Blocking system for drains

Abstract

The present invention relates to a blocking system for drains comprising a plugging device (1) attached to the upper mouth of a drain (S) via a filtering cover (11). The cover comprises, at a central point of same, a recess (111) with a screwing area (112) where a screw (12) with a non-circular hollow head (121) is secured, said screw comprising an obturator element (13) fastened at a lower point thereof. The blocking system further comprises a pole (2) having an actuation element (3) at a lower end, said actuation element being configured such that it couples to and acts on the hollow head (121) of the screw (12) of the plugging device (1), said screw lifting and lowering the obturator element (13) that respectively plugs or releases the outlet mouth of the drain (S).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] CLOSURE SYSTEM FOR DRAINS SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention, as stated in the present descriptive report, refers to a drain sealing system that provides advantages and characteristics, which are described in detail below.

[0004] The object of the present invention is a shut-off system for drains, in particular drains located at the bottom of a swimming pool basin, which has a configuration specially designed to allow a user to close and open the water passage of the drain in its recirculation to the filter system conveniently, safely and quickly from outside the pool. For this purpose, the shut-off system of the invention comprises a plugging device that is positioned over the upper opening of the drain, and a pole that includes at its lower end an actuating element that acts on the plugging device, so that a user, through the pole, activates from outside the pool the total plugging of the drain or the release of the water passage without having to empty the pool beforehand.

[0005] FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The field of application of the present invention falls within the technical sector of the manufacture and marketing of sealing systems for bottom drains in swimming pools.

[0007] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Currently, there are different devices known that serve to plug swimming pool drains, these drains being of the type that comprise a basin with an upper mouth provided with an anti-suction protective grid and a lower outlet connectable to the return to the filter.

[0009] In all these cases, there is the problem of accessing and manipulating the devices that allow the opening and closing of the drain cover, since these drains are located at the bottom of the pool basin. Another problem with the known devices is that they are made up of multiple interconnected parts, which increases their likelihood of breakage and deterioration, as well as requiring costly and skilled maintenance.

[0010] To address these problems, the present invention is developed, which allows the user to close and open the water flow through the drain in a convenient, safe manner and from outside the pool, in a way that is completely different and improved compared to what exists to date in this sector.

[0011] Furthermore, it's common for the pool's filtration system to be located at a lower level than the pool floor itself. Therefore, if the valve on the bottom drain pipe fails, the pool must be completely drained and the valve replaced. In other cases, the pipe itself may have a break, causing a constant water loss.

[0012] With this solution, in both cases, you can avoid having to drain the pool. In the first case, you can plug the drain to repair or replace the valve, and in the second case, you can plug it to prevent further water loss until the permanent repair is carried out.

[0013] To this end, the system of the invention is essentially based on a plugging device, which is positioned over the upper opening of the drain, and a pole operated by the user from outside the pool. The pole includes an actuating element at its lower end that activates the plugging device. In this way, the user, using the pole from outside the pool, can either completely plug the drain or open the water flow without having to drain the pool beforehand or immerse themselves in it to operate the device.

[0014] Therefore, the present invention presents a sealing system for swimming pool drains that achieves total watertightness, even in deep pools or those where the filter is at a great depth, since the plugging occurs by means of a mechanical closure controlled by the user from outside the pool and independent of the hydrostatic pressure, the sealing element adjusts by tightening on the inner face of the drain outlet and completely cuts off the flow of water.

[0015] Furthermore, and with reference to the current state of the art, the applicant is unaware of any solution that is similar or as effective to the problem raised as the one claimed herein.

[0016] EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The drain sealing system proposed by the invention is configured as an optimal solution to achieve the objectives indicated above, with the characterizing details that make it possible being conveniently included in the final claims that accompany this description.

[0018] Specifically, the drain sealing system that is the subject of the invention essentially comprises a plugging device that attaches to the drain and a pole that is handled by the user.

[0019] The plugging device comprises a filter cap that is fixed over the upper mouth of a drain by mechanical fixing means, which cap comprises, along a central axis, a threading zone, where it secures a screw with a hollow head of non-circular configuration, for example prismatic, and which comprises, fixed at a lower point, a sealing element.

[0020] For its part, the pole comprises, at its lower end, an actuating element which, configured in a complementary way for its connection with the hole in the screw head of the plugging device, lowers and raises the obturating element which, in turn, causes the inner face of the drain outlet to be plugged or released respectively.

[0021] Overall, the system of the invention allows a user to plug or unplug a drain located at the bottom of a swimming pool by means of a pole, with the pool full of water and the user outside of it.

[0022] For this purpose, the lower end of the pole comprises a male-type drive element with a shape complementary to the shape of the screw hole, for example prismatic, which fits into the hollow prismatic configuration head of the plugging device screw.

[0023] This connection allows the screw of the plugging device to move down or up along the threaded area of ​​the lid by turning the pole, and consequently, the obturating element fixed at a lower point of the screw moves together, causing, respectively, the plugging or the internal release of the drain outlet.

[0024] Consequently, when the sealing element is tightened against the inner surface of the drain outlet, it creates a watertight seal, preventing water from passing through. Therefore, the pool's filtration system is effectively blocked at the drain comprising the system of the invention, improving upon existing sealing systems in this sector.

[0025] Meanwhile, when the obturating element is located away from the drain outlet, the pool water circulates through it continuously during purification.

[0026] In this document, the obturating element is understood to be a truncated conical body. Another detail of the system of the invention is that the filter cover is of the anti-suction protective type, which prevents accidental suction of people, especially children, caused by the suction of the pump during purification.

[0027] In one possible embodiment, both the filter cap, as well as the screw and the sealing element that make up the plugging device are made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, also known as ABS material (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene).

[0028] As previously mentioned, the actuation of the plugging device screw is produced by the connection of the actuating element that is contained at the lower end of a pole.

[0029] This actuating element is a rigid, male-type, prismatic element, preferably hexagonal, which is compatible with the female prismatic recess of the screw in the system's plugging device. Thus, by rotating the pole, the actuating element causes the screw of the device to move linearly, thereby sealing or unsealing the drain outlet.

[0030] In one possible embodiment, the actuating element is integrated into the tip of a spear-shaped piece. In this case, the spear-shaped piece and the actuating element are press-fitted together by means of pins fitted into recesses at the lower end of the pole. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the actuating element has a rounded prism configuration, meaning it maintains its prismatic shape but with curved sides.

[0031] In another possible embodiment, the drive element is integrated into the tip of a universal joint assembly, comprising a driving body fixed to the lower end of the pole, a driven body to which the driven element is attached at its free end, and a crosshead articulated between the two bodies. In this case, the driving body includes through-holes into which fastening means are inserted to secure the universal joint assembly to the pole.

[0032] In this embodiment, both the driving body and the driven body, as well as the articulated crosshead, are made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Furthermore, the actuating element has a right prism configuration with flat, elongated sides. Therefore, the sealing system of the invention provides a solution for opening and closing the bottom drains of swimming pools from the outside, by means of the mechanical actuation of a plugging device fixed to the drain inlet and a pole, in a manner that is entirely different from and improved upon what is currently known in this sector. Throughout the description and claims, the term "comprises" and / or its variations are not intended to exclude other technical features or additional elements.

[0033] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] To complement the description being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is accompanied, as an integral part thereof, by sheets of drawings in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes:

[0035] Figure 1-A shows a perspective view of an example of an embodiment of the drain sealing system of the invention, showing its general configuration and main parts, specifically in an example where the pole comprises the drive element integrated into the tip of a spear-shaped piece;

[0036] Figure 1-B shows an enlarged view of detail A indicated in Figure 1, where the configuration of the main elements of the system can be seen more clearly; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the drive element integrated into the tip of a spear-shaped piece, according to the example in Figures 1-A and 1-B, of the system of the invention;

[0037] Figure number 3-A.- Shows a perspective view of an example of another embodiment of the drain sealing system of the invention, in this case an example the pole to the device incorporates an integrated drive element at the tip of a cardan-type assembly;

[0038] Figure 3-B shows an enlarged view of detail B indicated in Figure 3-A;

[0039] Figure number 4.- Shows a perspective view of the driving body of the cardan-type assembly, according to the example of figures 3-A and 3-B of the system of the invention;

[0040] Figure number 5.- Shows a perspective view of the driven body of the cardan-type assembly, according to the example of figures 3-A and 3-B of the system of the invention;

[0041] Figure number 6.- Shows a perspective view of the articulated cross of the cardan-type assembly, according to the example of figures 3-A and 3-B of the system of the invention;

[0042] Figure number 7 shows a perspective view of the drive element integrated into the cardan-type assembly, according to the example in figures 3-A and 3-B of the system of the invention;

[0043] Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of the plugging device of the invention system, showing the fixing of the plugging device onto the inlet mouth of a bottom drain for swimming pools; and

[0044] Figure number 9 shows a perspective view of the screw with a prismatic hollow head of the plugging device, according to the example in figure 8, of the system of the invention.

[0045] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0046] In view of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the numbering adopted, several non-limiting examples of the invention's drain sealing system can be observed, which comprises what is described in detail below. Thus, as can be seen in said figures, the invention's drain sealing system essentially comprises:

[0047] - a plugging device (1) that is fixed to the upper mouth of a sump (S) through a filter cap (11); and

[0048] - a pole (2) comprising at its lower end an actuating element (3) configured to engage and act upon the hollow head (121) of a screw (12) contained in the plugging device (1), which lowers or raises a sealing element (13) that, respectively, plugs or unplugs the outlet of the drain (S). Specifically, as shown in the representations, the plugging device (1) comprises the filter cover (11) which is fixed onto the upper opening of the drain (S) by mechanical fastening means.

[0049] Said cover (11) comprises, at a central point thereof, a cavity (111) with a threading zone (112), where the screw (12) with a non-circular hollow head (121) is secured, which comprises, fixed at a lower point, a sealing element (13).

[0050] For its part, the pole (2) comprises at its lower end the actuating element (3) whose configuration is complementary to the configuration of the non-circular hollow head (121) of the screw (12) of the plugging device (1), such that it is coupled to it by means of a tongue and groove connection and, when the pole (2) is turned, it turns said screw (12) which, in turn, lowers and raises the obturating element (13) which solves the closing or opening of the drain from the outside.

[0051] Thus, the system of the invention allows a user to plug or unplug a drain (S) located at the bottom of a swimming pool by means of a pole (2), with the pool full of water and the user outside of it.

[0052] Preferably, the hollow head (121) of the screw (12) is of prismatic configuration, preferably hexagonal, and the complementary configuration of the drive element (3) is therefore also prismatic, preferably hexagonal.

[0053] As can be seen in the figures, the actuating element (3) on the pole (2) is preferably a rigid, male-type element with a prismatic shape. It fits into the hollow, prismatic head (121) of the screw (12) of the plugging device (1), acting as the female part into which the male part fits snugly. This tongue-and-groove connection allows the screw (12) of the plugging device (1) to move up or down along the threaded section (112) of the cover (11) by rotating the pole (2). Consequently, the obturating element (13), fixed at a lower point of the screw (12), moves together, causing the drain outlet (S) to be plugged or opened, respectively.Therefore, as shown, when the obturating element (13) is tightened onto the inner face of the drain outlet (S), a hermetic seal is created preventing the passage of water through this opening, so that the pool's purification circuit is blocked at that point.

[0054] When the obturating element (13) is located away from the drain outlet (not shown), i.e., when the screw (12) is raised in the threaded section (112), the water flow through the drain outlet (S) is released, and the pool water circulates continuously through it during filtration. As shown in Figures 1-A, 1-B, and 2, in one embodiment, the actuating element (3), which includes the pole (2) at its lower end, is integrated into the tip of a lance-shaped piece (31). In this case, the assembly of this piece (31) engages, by means of pins (311), with recesses in the lower end of the pole (2).In this embodiment, the drive element (3) has a rounded prism configuration, as shown in Figure 2, whereby the pole (2) allows the user an angle (a) of action on the plugging device (1) between 65° and 90°.

[0055] For its part, looking at figures 3-A to 7, another embodiment option can be observed where the drive element (3) is integrated into the tip of a cardan-type assembly (32), which, in turn, comprises:

[0056] - a conductive body (321) comprising through holes (3211) where the assembly is fixed to the lower end of the pole (2) by mechanical means;

[0057] - a driven body (322) where the actuating element (3) is secured at its free end, specifically housed in a prismatic cavity (3221); and

[0058] - an articulated cross (323) where both the conducting body (321) and the driven body (322) are joined by means of protrusions (3231).

[0059] In this embodiment, the drive element (3) has a right prism configuration, as shown in Figure 7, and the pole allows the user an angle (a) of action on the plugging device (1) between 45° and 90°.

[0060] Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any expert in the field can understand its scope and the advantages that derive from it.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- A sealing system for drains characterized by comprising: - a plugging device (1), which is fixed to the upper mouth of a sump (S) by means of a filter cap (11), which comprises, at a central point thereof, a cavity (111) with a threading area (112), where a screw (12) with a non-circular hollow head (121) is secured, which comprises, fixed at a lower point, a sealing element (13); and - a pole (2), comprising at a lower end a drive element (3) configured so that it engages and acts on the hollow head (121) of the screw (12) of the plugging device (1) which lowers and raises the obturating element (13) which, respectively, plugs or releases the outlet mouth of the sump (S). 2.- A drain sealing system, according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating element (3) and the hollow head (121) of the screw (12) are coupled by means of a tongue and groove type connection. 3.- Closing system for drains, according to claim 2, characterized in that the hollow head (121) of the screw (12) is prismatic in configuration and the complementary configuration of the actuating element (3) is prismatic. 4.- Closing system for drains, according to claim 3, characterized in that the drive element (3) of the pole (2) is integrated into the tip of a lance-shaped piece (31). 5.- Closing system for drains, according to claim 4, characterized in that the actuating element (3) has a rounded prism configuration. 6.- A drain sealing system, according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the pole (2) has an angle (a) of action on the plugging device (1) between 65° and 90°. 7.- A drain sealing system, according to claim 3, characterized in that the actuating element (3) is integrated into the tip of a cardan-type assembly (32), which, in turn, comprises: a driving body (321) that is fixed to the lower end of the pole (2) by mechanical means; a driven body (322) where the driving element (3) is secured at its free end; and an articulated cross (323) where the driving body (321) and the driven body (322) are joined. 8.- Closing system for drains, according to claim 7, characterized in that the actuating element (3) has a right prism configuration. 9.- A drain sealing system, according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the pole has an angle (a) of action on the plugging device (1) between 45° and 90°. 10.- A sealing system for drains, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter cover (11) of the plugging device (1), which is fixed on the upper mouth of the drain (S) by mechanical fixing means, is of the anti-suction protective type.

11. A drain sealing system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing element (13) is a truncated conical body.

12. A drain sealing system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (11), the screw (12), and the sealing element (13) of the plugging device (1) are made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene material.

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