Drainage mechanism

Abstract

Draining mechanism for a sanitary vessel, such as a bathtub or the like, and method for installing such a draining mechanism on a sanitary vessel in which the draining mechanism is adapted to be installed in sanitary vessels of different wall thicknesses and comprising an actuator which does not need to be bulky or aesthetically unpleasant when the sanitary vessel wall thickness is small. The invention also facilitates the movement of the actuator even when the actuator becomes wet.

1 - 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A drainage mechanism for a sanitary vessel, the drainage mechanism comprising:
 a sanitary vessel control device adapted to be located on a sanitary vessel external surface adjacent to a sanitary vessel overflow;   a securing device adapted to be located on an internal surface of the sanitary vessel, the securing device being adapted to be attached to the sanitary vessel control device to secure the sanitary vessel control device to the sanitary vessel; and   an actuator adapted to actuate the sanitary vessel control device from within the sanitary vessel, the actuator having a longitudinal axis, the actuator being attachable to the securing device to prevent movement of the actuator with respect to the securing device along the longitudinal axis, such that, in an in-use position, the actuator extends from the securing device in a direction away from the securing device by a predetermined distance.   
     
     
         41 . The drainage mechanism according to  claim 40  wherein the sanitary vessel control device comprises a housing and a sealing member to form a seal between the sanitary vessel control device housing and the sanitary vessel external surface. 
     
     
         42 . The drainage mechanism according to  claim 40  wherein the sanitary vessel control device is adapted to control flow of liquid out of the sanitary vessel by lifting and/or lowering a plug in a sanitary vessel outlet. 
     
     
         43 . The drainage mechanism according to  claim 42  wherein the sanitary vessel control device comprises a housing which forms a flow path between the sanitary vessel overflow and an outlet pipe and a control mechanism, which is adapted to raise and lower the plug in a sanitary vessel outlet. 
     
     
         44 . The drainage mechanism according to  claim 43  wherein the sanitary vessel control device housing is adapted to be located on an external surface of the sanitary vessel. 
     
     
         45 . The drainage mechanism according to  claim 42  wherein the sanitary vessel control device comprises a housing and wherein the securing device is attached to the housing by means of an attachment mechanism. 
     
     
         46 . The drainage mechanism according to  claim 45  wherein the attachment mechanism is separate from the securing device. 
     
     
         47 . The drainage mechanism according to  claim 45  wherein the attachment mechanism is adapted to be connected to the sanitary vessel control device by means of a threaded connection. 
     
     
         48 . The drainage mechanism according to  claim 45  wherein the attachment mechanism comprises one or more bolts. 
     
     
         49 . The drainage mechanism according to  claim 45  wherein the securing device comprises apertures adapted to receive the attachment mechanism. 
     
     
         50 . The drainage mechanism according to  claim 49  wherein the securing device comprises one or more holes adapted to permit threaded bolts to be pushed through the securing device into engagement with the sanitary vessel control device such that the threaded bolts can be tightened to bring the sanitary vessel control device into engagement with the sanitary vessel external surface. 
     
     
         51 . The drainage mechanism according to  claim 40  wherein the drainage mechanism is attached to the sanitary vessel control device by drawing together the securing device and the sanitary vessel control device against the sanitary vessel on either side of the sanitary vessel overflow. 
     
     
         52 . The drainage mechanism according to  claim 40  wherein the securing device comprises a plate. 
     
     
         53 . The drainage mechanism according to  claim 52  wherein the plate defines at least one aperture adapted to permit water flow through the plate. 
     
     
         54 . The drainage mechanism according to  claim 40  wherein the actuator is adapted to actuate the sanitary vessel control device by rotation. 
     
     
         55 . The drainage mechanism according to  claim 54  wherein rotation of the actuator is adapted to move the sanitary vessel control device. 
     
     
         56 . The drainage mechanism according to  claim 40  wherein the actuator is attached to the securing device by means of a snap fit. 
     
     
         57 . The drainage mechanism according to any  claim 40  wherein the actuator is connected to the securing device by means of an O-ring seal, wherein the securing device is sandwiched between an actuator flange and the O-ring seal which is located in a recess defined by the actuator. 
     
     
         58 . The drainage mechanism according to  claim 40  wherein the actuator defines an extending portion adapted to extend away from the securing device in a direction away from the sanitary vessel control device and into the sanitary vessel, wherein the extending portion defines a profile adapted to receive an actuating knob, wherein the actuating knob is connected to the actuator such that rotation of the actuating knob rotates the actuator. 
     
     
         59 . The drainage mechanism according to  claim 58  wherein the actuating knob comprises a knob pin, wherein the knob pin is threadedly connected to the actuating knob and engages the actuator extending portion profile, and wherein the knob pin, once secured to the actuating knob, extends beyond an outer edge of the actuating knob to provide a grip against which a user can press their fingers to assist in rotation of the actuating knob.