JP7501855B2 - Drain plug device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a drain plug device for opening and closing a drainage flow path provided on the bottom side of a tank body.

Conventionally, there is known a drain plug device that can switch the open/close state of a drainage flow path provided on the bottom side of a tank body (e.g., a bathtub or washbasin) by remotely operating a plug cover.

A known drain plug device includes a reciprocating support shaft with the plug lid attached to one end, a displaceable operating part (e.g., an operating button), a transmission member (e.g., a wire, etc.) for transmitting the driving force caused by the displacement of the operating part to the support shaft and thus to the plug lid, and a drain outlet member. The drain outlet member has a cylindrical main body that is inserted into the mounting hole of the tank body, and the inner space of the main body forms a drain flow path. In such a drain plug device, the transmission member moves forward in response to an operation of the operating part, and the support shaft and plug lid move upward, opening the drain flow path. On the other hand, the transmission member moves backward in response to an operation of the operating part, and the support shaft and plug lid move downward, and the plug lid comes into contact with, for example, the tank body or the drain outlet member, closing the drain flow path.

In addition, the drain outlet member is often provided with a flange portion that protrudes from the outer periphery of one end of the main body and is engaged directly with the tank body or indirectly via a packing portion or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1, etc.).

JP 2013-194366 A

Conventionally, the direction in which the main body extends and the direction in which the support shaft reciprocates are configured to be perpendicular to the waterstop plane (a virtual plane that includes the waterstop plane), which is the surface of the tank body to which the flange is directly or indirectly engaged. However, with this configuration, the amount of reciprocation of the support shaft relative to the waterstop plane and the length of the main body are relatively large, which can lead to the device becoming larger overall (longer in the direction perpendicular to the waterstop plane). Furthermore, if the waterstop plane is not horizontal and the angle that the waterstop plane makes with the horizontal plane is relatively large, the direction in which the main body extends becomes close to the horizontal direction, which can lead to a decrease in drainage performance.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a drain plug device that can be made more compact overall and can more reliably achieve good drainage performance.

Below, each means suitable for achieving the above objective will be explained item by item. In addition, the specific effects of the corresponding means will be noted as necessary.

Means 1. A cylindrical drain member having a cylindrical main body and a flange formed on the outer periphery of one end of the main body, the main body being inserted into an attachment hole formed through the tank body, and the inner space of the main body forming a drainage flow path into which drainage flows when water stored in the tank body is discharged;
A reciprocating support shaft, at least a portion of which is disposed in the inner space of the drain outlet member;
a plug cover attached to one end of the support shaft for opening and closing the drainage flow path,
A drain plug device configured so that the drain flow path is opened and closed by the plug cover moving back and forth in accordance with the reciprocating movement of the support shaft,
The tank body is provided with a water stop surface to which the flange portion is directly or indirectly engaged,
A drain plug device characterized in that the direction in which the main body extends and the direction in which the support shaft reciprocates are configured to be non-perpendicular to the waterstop plane.

According to the above-mentioned means 1, the extension direction of the main body (the direction of the central axis of the main body) and the reciprocating movement direction of the support shaft are configured to be non-perpendicular to the water plane (an imaginary plane including the water plane). Therefore, the extension direction of the main body and the reciprocating movement direction of the support shaft can be made oblique to the water plane, and compared to a configuration in which these directions are perpendicular to the water plane, the amount of reciprocating movement of the support shaft based on the water plane (along a direction perpendicular to the water plane) and the length of the main body can be made smaller. This makes it possible to make the device more compact overall. As a result, it is possible to make it less likely that the device will be damaged from the outside and to increase the freedom of installation of the device.

In addition, according to the above-mentioned means 1, even if the water-stopping plane is not horizontal and the angle that the water-stopping plane makes with respect to the horizontal plane is relatively large (for example, 45° or more), the extension direction of the main body can be easily set to a direction close to the vertical direction, i.e., a direction that is more favorable in terms of drainage performance. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably obtain good drainage performance.

The drain plug device of the above-mentioned means 1 is preferably used in a type of bathtub (tank body) that is placed on a predetermined plane (e.g., a waterproof pan) and where a caregiver or the like may stand on the plane to provide assistance. By applying the above-mentioned drain plug device to such a bathtub, the installation height of the bathtub bottom wall part relative to the plane can be reduced, making it possible to increase convenience and safety regarding entering and exiting the bathtub, etc.

Means 2. The tank body is
a wall portion to be engaged, the wall portion having the mounting hole formed therethrough and the horizontal surface;
an outer wall portion disposed outside the flange portion;
a connecting wall portion connecting the locked wall portion and the outer wall portion,
The drain plug device described in means 1, characterized in that the outer wall portion has a shape that gradually moves away from the central axis of the main body portion as it approaches the engaged wall portion.

According to the above-mentioned means 2, the outer wall portion has a shape that gradually moves away from the central axis of the main body portion as it approaches the locked wall portion. As a result, the connecting wall portion can be formed at a position farther away from the main body portion, and thus a larger area of the horizontal stopping surface on which the flange portion is locked can be secured. This makes it possible to secure a sufficient engagement allowance of the flange portion with the horizontal stopping surface, and makes the installation state of the drain outlet member more stable.

Means 3. The annular packing portion is disposed in a state of being sandwiched between the flange portion and the stop horizontal surface,
The engaging wall portion and the outer wall portion are gradually lowered toward the connecting wall portion, and a recess is formed in a portion of the tank body from the engaging wall portion to the outer wall portion,
The drain plug device according to Means 2, characterized in that the packing portion is provided so as to fill at least a portion of the recess.

According to the above-mentioned means 3, the packing part can prevent water from accumulating in the recess formed in the area from the engaged wall part to the outer wall part of the tank body. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the adhesion of limescale and dirt caused by water accumulating in the recess, and it is possible to improve cleaning properties and hygiene.

Means 4. The mounting hole is formed through the bottom wall of the tank body and obliquely with respect to the vertical direction in a portion from the bottom wall of the tank body to the side wall of the tank body,
The main body is inserted into the mounting hole with its extending direction being inclined with respect to the vertical direction,
4. The drain plug device according to any one of means 1 to 3, wherein the direction of reciprocating movement of the support shaft is set to be oblique to the vertical direction.

According to the above-mentioned method 4, it is possible to reduce the amount of downward protrusion of the main body and other parts from the bottom wall of the tank body. This makes it even more difficult for the device to be damaged from the outside, and allows for greater freedom in installing the device. Furthermore, if the tank body is a bathtub, it is possible to reduce the installation height of the bottom wall of the bathtub, which results in increased convenience and safety for entering and exiting the bathtub.

Means 5. The flange has an upper flange portion disposed at a position above the plug cap,
The drain plug device described in means 4 is characterized in that, when the direction of reciprocating movement of the support shaft is the height direction, when the drain flow path is in an open state, the upper part of the outer edge of the plug cover and the surface of the upper part of the flange are configured to be at approximately the same height.

The phrase "almost the same height" does not only mean that the upper part of the outer edge of the cap and the surface of the upper part of the flange are set at exactly the same height, but also means that the upper part of the outer edge of the cap is slightly (for example, 3 mm or less) higher or deeper than the surface of the upper part of the flange.

When a large vertically downward load is applied to the cap, such as when the cap is stepped on or a heavy object is placed on it, the cap or support shaft may be damaged or deformed. In a configuration in which the support shaft reciprocates along the vertical direction, it is possible to prevent damage or deformation of the cap or support shaft when a large vertically downward load is applied to the cap by providing a cushioning component such as an absorber spring on the support shaft. However, when the direction of reciprocation of the support shaft is oblique to the vertical direction, there is a risk that even if a cushioning component is provided, it will be unable to cushion the load when a large vertically downward load is applied to the cap.

In this regard, according to the above-mentioned means 5, the reciprocating direction of the support shaft is oblique to the vertical direction, and there is a concern that the lid may be damaged or deformed if a large vertically downward load is applied to the lid. However, when the reciprocating direction of the support shaft is the height direction, when the drainage flow path is in the open state, the upper part of the outer edge of the lid and the surface of the upper part of the flange (the surface located on the water storage space side of the tank body) are set to be at approximately the same height. Therefore, it is possible to make it more difficult for the lid (especially the upper part of the outer edge of the lid) to be stepped on or for a heavy object to be placed on it, and it is possible to more reliably prevent the lid from being subjected to a large vertically downward load. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent damage or deformation of the lid, the support shaft, etc.

In addition, the above-mentioned method 5 can more reliably prevent the plug cap (particularly the upper outer edge of the plug cap) from being stepped on or a part of the body (such as a finger or toe) from getting into the gap between the plug cap and the drain outlet member, thereby further improving safety.

Means 6. The support shaft has a cylindrical holding portion arranged inside in a reciprocating state, and an attachment member is provided that is installed in the drainage flow path,
The attachment member has a rib portion protruding from an outer periphery of the holding portion,
The plug cap is
A plate-shaped cover portion to which the tip portion of the support shaft is attached;
a cylindrical guide portion protruding from a rear surface of the lid portion and disposed on an outer periphery of the holding portion;
The drain plug device described in means 4 or 5 is characterized in that when a vertical downward load is applied to the plug cover at least when the drain flow path is in an open state, the guide portion comes into contact with the rib portion and the load is transmitted from the guide portion to the rib portion.

According to the above-mentioned means 6, when a vertically downward load is applied to the plug cap while the drainage flow path is open, the guide portion comes into contact with the rib portion, and the load is transmitted from the guide portion to the rib portion. Therefore, when a vertically downward load is applied to the plug cap, the load can be dispersed, and it is possible to more reliably prevent the load from being concentrated on the attachment points of the plug cap (lid portion) and the support shaft, the support shaft, etc. As a result, damage and deformation of the plug cap, the support shaft, etc. can be effectively prevented.

Means 7. A support shaft mechanism including the support shaft and a cylindrical case part on the inner circumference of which the support shaft is disposed;
a release wire including a cylindrical tube member having an end portion directly or indirectly attached to the case portion, and a transmission member arranged in a reciprocating state on an inner circumference of the tube member, the support shaft reciprocating in accordance with the reciprocating movement of the transmission member;
A cylindrical mounting member is provided at one end with an outward protrusion that protrudes outward, and the drain outlet member is inserted into the inner periphery and the tank body is sandwiched between the flange and the outward protrusion.
The release wire is disposed in a state where it protrudes obliquely downward from the support shaft mechanism,
The outward protrusion is provided with a hooking and holding portion for holding the release wire in a hooked state,
A drain plug device described in any of means 4 to 6, characterized in that it is provided with a guide portion on the front side of the portion of the support shaft mechanism from which the release wire protrudes, and which is capable of bending the release wire and guiding it toward the hook retaining portion by coming into contact with the release wire.

If the release wire is installed so that it protrudes diagonally downward from the support shaft mechanism, and the release wire is not specifically held in place, it will not fit properly, which may cause problems with the aesthetics and protection of the release wire (to prevent damage).

In this regard, according to the above-mentioned means 7, the release wire can be guided by the guide portion toward the hook retaining portion, and the release wire can be held in a hooked state by the hook retaining portion. Therefore, the release wire fits better, improving the aesthetic appearance and more reliably protecting the release wire (preventing damage). In particular, according to the above-mentioned means 7, the hook retaining portion is provided on the outward protrusion that sandwiches the tank body between itself and the flange portion, so that the release wire can be held in the vicinity of the tank body, improving the aesthetic appearance and protecting the release wire can be very effectively achieved.

In addition, because the release wire is held in a hooked state, it can be easily held and removed from the hook holder, further improving convenience for installation and maintenance of the device.

Furthermore, the guide portion effectively protects the portion of the release wire that protrudes from the support shaft mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the drain plug device and the like when viewed from the front. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a general configuration of a bathtub and the like. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line J-J in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the drain outlet member and the like when viewed from the front. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line K-K in FIG. 3 when the drainage flow path is in an open state. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the attachment members and the like when viewed from the front. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the drain plug device when the drain flow path is in an open state. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the plug cap and the attachment member. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the drain plug device as viewed from the back side of the bathtub.

One embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The drain plug device 1 is a device for switching between a state in which water can be stored and a state in which water can be drained in a bathtub 100 as a tank body, and is provided in a portion of the bathtub 100 extending from the bottom wall portion 101 to the side wall portion 102 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The bottom wall portion 101 is a portion that constitutes the bottom surface of the bathtub 100, and is configured so that its upper surface forms a slightly inclined surface that slopes downward toward the drain plug device 1. The side wall portion 102 is a portion that is erected on the periphery of the bottom wall portion 101, and in this embodiment, is configured so that the portion that is continuous with the bottom wall portion 101 forms a curved surface. Before describing the drain plug device 1, the configuration of the bathtub 100 and its surroundings will be described in more detail.

As shown in FIG. 3, the bathtub 100 has a mounting hole 103 formed through the bottom wall 101 to the side wall 102, and the drain plug device 1 is installed corresponding to the mounting hole 103. The mounting hole 103 is formed through the bathtub 100 at an angle to the vertical direction.

When viewed from the front (the water storage space side of the bathtub 100), the mounting hole 103 has a horizontally elongated shape with the horizontal direction being longer than the vertical direction (the direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction). In this embodiment, the shape of the mounting hole 103 when viewed from the front is the same as an ellipse consisting of two parallel long sides extending in the horizontal direction and two curved short sides connecting the ends of these two long sides. In this embodiment, the horizontal direction refers to the width direction of the side wall portion 102 in which the mounting hole 103 is formed (i.e., the direction in which the side wall portion 102 extends when viewed in a plan view), and is the direction indicated by the thick arrow in Figure 1.

In addition, the bathtub 100 has an engaging wall portion 104 that is located around the mounting hole 103 and through which the mounting hole 103 is formed. When viewed from the front, the engaging wall portion 104 has an oval shape that is one size larger than the mounting hole 103. The engaging wall portion 104 also has a water-stopping plane 104a to which the flange portion 22 described later is directly or indirectly engaged (in this embodiment, indirectly via the packing portion 9 described later). The water-stopping plane 104a (a virtual plane VS including the water-stopping plane 104a) is not horizontal, and the acute angle α of the angle that the water-stopping plane 104a (the virtual plane VS) makes with the horizontal plane is relatively large (for example, 45° or more, and in this embodiment, 60° or more).

The bathtub 100 (bottom wall 101) is provided with an outer wall 105 that is arranged outside the flange 22 (particularly the flange lower part 22b) described later, and a curved connecting wall 106 that connects the locked wall 104 and the outer wall 105. The outer wall 105 has a shape that gradually moves away from the central axis CL of the main body 21 described later as it approaches the locked wall 104. The locked wall 104 (particularly the portion continuing to the connecting wall 106) and the outer wall 105 each have a shape that gradually descends toward the connecting wall 106, and as a result, a recess 107 is formed in the portion of the bathtub 100 from the locked wall 104 to the outer wall 105.

Returning to FIG. 2, the bathtub 100 in this embodiment is intended for use in, for example, nursing care facilities, and is installed on a nearly flat installation surface 111. The installation surface 111 is configured as a slightly recessed portion in the bathroom floor, and this recessed portion also functions as a waterproof pan.

Two guide rails 111a are provided parallel to the installation surface 111, and guide wheels (not shown) provided on the bottom wall 101 of the bathtub 100 are placed on each guide rail 111a. The bathtub 100 can slide left and right when viewed from the washing area 112 (described below) (the direction in which the guide rails 111a extend, as indicated by the black arrow in Figure 2). The installation surface 111 is provided with a drain groove (not shown), and water drained from the bathtub 100 flows into the drain groove via the drain plug device 1.

In addition, a washing area 112 is installed on the bathroom floor at a position adjacent to the bathtub 100. In this embodiment, the height of the washing area 112 (or its upper surface) relative to the installation surface 111 is relatively small (e.g., 20 mm or less), which is sufficiently smaller than the conventional height (e.g., 30 mm or more). In other words, in this embodiment, the installation surface 111 is not configured to be relatively large relative to the washing area 112 as in the conventional configuration, but is set at approximately the same height as the washing area 112 (or its upper surface).

Next, the drain plug device 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the drain plug device 1 includes a drain outlet member 2, a mounting member 3, an attachment member 4, a support shaft mechanism 5, a release wire 6, a plug cover 7, and a guide portion 8.

First, the drain outlet member 2 will be described. The drain outlet member 2 is a cylindrical part that is installed by being inserted into the mounting hole 103. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the drain outlet member 2 has a main body portion 21, a flange portion 22, and an attachment support portion 23. Note that Figure 4 shows the drain outlet member 2, etc., as viewed from the front (the water storage space side of the bathtub 100) with the attachment member 4, support shaft mechanism 5, etc. removed.

The main body 21 has a horizontally long cylindrical portion that corresponds to the shape of the mounting hole 103, and a widening portion that gradually widens from one end of the cylindrical portion toward the water storage space of the bathtub 100. The cylindrical portion has two parallel flat plate portions that extend laterally and face each other, and two curved plate portions that connect the ends of the flat plate portions. In this embodiment, a step 21a is formed on the inner surface of the flat plate portion for engaging the engaging mounting portion 47 described later.

The inner space of the main body 21 also constitutes a drainage flow path 24 into which wastewater flows when the water stored in the bathtub 100 is discharged. When viewed from the front (the water storage space side of the bathtub 100), the drainage flow path 24 has a horizontally elongated shape (in this embodiment, an oval shape) in which the horizontal direction is longer than the vertical direction.

In addition, the main body 21 is inserted into the mounting hole 103 with its extension direction at an angle to the vertical direction. The extension direction of the main body 21 (the direction of the central axis CL of the main body 21) is non-perpendicular to the waterstop plane 104a (imaginary plane VS including the waterstop plane 104a). In this embodiment, the acute angle of the central axis CL of the main body 21 with respect to the waterstop plane 104a (imaginary plane VS) is set to a predetermined value (e.g., 80°) or less.

The flange 22 protrudes from the outer periphery of one end of the main body 21 and is primarily used to attach the drain member 2 to the bathtub 100. The flange 22 is an oval shape that is one size larger than the mounting hole 103 overall and corresponds to the water-stopping surface 104a.

The flange 22 also has an upper flange portion 22a that is positioned above the plug lid 7 (particularly the lid portion 711 described below), and a lower flange portion 22b that is positioned below the plug lid 7 (lid portion 711). When viewed from the front (the water storage space side of the bathtub 100), the upper flange portion 22a and the lower flange portion 22b each extend horizontally and are parallel to each other.

The upper flange portion 22a protrudes relatively large from the main body portion 21 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis CL, while its thickness along the central axis CL is relatively small. In contrast, the lower flange portion 22b protrudes less from the main body portion 21 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis CL than the upper flange portion 22a, while its thickness along the central axis CL is greater than the upper flange portion 22a. In this embodiment, the thicknesses of the upper flange portion 22a and the lower flange portion 22b are set as described above, so that the extension direction of the main body portion 21 is not perpendicular to the water stop plane 104a.

In addition, in this embodiment, most of the flange lower portion 22b fits into the recess 107, and the area from the surface of the bottom wall portion 101 to the inner surface of the main body portion 21 is a continuous surface with almost no steps. This allows wastewater to flow smoothly into the drainage flow path 24. In order to improve the appearance quality and cleanability, the area from the surface of the flange upper portion 22a (the surface on the water storage space side) to the surface of the side wall portion 102 may be configured to be a continuous surface.

The attachment support section 23 has the role of supporting the attachment member 4 in the drainage flow path 24. The attachment support section 23 extends vertically and is connected to the inner surfaces of the two flat plate-shaped portions of the main body section 21. A pair of attachment support sections 23 are provided at a position between which the holding section 41, which will be described later, is placed. Note that the attachment support section 23 is not necessarily limited to connecting the inner surfaces of the main body section 21. For example, the attachment support section 23 may be configured by two protrusions protruding from opposing positions on the inner surface of the main body section 21.

In this embodiment, a female thread portion 25 (see FIG. 6) is provided at the vertical (longitudinal) center of each attachment support portion 23 and at both lateral ends of the other end of the main body portion 21.

Next, the mounting member 3 will be described. The mounting member 3 has a function of mounting the drain outlet member 2 to the bathtub 100 by being installed in a state in which the bathtub 100 is sandwiched between the mounting member 3 and the drain outlet member 2. As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the mounting member 3 has a cylindrical base 31, an outward protrusion 32, and a reinforcing support portion 33.

The cylindrical base 31 has an elongated cylindrical portion that is one size larger than the elongated cylindrical portion of the main body 21. The elongated cylindrical portion of the main body 21 is inserted into the inner circumference of the elongated cylindrical portion of the cylindrical base 31.

The outward protrusion 32 is formed to protrude from one end of the cylindrical base 31, and has an oval shape when viewed from the front (the water storage space side). In addition, a hook holder 32a with a hook-shaped tip is provided at each of both lateral ends of the outward protrusion 32. The hook holder 32a is for holding the release wire 6 in a hooked state. It is also possible to provide only one hook holder 32a. Also, a specified clip may be used to fix a portion of the release wire 6 that is located beyond the hook holder 32a (opposite the support shaft mechanism 5) to the bathtub 100 (for example, a leg of the bathtub 100, not shown).

The reinforcing support part 33 serves to support the attachment support part 23 from the back side. The reinforcing support part 33 extends vertically, and both ends are connected to the inner surface of the cylindrical base part 31.

In this embodiment, the width of the reinforcing support part 33 in the lateral direction is less than or equal to the width of the attachment support part 23 in the lateral direction, and the entire area of the reinforcing support part 33 is configured to overlap with the attachment support part 23. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent foreign matter from adhering to the reinforcing support part 33 while preventing a decrease in drainage capacity due to the presence of the reinforcing support part 33.

In addition, holes 34 through which male screws 10, which will be described later, are inserted are formed at the vertical (longitudinal) center of the reinforcing support section 33 and at both horizontal ends of the other end of the cylindrical base section 31, at positions corresponding to the female thread section 25.

The drain outlet member 2 is installed in the bathtub 100 using the mounting member 3 configured as described above as follows. That is, the main body 21 of the drain outlet member 2 is inserted into the mounting hole 103, and the main body 21 is inserted into the cylindrical base 31 of the mounting member 3, and the specified male thread 10 is screwed into the female thread 25 through the hole 34. As a result, the bathtub 100 (the engaged wall portion 104) is sandwiched between the flange portion 22 and the outward protrusion 32, and the drain outlet member 2 is installed in the bathtub 100.

When the drain outlet member 2 is installed, an annular packing portion 9 made of an elastically deformable material (such as resin or rubber) is disposed between the flange portion 22 and the water-stopping surface 104a. The packing portion 9 is installed in a state where it is sandwiched between the flange portion 22 and the water-stopping surface 104a, and prevents water leakage through the mounting hole 103. The packing portion 9 is also provided in a state where it fills at least a portion of the recess 107.

Next, the attachment member 4 will be described. The attachment member 4 is a part for holding the support shaft mechanism 5. The attachment member 4 is disposed in the drainage flow path 24, and is located on the back side of the plug lid 7 when viewed from the front (the water storage space side of the bathtub 100).

As shown in FIG. 5, the attachment member 4 includes a retaining portion 41, a vertical rib portion 42, a horizontal rib portion 43, a plate-shaped portion 44, an outer hanging portion 45, an inner hanging portion 46, and a locking attachment portion 47. In this embodiment, the horizontal rib portion 43 corresponds to the "rib portion."

The holding portion 41 is for holding the support shaft mechanism 5. The holding portion 41 is cylindrical and is located at the center of the drainage flow path 24 in both the horizontal and vertical directions (see Figure 7). Note that Figure 7 shows the attachment member 4, etc., as viewed from the front (the water storage space side) with the support shaft mechanism 5, plug lid 7, etc. removed.

The vertical rib portion 42 and the horizontal rib portion 43 support the holding portion 41 and have the function of suppressing rotation and tilt of the plug lid 7 by cooperating with the guide portion 713 described later.

The vertical rib portions 42 are portions that protrude vertically from the outer periphery of the retaining portion 41, and are provided in pairs at positions with the central axis of the retaining portion 41 between them. On the other hand, the horizontal rib portions 43 protrude horizontally from the center between the two vertical rib portions 42 along the circumferential direction of the retaining portion 41, on the outer periphery of the retaining portion 41, and are provided in pairs at positions with the central axis of the retaining portion 41 between them. Therefore, in this embodiment, the vertical rib portions 42 and the horizontal rib portions 43 are provided alternately and at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the retaining portion 41.

The ends of the vertical rib portion 42 and the horizontal rib portion 43 opposite the retaining portion 41 are each connected to the plate-like portion 44. In this embodiment, the vertical rib portion 42 and the horizontal rib portion 43 are connected to the plate-like portion 44 with their surfaces (the surfaces facing the water storage space of the bathtub 100) flush with the surface of the plate-like portion 44. Therefore, the areas from the vertical rib portion 42 and the horizontal rib portion 43 to the plate-like portion 44 have a flat shape with no steps.

The vertical rib portion 42 also has two side surfaces that hang down from both widthwise edges of its surface, and these two side surfaces are parallel. Similarly, the horizontal rib portion 43 also has two side surfaces that hang down from both widthwise edges of its surface, and these two side surfaces are parallel.

The plate-shaped portion 44 functions to conceal the attachment support portion 23 and the like, and also simplifies the shape of the portion of the drain plug device 1 located in the drain flow path 24 (particularly the portion located on the water storage space side of the bathtub 100) to improve cleaning properties. The plate-shaped portion 44 is a rectangular plate with a hole formed in the center, and the surface of the plate-shaped portion 44 (the surface on the water storage space side) is flat and free of irregularities.

The plate-shaped portion 44 is placed on the pair of attachment support parts 23 in a spanning state, and the entire surface of the attachment support part 23 (the surface facing the water storage space) is covered by the plate-shaped portion 44. As a result, the attachment support part 23 is not visible or is difficult to see from the outside (e.g., the water storage space side) (see Figure 7).

In addition, the plate-shaped portion 44 has an inner edge 44a that forms a gap between the outer periphery of the holding portion 41 and the guide portion 713 (leg portion 713a) described later. The inner edge 44a is arc-shaped when viewed from the front (the water storage space side of the bathtub 100). Furthermore, the entire inner edge 44a is located closer to the holding portion 41 than the pair of attachment supports 23 when viewed from the front. In other words, the inner edge 44a is located between the pair of attachment supports 23, and as a result, the horizontal rib portion 43 is relatively short and does not reach the attachment support portion 23. In this embodiment, the length of the horizontal rib portion 43 (the amount of protrusion from the holding portion 41) is the same as the length of the vertical rib portion 42.

The outer hanging portion 45 and the inner hanging portion 46 have the role of more reliably restricting the movement of the attachment member 4 in the drainage flow path 24. The outer hanging portion 45 is a pair of portions that hang down from both ends of the plate-shaped portion 44 in the longitudinal direction (horizontal direction). Each outer hanging portion 45 is disposed adjacent to the side surface located opposite the holding portion 41 of the attachment support portion 23. In this embodiment, the surface located toward the center in the width direction of the side surface located opposite the holding portion 41 of each outer hanging portion 45 is flat.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, two water passage sections that do not have any structures such as ribs are formed between the side surface of the outer hanging portion 45 of the attachment member 4 and the inner surface of the drain outlet member 2. The drainage water mainly passes through these water passage sections of the drainage flow path 24.

The inner hanging portion 46 is a portion that hangs down from a portion between the inner edge portion 44a of the plate-shaped portion 44 and the outer hanging portion 45, and is provided as a pair so as to be parallel to and opposite the outer hanging portion 45. The inner hanging portion 46 is disposed adjacent to the side surface of the attachment support portion 23 that is located on the holding portion 41 side.

The outer hanging portion 45 and the inner hanging portion 46 are each provided from the side of the attachment support portion 23 to the side of the reinforcing support portion 33. Therefore, the outer hanging portion 45 and the inner hanging portion 46 cover the contact boundary between the attachment support portion 23 and the reinforcing support portion 33. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the adhesion of dirt and the intrusion of foreign matter between the attachment support portion 23 and the reinforcing support portion 33.

The locking attachment portion 47 is used to attach the attachment member 4 to the drain outlet member 2. The locking attachment portion 47 is the short-side (vertical) edge of the plate-shaped portion 44, and hangs down from a portion located between the vertical rib portion 42 and the inner hanging portion 46. A protrusion is provided at the tip of the locking attachment portion 47, and the attachment member 4 is attached to the drain outlet member 2 by locking the protrusion to the step portion 21a.

Next, the support shaft mechanism 5 will be described. The support shaft mechanism 5 is a mechanism for switching the open/closed state of the drainage flow path 24 by reciprocating the plug 7. As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the support shaft mechanism 5 includes a case portion 51 and a support shaft 52.

The case portion 51 is cylindrical and is held by the inner circumference of the holding portion 41. As a result, the support shaft mechanism 5 is installed at the center of the drainage flow path 24 in both the horizontal and vertical directions. In this embodiment, a tube member 61 of the release wire 6 (described later) is indirectly attached to the case portion 51 via a specified part (not shown). The tube member 61 may be directly attached to the case portion 51.

The support shaft 52 is cylindrical with a closed tip, and at least a portion of it is disposed in the inner space of the drain outlet member 2. The support shaft 52 is disposed inside the holding portion 41 (in this embodiment, the inner circumference of the case portion 51) in a state in which it can move back and forth along the central axis CL direction of the main body portion 21 (i.e., a direction oblique to the vertical direction). Therefore, the direction of the reciprocating movement of the support shaft 52 is non-perpendicular to the waterstop plane 104a (the imaginary plane VS including the waterstop plane 104a).

In addition, one end (tip) of the support shaft 52 protrudes from the opening on one end side of the case part 51 and is fitted into the shaft mounting part 712 (described later) provided in the center part of the back surface of the plug lid 7 (the lid part 711 (described later)). As a result, the plug lid 7 is attached to one end of the support shaft 52, and the plug lid 7 is supported by the support shaft 52.

In addition, an absorber spring (not shown) that is elastically deformable along the reciprocating direction of the support shaft 52 is provided inside the support shaft 52. When a load along the reciprocating direction of the support shaft 52 is applied to the plug lid 7, the absorber spring compresses and deforms to absorb the load, making it possible to more effectively prevent damage or deformation of the support shaft 52, the attachment member 4, etc.

A return spring (not shown) is arranged in a compressed state inside the case 51. The return spring is for pulling the plug 7 in its return direction (diagonally downward), and applies a force to the support shaft 52 along the return direction (diagonally downward).

Next, the release wire 6 will be described. The release wire 6 is for transmitting the driving force generated by displacing an operating part (not shown, for example, a reciprocating operating button or a rotatable operating handle) to the plug lid 7. In this embodiment, the release wire 6 is provided in a state in which it protrudes diagonally downward from the support shaft mechanism 5. The release wire 6 includes a cylindrical tube member 61 and a transmission member 62 (for example, a wire, etc.) arranged in a reciprocating state within the tube member 61.

One end of the tube member 61 is connected to the case 51, while the other end is connected to an operating device (not shown) having the operating unit, and guides the transmission member 62 from the operating device side to the plug lid 7 side. The operating device is provided with a locking mechanism (not shown) that can lock the transmission member 62 in a forward movement (moving from the operating device side to the plug lid 7 side). Each time a specific operation is performed on the operating unit, the locking mechanism alternately locks and unlocks the transmission member 62. The locking mechanism may be provided on the support shaft mechanism 5.

The transmission member 62 reciprocates within the tube member 61 in response to the displacement of the operating portion. One end of the transmission member 62 is capable of contacting the support shaft 52, and the support shaft 52 reciprocates in response to the reciprocating movement of the transmission member 62.

Next, the plug lid 7 will be described. The plug lid 7 is a plug for opening and closing the drainage flow path 24, and moves back and forth obliquely to the vertical direction as the support shaft 52 moves back and forth. As shown in FIG. 8, the plug lid 7 has a plug lid main body 71 and a closing packing part 72 made of an elastically deformable material attached to the plug lid main body 71.

The cap body 71 includes a cap portion 711, an axle-mounted portion 712 (see Figures 3 and 6), a guide portion 713, and a side protrusion 714. In this embodiment, the cap body 71 is formed by combining two parts. However, the cap body 71 may be formed from a single part.

The lid portion 711 improves the appearance quality by making the drainage flow path 24 difficult to see from the outside (the water storage space side of the bathtub 100), and is a part that, together with the closing packing portion 72, opens and closes the drainage flow path 24. The lid portion 711 is in the form of a flat plate, and when viewed from the front, has a horizontally elongated shape (an oval shape in this embodiment) that corresponds to the shape of the drainage flow path 24.

The shaft-bearing attachment portion 712 is a portion for attaching the plug cap 7 (lid portion 711) to the support shaft 52. The shaft-bearing attachment portion 712 is short and cylindrical, and is formed in the center of the back surface of the lid portion 711.

The guide portion 713 is a portion that guides the cap 7 as it moves back and forth, and regulates the rotation and inclination of the cap 7 around the mounting position of the cap 7 relative to the support shaft 52. The guide portion 713 is a cylindrical portion that protrudes from the back surface of the cover portion 711 outside the shaft-receiving portion 712, and is disposed on the outer periphery of the retaining portion 41 (see Figures 3 and 6). The guide portion 713 also has multiple (four in this embodiment) legs 713a that are separated in the circumferential direction of the guide portion 713 by a center side slit 713b and a side side slit 713c, which will be described below.

The guide portion 713 further includes a center slit 713b and a side slit 713c that extend in the direction of reciprocating movement of the support shaft 52 and open on the side opposite the lid portion 711. The center slits 713b and the side slits 713c are provided alternately and at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the guide portion 713.

The center-side slit 713b is a slit in which the vertical rib portion 42 is arranged. At least a portion of the guide portion 713 (leg portion 713a) that forms the center-side slit 713b is provided with a center-side parallel portion 713d that extends parallel to the reciprocating direction of the support shaft 52. The center-side parallel portion 713d is formed by two opposing parallel surfaces of the guide portion 713 (leg portion 713a).

The side slit 713c is a slit in which the lateral rib portion 43 is disposed. At least a portion of the portion of the guide portion 713 (leg portion 713a) that forms the side slit 713c is provided with a side parallel portion 713e that extends parallel to the reciprocating direction of the support shaft 52. The side parallel portion 713e is formed by two opposing parallel surfaces of the guide portion 713 (leg portion 713a).

The side protrusions 714 are intended to more reliably regulate the rotation and tilt of the cap 7 around the mounting position of the cap 7 relative to the support shaft 52. The side protrusions 714 protrude from the rear surface of the lid 711, and are provided in pairs at a position with the guide portion 713 between them. In this embodiment, each side protrusion 714 is composed of two protrusions spaced apart in the vertical direction. In addition, a straight portion 714a extending along the reciprocating direction of the support shaft 52 is provided on the side surface of each side protrusion 714 facing the guide portion 713 (the side surface of the two protrusions facing the guide portion 713).

The closing packing part 72 is shaped like an oval disk, and is attached to the lid body part 71 by being sandwiched between the two parts that make up the lid body part 71 (see Figure 6). The outer edge shape of the closing packing part 72 is almost the same as the outer edge shape of the lid part 711. Therefore, when viewed from the front (the water storage space side of the bathtub 100), the closing packing part 72 is hidden by the lid part 711, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Next, the guide portion 8 will be described. The guide portion 8 is provided in front of the portion of the support shaft mechanism 5 from which the release wire 6 protrudes, and serves to guide the release wire 6 toward the hook retaining portion 32a while protecting the release wire 6. As shown in FIG. 3, the guide portion 8 is a plate-shaped portion curved into a U-shape, and is provided on the other end side of the mounting member 3. Although not shown, the guide portion 8 comes into contact with the release wire 6, thereby bending the release wire 6 and guiding it toward the hook retaining portion 32a.

When viewed from the front (the water storage space side of the bathtub 100), the guide portion 8 is configured so as not to protrude outward (horizontally) beyond the side surface of the outer hanging portion 45. Therefore, the drainage mainly passes through the water passage portion of the drainage flow path 24, and the flow of the drainage that passes through the water passage portion is not obstructed by the guide portion 8. In this embodiment, the guide portion 8 is formed integrally with the mounting member 3, but the two may be provided separately.

In the drain plug device 1 configured as described above, the open/close state of the drain passage 24 is switched as follows. That is, the support shaft 52 and the plug lid 7 move forward (diagonally upward) by moving the transmission member 62 forward in response to an operation on the operating unit. Then, the locking mechanism locks the transmission member 62, thereby maintaining the closing gasket portion 72 spaced apart from the inner surface of the drain outlet member 2. As a result, the drain passage 24 is opened (see Figures 6 and 9).

On the other hand, when the drainage flow path 24 is in an open state, the transmission member 62 is moved slightly forward in response to an operation of the operating unit, which releases the lock of the transmission member 62 by the locking mechanism. With the release of the lock, the support shaft 52 and the plug lid 7 move back (diagonally downward) due to the return spring, and the entire outer periphery of the closing packing portion 72 comes into contact with the inner surface of the drain outlet member 2. As a result, the drainage flow path 24 is closed (see FIG. 3).

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, when at least the drainage flow passage 24 is in an open state, the center-side parallel portion 713d is disposed adjacent to both side surfaces of the vertical rib portion 42, sandwiching the vertical rib portion 42. Note that the term "adjacent" includes not only a state in which the center-side parallel portion 713d is disposed with a slight gap (for example, 1 mm or less, preferably 0.5 mm or less) but also a state in which the center-side parallel portion 713d is in contact with one side surface of the vertical rib portion 42 with a slight gap therebetween (hereinafter the same). Therefore, when at least the drainage flow passage 24 is in an open state, the center-side parallel portion 713d is disposed adjacent to or in contact with one side surface of the vertical rib portion 42 with a slight gap therebetween, and is disposed adjacent to or in contact with the other side surface of the vertical rib portion 42 with a slight gap therebetween.

Furthermore, at least when the drainage flow path 24 is in an open state, the side parallel portion 713e is disposed adjacent to both side surfaces of the lateral rib portion 43, sandwiching the lateral rib portion 43. In other words, at least when the drainage flow path 24 is in an open state, the side parallel portion 713e is disposed adjacent to or in contact with one side surface of the lateral rib portion 43 with a small gap therebetween, and is disposed adjacent to or in contact with the other side surface of the lateral rib portion 43 with a small gap therebetween.

In addition, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, when at least the drainage flow path 24 is in an open state, each straight portion 714a of the pair of side protrusions 714 is arranged parallel to and in close proximity to the side surface of the outer hanging portion 45 (the flat surface portion on the side opposite the retaining portion 41). That is, when at least the drainage flow path 24 is in an open state, the straight portion 714a of one side protrusion 714 is adjacent to or in contact with the side surface of one outer hanging portion 45 with a small gap therebetween, and the straight portion 714a of the other side protrusion 714 is adjacent to or in contact with the side surface of the other outer hanging portion 45 with a small gap therebetween.

In addition, when the drainage flow path 24 is in the open state, the positional relationship between the plug lid 7 (lid portion 711) and the surface of the upper flange portion 22a (the surface facing the water storage space of the bathtub 100) is set so that, when the reciprocating movement direction of the support shaft 52 (direction of the central axis CL) is the height direction, the upper part of the outer edge of the plug lid 7 (lid portion 711) and the surface of the upper flange portion 22a (the surface facing the water storage space of the bathtub 100) are at approximately the same height (see Figure 3). Note that, if the height of the surface of the upper flange portion 22a varies in each part, it is sufficient that any part on the surface of the upper flange portion 22a is at approximately the same height as the upper part of the outer edge of the plug lid 7. In addition, "almost the same height" does not only mean that the upper part of the outer edge of the plug cap 7 (lid portion 711) and the surface of the upper flange portion 22a are set at the exact same height position, but also includes a state in which the upper part of the outer edge of the plug cap 7 (lid portion 711) protrudes slightly (for example, 3 mm or less) in height or depth from the surface of the upper flange portion 22a.

In addition, as described above, the side parallel portions 713e are arranged close to both sides of the horizontal rib portion 43 while sandwiching the horizontal rib portion 43, so that when a vertically downward load is applied to the plug lid 7 (lid portion 711) at least when the drainage flow path 24 is in an open state, the guide portion 713 comes into contact with the horizontal rib portion 43 and the load is transmitted from the guide portion 713 to the horizontal rib portion 43. In other words, when a vertically downward load is applied to the plug lid 7 (lid portion 711) at least when the drainage flow path 24 is in an open state, the load is distributed and transmitted to at least the horizontal rib portion 43.

As described above in detail, according to this embodiment, the extension direction of the main body 21 (the direction of the central axis CL of the main body 21) and the reciprocating movement direction of the support shaft 52 are not perpendicular to the waterstop plane 104a (virtual plane VS). Therefore, the extension direction of the main body 21 and the reciprocating movement direction of the support shaft 52 can be made oblique to the waterstop plane 104a, and compared to a configuration in which these directions are perpendicular to the waterstop plane 104a, the reciprocating movement amount of the support shaft 52 based on the waterstop plane 104a (along a direction perpendicular to the waterstop plane 104a) and the length of the main body 21 can be made smaller. This makes it possible to make the drain plug device 1 more compact overall. As a result, it is possible to make it less likely that the drain plug device 1 will be damaged from the outside and to increase the freedom of installation of the drain plug device 1.

In addition, even if the water stop plane is not horizontal and the angle α of the water stop plane 104a with respect to the horizontal plane is relatively large (e.g., 45° or more) as in this embodiment, the extension direction of the main body 21 can be easily set to a direction close to the vertical direction, i.e., a direction that is more favorable in terms of drainage performance. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably obtain good drainage performance.

Furthermore, the mounting hole 103 is formed through the bottom wall 101 to the side wall 102 at an angle to the vertical direction, and the extension direction of the main body 21 and the reciprocating movement direction of the support shaft 52 are at an angle to the vertical direction. Therefore, the amount of downward protrusion of the main body 21 and the like from the bottom wall 101 can be reduced. This makes it even more difficult for the drain plug device 1 to be damaged from the outside, and increases the installation flexibility of the drain plug device 1. In addition, by applying the drain plug device 1 to a type of bathtub 100 such as this embodiment, which is placed on the bathroom floor and where a caregiver or the like may stand on the floor to provide assistance, the installation height of the bottom wall 101 of the bathtub 100 relative to the floor can be reduced, making it possible to increase convenience and safety regarding entering and exiting the bathtub 100.

In addition, the outer wall 105 has a shape that gradually moves away from the central axis CL of the main body 21 as it approaches the engaged wall 104. As a result, the connecting wall 106 can be formed at a position farther away from the main body 21, and the area of the water-stopping plane 104a where the flange 22 (particularly the flange lower portion 22b) is engaged can be made larger. This makes it possible to ensure a sufficient engagement of the flange 22 with the water-stopping plane 104a, making the installation state of the drain outlet member 2 more stable.

Furthermore, the packing portion 9 is provided so as to fill at least a portion of the recess 107. Therefore, the packing portion 9 can prevent water from accumulating in the recess 107. This can prevent the buildup of limescale and dirt caused by water accumulating in the recess 107, improving cleanability and hygiene.

In addition, when the reciprocating direction of the support shaft 52 is the height direction, when the drainage flow path 24 is in the open state, the upper part of the outer edge of the plug lid 7 (lid portion 711) and the surface of the upper flange portion 22a (the surface located on the water storage space side of the bathtub 100) are set to be at approximately the same height. Therefore, in a configuration such as this embodiment in which the reciprocating direction of the support shaft 52 is oblique to the vertical direction and there is a concern that the plug lid 7 etc. may be damaged or deformed when a large vertically downward load is applied to the plug lid 7, it is possible to make it more difficult for the plug lid 7 (especially the upper part of the outer edge of the plug lid 7) to be stepped on or a heavy object to be placed on it, and it is possible to more reliably prevent the plug lid 7 from being subjected to a large vertically downward load. As a result, damage and deformation of the plug lid 7, the support shaft 52, etc. can be effectively prevented. It also makes it possible to more reliably prevent stepping on the plug cap 7 (especially the upper outer edge of the plug cap 7) and preventing parts of the body (such as fingers or toes) from getting into the gap between the plug cap 7 and the drain outlet member 2 (main body 21), further improving safety.

In addition, in this embodiment, even if a vertically downward load is applied to the plug lid 7 when the drainage flow path 24 is in the open state, the guide portion 713 comes into contact with the lateral rib portion 43, and the load is transmitted from the guide portion 713 to the lateral rib portion 43. Therefore, when a vertically downward load is applied to the plug lid 7, the load can be dispersed, and the load can be more reliably prevented from being concentrated on the plug lid 7 (lid portion 711) and the mounting portion of the support shaft 52 (shaft mounting portion 712), the support shaft 52, etc. As a result, damage and deformation of the plug lid 7, the support shaft 52, etc. can be more effectively prevented.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the guide portion 8 guides the release wire 6 toward the hook retaining portion 32a, and the hook retaining portion 32a can retain the release wire 6 in a hooked state. This allows the release wire 6 to be better fitted, improving the aesthetic appearance and more reliably protecting the release wire 6 (preventing damage). In particular, in this embodiment, the hook retaining portion 32a is provided on the outward protrusion 32, so the release wire 6 can be retained in the vicinity of the bathtub 100 (closer to the back surface of the bathtub 100), which can improve the aesthetic appearance and protect the release wire 6 very effectively.

In addition, because the release wire 6 is held in a hooked state, the release wire 6 can be easily held and removed from the hook holding portion 32a, which improves convenience in terms of installation and maintenance of the device. Furthermore, the guide portion 8 effectively protects the portion of the release wire 6 that protrudes from the support shaft mechanism 5.

In addition, at least when the drainage flow path 24 is in an open state, the center side parallel portion 713d is arranged in a state in which the vertical rib portion 42 is sandwiched between the center side parallel portion 713d and the vertical rib portion 42, and the side side parallel portion 713e is arranged in a state in which the horizontal rib portion 43 is sandwiched between the center side parallel portion 713d and the horizontal rib portion 43. Therefore, even if a force that causes rotation or tilt is applied to the plug cap 7, the parallel portions 713d and 713e hardly tilt relative to the rib portions 42 and 43 or move in the rotation direction of the plug cap 7 (the rotation direction of the plug cap 7 when it is assumed that the plug cap rotates around the mounting portion of the plug cap 7 relative to the support shaft 52). Therefore, the occurrence of rotation or tilt of the plug cap 7 can be suppressed extremely effectively. In addition, in this embodiment, each of the straight portions 714a in the pair of side side protrusions 714 is arranged in a state in which it is parallel to and close to the side surface of the outer hanging portion 45, so that the rotation and tilt of the plug cap 7 can be more effectively suppressed.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be implemented, for example, as follows. Of course, other applications and modifications not exemplified below are also possible.

(a) In the above embodiment, the water-stopping plane 104a is not horizontal. In contrast, for example, in cases where the mounting hole 103 is formed through the bottom wall portion 101, the water-stopping plane 104a may be horizontal.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the flange portion 22 is indirectly engaged with the water-stopping plane 104a via the packing portion 9, but the flange portion 22 may be configured to be directly engaged with the water-stopping plane 104a.

(b) In the above embodiment, the drainage flow path 24 is elliptical when viewed from the front, but the shape of the drainage flow path is not limited to this, and the drainage flow path may be, for example, circular, rectangular, elliptical, or polygonal when viewed from the front. Of course, the shape of the plug 7, etc. may be appropriately changed to correspond to the shape of the drainage flow path.

(c) In the above embodiment, the attachment member 4 is attached to the drain outlet member 2, but the attachment target of the attachment member 4 is not limited to the drain outlet member 2. Therefore, for example, the attachment member 4 may be configured to be attached to the mounting member 3.

The configuration of the attachment member 4 in the above embodiment is an example, and the configuration may be changed as appropriate. Therefore, for example, an attachment member may be used that includes a holding portion 41, a rib portion that protrudes outward from the holding portion 41, and an annular portion whose tip portion is connected to the inner peripheral surface, and the annular portion is configured to be attachable to the inner peripheral surface of the drain outlet member 2.

(d) In the above embodiment, a total of two horizontal rib portions 43 are provided as rib portions, but the number and shape of the rib portions can be changed as appropriate. Therefore, for example, the rib portions may extend diagonally to the horizontal direction, and when a vertically downward load is applied to the plug lid 7 while the drainage flow path 24 is in the open state, the guide portion 713 may come into contact with the rib portion and the load may be transmitted from the guide portion 713 to the rib portion. In this case, three or more rib portions (for example, four) may be provided.

(e) In the above embodiment, the side protrusion 714 is configured with two protrusions, but the configuration of the side protrusion is not limited to this. Therefore, for example, the side protrusion may be configured with one protrusion (e.g., a plate-shaped protrusion) whose side surface facing the outer hanging portion 45 is flat. Of course, the side protrusion may be configured with three or more protrusions. It is also possible to have a configuration in which no side protrusion is provided.

(f) In the above embodiment, the drainage flow path 24 is closed when the closing gasket portion 72 comes into contact with the inner surface of the drain outlet member 2, but the drainage flow path 24 may be closed when the closing gasket portion 72 comes into contact with a portion other than the drain outlet member 2 (e.g., the bathtub 100).

(g) In the above embodiment, the bathtub 100 is installed in a sliding manner, but it may be installed in an immovable manner. Also, the installation surface 111 may be configured to be at the same height as the washing area 112. Furthermore, an apron may be provided to hide the side wall portion 102 of the bathtub 100 from the outside.

(h) In the above embodiment, a bathtub 100 is given as the tank body, but the technical concept of the present invention may be applied to tank bodies other than a bathtub (e.g., a washbowl, a kitchen sink, etc.).

1...drain plug device, 2...drain outlet member, 3...mounting member, 4...attachment member, 5...support shaft mechanism, 6...release wire, 7...plug cap, 8...guide portion, 9...packing portion, 21...main body portion, 22...flange portion, 22a...upper side portion of flange portion, 24...drain flow path, 32...outward protrusion, 32a...hook retaining portion, 41...retaining portion, 43...lateral rib portion (rib portion), 51...case portion, 52...support shaft, 61...tube member, 62...transmission member, 100...bathtub (tank body), 101...bottom wall portion, 102...side wall portion, 103...mounting hole, 104...retained wall portion, 104a...water-stopping surface, 105...outer wall portion, 106...connecting wall portion, 107...recess, 711...lid portion, 713...guide portion.

Claims (7)

a cylindrical drain member having a cylindrical main body and a flange portion formed on an outer periphery of one end side of the main body, the main body being inserted into an attachment hole formed through the tank body, and an inner space of the main body forming a drainage flow path into which drainage flows when water stored in the tank body is discharged;
A reciprocating support shaft, at least a portion of which is disposed in the inner space of the drain outlet member;
a plug cover attached to one end of the support shaft for opening and closing the drainage flow path,
A drain plug device configured so that the drain flow path is opened and closed by the plug cover moving back and forth in accordance with the reciprocating movement of the support shaft,
The tank body is provided with a water stop surface to which the flange portion is directly or indirectly engaged,
A drain plug device characterized in that the direction in which the main body extends and the direction in which the support shaft reciprocates are configured to be non-perpendicular to the waterstop plane. The tank body is
a wall portion to be engaged, the wall portion having the mounting hole formed therethrough and the horizontal surface;
an outer wall portion disposed outside the flange portion;
a connecting wall portion connecting the locked wall portion and the outer wall portion,
The drain plug device according to claim 1 , wherein the outer wall portion has a shape that gradually moves away from the central axis of the main body portion as it approaches the locked wall portion. The packing portion has an annular shape and is disposed in a state of being sandwiched between the flange portion and the stop surface.
The engaging wall portion and the outer wall portion are gradually lowered toward the connecting wall portion, and a recess is formed in a portion of the tank body from the engaging wall portion to the outer wall portion,
The drain plug device according to claim 2 , wherein the packing portion is provided so as to fill at least a portion of the recess. The mounting hole is formed through a portion from the bottom wall portion of the tank body to the side wall portion of the tank body at an angle to the vertical direction,
The main body is inserted into the mounting hole with its extending direction being inclined with respect to the vertical direction,
4. The drain plug device according to claim 1, wherein the direction of reciprocal movement of the support shaft is set to be oblique to the vertical direction. The flange has an upper flange portion disposed above the plug cap,
The drain plug device described in claim 4, characterized in that when the direction of reciprocating movement of the support shaft is the height direction, when the drain flow path is in an open state, the upper part of the outer edge of the plug cover and the surface of the upper part of the flange are configured to be at approximately the same height. The support shaft has a cylindrical holding portion arranged inside in a state where it can move back and forth, and an attachment member is provided to be installed in the drainage flow path,
The attachment member has a rib portion protruding from an outer periphery of the holding portion,
The plug cap is
A plate-shaped cover portion to which the tip portion of the support shaft is attached;
a cylindrical guide portion protruding from a rear surface of the lid portion and disposed on an outer periphery of the holding portion;
A drain plug device as described in claim 4 or 5, characterized in that when a vertical downward load is applied to the plug cover at least when the drain flow path is in an open state, the guide portion comes into contact with the rib portion and the load is transmitted from the guide portion to the rib portion. a support shaft mechanism including the support shaft and a cylindrical case portion around the inner periphery of the support shaft;
a release wire including a cylindrical tube member having an end portion directly or indirectly attached to the case portion, and a transmission member arranged on an inner periphery of the tube member in a state capable of reciprocating motion, and configured so that the support shaft reciprocates in accordance with the reciprocating motion of the transmission member;
A cylindrical mounting member is provided at one end with an outward protrusion that protrudes outward, and the drain outlet member is inserted into the inner periphery and the tank body is sandwiched between the flange and the outward protrusion.
The release wire is disposed in a state where it protrudes obliquely downward from the support shaft mechanism,
The outward protrusion is provided with a hooking and holding portion for holding the release wire in a hooked state,
A drain plug device as described in any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that it is provided on the front side of the portion of the support shaft mechanism from which the release wire protrudes, and is equipped with a guide portion that, by coming into contact with the release wire, bends the release wire and guides it toward the hook retaining portion.

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