Offset grid drain and drain closure mechanism

Abstract

An offset grid drain closure assembly including a drain strainer disposed in the drain hole of a basin, a vertically movable stopper member disposed beneath the strainer and having structure complementary to the opening or openings in the strainer, and a gasket disposed immediately underneath the strainer member and having a matching opening pattern. The stopper is operably connected to an actuation device such that when actuated, the stopper is lowered downwardly from the gasket underneath the strainer or raised to approximate the gasket so as to close the strainer. The drain closure thus provides fluid tight closure of a drain with no elevated surfaces in the bottom of the fluid containing basin, either when closed or when opened.

1 . A drain closure apparatus, comprising:
 a strainer member for installation over the upper end of a drain body and an underside for placement over the floor of a basin or sink, said strainer member having at least one hole;   a stopper member having structure complementary to said at least one hole of said strainer member, and having a closed configuration wherein said stopper member is approximated to said underside of said strainer member and having an open configuration wherein said stopper member is lowered and spaced apart from said strainer member.   
   
   
       2 . The drain closure apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said strainer member includes a plurality of holes and wherein said stopper member includes a plurality of holes and stopper structure which covers the holes in said strainer member when in the closed configuration. 
   
   
       3 . The drain closure apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the holes in said strainer member form a grid array. 
   
   
       4 . The drain closure apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a gasket member affixed to said underside of said strainer member, interposed between said strainer member and said stopper member, and having holes matching the holes in said strainer member. 
   
   
       5 . The drain closure apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said stopper member a shaft portion and a head, wherein said head is sized with a side having an exterior circumference such that said head fits snugly but slidably within the interior of the drain body. 
   
   
       6 . The drain closure apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said head includes a plurality of holes forming a pattern offset from hole pattern in said strainer member. 
   
   
       7 . The drain closure apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a gasket member interposed between said strainer member and said stopper member, said gasket having at least one hole matching and aligned with the holes of said strainer member. 
   
   
       8 . The drain closure apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said gasket member has a plurality of holes matching and aligned with the holes of said strainer member.