U.S. patent application number 14/826672 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-24 for toilet fastening system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jody D. Miller. Invention is credited to Jody D. Miller.
Application Number | 20150368891 14/826672 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54869159 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150368891 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miller; Jody D. |
December 24, 2015 |
Toilet Fastening System
Abstract
A toilet fastener is provided that has a bolt with offset
anti-spin foot, a locking system that prevents the nut from easily
backing off the threaded bolt, and beauty cap that forms to the nut
allowing tool-less installation and re-tightening. The fastener is
formed of a non-corrosive metal, plastic or any combination
thereof. The toilet fastener provides an easier toilet installation
and maintenance with less parts and greater resistance to natural
or synthetic elements.
Inventors: |
Miller; Jody D.;
(Indianapolis, IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Miller; Jody D. |
Indianapolis |
IN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54869159 |
Appl. No.: |
14/826672 |
Filed: |
August 14, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14242470 |
Apr 1, 2014 |
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14826672 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/252.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03D 11/16 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E03D 11/16 20060101
E03D011/16 |
Claims
1. A toilet fastener for securing a toilet base to a toilet flange,
the toilet fastener comprising: a conjoined nut and cap; an offset
foot with a shaft extending from the top of the foot; and a
threading formed to the shaft.
2. The toilet fastener of claim 1, wherein the threading comprises
a pair of channels extending vertically through the threading.
3. The toilet fastener of claim 1, wherein the nut comprises a pair
of tabs extending vertically from the edge of the threaded passage
that extends vertically through the center of the nut.
4. The toilet fastener of claim 1, wherein the nut comprises a body
matching that of the cavity of the cap for tool-less installation
and maintenance.
5. The toilet fastener of claim 1, wherein the offset foot has an
inside curved planar surface and an outside curved planar surface
which follow the contour of a flange bolt channel.
6. The toilet fastener of claim 1, wherein the body of the offset
foot, shaft and threading comprises zinc.
7. The toilet fastener of claim 1, wherein the body of the offset
foot, shaft and threading comprises brass.
8. The toilet fastener of claim 1, wherein the body of the offset
foot, shaft and threading comprises aluminum.
9. The toilet fastener of claim 1, wherein the body of the offset
foot, shaft and threading comprises steel.
10. The toilet fastener of claim 1, wherein the body of the nut and
cap comprises Polystyrene.
11. The toilet fastener of claim 1, wherein the body of the nut and
cap comprises Polyoxymethylene.
12. The toilet fastener of claim 1, wherein the body of the nut and
cap comprises Polyamide.
13. The toilet fastener of claim 1, wherein the body of the nut and
cap comprises PVC.
14. The toilet fastener of claim 1, wherein the body of the offset
foot, shaft and threading comprises Polystyrene.
15. The toilet fastener of claim 1, wherein the body of the offset
foot, shaft and threading comprises Polyoxymethylene.
16. The toilet fastener of claim 1, wherein the body of the offset
foot, shaft and threading comprises Polyamide.
17. The toilet fastener of claim 1, wherein the body of the offset
foot, shaft and threading comprises PVC.
18. The toilet fastener of claim 1, wherein molybdenum
sulfide-filled variants are present in the body of the nut, cap,
offset foot, shaft and threading.
19. The toilet fastener of claim 1, wherein glass is present in the
body of the nut, cap, offset foot, shaft and threading.
20. The toilet fastener of claim 1, wherein talc is present in the
body of the nut, cap, offset foot, shaft and threading.
21. The toilet fastener of claim 1, wherein BHT is present in the
body of the nut, cap, offset foot, shaft and threading.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of
toilet fasteners between a toilet base and a toilet flange.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] A toilet fastener is positioned between the base of a toilet
and the upwardly facing toilet flange provided on the floor drain.
A standard fastening system consists of a metal bolt with
rectangular base that slides into the bolt channel on the toilet
flange and protrudes upward through the toilet base, a beauty cap
plate, a metal washer, a metal nut, and finally a beauty cap. The
object of the toilet fastener is to provide a means to holding the
toilet to the flange; however, many of the prior art fasteners
become loose or deteriorate and develop leaks allowing fluid waste
to escape.
[0005] The standard bolt is produced from various metals. If the
bolt comes into contact with moisture and it is made out of a steel
it will rust and has to be removed for repair. Further, the bolt is
difficult to observe as the bolt is covered with a beauty cap
hiding the deteriorating nut and bolt. The base of a standard bolt
has a rectangular shaped design for the purpose of keeping the bolt
in the flange. However, due to the varying widths and shapes of the
bolt channels on flanges the standard bolt can become dislodged due
to the design of the base of the bolt. Furthermore, the standard
bolt can spin in the channel due to the varying widths and shapes
of the bolt channels making it difficult to tighten and untighten
the nut on the bolt without the bolt becoming dislodged from the
flange.
[0006] The standard nut and bolt configuration allows the nut to
loosen by backing up on the threads due to the angle of the thread
pattern and the movement and rocking of the toilet base. The
standard nut is also made of various metals. If the nut comes into
contact with moisture and it is made out of a steel it will rust
and has to be removed for repair. The standard nut has a hexagon
shape about 3/8'' wide and 3/16'' tall requiring the use of tools
for tightening and a metal washer to keep the nut from going
through the toilet base.
[0007] The standard beauty cap plate is installed before the metal
washer and nut for the purpose of holding the cap over the washer,
nut and cut bolt. Therefore if the metal washer and metal nut
become rusted or loose, the cap has to be removed and tools must be
used to re-tighten the nut, if the nut and bolt are not too
deteriorated. If the nut and or bolt are heavily rusted the use of
saws, grinders or other tools would need to be used for removal.
Furthermore, the cap keeps the metal nut and metal washer hidden
from view obstructing the ability to see if it has become loose or
begun to deteriorate.
[0008] What is needed is a toilet to flange fastening system that
does not rust or deteriorate, does not allow the nut to back off
and become loose, does not allow the foot of the bolt to become
dislodged and spin in the flange, does not require tools for
tightening and repair, and installs with fewer pieces.
[0009] Currently there are a number of options for a toilet to
flange fastening system. Some of these options use a steel bolt, or
other metals, a nut, a washer, a cap plate and a cap, but these
options fail to meet the need of the industry because the parts can
deteriorate/rust, become loose, and remain hidden by the cap
allowing the problem to get worse. Other options attempt to use
nylon as a bolt and nut material, this is similarly unable to meet
the industry needs as it only solves the deterioration/rust problem
and are easily loosened by the angle of the threading and the
movement of the toilet and the foot can still become loose in the
flange and require tools to tighten/repair. Still other options
attempt to use a redesigned foot on the bolt, but due to the
varying widths and shapes of the bolt channels on flanges they
still become dislodged and spin while trying to tighten.
[0010] A number of U.S. patents have been granted on toilet bolts.
The U.S. Pat. No. 7,954,179 issued to Johnson discloses a bolt with
an oblong foot and male or female notches at the top of the bolts
to visualize the direction of the foot and allow the use of tools
to prevent spinning. The U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,851 issued to
Dickerson discloses a bolt with round foot and protrusion extending
vertically from the top face of the foot for preventing spinning in
the flange bolt channel. The U.S. Pat. No. 4,530,629 issued to
Sakow, discloses a oval foot for preventing spinning in the flange
bolt channel.
[0011] The present invention is superior when compared to other
known devices and solutions because the present invention provides
a superior fastening of the toilet to the flange. Furthermore, the
present invention is reusable, non-corrosive, requires no tools to
re-tighten, will not allow the foot to spin in the bolt channel in
the flange or become dislodged, the nut will not loosen with
movement or rocking in the toilet, and is antimicrobial. In
addition, the beauty cap joins with the nut and is used for
re-tightening without removing the cap and without a wrench or
other tools.
[0012] The present invention is unique, due to being made of an
non-corrosive material. Other features unique to the present
invention are presented and discussed below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] A non-corrosive, re-tightenable, tool-less toilet fastening
system, used for fastening the toilet to the flange and holding it
securely in place. This toilet fastening system is primarily
constructed of an non-corrosive material, having a bolt with a
off-set design foot on one end and two channels 180 degrees apart
running vertical through the threading of the bolt to receive the
locking tabs of the locking nut. Also the system has an locking
nut, with locking tabs that keep the nut from becoming loose from
the tightened position. The tightening cap, which sets on top of
the locking nut, once placed in position, then becomes part of the
tightening mechanism and does not require removal for re-tightening
of the nut to bolt configuration, nor does it require the use of
tools.
[0014] The non-corrosive material would preferably be, but not
limited to, a plastic or non-metallic material.
[0015] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new
and improved toilet fastening system for securing the toilet base
to the floor flange.
[0016] A further object of the present invention is to provide an
anti-back-off locking system for nut to bolt configuration.
[0017] In addition, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a superior foot part on the base of the bolts for the
purpose of preventing spinning of the bolt in the flange bolt
channel and to prevent dislodging of the bolt from the flange while
the installer is tightening the nut onto the bolt.
[0018] In addition, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a fastening system where the beauty cap and nut form
together during installation to become one part for the purpose of
re-tightening; the cap serving two purposes as a tool and as a
clean-lined beautification covering over the exposed nut and
bolt.
[0019] Related objects and advantages of the present invention will
be apparent from the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The above mentioned and other features, advantages and
objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will
become apparent and the invention itself will be better understood
by reference to the following description of embodiments of the
invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0021] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a toilet fastening system
according to the principles of the present invention positioned
between a toilet base attached to a floor flange and a toilet
outlet base;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a top isometric view of a toilet fastening system
according to the principles of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a bottom isometric view of the combination shown
in FIG. 2; and
[0024] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of
FIG. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.
[0025] Like reference numerals indicate the same or similar parts
throughout the several figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0026] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the
principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the
embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will
be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood
that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby
intended, such alterations and further modifications in the
illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles
of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would
normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention
relates.
[0027] Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is
shown a bolt 10 positioned in the bolt channel 45 of a toilet
flange 41 protruding upward and through the bolt passage 42 in the
toilet base 43, in turn to be threaded through the nut 20. There
after the cap 30 fits onto the nut. Herein, the use of
non-corrosive substances will be deemed to encompass all suitable
materials for the toilet fastening system.
[0028] Bolt 10 includes a offset foot 18 with a shaft 19 extending
vertically from the upper face of the foot. A threading is attached
to or formed to the surface of the shaft 19 and having channels 11
extending vertically through the threading 180 degrees apart from
the other. The foot 18 has an inside curved planar surface 14 and
an outside curved planar surface 15, which follow the contour of a
flange bolt channel. The inside curved planar surface 14 begins
near the front side of the threaded shaft extending horizontally
toward the back to form a rear toe 17 and the outside curved planar
surface 15 begins near the back side of the threaded shaft
extending horizontally toward the front to form a front toe 16
making an offset planar foot while maintaining the ability to fit
the foot into the flange bolt channel. The foot 18 is positioned in
the bolt channel of the toilet flange with the threaded shaft 10
extending vertically through the bolt passage 42 of the toilet base
43.
[0029] The nut 20 includes a shelled hexagonal body 23 that extends
upwardly from the downwardly facing bottom surface with fins 22
extending inwardly from each corner of the hexagonal shape meeting
at the wall of the partially shelled cylinder 25 that extends
upwardly from the planar upper surface of the hexagonal body 23.
The cylinder 25 has a height 100% greater than the height of the
hexagonal body 23. The fins 22 are filleted from where they meet
the top plane of the hexagon body 23 to the middle of the top plane
of the fins 22. At the center of the cylinder 25 a threaded passage
is bored vertically through the nut and having locking tabs 21
extending vertically 180 degrees apart from the edge of the opening
of the threaded passage. A protrusion 27 runs vertically along the
center of the interior face of each locking tabs 21. At the base of
the hexagonal body 23 is a thin cylinder 24 with a diameter greater
than the width of the hexagonal body 23 and a filleted outer edge.
At the base of the cylinder 24 is a cylinder 28 with a diameter
less than the width of the hexagonal body 23 and a height great
enough to allow the cap 30 to join with the nut 20.
[0030] The nut 20 is placed onto the top of the threaded shaft 19
and turned clockwise direction for tightening. As the nut is turned
down the shaft the tab protrusions 27 meet the threading and the
locking tabs 21 are deformed outwardly. The tab protrusions 27 then
turn over the channel shelf 12 and fall into the channels 11,
returning the locking tabs 21 to their original shape. As the nut
is turned further down the threaded shaft 19 the tab protrusions 27
rise over the channel exits 13 deforming the locking tabs 21
outwardly.
[0031] The cap 30 extends upwardly from the planar downwardly
facing bottom surface in 4 melded conical shapes 32 to the upwardly
facing planar surface 31. The shape of the cap is not limited to a
conical shape and can be a dome, cube, cylinder, or pyramid. The
downwardly facing flat or planar surface of the cap 30 is extruded
upwardly with a cylindrical shape that is extruded outwardly to
create the ledge 33 for accepting the thin cylinder 24 of the nut
20. The downwardly facing surface thereof is further extruded
upwardly with a hexagonal shape 34 a distance equaling the height
of the hexagonal body 23 of the nut 20 then narrowing at an angle
equal to the fillet of the fins 22 of nut 20 forming the hexagonal
pyramid 35 shaped cavity. The cavity thereof receives the hexagonal
body 23 of the nut 20 and thereafter receives the thin cylinder 24
of the nut 20 into the circular ledge 33 of the cap 30, joining
them into one part.
[0032] A pair of bolts 10 have offset feet 18 positioned into bolt
channels 45 provided 180 degrees apart on flange 41. A pair of
accurate shaped slots extend from each opening of the bolt channels
45 with each slot having a counter bore or enlarged lower opening
enabling the foot 18 of each bolt 10 to be extended through the
openings of the bolt channels 45 while the threaded shaft 19 of the
bolt 10 is extended upwardly. The threaded shafts 19 may be moved
along the lengths of the accurate slots to distance the foot 18
apart from openings of the bolt channels 45 preventing accidental
disengagement of the bolt from the flange. Each offset foot having
an inside curved planar surface 14 and outside curved planar
surface 15 following the curvature of the accurate slots with the
inside planar surface 14 being offset from the outside planar face
15. Each threaded shaft 19 then extends through or by the toilet
seal. Each threaded shaft 19 then extends through passages 42
located 180 degrees apart on the upper surface of the toilet base
43.
[0033] Once the bolts 10 pass through the toilet base 43 the nut 20
is screwed on in a clockwise direction for fastening the toilet
base 43 to the toilet flange 41. As the nut 20 is turned clockwise
down the threaded shaft 19, the locking tabs 21 grab at the locking
channels 11 running vertically 180 degrees apart on the threaded
shaft 19 preventing unintended counterclockwise turning of the nut
20 on the threaded shaft 19. The nuts 20 are tightened by hand or
tool to a snug position when the toilet base 43 is secured to the
toilet flange 41 and then the excess threaded shafts 19 of the
bolts 10 extending out of the top of the nuts 20 are removed.
[0034] The caps 30 are then joined onto the nuts 20 by aligning the
hexagonal shape 23 on the nuts 20 to the hexagonal cavity 34 of the
caps 30. The caps 30 are then able to be turned in a clockwise
direction tightening the nuts 20 down the threaded shafts 19 if the
toilet base requires further fastening to the flange without the
use of tools.
[0035] The bolt 10, nut 20 and cap 30 are composed preferably, but
not necessarily, throughout of a non-corrosive non-metallic
material. The material used may be a steel, brass, aluminum, zinc,
Polyoxymethylene (POM), Polystyrene (PS), Polyamide, Poly(vinyl
chloride), or other metals or plastics. The bolt and nut may
include glass or talc in the materials, which increase structural
and impact strength and rigidity, or molybdenum sulfide-filled
variants which increase lubricity. Examples of commercial polyamide
products are Nylon from DuPont, Technyl from Rhodia, Rilsan and
Rilsamid from Arkema. The non-metallic material may be polymer
based having BHT (butylated hydroxyl-toluene) providing an
anti-microbial construction for the bolt, nut and cap.
[0036] The bolt, nut, and cap can be manufactured by the process of
injection molding. The bolt can also be manufactured by the process
of machining lengths of metal rods and threading by tap and die and
then welding the machined foot to the base of the threaded shafts.
Injection molding is a process for producing parts by injecting
material into a injection mold. Injection molding can be performed
with a host of materials, including metals, glasses, elastomers,
confections, and most commonly thermoplastic and thermosetting
polymers. Material for the part is fed into a heated barrel, mixed,
and forced into a mold cavity where it cools and hardens to the
configuration of the cavity. Injection molding utilizes a ram or
screw-type plunger to force molten plastic material into a mold
cavity; this solidifies into a shape that has conformed to the
contour of the mold.
[0037] Thermoplastics are prevalent due to characteristics which
make them highly suitable for injection molding, their ability to
soften and flow upon heating high pressure injection of the raw
material into a mold which shapes the polymer into the desired
shape. Molds can be of a single cavity or multiple cavities.
[0038] When thermoplastics are molded, typically pelletized raw
material is fed through a hopper into a heated barrel with a
reciprocating screw. Upon entrance to the barrel the thermal energy
increases and the Van der Waals forces that resist relative flow of
individual chains are weakened as a result of increased space
between molecules at higher thermal energy states. This reduces its
viscosity, which enables the polymer to flow with the driving force
of the injection unit. The screw delivers the raw material forward,
mixes and homogenizes the thermal and viscous distributions of the
polymer, and reduces the required heating time by mechanically
shearing the material and adding a significant amount of frictional
heating to the polymer. The material feeds forward through a check
valve and collects at the front of the screw into a volume known as
a shot. Shot is the volume of material which is used to fill the
mold cavity, compensate for shrinkage, and provide a cushion the
screw to transfer pressure from the screw to the mold cavity. When
enough material has gathered, the material is forced at high
pressure and velocity into the part forming cavity.
[0039] Once the screw reaches the transfer position the packing
pressure is applied, which completes mold filling and compensates
for thermal shrinkage. The packing pressure is applied until the
gate solidifies. Once the gate solidifies, no more material can
enter the cavity; the screw reciprocates and acquires material for
the next cycle while the material within the mold cools so that it
can be ejected and be dimensionally stable. This cooling duration
is dramatically reduced by the use of cooling lines circulating
water or oil from a thermolator. Once the required temperature has
been achieved, the mold opens and an array of pins, sleeves,
strippers, etc. are driven forward to demold the article. Then, the
mold closes and the process is repeated.
[0040] For thermosets, typically two different chemical components
are injected into the barrel. These components immediately begin
irreversible chemical reactions which eventually crosslinks the
material into a single connected network of molecules. As the
chemical reaction occurs the two fluid components permanently
transform into a viscoelastic solid. After the part has solidified
valves close, isolating the injection system and chemical
precursors, and the mold opens ejecting the molded parts. Then, the
mold closes and the process repeats.
* * * * *