US20250341085A1

US20250341085A1 - Toilet boot

Info

Publication number: US20250341085A1
Application number: US19/195,024
Authority: US
Inventors: Azzar BUBB; Daniel N. Halloran; Jason Kim; Thomas Lilly; Cody Wilcox
Original assignee: Kohler Co
Current assignee: Kohler Co
Priority date: 2024-05-02
Filing date: 2025-04-30
Publication date: 2025-11-06

Abstract

Provided is an apparatus including: a boot configured to be coupled at a first side to a base of a toilet and at a second side to a flange of a soil pipe inlet; a plurality of boot mounting holes extending through the boot from the first side to the second side, the plurality of boot mounting holes aligning with respective toilet mounting holes of the base of the toilet and aligning with respective flange mounting holes of the flange of the soil pipe inlet; and a plurality of fastening members configured to fasten the boot to the flange and to the base of the toilet by being respectively inserted through the flange mounting holes, the plurality of boot mounting holes, and the toilet mounting holes.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority benefit of Provisional Application No. 63/641,459 filed May 2, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to toilets. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a toilet boot for installing a toilet to the floor of a washroom.

BACKGROUND

Generally, in conventional toilets, a common mounting method entails aligning and securing a wax ring with the flange of a soil pipe inlet, positioning the discharge outlet of the toilet to align with both the wax ring and soil pipe inlet, and then securing the base of the toilet to the flange of the soil pipe inlet while ensuring the wax ring remains in place. However, numerous challenges arise from the conventional method of toilet installation.
One challenge associated with mounting a toilet to the flange positioned in the floor of the washroom is maintaining the positioning of the wax ring between the discharge outlet of the toilet and the soil pipe inlet. If the wax ring misaligns during installation, it can lead to several potential issues. First, misalignment may result in an incomplete or uneven seal between the toilet base and the floor flange, leading to leaks. These leaks can cause water damage to the flooring and subflooring, as well as promote the growth of mold and mildew. Second, a misaligned wax ring can cause the toilet to wobble or become unstable, compromising its structural integrity and potentially posing safety hazards. Furthermore, a poor seal can allow foul odors from the sewer system to escape into the bathroom, creating an unpleasant environment. It would be advantageous to provide an apparatus for securing the position of a wax ring between the discharge outlet of the toilet and the soil pipe inlet.
Another challenge associated with mounting a toilet is the necessity of replacing a wax ring whenever the toilet needs to be unmounted from the flange positioned in the floor of the washroom. Conventional toilets require a fresh wax ring each time they are unmounted from the flange. This necessity stems from the design of the wax ring, which becomes compressed and deformed upon initial installation, forming a tight seal between the toilet base and the flange. Once the toilet is removed, this seal is broken, and the wax ring loses its effectiveness. Therefore, to ensure proper sealing and prevent potential leaks or odors, it is essential to replace the wax ring with a new one whenever the toilet is taken off the floor flange. This adds an extra step and cost to the process of uninstalling and reinstalling toilets, contributing to the overall complexity of toilet maintenance and replacement. It would be advantageous to provide an apparatus for effectively securing the wax ring without the need to replace it when mounting and unmounting a toilet.
Additionally, there is a need to provide a more secure coupling between the toilet and the flange and/or the soil pipe, in order to improve the stability of the toilet, such as during use of the toilet, as well as, to reduce the likelihood of leaking, such as between the toilet and the drain pipe (or soil pipe or sanitary sewer system). It would be advantageous to be able to couple an apparatus to both the toilet and the soil pipe in a manner that secures the toilet to the floor of the washroom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure should become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a toilet in accordance with one example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a boot in accordance with one example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the boot of FIG. 2 taken along line 3-3, coupled to a base of a toilet in accordance with one example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates another cross-sectional view of the boot of FIG. 2 taken along line 4-4, coupled to both a base of a toilet and a flange of a soil pipe inlet disposed in a washroom floor while fastened by a plurality of fastening members in accordance with one example of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, and 9 illustrate a method for mounting a toilet to a washroom floor using a boot configured to secure the toilet to a flange of a soil pipe inlet disposed in the washroom floor in accordance with one example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a boot configured to secure the base of the toilet to a flange of a soil pipe inlet.

FIG. 11 illustrates a flow chart for the installation of the toilet and boot according to any embodiments herein.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrates an example implementation of the boot.

The figures illustrate certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure in detail. It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details and methodology set forth in the detailed description or illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purposes of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are apparatuses, systems, and methods for mounting a toilet to a washroom floor. Specifically, described herein is a boot configured to be coupled at a first side to a base of a toilet and at a second side to a flange of a soil pipe inlet. The boot described herein may advantageously secure and position a gasket (e.g., a wax ring) between a discharge outlet of the toilet disposed at the base of the toilet and a soil pipe inlet. Additionally, the boot in accordance with the present disclosure may advantageously secure the gasket without the need to replace it when mounting and unmounting a toilet.
For example, the utilization of the boot significantly streamlines the toilet installation process. By securely holding the gasket in place between the toilet base and the soil pipe inlet flange, the boot ensures a tight seal. The boot may advantageously be coupled to the flange of the soil pipe inlet and fasten such as to secure and compress the gasket in place. Furthermore, the boot may be configured such that the base of the toilet may be coupled or decoupled from the boot, thus advantageously allowing the toilet to be replaced without having to fully remove or replace the original gasket.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a toilet that may include a boot according to the present disclosure.
Referring to FIG. 1 a toilet 100 including a base 110 (e.g., a pedestal, bowl, etc.) and a tank 120 is shown. The base 110 is configured to be attached to another object such as a boot 200 (described below), a flange of a soil pipe inlet of a soil pipe, floor, or another suitable object. The base 110 includes a bowl 111, a sump (e.g., a receptacle) disposed below the bowl 111, and a passageway 114 (depicted in FIG. 3 ) fluidly connecting the bowl 111 to a drainpipe or sewage line. The base 110 also includes a pair of toilet mounting holes 112 through which corresponding bolts are inserted into and fastened with corresponding nuts such as to secure the toilet 100 to the washroom floor. The tank 120 may be supported by the base 110, such as an upper surface of a rim 115. The tank 120 may be integrally formed with the base 110 as a single unitary body. In other embodiments, the tank 120 may be formed separately from the base 110 and coupled (e.g., attached, secured, fastened, connected, etc.) to the base 110. The toilet 100 may further include a tank lid 122 covering an opening and inner cavity in the tank 120. The toilet 100 may include a seat assembly 130 including a seat 131 and a seat cover 132 rotatably coupled to the base 110. The toilet 100 may further include a hinge assembly 135.
FIGS. 2-4 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a boot configured to secure the base of the toilet to a flange of a soil pipe inlet disposed in the floor of a washroom. Specifically, FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the boot. FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the boot of FIG. 2 taken along line 3-3, coupled to the base of the toilet. FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the boot of FIG. 2 taken along line 4-4, coupled to the base of the toilet and the flange of the soil pipe inlet while fastened by a plurality of fastening members.
Referring to FIGS. 2-4 , the boot 200 includes a first side 220 (i.e., an upper side) and a second side 240 (i.e., a lower side). The first side 220 of the boot 200 is configured to be coupled to the base 110 of the toilet 100. The second side 240 of the boot 200 is configured to be coupled to the flange 250 of the soil pipe inlet 260.
As can be seen in FIGS. 2-4 , the first side 220 of the boot 200 is fluidly connected to a discharge outlet 113 of the toilet 100 disposed at the base 110. The second side 240 of the boot 200 is configured to be fluidly connected to the soil pipe inlet 260. The boot 200 also includes a channel 215 extending through the boot 200 from the first side 220 of the boot 200 to the second side 240 of the boot 200. In other words, the length of the channel 215 corresponds to the height of the boot 200 when the boot is installed or may correspond to the distance from the first side 220 of the boot 200 to the second side 240 of the boot 200.
The channel 215 is also configured to fluidly communicate the discharge outlet 113 of the toilet 100 with the soil pipe inlet 260. In other words, the channel 215 is concentric with the discharge outlet 113 of the toilet 100 and concentric with the soil pipe inlet 260, so as to facilitate efficient and unobstructed flow from the toilet 100 to the soil pipe inlet 260.
As a result, water and waste may pass from the bowl 111 through the passageway 114 of the toilet 100 and the channel 215 of boot 200 to the soil pipe inlet 260 when the toilet 100 is activated. It should be noted that the toilet as described and shown herein may include a single passageway 114 or may include more than one passageways 114 coupled together (e.g., a passageway coupled to an internal pedestal passageway) to transfer the water and waste from the bowl 111 of the pedestal to the soil pipe inlet 260.
In certain examples, the channel 215 may include a conical portion 217 and a tubular wall portion 219 extending from the first side 220 to the second side 240 of the boot 200. An upper portion of the channel 215 at the first side 220 of the boot 200 may include the conical portion 217 protruding from the tubular wall 219 toward the center of the channel 215. The conical portion 217 is tapered, with a larger diameter at the surface of the first side 220 (i.e., a first conical diameter) and a smaller diameter at a certain depth within the channel 215 (i.e., a second conical diameter). In other words, the first conical diameter of the conical portion 217 may be greater than the second conical diameter of the conical portion 217. Furthermore, the first conical diameter of the conical portion 217 may be the same in diameter as the tubular wall portion 219.
For example, at the first side 220 of the boot 200, near the opening of the channel 215, the conical portion 217 protrudes inward from the surrounding tubular wall portion 219, resembling a funnel shape. The conical part 217 gradually tapers down in diameter (i.e., the second conical diameter) as it extends deeper into the channel 215. As a result, the conical portion 217 may advantageously create a tight seal between the discharge outlet 113 of the toilet 100.
In certain examples, the conical portion 217 may extend to at least 1/10 of the length of the channel 215, to at least 2/10 of the length of the channel 215, to at least 3/10 of the length of the channel 215, to at least 4/10 of the length of the channel 215, to at least ½ of the length of the channel 215, to at least 7/10 of the length of the channel 215, to at least 9/10 of the length of the channel 215, or any combination thereof.
As a result of the conical portion 217, the boot 200 may advantageously receive the discharge outlet 113 disposed in the base 110 of the toilet 100 and align it with the channel 215. This alignment ensures that waste expelled from the toilet 100 flows directly into the channel 215 without any misalignment or obstruction, thereby promoting efficient and uninterrupted passage. Additionally, due to the tapered configuration of the conical portion 217, the boot 200 may advantageously accommodate a range of sizes of discharge outlets 113.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , the second side (i.e., the lower side) 240 of the boot 200 includes a groove 242 defined along a path on a surface of the second side 240 surrounding the channel 215. The groove 242 is configured to receive a gasket 270 (i.e., a wax ring). The groove 242 is configured to retain and secure the gasket 270 such that the gasket 270 does not separate from the boot 200 when installing the boot 200 in between the base 110 of the toilet 100 and the flange 250 of the soil pipe inlet 260.
Furthermore, the boot 200 is configured to compress the gasket 270 against the flange 250 of the soil pipe inlet 260 when the boot 200 is fastened to the flange 250 by a plurality of fastening members (described further below) so as to provide a seal to prohibit leaking.
Referring back to FIG. 2 , the boot 200 may further include a plurality of boot mounting holes 202 extending through the boot 200 from the first side 220 to the second side 240. The boot 200 includes two mounting holes 202, however the boot 200 is not limited to two mounting holes and any number of mounting holes may be included.
As depicted in FIG. 2 , the boot mounting holes 202 may be positioned around the edge of the boot 200 to surround the channel 215 and positioned across from one another. Furthermore, the boot mounting holes 202 are positioned to align with respective toilet mounting holes 112 of the base 110 of the toilet 100 and with respective flange mounting holes 252 of the flange 250 of the soil pipe inlet 260.
The boot 200 also includes a plurality of fastening members 280 configured to fasten the boot 200 to the flange 250 and to the base 110 of the toilet 100. The fastening members 280 are inserted through the flange mounting holes 252, the plurality of boot mounting holes 202, and the toilet mounting holes 112.
For example, as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 4 , each fastening member 280 of the pair of fastening members 280 is inserted through a respective flange mounting hole 252, boot mounting hole 202, and toilet mounting hole 112.
Each fastening member 280 includes a T-bolt 282, a T-bolt washer 283, a boot washer 284, a boot barrel nut 285, a toilet flange bolt 286, and a toilet clean cap 287. The boot barrel nut 285 is configured to be fastened to the T-bolt 282 such as to fasten the boot 200 to the flange 250. The toilet flange bolt 286 is configured to be fastened to the boot barrel nut 285 such as to fasten the base 110 of the toilet 100 to the boot 200.
FIGS. 5A-9 illustrate an exemplary method for mounting a toilet to a washroom floor using a boot configured to secure the toilet to the soil pipe disposed in the floor. The toilet 100 may be mounted to a washroom floor using 5 method steps.
The first step includes inserting and positioning the T-bolt 282 of each fastening member 280 into the respective flange mounting holes 252. Each T-bolt 282 receives a T-bolt washer 283.
The second step includes positioning the gasket 270 into the groove 242 of the boot 200 such that the groove 242 retains and secures the gasket 270. Specifically, the groove 242 is designed to securely hold and support the gasket 270, such as a wax ring, preventing the gasket 270 from dislodging or falling out of position.
The third step includes aligning the boot 200 relative to the soil pipe inlet 260. The boot 200 is coupled to the flange 250 of the soil pipe inlet 260 with the gasket 270 (or wax ring) provided therebetween to form a seal to prohibit leaking. During this coupling process, each T-bolt 282 is inserted through its corresponding boot mounting hole 252. For instance, each T-bolt 282 is aligned and inserted into its designated position to ensure proper attachment and to secure a tight seal.
The fourth step includes fastening the boot 200 to the flange 250. Each T-bolt 282 is provided with a boot washer 284 and a boot barrel nut 285. Subsequently, each boot barrel nut 285 is tightened using a hex key (e.g., Allen wrench), firmly fastening the boot 200 to the flange 250. This effectively compresses the gasket 270 between the boot 200 and the flange 250, ensuring a tight and leak-proof seal.
The fifth step includes aligning the base 110 of the toilet 100 over the boot 200 that is coupled to the flange 250. Each T-bolt 282 is aligned and inserted into each respective toilet mounting hole 112. After inserting each T-bolt 282, a toilet flange bolt 286 is threaded and securely fastened onto each respective T-bolt 282. Thus, using a hex key, each toilet flange bolt 286 is tightened to secure the base 110 of the toilet 100 to the boot 200 and the flange 250. A toilet clean cap 287 is then inserted into each toilet mounting hole 112 to neatly cover the toilet flange bolt 286, providing a clean and finished appearance to the installation.
FIG. 10 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a boot 200 configured to secure the base 110 of the toilet 100 to a flange 250 of a soil pipe inlet 260. The boot of FIG. 10 may include any or all of the components of the embodiments described above, except that the toilet flange bolt 286 is omitted. The boot 200 is fluidly connected to a discharge outlet of the toilet 100 disposed at the base 110. The boot 200 is configured to be fluidly connected to the soil pipe inlet 260. The base 110 may include an outer wall 110A having an outer circumference outside of the boot 200 and an inner wall 110B having an inner circumference inside of the boot 200. The width or span of the boot 200 falls between the inner wall 110B and the outer wall 110A. Additional, different or fewer components may be included.
The boot 200 may further include a plurality of boot mounting holes 202 extending through the boot 200. The boot 200 includes two mounting holes 202, however the boot 200 is not limited to two mounting holes and any number of mounting holes may be included. The boot mounting holes 202 may be positioned around the edge of the boot 200 to surround the channel and positioned across from one another. Furthermore, the boot mounting holes 202 are positioned to align with respective toilet mounting holes 112 of the base 110 of the toilet 100 and with respective flange mounting holes 252 of the flange 250 of the soil pipe inlet 260.
The boot 200 also includes a plurality of fastening members 280 configured to fasten the boot 200 to the flange 250 and to the base 110 of the toilet 100. The fastening members 280 are inserted through the flange mounting holes 252, the plurality of boot mounting holes 202, and the toilet mounting holes 112.
For example, as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 4 , each fastening member 280 of the pair of fastening members 280 is inserted through a respective flange mounting hole 252, boot mounting hole 202, and toilet mounting hole 112.
One or more fastening members are configured to fasten the boot 200 to the flange 252 and to the base 110 of the toilet 100 by being respectively inserted through the flange mounting holes 252, the boot mounting holes 202 and the toilet mounting holes 112.
In one example, each fastening member 280 includes a T-bolt 282, a T-bolt washer 283, a boot washer 284, a boot nut 291, a toilet flange bolt 286, and a toilet clean cap 287. The boot nut 291 is configured to be fastened to the T-bolt 282 such as to fasten the boot 200 to the flange 250.
In this example, the T-bolt 282 extends from the toilet mounting holes 112 in the base 110 of the toilet 100 to the flange mounting holes 252 of the flange 252 of the soil pipe inlet. In other words, the T-bolt 282 of the fastening member 280 has a length that is equal to or greater than a distance from the flange 252 to the base 110 of the toilet 100. In this way, the T-bolt 282 is tightened against the boot 200 via the boot washer 284 and boot nut 291, to secure the boot 200 to the floor via the flange 250. Further, the T-bolt 282 of the fastening member 280 is tightened against the toilet 100 via the toilet flange bolt 286 to secure the toilet 100 against the boot 200.
As shown in FIG. 10 , the boot 200 may further include an inner circumference structure configured to mate to the toilet 100 and provide a seal between the floor and the toilet 100 via the boot 200. The boot 200 may include a horizontal wall 292 that extents circumferentially away from the soil pipe inlet 260. The boot 200 includes outer vertical wall 293 and inner vertical wall 295 that support the horizontal wall 292. The outer vertical wall 293 may be a greater distance from the soil pipe inlet 260 than the inner vertical wall 295 but less than that of the outer wall 110A. The inner vertical wall 295 may be spaced closer to the soil pipe inlet 260 than the outer vertical wall 293 but more than that of the inner wall 110B.
The boot 200 may include a gasket from a conical portion 217 and a tubular wall portion 219. The conical portion 217 is slanted or tapered to meet with the inner wall 110B and create a seal or substantial seal between the toilet 100 and the floor. A substantial seal may not be hermetic but be sufficient to prevent water from escaping from the connection between the toilet 100 and the soil pipe inlet 260.
The boot 200 may included a supporting rib 294 having a circular or semicircular shape. The supporting rib 294 is configured to support the gasket having the conical portion 217 and the tubular wall portion 219. In one example, the conical portion 217 extends inward on a first side of the supporting rib 294 and the tubular wall portion 219 extends vertical on a second side of the supporting rib 294.
FIG. 11 includes an example flow chart for the installation of the toilet 100 including the boot 200 as shown by FIG. 10 . Additional, different or fewer acts may be included.
At act S101, the T-bolt 282 of each fastening member 280 is positioned into the respective flange mounting holes 252. Each T-bolt 282 receives a T-bolt washer 283.
At act S103, the wax ring (or other gasket) is mated or otherwise coupled with the boot 200. In some examples, act S103 may be omitted as the wax ring and boot 200 may be previously combined.
At act S105, the boot 200 is aligned with the soil pipe inlet 260 or other flange. During this aligning process, each T-bolt 282 is inserted through its corresponding boot mounting hole 252. For instance, each T-bolt 282 is aligned and inserted into its designated position to ensure proper attachment and to secure a tight seal.
At act S107, the boot 200 is fastened to the flange 250. Each T-bolt 282 is provided with a boot washer 284 and a boot nut 291. Subsequently, each nut 191 is tightened either by hand or using a tool to firmly fasten the boot 200 to the flange 250. This effectively compresses the wax ring between the boot 200 and the flange 250, ensuring a tight and leak-proof seal.
At act S109, the base 110 of the toilet 100 is aligned over the boot 200 that is coupled to the flange 250. Each T-bolt 282 is aligned and inserted into each respective toilet mounting hole 112. After inserting each T-bolt 282, a toilet flange bolt 286 is threaded and securely fastened onto each respective T-bolt 282. Thus, either by hand or using a tool, each toilet flange bolt 286 is tightened to secure the base 110 of the toilet 100 to the boot 200 and the flange 250. A toilet clean cap 287 is then inserted into each toilet mounting hole 112 to neatly cover the toilet flange bolt 286.
FIGS. 12A and 21B illustrates an example implementation of the boot 200. FIG. 12A illustrates a top view of the boot 200 including the boot mounting holes 202. An example collar 298 is illustrates and may be adapted according to any of the examples described herein. The underside of the boot 200, illustrated by FIG. 12B, includes a cavity 299 having a substantially circular shape (e.g., ring shape) and is configured to hold a wax ring. In other words, during installation, the wax ring is placed in the cavity 299 of the boot 200. In some examples the wax ring and the tool may be combined in a single unit (e.g., such that the wax ring and the boot 200 are shipped, sold, and/or provided to the user as a single unit).
The toilets described here, equipped with boots, offer a secure attachment to the flange of a soil pipe inlet embedded in a washroom floor. By firmly holding the gasket between the toilet base and the soil pipe inlet flange, the boot ensures a dependable seal. Connecting the boot to the flange of the soil pipe inlet and tightening it effectively compresses the gasket into place. Additionally, the boot's design allows for effortless coupling or decoupling of the toilet base, simplifying toilet replacements without the need to remove or replace the original gasket.
When a component, device, element, or the like of the present disclosure is described as having a purpose or performing an operation, function, or the like, the component, device, or element should be considered herein as being “configured to” meet that purpose or to perform that operation or function.
As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited in the appended claims.
It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, as used herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).
The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic.
The term “or” as used herein, is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is understood to convey that an element may be either X, Y, Z; X and Y; X and Z; Y and Z; or X, Y, and Z (i.e., any combination of X, Y, and Z). Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present, unless otherwise indicated.
References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.
Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order of method steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depicted and described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unless specified differently above. Such variation may depend, for example, on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations of the described methods could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps, and decision steps.
It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the system as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Additionally, any element disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein. Although only one example of an element from one embodiment that can be incorporated or utilized in another embodiment has been described above, it should be appreciated that other elements of the various embodiments may be incorporated or utilized with any of the other embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising:

a boot configured to be coupled at a first side to a base of a toilet and at a second side to a flange of a soil pipe inlet;

a plurality of boot mounting holes extending through the boot from the first side to the second side, the plurality of boot mounting holes aligning with respective toilet mounting holes of the base of the toilet and aligning with respective flange mounting holes of the flange of the soil pipe inlet; and

a plurality of fastening members configured to fasten the boot to the flange and to the base of the toilet by being respectively inserted through the flange mounting holes, the plurality of boot mounting holes and the toilet mounting holes,

wherein the plurality of fastening members includes a T-bolt and a toilet flange bolt, and the T-bolt extends from the toilet mounting holes in the base of the toilet to the flange mounting holes of the flange of the soil pipe inlet.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the boot comprises a channel extending through the boot from the first side of the boot to the second side of the boot, and wherein the channel is configured to fluidly communicate a discharge outlet of the toilet with the soil pipe inlet.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the channel is configured to receive the discharge outlet disposed in the base of the toilet.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the boot further comprises a groove defined along a path on a surface of the second side of the boot surrounding the channel, and wherein the groove is configured to receive a gasket.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the groove is configured to retain and secure the gasket such that the gasket does not separate from the boot.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the boot is configured to compress the gasket against the flange of the soil pipe inlet to provide a seal to prohibit leaking.

7. A toilet comprising:

a bowl;

a base;

a passageway in fluid communication with the bowl and a discharge outlet disposed in the base;

a boot configured to be coupled at a first side to the base and at a second side to a flange of a soil pipe inlet;

a plurality of fastening members configured to fasten the boot to the flange and to the base of the toilet by being respectively inserted through the flange mounting holes, the plurality of boot mounting holes, and the toilet mounting holes,

wherein the plurality of fastening members includes a T-bolt, a boot barrel nut, and a toilet flange bolt, and

wherein the boot barrel nut is configured to be fastened to the T-bolt such as to fasten the boot to the flange, and the toilet flange bolt is configured to be fastened to the boot barrel nut such as to fasten the base of the toilet to the boot.

8. The toilet of claim 7, wherein the boot comprises a channel extending through the boot from the first side to the second side of the boot, and wherein the channel is configured to fluidly communicate the discharge outlet of the toilet with the soil pipe inlet.

9. The toilet of claim 8, wherein the channel is configured to receive the discharge outlet disposed in the base of the toilet.

10. The toilet of claim 9, wherein the boot further comprises a groove defined along a path on a surface of the second side of the boot surrounding the channel, and wherein the groove is configured to receive a gasket.

11. The toilet of claim 10, wherein the groove is configured to retain and secure the gasket such that the gasket does not separate from the boot.

12. The toilet of claim 10, wherein the boot is configured to compress the gasket against the flange of the soil pipe inlet so as to provide a seal to prohibit leaking.

13. A method for mounting a toilet to a flange of a soil pipe inlet of a washroom, the method comprising:

aligning a lower side of a boot to the flange and an upper side of the boot to a base of the toilet, the boot including a plurality of boot mounting holes extending through the boot from the lower side to the upper side;

aligning the plurality of boot mounting holes with respective toilet mounting holes of the base of the toilet and with respective flange mounting holes of the flange of the soil pipe inlet;

inserting a plurality of fastening members through the flange mounting holes, the plurality of boot mounting holes, and the toilet mounting holes, the plurality of fastening members including a T-bolt and a toilet flange bolt; and

fastening the toilet flange bolt to the T-bolt to secure the base of the toilet to the boot.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the boot is configured to be fluidly coupled at the upper side to a discharge outlet disposed in the base of the toilet and at the lower side to the soil pipe inlet.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the boot comprises a channel extending through the boot from the lower side to the upper side of the boot, and wherein the channel is configured to fluidly communicate the discharge outlet of the toilet with the soil pipe inlet.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the channel is configured to receive the discharge outlet disposed in the base of the toilet.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the boot further comprises a groove defined along a path on a surface of the lower side of the boot surrounding the channel, and wherein the groove is configured to receive a gasket.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the groove is configured to retain and secure the gasket such that the gasket does not separate from the boot.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the boot is configured to compress the gasket against the flange of the soil pipe inlet so as to provide a seal to prohibit leaking.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising inserting the gasket into the groove of the boot before aligning and securing the boot to the flange of the soil pipe inlet.