Multi-Orientation Closet Carrier With Adjustable Cross-Brace Handle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closet carriers for wall-mounted toilets are heavy, making transport and installation difficult, often requiring multiple people and materials, and lack easy adjustment features.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight closet carrier assembly with plastic frames, adjustable components, and structural reinforcements, allowing for easy assembly and single-person installation, featuring adjustable rods and handles for precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If solid metal components are used to ensure structural strength and load-bearing capacity, then the closet carrier can support heavy loads, but the weight increases making transport and installation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The closet carrier is divided into multiple components including a frame assembly, face plate, waste pipe chase, and adjustable rods. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the frame provides structural strength while being made of lighter materials, and components can be assembled separately for easier transport and installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction combining metal frame members with plastic or composite materials for non-structural components. The frame uses metal for strength but incorporates design features like hollow sections and strategic reinforcement only where needed, reducing overall weight while maintaining load-bearing capacity.
2Strength
If heavy solid metal components are used to ensure structural integrity, then the closet carrier can support heavy loads, but multiple people are required for installation
Solution Approach 1:
The closet carrier system is segmented into modular components that can be handled individually by one person. The frame assembly, face plate, and waste pipe chase are separate pieces that connect through standardized interfaces, eliminating the need for multiple people to maneuver a single heavy unit during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates adjustable components such as vertically adjustable rods and positionable waste pipe chases that can be configured during installation. This adjustability allows a single installer to make real-time modifications without requiring assistance, improving ease of operation while maintaining structural integrity.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed design components are used to simplify manufacturing, then production is easier, but adjustment features for fine-tuning installation are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The closet carrier incorporates dynamically adjustable elements including vertically positionable rods with multiple mounting holes, adjustable waste pipe chase positions, and levelable feet. These features allow the basic fixed frame structure to be easily manufactured while providing flexibility for installation adjustments to accommodate various building conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame assembly serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, accommodates adjustable positioning of components, supports the waste pipe chase, and includes integrated leveling features. This multi-functionality is achieved through a standardized frame design that can accommodate various configurations without requiring custom manufacturing for each application.
4Strength
If more raw materials are used to ensure structural strength, then the closet carrier can support heavy loads, but manufacturing cost and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The frame members are designed with varying cross-sections and wall thicknesses optimized for local stress requirements. Critical load-bearing areas use thicker or reinforced sections, while non-critical areas use thinner walls, reducing overall material usage while maintaining the required 500-pound load-bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
By dividing the structure into separate frame members, face plate, and waste pipe chase components, material can be strategically allocated to each component based on its specific functional requirements, avoiding unnecessary material usage in areas where full structural strength is not needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A closet carrier assembly for a wall-mounted toilet includes a frame assembly having a pair of spaced apart opposing frames. Each frame includes a front leg, a rear leg, and an arm connecting the front and rear legs. A cross brace extends between the frames for providing structural support. A nipple connector forms an outlet and an inlet for coupling to a waste pipe of the wall mounted toilet. The nipple connector is secured to the front legs of the frames. A waste pipe chase conduit couples to the outlet of the nipple connector. The waste pipe chase includes a conduit outlet portion extending between the legs of one of the opposing frames, and a threaded stub on the waste pipe chase conduit. A hanger bracket extends between one of the frames and the threaded stub for supporting the waste pipe chase conduit.