Method and Associated Apparatus for Assembling and Testing a Plumbing System

Abstract

A system is provided for enhancing the interconnectability of a bathtub to a plumbing system. More specifically, provided is a flexible conduit and an overflow assembly that allows for a portion of the overflow assembly to be easily located with the wall of a bathtub. The flexible conduit provided allows for adjustability of the conduit to the openings of the bathtub. In addition, provided are methods and apparatus that facilitate testing of a plumbing assembly. Finally, an apparatus and methods are provided that protect portions of the finished bathtub assembly to decrease in the need for replacing said hardware. It is envisioned that aspects and inventions disclosed herein can be used in conjunction to facilitate the interconnection and protection of hardware associated with a bathtub.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A plumbing system for interconnection with a bathtub that has an overflow port and a drain port, comprising:
 an overflow assembly for facilitating leak testing of a plumbing system that is adapted to be associated with a bathtub, comprising:
 an overflow pipe including an upper and a lower end; 
 an elbow between said upper end and said lower end, said upper end having threads and being adapted to fit completely through an overflow port of the bathtub; 
 a lip extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the overflow pipe between said elbow and said upper end that is adapted to engage an outer surface of the bathtub adjacent to the overflow port; 
 a nut element associated with said overflow pipe adapted to secure said overflow pipe to an end of the bathtub wherein a wall of the bathtub is positioned between said lip and said nut element, said nut element comprising threads compatible with said threads of said upper end and said nut element having a plurality of cap retention elements extending radially from said nut element; and 
 a cap selectively interconnected to said nut element; and 
   a wastewater drain assembly for interconnection to the drain port.   
     
     
         2 . A plumbing system for interconnection with a bathtub that has an overflow port and a drain port, comprising:
 an overflow assembly for adapted for interconnection to a bathtub, which has a bottom, side walls, end walls, and the overflow port in one end wall, comprising:   an overflow pipe having an elbow portion defining an upper end portion and a lower end portion, said upper end portion having an outer end defining an inlet and having threads on an outer surface thereof;   a lip extending radially outwardly from said outer surface of said overflow pipe between said elbow portion and said upper end portion and being spaced from said inlet;   a nut element with a threaded portion that is compatible with said threads of said overflow pipe for mounting said nut element to said upper end portion, said nut element having a series of radially extending cap retention elements that are spaced about a longitudinal axis defined by said nut element, there being gaps between each of said radially extending cap retention elements; and   a cap retained in a position of attachment to said radially extending cap retention elements, said radially extending cap retention elements being received within said cap; and   a wastewater drain assembly for interconnection to the drain port.   
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said cap covers substantially all of said nut element. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said cap defines a fluid passing passage. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said cap is in spaced relation to said nut element and is in sealing engagement with said inlet. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said cap is adjustably retained to said nut element by the radially extending cap retention elements, which are circularly spaced and comprise small lips. 
     
     
         7 . A plumbing system for interconnection with a bathtub that has an overflow port and a drain port, the plumbing system also associated with a waste water strainer, said strainer having a cylindrical wall with a bottom edge surrounding a cylindrical opening extending through the bottom of the bathtub, and a flange extending outwardly from a level above and adjacent said cylindrical opening and positioned on the bottom of the bathtub, comprising:
 an overflow assembly for adapted for interconnection to a bathtub, which has a bottom, side walls, end walls, and the overflow port in one end wall, comprising:   an overflow pipe having an elbow portion defining an upper end portion and a lower end portion, said upper end portion having an outer end defining an inlet and having threads on an outer surface thereof;   a lip extending radially outwardly from said outer surface of said overflow pipe between said elbow portion and said upper end portion and being spaced from said inlet;   a nut element with a threaded portion that is compatible with said threads of said overflow pipe for mounting said nut element to said upper end portion, said nut element having a series of radially extending cap retention elements that are spaced about a longitudinal axis defined by said nut element, there being gaps between each of said radially extending cap retention elements; and a cap retained in a position of attachment to said radially extending cap retention elements, said radially extending cap retention elements being received within said cap; and   a waste water insert adapted for insertion within the wastewater strainer and comprising a wall with a cylindrical portion having an upper end with a flange extending outwardly from said cylindrical portion, said flange having a downwardly-extending lip associated with the outer edge thereof, said lip adapted to engage an outer edge of the flange of the wastewater strainer, and wherein.   
     
     
         8 . The combination of  claim 7 , further comprising a resilient member associated with the outer surface of said cylindrical wall of said insert.