SELF-SEALING CLOSET FLANGE

Abstract

A closet flange system with attached bolts on the anterior surface and a beveled edge on the posterior surface, a groove on the anterior surface fhr an O-ring to form a seal between the bottom of the toilet and the anterior edge of the closet flange. The anterior surface is connected to a midsection of the closet flange, which includes a keeper ring, securing the position of the closet flange within a drain pipe by preventing removal. An additional O-ring may be positioned on the midsection to block fluid and gas from the drain from rising to contact the keeper ring or escaping outside of the drain pipe. The beveled edge guides the end of the flange into the drain pipe. The system includes bolts which attach the closet flange to the bottom of the toilet before the system is attached to the drain pipe at the floor surface.

Claims

1. A closet flange system for connecting a toilet to a drain, said closet flange system comprising: a rim with at least one opening, wherein said rim consists of an upper surface and a lower surface; a tube with a first end and a second end; and at least one bolt.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the self-scaling closet flange installed beneath a toilet and inside a drain pipe;

[0024] FIG. 2 is a top view of the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange;

[0025] FIG. 3 is an interior view of the self-sealing closet flange;

[0026] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the self-sealing closet flange;

[0027] FIG. 5 is an interior, cut away view of the self-sealing closet flange, showing an alternative embodiment for placement on the outside of a drain pipe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] While the above description is of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it should be appreciated that the invention may be modified, altered, or varied without deviating from the scope and fair meaning of the following claims.

[0029] Referring generally to FIGS. 1-4, the self-sealing closet flange is a closet or toilet flange that connects the toilet drain and the drain pipe from the floor surface. The entire self-sealing closet flange system is attached to the bottom of a toilet, wherein the attached self-sealing closet flange and toilet are placed above a drain pipe on the floor surface. The anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange includes attached bolts, a groove, and a center opening. The midsection of the self-sealing closet flange includes a keeper ring with a series of teeth or protrusions, a second groove. The posterior end of the self-sealing closet flange is beveled for easier insertion of the posterior end into a drain pipe.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the self-sealing closet flange installed beneath a toilet and inside a drain pipe.

[0031] In FIG. 1, Ref 1 is the center opening of the self-sealing closet flange; [0032] Ref. 2 is the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange; [0033] Ref. 3 is the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange; [0034] Ref. 4 is the posterior end of the self-sealing closet flange; [0035] Ref. 5 is an attached bolt at the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange; [0036] Ref. 6 is the groove at the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange; [0037] Ref. 7 is an O-ring in the groove at the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange; [0038] Ref 8 is the keeper ring at the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange; [0039] Ref. 9 is a protrusion of the keeper ring; [0040] Ref. 10 is the groove in the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange; [0041] Ref. 11 is an O-ring in the groove at the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange; [0042] Ref. 12 is the beveled edge at the posterior end of the self-sealing closet flange; [0043] Ref. 13 is a toilet; [0044] Ref. 14 is the floor surface; [0045] Ref. 15 is the drain pipe.

[0046] Unlike the traditional flange system, the self-scaling closet flange provides a considerable amount of space between the floor surface and the toilet bottom despite the presence of the self-sealing closet flange. The anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange includes attached bolts with the bolt head flush to the bottom side of the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange and the shank of the bolt directed above the top side of the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange. Immediately below the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange is the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange. The midsection is a section of flange that is a similar circumference as the center opening. Water or waste would flow from the toilet, through the center opening and through the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange. A keeper ring is positioned on the outer surface of the self-sealing closet flange. The keeper ring is a ring of protrusions or teeth surrounding the outside of the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange.

[0047] As the self-sealing closet flange is inserted into the drain pipe, the teeth will fold inward to facilitate insertion of the self-sealing closet flange into the drain pipe. If the self-sealing closet flange is pulled in an upward direction in an attempt to remove the self-sealing closet flange, the teeth will fold or bend outward and prevent the removal of the self-sealing closet flange from the drain pipe. A secondary groove and O-ring are positioned immediately below the keeper ring on the outer surface of the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange and fills any space existing between the interior of the drain pipe and the exterior of the self-sealing closet flange. The secondary O-ring should be of sufficient girth to prevent the escape of any noxious gases or waste fluids from the drain pipe. The bottom of the posterior end of the self-sealing closet flange is of a slightly smaller diameter than the midsection or the center opening allowing for straightforward insertion of the self-sealing closet flange into the drain pipe. In addition, the bottom of the posterior end may also be beveled or notched. Once water or waste passes through the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange, it would then pass through the posterior end and through the drain pipe.

[0048] FIG. 2 is a top view of the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange.

[0049] In FIG. 2, Ref. I is the center opening of the self-sealing closet flange; [0050] Ref. 2 is the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange; [0051] Ref. 5 is an attached bolt at the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange; [0052] Ref. 6 is the groove at the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange; [0053] Ref. 7 is an O-ring in the groove at the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange.

[0054] The anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange is a round, circular surface with a center opening, or hole in the middle of the anterior end. There is an outer edge of the anterior end and an inner edge of the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange. The outer edge has a larger circumference than the inner edge, wherein the inner edge is also the top portion of the center opening. The center opening is of a similar diameter to the drain pipe since any water from the toilet will pass through the center opening towards the drain pipe. A groove or depression is positioned between the inner edge of the anterior end and the outer edge of the anterior end. In this embodiment, an O-ring is placed in the groove or depression to create a seal between the bottom of the toilet and the top surface of the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange.

[0055] The self-sealing closet flange also includes two attached bolts, in this embodiment. The attached bolts are positioned directly across from one another. The bolts are created during a single casting of the entire self-sealing closet flange such that the heads of said attached bolts are flush with the bottom side of the anterior end and the threaded shank of the attached bolts rises above the top side of the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange. In use, the self-sealing closet flange would be attached to the bottom of the toilet by inserting the attached bolts of the self-sealing closet flange through the precut holes at the base of the toilet. After the combination of the toilet and attached self-sealing closet flange are installed over the drain pipe, bolt caps would be screwed over the shanks of the attached bolts to complete installation and to cover the exposed bolts.

[0056] FIG. 3 is an interior, cut away view of the self-sealing closet flange, which shows the anterior end, midsection and posterior end of the self-sealing closet flange.

[0057] In FIG. 3. Ref. I is the center opening of the self-sealing closet flange; [0058] Ref. 2 is the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange; [0059] Ref. 3 is the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange; [0060] Ref. 4 is the posterior end of the self-sealing closet flange; [0061] Ref. 5 is an attached bolt at the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange; [0062] Ref. 6 is the groove at the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange; [0063] Ref. 7 is an O-ring in the groove at the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange; [0064] Ref. 8 is the keeper ring at the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange; [0065] Ref. 10 is the groove in the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange; [0066] Ref. 11 is an O-ring in the groove at the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange; [0067] Ref 12 is the beveled edge at the posterior end of the self-sealing closet flange.

[0068] The anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange includes an attached bolt with the bolt head flush to the bottom side of the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange and the shank of the bolt directed above the top side of the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange. An O-ring groove is positioned between the center opening and the outer edge of the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange. Immediately below the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange is the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange. The midsection is a section of flange that is a similar circumference as the center opening. Water or waste would flow from the toilet, through the center opening and through the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange. A keeper ring is positioned on the outer surface of the self-sealing closet flange. The keeper ring is a ring of protrusions or teeth surround the outside of the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange. As the self-sealing closet flange is inserted into the drain pipe, the teeth will fold inward to facilitate insertion of the self-sealing closet flange into the drain pipe. If the self-sealing closet flange is pulled in an upward direction in an attempt to remove the self-sealing closet flange, the teeth will fold or bend outward and prevent the removal of the self-sealing closet flange from the drain pipe. And the upward pulling force increases, the teeth will continue to plant themselves in the outer surface of the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange. The teeth may be rounded, rectangular, pointed, serrated or any other shape that would serve a similar purpose.

[0069] In this embodiment, a secondary groove and O-ring are positioned immediately below the keeper ring on the outer surface of the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange. The secondary O-ring fills any space existing between the interior of the drain pipe and the exterior of the self-sealing closet flange. The size of the O-ring will be determined by the amount of space existing between the interior of the drain pipe and the exterior of the self-sealing closet flange. The secondary O-ring should be of sufficient girth to prevent the escape of any noxious gases or waste fluids from the drain pipe. The posterior end of the self-sealing closet flange is located immediately below the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange. The bottom of the posterior end of the self-sealing closet flange is of a slightly smaller diameter than the midsection or the center opening. The smaller size of the bottom allows for straightforward insertion of the self-sealing closet flange into the drain pipe. In addition, the bottom of the posterior end may also be beveled or notched to increase the flexibility of the posterior end as it is inserted into a possibly tight drain pipe.

[0070] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the entire self-sealing closet flange, not in position with a toilet, floor surface and drain pipe.

[0071] In FIG. 4, Ref. I is the center opening of the self-sealing closet flange; [0072] Ref. 2 is the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange; [0073] Ref. 3 is the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange; [0074] Ref 4 is the posterior end of the self-sealing closet flange; [0075] Ref. 5 is an attached bolt at the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange; [0076] Ref 6 is the groove at the anterior end of the self-scaling closet flange; [0077] Ref. 8 is the keeper ring at the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange; [0078] Ref. 9 is a protrusion of the keeper ring; [0079] Ref. 10 is the groove in the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange; [0080] Ref. 12 is the beveled edge at the posterior end of the self-scaling closet flange.

[0081] The anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange includes an attached bolt with the bolt head flush to the bottom side of the anterior end of the self-scaling closet flange and the shank of the bolt directed. above the top side of the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange. An O-ring groove is positioned between the center opening and the outer edge of the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange. Immediately below the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange is the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange. The midsection is a section of flange that is a similar circumference as the center opening. Water or waste would flow from the toilet, through the center opening and through the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange.

[0082] A keeper ring is positioned on the outer surface of the self-sealing closet flange. As the self-sealing closet flange is inserted into the drain pipe, the teeth will fold inward to facilitate insertion of the self-sealing closet flange into the drain pipe. If the self-sealing closet flange is pulled in an upward direction in an attempt to remove the self-sealing closet flange, the teeth will fold or bend outward and prevent the removal of the self-sealing closet flange from the drain pipe. A secondary groove and O-ring are positioned immediately below the keeper ring on the outer surface of the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange and fill any space existing between the interior of the drain pipe and the exterior of the self-sealing closet flange. The secondary O-ring should be of sufficient girth to prevent the escape of any noxious gases or waste fluids from the drain pipe. The bottom of the posterior end of the self-sealing closet flange is of a slightly smaller diameter than the midsection or the center opening allowing for straightforward insertion of the self-sealing closet flange into the drain pipe. In addition, the bottom of the posterior end may also be beveled or notched to increase the flexibility of the posterior end as it is inserted into a possibly tight drain pipe.

[0083] FIG. 5 is an interior, cut away view of the self-sealing closet flange, showing an alternative embodiment for placement on the outside of a drain pipe, which shows the anterior end, midsection, and posterior end of the self-sealing closet flange.

[0084] In FIG. 5, Ref. I is the center opening of the self-sealing closet flange; [0085] Ref. 2 is the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange; [0086] Ref. 3 is the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange; [0087] Ref. 4 is the posterior end of the self-sealing closet flange; [0088] Ref. 5 is an attached bolt at the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange; [0089] Ref. 6 is the groove at the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange; [0090] Ref. 7 is an O-ring in the groove at the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange; [0091] Ref. 8 is the keeper ring at the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange; [0092] Ref 9 is a protrusion of the keeper ring; [0093] Ref. 10 is the groove in the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange; [0094] Ref. 11 is an O-ring in the groove at the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange; [0095] Ref. 12 is the beveled edge at the posterior end of the self-sealing closet flange.

[0096] The anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange includes an attached bolt with the bolt head flush to the bottom side of the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange, and the shank of the bolt directed above the top side of the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange. An O-ring groove is positioned between the center opening and the outer edge of the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange. Immediately below the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange is the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange. The midsection is a section of flange that has a similar circumference as the center opening. Water or waste would flow from the toilet, through the center opening, and through the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange.

[0097] In this embodiment, the keeper ring is positioned on the inner surface of the self-sealing closet flange. As the self-sealing closet flange is placed onto the outside of the drain pipe, the teeth will fold outward to facilitate insertion of the self-sealing closet flange onto the outside of the drain pipe. If the self-sealing closet flange is pulled in an upward direction in an attempt to remove the self-sealing closet flange, the teeth will fold or bend inward, against the outside of the drain pipe, and prevent the removal of the self-sealing closet flange from the drain pipe. A secondary groove and O-ring are positioned immediately below the keeper ring on the inner surface of the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange and fill any space existing between the exterior of the drain pipe and the interior of the self-sealing closet flange. The secondary O-ring should be of sufficient girth to prevent the escape of any noxious gases or waste fluids from the drain pipe. The bottom of the posterior end of the self-sealing closet flange is of a slightly smaller diameter than the midsection or the center opening, threby allowing for straightforward insertion of the self-sealing closet flange onto the drain pipe. In addition, the bottom of the posterior end may also be beveled or notched to increase the flexibility of the posterior end as it is inserted onto a possibly tight drain pipe.

[0098] In view of the foregoing detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, it readily will be understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible to broad utility and application. While various aspects have been described in the context of a preferred embodiment, additional aspects, features, and methodologies of the present invention will be readily discernible therefrom any embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements and methodologies, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. Additionally, any sequence or order of steps of various methods described and claimed herein are those considered to be the best mode for the present invention. However, it should be understood that the steps may be carried out in any particular sequence or order or even simultaneously, absent a specific indication of such to achieve a particular result. Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended nor is it to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims below and their equivalents.