BACKGROUND
A water closet flange is used to mount a toilet to the floor and connects a toilet drain to a drain pipe in the floor. In particular, the toilet is bolted to the water closet flange and the water closet flange is connected to the floor surrounding the drain pipe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate exploded views of a water closet flange assembly according to one embodiment described herein.
FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate perspective views of an insert associated with the water closet flange assembly shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B according to one embodiment described herein.
FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate a top view and cross section views of the water closet flange assembly shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B according to one embodiment described herein.
FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate enlarged exploded views of the bolt, the insert, and a bottom side of the water closet flange according to one embodiment described herein.
FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of an alternative insert embodiment to the insert shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B according to one embodiment described herein.
FIG. 5B illustrates a top view of an alternative water closet flange for the alternative insert shown in FIG. 5A according to one embodiment described herein.
FIG. 6A illustrates a bottom side view of an alternative water closet flange with an over-molded insert embedded within according to one embodiment described herein.
FIG. 6B illustrates an enlarged view of the over-molded insert shown in FIG. 6A according to one embodiment described herein.
FIG. 7A illustrates a bottom side view of an alternative water closet flange with a pressed-in insert attached according to one embodiment described herein.
FIG. 7B illustrates an enlarged view of the pressed-in insert shown in FIG. 7A according to one embodiment described herein.
The drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting of the scope of the embodiments described herein, as other equally effective embodiments are within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. The elements and features shown in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the exemplary embodiments. Additionally, certain dimensions or positionings may be exaggerated to help visually convey certain principles. In the drawings, similar reference numerals between figures designates like or corresponding, but not necessarily identical, elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Typically, a water closet flange is used to mount a toilet to the floor. The water closet flange connects a toilet drain to a drain pipe in the floor. During installation, the water closet flange is positioned on top of the drain pipe. In some installations, the water closet flange can be attached to the floor surrounding the drain pipe by inserting screws through apertures positioned along the perimeter of the water closet flange and drilling the screws into the floor surface.
The toilet can then be secured to the water closet flange. A shaft of a bolt is inserted in an elongated aperture positioned along the perimeter of the water closet flange. The elongated aperture may be arcuate in shape. A base of the bolt is larger in diameter than a narrowed portion of the elongated aperture. Thus, the bolt cannot pass entirely through the narrowed portion of the elongated aperture. The toilet is positioned on top of the water closet flange such that the bolt shaft is inserted through elongated aperture positioned at the base of the toilet. A nut is placed at the top of the bolt and turned to tighten the nut against the toilet base. As the nut is turned about the bolt, the nut and the bolt are attached via a threaded engagement. In addition, as the nut is turned, the nut is pulled toward the base of the bolt, which secures the toilet base between the nut and the water closet flange. Accordingly, an individual can turn the nut to an appropriate degree to secure the toilet base between the nut and the water closet flange.
However, the bolt attachment may lack rigidity or strength and as a result the toilet may be dislodged from the water closet flange or the flange could break. The lack of rigidity can be caused from various issues, such as the materials used to construct the water closet flange. For example, plastic flanges do not always have the necessary strength and some stainless steel flanges can corrode over time. In this context, the present disclosure relates to an insert that provides rigidity for the bolt attachment of the water closet flange to the toilet. Specifically, the embodiments relate to the insert being attached to a bottom side of a water closet flange. The water closet flange has a recessed area surrounding the elongated aperture on the bottom side. The insert fits within the recessed area. In addition, when attached within the recessed area, the elongated aperture substantially aligns with a keyhole aperture associated with the insert. The elongated aperture and the keyhole aperture can be arcuate in shape. Accordingly, when the bolt shaft is inserted through the elongated aperture, it can also extend through the keyhole aperture associated with the insert. The structure and the material composition of the insert provide additional strength to the bolt attachment. Thus, the toilet base is provided additional rigidity with the water closet flange.
Turning to the drawings, a general description of embodiments of an insert for a water closet flange and its components is provided, followed by a discussion of the operation of the same. With reference to FIG. 1A, an exploded view of a water closet flange assembly 100 is shown. The water closet flange assembly 100 includes a water closet flange 103 situated above a first insert 106a and a second insert 106b (collectively “inserts 106”) with respect to a center axis “S.” The inserts 106 are positioned above a first bolt 109a and a second bolt 109b (collectively “bolts 109”) with respect to the center axis “S”.
The water closet flange 103 includes a flange aperture 112 positioned along a perimeter of the water closet flange 103. As shown in FIG. 1A, the flange aperture 112 is positioned between a first clip slot 115 and a second clip slot 118. The first clip slot 115 and the second clip slot 118 extend radially away from the center axis “S.” The first clip slot 115 and the second clip slot 118 are representative of a plurality of clip slots that can be positioned along the perimeter of the water closet flange 103. The flange aperture 112 is representative of multiple apertures that can be positioned along the perimeter of the water closet flange 103. The flange aperture 112 can be arcuate and elongated in shape. In addition, the water closet flange shown in FIG. 1A includes a plurality of perimeter apertures 121.
Each of the bolts 109 includes a bolt shaft 124 and a bolt base or head 127. In some embodiments, the bolt shaft 124 may include a threaded length and the bolt base 127 may have a diameter or be otherwise sized larger than a portion of the flange aperture 112.
The water closet flange assembly 100 has several advantages over existing solutions. As indicated above, the attachment of the water closet flange 103 to the base of a toilet may be easier and provide additional rigidity and strength. The material composition of the insert 106 provides additional strength to an area surrounding with flange aperture 112 of the water closet flange 103. In addition, the structure of the insert 106 provides additional support.
Referring next to FIG. 1B, shown is an exploded bottom side view of the water closet flange assembly 100. As shown, a bottom side of the water close flange 103 includes a recessed area 130 surrounding the flange aperture 112.
The water closet flange assembly 100 can be assembled by an individual by aligning one or more clips (FIGS. 2A and 2B) of the insert 106 with the clip slots 115 and 118 on the bottom side of the water closet flange 103. While the clips are aligned, the insert 106 can be pushed into the recessed area 130. As the clips are pushed into the clip slots 115 and 118, the clips are engaged to attach to portions of the water closet flange 103 within the clip slots 115 and 118. When attached, a keyhole aperture (FIG. 2) of the insert 106 substantially aligns with the flange aperture 112. The bolt shaft 124 can be inserted through an eyelet end (FIG. 2) of the keyhole aperture, which also enables the bolt to extend through a flange eyelet end (FIG. 3). The bolt 109 can be moved to a narrowed length of the insert 106 and the water closet flange 103.
Turning to FIG. 2A, a perspective top side view of the insert 106 is shown. The insert 106 may include an elevated portion 133 that extends from a first end to a second end. In some embodiments, the elevated portion 133 has an arcuate shape. The elevated portion 133 includes a keyhole aperture 136 which is arcuate in shape and comprises an eyelet end 139 and a narrowed length 142. The elevated portion 133 also includes a first raised edge 145a and a second raised edge 145b positioned along a perimeter of the narrowed length 142 of the arcuate keyhole aperture 136. In addition, the elevated portion 133 includes a first lowered edge 148a and a second lowered edge 148b (FIG. 2B) positioned along a perimeter of the elevated portion 133. In particular, FIG. 2B shows the first lowered edge 148a and the second lowered edge 148b.
Referring between FIGS. 2A and 2B, the insert 106 also includes a first recessed portion 151 that extends away from the first end of the elevated portion 133 and a second recessed portion 154 that extends away from the second end of the elevated portion 133. The first recessed portion 151 and the second recessed portion 154 extend below a plane associated with the arcuate keyhole aperture 136. The recessed portions 151 and 154 can prevent the insert 106 from moving along the perimeter of the water closet flange 103. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the first recessed portion 151 and the second recessed portion 154 have a length “L1” that represents the length from the recess portion to the elevated portion 133. In some embodiments, the length of the first recessed portion 151 may be different from the length of the second recessed portion 154.
The insert 106 can also comprise a first clip 157a and a second clip 157b (collectively “clips 157”) integral to the insert 106 that extend substantially perpendicular to a plane associated with the keyhole aperture 136. The first clip 157a and the second clip 157b may have a length “L2” that represents the length from the first recessed portion 151 or the second recessed portion 154 to a top of the clip 157. In some embodiments, the clips 157 can have two spaced-apart segments. Each spaced-apart segment may comprise a detent tooth 160 at a distal end away from the first recessed portion 151 or the second recessed portion 154. As shown, the first clip 157a and the second clip 157b have a U-shaped configuration 163. Additionally, the first recessed portion 151 has a width “W1” and the second recessed portion 154 has a width “W2.” In some embodiments, the insert 106 may comprise one, two, or even no clips 157. In addition, in some embodiments, the insert 106 may comprise one or no recessed steps.
The insert 106 can be attached to the water closet flange 103 (FIG. 1A) by aligning the clips 157 with the clip slots 115 and 118 on the bottom side of the water closet flange 103. While aligned, the clips 157 can be pushed into the clip slots 115 and 118. Each detent tooth 160 can engage with one of the flange detent teeth within the clip slots. The engagement enables the clips 157 to attach within the clip slots 115 and 118 and prevents the clips from being dislodged. Accordingly, the clips 157, when attached, can prevent the insert 106 from being removed from the recessed area 130.
Turning now to FIG. 3A, shown is a top side view of the water closet flange assembly 100. In particular, the illustrated embodiment shows a top view of the bolts 109 extended through the flange apertures 112. Although not shown, the insert 106 is attached to a bottom side of the water closet flange 103. According, the bolt 109a is extended through the keyhole aperture 136 and the flange aperture 112. As shown in FIG. 3A, the flange aperture 112 comprises a flange eyelet end 163 and a flange narrowed length 166. The bolt base 127 is shown to have a base diameter 169 larger than a width of the flange narrowed length 166 and the narrowed length 142 of the insert 106.
As a non-limiting example, an individual can insert the bolt shaft 124 through the eyelet end 139 of the insert 106 and the flange eyelet end 163. The bolt 109 can be moved to the flange narrowed length 166. As such, the bolt 109 is prevented from passing through the flange narrowed length 166 and the narrowed length 142 of the insert 106 as a result of the bolt base 127. Additionally, the illustrated embodiment displays a cross sectional “AA” reference for FIGS. 3B, 3C, and 3D. In FIG. 3A, the arrows associated with the “AA” reference provide an indication of the direction of the cross sectional view for FIGS. 3B, 3C, and 3D.
Referring now to FIG. 3B, shown is a cross sectional view of the water closet flange assembly 100 designated “AA” in FIG. 3A. Further, FIG. 3B indicates an enlargement “B” reference of a portion of the flange aperture 112 with the insert 106 attached as shown in FIG. 3C. FIG. 3B also indicates an enlargement “C” reference of a different portion of the flange aperture 112 with the insert 106 attached as shown in FIG. 3D.
Moving on to FIG. 3C, shown is an enlarged cross sectional view of a portion of the flange arcuate aperture 112 with the insert 106 attached. In particular, FIG. 3C shows a portion of the flange narrowed length 166. In addition, the illustrated embodiment shows the insert 106 within the recessed area 130 of the water closet flange 103.
As shown in the FIG. 3C, the recessed area 130 can comprise a first tier 172 and a second tier 175. In some embodiments, among other, the first tier 172 can come in contact with one or both of the lowered edges 148a and 148b of the insert 106. The second tier 175 can come in contact with one or both of the raised edges 145a and 145b.
Turning to FIG. 3D, shown is an enlarged cross sectional view of a portion of the second clip slot 118 (FIGS. 1A and 3A) with the insert 106 attached. In particular, the illustrated embodiment displays the second clip 157a of the insert 106 in the second clip slot 118.
As shown in FIG. 3D, the second clip slot 118 may include a slot detent tooth 178 that can engage with the detent tooth 160 of the insert 106. In some embodiments, the engagement enables the second clip 157a to attach to the bottom side of the water closet flange 103. The first clip slot 115 and the clip slots can include similar features.
In addition, the illustrated embodiment displays an enlarged view of the second clip 157a. Specifically, FIG. 3D illustrates the detent tooth 160 having a width “W3” at a distal end of each of the two spaced-apart segments. Each of the spaced-apart segments also comprises a width “W4,” which is less than the W3 as shown in FIG. 3D.
As one non-limiting example of the operation, an individual can attach the insert 106 by aligning the clips 157 with the clip slots 115 and 118 on the bottom side of the water closet flange 103. With the clips 157 aligned, the individual can attach the insert 106 by pushing the insert 106 into the recessed area 130. In some embodiments, the two spaced-apart segments of the clips 157 can bend inward toward each other to enable the distal ends of the segments to fit within a narrowed gap formed by a first slot detent tooth 178a and a second slot detent tooth 178b (collectively “slot detent teeth 178”). After passing the narrowed nap, the two spaced-apart segments can bend away from each other in an outward direction. As a result, the detent tooth 160 of the insert 106 is engaged with the slot detent teeth 178. The engagement prevents the clips 157 from being dislodged from the clip slots 118 and 115, which in turn prevents the insert 106 from being dislodged from the recessed area 130.
With reference to FIG. 4A, an enlarged exploded bottom side view of the water closet flange assembly 100 is shown. Specifically, FIG. 4A illustrates an enlarged viewed of the recessed area 130 of the water closet flange 103 and a bottom side view of the insert 106b and the bolt 109b.
Moving on to FIG. 4B, shown is an enlarged bottom side view of the water closet flange assembly 100. In particular, FIG. 4B illustrates a bottom side view of the insert 106 attached to the water closet flange 103 within the recessed area.
Referring now to FIG. 5A, shown is a perspective view of an insert 106c, which is an alternative embodiment of the insert 106. The insert 106c may include a first recessed aperture 164a in the first recessed portion 151 and a second recessed aperture 164b (collectively “recessed apertures 164”) in the second recessed portion 154. The insert 106c may also include a third raised edge 145c along a portion of the eyelet end 139. The insert 106c is attached to a water closet flange 103c (FIG. 5B) with perimeter apertures that correspond to the first recessed aperture 164a and the second recessed aperture 164b. Specifically, FIG. 5B shows a first insert aperture 167a and a second insert aperture 167b (collectively “insert apertures 167”). The insert apertures 167 are positioned along the perimeter of the water closet flange 103c. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5B, each insert aperture 167 can be positioned between either the first clip slot 115 or the second clip slot 118 and the flange aperture 112.
Referring between FIGS. 5A and 5B, the illustrated embodiment depicts an example of securing the insert 106c and the water closet flange 103c to the floor around a drain pipe. Similar to the embodiments discussed above, the insert 106c is aligned and attached to the water closet flange 103c. When attached, the recessed apertures 164 are aligned with the first insert aperture 167a and the second insert aperture 167b. Mechanical fasteners, such as screws or rivets, can be inserted into and through the insert apertures 167 and the recessed apertures 164. The fasteners can be attached to the floor surrounding the drain hole. In this embodiment, the recessed apertures 164 provide an additional mechanism that prevents the insert 106c from being dislodged.
Referring now to FIG. 6A, shown is a bottom side view of an over-molded embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 6A illustrates a bottom side view of a water closet flange 103d with an insert 106d embedded within by an over-molded process. The insert 106d has a first end 170 and a second end 173. At the first end 170 and the second end 173, the insert 106d can have a tab aperture 176. FIG. 6A illustrates a cut-away view of the first end 170 and depicts an “A” reference for an enlarged view in FIG. 6B. FIG. 6B illustrates that the insert 106d is truncated in comparison to previously discussed embodiments. For instance, the illustrated embodiment does not include clips and recessed steps as one non-limiting example.
Referring between FIGS. 6A and 6B, the insert 106d can be inserted within a recessed area within the bottom side of the water closet flange 103d, similar to other embodiments discussed above. During the insertion, the insert 106d can be positioned to align the tab aperture 173 with the insert aperture 167. Subsequently, a mold plastic material can be injected into the water closet flange 103d in areas substantially near the first end 170 and/or the second 173 of the insert 106d. The mold plastic material can be configured to substantially embed the insert 106d within the water closet flange 103d without obstructing the insert aperture 167 and the tab aperture 176. Thus, a user can insert a mechanical fastener into and through the insert aperture 167 and the tab aperture 176 to secure the water closet flange 103d and the insert 106d to the floor surround the drain hole.
Turning to FIG. 7A, shown is a bottom side view of an alternative water closet flange embodiment with a pressed-in insert attached. In particular, FIG. 7A depicts a water closet flange 103e with an insert 106e attached within a recessed area of the water closet flange 103e.
The insert 106e has a first end 180 and a second end 183. The first end 180 can have a tab aperture 186a, and the second end 183 can have a tab aperture 186b (collectively “tab apertures 186”). FIG. 7A depicts a “B” reference for an enlarged view in FIG. 7B. Further, FIG. 7B illustrates that the insert 106e is truncated in comparison to previous discussed embodiments. For instance, the illustrated embodiment does not include clips. In some embodiments, a recessed step and the tab apertures 186 can be omitted in the insert 106e. In this embodiment, the insert 106e can be configured to have dimensions that are slightly less than a perimeter of the recess area in the water closet flange 103e.
Referring between FIGS. 7A and 7B, the insert 106e can be inserted within the recessed area of the bottom side of the water closet flange 103e, similar to other embodiments discussed above. During the insertion, the insert 106e can be positioned to align the tab aperture 186 with the insert apertures, similar to previously discussed embodiments. Subsequently, the insert 106e can be pressed into the recessed area of the water closet flange 103e. The insert 106e can be attached via the friction with the perimeter of the recessed area of the water closet flange 103e. Since the insert 106e has dimensions slightly less than the perimeter of the recessed areas of the water closet flange 103e, the perimeter of the insert 106e can be in contact with the perimeter of the recessed area of the water closet flange 103e. The contact can cause a friction, or a physical resistance, that keeps the insert 106e in the recessed area of the water closet flange 103e.
In addition, there are additional methods for attaching the insert 106 to the water closet flange 103. For example, the insert 106 can be attached to the water closet flange using an adhesive such as ultraviolet light curable cement.
Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, or Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to, and should not, imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.
Patent Grant
10240331
