Patent Grant
11674296
The present application relates generally to toilet bowl and tank attachments. More specifically, the present application relates to quick-coupling toilet bowl and tank attachments and the methods of attaching toilet tanks to toilet bowls using such quick-coupling attachments/assemblies.
Current systems like this require moderate level of mechanical aptitude, which may be beyond the ability of some potential customers who would like to install the system without the assistance of a professional. Further, the attachment and/or leveling systems can be somewhat time consuming. Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a secure, leak free toilet tank-to-bowl coupling system, with significantly faster and easier installation that overcomes the foregoing challenges. These and other advantageous features will become apparent to those reviewing the present disclosure.
At least one embodiment relates to a quick-coupling mechanism. The quick-coupling mechanism includes a clamp spring configured to receive a valve body. The clamp spring is coupled to a release button configured to manipulate one or more arms of the clamp spring, such as to change a diameter of a clamping portion of the clamp spring. The quick-coupling mechanism includes a base structure coupled to the toilet pedestal/bowl. The base structure is configured to hold the clamp spring in place. In a locking-state, the clamp spring seats in a groove in the valve body thus securing the valve body in place and preventing an axial movement of the valve body relative to the clamp spring. In a non-locking state, the release button bends the arms of the clamp spring outwardly to increase the diameter of the clamping portion, thus releasing valve body such that the valve body can move axially relative to the clamp spring.
This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting.
The disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:
The following description focuses primarily on quick-coupling mechanisms for connecting a toilet tank and a toilet bowl, but it should be appreciated that the disclosed quick-coupling mechanism can be applied to other coupled components in the sanitation environment (e.g., bidets, urinals, etc.) to provide a quick mode of attachment. Current coupling, or gasket, systems for two piece toilets (i.e., where the tank and bowl are formed separately then coupled together) require two or three studs extend through the mounting bracket to engage holes in the top of the bowl/pedestal. Nuts are coupled to the studs to secure the system to the bowl.
Before turning to the figures, which illustrate certain exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.
Referring generally to the figures, disclosed herein are quick-coupling mechanisms for connecting a toilet tank to a toilet bowl, or pedestal, for instance. According to an exemplary embodiment, the quick-coupling mechanism has a clamp spring coupled to a release tab/button, wherein the clamp spring receives a valve body and seats in a groove in the valve body. Further, a base structure, coupled to the toilet pedestal/bowl, holds the clamp spring in place. In some embodiments, the base structure may be coupled to the bottom of the toilet tank, such that a tube extends up from the bowl to engage the clamp spring and the flush valve body in the toilet tank. The release button manipulates (e.g., bends, splays, etc.) the clamp spring, thus releasing valve body. Some benefits of such a configuration include, for example, (1) reduced installation time, (2) reduces installation difficulty, and (3) a secure connection between the toilet bowl and tank that prevents leaks.
Referring now to
The tank 1102 includes a wall (e.g., boundary, body, structure, etc.), shown as a bottom wall 1106, and the pedestal 1104 includes a protrusion (e.g., projection, extension, etc.), shown as a lip 1108. The bottom wall 1106 defines a surface (e.g., side, face, etc.), shown as a bottom surface 110. The lip 1108 extends (e.g., protrudes, projects, etc.) underneath the bottom wall 1106 and includes a surface, shown as a top surface 1112. The tank 1102 is coupled to the pedestal 1104 such that the bottom surface 1110 of the bottom wall 1106 is adjacent to (e.g., opposite of, in confronting relation with, etc.) the top surface 1112 of the pedestal 1104.
Referring to
The quick-coupling mechanism 100 includes a base structure 116, which is configured to hold the clamp spring 102 in place. As shown in
The base structure 116 includes a bore 123 that extends in a longitudinal direction relative to the valve body 101. As show in
The illustrated quick-coupling mechanism 100 includes a release button 126. The release button 126 is a surface configured to be engaged by a user. The release button 126 may have a cuboidal shape having a flat surface, a spherical shape having a round surface, or have any suitable shape for an actuator or button. As shown in
Referring to
At step 604, the release button 126 may be continuously depressed to retain a larger diameter of the clamp spring 102 than the diameter of the valve body 101. As such, at step 606, valve body 101 is removed from the base structure 116. Once the valve body 101 is removed from the base structure 116 (e.g., allowing the tank 1102 to be removed from the bowl or pedestal 1104), at step 608, the release button 126 may be released (i.e., no longer depressed), and the first and second arms 106, 108 return to the locking position. The first and second arms 106, 108 are secured within the groove 125 of the valve body 101 under the force generated by the clamp spring 102.
Referring to
The extending feature 212 includes a plurality of roller balls 214. The plurality of roller balls 214 are disposed along an inner ring 216 of the extending feature 212. The plurality of roller balls 214 may be evenly or unevenly spaced along the inner ring 216. The plurality of roller balls 214 according to one example are stainless steel. The plurality of roller balls 214 are configured to be moved radially as the valve body 101 is inserted into the quick-coupling mechanism 200 and to snap back into place when the valve body 101 reaches a locked position with the bowl. When the plurality of roller balls 214 return to their locked position, they are secured within a groove of the valve body 101, thus securing, or locking, the valve body 101 as coupled to the quick-coupling mechanism 200. The quick-coupling mechanism may further include one or more O-rings to provide a seal between the coupled components (e.g., the quick-coupling mechanism 200 to the valve body 101, the quick coupling mechanism 200 to the tank, the quick coupling mechanism 200 to the bowl, etc.). The collar 208 may be pulled downward toward the base portion 202 to release the plurality of roller balls 214 and unlock the valve body 101 from the quick-coupling mechanism 200. In various embodiment, the bottom of the tank 300-600 may include a variety of compatible configurations dependent on the size and shape of the quick-coupling mechanism 200 (or the quick-coupling mechanism 100), as shown in
Thus, the present disclosure describes a quick-coupling mechanism that can, advantageously, provide a secure connection between the toilet bowl and tank while reducing the installation time and difficulty.
As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims.
References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.
The construction and arrangement of the elements as shown in the exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied.
Additionally, the word “exemplary” is used to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs (and such term is not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples). Rather, use of the word “exemplary” is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.
Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, any element disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein. Also, for example, the order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating configuration, and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.
While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any inventions or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.
Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.
Thus, particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. In some cases, the actions recited herein can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. In addition, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In certain implementations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous.
This application claims priority benefit of Provisional Application No. 62/990,030 filed Mar. 16, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20210285198 A1 | Sep 2021 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 62990030 | Mar 2020 | US |
| Child | 17201285 | US |
