PREVENTION AND CLEANING OF BLOCKAGES IN TOILET FITTINGS

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 913,233 filed on October 10, 2019.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a toilet fixture according to the preamble of claim 1.Description of Related Art

[0003] In current toilet fixtures, angle stop sealing material, flush valve diaphragms, and vacuum breaker rubber have a tendency to deteriorate over time causing these elements to break apart and flow into the piping system of a toilet fixture. This deterioration and general debris in piping systems cause blockages downstream of the water closet's inlet in the blowout jet or flush rim holes that rinse the bowl of the toilet fixture. These blockages result in poor flushing and removal of waste from the toilet bowl. It is particularly difficult to remove this debris in a blowout jet when the blowout jet is welded into a waste pipe and requires the toilet fixture to be removed from the wall and sent back to the manufacturer, where the toilet fixture is cut apart, re-welded and then sent back to the customer for reinstallation. Others have also tried removing the toilet fixture from the wall, turning the toilet fixture over, and heating the blowout jet area with a torch in an attempt to melt the debris while hammering on the blowout jet area to release the melted debris. A toilet fixture having the features defined within the preamble of claim 1 is described in US 1,928,717.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] A toilet fixture according to the invention is defined by the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments are defined by the features of the dependent claims. In view of the foregoing, there is a current need for a toilet fixture that includes a clog prevention and cleanout assembly. There is a further need for a toilet fixture that allows for easy and improved cleanout of debris from the toilet fixture in the event debris enters the toilet bowl.

[0005] In one example of the present disclosure, a toilet fixture may include an inlet pipe, a toilet bowl in fluid communication with the inlet pipe, an outlet pipe in fluid communication with the toilet bowl, a jet pipe in fluid communication with the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe, and a removable jet pipe assembly that connects the jet pipe to the outlet pipe.

[0006] According to the present invention, the removable jet pipe assembly includes a mounting base to be positioned on the outlet pipe, and a jet removably connected to the mounting base. The removable jet pipe assembly includes a locking mechanism for removal of the jet from the mounting base and attached of the jet to the mounting base. The locking mechanism includes a pair of locking arms that hold the jet to the mounting base. According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the locking arms may be spring-biased to permit the locking arm to move relative to the mounting base between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking mechanism may include at least one screw member for adjusting a biasing force of the spring-biased locking arm. A fitting may be provided in-line with the inlet pipe, wherein the fitting is connected to the jet pipe. The fitting may include a cleanout hole that permits access to an interior space of the inlet pipe and jet pipe.

[0007] In another example of the present disclosure, a toilet fixture may include an inlet pipe, a toilet bowl in fluid communication with the inlet pipe, an outlet pipe in fluid communication with the toilet bowl, a jet pipe in fluid communication with the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe, and a foreign object strainer positioned in-line with the inlet pipe.

[0008] In another example of the present disclosure, a toilet fixture may include a jet pipe adapted to be placed in fluid communication with an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, wherein the inlet pipe and outlet pipe are in fluid communication with a toilet bowl; and a removable jet pipe assembly configured to selectively connect and disconnect the jet pipe to the outlet pipe. The removable jet pipe assembly may include a mounting base adapted to be positioned on the outlet pipe; and a jet removably connected to the mounting base.

[0009] Further details and advantages will be understood from the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a side view of a toilet fixture according to one example of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a side view of a jet assembly of the toilet fixture of FIG. 1 according to one example of the present disclosure; FIG. 3 is a rear view of the jet assembly of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the jet assembly of FIG. 2 along line B-B;

[0011] The embodiments depicted in figures 5-14 are not comprised within the scope of protection conferred by the claims.DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0012] For purposes of the description hereinafter, spatial orientation terms, as used, shall relate to the referenced embodiment as it is oriented in the accompanying drawings, figures, or otherwise described in the following detailed description. However, it is to be understood that the embodiments described hereinafter may assume many alternative variations and configurations. It is also to be understood that the specific components, devices, features, and operational sequences illustrated in the accompanying drawings, figures, or otherwise described herein are simply exemplary and should not be considered as limiting.

[0013] The present disclosure is directed to a toilet fixture with a clog prevention and cleanout arrangement. Certain preferred and nonlimiting examples of the components of the toilet fixture are illustrated in FIGS. 1-4.

[0014] With reference to FIG. 1, a toilet fixture 2 utilizing a clog prevention and cleanout arrangement is shown and described. The toilet fixture 2 includes an inlet pipe 4, a toilet bowl 6 and an outlet / waste pipe 8. The inlet pipe 4 may include a fitting ring 10 for connection to a flush assembly (not shown in FIG. 1) that is positioned behind a wall upon which the toilet fixture 2 is anchored. Fluid from the flush assembly is directed to the inlet pipe 4 and into the toilet bowl 6. The toilet bowl 6 may be any type of toilet bowl generally known in the art. The toilet bowl 6 may include a plurality of flush rim rinse holes 12 defined in an upper edge of the toilet bowl 6. Waste and fluid from the toilet bowl 6 are flushed out of the toilet fixture 2 through the outlet pipe 8. The inlet pipe 4, the toilet bowl 6, and the waste pipe 8 may be made of stainless steel and may be pre-welded together before installation of the toilet fixture 2 on the wall.

[0015] As discussed above, debris from the flush assembly may be directed to the toilet fixture 2 via the inlet pipe 4. This debris may be directed into the toilet bowl 6, which can cause clogging of the toilet bowl 6, and / or may be directed through a jet pipe 14 that fluidly connects the inlet pipe 4 to the outlet pipe 8. The jet pipe 14 may also direct fluid from the inlet pipe 4 to the outlet pipe 8 to assist in flushing any waste or debris from the outlet pipe 8. The debris from the flush assembly, however, may begin to also clog in the outlet pipe 8. Therefore, in this example of the toilet fixture 2, a fitting 16 is positioned in-line with the inlet pipe 4 and is connected to the jet pipe 14. The fitting 16 includes a cleanout hole 18 that permits an individual to access the interior of the inlet pipe 4 and / or the jet pipe 14 to remove any debris that has been directed therethrough from the flush assembly. The fitting 16 may include a removable cap 20 to cover the cleanout hole 18.

[0016] With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the toilet fixture 2 may also include a jet assembly 22 provided on an end of the jet pipe 14 and connected to the outlet pipe 8. The jet assembly 22 may be removably connected to the jet pipe 14 and the outlet pipe 8 so that the jet assembly 22 can be easily removed from the toilet fixture 2 to remove any debris that has built up within the jet assembly 22. The jet assembly 22 includes a jet 24, a mounting base 26, and a locking mechanism 28. The jet 24 defines a passageway to direct fluid from the inlet pipe 4 to the outlet pipe 8 and includes a first threaded end for connection to the jet pipe 14 and a flanged end for connection to the mounting base 26. The mounting base 26 may be welded or fastened to an outer surface of the outlet pipe 8. In another example, the mounting base 26 may be mechanically fastened according to any known technique for fastening two elements together, such as nuts and bolts, screws, clamps, and / or latches. The jet 24 may be held on the mounting base 26 using the locking mechanism 28. The locking mechanism 28 includes two locking arms 30, 32 that hold a bottom portion of the jet 24 between the mounting base 26 and the locking mechanism 28. One locking arm 30 may be slidable relative to the mounting base 26 and one locking arm 32 may be held stationary on the mounting base 26. The locking arm 30 may be spring-loaded into a lock position by a resilient member, such as a spring 34. An individual can move the locking arm 34 to an open position by pushing the locking arm 30 against the spring 34. As the locking arm 30 is moved away from the locking arm 34, an opening to receive the jet 24 is enlarged to permit an individual to remove or insert the jet 24. In the event the jet 24 is being inserted, upon release of the locking arm 30, the spring 34 biases the locking arm 30 back to the lock position to lock the jet 24 on the mounting base 26. Using this locking mechanism 28, an individual can easily and efficiently remove and attach the jet 24 to the mounting base 26 to keep the jet 24 free of debris. In one example of the present disclosure, the jet assembly 22 also includes at least one screw member 36 that can be used to adjust the biasing force of the spring 34 against the locking arm 30. The screw member 36 can also be removed to allow complete removal of the jet 24. As shown in FIG. 4, a sealing gasket 38 may be provided between the flanged end portion of the jet 24 and the mounting base 26 to ensure a leak-free connection between the jet 24 and the mounting base 26. The sealing gasket 38 may be made of an elastomer.

[0017] The invention described hereinabove is defined by the appended claims and all changes to the invention that fall within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A toilet fixture, comprising: a jet pipe (14) adapted to be placed in fluid communication with an inlet pipe (4) and an outlet pipe (8), wherein the inlet pipe (4) and the outlet pipe (8) are in fluid communication with a toilet bowl (6); and a removable jet pipe assembly (22) configured to selectively connect and disconnect the jet pipe (14) to the outlet pipe (8), wherein the removable jet pipe assembly (22) comprises: a mounting base (26) adapted to be positioned on the outlet pipe (8), and a jet (24) removably connected to the mounting base (26), wherein the removable jet pipe assembly (22) further comprises a locking mechanism (28) configured to remove the jet (24) from the mounting base (26) and / or attach the jet (24) to the mounting base (26), and characterized in that the locking mechanism (28) includes a pair of locking arms (32, 34) that hold the jet (24) to the mounting base (26).

2. The toilet fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the locking arms (32, 34) is spring-biased to permit the locking arms (32, 34) to move relative to the mounting base (26) between a locked position and an unlocked position.

3. The toilet fixture as claimed in claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism (28) further comprises at least one screw member (36) for adjusting a biasing force of the spring-biased locking arms (32, 34).

4. The toilet fixture as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a fitting (16) provided in-line with the inlet pipe (4), wherein the fitting (16) is connected to the jet pipe (14).

5. The toilet fixture as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fitting (16) includes a cleanout hole (18) that permits access to an interior space of the inlet pipe (4) and jet pipe (14).

6. The toilet fixture of claim 1, further comprising: the inlet pipe (4); the toilet bowl (6) in fluid communication with the inlet pipe (4); and the outlet pipe (8) in fluid communication with the toilet bowl (6).