Device and method for concealing a flange of a waste water strainer

Abstract

A device used to conceal at least a portion of a wastewater strainer associated with a bathtub. More specifically, a plate having an opening therethrough is used to overlap a flange of the wastewater strainer wherein the opening in the plate generally coincides with an opening in the wastewater strainer so that the bathtub drain is unobstructed. The plate may include a downwardly extending lip to help facilitate orientation onto the flange of the wastewater strainer. The plate conceals the wastewater strainer, thereby facilitating reconfiguration of a bathtub as the existing wastewater strainer need not be removed and the plumbing system retested.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A concealing device for a wastewater strainer, the concealing device comprising:
 a plate defining an opening therethrough, wherein the plate is configured to couple to a flange of the wastewater strainer;   a hub disposed within the opening; and   a stopper coupled to the hub, wherein the stopper is moveable between a closed position that engages at least a portion of the stopper with the plate and an open position that releases at least a portion of the stopper from the plate.   
     
     
         2 . The concealing device of  claim 1 , wherein the stopper comprises a lift and turn stopper, a push/pull stopper, or a foot-actuated stopper. 
     
     
         3 . The concealing device of  claim 1 , wherein the stopper is a push/pull stopper that comprises a carrier. 
     
     
         4 . The concealing device of  claim 3 , wherein the carrier comprises a bolt coupled to the hub. 
     
     
         5 . The concealing device of  claim 4 , wherein the concealing device further comprises a connector configured to couple between the bolt and the wastewater strainer. 
     
     
         6 . The concealing device of  claim 3 , further comprising a friction ring configured to maintain the stopper in the open position. 
     
     
         7 . The concealing device of  claim 1 , wherein the stopper is a foot-actuated stopper, and wherein the foot-actuated stopper includes a cap and seal that work together to open and close the stopper. 
     
     
         8 . The concealing device of  claim 7 , wherein the stopper further comprises:
 a guide member comprising a guide path;   a ring follower coupled to the guide member at the guide path; and   a stopper body coupling the ring follower to the cap and seal.   
     
     
         9 . The concealing device of  claim 7 , wherein the stopper further comprises:
 a guide member;   a screw coupling the guide member to the hub;   a ring follower coupled to the guide member; and   a stopper body coupling the ring follower to the cap and seal.   
     
     
         10 . The concealing device of  claim 7 , further comprising a connector disposed between the stopper and the wastewater strainer. 
     
     
         11 . The concealing device of  claim 10 , wherein the connector has a first end and a second end with different diameters. 
     
     
         12 . The concealing device of  claim 1 , further comprising an arm attached to the hub. 
     
     
         13 . The concealing device of  claim 1 , further comprising a grate attached to the hub. 
     
     
         14 . The concealing device of  claim 1 , wherein the hub is disposed above a top surface of the plate. 
     
     
         15 . The concealing device of  claim 1 , wherein the plate is attached to the flange of the wastewater strainer via an adhesive. 
     
     
         16 . The concealing device of  claim 15 , wherein the adhesive comprises adhesive tape. 
     
     
         17 . The concealing device of  claim 1 , wherein no portion of the stopper is positioned below a bottom surface of the plate. 
     
     
         18 . The concealing device of  claim 1 , further comprising an insert coupling the stopper to the hub. 
     
     
         19 . The concealing device of  claim 1 , wherein the stopper is coupled to a chain. 
     
     
         20 . The concealing device of  claim 19 , further comprising a centering dome coupled to the hub.