초록 ▼

A water-heater pan includes a bottom wall for receiving the bottom of a water heater. The bottom wall defines a relatively narrow, arcuate flow receptacle extending continuously outwardly from a portion of the perimeter of the bottom wall. The flow receptacle defines a floor-drain outlet disposed co

A water-heater pan includes a bottom wall for receiving the bottom of a water heater. The bottom wall defines a relatively narrow, arcuate flow receptacle extending continuously outwardly from a portion of the perimeter of the bottom wall. The flow receptacle defines a floor-drain outlet disposed completely through an area of the bottom wall. A continuous side wall extends integrally upwardly and divergently from the entire perimeter of the bottom wall.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A water-heater pan comprising: a bottom wall for receiving the bottom of a water heater and forming a protuberance in a portion of the perimeter of said bottom wall and a relatively narrow, arcuate flow receptacle disposed within said protuberance, said flow receptacle defini

What is claimed is: 1. A water-heater pan comprising: a bottom wall for receiving the bottom of a water heater and forming a protuberance in a portion of the perimeter of said bottom wall and a relatively narrow, arcuate flow receptacle disposed within said protuberance, said flow receptacle defining a floor-drain outlet disposed completely through an area of said bottom wall; and a continuous side wall extending integrally upwardly and divergently from the entire perimeter of said bottom wall. 2. A water-heater pan as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bottom wall is substantially planar and smooth. 3. A water-heater pan as set forth in claim 1, wherein said side wall extends upwardly from said bottom wall at an angle greater than 90째 with respect to said bottom wall. 4. A water-heater pan as set forth in claim 1, wherein said side wall is substantially planar and smooth. 5. A water-heater pan as set forth in claim 1, wherein the entirety of said side wall is substantially uniform. 6. A water-heater pan as set forth in claim 1, wherein the edge defined by joinder of said bottom wall and said side wall is substantially arcuate and defines a smooth transition between said bottom wall and said side wall. 7. A water-heater pan as set forth in claim 1, wherein said side wall defines an upper margin and a lip located at said upper margin of said side wall. 8. A water-heater pan as set forth in claim 7, wherein said lip curves outwardly with respect to said bottom wall in a substantially hemispherical fashion. 9. A water-heater pan as set forth in claim 7, wherein said lip is substantially smooth. 10. A water-heater pan as set forth in claim 7, wherein the entirety of said lip is substantially uniform. 11. A water-heater pan as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bottom wall is substantially pear-shaped. 12. A water-heater pan as set forth in claim 11, wherein said flow receptacle extends outwardly in a bell-curve fashion from a portion of the perimeter of said bottom wall and the remainder of said bottom wall is substantially round. 13. A water-heater pan as set forth in claim 12, wherein said flow receptacle defines an arc represented by the top of said bell curve. 14. A water-heater pan as set forth in claim 1, wherein said floor-drain outlet is substantially circular. 15. A water-heater pan as set forth in claim 1, wherein said floor-drain outlet is located such that an annular space of the flow receptacle is defined between the perimeter of said floor-drain outlet and said side wall. 16. A water-heater pan as set forth in claim 13, wherein said pan further includes a strainer seated on said flow receptacle, operatively secured within said floor-drain outlet, and adapted to be connected in sealed fluid communication directly with a suitable drain line. 17. A water-heater pan as set forth in claim 16, wherein said strainer is substantially circular such that an arc of said strainer is co-extensive with said arc of said flow receptacle. 18. A water-heater pan as set forth in claim 16, wherein said strainer is operatively secured within said floor-drain outlet by adhesion. 19. A water-heater pan as set forth in claim 16, wherein said strainer extends beyond said bottom wall opposite said side wall. 20. A water-heater pan as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pan is made from any of plastic, aluminum, and galvanized steel.