprises a source of pressurized air. 
   
   
       8 . The drain stopper of  claim 6  wherein said drain body is characterized as having an unobstructed interior surface once said drain stopper and lifting pedestal have been removed therefrom. 
   
   
       9 . A drain stopper assembly fox selectively opening and closing a drain located within a basin, tub or sink, said drain having an opening within said basin, tub or sink for facilitating the selective passage of water therethrough past a drain collar and drain body, said stopper being selectively sealable as said drain collar allowing selective passage of water therethrough, a connecting rod appended to said stopper which extends within said drain body when said stopper is positioned on said drain collar, a first magnet appended to said connecting rod, a second magnet selectively positionable proximate said first magnet, the same poles of said first and second magnetic facing each other when said first and second magnets are positionable proximate one another and being of sufficient strength to selectively cause said drain stopper to lift from said drain collar when said first and second magnets are so proximate to one another. 
   
   
       10 . The drain stopper assembly of  claim 9  further comprising a crossbar extending across said drain body for receipt and centering of said connecting rod. 
   
   
       11 . The drain stopper assembly of  claim 9  wherein said second magnet is selectively movable between first and second positions such that in said first position, said first and second magnets are of sufficient strength and proximity to cause said drain stopper to lift from said drain collar. 
   
   
       12 . The drain stopper assembly of  claim 11  further comprising a control assembly for selectively moving said second magnet between said first and second positions. 
   
   
       13 . The drain stopper assembly of  claim 12  wherein said second magnet is slidable on a plane substantially perpendicular to said connection rod.