US 7,188,376 B2 · Flexible sleeve for connection to a plumbing fixture

Abstract

An improved water closet flange for connection to a plumbing fixture is described. The improved flange comprises an anchoring element or outer flange, connected to a flexible conduit tube or flexible sleeve, in which is attached an O-ring type of gasket. The improved flange connects a toilet bowl outlet to a waste drainpipe outlet without any flow reduction in between both connecting elements. The improved flange allows the connection between a toilet bowl discharge and a well placed vertical waste drainpipe. The improved flange also allows the connection between a toilet bowl discharge and a waste drainpipe outlet that is offset, horizontally oriented, or diagonally placed. The improved flange may further comprise an O-ring type of gasket disposed on the exterior of the flexible sleeve to provide a tight seal between the outer surface of the flexible sleeve and the inner surface of a waste drainpipe. The flexible sleeve can be implemented in a variety of sizes or diameters, including, for example, 3 inch (7.5 cm) and 4 inch (10 cm) diameters. An alternative embodiment of the flexible sleeve can fit either 3 inch or 4 inch drainpipes with the help of an appropriate O-ring seal of the appropriate dimensions.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A flange operable to connect a plumbing fixture discharge to a waste drain pipe outlet, the flange comprising:

an outer flange operable to anchor a plumbing fixture to a surface, the outer flange having a linear longitudinal axis from a first end of the outer flange to a second end of the outer flange;
and
a flexible sleeve extending from the outer flange, the sleeve having a proximal end corresponding to the plumbing fixture discharge and a distal end corresponding to the waste drain pipe outlet, the proximal and distal ends of the sleeve each having a longitudinal axis colinear with the longitudinal axis of the outer flange when the sleeve is in an unflexed state, the sleeve being operable to provide a conduit for fluids from the plumbing fixture discharge to the waste drain pipe outlet, the sleeve being fabricated from a flexible material and having a corrugated portion to aid flexibility of the sleeve in connecting between the plumbing fixture discharge and the waste drain pipe outlet, the corrugated portion being spaced from the distal end of the sleeve by at least a non-corrugated portion.

A flange operable to connect a plumbing fixture discharge to a waste drain pipe outlet, the flange comprising:

an outer flange operable to anchor a plumbing fixture to a surface, the outer flange having a linear longitudinal axis from a first end of the outer flange to a second end of the outer flange;
and
a flexible sleeve extending from the outer flange, the sleeve having a proximal end corresponding to the plumbing fixture discharge and a distal end corresponding to the waste drain pipe outlet, the proximal and distal ends of the sleeve each having a longitudinal axis colinear with the longitudinal axis of the outer flange when the sleeve is in an unflexed state, the sleeve being operable to provide a conduit for fluids from the plumbing fixture discharge to a waste drain pipe outlet, the sleeve comprising:
an upper portion having an inner sealing surface operable for the plumbing fixture discharge to be seated to create a hermetic seal;
and
a body fabricated from a flexible material and having a conduit portion adapted to fit inside a waste drain pipe outlet and a corrugated portion to aid flexibility of the sleeve in connecting between the plumbing fixture discharge and the waste drain pipe outlet, the corrugated portion being spaced from the distal end of the sleeve by at least a non-corrugated portion.

3 more elements

A method for connecting a plumbing fixture discharge to a waste drain pipe outlet, the method comprising:

disposing an outer flange on a surface, the outer flange operable to anchor a plumbing fixture to the surface, the outer flange having a linear longitudinal axis from a first end of the outer flange to a second end of the outer flange, the outer flange having a flexible sleeve extending therefrom, the sleeve having a proximal end corresponding to the plumbing fixture discharge and a distal end corresponding to the waste drain pipe outlet, the proximal and distal ends of the sleeve each having a longitudinal axis colinear with the longitudinal axis of the outer flange when the sleeve is in an unflexed state, the sleeve being fabricated from a flexible material and further having a corrugated portion to aid flexibility of the sleeve, the corrugated portion being spaced from the distal end of the sleeve by at least a non-corrugated portion, and the sleeve providing a conduit for fluids from the plumbing fixture discharge to the waste drain pipe outlet;
and
disposing at least a portion of the sleeve in the waste drain pipe outlet, thereby establishing fluid communication from the plumbing fixture discharge, through the sleeve and to the waste drain pipe outlet.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Flexible sleeve for connection to a plumbing fixture

Life of this patent

Flexible sleeve for connection to a plumbing fixture

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25