Water Closet Bolt with Orientation Notch and Break-off Point
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of toilets is hindered by the difficulty in ensuring correct orientation of water closet bolts, lack of a non-threaded hold-back surface, and the challenge of removing excess bolt portions without damaging the porcelain or requiring excessive force.
Innovation Solution
A water closet bolt featuring a visual notch indicator for orientation, a hold-back surface for secure installation, and a break-off point to facilitate easy removal of excess portions, allowing for secure cap fitting and preventing thread damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a water closet bolt is used without a visual indicator, then the bolt structure remains simple, but it is difficult to ensure correct orientation during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a visual indicator (notch) on the bolt that provides orientation information through its geometric form. The notch creates a distinct visual reference that indicates the correct orientation of the bolt during installation, eliminating the loss of orientation information without significantly complicating the bolt structure.
2Ease of operation
If the bolt threads are used as a hold-back surface during installation, then no additional structure is needed, but the threads may be damaged making it impossible to screw on nuts or caps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hold-back function from the threaded portion by providing a separate, dedicated hold-back surface on the bolt. This non-threaded surface allows users to grip the bolt during installation without contacting or damaging the threads, thereby preserving thread integrity and ensuring reliable nut and cap installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hold-back surface acts as an intermediary element between the user's gripping tool and the bolt. Instead of directly gripping the threads, the user grips the hold-back surface, which transmits the holding force without compromising the threaded portion. This mediator protects the threads from damage while still providing the necessary hold-back capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If excessive force is applied to remove the excess bolt portion, then the bolt can be broken, but the porcelain may be chipped or cracked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a pre-formed break point or groove on the bolt at the location where the excess portion needs to be removed. This preliminary structural feature concentrates stress at a specific location, allowing the bolt to break cleanly with minimal force. The pre-prepared break point ensures that the bolt can be trimmed easily without requiring excessive force that could damage the surrounding porcelain.
4Productivity
If the bolt orientation is not verified during installation, then the installation process is faster, but the foot may become misaligned allowing upward pulling through the slot
Solution Approach 1:
The visual indicator (notch) on the bolt provides immediate orientation information that allows installers to quickly verify correct alignment. The distinct geometric feature of the notch enables rapid visual confirmation of proper orientation, maintaining installation speed while ensuring mounting security by preventing misalignment that could allow upward pulling.
Data Source
AI summary
A water closet bolt comprises an upper end and a lower end with a threaded body extending therebetween. The lower end includes an oblong foot and the upper end includes a male or female notch for visually indicating the orientation of the long axis of the oblong foot. The notch also serves as a gripping surface to aid the installer in the installation of the toilet. Furthermore, the bottom of the notch acts as a break-off point to aid the installer in removing an excess portion of the bolt after the completing the installation.