Closet Flange Spacer Elevation Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for coordinating the height of a closet flange with finished flooring during construction or renovation often result in either insufficient or excessive elevation, leading to undesired leakage points and adjustment issues, as they fail to provide a direct, sealed connection between the toilet and the closet flange.
Innovation Solution
A disc-shaped spacer with a smooth, arcuate outer edge and notches for precise placement, allowing for adjustable elevation of the closet flange above the sub-flooring, enabling a flush installation of finished flooring without the need for extenders, using stackable spacers of varying thicknesses to match the flooring height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If scrap material spacers (copper tubing or wood) are used to elevate the closet flange, then elevation is provided, but the elevation is either insufficient or excessive, requiring undesired adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is divided into a flange support portion and a flange receiving portion, allowing independent optimization of each section's function and enabling precise elevation control without requiring adjustments to the entire assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer's elevation is controlled by changing the thickness parameter of the flange support portion, allowing precise adjustment to match different finished flooring thicknesses without requiring post-installation modifications
2Reliability
If closet flange extenders are used to increase flange height, then direct connection is enabled, but additional leakage points are created
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful extender component is extracted from the system entirely. Instead of adding an extender between the flange and toilet, the spacer elevates the flange itself, eliminating the intermediate connection point that would create leakage risks
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer serves as a clean intermediary between the sub-flooring and the closet flange, providing the necessary elevation while maintaining a direct, sealed connection path from the toilet to the flange without introducing additional leakage points
3Ease of manufacture
If the closet flange is directly fastened to the sub-flooring, then installation is simplified, but the finished flooring extends above the flange, preventing direct toilet connection
Solution Approach 1:
The solution moves from a two-dimensional planar installation to a three-dimensional vertical arrangement by introducing the spacer thickness dimension, allowing the flange to be elevated above the sub-flooring while maintaining direct connection capability with the toilet
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect of the subject invention, a spacer is provided for supporting a closet flange above a sub-flooring, the closet flange having a pipe section and an annular flange extending radially outwardly from the pipe section. The spacer includes a disc-shaped body having 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 pipe section of the closet flange but not the annular flange of the closet flange. The outer edge is generally smooth and arcuate. Advantageously, with the subject invention, a spacer is provided usable with a closet flange to provide elevation thereof.