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 adapted to be associated with the bathtub, comprising:
 an overflow pipe including an upper end 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 the 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, the lip 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 flexible conduit interconnected to said lower end of said overflow pipe.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said cap defines a fluid passing passage. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said cap covers substantially all of said nut element. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said cap is adjustably retained to said nut element by the cap retention elements, which are circularly spaced and comprise small lips. 
     
     
         5 . A plumbing system for interconnection with a bathtub that has a bottom, sidewalls, end walls, an overflow port, and a drain port, comprising:
 an overflow assembly adapted for interconnection to the bathtub, 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 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 flexible conduit interconnected to said lower end portion of said overflow pipe. 
   
     
     
         6 . A plumbing system for interconnection with a bathtub that has an overflow port and a drain port, comprising:
 an overflow assembly adapted for interconnection to the bathtub, which has a bottom, side walls, end walls, and an overflow port in one end wall, comprising:
 an overflow pipe with an elbow portion defining an upper end portion and a lower end portion, said upper end portion having an outer end defining an inlet, said upper end having threads on an outer surface thereof; 
 a lip extending radially outwardly from said outer surface of the 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, said nut element having an outer periphery with a series of radially extending lugs that detachably engage an inner surface of a cap that fits over said nut; and 
 a flexible conduit interconnected to said lower end portion of said overflow pipe. 
   
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein said nut element and said radially extending lugs constitute a single-piece unit. 
     
     
         8 . The overflow assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising a sealing element associated with said outer end that closes the inlet to fluid flow. 
     
     
         9 . A plumbing system for interconnection with a bathtub that has an overflow port and a drain port, comprising:
 an overflow assembly that includes:
 an overflow pipe with an elbow portion defining an upper end portion, which is adapted for interconnection with the overflow port, and a lower end portion, which is adapted for interconnection with a wastewater drain assembly, said upper end portion having an outer end defining an inlet, said upper end 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, said nut element having an outer periphery with a series of radially extending lugs that detachably engage an inner surface of a cap that fits over said nut; and 
 wherein said lower end portion is adapted for interconnection with a waste water drain assembly by way of a flexible conduit.