WO2020032994A1 - Bride de toilettes qui peut tourner pendant l'insertion, ayant une bague de préhension et un joint de sécurité durable - Google Patents

Bride de toilettes qui peut tourner pendant l'insertion, ayant une bague de préhension et un joint de sécurité durable Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020032994A1
WO2020032994A1 PCT/US2019/000016 US2019000016W WO2020032994A1 WO 2020032994 A1 WO2020032994 A1 WO 2020032994A1 US 2019000016 W US2019000016 W US 2019000016W WO 2020032994 A1 WO2020032994 A1 WO 2020032994A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
toilet
flange
pipe
circumferential
drain pipe
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Ceased
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PCT/US2019/000016
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English (en)
Inventor
Darrell Gregory CONNELL
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Individual
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Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US15/998,311 external-priority patent/US10294648B2/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of WO2020032994A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020032994A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D11/00—Other component parts of water-closets, e.g. noise-reducing means in the flushing system, flushing pipes mounted in the bowl, seals for the bowl outlet, devices preventing overflow of the bowl contents; devices forming a water seal in the bowl after flushing, devices eliminating obstructions in the bowl outlet or preventing backflow of water and excrements from the waterpipe
    • E03D11/13—Parts or details of bowls; Special adaptations of pipe joints or couplings for use with bowls, e.g. provisions in bowl construction preventing backflow of waste-water from the bowl in the flushing pipe or cistern, provisions for a secondary flushing, for noise-reducing
    • E03D11/16—Means for connecting the bowl to the floor, e.g. to a floor outlet

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to plumbing fixtures, and more specifically to toilet flanges.
  • Toilet plumbing installation and repairs are common in both new and older homes.
  • a toilet, commode, or water closet is positioned on a floor surface and connected to a toilet flange, which is also known as a closet flange or a water closet flange.
  • a toilet flange is a pipe fitting that connects the toilet to a drain pipe.
  • Toilet flanges are usually positioned between the bottom surface of the toilet and the surface of the bathroom floor. The toilet flange is positioned directly below the toilet trap’s outlet opening so that any water flushed from the toilet goes directly into the toilet flange, and then into the drain pipe.
  • the toilet flange is installed either in the inside or on the outside of the upper portion of the drain pipe.
  • the toilet flange is installed inside a drain pipe, the effective inside diameter of the drain pipe is reduced, and therefore the fluid flow inside the drain pipe can be restricted.
  • traditional toilet flanges are often installed on the outside of a drain pipe.
  • toilet flanges are also installed on the inside of the drain pipe.
  • Traditional toilet flanges are typically made of PVC, cast iron, brass, or steel. To form a good liquid and gas seal, it is common for a traditional toilet flange to be glued onto the drain pipe. Once the traditional toilet flange is secured to the drain pipe, then typically a wax ring is used to seal any space between the upper surface of the traditional toilet flange and the bottom of the toilet, to prevent the escape of potentially unsanitary or hazardous fluids or gases.
  • the toilet is carefully lowered onto the wax ring so as to maintain alignment between the toilet bolt holes and the toilet flange bolts, the toilet is bolted to the flange, and as the toilet is lowered and bolted, the wax ring is compressed to form a liquid and gas seal.
  • a toilet flange has at least two essential functions: 1 ) to firmly secure the toilet to the drain pipe so that the toilet and the upper portion of the drain pipe do not move relative to each other, and 2) to assist in forming a liquid and gas seal at the junction between the bottom of the toilet and the upper portion of the drain pipe.
  • This liquid and gas seal prevents the flow of unsanitary or toxic liquids and gases into the bathroom and the bathroom sub-flooring. These undesirable liquids and gases can originate from either the toilet or the sewage system.
  • a common reason for the failure of a toilet installation is a malfunction of the toilet flange.
  • a damaged or broken toilet flange can cause many problems, such as the leaking of unsanitary or hazardous liquids or sewer gases, which may expose the inhabitants to disease, and cause damage to the dwelling. These leaks can cause damage to adjoining rooms, and cause damage to rooms located below the leaking toilet. Therefore, the resulting damage from a malfunctioning toilet flange can be especially costly in multi-story apartments or multi-story commercial buildings.
  • the liquid and gas seal is formed by the toilet flange in cooperation with a wax ring.
  • the traditional wax ring is compressed between the bottom of the toilet and the upper surface of the toilet flange, with the toilet flange being attached to the top portion of the drain pipe.
  • the traditional wax ring is initially soft, and flexible enough to conform to both the surface of the bottom of the toilet and the top of the toilet flange, to form a liquid and gas seal.
  • the drain pipe may be protected from concrete work and other construction work by covering the drain pipe with protective cardboard or plastic.
  • the plumber often encounters a drain pipe surrounded by debris, such as pieces of cardboard or plastic leftover from the concrete forms, pieces of concrete, or parts of tile or sub-flooring that are too close to the drain pipe to allow installation of the traditional toilet flange.
  • Debris removal can be very time consuming and can add significantly to the plumber’s labor costs, which can include: digging out any cardboard or plastic, chiseling out surrounding concrete, and removing any tile or sub-flooring materials.
  • labor and time costs may be needed to cut the drain pipe to the proper height to accommodate a wax ring, and labor and time are often needed to glue the flange to the exterior of the drain pipe, with additional time needed for the glue to dry.
  • a toilet has two bolt holes at the base of the toilet which must be guided over two flange bolts that extend upright from the toilet flange.
  • Traditionally one person lifts the toilet above the floor, but this person cannot see underneath the toilet since the toilet that they are lifting is blocking their view.
  • a second person is therefore needed to stand to the side of the toilet to look underneath the toilet to locate the two toilet flange bolts and make sure the flange bolts maintain an upright position, and then guide the toilet onto the flange bolts. This need for a second person to guide the toilet onto the traditional toilet flange bolts increases the plumber’s total labor costs.
  • Additional labor costs may be incurred while positioning and attaching the traditional toilet flange to the upper portion of the drain pipe.
  • the toilet flange is often glued to the top portion of a drain pipe. Once the glue has set, the plumber may realize that the bolts and bolt holes in the toilet flange are not properly aligned with the toilet bolt holes, or the flange bolts and bolt holes may not be aligned with the desired final position of the toilet within the room. Therefore, an additional source of time and labor costs for the plumber can be the cost of unbolting the toilet from the incorrectly placed toilet flange, scraping off all of the messy wax residue left by the wax ring, and removing the incorrectly glued toilet flange from the drain pipe.
  • the plumber has the additional cost of gluing a second traditional toilet flange, with a corrected bolt hole orientation, onto the top portion of the pipe.
  • additional labor costs may be expended because traditional toilet flanges are attached to the upper portion of a drain pipe in a fixed and irreversible manner, using a method such as gluing the toilet flange to the drain pipe.
  • Culwell, 8,955,172 B2 teaches various clamping means, such as using one or more screws, to clamp a toilet flange to a drain pipe, or to components of the sub-flooring.
  • a commercially available product is the Culwell 4 Inch Drop Fit Compression Toilet Flange.
  • the rotational angle of the Culwell toilet flange cannot be quickly changed without first unscrewing the clamping screws, repositioning the toilet flange, and then retightening the clamping screws.
  • Penunuri, et. al. 2011/0162132 A1 teaches a toilet flange for insertion into a toilet flange by a pressure fit, using a downward insertion pressure on a flexible gasket to secure the flange in place, but only the friction between the flexible gasket and the drain pipe secures the toilet flange within the drain pipe with respect to any upward force on the toilet flange, and therefore the toilet flange may not be securely anchored within the drain pipe.
  • Johnson, et. al. 6,438,765 B1 teaches a toilet ring adapter with a male screw flange which screws into a cooperating flexible female screw ring, and thereby pushes the female screw ring against the inside of a drain pipe to form a friction-fit seal.
  • the rotational angle of the toilet ring adapter cannot be changed without unscrewing the male screw flange, repositioning the angle of the female screw ring, and then retightening the apparatus' male screw, which may require several attempts.
  • only the friction between the female screw ring and the drain pipe secures the toilet flange within the drain pipe with respect to any upward force on the toilet ring adapter, and therefore the toilet ring adapter may not be securely anchored within the drain pipe.
  • the toilet flange of the invention addresses many of the shortcomings of traditional closet flanges.
  • the toilet flange of the invention is simpler and faster to install than a traditional toilet flange.
  • the toilet flange of the invention provides a longer lasting seal than a traditional toilet flange. Providing a longer lasting seal reduces the number of leaks from a broken toilet seal. This is a major advantage, since a toilet flange leak can release unsanitary or toxic fluids and gases, such as sewer gases, into the dwelling.
  • a toilet flange leak can spread disease, can cause unpleasant odors, and can damage the structure of the dwelling by staining the walls, ceilings, and floors, damaging plaster and drywall, and by contaminating many of the building’s structural components so that they must be cleaned or replaced.
  • the toilet flange of the invention minimizes such leaks, when compared to traditional toilet flanges.
  • the toilet flange of the invention has an embodiment that is inserted into the inside of the top portion of a drain pipe.
  • This embodiment includes a circumferential gripping ring which is rotatably seated within a circumferential channel that is along the outside of the pipe portion of the toilet flange.
  • the circumferential gripping ring in cooperation with the circumferential channel provides a one-way, irreversible insertion into the inside of the top portion of the toilet drain.
  • the circumferential gripping ring also cooperates with the circumferential channel to provide convenient rotational adjustment of the toilet flange with respect to the drain pipe.
  • the embodiment that is inserted into the inside of the top portion of a drain pipe also has a circumferential groove disposed along the outside of the pipe portion of the toilet flange, which seats a side sealing ring which makes a seal with the inside of the drain pipe.
  • This side sealing ring prevents unsanitary or toxic fluids or gases from the sewage system from rising above the side sealing ring of the toilet flange and entering the residence.
  • the side sealing ring can be replaced by a side sealing gasket, which has a larger contact sealing area.
  • the side sealing ring also protects the circumferential gripping ring from sewage fluids or gases. This minimizes corrosion of the circumferential gripping ring and prevents dirt, liquids, and debris from interfering with the gripping action of the circumferential gripping ring.
  • the toilet flange of the invention also has an embodiment that is inserted over the outside of the top portion of a drain pipe.
  • This alternative embodiment includes a circumferential gripping ring which is rotatably seated within a circumferential channel that is along the inside of the pipe portion of the toilet flange.
  • the circumferential gripping ring in cooperation with the circumferential channel provides a one-way, irreversible insertion onto the outside of the top portion of the toilet drain.
  • the circumferential gripping ring also cooperates with the circumferential channel to provide convenient rotational adjustment of the toilet flange with respect to the drain pipe.
  • the embodiment that is inserted over the outside of the top portion of a drain pipe also has a circumferential groove disposed along the inside of the pipe portion of the toilet flange, which seats a side sealing ring which makes a seal with the outside of the drain pipe.
  • This side sealing ring prevents unsanitary or toxic fluids or gases from the sewage system from rising above the side sealing ring of the toilet flange and entering the residence.
  • the side sealing ring can be replaced by a side sealing gasket, which has a larger contact sealing area.
  • the side sealing ring also protects the circumferential gripping ring from sewage fluids or gases. This minimizes corrosion of the circumferential gripping ring and prevents dirt, liquids, and debris from interfering with the gripping action of the circumferential gripping ring.
  • the circumferential gripping ring has a plurality of gripping projections that secure the self-sealing closet flange to a surface of the drain pipe.
  • the projections are at an angle such that the teeth do not resist the movement of inserting the toilet flange into the drain pipe, but the angle of the projections is such that they strongly resist the pulling of the toilet flange out of the drain pipe, once the toilet flange has been inserted into the drain pipe. This prevents the removal of the toilet flange of the invention from the drain pipe.
  • One embodiment of the toilet flange of the invention uses an elastomeric upper flange seal, for use on the upper surface of the toilet flange, such as an O-ring or a gasket seal.
  • Embodiments that use an elastomeric upper flange seal can also have a circumferential groove within the top surface of the toilet flange to seat the elastomeric O-ring or gasket.
  • Another embodiment does not use an elastomeric upper flange seal, but instead uses a traditional wax ring seal. The embodiment selected will depend on the plumber’s needs for a particular toilet installation.
  • An elastomeric upper flange seal when compared to a wax ring seal.
  • An elastomeric upper flange seal such as an elastomeric O-ring or gasket seal, can withstand much higher fluid pressures and gas pressures than a wax ring seal.
  • an elastomeric upper flange seal is much more durable, and degrades much more slowly, when compared to a wax ring seal.
  • An elastomeric seal can withstand many more than 5 years of use. This is due to the physical properties of elastomer versus wax.
  • An elastomeric upper flange seal is much more durable than a wax seal when exposed to cycles of physical vibration and movement of the toilet and the drain pipe. The superior durability of the elastomeric upper flange seal will give maintenance-free use of the toilet for several additional years when compared to a wax ring, resulting in lower pluming repair costs.
  • the plumber may occasionally wish to use a wax ring with the toilet flange of the invention.
  • An example of this would be for use on a toilet that has a damaged lower surface where the damaged surface cannot be completely sealed by an elastomer seal, but it can be sealed by a wax ring.
  • the toilet flange of the invention also has an embodiment for use with a wax ring.
  • the elastomer upper flange seal is not used, and a wax ring in contact with the flange’s upper surface is used instead.
  • the application of the wax ring between the lower surface of the toilet and the upper surface of the toilet flange proceeds in a similar manner as in the use of wax ring in a traditional toilet flange.
  • One embodiment of the toilet flange of the invention is installed into the inside of the top portion of the drain pipe. Another embodiment is installed onto the outside of the top portion of the drain pipe. The embodiment selected will depend on the plumber’s needs for a particular toilet installation.
  • the toilet flange since the toilet flange is installed into the inside of the drain pipe, the toilet flange can be installed over an existing externally applied toilet flange without removing the old toilet flange, even if the existing toilet flange is broken. This saves the plumber both time and labor. In this case, the toilet flange of the invention will easily insert into the inside of the drain pipe, and form a secure seal to the inside of the drain pipe, bypassing the old externally applied traditional toilet flange.
  • a source of labor costs when installing the traditional toilet flange is the plumber’s need to clear away debris surrounding the drain pipe.
  • the debris can include pieces of cardboard, or pieces of plastic leftover from concrete forms, pieces of concrete, or parts of tile or sub-flooring that are too close to the drain pipe to allow installation of the traditional toilet flange.
  • This debris removal can be very time consuming and can add significantly to the plumber’s labor costs, which can include: digging out any cardboard or plastic, chiseling out surrounding concrete, and removing any tile or sub-flooring materials.
  • the toilet flange of the invention is the ability of the toilet flange of the invention to accommodate drain pipes of differing heights relative to the floor’s surface.
  • the top of the drain pipe may be positioned above the floor surface, at a height even with the floor surface, or below the floor surface. This is because, depending on the embodiment of the toilet flange of the invention, the pipe portion of the toilet flange either extends down into the inside of the drain pipe, or down onto the outside of the drain pipe, and therefore there is flexibility in the vertical location at which the side sealing ring contacts the wall of the drain pipe to form a fluid and gas seal. Therefore labor costs can be saved by not having to cut the top of the drain pipe to an exact height, or extend a drain pipe that is too short, when using the toilet flange of the invention.
  • Another advantage of the toilet flange of this invention is: when performing a toilet installation, the toilet flange can be bolted to the bottom of the toilet before the toilet is placed in position over the toilet drain. The toilet and the toilet flange together can then be positioned over the drain pipe, and the toilet flange can simply be inserted into the drain pipe. Once in place on the floor, the toilet can then be rotationally adjusted to be in the correct rotational position with respect to the room, and the toilet flange seals will remain intact as the rotational adjustment is performed.
  • the toilet flange of the invention may also be used for wall commodes and urinals.
  • a general aspect of the invention is a toilet flange apparatus for facilitating installation of a toilet onto a drain pipe, the toilet flange apparatus being rotationally adjustable while being irreversibly inserted into the drain pipe.
  • the toilet flange apparatus includes: a flanged pipe having a pipe portion and a flange portion, the flange portion having a flange upper surface, the flange upper surface having at least one fastener projecting therefrom, with the pipe portion having a pipe outer surface and a pipe leading end.
  • the pipe outer surface has a circumferential groove disposed between the flange portion and the pipe leading end, and the circumferential groove is configured to seat a sealing ring, with the pipe outer surface having a circumferential channel disposed between the flange portion and the pipe leading end.
  • the toilet flange apparatus includes a circumferential gripping ring which includes: a channel guide ring configured to be seated rotatably within the circumferential channel, and a plurality of gripping projections extending from the channel guide ring towards the flange portion, and terminating with a trailing edge at an acute angle away from the pipe outer surface.
  • the circumferential gripping ring cooperates with the circumferential channel so as to provide rotational adjustment of the flanged pipe as it is irreversibly inserted into the drain pipe.
  • the toilet flange apparatus further includes: a sealing ring seated in the circumferential groove.
  • the circumferential channel further includes an adjacent circumferential recess configured to accommodate the plurality of gripping projections when the toilet flange apparatus is inserted into the drain pipe.
  • each gripping projection of the plurality of gripping projections is shaped like a tooth having a jagged trailing edge.
  • each gripping projection of the plurality of gripping projections is made of springy material.
  • the flange upper surface has a circumferential flange groove configured to seat a circumferential flange sealing ring.
  • the circumferential gripping ring is made of at least one of: metal, plastic.
  • the pipe leading end is tapered.
  • the circumferential gripping ring has a break so as to enable the circumferential gripping ring to be expanded when applying and removing the circumferential gripping ring.
  • the flanged pipe is made of at least one of: metal, plastic.
  • FIG. 1 Another general aspect of the invention is a toilet flange apparatus for facilitating installation of a toilet onto an outer surface of a drain pipe, the toilet flange apparatus being rotationally adjustable while being irreversibly placed onto the drain pipe.
  • This toilet flange apparatus includes: a flanged pipe having a pipe portion and a flange portion, the flange portion having a flange upper surface, the flange upper surface having at least one fastener projecting therefrom, with the pipe portion having a pipe inner surface and a pipe leading end.
  • the pipe inner surface has a circumferential groove disposed between the flange portion and the pipe leading end, and the circumferential groove is configured to seat a sealing ring, with the pipe inner surface having a circumferential channel disposed between the flange portion and the pipe leading end.
  • the toilet flange apparatus includes a circumferential gripping ring which includes: a channel guide ring configured to be seated rotatably within the circumferential channel, and a plurality of gripping projections extending from the channel guide ring towards the flange portion, and terminating with a trailing edge at an acute angle away from the pipe inner surface.
  • the circumferential gripping ring cooperates with the circumferential channel so as to provide rotational adjustment of the flanged pipe as it is irreversibly inserted into the drain pipe.
  • the toilet flange apparatus further includes: a sealing ring seated in the circumferential groove.
  • the circumferential channel further includes an adjacent circumferential recess configured to accommodate the plurality of gripping projections when the toilet flange apparatus is inserted into the drain pipe.
  • each gripping projection of the plurality of gripping projections is shaped like a tooth having a jagged trailing edge.
  • each gripping projection of the plurality of gripping projections is made of springy material.
  • the flange upper surface has a circumferential flange groove configured to seat a circumferential flange sealing ring.
  • the circumferential gripping ring is made of at least one of: metal, plastic.
  • the pipe leading end is tapered.
  • the circumferential gripping ring has a break so as to enable the circumferential gripping ring to be contracted when applying and removing the circumferential gripping ring.
  • the flanged pipe is made of at least one of: metal, plastic.
  • Another general aspect of the invention relates to a method of installing a toilet onto a drain pipe. The method comprises the steps of providing a toilet flange having a flange portion and a pipe portion and connecting a plurality of gripping projections to the pipe portion, wherein the gripping projections are rotatable about the pipe portion.
  • the flange portion is connected to a lower portion of the toilet to form a substantially fluid-tight seal with the lower portion of a toilet.
  • the pipe portion is connected to the drain pipe after connecting the flange portion to a lower portion of the toilet, to form a second substantially fluid-tight seal between the pipe portion and the drain pipe, wherein the plurality of gripping projections irreversibly engages the drain pipe, and wherein the pipe portion is rotatable about the drain pipe.
  • At least one of the first and second substantially fluid-tight seals comprise an elastomeric sealing member.
  • the pipe portion is rotatable by 360°about the drain pipe. In some embodiments, the pipe portion and toilet are rotatable by 360°about the drain pipe.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the toilet flange apparatus having an outer circumferential gripping ring.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment FIG. 1 showing the circumferential channel on the outer surface of the pipe.
  • FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the outer circumferential gripping ring shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3B is an exploded perspective view of the outer circumferential gripping ring of FIG. 3A, showing the channel guide ring, and the gripping ring.
  • FIG. 4 is an interior cut-away perspective view of the toilet flange apparatus of FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 5 is an interior cut-away close-up view of the toilet flange apparatus showing details of the circumferential gripping ring, the channel guide ring, and the gripping ring.
  • FIG. 6 is a top view of the anterior end of the toilet flange apparatus.
  • FIG. 7 is an interior, cut away view of the toilet flange apparatus, showing an alternative embodiment for placement on the outside of a drain pipe.
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the toilet flange apparatus with two circumferential gripping rings and two side circumferential grooves.
  • FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the self-sealing closet flange installed beneath a toilet and inside a drain pipe.
  • Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a toilet flange apparatus 100 having a flange portion 102 which has a flange circumferential groove 1 10 which receives a first O-ring 406 (shown in Figure 4), where the flange portion 102 and the flange circumferential groove 1 10 and the first O-ring 406 cooperate to form a seal with a lower portion of a toilet 904 (shown in Figure 9).
  • An at least one fastener 106 is used to tighten the flange portion 102 to the lower portion of the toilet 904.
  • Fasteners 106 may include bolts, other threaded fasteners, clips, pins, and any other mechanical fastening mechanisms known in the art.
  • the fasteners 106 are formed as a portion of the flange portion 102.
  • an O-ring 406 is specifically noted, one skilled in the art will appreciate that any elastomeric sealing member may be used, and that the circumferential groove 112 may have a size and dimension to accommodate such sealing members.
  • the toilet flange apparatus 100 may be made from metal, plastic, polymer, ceramic, composites, or any other material known in the art.
  • the toilet flange apparatus 100 includes a pipe portion 104 and a circumferential gripping ring 108 having plurality of gripping projections 1 14 that grip the inside of a drain pipe 908 (shown in Figure 9).
  • the pipe portion 104 also includes a side circumferential groove 1 12 for receiving a second O-ring 408 (shown in Figure 4) that forms an air-tight and liquid-tight seal against the inside of the drain pipe 908.
  • the gripping ring 108 may be made from metal, plastic, or any other material that may be flexibly biased.
  • weld spots 1 18 on the circumference of the circumferential gripping ring 108. Although weld spots 1 18 are illustrated, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that other thermal processes, adhesives, and mechanical fasteners, are contemplated for attaching the circumferential gripping ring 108 to the channel guide ring 302. In some embodiments, the circumferential gripping ring 108 and the channel guide ring 302 are formed from the same piece of material.
  • the pipe leading end 1 16 has a beveled leading end, with an inside pipe portion wall extending downward lower than an outside pipe portion wall, to provide easy insertion of the toilet flange apparatus 100 into the drain pipe 908 (shown in Figure 9).
  • FIG 2 shows an embodiment of a toilet flange apparatus 100 having a flange portion 102 which has a flange circumferential groove 1 10 which receives a first O-ring 406 (shown on Figure 4), where the flange portion 102 and the flange circumferential groove 1 10 and the first O-ring 406 cooperate to form a seal with a lower portion of a toilet 904 (shown in Figure 9).
  • An at least one fastener 106 is used to tighten the flange portion 102 to the lower portion of the toilet 904.
  • the toilet flange apparatus 100 includes a pipe portion 104, and shown on the outside of the pipe portion 104 is the circumferential channel 202, having a circumferential channel deep portion 204, and an adjacent circumferential recess 206 to accommodate the circumferential gripping ring 108 (shown in Figure 1 and Figure 3).
  • the circumferential channel 202 allows the circumferential gripping ring 108 to rotate with respect to the pipe portion 104.
  • the toilet flange apparatus 100 can be rotationally adjusted with respect to the drain pipe 908 (shown in Figure 9) in the toilet flange apparatus 100 installation process.
  • the toilet flange apparatus 100 can be rotationally adjusted with respect to the drain pipe 908 by 360° or more after the toilet flange apparatus 100 has been irreversibly connected to the drain pipe 908. Therefore, a toilet, once installed, will have 360° or more freedom of rotation, barring installation environment constraints, after being irreversibly connected to the drain pipe 908.
  • the pipe portion 104 also includes a side circumferential groove 112 for receiving a second O-ring 408 (shown in Figure 4) that forms an air-tight and liquid-tight seal against the inside of the drain pipe 908.
  • a second O-ring 408 shown in Figure 408
  • an O-ring 408 is specifically noted, one skilled in the art will appreciate that any elastomeric sealing member may be used, and that the circumferential groove 112 may have a size and dimension to accommodate such sealing members.
  • the pipe leading end 1 16 has a beveled leading end, with an inside pipe portion wall extending downward lower than an outside pipe portion wall, to provide easy insertion of the toilet flange apparatus 100 into the drain pipe 908 (shown in Figure 9).
  • Figures 3A and 3B show an embodiment of a circumferential gripping ring 108, having a channel guide ring 302 and a gripping ring 304, the gripping ring 304 having plurality of gripping projections 1 14 that grip the inside of a drain pipe 908 (shown in Figure 9).
  • the channel guide ring 302 may comprise an additional sealing member proximate the pipe portion 104 and/or the drain pipe 908 to facilitate additional fluid sealing.
  • the gripping ring 304 has a gripping ring break 306, with gripping ring 304 having a cut through, so the gripping ring 304 can be expanded in diameter to be placed onto the pipe portion 104.
  • the channel guide ring 302 has a channel guide ring break 308, with the channel guide ring break 308 having a cut through, so the channel guide ring 302 can be expanded in diameter to be placed onto the pipe portion 104.
  • weld spots 118 on the circumference of the circumferential gripping ring 108. Although weld spots 118 are illustrated, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that other thermal processes, adhesives, and mechanical fasteners, are contemplated for attaching the circumferential gripping ring 108 to the channel guide ring 302. In some embodiments, the circumferential gripping ring 108 and the channel guide ring 302 are formed from the same piece of material.
  • FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a toilet flange apparatus 100 having a flange portion 102 which has a flange circumferential groove 1 10 (shown in FIG. 1 ) which receives a first O-ring 406, where the flange portion 102 and the flange circumferential groove 110 and the first O-ring 406 cooperate to form a seal with a lower portion of a toilet 904 (shown in Figure 9).
  • An at least one fastener 106 is used to tighten the flange portion 102 to the lower portion of the toilet 904.
  • the toilet flange apparatus 100 includes a pipe portion 104 upon which is mounted a channel guide ring 302 and a gripping ring 304, the gripping ring 304 having plurality of gripping projections 114 that grip the inside of a drain pipe 908 (shown in Figure 9).
  • the pipe portion 104 also includes a side circumferential groove 112 (shown in Figure 1 ) for receiving a second O-ring 408 that forms an air-tight and liquid-tight seal against the inside of the drain pipe 908.
  • the pipe leading end 116 has a beveled leading end, with an inside tube wall extending downward lower than an outside tube wall, to provide easy insertion of the toilet flange apparatus 100 into the drain pipe 908 (shown in Figure 9).
  • Figure 5 shows a close-up view of an embodiment of a toilet flange apparatus 100 having a flange portion 102 which has a flange circumferential groove 110 (shown in Figure 1 ) which receives a first O-ring 406, where the flange portion 102 and the flange circumferential groove 110 and the first O-ring 406 cooperate to form a seal with a lower portion of a toilet 904 (shown in Figure 9).
  • the toilet flange apparatus 100 includes a pipe portion 104 with a circumferential channel deep portion 204 and an adjacent circumferential recess 206 upon which is mounted a channel guide ring 302 and a gripping ring 304, the gripping ring 304 having plurality of gripping projections 114 that grip the inside of a drain pipe 908 (shown in Figure 9).
  • the pipe portion 104 also includes a side circumferential groove 112 (shown in Figure 1 ) for receiving a second O-ring 408 that forms an air-tight and liquid-tight seal against the inside of the drain pipe 908 (shown in Figure 9).
  • the pipe leading end 116 has a beveled leading end, with an inside pipe portion wall extending downward lower than an outside pipe portion wall, to provide easy insertion of the toilet flange apparatus 100 into the drain pipe 908 (shown in Figure 9).
  • Figure 6 shows a top view of the toilet flange apparatus 100, having a flange portion 102 which has a flange circumferential groove 1 10 (shown in Figure 1 ) which receives a first O-ring 406, where the flange portion 102 and the flange circumferential groove 1 10 and the first O-ring 406 cooperate to form a seal with a lower portion of a toilet 904 (shown in Figure 9).
  • An at least one fastener 106 is used to tighten the flange portion 102 to the lower portion of the toilet 904.
  • FIG 7 shows an alternate embodiment of a toilet flange apparatus 700 for placement on the outside of a drain pipe, having a flange portion 702 which has a flange circumferential groove 1 10 (shown in Figure 1 ) which receives a first O-ring 406, where the flange portion 702 and the flange circumferential groove 1 10 and the first O-ring 406 cooperate to form a seal with a lower portion of a toilet 904 (shown in Figure 9).
  • An at least one fastener 706 is used to tighten the flange portion 702 to the lower portion of the toilet 904.
  • the toilet flange apparatus 700 includes a pipe portion 704 upon which is mounted a channel guide ring 710 and a teeth ring 712, the teeth ring 712 having plurality of gripping projections 714 that grip the outside of a drain pipe.
  • the pipe portion 704 also includes a side circumferential groove 1 12 (shown in Figure 1 ) for receiving a second O-ring 408 that forms an air-tight and liquid-tight seal against the outside of the drain pipe 908.
  • leading end of the tub 708 has a beveled leading end, with an outside pipe portion wall extending downward more than an inside pipe portion wall to provide easy insertion of the toilet flange apparatus 700 into the drain pipe.
  • FIG 8 shows an embodiment of a toilet flange apparatus 800 having two circumferential gripping rings 108 and two side circumferential grooves 1 12, also having a flange portion 102 which has a flange circumferential groove 1 10 which receives a first O- ring 406 (shown in Figure 4), where the flange portion 102, the flange circumferential groove 1 10, and the first O-ring 406 cooperate to form a seal with a lower portion of a toilet 904 (shown in Figure 9).
  • An at least one fastener 106 is used to tighten the flange portion 102 to the lower portion of the toilet 904.
  • the toilet flange apparatus 100 includes a pipe portion 104 and the two circumferential gripping rings 108, each having a plurality of gripping projections 1 14 that grip the inside of a drain pipe 908 (shown in Figure 9).
  • the pipe portion 104 also includes the two side circumferential grooves 1 12, each for receiving a second O-ring 408 (shown in Figure 4) that form an air-tight and liquid-tight seal against the inside of the drain pipe 908.
  • weld spots 1 18 on the circumference of each of the two circumferential gripping rings 108. Although weld spots 1 18 are illustrated, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that other thermal processes, adhesives, and mechanical fasteners, are contemplated for attaching the circumferential gripping ring 108 to the channel guide ring 302. In some embodiments, the circumferential gripping ring 108 and the channel guide ring 302 are formed from the same piece of material.
  • the pipe leading end 1 16 has a beveled leading end, with an inside pipe portion wall extending downward lower than an outside pipe portion wall, to provide easy insertion of the toilet flange apparatus 800 into the drain pipe 908 (shown in Figure 9).
  • Figure 9 shows an embodiment of a toilet flange apparatus 100 installed beneath a toilet 904 having a toilet exit pipe 906 which drains into the toilet flange apparatus 100. Also shown is the floor surface 902.
  • the toilet flange apparatus 100 has an at least one fastener 106 which inserts into bolt holes in a base of the toilet 904.
  • the toilet flange apparatus 100 has a flange portion 102 (shown in Figure 1 ) which has a flange circumferential groove 1 10 which receives a first O-ring 406 (shown in Figure 4), where the flange portion 102 and the flange circumferential groove 1 10 and the first O-ring 406 cooperate to form a seal with a lower portion of a toilet 904.
  • the at least one fastener 106, along with a nut (not shown), is used to tighten the flange portion 102 (shown in Figure 1 ) to the lower portion of the toilet 904.
  • the toilet flange apparatus 100 includes a pipe portion 104 and a circumferential gripping ring 108 having plurality of gripping projections 1 14 that grip the inside of a drain pipe 908.
  • the pipe portion 104 also includes a side circumferential groove 1 12 (shown in Figure 1 ) for receiving a second O-ring 408 that forms an air-tight and liquid-tight seal against the inside of the drain pipe 908.
  • weld spots 1 18 on the circumference of the circumferential gripping ring 108. Although weld spots 1 18 are illustrated, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that other thermal processes, adhesives, and mechanical fasteners, are contemplated for attaching the circumferential gripping ring 108 to the channel guide ring 302. In some embodiments, the circumferential gripping ring 108 and the channel guide ring 302 are formed from the same piece of material.
  • the pipe leading end 1 16 has a beveled leading end, with an inside tube wall extending downward lower than an outside tube wall, to provide easy insertion of the toilet flange apparatus 100 into the drain pipe 908.
  • the toilet flange apparatus 100 is formed as an integral component of a toilet, without the need for fasteners 106 or sealing means 406 between the toilet flange apparatus 100 and the toilet. Installation of the toilet therefore merely comprises mating the toilet to a drain pipe 908.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne une bride de toilettes permettant de faciliter l'installation d'une toilette sur un tuyau d'évacuation. La bride de toilettes peut être ajustée en rotation tout en étant insérée de manière irréversible dans ou sur le tuyau d'évacuation. La bride de toilettes comprend un tuyau à bride coopérant avec une bague de préhension circonférentielle. Le tuyau à bride comporte une surface externe qui comprend un canal circonférentiel. La bague de préhension circonférentielle coopère avec le canal circonférentiel de sorte à assurer un ajustement rotatif tandis que le tuyau à bride est inséré de manière irréversible dans ou sur le tuyau d'évacuation. La surface externe de tuyau à bride comprend une rainure circonférentielle destinée à recevoir une bague d'étanchéité logée dans la rainure circonférentielle. La bague de préhension circonférentielle comprend une bague de guidage de canal qui est logée en rotation à l'intérieur du canal circonférentiel, et une pluralité de saillies de préhension s'étendant à partir de la bague de guidage de canal. La bride de toilettes est plus simple et plus rapide à installer, fournissant un joint d'étanchéité plus durable qu'une bride de toilettes classique.
PCT/US2019/000016 2018-08-06 2019-04-08 Bride de toilettes qui peut tourner pendant l'insertion, ayant une bague de préhension et un joint de sécurité durable Ceased WO2020032994A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US15/998,311 US10294648B2 (en) 2013-06-28 2018-08-06 Toilet flange that can be rotated during insertion having a gripping ring and a durable safety seal
US15/998,311 2018-08-06

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2020032994A1 true WO2020032994A1 (fr) 2020-02-13

Family

ID=69415062

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2019/000016 Ceased WO2020032994A1 (fr) 2018-08-06 2019-04-08 Bride de toilettes qui peut tourner pendant l'insertion, ayant une bague de préhension et un joint de sécurité durable

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2020032994A1 (fr)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3311391A (en) * 1964-05-11 1967-03-28 J W Harrell Water closet bowl setting flange and seal
US4827539A (en) * 1988-01-04 1989-05-09 Kiziah Floyd G Adjustable closet floor flange
US6883187B2 (en) * 2002-05-14 2005-04-26 Kenneth R. Cornwall Toilet flange assembly

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3311391A (en) * 1964-05-11 1967-03-28 J W Harrell Water closet bowl setting flange and seal
US4827539A (en) * 1988-01-04 1989-05-09 Kiziah Floyd G Adjustable closet floor flange
US6883187B2 (en) * 2002-05-14 2005-04-26 Kenneth R. Cornwall Toilet flange assembly

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