Seals for closet collars

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9816261-B2
Application number	US-201715407620-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 17, 2017
Priority date	Feb 20, 2012
Publication date	Nov 14, 2017
Grant date	Nov 14, 2017

Abstract

In various embodiments, an apparatus includes a toilet horn receptacle having an upper end and a lower end. A sealing rim is positioned at an upper end of the toilet horn receptacle, and at least a portion of the sealing rim extends inwardly from the upper end of the toilet horn receptacle towards a center axis of the sealing rim. A funnel extends from the lower end of the toilet horn receptacle, and a channel wall circumscribes the toilet horn receptacle. The channel wall and at least the toilet horn receptacle form a continuous annular receptacle. A foam sealing component is disposed in the continuous annular receptacle such that an inner wall of the foam sealing component circumscribes the toilet horn receptacle and such that the channel wall circumscribes at least a portion of an outer wall of the foam sealing component.

First claim

Therefore, the following is claimed:

1. An apparatus, comprising:
a toilet horn receptacle wall;
a sealing rim positioned at a first end of the toilet horn receptacle wall, wherein at least a portion of the sealing rim extends inwardly from the first end of the toilet horn receptacle wall towards a center axis of the sealing rim;
a funnel extending from a second end of the toilet horn receptacle wall;
an annular channel wall circumscribing the toilet horn receptacle wall, the annular channel wall and at least the toilet horn receptacle wall forming a continuous annular receptacle;
a foam sealing component disposed in the continuous annular receptacle such that an inner wall of the foam sealing component circumscribes the toilet horn receptacle wall and such that the annular channel wall circumscribes at least a portion of an outer wall of the foam sealing component;
a pair of ears extending from the annular channel wall, each of the ears comprising a respective opening; and
wherein the toilet horn receptacle wall, the funnel, the sealing rim, the annular channel wall, and the pair of ears form a one-piece structure.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a maximum outer diameter of the toilet horn receptacle wall is greater than a maximum outer diameter of the funnel.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sealing rim is oriented substantially perpendicular to the center axis of the sealing rim.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the toilet horn receptacle wall is tapered.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the funnel is tapered.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sealing rim is configured to contact a horn of a toilet.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the funnel comprises a transition wall that forms a transition between the second end of the toilet horn receptacle wall and a lower portion of the funnel.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the transition wall forms an annular shelf.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sealing rim mates with the first end of the toilet horn receptacle wall, and wherein an inner edge of the sealing rim floats free.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sealing rim defines an opening having a diameter that is less than a maximum inner diameter of the toilet horn receptacle wall.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each respective opening in the pair of ears is sized to receive a respective toilet bolt.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an additional foam sealing component configured to be positioned under the foam sealing component.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sealing rim comprises a flange.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sealing rim comprises a flexible flange that flexes towards the second end of the toilet horn receptacle wall.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sealing rim is a solid rubber flange that flexes towards the second end of the toilet horn receptacle wall.

16. An apparatus, comprising:
a toilet horn receptacle wall;
a sealing rim positioned at a first end of the toilet horn receptacle wall, the sealing rim comprising a flange, wherein at least a portion of the flange extends inwardly from the first end of the toilet horn receptacle wall towards a center axis of the sealing rim;
a funnel extending from a second end of the toilet horn receptacle wall;
an annular channel wall circumscribing the toilet horn receptacle wall, the annular channel wall and at least the toilet horn receptacle wall forming a continuous annular receptacle, wherein the continuous annular receptacle receives a foam sealing component such that an inner wall of the foam sealing component circumscribes the toilet horn receptacle wall and such that the annular channel wall circumscribes at least a portion of an outer wall of the foam sealing component; and
wherein the toilet horn receptacle wall, the funnel, the sealing rim, and the annular channel wall form a one-piece structure.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the one-piece structure is constructed of rubber.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the one-piece structure is constructed of at least one of polyvinylchloride (PVC), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), thermoplastic rubber (TPR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, neoprene, foam rubber, or silicone.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the flange comprises a flexible flange that flexes towards the second end of the toilet horn receptacle wall.

20. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the foam sealing component adheres to at least one surface of the continuous annular receptacle.

21. The apparatus of claim 16 , further comprising an additional sealing component configured to be positioned under to the foam sealing component.

22. The apparatus of claim 16 , further comprising an additional sealing component configured to be positioned between the foam sealing component and a closet collar.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein:
the foam sealing component comprises a first ring; and
the additional sealing component comprises a second ring.

24. The apparatus of claim 16 , further comprising:
a first ear extending from the annular channel wall, wherein a first opening for a first toilet bolt is formed in the first ear;
a second ear extending from the annular channel wall, wherein a second opening for a second toilet bolt is formed in the second ear.

25. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the sealing rim is oriented substantially perpendicular to the center axis of the sealing rim.

26. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the sealing rim is configured to contact a horn of a toilet and to form a seal between the sealing rim and the horn.

27. An apparatus, comprising:
a toilet horn receptacle wall having an upper end and a lower end;
a sealing rim positioned at an upper end of the toilet horn receptacle wall, wherein at least a portion of the sealing rim extends inwardly from the upper end of the toilet horn receptacle wall towards a center axis of the sealing rim, wherein the sealing rim comprises a flexible flange configured to flex downwardly towards the lower end of the toilet horn receptacle wall;
a funnel extending from the lower end of the toilet horn receptacle wall;
a channel wall circumscribing the toilet horn receptacle wall, the channel wall and at least the toilet horn receptacle wall forming a continuous annular receptacle; and
a foam sealing component disposed in the continuous annular receptacle such that an inner wall of the foam sealing component circumscribes the toilet horn receptacle wall and such that the channel wall circumscribes at least a portion of an outer wall of the foam sealing component.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 , wherein the flexible flange is configured to flex such that an underside of the flexible flange contacts the toilet horn receptacle.

29. The apparatus of claim 27 , wherein the foam sealing component is a foam ring.

30. The apparatus of claim 27 , wherein the toilet horn receptacle wall, the funnel, the sealing rim, and the channel wall form a one-piece structure.

Assignees

• Danco Inc

Inventors

• Schuster Michael J

Classifications

• F16L5/10

  by using sealing rings or sleeves only · CPC title

• E03D11/16 Primary

  Means for connecting the bowl to the floor, e.g. to a floor outlet · CPC title

• E03D11/17

  Means for connecting the bowl to the flushing pipe · CPC title

• Y10T29/49826

  Assembling or joining · CPC title