TOILET COUPLING

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/682,130, filed Aug. 12, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

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.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to coupling a toilet tank to a toilet bowl or a toilet base including the toilet bowl. Techniques for coupling the toilet tank the toilet bowl may 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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure should become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a toilet in accordance with one example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example toilet tank coupling mechanism before coupling.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example toilet tank coupling mechanism after coupling.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example toilet tank coupling mechanism.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example gasket for the toilet tank coupling mechanism.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrates another example lock for a toilet tank coupling mechanism.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example gasket for a toilet tank coupling mechanism.

FIG. 8 illustrates another example gasket for a toilet tank coupling mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description focuses primarily on coupling mechanisms for connecting a toilet tank and a toilet base or 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.). 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.

Referring to FIG. 1 a toilet 100 including a base 121 (e.g., a pedestal, bowl, etc.) and a tank 120 is shown. The base 121 is configured to be attached to another object such as a drainpipe, floor, or another suitable object. The base 121 includes a bowl 211, a sump (e.g., a receptacle) disposed below the bowl 211, and a trapway fluidly connecting the bowl 211 to a drainpipe or sewage line. The tank 120 may be supported by the base 121, such as an upper surface of a rim 115. The rim 115 may be integrated with a rim table 121 that defines the rim 115 and extends behind the rim 115.

The tank 120 may connect to the base 121 by way of the rim table 121. The tank 120 is formed separately from the base 121 and coupled (e.g., attached, secured, fastened, connected, etc.) to the base 121 according to any of the following examples. The toilet 100 may further include a tank lid 122 covering an opening and inner cavity in the tank 120. The toilet 100 may include a seat assembly 135 including a seat 231 and a seat cover 232 rotatably coupled to the base 121. The toilet 100 may further include a hinge assembly 135.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a toilet 100 including, the toilet tank 120, the toilet base 121, and at least one coupling device or joint 200 in accordance with one example of the present disclosure. Additional, different or fewer components may be included.

Within the tank 120 is a flush valve or another type of flushing water passage 130 that is pressed against the bottom surface of the tank 120 with a seal 131 therebetween. The seal 131 maintains the water tight connection between the tank 120 and the flushing water passage 130 when a threaded collar 132 is tightened against the flushing water passage 130. In one example, the threaded collar 132 is fixed (e.g., glued) to the tank 120 and the flushing water passage 130 is screwed into the threaded collar 132 via the threads. The threaded collar 132 may be integrated with or otherwise coupled to a gasket 133. As the tank 120 is installed into the toilet base 121, the gasket 133 presses against the water passage 47 in the toilet base 121. The weight of the tank 120 presses and compresses the gasket 133. Thus, a water passage is established from the water tank 120 to the toilet base 121.

The coupling device or joint 200 may include a flexible collar lock 101, a coupling anchor 201, and a coupling receptacle 111. The coupling receptacle 111 is connected to the toilet base 121. The coupling anchor 201 may include a tank securing pin 102, an interior tank nut 103, an internal tank seal 104, a lock holding shaft 105, a pipe nut 106, and an anchor head 107. The coupling receptacle 111 may include a collar 110, a cylinder 112, and a receptable nut 113. The coupling receptacle 111 may include or otherwise form a locking lip 114.

The flexible collar lock 101 is configured to flex inwardly in response to contact with the coupling receptacle 111 and flex outwardly to lock the coupling anchor 201 and the toilet tank 120 to the coupling receptacle 111 and the toilet base 121. As shown in FIG. 2, the flexible collar lock 101 extends outwardly to at least partially extend farther than the internal diameter of the coupling receptable. As the flexible collar lock 101 comes in contact with the coupling receptacle 111, the flexible collar lock 101 is pushed inward. Once fully within the cavity of the coupling receptacle 111, the flexible collar lock 101 springs outward, which couples the toilet base 121 to the toilet tank 120.

The tank securing pin 102 is an elongated shafting having threads that mate with the interior tank nut 103 to press the internal tank seal 104 against the bottom surface of the tank 120. The tank securing pin 102 may be formed of metal or a synthetic material such as resin or plastic. The internal tank seal 104 may be formed of foam or another elastic material.

In some examples, the tank securing pin 102 may also include threads to mate with the pipe nut 106 that may be screwed down the tank securing pin to press against the toilet tank 120. The pipe nut 106 may tighten the internal tank seal 104 against the inside surface of the toilet tank 120. Alternatively, the tank securing pin 102 is integrated with the pipe nut 106 (i.e., the two components are constructed as a single part).

In some examples, the tank securing pin 102 may also include threads to mate with a lock holding shaft 105. The tank securing pin 102 may fit inside the lock holding shaft 105. The lock holding shaft 105 includes at least one space (e.g., under ledge 235) to protect and store the flexible collar lock 101. Alternatively, the tank securing pin 102 is integrated with the lock holding shaft 105 (i.e., the two components are constructed as a single part).

The anchor head 107 may also be threaded into the tank securing pin 102 and/or the lock holding shaft 105. Alternatively, the anchor head 107 may be integrated with either component. The anchor head 107 is configured to align the coupling anchor 201 to the coupling receptacle 111. The anchor head 107 may include a sloped surface that is configured to steer and slide the anchor head 107 easily into the coupling receptacle 111 into cavity 140. One example sloped surface includes a hemispherical shape. The hemispherical shape centers the coupling anchor 201 into the coupling receptacle 111 to cause the flexible collar lock 101 to be properly aligned with the coupling receptacle 111. In another example, the anchor head 107 has a hexagonal shape. The hexagonal shape may be compatible with a standard socket size.

The collar 110 of the coupling receptacle 111 rests on the top surface of the toilet base 121. The collar 110 may be integrated with a cylinder 112. The cylinder 112 is sized to fit within an opening in the toilet base 121 and the collar 110 is sized larger than the opening so that the collar 110 rests on a top surface of the toilet base 121.

The collar 110 is shaped to form a lock lip 114 engageable with the flexible collar lock 101. The collar 110 may overlap the cylinder 112 and the lock lip 114 is configured to contact the flexible collar lock 101 when the flexible collar lock 101 locks the coupling anchor 201 to the coupling receptacle 111.

FIG. 3 also illustrates an example tool 180 for removing the coupling anchor 201. The tool 180 includes at least one rigid wall 181 and a handle 182. The tool 180 is configured to push the flexible collar lock 101 toward the coupling anchor 201 to release the flexible collar lock 101 from the coupling receptacle. In this way the toilet tank 120 may be manually removed from the toilet base 121. The flexible collar lock 101 will not be damaged and can be reused to couple the toilet base 121 the toilet tank 120 again. A tool holder such as a hook or snap-fit fixture may be coupled to the toilet base 121 or the toilet tank 120 to secure the tool 180 in a convenient position for removal and attachment by the user.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example toilet tank coupling mechanism. FIG. 5 illustrates an example gasket 160 for the toilet tank coupling mechanism of FIG. 4. FIGS. 6A-6C illustrates another example lock 150 for the toilet tank coupling mechanism of FIG. 4.

The gasket 160 extends around the flow passage between the toilet tank 120 and toilet base 121 and also extends over at least one of the coupling anchors 201.

The lock 150 includes two halves, which may be referred to as wings, including a first wing 155 and a second wing 159. Each of the wings are configured to interface or otherwise lock with opposite sides of the coupling receptacle 111. The first wing 155 includes a top ridge 151 configured to abut a first portion of the coupling receptacle 111 and a lower ridge configured to abut a second portion of the coupling receptacle 111.

The first wing 155 and the second wing 159 are separated by an opening 149 on one side of a bottom surface. The opening 149 is a small space between bottom ledge 154 of the first wing 155 and bottom edge 153 of the second wing 159. The first wing 155 and the second wing 159 are joined by a thin connector 157 on another side of the bottom surface. The opening 149 and the thin connector 157 allow easy relative flexing between the first wing 155 and the second wing 159.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example multi-port gasket 160 for a toilet tank coupling mechanism. The gasket 160 includes a central seal 161, two stabilizing feet 163 and two coupling anchor seals 162.

The coupling anchor seals 162 may extend over the coupling anchors 201 as described herein. The coupling anchor seals 162 may be pushed through the openings in the toilet tank 120. The coupling anchors 201 may be seated with the coupling anchor seals 162.

The stabilizing feet 163 are positioned between the toilet tank 120 and the toilet base 121. At least one of the stabilizing feet 163 contacts at least one of the toilet tank 120 and the toilet base 121 at all times to keep the toilet tank 120 level above the toilet base 120. When the coupling anchors 201 are installed, the stabilizing feet 163 are automatically positioned. When the coupling anchors 201 are installed, the stabilizing feet 163 protect the vitreous of the toilet tank 120 and toilet base 121 from being pressed against each other.

FIG. 8 illustrates another example gasket 170 for a toilet tank coupling mechanism. The gasket 170 includes a central seal 171 and two stabilizing feet 172. The gasket 170 does not included coupling anchor seals. The gasket 170 is configured to stabilize the toilet tank in a front to back direction using the stabilizing feet 172. Additional, different or fewer components may be included.

When a component, device, element, or the like of the present disclosure is described as having a purpose or performing an operation, function, or the like, the component, device, or element should be considered herein as being “configured to” meet that purpose or to perform that operation or function.

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 disclosure as recited in the appended claims.

It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, as used herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic.

The term “or,” as used herein, is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is understood to convey that an element may be either X, Y, Z; X and Y; X and Z; Y and Z; or X, Y, and Z (i.e., any combination of X, Y, and Z). Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present, unless otherwise indicated.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) 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.

Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order of method steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depicted and described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unless specified differently above. Such variation may depend, for example, on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations of the described methods could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps, and decision steps.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the system as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Additionally, any element disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein. Although only one example of an element from one embodiment that can be incorporated or utilized in another embodiment has been described above, it should be appreciated that other elements of the various embodiments may be incorporated or utilized with any of the other embodiments disclosed herein.