Drain installation system and method

Abstract

An apparatus and method for installing an adjustable height drain onto a conduit in a layer of hardenable material. The drain includes a grate member adjustably connected to and in fluid communication with a base member. A connection member connects the grate member and base member and is adjustable to allow the elevation of the grate member to be adjusted in relation to the base member. A sealing mechanism is disposed substantially adjacent at least a portion of the connection member to limit hardenable material from setting around the connection member when a layer of hardenable material is poured.

1 . A method for installing a drain comprising the steps of:
 connecting a base member having a flow-through opening therein to an opening of a drain conduit for draining fluid away from a drainage area such that the flow-through opening of the base member is in flow communication with the opening of the drain conduit;   adjustably connecting a drain grate member having a flow-through opening therein to the base member such that the flow-through opening of the grate member is in flow communication with the flow-through opening of the base member, said grate member having a grate adjacent its uppermost portion for ingress of fluids into the flow-through opening thereof; and   disposing a spacer generally between the grate of the grate member and the base member with the grate member adjustably connected to the base member.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of disposing a first hardenable material adjacent the base member and spacer to a desired level. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising, upon sufficient hardening of the first hardenable material, substantially removing the spacer so as to define a void adjacent the grate member. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising the step of adjusting the position of the grate member such that the level of the grate is in a desired relationship with the desired level of the first hardenable material. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer is disposed substantially adjacent the base member before the grate member is adjustably connected to the base member. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer is disposed generally between the grate of the grate member and the base member after the grate member is adjustably connected to the base member. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of adjustably connecting the grate member to the base member comprises threadably connecting a depending threaded cylindrical portion of the grate member to a matably threaded portion of the base member. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of laying flooring material on an upper surface of the first hardenable material; and further wherein the desired level of the grate is substantially coextensive with an upper surface of the flooring material. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of disposing a second hardenable material in the void after the position of the grate member has been adjusted such that the grate is substantially coextensive with the upper surface of the flooring material. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer comprises a compressible material; and further comprising the step of compressing the compressible material generally between the grate of the grate member and the base member when the grate member is adjustably connected to the base member. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the grate is substantially nested in a portion of a rim of the grate member, and further wherein the compressible material is compressed between the rim and the base member. 
   
   
       12 . A drain installation system for maintaining adjustability of a drain, the drain installation system comprising:
 a base member with a flow-through opening therein, wherein the base member is connectable to an opening of a drain conduit for draining fluid away from a drainage area such that the flow-through opening of the base member is in flow communication with the opening of the drain conduit;   a drain grate member having a flow-through opening therein, wherein the drain grate member is adjustably connectable to the base member such that the flow-through opening of the grate member is in flow communication with the flow-through opening of the base member, said grate member having a grate adjacent its uppermost portion for ingress of fluids into the flow-through opening thereof; and   a spacer for disposition generally between the grate of the grate member and the base member when the grate member is adjustably connected to the base member to create a void adjacent the grate member when a hardenable material is disposed adjacent the drain installation system.   
   
   
       13 . The drain installation system of  claim 12 , wherein the spacer comprises a continuous loop of compressible material for substantially encircling at least a portion of the grate member. 
   
   
       14 . The drain installation system of  claim 12 , wherein the spacer comprises a discontinuous loop of compressible material for substantially encircling at least a portion of the grate member such that the loop of compressible material may be more easily disposed generally between the grate of the grate member and the base member after the grate member has been adjustably connected to the base member. 
   
   
       15 . The drain installation system of  claim 12 , wherein the grate substantially nests in a portion of a rim of the grate member. 
   
   
       16 . The drain installation system of  claim 15 , wherein the rim of the grate member substantially nests in a portion of a removable extension member. 
   
   
       17 . The drain installation system of  claim 15 , wherein the spacer comprises a compressible material for compression between the removable extension member and the base member. 
   
   
       18 . The drain installation system of  claim 15 , wherein the spacer comprises a compressible material for compression between the rim and the base member. 
   
   
       19 . The drain installation system of  claim 12 , wherein the grate member comprises a threaded depending cylindrical portion for adjustably mating with a threaded portion of the base member. 
   
   
       20 . The drain installation system of  claim 12 , wherein the drain installation system remains operable for draining fluid from a drainage area when the hardenable material is disposed adjacent the drain installation system. 
   
   
       21 . The drain installation system of  claim 12 , wherein the drain installation system does not include any portion which extends above an upper surface of the hardenable material when the hardenable material is disposed adjacent the drain installation system. 
   
   
       22 . The drain installation system of  claim 16 , wherein the spacer comprises the removable extension member.