Floor Drain Cover Assembly for Concrete Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of floor drains and cleanouts in concrete floors is time-consuming due to the need to chip away concrete to adjust the drain/cleanout to its final height after curing, which is inefficient and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A floor drain/cleanout cover assembly that includes a cover base and an upper portion, allowing the drain/cleanout to be enclosed during concrete pouring, with the upper portion removable to adjust the drain/cleanout to the desired height after flooring material is installed, reducing the need for manual chipping and protecting the drain/cleanout during installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the drain/cleanout is installed directly in the concrete floor without a cover assembly, then the installation structure is simpler, but the concrete must be chipped away after curing to adjust the drain/cleanout height, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The cover assembly is pre-installed on the drain/cleanout body before the concrete is poured and cured. This preliminary action allows the concrete to be finished to the exact final height without requiring subsequent chipping, as the cover assembly protects the drain/cleanout and maintains the correct elevation during the concrete curing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The installation system is divided into distinct components: the drain/cleanout body, the cover assembly (with separate upper and lower portions), and the concrete flooring material. This segmentation allows each component to be installed and positioned independently, facilitating easier adjustment and installation while maintaining overall system functionality.
2Ease of operation
If the concrete is poured and finished around the drain/cleanout body without protection, then the installation process is simpler, but the drain/cleanout must be chipped away from the cured concrete to raise it to the final height
Solution Approach 1:
The cover assembly is installed on the drain/cleanout body before the concrete is poured and finished. This preliminary protective action allows the concrete to be troweled and finished to the precise final height without needing to remove or chip the cured concrete later, saving significant time and effort in the height adjustment process.
3Reliability
If the drain/cleanout is exposed during concrete pouring and finishing, then the installation process is more straightforward, but the drain/cleanout is vulnerable to damage and requires post-curing height adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The cover assembly is pre-installed on the drain/cleanout body before the concrete is poured. This preliminary protective measure shields the drain/cleanout from potential damage during the concrete pouring and finishing operations, while the segmented design (upper and lower portions) allows for easy installation and removal without adding excessive structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain embodiments provide a method of installing a floor drain/cleanout. The method generally includes positioning a drain/cleanout body comprising a first opening for receiving a finish drain/cleanout, disposing, on the drain/cleanout body, a cover base of a drain/cleanout cover assembly comprising a second opening for receiving the finish drain/cleanout, threading the finish drain/cleanout through the first opening and the second opening to retain the cover base on the drain/cleanout body, engaging an upper portion of the drain/cleanout cover assembly with the cover base of the drain/cleanout cover assembly, wherein engaging the upper portion with the cover base defines an enclosed void space above the finish drain/cleanout, installing a flooring material around at least the upper portion; removing the upper portion of the drain/cleanout cover assembly from the cover base of the drain/cleanout cover assembly to expose the void space, and positioning the finish drain/cleanout at a desired height.