US20160040409A1

US20160040409A1 - Mesh covering for drain

Info

Publication number: US20160040409A1
Application number: US14/749,712
Authority: US
Inventors: Lori A. Powers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-08-07
Filing date: 2015-06-25
Publication date: 2016-02-11

Abstract

A drain filter is provided. The drain filter of the present invention includes a mesh cover formed of crisscrossing filaments forming a plurality of openings in between. The mesh cover includes a circular inner edge. A circular band is attached to either a portion or the entire circular inner edge. The circular band is made of a stretchable elastic material, and thereby inwardly urges the circular inner edge.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/034,636, filed Aug. 7, 2014, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to drains and, more particularly, to a mesh covering for drains.
Drainage plates may be used in showers to prevent large debris from entering into and clogging a drainage system. However, drainage plates allow some debris, such as hair, to enter the drain and clog the system.
As can be seen, there is a need for an improved filter for drainage plates to prevent clogging of the drainage system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a drain filter comprises: a mesh cover sized to fit over a drain plate of a drain and comprising a circular inner edge; and a circular band comprising a stretchable elastic material attached to a substantial portion of the circular inner edge, and thereby urging the circular inner edge together.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method of filtering a drain comprises: providing a mesh cover comprising an elastic stretchable circular inner edge; covering a drain plate with the mesh cover such that a top surface of the drain plate is covered by the mesh cover and the stretchable elastic circular inner edge is disposed about a bottom surface of the drain plate; and installing the drain plate over a drain.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is another exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
The present invention includes a screen net with an elastic band used to cover any type of drain plate to prevent debris from entering the drain and drainage system. The present invention attaches to and fits flush on existing or new drain plates, covering them completely to screen out most debris while allowing maximum water flow.
Referring to FIG. 1 through 5, the present invention includes a drain filter 10. The drain filter 10 of the present invention includes a mesh cover 14 formed of crisscrossing filaments forming a plurality of openings in between. The mesh cover 14 includes a circular inner edge. A circular band 22 is attached to either a portion or the entire circular inner edge. The circular band 22 is made of a stretchable elastic material, and thereby inwardly urges the circular inner edge.
The mesh cover 14 releasably secures to a drain plate 18. The drain plate 18 may include a plurality of drainage openings 20 having a larger diameter than the openings formed in between the crisscrossing filaments. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the mesh cover 14 may be secured to a different style drain plate 32 with different shaped and sized openings 34. The mesh cover 14 may cover the drain plate 18 such that a top surface of the drain plate 18 is covered by the mesh cover 14 and circular inner edge is disposed about a bottom surface of the drain plate 18. The stretchable elastic material snuggly secures the mesh cover 14 to the drain plate 18.
Once the mesh cover 14 has been secured to the drain plate 18, the drain plate may be installed over a drain 24. In such embodiments, the drain plate may include fastener openings 19. The fastener openings 19 may align with threaded openings 26 formed in the drain 24 within a floor 12. Fasteners 16, such as screws, may be inserted within the aligned openings 19, 26, and thereby secure the plate 18 to the drain 24. The mesh cover 14 may lie flush with the drain 24 due to the urging of the stretchable elastic material.
A method of making the present invention may include the following. The drain plate may be removed and measured. The mesh fabric may be cut to have slightly larger dimensions than the drain plate. The edge of the mesh may be wrapped around the elastic circular band, and stitched. The mesh cover may then slip over the drain plate. The screen is be tight against the cover due to the elastic band. Then reattach the drain plate to the drain with the mesh cover. The present invention prevents smaller debris from entering the drain which prevents clogging while keeping a proper water flow.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A drain filter comprising:

a mesh cover sized to fit over a drain plate of a drain and comprising a circular inner edge; and

a circular band comprising a stretchable elastic material attached to a substantial portion of the circular inner edge, and thereby urging the circular inner edge together.

2. The drain filter of claim 1, wherein the circular band is attached to the entire circular inner edge of the mesh.

3. The drain filter of claim 1, wherein the mesh cover comprising a plurality of crisscrossing filaments forming a plurality of openings.

4. The drain filter of claim 3, wherein the drain plate comprises a plurality of openings larger than the plurality of openings of the mesh cover.

5. A method of filtering a drain comprising:

providing a mesh cover comprising an elastic stretchable circular inner edge;

covering a drain plate with the mesh cover such that a top surface of the drain plate is covered by the mesh cover and the stretchable elastic circular inner edge is disposed about a bottom surface of the drain plate; and

installing the drain plate over a drain.