Concealed drainage apparatus

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a drain and drain concealment structure, methods of installation and use, and resulting shower, bath and other areas and spaces from which it is desired to drain liquids. The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a drain body adapted to be connected to a conventional prefabricated waterproof shower or bath pan. The drain body may be connected to the shower pan by any suitable means, such as but not by way of limitation by being integrally molded therewith during manufacture of the pan, by connection post-manufacture or in situ in the field. Other embodiments do not require use of a prefabricated waterproof shower or bath pan. The preferred drain body is comprised of a waterproof structure having a floor section which defines a drain aperture, and a peripheral sidewall section. Structure for releasably attaching a drain cover to the drain body is employed. The cover, which is defined by a peripheral edge, is adapted to lie in registry with, and thereby cover, a portion of the drain body floor so as to conceal the drain aperture and as much of the drain body floor as is practicable. When connected to the drain body, the peripheral edge of the cover is spaced from the drain body sidewall so as to define a gap therebetween through which water may pass while flowing toward the drain aperture. In this way, water is permitted to exit the shower or bath without the drain aperture being visible. The drain apparatus of this invention is preferably utilized as part of a tileable shower or bath arrangement, whereby flooring material such as tile may be placed onto the shower or bath pan up to the peripheral sidewall of the drain body, and additional flooring may be placed upon the drain cover. In this way, the drain is fully operational yet unnoticeable. Interchangeable drain covers may be provided to permit alteration of the decorative appearance of the drain.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A prefabricated shower pan and drain assembly, comprising:
 a prefabricated shower pan including a floor defining at least one drain opening;   a drain cover, the drain cover defining a peripheral edge;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture;   structure for releasably attaching the drain cover in registry with the drain body floor;   the drain cover adapted to cover a portion of the drain body floor so as to conceal at least a portion of the drain aperture and at least a portion of the drain body floor, and such that when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body, the peripheral edge of the drain cover is spaced from the drain body floor so as to define a gap therebetween through which water may pass while flowing toward the drain aperture, thereby permitting water to exit the prefabricated shower pan while substantially concealing the drain aperture, and wherein the drain cover is also adapted to be at least partially covered with one or more type of wall or floor covering material.   
     
     
         2 . A prefabricated shower pan and drain apparatus, comprising;
 a prefabricated shower pan which defines a drain recess, the recess defined by a drain recess peripheral sidewall;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture;   a drain cover, the drain cover defining a peripheral edge;   structure for releasably attaching the drain cover in registry with the drain body floor;   the drain cover adapted to cover a portion of the drain body floor so as to conceal the drain aperture and at least a portion of the drain body floor, such that when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body, the peripheral edge of the drain cover is spaced from the drain recess peripheral sidewall and/or the prefabricated shower pan so as to define a gap therebetween through which water may pass while flowing toward the drain aperture, thereby permitting water to exit the prefabricated shower pan while substantially concealing the drain aperture, and wherein the drain cover is also adapted to be at least partially covered with one or more type of wall or floor covering material.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the drain cover is made from any material selected from the group comprising plastic such as PVC or ABS, polyurethane, polyethylene, metal such as copper, cast iron, aluminum, steel, building products such as stone, concrete, marble, cultured marble, mortar and stucco, 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the drain cover does not define any grate free area within itself. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein an upper surface of the prefabricated shower pan adjacent to the drain recess is substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the drain cover when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the drain body is sufficiently recessed into or below an upper surface of the prefabricated shower pan floor adjacent the drain body so that an upper surface of the drain cover is substantially coplanar with an adjacent upper surface of the prefabricated shower pan floor. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein:
 wherein the drain cover, and the prefabricated shower pan floor, are covered with wall or flooring material, and wherein an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the drain cover is substantially coplanar with an adjacent upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the prefabricated shower pan floor when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body; and   the gap is defined on one side by the wall or flooring material on the prefabricated shower pan floor and on the other side by the wall or flooring material on the drain cover, such that water drains between perimeter tiled edges of the drain cover and tiled perimeter edges of the prefabricated shower pan adjacent the drain top, grate or cover.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the drain body is sufficiently recessed into or below an upper surface of the prefabricated shower pan floor adjacent the drain body so that an upper surface of the drain cover is substantially coplanar with an adjacent upper surface of the prefabricated shower pan floor, and the peripheral edge of the drain cover is spaced from the upper surface of the prefabricated shower pan floor adjacent the drain body so as to allow for water to drain therebetween. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the drain body is sufficiently recessed into or below an upper surface of the prefabricated shower pan floor so that an upper surface of the drain cover when attached in registry with the drain body is substantially coplanar with the adjacent upper surface of the prefabricated shower pan floor, and a lower surface of the drain cover and an upper surface of the drain body floor are spaced so as to allow for water to drain therebetween into the drain aperture. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the drain cover is adapted to be releasable and/or interchangeable with other tiled, tileable and/or non tileable drain covers so that the prefabricated shower pan can selectively have either a tiled, tileable or a non tileable drain cover associated therewith. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the drain cover is vertically adjustable so that an upper surface of the drain cover may be positioned to be coplanar with an adjacent tiled or tileable upper surface of the prefabricated shower pan. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the drain cover is of the non-tileable variety and is adapted to be interchangeable with covers of the tileable variety in such a fashion that any of the tiled, tileable and non tileable drain covers are vertically adjustable so that an upper surface thereof can be oriented so as to be substantially coplanar with an upper surface of any adjacent prefabricated shower pan floor. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the covers are adapted to be removable so as to provide, among other things, access to the drain aperture and the waste water system and to provide different drain top, grate and cover finishes and styles for the tiled prefabricated shower pan. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the drain cover is held in registry with the drain body through an attachment structure which allows the height of an upper surface of the drain cover to be adjusted so as to be positioned coplanar with an upper surface of the adjacent prefabricated shower pan. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein vertical adjustment of the one or more drain covers is accomplished by the use of adjusting structure selected from the group consisting of shims, washers, ball and detent arrangement and threads. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further including a strainer attachable to the drain body. 
     
     
         17 . A partially prefabricated shower pan and drain assembly, comprising:
 a partially prefabricated shower pan including a floor defining at least one drain opening;   a drain cover, the drain cover defining a peripheral edge;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture;   structure for releasably attaching the drain cover in registry with the drain body floor;   the drain cover adapted to cover a portion of the drain body floor so as to conceal at least a portion of the drain aperture and at least a portion of the drain body floor, such that when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body, the peripheral edge of the drain cover is spaced from the drain body floor so as to define a gap therebetween through which water may pass while flowing toward the drain aperture, thereby permitting water to exit the partially prefabricated shower pan while substantially concealing the drain aperture, and wherein the drain cover is also adapted to be at least partially covered with one or more type of wall or floor covering material.   
     
     
         18 . A partially prefabricated shower pan and drain apparatus, comprising;
 a partially prefabricated shower pan having a partially prefabricated shower pan floor which defines a drain recess, the recess defined by a drain recess peripheral sidewall;   a drain cover for a drain apparatus, the drain cover defining a peripheral edge;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture;   structure for releasably attaching the drain cover in registry with the drain body floor;   the drain cover adapted to cover a portion of the drain body floor such that when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body, the peripheral edge of the drain cover is spaced from the drain recess peripheral sidewall and/or the partially prefabricated shower pan so as to define a gap therebetween through which water may pass while flowing toward the drain aperture, thereby permitting water to exit the partially prefabricated shower pan while substantially concealing the drain aperture, and wherein the drain cover is also adapted to be at least partially covered with one or more type of wall or floor covering material.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the drain cover is made from any material selected from the group comprising plastic such as PVC or ABS, polyurethane, polyethylene, metal such as copper, cast iron, aluminum, steel, and/or building materials such as stone, concrete, marble, cultured marble, mortar and stucco. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the drain cover does not define any grate free area within itself. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein an upper surface of the partially prefabricated shower pan adjacent to the drain recess is substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the drain cover when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the drain body is sufficiently recessed into or below a tiled or tileable upper surface of the partially prefabricated shower pan floor adjacent the drain body so that an upper surface of the drain cover is substantially coplanar with an adjacent upper surface of the partially prefabricated shower pan floor. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein:
 wherein the drain cover, and the partially prefabricated shower pan floor, are covered with wall or flooring material, and wherein an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the drain cover is substantially coplanar with an adjacent upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the partially prefabricated shower pan floor when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body; and   the gap is defined on one side by the wall or flooring material on the partially prefabricated shower pan floor and on the other side by the wall or flooring material on the drain cover, such that water drains between perimeter tiled edges of the drain cover and tiled perimeter edges of the partially prefabricated shower pan adjacent the drain top, grate or cover.   
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the drain body is sufficiently recessed into or below an upper surface of the partially prefabricated shower pan floor adjacent the drain body so that an upper surface of the drain cover is substantially coplanar with an adjacent upper surface of the partially prefabricated shower pan floor, and the peripheral edge of the drain cover is spaced from the upper surface of the partially prefabricated shower pan floor adjacent the drain body so as to allow for water to drain therebetween. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the drain body is sufficiently recessed into or below an upper surface of the partially prefabricated shower pan floor so that an upper surface of the drain cover when attached to the drain is substantially coplanar with an adjacent upper surface of the partially prefabricated shower pan floor, and a lower surface of the attached drain cover and an upper surface of the drain body floor are spaced so that a sufficient gap is created between them so as to allow for water to drain therethrough into the drain aperture. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the drain cover is adapted to be releasable and/or interchangeable with other tiled, tileable and/or non tileable drain covers so that the partially prefabricated shower pan can have selectively either a tiled, tileable or a non tileable drain cover associated therewith. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the drain cover is vertically adjustable so that an upper surface of the drain cover may be positioned to be coplanar with an adjacent upper surface of the partially prefabricated shower pan. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the drain cover is of the non-tileable variety and is adapted to be interchangeable with covers of the tileable variety in such a fashion that any tiled, tileable and non tileable drain covers used are vertically adjustable so that an upper surface thereof can be oriented so as to be substantially coplanar with an upper surface of an adjacent partially prefabricated shower pan floor. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein any tiled, tileable, and nontileable drain covers used are adapted to be releasable so as to provide, among other things, access to the drain aperture and the waste water system and to provide different drain cover finishes and styles for the tiled partially prefabricated shower pan. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the drain cover is held in registry with the drain body through an attachment structure which allows the height of an upper surface of the drain cover to be adjusted so as to be positioned coplanar with an upper surface of the adjacent partially prefabricated shower pan. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein vertical adjustment of the one or more drain covers is accomplished by the use of adjusting structure selected from the group consisting of shims, washers, ball and detent arrangement and threads. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further including a strainer attachable to the drain body. 
     
     
         33 . A mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor and drain assembly, comprising:
 a mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor defining at least one drain opening;   a drain cover, the cover defining a peripheral edge;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture;   structure for releasably attaching the drain cover in registry with the drain body floor;   the drain cover adapted to cover a portion of the drain body floor so as to at least partially conceal the drain aperture and at least a portion of the drain body floor, such that when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body, the peripheral edge of the drain top, grate or cover is spaced from the drain body floor so as to define a gap therebetween through which water may pass while flowing toward the drain aperture, thereby permitting water to exit the mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor while substantially concealing the drain aperture, and wherein the drain cover is also adapted to be at least partially covered with one or more type of wall or floor covering material.   
     
     
         34 . A mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor and drain apparatus, comprising;
 a mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor which defines a drain recess, the recess defined by a drain recess peripheral sidewall;   a drain cover for a drain apparatus, the drain cover defining a peripheral edge;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture;   structure for releasably attaching the drain cover in registry with the drain body floor;   the drain cover adapted to cover a portion of the drain body floor such that when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body, the peripheral edge of the drain cover is spaced from the drain recess peripheral sidewall and/or the mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor so as to define a gap therebetween through which water may pass while flowing toward the drain aperture, thereby permitting water to exit the mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor while substantially concealing the drain aperture, and wherein the drain cover is also adapted to be at least partially covered with one or more type of wall or floor covering material.   
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the drain cover is made from any material selected from the group comprising plastic such as PVC or ABS, polyurethane, polyethylene, metal such as copper, cast iron, aluminum, steel, building materials such as stone, concrete, marble, cultured marble, mortar and stucco. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the drain cover does not define any grate free area within itself. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein an upper surface of the mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor adjacent to the drain recess is substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the drain cover when the drain top grate or cover is placed in registry with the drain body. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the drain body is sufficiently recessed into or below a tiled or tileable upper surface of the mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor adjacent the drain body so that a tiled or tileable upper surface of the drain cover is substantially coplanar with an adjacent tiled or tileable upper surface of the mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein:
 the drain cover, and the mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor, are tiled or are tileable, and wherein a tiled or tileable upper surface of the drain cover is substantially coplanar with a tiled or tileable adjacent upper surface of the mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor when the tiled or tileable drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body; and   the gap is defined on one side by the tiled or tileable mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor and on the other side by the tiled or tileable drain cover, such that water drains between the tiled or tileable perimeter edges of the drain cover and the tiled or tileable perimeter edges of the mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor adjacent the tiled or tileable drain cover.   
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the drain body is sufficiently recessed into or below an upper surface of the mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor adjacent the drain body so that an upper surface of the drain cover is substantially coplanar with an adjacent upper surface of the mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor, and the peripheral edge of the drain cover is spaced from the upper surface of the mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor adjacent the drain body so as to allow for water to drain therebetween. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 34  wherein the drain body is sufficiently recessed into or below a tiled or tileable upper surface of the mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor so that a tiled or tileable upper surface of drain cover when attached to the drain body is substantially coplanar with a tiled or tileable adjacent upper surface of the mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor, and a lower surface of the drain cover and an upper surface of the drain body floor are spaced so that a sufficient gap is created so as to allow for water to drain therethrough 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the drain cover is adapted to be releasable and interchangeable with other tiled, tileable and/or non tileable drain covers so that the mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor can have selectively either a tiled, a tileable or a non tileable drain cover associated therewith, 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein the drain covers are vertically adjustable so that a tiled, tileable and/or nontileable upper surface of the drain cover may be positioned to be coplanar with an adjacent tiled, tileable or nontileable upper surface of the mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the drain cover is adapted to be interchangeable with the drain in such a fashion that both tileable and non tileable drain covers are vertically adjustable so that an upper surface thereof can be oriented so as to be substantially coplanar with a tiled or tileable upper surface of any adjacent tiled or tileable mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein tiled, tileable, and nontileable drain covers are adapted to be releasably attachable in registry with the drain body so as to provide, among other things, access to the drain aperture and the waste water system and to permit the association of drain covers with different finishes and/or styles relative to the tiled mortar bed or other handmade shower pan floor. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the drain cover is held in registry with the drain body through an attachment structure which allows the height of an upper surface of the drain cover to be adjusted so as to be positioned coplanar with an adjacent upper surface of the mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor. 
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein vertical adjustment of the one or more drain covers is accomplished by the use of adjusting structure selected from the group consisting of shims, washers, ball and detent arrangement and threads. 
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , further including a strainer attachable to the drain body. 
     
     
         49 . A tiled and/or tileable surface or fixture and drain assembly, comprising:
 a tiled and/or tileable surface or fixture including a floor defining at least one drain opening;   a drain cover, the drain top grate or cover defining a peripheral edge;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture;   structure for releasably attaching the drain cover in registry with the drain body floor;   the drain cover adapted to cover a portion of the drain body floor so as to conceal at least a portion of the drain aperture and at least a portion of the drain body floor, and such that when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body, the peripheral edge of the drain cover is spaced from the drain body floor so as to define a gap therebetween through which water may pass while flowing toward the drain aperture, thereby permitting water to exit the tiled or tileable surface or fixture while substantially concealing the drain aperture, and wherein the drain cover is also adapted to be at least partially covered with one or more type of wall or floor covering material.   
     
     
         50 . A tiled and/or tileable surface or fixture and drain apparatus, comprising;
 a tiled and/or tileable surface or fixture which defines a drain recess, the recess defined by a drain recess peripheral sidewall;   a drain cover, the drain cover defining a peripheral edge;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture, and structure for releasably attaching the drain cover in registry with the drain body floor;   the drain cover adapted to cover a portion of the drain body floor such that when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body, the peripheral edge of the drain cover is spaced from the drain recess peripheral sidewall and/or the tiled or tileable surface or fixture so as to define a gap therebetween through which water may pass while flowing toward the drain aperture, thereby permitting water to exit the tiled and/or tileable surface or fixture while substantially concealing the drain aperture, and wherein the drain cover is also adapted to be at least partially covered with one or more type of wall or floor covering material.   
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 50  wherein the drain cover is made from any material selected from the group comprising plastic such as PVC or ABS, polyurethane, polyethylene, metal such as copper, cast iron, aluminum, steel, building materials such as stone, concrete, marble, cultured marble, mortar and stucco. 
     
     
         52 . The apparatus of  claim 50 , wherein the top, grate or cover does not define any grate free area within itself. 
     
     
         53 . The apparatus of  claim 50 , wherein an upper surface of the surface or fixture adjacent to the drain recess is substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the drain cover when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body. 
     
     
         54 . The apparatus of  claim 50 , wherein the drain body is sufficiently recessed into or below an upper surface of the surface or fixture adjacent the drain body so that an upper surface of the drain cover is substantially coplanar with an adjacent upper surface of the surface or fixture. 
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 50 , wherein:
 wherein the drain cover, and the surface or fixture, are covered with wall or flooring material, and wherein an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the drain cover is substantially coplanar with an adjacent upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the surface or fixture when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body; and   the gap is defined on one side by the wall or flooring material on the surface or fixture and on the other side by the wall or flooring material on the drain cover, such that water drains between perimeter tiled edges of the drain cover and tiled perimeter edges of the surface or fixture adjacent the drain cover.   
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of  claim 50 , wherein the drain body is sufficiently recessed into or below an upper surface of the surface or fixture adjacent the drain body so that an upper surface of the drain cover is substantially coplanar with the adjacent upper surface of the surface or fixture, and the peripheral edge of the drain cover is spaced from the upper surface of the surface or fixture adjacent the drain body so as to allow for water to drain therebetween. 
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 50 , wherein the drain body is sufficiently recessed into or below an upper surface of the surface or fixture so that an upper surface of the drain cover when situated in registry with the drain body is substantially coplanar with an adjacent upper surface of the surface or fixture, and a lower surface of the drain cover and an upper surface of the drain body floor are spaced so that a sufficient gap is created so as to allow for water to drain therethrough into the drain aperture. 
     
     
         58 . The apparatus of  claim 50 , wherein the drain cover is adapted to be releasable and interchangeable with other tiled, tileable and/or non tileable drain covers so that the surface or fixture can have selectively either a tiled, tileable or a non tileable drain cover associated therewith. 
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of  claim 50 , wherein the drain covers are vertically adjustable so that an upper surface of the drain cover may be positioned to be coplanar with an upper surface of the surface or fixture adjacent to the drain cover. 
     
     
         60 . The apparatus of  claim 50 , wherein the drain cover is of the non-tileable variety and is adapted to be interchangeable with drain covers of the tileable variety in such a fashion that any of the tiled, tileable and non tileable drain covers are vertically adjustable so that an upper surface thereof can be oriented so as to be substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the adjacent surface or fixture. 
     
     
         61 . The apparatus of  claim 50 , wherein any tiled, tileable, and nontileable drain covers used are adapted to be releasably associated with the drain body so as to provide access to the drain aperture and the waste water system and to permit different drain cover finishes and styles to be used with the surface or fixture. 
     
     
         62 . The apparatus of  claim 61 , wherein the tiled, tileable and/or non tileable drain covers are held in registry with the drain body through an attachment structure which allows the height of an upper surface of the drain cover to be adjusted to be positioned coplanar with an adjacent upper surface of the surface or fixture. 
     
     
         63 . The apparatus of  claim 62 , wherein vertical adjustment of the one or more drain covers is accomplished by the use of adjusting structure selected from the group consisting of shims, washers, ball and detent arrangement and threads. 
     
     
         64 . The drain apparatus of  claim 50 , further including a strainer attachable to the drain body. 
     
     
         65 . A prefabricated shower pan and concealed drain assembly, comprising:
 a prefabricated shower pan including a floor defining at least one drain opening;   a drain cover, the drain cover defining at least one peripheral edge and which does not define any grate free area thereon;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture and structure for releasably attaching the drain cover in registry with the drain body;   the drain cover adapted to cover a portion of the drain body floor so as to conceal at least a portion of the drain aperture and at least a portion of the drain body floor, and such that when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body, the peripheral edge of the drain cover is spaced from the drain body floor so as to define a gap therebetween through which water may pass while flowing toward the drain aperture, thereby permitting water to exit the prefabricated shower pan while substantially concealing the drain aperture; and   wherein the drain top, grate or cover, and the shower pan floor, are covered with wall or flooring material, and wherein an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the drain cover is substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the prefabricated shower pan floor when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body.   
     
     
         66 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the drain body is sufficiently recessed into or below an upper surface of the prefabricated shower pan floor so that an upper surface of the drain top, grate, or cover when attached in substantial registry with the drain body is substantially coplanar with an adjacent upper surface of the prefabricated shower pan floor, and a lower surface of the attached drain top, grate or cover and an upper surface of the drain body floor are spaced so that a sufficient gap is created so as to allow for water to drain therethrough into the drain aperture. 
     
     
         67 . A prefabricated shower pan and drain assembly, comprising:
 a prefabricated shower pan including a floor defining at least one drain opening;   a drain top, grate or cover, the drain top, grate or cover defining a peripheral edge;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture;   structure for releasably attaching the drain cover in registry with the drain assembly;   the drain cover adapted to cover a portion of the drain body floor so as to conceal at least a portion of the drain aperture and at least a portion of the drain body floor, and such that when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body, the peripheral edge of the drain cover is spaced from the drain recess peripheral sidewall so as to define a gap therebetween through which water may pass while flowing toward the drain aperture, thereby permitting water to exit the prefabricated shower pan while substantially concealing the drain aperture   wherein the drain body is sufficiently recessed into or below an upper surface of the prefabricated shower pan floor so that an upper surface of the drain top, grate, or cover when attached to the drain body is substantially coplanar with an adjacent upper surface of the prefabricated shower pan floor, and a lower surface of the attached drain cover and an upper surface of the drain body floor are spaced so that a sufficient gap is created so as to allow for water to drain therethrough into the drain aperture;   wherein the drain top, grate or cover, and the prefabricated shower pan floor, are covered with wall or flooring material, and wherein an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the drain cover is substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the prefabricated shower pan floor when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body.   
     
     
         68 . A tiled prefabricated shower pan and tiled drain assembly, comprising:
 A prefabricated shower pan including a floor defining at least one drain opening;   a drain cover, the drain cover defining at least one peripheral edge and which does not define any grate free area thereon;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture and structure for releasably attaching the drain cover in registry with the drain body;   the drain cover adapted to cover a portion of the drain body floor so as to conceal at least a portion of the drain aperture and at least a portion of the drain body floor, and such that when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body, the peripheral edge of the drain cover is spaced from the drain body floor so as to define a gap therebetween through which water may pass while flowing toward the drain aperture, thereby permitting water to exit the prefabricated shower pan while substantially concealing the drain aperture; and   wherein the cover and the prefabricated shower pan floor are covered with wall or flooring material, and wherein an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the drain cover is substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the prefabricated shower pan floor when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body.   
     
     
         69 . A tiled partially prefabricated shower pan and concealed drain assembly, comprising:
 a partially prefabricated shower pan including a floor defining at least one drain opening;   a drain top, grate or cover, the drain cover defining at least one peripheral edge and which does not define any grate free area thereon;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture and structure for releasably attaching the drain cover in registry with the drain body;   the drain cover adapted to cover a portion of the drain body floor so as to conceal at least a portion of the drain aperture and at least a portion of the drain body floor, and such that when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body, the peripheral edge of the drain cover is spaced from the drain body floor so as to define a gap therebetween through which water may pass while flowing toward the drain aperture, thereby permitting water to exit the partially prefabricated shower pan while substantially concealing the drain aperture; and   wherein the drain cover, and the shower pan floor, are covered with wall or flooring material, and wherein an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the drain cover is substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the partially prefabricated shower pan floor when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body.   
     
     
         70 . The assembly of  claim 69 , wherein the drain body is sufficiently recessed into or below an upper surface of the partially prefabricated shower pan floor so that an upper surface of the drain top, grate, or cover when attached in substantial registry with the drain body is substantially coplanar with an adjacent upper surface of the partially prefabricated shower pan floor, and a lower surface of the attached drain cover and an upper surface of the drain body floor are spaced so that a sufficient gap is created so as to allow for water to drain therethrough into the drain aperture. 
     
     
         71 . A partially prefabricated shower pan and drain assembly, comprising:
 a partially prefabricated shower pan which defines a drain recess, the recess defined by a drain recess peripheral sidewall;   a drain cover for a drain apparatus, the drain cover defining at least one peripheral edge and which does not define any grate free area thereon;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture and structure for releasably attaching the drain cover to the drain body;   the drain cover adapted to cover a portion of the drain body floor so as to conceal the drain aperture and at least a portion of the drain body floor, such that when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body, the peripheral edge of the drain top, grate, or cover is spaced from the drain recess peripheral sidewall so as to define a gap therebetween through which water may pass while flowing toward the drain aperture, thereby permitting water to exit the partially prefabricated shower pan while substantially concealing the drain aperture;   wherein the drain top, grate or cover, and the shower pan floor, are covered with wall or flooring material, and wherein an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the drain cover is substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the partially prefabricated shower pan floor when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body.   
     
     
         72 . A partially prefabricated shower pan and drain assembly, comprising:
 a partially prefabricated shower pan including a floor defining at least one drain opening;   a drain cover, the drain cover defining a peripheral edge;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture;   structure for releasably attaching the drain cover in registry with the drain assembly;   the drain cover adapted to cover a portion of the drain body floor so as to conceal at least a portion of the drain aperture and at least a portion of the drain body floor, and such that when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body, the peripheral edge of the drain cover is spaced from the drain recess peripheral sidewall so as to define a gap therebetween through which water may pass while flowing toward the drain aperture, thereby permitting water to exit the partially prefabricated shower pan while substantially concealing the drain aperture   wherein the drain body is sufficiently recessed into or below an upper surface of the partially prefabricated shower pan floor so that an upper surface of the drain top, grate, or cover when attached to the drain body is substantially coplanar with an adjacent upper surface of the partially prefabricated shower pan floor, and a lower surface of the attached drain cover and an upper surface of the drain body floor are spaced so that a sufficient gap is created so as to allow for water to drain therethrough into the drain aperture;   wherein the drain cover, and the partially prefabricated shower pan floor, are covered with wall or flooring material, and wherein an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the drain cover is substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the partially prefabricated shower pan floor when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body.   
     
     
         73 . A mortar bed or other handmade shower pan floor and concealed drain assembly, comprising:
 a mortar bed or other handmade shower pan floor defining at least one drain opening;   a drain top, grate or cover, the drain cover defining at least one peripheral edge and which does not define any grate free area thereon;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture and structure for releasably attaching the drain cover in registry with the drain body;   the drain cover adapted to cover a portion of the drain body floor so as to conceal at least a portion of the drain aperture and at least a portion of the drain body floor, and such that when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body, the peripheral edge of the drain cover is spaced from the drain body floor so as to define a gap therebetween through which water may pass while flowing toward the drain aperture, thereby permitting water to exit the mortar bed or other handmade shower pan floor while substantially concealing the drain aperture; and   wherein the drain cover, and the mortar bed or other shower pan floor, are covered with wall or flooring material, and wherein an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the drain cover is substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the mortar bed or other handmade shower pan floor when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body.   
     
     
         74 . The apparatus of  claim 73 , wherein the drain body is sufficiently recessed into or below an upper surface of the mortar bed or handmade shower pan floor so that an upper surface of the drain top, grate, or cover when attached in substantial registry with the drain body is substantially coplanar with an adjacent upper surface of the mortar bed or other handmade shower pan floor, and a lower surface of the attached drain cover and an upper surface of the drain body floor are spaced so that a sufficient gap is created so as to allow for water to drain therethrough into the drain aperture. 
     
     
         75 . A mortar bed or other handmade shower pan floor and drain assembly, comprising:
 a mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor which defines a drain recess, the recess defined by a drain recess peripheral sidewall;   a drain cover for a drain apparatus, the drain cover defining at least one peripheral edge and which does not define any grate free area thereon;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture and structure for releasably attaching the drain cover to the drain body;   the drain cover adapted to cover a portion of the drain body floor so as to conceal the drain aperture and at least a portion of the drain body floor, such that when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body, the peripheral edge of the drain top, grate, or cover is spaced from the drain recess peripheral sidewall so as to define a gap therebetween through which water may pass while flowing toward the drain aperture, thereby permitting water to exit the mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor while substantially concealing the drain aperture;   wherein the drain top, grate or cover, and the mortar bed or other handmade shower pan floor, are covered with wall or flooring material, and wherein an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the drain cover is substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the shower pan floor when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body   
     
     
         76 . A mortar bed or other handmade shower pan floor and drain assembly, comprising:
 a mortar bed or other handmade shower pan floor including a floor defining at least one drain opening;   a drain top, grate or cover, the drain cover defining a peripheral edge;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture;   structure for releasably attaching the drain cover in registry with the drain assembly;   the drain cover adapted to cover a portion of the drain body floor so as to conceal at least a portion of the drain aperture and at least a portion of the drain body floor, and such that when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body, the peripheral edge of the drain cover is spaced from the drain recess peripheral sidewall so as to define a gap therebetween through which water may pass while flowing toward the drain aperture, thereby permitting water to exit the prefabricated shower pan while substantially concealing the drain aperture   wherein the drain body is sufficiently recessed into or below an upper surface of the mortar bed or other handmade shower pan floor so that an upper surface of the drain top, grate, or cover when attached to the drain body is substantially coplanar with an adjacent upper surface of the mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor, and a lower surface of the attached drain cover and an upper surface of the drain body floor are spaced so that a sufficient gap is created so as to allow for water to drain therethrough into the drain aperture;   wherein the drain top, grate or cover, and the mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor, are covered with wall or flooring material, and wherein an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the drain cover is substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the mortar bed or other handmade shower pan floor when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body.   
     
     
         77 . A tiled mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor and tiled drain assembly, comprising:
 a mortar bed or other handmade shower pan floor including a floor defining at least one drain opening;   a drain top, grate or cover, the drain cover defining at least one peripheral edge and which does not define any grate free area thereon;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture and structure for releasably attaching the drain cover in registry with the drain body;   the drain cover adapted to cover a portion of the drain body floor so as to conceal at least a portion of the drain aperture and at least a portion of the drain body floor, and such that when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body, the peripheral edge of the drain cover is spaced from the drain body floor so as to define a gap therebetween through which water may pass while flowing toward the drain aperture, thereby permitting water to exit the mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor while substantially concealing the drain aperture;   wherein the mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor and the drain cover are tileable; and   wherein the drain top, grate or cover, and the mortar bed or other handmade shower pan floor, are covered with wall or flooring material, and wherein an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the drain cover is substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the mortar bed or other handmade shower pan floor when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body.   
     
     
         78 . A tiled surface or fixture and concealed drain assembly, comprising:
 a surface or fixture defining at least one drain opening;   a drain cover, the drain cover defining at least one peripheral edge and which does not define any grate free area thereon;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture and structure for releasably attaching the drain cover in registry with the drain body;   the drain cover adapted to cover a portion of the drain body floor so as to conceal at least a portion of the drain aperture and at least a portion of the drain body floor, and such that when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body, the peripheral edge of the drain cover is spaced from the drain body floor so as to define a gap therebetween through which water may pass while flowing toward the drain aperture, thereby permitting water to exit the tiled or tileable surface or fixture while substantially concealing the drain aperture; and   wherein the drain cover, and the surface or fixture, are covered with wall or flooring material, and wherein an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the drain cover is substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the surface or fixture when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body.   
     
     
         79 . The apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein the drain body is sufficiently recessed into or below an upper surface of the tiled or tileable surface or fixture so that an upper surface of the drain top, grate, or cover when attached in substantial registry with the drain body is substantially coplanar with an adjacent upper surface of the tiled or tileable surface or fixture, and a lower surface of the attached drain cover and an upper surface of the drain body floor are spaced so that a sufficient gap is created so as to allow for water to drain therethrough into the drain aperture 
     
     
         80 . A tiled surface or fixture and drain apparatus, comprising:
 a surface or fixture which defines a drain recess, the recess defined by a drain recess peripheral sidewall;   a drain cover, the drain cover defining at least one peripheral edge and which does not define any grate free area thereon;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture and structure for releasably attaching the drain cover to the drain body;   the drain cover adapted to cover a portion of the drain body floor so as to conceal the drain aperture and at least a portion of the drain body floor, such that when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body, the peripheral edge of the drain cover is spaced from the drain recess peripheral sidewall so as to define a gap therebetween through which water may pass while flowing toward the drain aperture, thereby permitting water to exit the surface or fixture while substantially concealing the drain aperture;   wherein the drain cover, and the surface or fixture, are covered with wall or flooring material, and wherein an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the drain cover is substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the tiled surface or fixture when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body.   
     
     
         81 . A tiled surface or fixture and drain assembly, comprising:
 a surface or fixture including a surface or fixture defining at least one drain opening;   a drain cover, the drain cover defining a peripheral edge;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture;   structure for releasably attaching the drain cover in registry with the drain body;   the drain cover adapted to cover a portion of the drain body floor so as to conceal at least a portion of the drain aperture and at least a portion of the drain body floor, and such that when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body, the peripheral edge of the drain cover is spaced from the drain recess peripheral sidewall so as to define a gap therebetween through which water may pass while flowing toward the drain aperture, thereby permitting water to exit the tiled or tileable surface or fixture while substantially concealing the drain aperture   wherein the drain body is sufficiently recessed into or below an upper surface of the tiled or tileable surface or fixture so that an upper surface of the drain top, grate, or cover when attached to the drain body is substantially coplanar with an adjacent upper surface of the tiled or tileable surface or fixture, and a lower surface of the attached drain cover and an upper surface of the drain body floor are spaced so that a sufficient gap is created so as to allow for water to drain therethrough into the drain aperture;   wherein the drain cover, and the surface or fixture, are covered with wall or flooring material, and wherein an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the drain cover is substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the tiled surface or fixture when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body.   
     
     
         82 . A tiled surface or fixture and tiled drain assembly, comprising:
 a surface or fixture including a floor defining at least one drain opening;   a drain cover, the drain cover defining at least one peripheral edge and which does not define any grate free area thereon;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture and structure for releasably attaching the drain cover in registry with the drain body;   the drain cover adapted to cover a portion of the drain body floor so as to conceal at least a portion of the drain aperture and at least a portion of the drain body floor, and such that when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body, the peripheral edge of the drain cover is spaced from the drain body floor so as to define a gap therebetween through which water may pass while flowing toward the drain aperture, thereby permitting water to exit the tiled or tileable surface or fixture while substantially concealing the drain aperture; and   wherein the drain cover, and the surface or fixture, are covered with wall or flooring material, and wherein an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the drain cover is substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the wall or flooring material on the tiled surface or fixture when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body.   
     
     
         83 . A partially prefabricated shower pan and drain assembly, comprising:
 a partially prefabricated shower pan including a floor defining at least one drain opening;   a drain cover, the drain cover defining a peripheral edge;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture, and a mounting flange adapted to connect to a floor drain mounting collar;   structure for releasably attaching the drain cover in registry with the drain body floor;   the drain cover adapted to cover a portion of the drain body floor so as to conceal at least a portion of the drain aperture and at least a portion of the drain body floor, and such that when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body, the peripheral edge of the drain cover is spaced from the drain body floor so as to define a gap therebetween through which water may pass while flowing toward the drain aperture, thereby permitting water to exit the partially prefabricated shower pan while substantially concealing the drain aperture, and wherein the drain cover is also adapted to be at least partially covered with one or more type of wall or floor covering material.   
     
     
         84 . The assembly of  claim 83 , wherein the mounting flange defines one or more bolt receiving bores adapted to receive corresponding floor mounting bolts. 
     
     
         85 . The assembly of  claim 83 , wherein the shower pan floor comprises at least two sections adapted to be joined together to create a partially prefabricated shower pan floor during assembly of a shower. 
     
     
         86 . The assembly of  claim 85 , further comprising a drain flange shoulder defined by each pan floor section adapted to mate with the drain body between the drain body floor and the drain body mounting flange. 
     
     
         87 . The assembly of  claim 83 , further comprising wall or flooring material connected to the cover and the floor. 
     
     
         88 . The assembly of  claim 86 , further comprising wall or flooring material connected to the cover and the floor. 
     
     
         89 . The assembly of  claim 85 , further comprising a drain body mounting flange shoulder defined by each pan floor section adapted to mate with the drain body between the drain body and the floor drain mounting collar which by compression and water proofing forms a water tight seal with the multi piece shower pan floor. 
     
     
         90 . The assembly of  claim 89 , wherein the floor drain mounting collar is part of a floor drain unit of the clamping ring drain type or the compression drain type a. 
     
     
         91 . The assembly of  claim 83 , wherein the shower pan floor is one-piece and is adapted to create the partially prefabricated shower pan floor during assembly of a shower, and may be installed in conjunction with, or have integrated into it, one or more additional components including one or more curbs, a barrier free entrance, splash walls, a pitched floor, a mortar bed, and water proofing materials. 
     
     
         92 . The assembly of  claim 91 , wherein the drain flange shoulder fauns at least part of a drain aperture defined by the one piece floor. 
     
     
         93 . The assembly of  claim 91 , wherein the drain flange shoulder forms at least part of a drain aperture defined by the one piece floor and is adapted to mate with the drain body between the drain body and a clamping ring or collar of a drain such as a clamping ring drain or a compression drain. 
     
     
         94 . The assembly of  claim 91 , further comprising wall or flooring material connected to the cover and the floor pan. 
     
     
         95 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the drain cover defines grate free area within itself. 
     
     
         96 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the drain cover defines grate free area within itself. 
     
     
         97 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the drain cover defines grate free area within itself. 
     
     
         98 . The apparatus of  claim 50 , wherein the drain cover defines grate free area within itself. 
     
     
         99 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the drain cover is comprised of two or more separate pieces. 
     
     
         100 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the drain cover is comprised of two or more separate pieces. 
     
     
         101 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the drain cover is comprised of two or more separate pieces. 
     
     
         102 . The apparatus of  claim 50 , wherein the drain cover is comprised of two or more separate pieces. 
     
     
         103 . The apparatus of  claim 100 , wherein at least one piece of the two or more piece drain cover defines one or more grate free areas therein. 
     
     
         104 . The apparatus of  claim 101 , wherein at least one piece of the two or more piece drain cover defines one or more grate free areas therein. 
     
     
         105 . The apparatus of  claim 102 , wherein at least one piece of the two or more piece drain cover defines one or more grate free areas therein. 
     
     
         106 . The apparatus of  claim 103 , wherein at least one piece of the two or more piece drain cover defines one or more grate free areas therein.