Kits from which may be manufactured drainable structures with concealed drains

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a drain and drain concealment structure and method of installation and use. 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 shower or bath drain apparatus kit, comprising;
 at least two drain covers, each drain cover defining one or more peripheral edges;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture, the drain body adapted to be connected to a shower floor which defines a drain recess, the recess defined by a drain recess peripheral sidewall;   structure for selectively, releasably attaching each of the drain covers, one at a time, in registry with the drain body floor;   each 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 one of the drain covers 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 shower or bath;   each drain cover adapted to be covered with a different floor or wall covering material and to thereby permit the creation of a different appearance when each respective drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body floor.   
     
     
         2 . A drain decorating kit, comprising;
 at least two drain covers, each drain cover defining one or more peripheral edges;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture, a peripheral sidewall section, and structure for releasably placing each of the covers, one at a time, in registry with the drain body;   each 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 each 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 draining into the drain aperture;   each drain cover adapted to be covered with a different floor or wall covering material and to thereby permit the creation of a different appearance when each respective drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body floor.   
     
     
         3 . A drain decorating kit, comprising;
 at least two drain covers, each drain cover defining one or more peripheral edges;   each drain cover adapted to substantially obscure from view a drain aperture associated with the drain, such that when each drain cover is placed in registry with said drain aperture, water is permitted to drain over said one or more peripheral edges and drain into the drain aperture;   each drain cover adapted to be covered with a different floor or wall covering material and to thereby permit the creation of a different appearance when each respective drain cover is placed in registry with the drain aperture.   
     
     
         4 . A drain apparatus kit, comprising;
 at least one tileable drain cover;   at least one non-tileable drain cover;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture, the drain body adapted to be connected to a prefabricated shower pan floor which defines a drain recess, the recess defined by a drain recess peripheral sidewall;   structure for selectively and releasably attaching each of the drain covers, one at a time, to the drain body;   each 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 one of the drain covers 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;   each drain cover sized and shaped so that, when placed in registry with the drain body, an upper surface of the drain cover will be coplanar with an adjacent upper surface of the prefabricated shower pan.   
     
     
         5 . A drain apparatus kit, comprising;
 at least one tileable drain cover;   at least one non-tileable drain cover;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture, the drain body adapted to be connected to a partially prefabricated shower pan floor which defines a drain recess, the recess defined by a drain recess peripheral sidewall;   structure for selectively and releasably attaching each of the drain covers, one at a time, to the drain body;   each 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 one of the drain covers 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;   each drain cover sized and shaped so that, when placed in registry with the drain body, an upper surface of the drain cover will be coplanar with an adjacent upper surface of the partially prefabricated shower pan.   
     
     
         6 . A drain apparatus kit, comprising;
 at least one tileable drain cover;   at least one non-tileable drain cover;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture, the drain body adapted to be connected to a mortar bed or other handmade shower pan floor which defines a drain recess, the recess defined by a drain recess peripheral sidewall;   structure for selectively and releasably attaching each of the drain covers, one at a time, to the drain body;   each 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 one of the drain covers 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;   each drain cover sized and shaped so that, when placed in registry with the drain body, an upper surface of the drain cover will be coplanar with an adjacent upper surface of the mortar bed or other handmade shower pan floor.   
     
     
         7 . A drain apparatus kit, comprising;
 at least one tileable drain cover;   at least one non-tileable drain cover;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture, the drain body adapted to be connected to a surface or fixture which defines a drain recess, the recess defined by a drain recess peripheral sidewall;   structure for selectively and releasably attaching each of the drain covers, one at a time, to the drain body;   each 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 one of the drain covers 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;   each drain cover sized and shaped so that, when placed in registry with the drain body, an upper surface of the drain cover will be coplanar with an adjacent upper surface of the surface or fixture.   
     
     
         8 . A kit from which to assemble a prefabricated shower pan and concealed drain assembly, comprising:
 a prefabricated shower pan comprised of a floor defining at least one drain opening;   a drain body comprised of a floor section which defines a drain aperture;   at least one drain cover, the at least one drain cover defining a peripheral edge;   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 when assembled with the shower pan 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 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 floor or wall covering material.   
     
     
         9 . A kit from which to assemble a prefabricated shower pan and concealed drain assembly, comprising:
 a prefabricated shower pan having a prefabricated shower pan floor 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 adapted to be placed in registry with the drain body during assembly of the kit, the drain cover defining a peripheral edge;   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 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 and wherein the drain cover is also adapted to be at least partially covered with one or more floor or wall covering material.   
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 9 , 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 building products such as stone, tile, concrete, marble, cultured marble, mortar and stucco, 
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the drain cover does not define any grate free area within itself. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 9 , 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 when the drain cover is placed in registry with the drain body. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein cover is adapted to be releasable and interchangeable with other tiled, tileable and/or non-tileable drain covers so that the prefabricated shower pan can selectively have either a tiled or a non-tiled drain cover associated therewith. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 9 , 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. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 9 , 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 cover employed is 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. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the cover is 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. 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the drain cover is attached to 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. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 9 , 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. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 9 , further including a strainer attachable to the drain body. 
     
     
         20 . A kit from which to assemble a partially prefabricated shower pan and concealed drain assembly, comprising:
 a partially prefabricated shower pan 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.   
     
     
         21 . A kit from which to assemble a partially prefabricated shower pan and concealed drain assembly, comprising;
 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 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.   
     
     
         22 . The kit of  claim 21 , 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 building materials such as stone, tile, concrete, marble, cultured marble, mortar and stucco. 
     
     
         23 . The kit of  claim 21 , wherein the drain cover does not define any grate free area within itself. 
     
     
         24 . The kit of  claim 21 , wherein an upper surface of the partially prefabricated shower pan floor 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. 
     
     
         25 . The kit of  claim 21 , 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 either a tileable or a non-tileable drain cover. 
     
     
         26 . The kit of  claim 21 , 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 floor. 
     
     
         27 . The kit of  claim 21 , 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 any adjacent partially prefabricated shower pan floor. 
     
     
         28 . The kit of  claim 21 , 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. 
     
     
         29 . The kit of  claim 21 , wherein the drain cover is attached to 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 floor. 
     
     
         30 . The kit of  claim 29 , 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. 
     
     
         31 . The kit of  claim 21 , further including a strainer attachable to the drain body. 
     
     
         32 . A kit from which can be made 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 over 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.   
     
     
         33 . A kit from which can be made 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 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 . The kit of  claim 33 , 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, tile, concrete, marble, cultured marble, mortar and stucco. 
     
     
         35 . The kit of  claim 33 , wherein the drain cover does not define any grate free area within itself. 
     
     
         36 . The kit of  claim 33 , 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 cover is placed in registry with the drain body. 
     
     
         37 . The kit of  claim 33 , wherein two or more drain covers are provided, each of which is adapted to be releasably connectable in registry with the drain body and to be interchangeable with other covers so that the mortar bed or other hand made shower pan floor can selectively have associated therewith either a tiled, a tileable or a non-tileable drain cover. 
     
     
         38 . The kit of  claim 37 , 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. 
     
     
         39 . The kit of  claim 33 , 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. 
     
     
         40 . The kit of  claim 33 , 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. 
     
     
         41 . The kit of  claim 33 , 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. 
     
     
         42 . The kit of  claim 41 , 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. 
     
     
         43 . The kit of  claim 33 , further including a strainer attachable to the drain body. 
     
     
         44 . A kit from which can be made 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.   
     
     
         45 . A kit from which can be made 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 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.   
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 45  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, tile, concrete, marble, cultured marble, mortar and stucco. 
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein the top, grate or cover does not define any grate free area within itself. 
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , 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. 
     
     
         49 . The drain apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein two or more covers are supplied, each of which is adapted to be releasably connected in registry and interchangeable with other tiled, tileable and non-tileable drain covers so that the surface or fixture can have either a tileable or a non-tileable drain cover associated therewith. 
     
     
         50 . The drain apparatus of  claim 45 , 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. 
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , 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. 
     
     
         52 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein any tiled, tileable, and non-tileable drain covers used are adapted to be releasably associated with the drain body so as to provide, among other things, 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. 
     
     
         53 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein the tiled, tileable and/or non-tileable drain covers are attached to 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. 
     
     
         54 . The drain apparatus of  claim 53 , 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. 
     
     
         55 . The drain apparatus of  claim 45 , further including a strainer attachable to the drain body.