Tracking Drain Closure Device that Rotates between Open and Closed.

Abstract

A drain closure device for a vessel such as a bathtub or sink is provided. The drain closure device comprises a stopper fitted with a sealing gasket and equipped with track followers on a vertical post capped with a horizontal stopper, plus a flanged pipe emanating from said stopper that fits to the drainage hole in a vessel. The device is operable to be concentrically disposed with a hole in the bottom of the vessel. Rotation of the stopper causes travel of the followers on the stem to rise against the track cut into the interior of the flanged pipe. Resistance to closure when opened is provided by a terminal rest stop for each track follower on the upper part of the track. No springs, pins, or resistance seals are used. Reverse rotation of the stopper causes reverse travel of the followers back down the track to a low resting place located to effect closure of the horizontal stopper atop the flange of the pipe resting on the perimeter of the vessel hole. Once in place, the drain closure occupies the drain hole in the bottom of the vessel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drain closure device for mounting to a strainer defining a fluid passage with a flange extending outwardly about an upper end thereof, said drain closure device comprising: a stopper having a sealing member for sealing against said flange depending from said stopper; a horizontal stopper supporting a vertical post, said stopper being rotatable about a stopper axis; a guide track inscribed on the internal wall of said flange for extending about and receiving at least a portion of horizontal track followers depending from said post for relative rotational and longitudinal sliding movement therebetween respectively about and along said stopper axis; said guide track further defining an cam surface; a cam track follower extending from said stem for following said cam surface in response to rotation of said stopper about said stopper axis, said cam surface being profiled to cause axial movement of said sealing member between an open configuration away from said guide track, and a closed configuration toward said guide track; said cam surface including a resting place for maintaining said stopper in said open configuration absent rotational input to said stopper. 
     
     
         2 . A drain closure device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said post is provided with horizontal track followers for acting against said guide track retaining said stopper in said guide track. 
     
     
         3 . A drain closure device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said sealing member has a gasket affixed thereto for sealing against said flange in said closed configuration to impede fluid flow into said passage.