Sanitary quick-connect vandal proof open drain stopper

Abstract

A drain stopper assembly for selectively opening and closing a drain located within a basin, tub or sink A lifting frame assembly is situated within the drain body supporting a stopper. The lifting frame is provided with first and second annular regions selectively coupled to a piston caused to extend within and withdrawn from the drain body. In a first orientation, the piston extends within a first annular region allowing the stopper and lifting frame to be removable from the drain body while in a second orientation, the piston extends within a second annular region which prevents the stopper and lifting aim from being removed from 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 passed the drain collar and drain body, a threaded tailpiece open to and extending transversely from said drain body, a piston positioned within said threaded tailpiece and connected to an actuator assembly for selectively extending a distal end of said piston within said drain body, said distal end being characterized as having a downwardly angled surface, a lifting frame moveable within said drain body, said lifting frame having first and second ends, said first end attached to a stopper sized to close said drain collar in a first position and extendable therefrom in a second position, said second end having first and second annular regions, each annular region being positionable to selectively receive said downwardly angled surface such that as said piston extends within said drain body from said threaded tailpiece, said stopper is caused to separate from said drain collar and as said piston withdraws from said drain body and into said threaded tailpiece, said stopper is caused to seat upon said drain collar and further when said downwardly angled surface extends within a first of said annular regions, said stopper and lifting frame are removable from said drain body and when said downwardly angled surface extends within a second of said annular regions, said piston prevents said stopper and lifting frame from being removed from said drain body. 
   
   
       2 . The drain stopper assembly of  claim 1  wherein said first and second annular regions of said lifting frame are diametrically opposed to one another. 
   
   
       3 . The drain stopper assembly of  claim 1  wherein said piston is capable of being withdrawn within said threaded tailpiece to substantially remove said downwardly angled surface from said drain body 
   
   
       4 . The drain stopper assembly of  claim 1  wherein said actuator assembly comprises pressurized air in fluid communication with said piston employed to selectively move said piston within said threaded tailpiece. 
   
   
       5 . The drain stopper of  claim 1  further comprising a helical spring for biasing said piston away from said lifting frame. 
   
   
       6 . The drain stopper of  claim 1  wherein said actuator assembly comprises a lifting rod swivally connected to a cam rod and cam, said cam having a cam lobe coupled to said piston. 
   
   
       7 . The drain stopper of  claim 1  wherein said actuator assembly comprises a lifting rod connected to a cable coupled to said piston. 
   
   
       8 . A method of converting a drain stopper assembly from one in which a drain stopper can be removed from an opening within a basin, tub or sink to one in which the stopper cannot be removed from said opening in said basin, tub or sink, said opening being situated within said basin, tub or sink for facilitating the selective passage of water therethrough passed the drain collar and drain body, providing a threaded tailpiece open to and extending transversely from said drain body, providing a piston positioned within said threaded tailpiece and connected to an actuator assembly for selectively extending a distal end of said piston within said drain body, said distal end being characterized as having a downwardly angled surface, providing a lifting frame moveable within said drain body, said lifting frame having first and second ends, said first end attached to a stopper sized to close said drain collar in a first position and extendable therefrom in a second position, and said second end having first and second annular regions, each annular region being positionable to selectively receive said downwardly angled surface such that as said piston extends within said frame body from said threaded tailpiece, said stopper is caused to separate from said drain collar and as said piston withdraws from said drain body and into said threaded tailpiece, said stopper is caused to seat upon said drain collar and further when said downwardly angled surface extends within a first of said annular regions, said stopper and lifting frame are removable from said drain body and when said downwardly angled surface extends within said second of said angular regions, said piston prevents said stopper and lifting frame from being removed from said drain body, said method further comprising lifting said stopper and lifting frame from said drain collar and rotating said stopper and lifting frame approximately 180° whereupon said lifting arm presents a first or second of said annular regions to said downwardly angled surface 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  whereby said piston is withdrawn within said threaded tailpiece to substantially remove said downwardly angled surface from said drain body. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  whereby pressurized air is caused to pass within a line in fluid communication with said piston for selectively moving said piston within said threaded tailpiece. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8  providing a helical spring for biasing said piston away from said lifting frame 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein a lifting rod is caused to swivally connect to a cam rod and cam, said cam having a cam lobe which is rotated for moving said piston