Drain extractor tool
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tools are inadequate for easily removing drain flanges from tubs, sinks, and showers without causing damage, especially when the center nut is broken, making removal difficult or impossible.
Innovation Solution
A drain extraction tool with a pair of parallel legs, a bridging member, stabilizers, and a biasing member that allows for lateral movement and engagement with the drain's interior wall, enabling secure grip and rotation for easy removal without damaging the basin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional tools are used to remove drain flanges, then the task can be attempted, but the center nut is broken making removal difficult or impossible and causing damage to the basin
Solution Approach 1:
The tool divides the engagement function into multiple independent legs (typically three legs), each capable of independently engaging the drain flange. This segmentation allows the tool to distribute force across multiple contact points, providing stable engagement with the broken drain center nut without requiring a single strong engagement point that would damage the basin.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool is designed with universal applicability to various drain flange types and sizes through adjustable leg mechanisms. The legs can be positioned and adjusted to accommodate different drain configurations, making the tool versatile for removing broken center nuts from various basin types without requiring multiple specialized tools.
2Productivity
If force is applied to remove the broken center nut, then removal may be achieved, but damage to the basin equipment occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The tool concentrates force application at specific localized contact points on the drain flange through the leg tips, rather than distributing force across the entire tool structure. This localized force application allows efficient removal of the broken center nut while preventing force transmission to the basin itself, thus avoiding damage to the equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool incorporates movable and adjustable leg mechanisms that can dynamically adapt to the drain flange position and orientation. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the legs to maintain optimal engagement with the drain throughout the removal process, applying force efficiently in the correct direction to prevent basin damage while achieving quick removal.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple tool structure is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the tool cannot securely engage with the drain interior wall
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement function is segmented into multiple independent legs with gripping surfaces, rather than using a single complex gripping mechanism. Each leg provides independent engagement with the drain interior wall, and the cumulative effect of multiple legs provides strong, stable gripping force while keeping each individual leg structurally simple and easy to manufacture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The tool facilitates easy and secure removal of drain flanges without causing damage to the basin, providing a simple and effective solution for a common plumbing task.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member carried between the legs and configured to urge the legs laterally apart to locate the outer sides of the end portions of the legs into butting engagement with the inside wall of the drain
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of stabilizers attached in fixed relation to the legs and extending outwardly therefrom in opposite directions crosswise to the longitudinal and lateral directions, wherein the stabilizers are configured to rest on a surface interior to the basin when the end portions of the legs are inserted into the drain
Implementation Method 3
a bridging member oriented crosswise to the rotational axis and extending in a lateral direction to interconnect the legs; a coupling member carried on the bridging member at a location registered with the rotational axis and configured for connecting to a rotary hand tool
Data Source
AI summary
A device for removing a drain in a basin comprises a pair of legs in parallel spaced relation and on either side of a rotational axis, a bridging member interconnecting the legs which are movably supported thereon, and a coupling member carried on the bridging member and configured for connecting to a rotary hand tool. The legs comprise end portions configured for insertion into the drain, and the end portions comprise outer sides configured to engage an inside wall of the drain. Stabilizers are affixed to the legs and extending outwardly therefrom in opposite directions and configured to rest on a surface interior to the basin when the end portions of the legs are inserted into the drain. A biasing member is carried between the legs and configured to urge them laterally apart to locate the outer sides of the end portions into butting engagement with the inside wall of the drain.