Toilet flange that can be rotated during insertion having a gripping ring and a durable safety seal

Abstract

A toilet flange for facilitating installation of a toilet onto a drain pipe is provided. The toilet flange is rotationally adjustable while being irreversibly inserted into or onto the drain pipe. The toilet flange includes a flanged pipe cooperative with a circumferential gripping ring. The flanged pipe has an outer surface that includes a circumferential channel. The circumferential gripping ring cooperates with the circumferential channel so as to provide rotational adjustment while the flanged pipe is irreversibly inserted into or onto the drain pipe. The flanged pipe outer surface includes a circumferential groove for accommodating a sealing ring seated in the circumferential groove. The circumferential gripping ring includes a channel guide ring that is seated rotatably within the circumferential channel, and a plurality of gripping projections extending from the channel guide ring. The toilet flange is simpler and faster to install, providing a longer-lasting seal than a traditional toilet flange.

Claims

1. 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 apparatus comprising: 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, the pipe portion having a pipe outer surface, and a pipe leading end, the pipe outer surface having a circumferential groove disposed between the flange portion and the pipe leading end, the circumferential groove being configured to seat a sealing ring, the pipe outer surface having a circumferential channel disposed between the flange portion and the pipe leading end; and a circumferential gripping ring including: 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 cooperating with the circumferential channel so as to provide rotational adjustment of the flanged pipe as it is irreversibly inserted into the drain pipe.

2. The toilet flange apparatus of claim 1, further including: a sealing ring seated in the circumferential groove.

3. The toilet flange apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circumferential channel includes an adjacent circumferential recess configured to accommodate the plurality of gripping projections when the toilet flange apparatus is inserted into the drain pipe.

4. The toilet flange apparatus of claim 1, wherein each gripping projection of the plurality of gripping projections is shaped like a tooth having a jagged trailing edge.

5. The toilet flange apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of gripping projections are configured to flexibly engage a proximate surface of the drain pipe.

6. The toilet flange apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flange upper surface has a circumferential flange groove configured to seat a circumferential flange sealing ring.

7. The toilet flange apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pipe leading end is tapered.

8. The toilet flange apparatus of claim 1, wherein 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.

9. 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, the apparatus comprising: 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, the pipe portion having a pipe inner surface, and a pipe leading end, the pipe inner surface having a circumferential groove disposed between the flange portion and the pipe leading end, the circumferential groove being configured to seat a sealing ring, the pipe inner surface having a circumferential channel disposed between the flange portion and the pipe leading end; and a circumferential gripping ring including: 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 cooperating with the circumferential channel so as to provide rotational adjustment of the flanged pipe as it is irreversibly inserted onto the drain pipe.

10. The toilet flange apparatus of claim 9, further including: a sealing ring seated in the circumferential groove.

11. The toilet flange apparatus of claim 9, wherein the circumferential channel includes an adjacent circumferential recess configured to accommodate the plurality of gripping projections when the toilet flange apparatus is inserted onto the drain pipe.

12. The toilet flange apparatus of claim 9, wherein each gripping projection of the plurality of gripping projections is shaped like a tooth having a jagged trailing edge.

13. The toilet flange apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plurality of gripping projections are configured to flexibly engage a proximate surface of the drain pipe.

14. The toilet flange apparatus of claim 9, wherein the flange upper surface has a circumferential flange groove configured to seat a circumferential flange sealing ring.

15. The toilet flange apparatus of claim 9, wherein the pipe leading end is tapered.

16. The toilet flange apparatus of claim 9, wherein 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.

17. A method of installing a toilet onto a drain pipe, comprising the steps of: providing a toilet flange having a flange portion and a pipe portion; connecting a plurality of gripping projections to the pipe portion, wherein the gripping projections are rotatable about the pipe portion; connecting the flange portion to a lower portion of the toilet to form a substantially fluid-tight seal with the lower portion of a toilet; connecting the pipe portion 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.

18. The method of installing a toilet onto a drain pipe of claim 17, wherein at least one of the first and second substantially fluid-tight seals comprises an elastomeric sealing member.

19. The method of installing a toilet onto a drain pipe of claim 17, wherein the pipe portion is rotatable by 360 about the drain pipe.

20. The method of installing a toilet onto a drain pipe of claim 17, wherein the pipe portion and toilet are rotatable by 360 about the drain pipe.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the toilet flange apparatus having an outer circumferential gripping ring.

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment FIG. 1 showing the circumferential channel on the outer surface of the pipe.

(3) FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the outer circumferential gripping ring shown in FIG. 1.

(4) 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.

(5) FIG. 4 is an interior cut-away perspective view of the toilet flange apparatus of FIG. 1.

(6) 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.

(7) FIG. 6 is a top view of the anterior end of the toilet flange apparatus.

(8) 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.

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the toilet flange apparatus with two circumferential gripping rings and two side circumferential grooves.

(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the self-sealing closet flange installed beneath a toilet and inside a drain pipe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a toilet flange apparatus 100 having a flange portion 102 which has a flange circumferential groove 110 which receives a first O-ring 406 (shown in FIG. 4), 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 FIG. 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. In some embodiments, the fasteners 106 are formed as a portion of the flange portion 102. Although 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.

(12) The toilet flange apparatus 100 includes a pipe portion 104 and a circumferential gripping ring 108 having plurality of gripping projections 114 that grip the inside of a drain pipe 908 (shown in FIG. 9). The pipe portion 104 also includes a side circumferential groove 112 for receiving a second O-ring 408 (shown in FIG. 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.

(13) Also shown are 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.

(14) In this embodiment, 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 FIG. 9).

(15) FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a toilet flange apparatus 100 having a flange portion 102 which has a flange circumferential groove 110 which receives a first O-ring 406 (shown on FIG. 4), 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 FIG. 9). An at least one fastener 106 is used to tighten the flange portion 102 to the lower portion of the toilet 904.

(16) 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 FIG. 1 and FIG. 3). The circumferential channel 202 allows the circumferential gripping ring 108 to rotate with respect to the pipe portion 104. As a result, once the toilet flange apparatus 100 has been inserted into the drain pipe 908, the toilet flange apparatus 100 can be rotationally adjusted with respect to the drain pipe 908 (shown in FIG. 9) in the toilet flange apparatus 100 installation process. In particular, it will be appreciated that 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.

(17) The pipe portion 104 also includes a side circumferential groove 112 for receiving a second O-ring 408 (shown in FIG. 4) that forms an air-tight and liquid-tight seal against the inside of the drain pipe 908. Although 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.

(18) In this embodiment, 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 FIG. 9).

(19) FIGS. 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 114 that grip the inside of a drain pipe 908 (shown in FIG. 9). Although not illustrated, 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.

(20) To facilitate assembly of the circumferential gripping ring 108 on the circumferential channel 202, 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. In a similar manner, 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.

(21) Also shown are 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.

(22) FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a toilet flange apparatus 100 having a flange portion 102 which has a flange circumferential groove 110 (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 FIG. 9). An at least one fastener 106 is used to tighten the flange portion 102 to the lower portion of the toilet 904. Traditionally, there are two fasteners per toilet.

(23) 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 FIG. 9). The pipe portion 104 also includes a side circumferential groove 112 (shown in FIG. 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.

(24) In this embodiment, 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 FIG. 9).

(25) FIG. 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 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 FIG. 9).

(26) 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 FIG. 9). The pipe portion 104 also includes a side circumferential groove 112 (shown in FIG. 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 FIG. 9).

(27) In this embodiment, 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 FIG. 9).

(28) FIG. 6 shows a top view of the toilet flange apparatus 100, having a flange portion 102 which has a flange circumferential groove 110 (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 FIG. 9). An at least one fastener 106 is used to tighten the flange portion 102 to the lower portion of the toilet 904.

(29) 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 110 (shown in FIG. 1) which receives a first O-ring 406, where the flange portion 702 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 FIG. 9). An at least one fastener 706 is used to tighten the flange portion 702 to the lower portion of the toilet 904.

(30) 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 112 (shown in FIG. 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.

(31) Also shown are weld spots 716 on the circumference of the teeth ring 712.

(32) In this embodiment, the 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.

(33) FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a toilet flange apparatus 800 having two circumferential gripping rings 108 and two side circumferential grooves 112, also having a flange portion 102 which has a flange circumferential groove 110 which receives a first O-ring 406 (shown in FIG. 4), where the flange portion 102, 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 FIG. 9). An at least one fastener 106 is used to tighten the flange portion 102 to the lower portion of the toilet 904.

(34) The toilet flange apparatus 100 includes a pipe portion 104 and the two circumferential gripping rings 108, each having a plurality of gripping projections 114 that grip the inside of a drain pipe 908 (shown in FIG. 9). The pipe portion 104 also includes the two side circumferential grooves 112, each for receiving a second O-ring 408 (shown in FIG. 4) that form an air-tight and liquid-tight seal against the inside of the drain pipe 908.

(35) Also shown are weld spots 118 on the circumference of each of the two circumferential gripping rings 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.

(36) In this embodiment, 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 800 into the drain pipe 908 (shown in FIG. 9).

(37) FIG. 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.

(38) 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 FIG. 1) which has a flange circumferential groove 110 which receives a first O-ring 406 (shown in FIG. 4), 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. The at least one fastener 106, along with a nut (not shown), is used to tighten the flange portion 102 (shown in FIG. 1) to the lower portion of the toilet 904.

(39) The toilet flange apparatus 100 includes a pipe portion 104 and a circumferential gripping ring 108 having plurality of gripping projections 114 that grip the inside of a drain pipe 908. The pipe portion 104 also includes a side circumferential groove 112 (shown in FIG. 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.

(40) Also shown are 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.

(41) In this embodiment, 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.

(42) In an embodiment, 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.

(43) Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. It will therefore be understood by those skilled in the art that various alterations, modifications in form and in detail, and combinations of embodiments may be made. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit the invention, except as indicated in the following claims.