Closet Flange Insert Mounting for Flush Flooring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for installing closet flanges in new or renovated buildings often require the use of extenders or spacers that can lead to leakage or necessitate disassembly of existing flanges, failing to achieve a flush connection between the toilet and finished flooring.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a closet flange insert and spacers that allow the insert to be mounted atop an installed closet flange, with the insert being flush with the surrounding flooring, using spacers to adjust the height and seals to prevent gas escape, facilitating direct toilet connection without extenders or disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If closet flange extenders are used to increase the height of the closet flange, then the finished flooring can be installed flush with the closet flange, but additional leakage points are created where fluid flow from the toilet bowl contacts the extender
Solution Approach 1:
A closet flange extenderless system is used as an intermediary solution between the toilet bowl and the subflooring. The system includes a closet flange extender that receives the toilet bowl and directs fluid flow away from the subflooring, preventing contact and leakage while maintaining the necessary height for flush installation of finished flooring
2Length of stationary object
If scrap material spacers are used to elevate the closet flange, then the closet flange can be raised above the subflooring, but the elevation is often insufficient or excessive requiring additional adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The closet flange extender is designed with specific dimensional parameters that can be varied to achieve different elevation heights. The extender includes a first portion with a first height and a second portion with a second height, allowing precise control of the closet flange elevation above the subflooring to accommodate different finished flooring thicknesses without requiring additional adjustment
3Ease of manufacture
If the closet flange is directly fastened to the subflooring, then the installation is simple, but the finished flooring extends above the closet flange preventing direct toilet connection
Solution Approach 1:
The closet flange extender is divided into multiple segments or portions: a first portion that interfaces with the subflooring, a second portion that supports the closet flange, and a third portion that interfaces with the toilet bowl. This segmentation allows the system to maintain installation simplicity while achieving the necessary elevation for direct toilet connection with finished flooring
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided herein which includes a closet flange insert and at least one spacer to be positioned between the closet flange insert and an installed closet flange. The closet flange insert includes a toilet connecting flange which extends radially outwardly from a through pipe. The through pipe is sized to be inserted into a pipe section of a closet flange. Each spacer includes spaced apart first and second faces, and spaced apart inner and outer edges extending between the first and second faces. The inner edge defines an opening extending through the body, the opening sized to permit passage therethrough of the through pipe of the closet flange insert but not the toilet connecting flange of the closet flange insert. With the subject invention, a system is provided which allows the closet flange insert to be mounted atop an installed closet flange flush with surrounding finished flooring.