Quick drain plug

Abstract

The invention relates to a hand-actuated drain plug that comprises a tubular member having a proximal head and a distal body adapted to engage a tubular port. The head of the plug has an annular end with at least two surface areas corresponding to an open and closed position. The tubular member defines an axially aligned bore. The plug includes a cap top that comprises a proximal flange coupled to a stem. The flange has a distally oriented surface that is adapted to be placed in orientation with the two surface areas of the annular end corresponding to open and closed positions. The other end of the stem is coupled to a bushing that is sized to fit and slide within the bore of the tubular member. A biasing member positioned between the stem and the tubular member is compressed to bias the plug to a closed position.

1 . A hand-actuated drain plug for a vessel having a tubular port, the drain plug comprising:
 a tubular member having a proximal head and a distal body adapted to fittingly engage the tubular port, said head having an annular end with at least two surface areas, said tubular member defining an axially aligned bore having an interior, distally oriented annular shoulder located at a proximal end of said tubular member;   a cap top comprising a proximal flange coupled to a distal stem oriented substantially perpendicular to said flange, said flange having a distal surface adapted to be placed in orientation with said at least two surface areas of said annular, said distal stem sized to fit within said bore of said tubular member;   a bushing coupled to a distal end of said stem, said bushing sized to fit within said bore of said tubular member;   a biasing member sized to fit between said stem and said tubular member, said biasing member compressed between said annular shoulder and said bushing;   wherein said hand-actuated drain plug is adapted to be placed in an open position such that said flange is adjacent one of said at least two surface areas and in a closed position such that said flange is adjacent the second of said surface areas.   
   
   
       2 . A hand-actuated drain plug as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said distal body of said tubular member includes at least one vent adapted to allow fluid to flow through said axially aligned bore of the drain plug. 
   
   
       3 . A hand-actuated drain plug as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said bushing defines at least one opening adapted to allow fluid to flow through said axially aligned bore of the drain plug. 
   
   
       4 . A hand-actuated drain plug as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising an O-ring coupled to said annular end of said head such that said flange forms a seal between said head and said cap member when said drain plug is in said closed position. 
   
   
       5 . A hand-actuated drain plug as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said at least two surface areas of said annular end of said head are defined by a ramped area along said annular end. 
   
   
       6 . A hand-actuated drain plug as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a circuit adapted to be attached to a signaling device, said circuit including a conductive portion of said flange and a conductive portion of said head of said tubular member such said conductive portion of said flange and said conductive portion of said head forming a closed circuit when the drain plug is in said closed position and an open circuit when the drain plug is in said open position. 
   
   
       7 . A hand-actuated drain plug for a vessel having a tubular threaded port, the drain plug comprising:
 a bolt-like tubular member having a proximal polygonal-shaped head and a distal externally threaded body adapted to threadingly engage the tubular threaded port, said head having at least two distally distinct surface areas along an annular end, said tubular member defining an axially aligned bore having an interior, distally oriented annular shoulder;   a cap member comprising a proximal flange coupled to a distal stem oriented substantially perpendicular to said flange, said flange having a surface adapted to be placed in orientation with said at least two distally distinct surface areas along said annular end of said head, said distal stem sized to fit within said bore of said tubular member;   a bushing coupled to a distal end of said stem, said bushing sized to fit within said bore of said tubular member;   a biasing member sized to fit between said stem and said tubular member, said biasing member compressed between said annular shoulder and said bushing;   wherein said hand-actuated drain plug is adapted to be placed in an open position such that said flange is adjacent the more proximal of said at least two distally distinct surface areas of said head and in a closed position such that said flange is adjacent the more distal of said surface areas of said head.   
   
   
       8 . A hand-actuated drain plug as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said distal externally threaded body of said bolt-like tubular member includes at least one vent adapted to allow fluid to flow through said axially aligned bore of the drain plug. 
   
   
       9 . A hand-actuated drain plug as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said bushing defines at least one opening adapted to allow fluid to flow through said axially aligned bore of the drain plug. 
   
   
       10 . A hand-actuated drain plug as claimed in  claim 7  further comprising an O-ring coupled to said annular end of said head such that said flange forms a seal between said head and said cap member when said drain plug is in said closed position. 
   
   
       11 . A hand-actuated drain plug as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said at least two distally distinct surface areas of said head are defined by a ramped area along said annular end. 
   
   
       12 . A hand-actuated drain plug as claimed in  claim 7  further comprising a circuit adapted to be attached to a signaling device, said circuit including a conductive portion of said flange and a conductive portion of said head of said tubular member such said conductive portion of said flange and said conductive portion of said head forming a closed circuit when the drain plug is in said closed position and an open circuit when the drain plug is in said open position.