Drain flow vortex breakers

Abstract

Devices and methods are provided for preventing vortices of liquids as they flow down a drain. The drain flow vortex breakers can have radially-extending fins and can be secured to a drain cover or in the drain body or drain bowl. The vortex breakers can hang from a drain cover with support tabs. The vortex breakers can have compressible portions with an outward bias to secure them within the drain body and/or bowl. The vortex breakers can have rigid overhang portions that can sit in the drain bowl. The vortex breakers can have radial fins that extend and retract radially.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drain flow vortex breaker apparatus configured to be positioned within a drain body and suspended from a drain cover, the drain flow vortex breaker apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of fins extending radially outward from a central portion, the central portion extending along a longitudinal axis of the drain flow vortex breaker apparatus; and   a generally planar securement structure extending generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the drain flow vortex breaker apparatus, the plurality of fins secured to and extending from a first surface of the securement structure, a second surface of the securement structure configured be secured against an overlying drain cover to secure the drain flow vortex breaker apparatus to the overlying drain cover and prevent radial rotation of the drain flow vortex breaker apparatus relative to the overlying drain cover.   
     
     
         2 . The drain flow vortex breaker apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the securement structure comprises a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. 
     
     
         3 . The drain flow vortex breaker apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of apertures are configured to be aligned with at least a portion of a plurality of apertures in the overlying drain cover to receive at least one fastener extending through an aperture of the plurality of apertures of the securement structure and an aperture of the plurality of apertures of the overlying drain cover. 
     
     
         4 . The drain flow vortex breaker apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the securement structure is configured to be secured relative to the overlying drain cover using a plurality of bolts, each bolt of the plurality of bolts extending through an aperture of the plurality of apertures of the securement structure and an aperture of the plurality of apertures of the overlying drain cover. 
     
     
         5 . The drain flow vortex breaker apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of apertures of the securement structure comprise a plurality of circular apertures. 
     
     
         6 . The drain flow vortex breaker apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of apertures extending through the securement structure comprises a combination of at least one linearly extending aperture, at least one curved aperture, and at least one circular aperture. 
     
     
         7 . The drain flow vortex breaker apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the securement structure is cylindrical. 
     
     
         8 . The drain flow vortex breaker apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fins taper inward near a base of the plurality of fins. 
     
     
         9 . The drain flow vortex breaker apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the overlying drain cover is a flat drain cover and the plurality of fins are dimensioned to extend into an underlying drain bowl when the drain cover is secured to the underlying drain bowl. 
     
     
         10 . The drain flow vortex breaker apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the overlying drain cover is a raised drain cover and the plurality of fins are dimensioned to extend into an underlying drain bowl when the drain cover is secured to the underlying drain bowl. 
     
     
         11 . A method for securing a drain flow vortex breaker apparatus in a drain, the method comprising:
 providing a drain flow vortex breaker apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of fins extending radially outward from a central portion, the central portion extending along a longitudinal axis of the drain flow vortex breaker apparatus; and 
 a securement structure overlying the plurality of fins; 
   securing an upper side of the securement structure relative to a bottom side of a drain cover; and   securing the drain cover to a drain such that the plurality of fins extend into the drain.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein coupling the upper side of the securement structure with the bottom side of a drain cover comprises:
 aligning a plurality of apertures extending through the drain cover with a plurality of apertures extending through the securement structure; and   installing a plurality of bolts, each of the plurality of bolts extending through an aperture of the plurality of apertures of the drain cover and through an aperture of the plurality of apertures of the securement structure.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein installing the plurality of bolts further comprises installing a nut on each of the plurality of bolts. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein securing the drain cover to a drain such that the plurality of fins extend into the drain comprises securing the drain cover to a drain such that the plurality of fins are positioned at least partially within a drain bowl of the drain. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein securing the upper side of the securement structure relative to a bottom side of a drain cover comprises securing an upper side of the securement structure relative to a bottom side of a raised central portion of a raised drain cover.