Adjustable plumbing fittings

Abstract

An adjustable plumbing fitting has a piston rotatably and telescopically engaged in a housing, with one end of the housing adapted to be connected to a first plumbing part, and a cylindrical extension on the piston projecting from an opposite end of the housing and adapted to be connected to a second plumbing part. In one embodiment, two housings and associated pistons are integrally joined together to form a T-fitting for connecting the overflow and drain of a bathtub. In another embodiment, the housing is integrally formed with a J-shaped drain trap, and in another embodiment the housing and / or piston is integrally formed with a water closet flange.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates to plumbing fittings, particularly to adjustable fittings that are easy to use and install. More specifically, the invention relates to adjustable closet flanges and repair couplings or tail pieces. [0003] 2. Prior Art [0004] Plumbing fittings are provided in a variety of shapes, sizes and designs to facilitate connection of pipes to each other and to appliances and fixtures such as lavatories, sinks, bathtubs, showers, water closets, and the like, and for other purposes known to those skilled in the art. For example, these fittings may be designed to couple or adapt a pipe of a first diameter to a pipe of a different diameter, or to connect the overflow and / or drain from a bathtub or sink to a drain pipe, or to connect a water closet to a sewage drain pipe, or to repair previously installed pipes or fittings, and the like. [0005] The fittings generally are provided with either a threaded conn...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a telescopic plumbing fitting that is simple in construction, easy to use, and provides ample adjustment to reduce the need for accurate measurements and cuts during installation. It can be used to connect two pipes together, or to connect other plumbing parts, and can be integrally incorporated in a drain trap, T-fitting, or water closet flange. The fitting is designed to minimize the need for accurate measurements and cuts, and can be used with standard size fittings to connect components with different spacing between the parts. It also allows for easy adjustment of the flange height and rotation to facilitate installation.

Problems solved by technology

Moreover, each of them has interior surfaces at right angles to the direction of flow, forming obstructions that can eventually trap sediment or other debris and lead to clogging of the pipe.

The devices disclosed in the '320, '817 and '910 patents all have limited adjustment and require fairly close measurement and cutting of the drain pipe in order to achieve proper positioning of the flange.

Moreover, the '320 and '817 devices require the use of separate fasteners and assembly of multiple parts, increasing the difficulty and time required to complete an installation.

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