Dirt Trap for Flush Basins

This invention relates to a dirt trap for a flush basin, such as a urinal, of the type having a water drain.

It is known to provide protection for the drain of a flush basin, particularly a urinal, to prevent blockages by objects which have been thrown into the basin such as cigarette butts or other objects. Commonly, this protection is provided by inserting a perforated plate made from metal or plastic. A disadvantage of the usual perforated plate is that water which flows into the basin during flushing can move the plate from its protective location so that objects thrown into the basin can still enter the drain and block it. A further disadvantage exists with certain kinds of dirt traps which are provided with a container for receiving a fragrant, vaporizable or soluble body of material which is provided for disinfection and improving the smell. In such devices, the dirt trap must be removed and a separate container removed in order to permit the insertion of a new body of fragrant material.

An objective of the present invention is to provide an improved dirt trap in which it is possible to replace the fragrant body of material without removing the dirt trap.

A further objective is to provide a dirt trap which remains in its protective position despite the flow of flushing water.

Briefly described, the invention comprises a dirt trap for flush basins of the type having a water drain comprising a base plate having a plurality of openings therethrough, the base plate being positionable over the water drain in a generally horizontal position, and a basket mounted on the base plate for receiving a body of fragrant material, the basket having a plurality of individual arms extending upwardly away from the plate.

In order to impart a full understanding of the manner in which these and other objectives are attained in accordance with the invention, a particularly advantageous embodiment thereof will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation, in section, of a dirt trap and basket assembly in accordance with the invention, the section being taken along lines I--I of FIG. 3 and II--II of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the basket portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the dirt trap base plate from the direction indicated as III in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate a dirt trap in accordance with the invention which comprises a base plate 1 and a basket 3. The base plate is provided with a central projection 16 protruding upwardly from the base plate and the basket is mounted on projection 16. A generally annular groove 4 is provided around the periphery of projection 16 to receive one or more protrusions on basket 3 to latch the two members together. The periphery of projection 16 is also provided with a plurality of radially inwardly extending recesses which form passages for draining liquid from the interior of basket 3. Base plate 1 has a plurality of perforations or passage openings 2 the size of which is selected so that any solid objects thrown into the flush basin cannot pass through the openings into the flush basin drain.

In the central region of base plate 1, a cavity 6 is provided for receiving a weight 5 which prevents any displacement of the dirt trap during flushing. Weight 5 is preferably made from lead and can be positioned generally over the drain.

Basket 3 is provided with a circular, annular rim 11 from which a plurality of arms 7 extend upwardly away from the base plate. Arms 7 are interconnected by a connecting ring 5 which is spaced upwardly from rim 11 and plate 1. However, the arms have free end portions 8 which are bent inwardly so that they extend toward the central axis 9 of basket 3 and slope at an angle .alpha. of about 30.degree. relative to the axis 9 of the basket and of base plate 1 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Ends 8 do not extend completely to the basket axis 9 but, rather, leave a free passage 10 open. A body or block of fragrant material can be inserted into basket 3 by pushing it through passage 10 without the necessity of removing basket 3 from base plate 1. Nevertheless, the fragrant block cannot be washed out of basket 3 even if there is a powerful surge of water during flushing.

The free ends 8 of arms 7 are preferably of unequal length. Due to the fact that the free ends 8 are not connected with each other, they are sufficiently flexible, particularly when they are made from plastic or metal, such that a fragrant block which has larger dimensions than the diameter of passage 10 can be placed in basket 3 simply by pushing the block through.

The contour of base plate 1 is appropriately adapted to the shape of the flush basin and can be generally oval or polygonal, particularly triangular or quadrangular. The edge 12 of base plate 1 can have projections so that there are openings for the passage of water adjacent the surface of the flush basin.

It is very easy to work with this dirt trap. If a fragrant block previously placed in basket 3 has dissolved, a new block can be inserted through the free opening 10 in the cover of basket 3 and it is not necessary to remove the trap from the flush basin in order to accomplish this. Only if foreign bodies or other objects of various types have collected on base plate 1 is it necessary to remove, rinse, and clean the dirt trap. Also, basket 3 can be separated from base plate 1, this being advantageous if it is necessary to replace a broken basket or to clean from the basket materials which have been placed therein other than the fragrant block.

While one advantageous embodiment has been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.