초록 ▼

A stopper assembly for a drain system of a fluid basin is provided. The stopper head assembly includes a stopper head having a seal to sealingly engage the drain system of the fluid basin when the stopper assembly is moved from a drain position to a plug position and a strainer to strain fluid passi

A stopper assembly for a drain system of a fluid basin is provided. The stopper head assembly includes a stopper head having a seal to sealingly engage the drain system of the fluid basin when the stopper assembly is moved from a drain position to a plug position and a strainer to strain fluid passing through the drain system when the stopper head is in a drain position. The stopper head assembly further includes a stopper body operably coupleable to a control element to move the assembly between the drain position and the plug position. The stopper body may be detachably coupled to the stopper head and/or the strainer to enable selective removal of the stopper head and the strainer from the stopper body when the stopper body is installed for use and coupled to the control element. Related methods, systems and components are also provided.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A stopper assembly for a drain system of a fluid basin, the drain system comprising a control element for use in plugging and unplugging the fluid basin, the stopper assembly comprising: a stopper head having a seal to sealingly engage the drain system of the fluid basin when the stopper assembly

1. A stopper assembly for a drain system of a fluid basin, the drain system comprising a control element for use in plugging and unplugging the fluid basin, the stopper assembly comprising: a stopper head having a seal to sealingly engage the drain system of the fluid basin when the stopper assembly is moved from a drain position to a plug position via the control element;a stopper body having a lower end operably coupleable to the control element via a control aperture and having an upper end detachably coupled to the stopper head to enable selective detachment of the stopper head from the stopper body while the stopper body remains installed for use and coupled to the control element; anda strainer positioned between the lower end of the stopper body and the stopper head to strain at least a portion of a flow of fluid passing through the drain system of the fluid basin when the stopper assembly is installed and the stopper head is in the drain position, the strainer comprising a body portion defining a receptacle, the receptacle including a base and a sidewall extending from a periphery of the base, each of the base and the sidewall including a plurality of apertures to form a strainer structure to strain a flow of fluid passing through the receptacle during operation of the drain system, anda stem portion extending from the base of receptacle to an upper end of the strainer along a central axis of the strainer, the stem portion including a cavity through which a portion of the stopper body is insertably received, andwherein the strainer is removable from the stopper body while the stopper body is coupled to the control element the stopper head is detached from the stopper body. 2. The stopper assembly of claim 1 wherein an upper end of the stem portion of the strainer extends beyond an upper end of the receptacle and is accessible to a user from within the fluid basin when the stopper head is detached from the stopper body. 3. The stopper assembly of claim 1 wherein the receptacle of the strainer tapers in a downstream direction such that, when the strainer is in position for use within the drain system and a lower portion of the strainer is blocked with collected debris, a portion of the flow of fluid can bypass the collected debris via the plurality of apertures in the sidewall and a gap between the strainer and the drain system. 4. The stopper assembly of claim 1 wherein an upstream end of the strainer includes a plurality of flexible fingers that splay outward from the central axis of the strainer. 5. The stopper assembly of claim 1 wherein the receptacle defined by the body portion of the strainer is generally cylindrical. 6. The stopper assembly of claim 1 wherein the body portion and the stem portion of the strainer are formed as a unitary piece. 7. The stopper assembly of claim 1 wherein the stopper body includes a slender, elongated shaft extending along a central axis of the stopper assembly to insertably receive the strainer. 8. The stopper assembly of claim 7 wherein the slender, elongated shaft of the stopper body includes an enlarged step portion upon which the strainer rests. 9. The stopper assembly of claim 1 wherein the stopper body includes a base portion defining a shelf upon which the strainer rests. 10. The stopper assembly of claim 1 wherein the stopper head is detachable from the stopper body by rotating the stopper head about a central axis to a release angle that is between about 45 degrees and about 360 degrees. 11. The stopper assembly of claim 1 wherein the stopper head includes a stopper body engagement feature to detachably couple the stopper head to the stopper body, the engagement feature configured to enable selective detachment of the stopper head from the stopper body while the stopper body remains installed in the drain system. 12. A stopper assembly for a drain system of a fluid basin, the drain system comprising a control element for use in plugging and unplugging the fluid basin, the stopper assembly comprising: a stopper head to sealingly engage the drain system of the fluid basin when the stopper assembly is moved from a drain position to a plug position via the control element;a stopper body having a lower end operably coupleable to the control element and having an upper end detachably coupled to the stopper head to enable selective detachment of the stopper head from the stopper body while the stopper body remains installed for use and coupled to the control element; anda strainer positioned between the lower end of the stopper body and the stopper head to strain at least a portion of a flow of fluid passing through the drain system of the fluid basin when the stopper assembly is installed and the stopper head is in the drain position, the strainer comprising a body portion defining a receptacle, the receptacle including a base and a sidewall extending from a periphery of the base, each of the base and the sidewall including a plurality of apertures to form a strainer structure to strain a flow of fluid passing through the receptacle during operation of the drain system, and the sidewall of the receptacle of the strainer tapering in a downstream direction such that, when the strainer is in position for use within the drain system and a lower portion of the strainer is blocked with collected debris, a portion of the flow of fluid can bypass the collected debris via the plurality of apertures in the sidewall and a gap between the strainer and the drain system, anda stem portion extending from the base of receptacle to an upper end of the strainer along a central axis of the strainer, the stem portion including a cavity through which a portion of the stopper body is insertably received, andwherein the strainer is removable from the stopper body while the stopper body is coupled to the control element the stopper head is detached from the stopper body. 13. The stopper assembly of claim 12 wherein an upper end of the stem portion of the strainer extends beyond an upper end of the receptacle and is accessible to a user from within the fluid basin when the stopper head is detached from the stopper body. 14. The stopper assembly of claim 12 wherein an upstream end of the strainer includes a plurality of flexible fingers that splay outward from the central axis of the strainer. 15. The stopper assembly of claim 12 wherein the receptacle defined by the body portion of the strainer is generally cylindrical. 16. The stopper assembly of claim 12 wherein the body portion and the stem portion of the strainer are formed as a unitary piece. 17. The stopper assembly of claim 12 wherein the stopper body includes a slender, elongated shaft extending along a central axis of the stopper assembly to insertably receive the strainer. 18. The stopper assembly of claim 17 wherein the slender, elongated shaft of the stopper body includes an enlarged step portion upon which the strainer rests. 19. The stopper assembly of claim 12 wherein the stopper body includes a base portion defining a shelf upon which the strainer rests. 20. The stopper assembly of claim 12 wherein the stopper head is detachable from the stopper body by rotating the stopper head about a central axis to a release angle that is between about 45 degrees and about 360 degrees. 21. The stopper assembly of claim 12 wherein the stopper head includes a stopper body engagement feature to detachably couple the stopper head to the stopper body, the engagement feature configured to enable selective detachment of the stopper head from the stopper body while the stopper body remains installed in the drain system. 22. A removable strainer for use with a stopper body of a drain system, the removable strainer comprising: a body portion defining a receptacle, the receptacle including a base and a sidewall extending from a periphery of the base, each of the base and the sidewall including a plurality of apertures to form a strainer structure to strain a flow of fluid passing through the receptacle during operation of the drain system; anda stem portion extending from the base of receptacle to an upper end of the removable strainer along a central axis of the removable strainer, the stem portion including a cavity through which a portion of the stopper body is insertably received. 23. The removable strainer of claim 22 wherein the receptacle tapers in a downstream direction such that, when the removable strainer is in position for use within the drain system and a lower portion of the removable strainer is blocked with collected debris, a portion of the flow of fluid can bypass the collected debris via the plurality of apertures in the sidewall and a gap between the replaceable strainer and the drain system. 24. The removable strainer of claim 22 wherein an upper end of the stem portion of the strainer extends beyond an upper end of the receptacle and the plurality of flexible fingers. 25. The removable strainer of claim 22 wherein the receptacle defined by the body portion of the strainer is generally cylindrical. 26. The removable strainer of claim 22 wherein the body portion, the stem portion and the plurality of flexible fingers of the strainer are formed as a unitary piece. 27. The removable strainer of claim 22 wherein the removable strainer further includes a plurality of flexible fingers at the upper end of the body portion that splay outward from the central axis of the removable strainer.