Tieplate with removable sealing member

Abstract

The present invention provides a removable sealing member associated with a shower drain or bathtub overflow fitting having a grip positioned and contoured to facilitate handling during removal and to resist passage into and through any downstream drainage plumbing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tieplate for threaded securement to a head fitting through an overflow hole in a wall of a vessel, said tieplate comprising:
 a pipe for extending through said hole;   a tiplate flange extending radially outwardly about a first end of said pipe for engaging said wall about said hole;   said pipe having a second end opposite said first end;   said second end having threads for said threaded securement to said head fitting;   a sealing member extending across said pipe adjacent said first end and sealingly coupled to said pipe through a frangible joint;   said sealing member having a grip extending therefrom outwardly of said pipe for facilitating manipulation of said to sever said frangible join for removal of said sealing member.   
     
     
         2 . The tieplate of  claim 1  wherein said grip is dimensioned to avoid passage of said grip and sealing member through said head fitting. 
     
     
         3 . The tieplate of  claim 1  wherein a mating flange extends radially outwardly from said tieplate flange away from said pipe to define a gap between said mating flange and said wall to slidably register with a groove in a faceplate mountable over said mounting flange. 
     
     
         4 . The tieplate of  claim 2  wherein a mating flange extends radially outwardly from said tieplate flange away from said pipe to define a gap between said mating flange and said wall to slidably register with a groove in a faceplate mountable over said mounting flange.