Sink strainer apparatus

Abstract

An improved plumbing component is disclosed. The plumbing component includes a basket strainer includes a basket strainer body and a tail piece extending therefrom. The tailpiece includes sufficient spacing between the lower aspect of basket strainer body and the upper aspect of tailpiece to support one or more shaped tool-engaging flats, for receiving a wrench tool for assembly / disassembly of the installed apparatus. According to another embodiment, a retrofittable tailpiece having tool-engaging flats may be applied to prior art tailpieces and secured in place to enable single-handed assembly / disassembly.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] not applicable STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH / DEVELOPMENT: [0002] not applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] 1. Field of the Invention [0004] The present invention relates to plumbing apparatus and systems, and more particularly, to an improved sink strainer apparatus for use with sinks, bathtubs, and other especially deep basin type plumbing fixtures. [0005] 2. Description of the Related Art [0006] A problem associated with drain waste lines and related systems arises in the installation or removal of plumbing components utilized with basin-type plumbing fixtures including sinks and bathtubs. Especially with deep basin kitchen sinks and bathtub drain fixtures, these components require separate personnel to secure a top portion against rotation while a tailpiece located under the basin is tightened into a final secure, leak-free position. Thus, to tighten these plumbing components in place, or to loosen these drain pi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for enabling a single person to fully assemble / disassemble plumbing components in deep basin plumbing fixtures.

[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for enabling a single person to fully assemble / disassemble plumbing components in deep basin plumbing fixtures, with positive feedback indicia for indicating complete installation.

[0016] According to the present invention, an improved sink strainer / basket strainer includes a basket strainer body opening upwardly for optionally receiving in cooperating agreement a common basket strainer or stopper in the concavity provided therein. A lower threaded tailpiece extends downwardly through intermediate extension, that extension having sufficient spacing between the lower aspect of basket strainer body and the upper aspect of tailpiece to support one or more shaped tool-engaging flats, for receiving a wrench tool for assembly / disassembly of the installed apparatus. The tool-engaging flats preferably include sufficient height and clearance to enable access of common tools such as common slip joint pliers, plumbers wrenches and the like. The upper periphery of the basket strainer body supports an outwardly extending flange to be supported on upper surface of a counter top or other mounting surface. The lower aspect of the tailpiece includes a threaded periphery for connection to a drainpipe as is well known in the prior art. Accordingly, assembly of the inventive apparatus eliminates the need for multiple plumbing personnel, as a simple long handled wrench may be applied to the tool-engaging flats and held in that position by the plumber while he concurrently manipulates the upper basket strainer apparatus and flange to secure it in desired registration relative to the front of the basin in which the apparatus is to be secured.

Problems solved by technology

A problem associated with drain waste lines and related systems arises in the installation or removal of plumbing components utilized with basin-type plumbing fixtures including sinks and bathtubs.

It is thus apparent that the use of two persons with two separate tools to tighten or loosen these plumbing components is expensive in terms of personnel costs.

Removing the basket when plumbing repairs are necessary can be difficult particularly if the basket or strainer has been installed for some period of time and has become rusted.

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