Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Flush closet bowl support – coupling – seal or fastener
Reexamination Certificate
2002-02-19
2003-07-29
Phillips, Charles E. (Department: 3754)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Flush closet bowl support, coupling, seal or fastener
Reexamination Certificate
active
06598241
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to water closet flanges and, more particularly, to water closet flanges including multiple, coupled components.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Water closet flanges are used to join water closets or toilet bowls to the open ends of sewer pipes, for example, in residential or commercial structures. It is known to form multiple component or composite water closet flanges. An exemplary composite water closet flange
10
is shown in
FIG. 11
, which is a bottom plan view thereof. The water closet flange
10
includes a hub member
20
including a tubular portion
22
and a radially outwardly extending flange portion
24
on the upper end of the hub member
20
. A plurality of spaced apart locking tabs
26
also extend radially outwardly from the hub member
20
and are positioned axially below the flange portion
24
. A ring member
50
surrounds the upper portion of the hub member
20
. The ring member
50
has an inner peripheral edge
52
defining an opening and having an inner diameter selected such that portions of the ring member
50
are interposed between the flange
24
and each of the locking tabs
26
. In this manner, the flange
24
and the locking tabs
26
cooperate to secure the ring member
50
on the upper end of the hub member
20
. The tubular portion
22
may be adapted to fit tightly over the sewer pipe. The ring member
50
includes bolt holes
54
for receiving bolts to secure the water closet to the ring member
50
.
The hub member
20
may be formed of polyvinylchloride (PVC) or other suitable polymeric material with the ring member
50
being formed of metal. Typically, the water closet flange
10
is assembled by forcing the ring member
50
over the locking tabs
26
such that the locking tabs
26
are temporarily deflected, allowing the ring member to seat between the flange portion
24
and the locking tabs
26
. Generally, it is preferable to provide at least four locking tabs
26
, allowing the ring member to seat between the flange portion
24
and the locking tabs
26
to provide a secure and stable joinder between the hub member
20
and the ring member
50
. As a result, it is typically necessary to deflect two or more of the locking tabs
26
, requiring substantial amounts of force (e, using a mallet). The locking tabs
26
may be frequently broken, in which case the hub member
20
typically must be discarded.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to embodiments of the present invention, a composite water closet flange includes a hub member having a hub member axis and including a connecting portion and a through-passage extending through the connecting portion. The connecting portion includes a shoulder extending radially outwardly. A plurality of locking tabs extend radially outwardly and are axially spaced apart from the shoulder. A ring member is mounted on the hub member and includes an inner peripheral portion surrounding the connecting portion and defining an opening. The inner peripheral portion includes a plurality of engagement portions interposed between the shoulder and respective ones of the locking tabs. A key slot is defined in the inner peripheral portion and communicates with the opening. The key slot is sized and configured to receive at least one of the plurality of locking tabs therethrough.
According to further embodiments of the present invention, a composite water closet flange includes a hub member having a hub member axis and including a connecting portion and a through-passage extending through the connecting portion. The connecting portion includes a radially extending shoulder. A plurality of radially extending locking tabs are axially spaced apart from the shoulder. A ring member is mounted on the hub member and includes a plurality of engagement portions interposed between the shoulder and respective ones of the locking tabs. A key slot is defined in the ring member. The key slot is sized and configured to receive at least one of the plurality of locking tabs therethrough.
According to further embodiments of the present invention, a hub member for use with a ring member having a key slot to form a composite water closet flange is provided. The hub member has a hub member axis and includes a connecting portion and a through-passage extending through the connecting portion. The connecting portion includes a shoulder extending radially outwardly. A primary locking tab extends radially outwardly and is axially spaced apart from the shoulder. The primary locking tab is sized and configured to allow the primary locking tab to pass through the key slot. A secondary locking tab extends radially outwardly and is axially spaced apart from the shoulder. The secondary locking tab is sized and configured to prevent the secondary locking tab from passing through the key slot.
According to further embodiments of the present invention, a ring member for use with a hub member including a plurality of locking tabs to form a composite water closet flange is provided. The ring member includes an inner peripheral portion adapted to surround the hub member and defines an opening. A key slot is defined in the inner peripheral portion and communicates with the opening. The key slot is sized and configured to receive at least one of the plurality of locking tabs therethrough.
According to method embodiments of the present invention, a method of assembling a water closet flange includes providing a hub member having a hub member axis and including a connecting portion and a through-passage extending through the connecting portion. The connecting portion includes a shoulder extending radially outwardly. First and second locking tabs extend radially outwardly and are axially spaced apart from the shoulder. A ring member is provided including an inner peripheral portion defining an opening and a key slot defined in the inner peripheral portion and communicating with the opening. The key slot is sized and configured to receive at least one of the first and second locking tabs therethrough. The connecting portion of the hub member is positioned in the opening of the ring member such that the inner peripheral portion is interposed between the second locking tab and the shoulder. The connecting portion of the hub member is positioned in the opening of the ring member such that the first locking tab is axially aligned with the key slot. The first locking tab is axially displaced through the key slot.
Objects of the present invention will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the figures and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments which follow, such description being merely illustrative of the present invention.
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patent: 1149269 (1915-08-01), Klindt
patent: 3762684 (1973-10-01), Stein
patent: 3775780 (1973-12-01), McErwen
patent: 3967836 (1976-07-01), Izzi, Sr.
patent: 4212486 (1980-07-01), Logsdon
patent: 4233697 (1980-11-01), Cornwall
patent: 4261598 (1981-04-01), Cornwall
patent: 4406480 (1983-09-01), Izzi
patent: 4648139 (1987-03-01), Stokes
patent: 5018224 (1991-05-01), Hodges
patent: 5090739 (1992-02-01), Pollard
patent: 5185890 (1993-02-01), Dismore et al.
patent: 6052839 (2000-04-01), Teskey
Myers Bigel & Sibley & Sajovec
Phillips Charles E.
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