Shower Drain and Protective Cover

This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/047,062, filed on or about Oct. 17, 2022, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/506,211, filed on or about Oct. 20, 2021, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,608,621, entitled “Shower Drain and Protective Cover,” which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. To the extent appropriate, a claim for priority is made to the above-referenced applications.

Water receptacles, such as showers, generally include a drain port located at their lowermost point. The drain port is interconnected to a drain pipe through which wastewater flows. Drain components connect the drain pipe with aesthetic fixtures to contribute to the look and feel of a bathroom. During installation of drain components, a pressure test is performed to determine if the components have formed a proper seal about the drain pipe. Additionally, to establish a proper seal, torque is often applied to various drain components using one or more tools.

It is with respect to this general technical environment that aspects of the present technology disclosed herein have been contemplated. Furthermore, although a general environment is discussed, it should be understood that the examples described herein should not be limited to the general environment identified herein.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Among other things, aspects of the present disclosure include systems for a shower drain assembly with a protective cover. In examples, the shower drain assembly includes a receptor including: an upper portion; and a lower portion couplable to a drain pipe. The shower drain assembly may further comprise a threaded flange including: a flange portion with a top surface; a threaded portion extending opposite the top surface, the threaded portion configured to thread into the upper portion of the receptor; and an upper interior surface. In examples, the shower drain assembly may also include a plate configured to cover the flange portion when installed on the threaded flange, and a protective cover. Examples of the protective cover include at least: a first friction tab configured to frictionally engage the plate; and a second friction tab configured to fictionally engage a feature of the upper interior surface when the plate is not installed on the threaded flange.

In other aspects, the present disclosure includes a protective cover comprising: a top surface; a bottom surface; a first pair of friction tabs extending from the bottom surface, wherein each of the first pair of friction tabs includes a first hook portion facing radially inward; and a second pair of friction tabs extending from the bottom surface, wherein each of the second pair of friction tabs includes a second hook portion facing radially outward.

In still further aspects, the present disclosure includes a shower drain assembly that includes a receptor including: an upper portion; and a lower portion couplable to a drain pipe. The shower drain assembly may further comprise a threaded flange including: a flange portion with a top surface; a threaded portion extending opposite the top surface, the threaded portion configured to thread into the upper portion of the receptor; and an upper interior surface. In examples, the shower drain assembly may also include a plate configured to cover the flange portion when installed on the threaded flange, and a protective cover. Examples of the protective cover include: a top surface; a bottom surface; a first pair of friction tabs extending from the bottom surface and configured to frictionally engage at least one of the plate or a feature of the upper interior surface when the plate is installed on the threaded flange; and a second pair of friction tabs extending from the bottom surface and configured to fictionally engage the feature of the upper interior surface when the plate is not installed on the threaded flange.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following Detailed Description are explanatory and are intended to provide further aspects and examples of the disclosure as claimed.

While examples of the disclosure are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific aspects have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention is not to limit the scope of the disclosure to the particular aspects described. On the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure and the appended claims.

As discussed briefly above, water receptacles, such as showers, generally include a drain port located at their lowermost point. The drain port is interconnected to a drain pipe or piping through which wastewater flows. During installation of drain components, a pressure test is performed to determine if the components have formed a proper seal about the drain pipe. Additionally, to establish a proper seal, torque is often applied to various drain components using one or more tools. Certain components may be replaced over time.

In particular, after a drain assembly is installed, the drain assembly may be pressure-tested to determine if the components of the drain assembly are properly sealed. In some situations, a membrane is used to perform this test. Some membranes are insertable into the assembly and others may be pre-coupled to components of the assembly. Placement of the membrane too deep in the assembly, however, may compromise the membrane by exposing the membrane to primers or glues. Additionally, placement of the membrane too deep in the assembly may also increase a risk that the membrane is dropped into the drain pipe when being removed. Additionally, membranes that are insertable after installation may not prevent debris from falling into the drain pipe during and after installation and prior to pressure testing. Regarding membranes that are pre-coupled to components of the assembly, depending on the surface area of the membrane and/or the minimum pressure to be exerted on the membrane during a pressure test, the membrane may not be able to withstand forces exerted on the membrane during a pressure test.

Additionally, coupling and decoupling of components of a drain assembly may require specialized tools, may risk damage to a component, and/or may generally be challenging for the installer. For example, applying rotational torque to a drain assembly component to secure the component about a shower pan may require a specialized tool for each brand or type of product. Additionally, outward-facing fixtures that are coupled to the drain assembly may be difficult to remove without scratching or otherwise damaging the aesthetic of the fixture. Moreover, these fixtures are subject to damage and scratching after installation of the drain assembly from the surrounding environment.

Among other things, the technologies disclosed herein address these circumstances by providing the below-discussed drain assembly and its components. In particular, the present technology describes functional design and placement of a membrane within a drain assembly, tab(s) to facilitate tightening of drain assembly components using general tools, inset(s) to facilitate decoupling of some components of the drain assembly, and a protective cover for fixtures of the drain assembly, among other features. With these concepts in mind, drain assemblies and their components are discussed below.

show diagrams illustrating a drain assemblyA,B with multiple components. Some of the components shown inare discussed in further detail in. In the examples shown, the drain assemblyA,B is configured to be secured about a shower pan. Shower pans may be composed of a variety of materials, such as plastic or metal. Design modifications to the disclosed systems may also be made to adapt the drain assemblyA,B to be secured about a tile shower or other securing surface other than a shower pan.

With reference to, a drain assemblyA is illustrated that includes a receptor, a friction gasket, a compressible seal, a threaded flange, a hair strainer, a plate, and a protective cover. In some examples, the protective cover(described with respect to) may be substituted for protective cover. When assembled, the components of the drain assemblyA are secured relative to each other and a shower pan and/or a drain pipe.

The receptor, further described with respect to, is configured to couple to a drain pipe constructed from a material such as plastics polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). A friction gasketand a compressible sealare positioned between the receptorand a bottom side of a shower pan.

The friction gasketis composed of an elastomeric material, such as PVC and/or ABS. In an example, the friction gasketmay have a thickness less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, or less than 1 mm. In a specific example, the friction gasketmay have a thickness of approximately 0.020 inches+/−0.003 inches. The friction gasketmay provide a friction barrier between the receptorand the compressible sealto mitigate friction on the compressible sealwhen the receptormoves or rotates. For example, the friction gasketmay be rotatable relative to the receptor. Continuing this example, when tightening or securing components of the drain assemblyA about a shower pan, the friction gasketmay reduce bunching and/or pinching of the compressible sealby reducing friction between the receptorand the compressible seal. Thus, the friction gasketaids in maintaining the integrity of the compressible sealfor proper sealing of the drain assembly about a shower pan.

The compressible sealmay be constructed of a compressible material, such as rubber. The material of the compressible sealprovides a water-tight seal between the receptorand the shower pan when the drain assemblyA is secured to the shower pan. The compression of the material of the compressible seal, when compressed against a shower pan, also provides a frictional force to secure the drain assemblyA about the shower pan.

The threaded flange, further described with respect to, feeds through the top of the shower pan (e.g., via a drain port) and secures to the receptor. In the example shown, the threaded flangetightens about a shower pan by threading into the receptor. A flangeof threaded flangefrictionally secures to the top of the shower pan. The threaded flangeincludes at least one tab, at least one inset, and a removable membrane. The membranemay be composed of the same material as the friction gasket. The threaded flange, as well as the tab, the inset, and the membrane, are further discussed below.

The hair strainer, further described with respect to, may be positioned inside the threaded flange. Although the hair straineris shown as a component of the drain assemblyA in, the hair straineris an optional component of the drain assemblyA. The hair strainerincludes at least one tab recessthat may align with the at least one tabof the threaded flange. Additionally, an upper lipof the hair strainermay be positioned below a top surfaceof the threaded flangewhen the hair straineris installed in the drain assemblyA.

The plate, further described with respect to, may be frictionally coupled to the threaded flange. When the plateis secured to the threaded flange, the hair strainer, if included in the drain assemblyA, is retained between the threaded flange and the plate. The platemay partially or completely obscure the top surface of the threaded flangewhen coupled. The platemay be composed of a stiff material, such as stainless steel. The insetson the threaded flangemay facilitate de-coupling of the platefrom the threaded flange(e.g., to access the hair strainer). For example, a flat lever (e.g., a flathead screwdriver or other flat, stiff tool) may be inserted into the insetand used to apply an upward force onto a bottom surfaceof the plate, above the top surfaceof the threaded flange.

The protective cover, further described with respect to, may frictionally secure to the plate. In some examples, the protective cover(described with respect to) may be substituted for protective cover. The protective cover,may be composed of a flexible polymer or other material that facilitates coupling and decoupling of the protective coverto the plateand/or threaded flange. Additionally, the protective cover,may partially or completely obscure the platewhen the plateis coupled to the threaded flange.

Turning to, a drain assemblyB is illustrated without a hair strainer. In the example shown in, the drain assemblyB includes the receptor, the friction gasket, the compressible seal, the threaded flange, a plate, and the protective cover. The platein this example may be designed differently from plateinand may facilitate hair-catching in lieu of a separate hair strainer (e.g., hair strainer). Thus, in, the coupling and/or stacking of components in the drain assemblyB is the same, other than the platereplacing the combination of the hair strainerand the plate. In other examples (not shown), the drain assemblyB may include the plateand the hair strainer. The receptorconnects to piping below a shower pan, with the friction gasketand compressible sealpositioned between the receptorand the bottom of the shower pan. The threaded flangethreads into the receptorfrom the top side of the shower pan to secure the receptor, the friction gasket, the compressible seal, and the threaded flangeabout the shower pan, relative to each other. The plateincludes tabs (described in further detail in) that friction fit into an internal diameter of the threaded flangeopposite the receptor. The protective coverfrictionally secures to the plateto cover at least a portion of the exposed surface of the plateafter the plate is secured to the threaded flange. In some examples, the protective cover(described with respect to) may be substituted for protective cover.

show various perspective views of the components described above with respect to the drain assembliesA,B of.

Referring to, different views of the receptorfor the drain assemblyA,B ofare shown.shows a side view of the receptor,shows a perspective view of the receptor,shows a top-down view of the receptor, andshows a bottom-up view of the receptor. As described herein, the receptor, when the drain assembly is secured about a shower pan, is located below the shower pan. The receptormay be composed of a plastic material, such as PVC, ABS, a combination of PVC/ABS, etc.

As shown in, the receptorincludes a flange, a securing surface, an upper portion, a lower portion, external tabs, a pipe end, and internal threads. The receptoris configured to be coupled to a drain pipe at the pipe endand frictionally coupled to a bottom of a shower pan at securing surface(e.g., which frictional coupling may include a friction gasketand compressible sealpositioned between the securing surfaceand the bottom of the shower pan).

The upper portionof the receptorextends below the flangeand opposite the securing surface. The external diameter of the upper portionis less than the external diameter of the flange. The internal diameter Dof the upper portionincludes the internal threads. The internal diameter Dof the upper portionmay be the same as the internal diameter of the flange.

The lower portionof the receptorextends below the upper portionopposite the flange. The external diameter of the lower portionis less than the external diameter of the upper portionand the external diameter of the flange. The internal surface of the lower portionmay be smooth (e.g., not threaded). The internal diameter Dof the lower portionmay be less than the internal diameter Dof the upper portion. Additionally, the internal diameter Dof the lower portionmay be sized to couple to a drain pipe of a known size (e.g., a 1.5-inch or 2-inch drain pipe).

The external tabsmay be positioned along the upper portionand/or the lower portionof the receptor. The external tabsprotrude outward from an external surface of the upper portionand/or lower portion. The external tabsmay be configured to engage with one or more tools to secure or hold the receptorduring installation.

Although the receptorshown inhas an upper portionand a lower portionthat are centered, an offset design is also appreciated. Additionally, the receptordepicted includes example features and dimensions for assembly about a shower pan. Other features and dimensions are appreciated, such as a height-adjustable receptorfor installation about tiling, etc.

show different perspective views of a threaded flangeincluding a membranefor the drain assemblyA,B of.shows a side view of the threaded flange,shows a perspective view of the threaded flangewith a membrane,shows a top-down view of the threaded flangewith a membrane, andshows a bottom-up view of the threaded flangewith a membrane.

In contrast,show perspective views of a threaded flangewithout the membrane(e.g., after the membranehas been decoupled from the threaded flange).shows a perspective view of the threaded flangewithout a membrane,shows a top-down view of the threaded flangewithout a membrane, andshows a bottom-up view of the threaded flangewithout a membrane. As described above, the membraneis a component of the threaded flangeuntil the membraneis removed (e.g., after the threaded flangeis pressure tested or as otherwise desired). Additionally, as also described above, at least a portion of the threaded flangeis positioned above a shower pan when the drain assembly is secured about the shower pan. The threaded flangemay be composed of a rigid material, such as ABS.

As shown in, the threaded flangeincludes a flange, a securing surface, a top surface, a threaded portion, tab(s), a vertical tab surface, inset(s), a membrane(prior to removal, with no membraneshown in), a ridge, an upper interior surface, and a lower interior surface.

When the drain assembly is secured about a shower pan, the securing surfaceunderneath the flangeis positioned to exert a force downward onto a top surface of the shower pan. The top surfaceof the flangeis exposed above the shower pan. As shown, the top surfaceis a ring with an exterior diameter and an interior diameter. Inset(s)in the top surfaceof the flangemay facilitate removal of other drain assembly components (e.g., plates,) frictionally coupled to the threaded flange, as further described below.

A threaded portionof the threaded flangeextends from the securing surfacedownward opposite the top surfaceof the flange. The threaded portionis sized and shaped (e.g., with external thread diameter D′ of the threaded portion) to extend through a hole in the shower pan (e.g., a drain port) and thread into the internal threadsof the receptor(with internal diameter D). The threaded portionhas an interior cavity that includes an upper interior surfaceand a lower interior surface, separated by a ridge. The ridgemay extend in a direction that is substantially parallel to the top surface, toward a center of the interior cavity of the threaded portion. The upper interior surfaceand the lower interior surfacemay each be smooth (e.g., unthreaded). The upper internal diameter Dof the interior cavity that includes the upper interior surfacemay be the same as the internal diameter of the flange. The upper interior surfaceextends downward from the flange, opposite the top surface, for an upper length Land ends at a ridge. The ridgeprotrudes into the interior cavity of the threaded portionby a width W. At the ridge, the ridge internal diameter Dof the interior cavity is less than upper internal diameter D. As shown, the ridge internal diameter Dis less than the upper internal diameter Dby two times the width W of the ridge (e.g., D=D+W+W). The lower internal diameter of the interior cavity that includes the lower interior surfaceextends downward from the ridge, opposite the upper interior surface, for lower length L. The lower internal diameter may be the same as the upper internal diameter D. The lower length Lmay be greater than the upper length L, such as at least 1.25 times greater, 1.5 times greater, 2 times greater, etc.). For example, the upper length Lmay be approximately 0.5 inches and the lower length Lmay be approximately 0.9 inches. The ridgemay be positioned in the middle two thirds of the internal cavity between the upper length Land the lower length L. Thus, the ridgemay be spaced from the top surface(by upper length L) and spaced from the bottom end of the threaded portion(by lower length L). The ridgemay therefore be positioned completely internal to the interior cavity.

The upper interior cavity also includes tab(s)that extend, in examples, from the top surfaceof the flangeto the ridge. The tab(s)protrude radially inward from the upper interior surfaceinto the interior cavity in the same direction as the ridge. In an example, the tab(s)protrude into the interior cavity the same width W as the ridge. The tab(s)may facilitate stacking or alignment of other drain assembly components, such as a hair strainerfurther described below.

Further, the tab(s)include a vertical tab surfaceon each side of any tab. The vertical tab surfaceis substantially orthogonal to the ridgeand the top surface. The tab(s)may facilitate rotation of the threaded flangeto secure to the receptorand thus may facilitate installation of the drain assembly. The vertical tab surfacesof the tab(s)are configured to engage a variety of tools readily available to drain installers. For example, the vertical tab surfacesof the tab(s)are configured to engage handles of a pliers wrench, pliers, or any tool that includes two handles.

Use of a toolto engage the tab(s)of the threaded flangeis shown in. In, the toolto engage the tab(s)is a pliers wrench with two handles,, each engaging a vertical tab surfaceof two different tabs. The toolmay be rotated to exert force on the vertical tab surfacesof the tabsto cause rotation of the threaded flange. Additional torque may be provided to rotate the toolby using a second tool, such as a screw driver, as a lever to rotate the tool. Although two tabs are shown in, any number of tabsis appreciated.

The membraneis removably coupled to the threaded flangeto facilitate pressure testing of the drain assembly after installation about a shower pan. The membranemay be composed of a flexible or elastomeric material, such as PVC and/or ABS. In an example, the membranemay have a thickness less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, or less than 1 mm. In a specific example, the friction gasketmay have a thickness of approximately 0.020 inches+/−0.003 inches. The composition of the membranemay be the same as the composition of the friction gasketdescribed above. If the membraneand the friction gasketare composed of the same material, both the membraneand the friction gasketmay be cut from the same sheet of material during manufacturing. In particular, the membrane, having an external diameter D, may be cut out from a sheet inside the inner diameter of the friction gasket, because the inner diameter of the friction gasketis larger than the external diameter Dof the membrane. This manufacturing process may reduce wasted materials and reduce production time.

As described above, the membranemay be coupled to the threaded flange. The coupling may secure the membrane to the threaded flangeuntil removal of the membrane is required or desired (e.g., after pressure testing). In examples, the membranemay be coupled to the threaded flangevia a variety of mechanisms, such as with friction, with an adhesive, using sonic welding, or other mechanism or combination of mechanisms for coupling the membranewith the threaded flange.

Describing an example where a membraneis frictionally coupled to the threaded flange, the frictional coupling may be based on a thickness of the membrane. For instance, a membraneof greater thickness may frictionally engage with the threaded flangeif the thickness of the membraneprovides stiffness sufficient to prevent the membranefrom being pushed through the threaded flangeduring a pressure test.

In a different example, a membraneis coupled to the threaded flangewith an adhesive (e.g., liquid, paste, film, tape, etc.). The adhesive may allow for the membraneto decouple from the threaded flangeunder certain strain. For instance, an adhesive bond between the membraneand the threaded flangemay break when a force exceeding a threshold (e.g., a force greater than that applied during a pressure test) is applied to the membrane. In another instance, an adhesive bond between the membraneand the threaded flangemay weaken or release under a change in temperature (e.g., applying heat). Other strains may be applied to an adhesive to otherwise allow the membraneto be decoupled from the threaded flange.

Alternatively, the membranemay be coupled to the threaded flangevia sonic welding. During sonic welding, the material of the membraneis solid-state welded with a high-frequency vibratory energy while the welded pieces are held together under pressure. Sonic welding produces a bond between the materials of the two welded components without melting the base material. In the examples provided herein, the two welded components are the membraneand the ridgeof the threaded flange. Using the examples described herein, the membraneis sonically welded to the ridgewith a horn applying a physical force and energy in the form of high-frequency vibrations to the membranein the direction of the ridge. Under the physical force (e.g., pressure) and energy exerted by the horn, the membraneforms a removable weld with the ridgeof the threaded flange. Aspects of securing a membrane to an overflow system are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,241, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. An example of sonic welding of a membrane is also used by the Watco® Innovator® Overflow Elbow product. These examples of sonic welding of a membrane, however, differ in application, placement, and direction of the sonic weld relative to a pressure to be applied to the membrane, as further described, below.

In the examples shown in, the membraneis sonically welded to the threaded flangealong the edge of the membraneat a bottom surface of the ridge(e.g., the surface of the ridgeadjacent the lower interior surfaceand opposite the upper interior surface, the tab(s), and the top surface). This positioning of the membraneleaves the upper interior cavity of the threaded flangeexposed during assembly (e.g., the upper interior surface, the tab(s), and the upper surface of the ridgeare exposed when the membraneis coupled to the threaded flangeand when the threaded flangeis coupled to the receptor). Thus, the membrane diameter Dof the membraneis greater than the ridge diameter Dand less than or equal to the lower internal diameter (which, in the examples depicted is equal to the upper internal diameter D), such that the edge of the membranemay completely overlap with the width W of the ridge(e.g., D<D<D=D+W+W).

Additionally, in the examples depicted, the sonic weld of the membraneand the bottom surface of the ridgeis in the direction of the top surfaceof the threaded flange. Thus, the direction of the sonic weld, in these examples, is in the same direction as any pressure to be exerted on the membraneduring a pressure test of the drain assembly. Because the direction of the sonic weld and the exerted pressure are aligned in the same direction (upward, toward the top surfaceof the threaded flange), the membranecan withstand higher pressures and/or the membranecan be used to test relatively large diameters with greater membrane surface area. In the examples depicted herein, the ridge diameter D, which is the diameter subject to any pressure testing, is relatively large (e.g., has a diameter greater than two inches or is at least 2.5 inches), such that pressure testing in the same direction as the sonic weld is required or desired. As an alternative to aligning a sonic weld with the direction of a pressure test, a thickness of the membranemay be increased.

Regarding pressure testing of the membrane, a different force is applied to the membranedepending on the surface area of the membrane. For example, a pressure test of 22 pounds per square inch (PSI) on a 2-inch diameter membraneexerts approximately 69 pounds of force on the membrane. Alternatively, the same pressure test of 22 PSI on a 2.5-inch diameter membraneexerts approximately 108 pounds of force on the membrane. To sustain greater forces, the membranemay be required or desired to be coupled to the threaded flangeon an underside of a lipof the threaded flange(e.g., as shown in), during a pressure test. In an example, membranestested at approximately 22 PSI with thicknesses less than 1 mm may be coupled to the underside of the lipwhen the diameter of the membraneis greater than 2 inches, greater than 2.1 inches, greater than 2.2 inches, greater than 2.3 inches, greater than 2.4 inches, etc.

The membranecan be removed from the threaded flange(e.g., after pressure testing the installed drain assembly) with a force opposite the direction of the coupling (e.g., friction, adhesive, sonic weld, etc.). In the example shown, the membranemay be removed with a force in a downward direction toward the lower interior cavity of the threaded portionof the threaded flange(e.g., a force opposite the top surfaceof the threaded flangeand toward a base of the threaded flange). If the membrane is removed when the drain assembly is installed, a downward force onto the membranemay release the coupling (e.g., friction, adhesive, sonic weld, etc.) and the membranemay fall into the lower interior cavity of the threaded flangeor into an interior cavity of the receptor. The membranemay be prevented from falling into a coupled drain pipe by the receptor, because the membrane diameter Dis larger than the internal diameter Dof the lower portionof the receptor. A membranethat is no longer coupled to the threaded flangemay be grasped and removed from the drain assembly with a tool, such as pliers, or by hand.

The placement and coupling of the membranefor the drain assembly thus includes the following summary of features. The membranemay be coupled to the threaded flangevia sonic welding. The sonic weld may be in the same direction as a pressure test applied to the drain assembly. Because the sonic weld is in the direction of applied pressure, the membranecan withstand higher pressures and/or larger surface areas to which pressure is applied. The membraneis coupled to the threaded flangeat a ridgein an interior cavity of the threaded flange. The ridgeand the membraneare positioned away from a pipe endof the receptor, when the drain assembly is installed and the threaded flangeis coupled to the receptor. This placement of the membraneinside the interior cavity of the threaded flangereduces a likelihood that PVC primer and/or PVC glue, used in coupling the receptorwith a drain pipe, contacts the membrane. Contact with PVC primer and/or PVC glue may be detrimental to the integrity of the membraneand may otherwise compromise the membranein such a way to cause the membraneto malfunction during a pressure test.

show different perspective views of a hair strainerfor the drain assemblyA of.shows a side view of the hair strainer,shows a perspective view of the hair strainer,shows a top-down view of the hair strainer, andshows a bottom-up view of the hair strainer.

The hair strainer, as shown, includes a body, drainage holes, at least one tab recess, an upper lip, a base, and a protrusion. The hair strainermay be an optional component of the drain assembly. Additionally, the hair strainermay be configured to be dropped inside an interior cavity of the threaded flangeabove the ridge. Thus, the hair straineris removable from the drain assembly (e.g., for cleaning, replacement, etc.). The at least one tab recessof the hair straineris configured to engage the at least one tabof the threaded flangeto position the hair strainerinside of the threaded flange. The hair strainermay gravitationally secure to the threaded flange. Additionally, the hair strainermay be separate and independent from a plate,of the drain assembly. For example, the hair strainermay not couple or secure to a plate,. Stated alternatively, the hair strainermay gravitationally couple only to the threaded flangeand no other component of the drain assembly.