US2611949A - Toilet tank fitting holding tool - Google Patents

Description

Se t. 30, 1952 s. W'ANAMAKERH" j 2,611,949

TOILET TAN K FITTING HOLDING TOOL Filed Oct. 8, 1949 Patented Sept. 30, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,611,949

TOILET TANK FITTING HOLDING TOOL Seth Wanamaker, Ramsey, N. J. Applioation'october 8, 1949, Serial No. 120,256

- .5 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a tool for assembling or disassembling a fitting such as the outlet fitting in a toilet tank.

The conventional toilet tank now employed in homes is made of ceramic materials such as fired clay or porcelain. The outlet connection to such tank is made by means of an outlet fitting disposed within the tank, a threaded extension on the fitting extending through a hole in the bottom of the tank, the sealing of the fitting to the tank and the holding of it in position, respectively, being accomplished by means of gaskets interposed between the fitting and the tank, and a nut exteriorly of the tank threaded on the extension of the fitting.

Because of the depth of the tank, it is very difficult, if not impossible, for a plumber in installing such fitting or in removing it from the tank, to hold the fitting from rotation while he is manipulating the fitting holding nut. Consequently, such operations usually require the efforts of two plumbers. When one plumber is working alone in such operations, it is sometimes the practice to block the outlet fittingagainst rotation as by interposing wooden blocks or the like between the fitting and the tank side walls. Such expedients are time consuming, and are uncertain in their effects. Furthermore, since the toilet tank is ordinarily made of ceramic materials, it is possible if such blocking is crudely done or if undue torque is exerted on the nut, so to wedge the blocking against the sides of the tank as to break the tank.

It is accordingly among the objects of the present invention to provide a simple, light, easily carried and easily applied fitting assembling and disassembling tool to make possible the above described fitting assembling and disassembling operations by one plumber.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a tool of the type described which minimizes the possibility of breakage of the toilet tank during the fitting assembling and disassembling operations.

These and further objects of-the invention will be more readily apparent in the following descrip-, tion of a preferred embodiment of the fitting assembling tool of the invention.

In the drawing accompanying the specification and forming a part thereof:

Fig. 1 is a view in plan of a toilet tank with the discharge fitting assembled therein and with the assembling fixture of the invention applied to such fitting;

. Fig. 2 is a view in vertical section through the tank, such view being taken from one side of the discharge fitting in the tank;

Fig. 3 is a view in plan of the fitting assembling tool of the invention; and o Fig. 4 is a View in end elevation of the assembling tool shown in Fig. 3;

The outlet fitting for the tank 4 is designated generally by the reference character 2. Fittin 2 has a large outlet opening in thelarger rounded end portion 8, such opening leading to the conventional toilet bowl. Tank 4 is shown as having the conventional inlet pipe accommodating opening 8 therein, the inlet pipe, the ball andvalve, and the means selectively closing the outlet open ing in fitting 2 of the tank beingomitted. Fitting 2 has a partially oval extension In on one side thereof,- as is clearly apparent in Figs. land 2, the extension In lying in a plane parallel to the bottom of the tank 4. At the end of extension H], which is hollow, there is provided an upstanding tapped boss l2 into which fits an overflow pipe (not shown) for the tank. As is well known, the shut-off ball or'valve by which connection is effected between the interior of the tank and the delivery pipe to the toilet bowl fits within the upper end of the opening in the portion 8 of the fitting.

Fitting 2 is held in the tank by means of the threaded extension I4 on the bottom of, the fitting, such extension fitting through a hole in the bottom of the tank. Extension I4 also afiords the means of makin a connection .between the fitting 2 and the pipe leading to the toilet bowl. Nut I6 is threaded on extension l4 exteriorly of the tank bottom, as shown in Fig. 2. Sealing is effected between fitting 2 and the tank by means of gaskets, in the illustrative embodiment shown two such gaskets being employed, one at 18 being disposed between the bottom of fitting 2 and the inner bottom surface of tank 4, and the other, 20,

being disposed between the outer bottom surface of tank 4 and the upper surface of nut [6.

It will be seen that, assuming that the thread onextension l4 of the fitting is a right-hand thread, when the plumber tightens the nut 16 in installing the fitting 2, such fitting, when unheld, will tend to turn counter-clockwise, as the fitting is shown inFig. 1. Upon disassembly of the fitting from the tank, the fitting 2 will tend to turn clockwise, as it is shown in such figure. V

The assembly. fixture of the invention, designated generally 22, is designed to hold fitting 2. in a substantially fixed position within the tank 4 and to allow such assembly and disassembly operations to be carried'on byone manworking from beneath the tank. The assembly fixture 22 has a main body portion generally of U-shape, the central or bight portion of the body being designated 24 and the two legs thereof, which extend generally parallel to each other, being designated 25 and 28, respectively. The inner bottom corners of such legs are relatively sharp, that is they preferably have an included solid angle of 90 or,- less. Such corners are desig nated 303and32, respectively. Fixture. 22 ismade of such size, and the inner surf-ace thereof within the U is made of such shape, that the fixture fits; over the extension of the fitting in the manner shown in Fig. 1. As shown in such figure, legs 26 and 28 of the fixture extend parallel to the sides of extension [0 of the fixture for a substantial distance, the corners 30 and 32= having intimate and tight contact with thesides of the extension It! at points materially spaced from the outer endof the extension. The inner configuration of body portion 24 ofthe fixture is made such that preferably there. exists. a substantial gap 34- between the inner surface of the bight portion 24 ofthe fixture and the outer end surface of the extension ill ofthe fixture.

The U-shaped, body of the fixture is of such height, as it lies on the tank bottom, that the arms extend upwardly to. a distance which is at least a substantial part of the height of extension H1. Preferably. the U-shaped body, including arms26. and 28, is of a height at least equal to that of extension I 0. When the assembly fixture, is of such configuration relative to the fitting 2, it is stably held on the extension ID of; the fitting by means of the biting engagement between. thev edges 30 and 32 of the assembly fixture and the elongated sides. of the extension. I0...

In. Fig. 1, the fitting 2 is shown disposed'a distance D from the u per (as there shown) side of tank 4, and a distance D from the lower (as there shown) side of such tank. As is evident,- the. distance D substantially exceeds the distance D. Fonthis reason the two tank side. engaging buffers on thefixture. 22. are. of diiierent lengths, as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4. The first such buffer. comprising boss 36 is the shorter. Such boss extendsv angul'arly from body 22, asshown. in. Fig. 3, andhas disposed on its. outer end the. rubber cap. member 40. The. second, longer, buffer comp-rising boss 38 is likewise angularly disposed: with respect to the, vertical axis of the body of;.fixture-.22, as it is shownin Fig. 3. Boss 38 has; telescoped thereover the rubber cap member 42. The. distance L between the outer corner portions. of the. rubber caps 40 and 42 is made suchthat it is slightly smaller than the widthW of. the tank 4. The fixture 22may thus be readily installed in the position shown in Fig. 1. when the extension in of the fitting 2 extends longitudinally of the tank. Bosses 35 and 38 diverge angularlyfrom each other and from aplane at right. angles to the U-shaped body of fixture 22 and: positioned parallel. to and midway between legs 2.6 and28.

By; reason. of. the. internal configuration of the U.-shaped. body of the assembly fixture, the fixture remains stably on extension I0 when. so placed, even though no further holding means for it is employed.

It, is. preferred, however, that fixture 22 be held. onfitting 2 by further. means,.so that there isfno. possibility of" the dislodging of'the assembly. fixture from its assembled position. The additional holding means of" the preferred em:-

bodiment takes the form of a chain 44, a serially connected coil tension spring 46, and a hook 48 attached to the other end of the spring. Chain 44 is attached to the laterally projecting boss 50 on the outer side of leg 26 of the assembly fixture, as shown more clearly in Fig. 3. On the outer side of leg 28 of the assembly fixture there is provided an elongated boss 52, over which the hook 48 may, be. engaged. Spring 46 has turns of, such diameter that th'eyfit readily within the annular groove 54 provided about the portion 8 ct fitting 2 in that portion which is opposite the extension I0 thereof.

Fixture'22 isfirst applied to extension I 0 as shown inFig, 1. The free end portion of spring 46 is then bent around part 8 of fitting 2 so as tofit within-theannular groove 54 therein. The length. of spring 46, taken in connection with the length of chain 44 and that of hook 48, is such that when hook 48 is placed over boss 52, with the fixture assembled as shown, the spring 46 is under-appreciable tension.

The manner in which the fixture is used" will; it isbelieved; be apparentfrom the foregoing description of it. When the fitting 2- is being assembled intank 4, fixture 22- is, of course, assembled on" extension In of the fitting as shown. The turning of nut It by a plumber-working from beneath the tank 4 will result'in the swinging of extension [0 offitting' 2 in a counterclockwise direction. Such swinging; however, continues; for only that; limited extent necessary for' the. outer edge of rubber bumper- 40' tocontact the bottom sideof' tank 4, as such tank-isshown in Fig. 1.. From. this point on, regardless of the amount/of tighteningof nut I6, the fixture 2' is prevented from further turning. In the reverse operation, that is the disassembly offitting 2 from the tank" 4, the nut I6; isturned in the reverse, direction. Thereupon extension ll] of fitting 2-swings.clockwise, as it-is shown in Fig. 1, only to that extent sufli'cient' to bring the outer corner of rubber bumper 42 in contact with the upper: innersurfaceof" tank 4' as it is shown in Fig. 1.

The assembly fixture. of the invention is simple, lightin' construction'and' is cheaply made. The main" body portion maybe made of cast iron or; steel; or of any other metaLof' sufiicient toughness and strength sufficient to withstand" substantial mechanical shocks and to insure. that the inner corners 30 and 32'of'the legs do not become unduly bluntedduring use. Because the outer ends of the bufi'ers, that is, the. caps on bosses 36 and 3.8 engage. the. side walls of tank 4' at. material distances. from; the vertical axis. of the. threaded extension I4. of fitting; 2, the stress. upon the tank sidewalls is muchless thanritwould. be. if. blocking extending at right angles. to. the longitudinalaxis. of. extension. I Dof the fitting and th.e:t ankwa11.0r walls were employed; Thusthe. tool of; the. invention may. be employed safelywith tanks made of brittle material. such, as-clay or porcelain. Ordinarily it requires more. torque on:nut. IE: to disassemble the fitting 2 (than to: as-

semble it. Theuse of: thelong boss:38;is; therefore, of advantage in l'esseningthe stress; on the.

tankin: the disassembly operation.

Whereas for purposes of illustration Ihave described? and shown a preferred embodiment of the fitting assembling and disassembling tool of my invention, it'will be obvious that the tool of the invention is capable of considerable variation as to-details. Thescope-ofmy-invention is therefor to be defined by the claims-appended I'claim as new the;following:' p r L 1. An assembling and disassembling fixture for the outlet fitting of .a toilet tank, saidputlet fitting having a rounded end portion having the maindischarge opening ther'ethrough and a laterally extending hollow portion having the overflow connection therein, said fitting lying on. the bottom of the tank, the fixture comprising a main body portion of generally U configuration, the legs of the, .bodyportion lying generally parallelto each other and being spaced sufficientlyto embrace the sidesfuriaces of theLextension on the fitting and of such length as toextend alonga m'ajor portionfof'the length of such extension of thefittingthe innerv confronthereto.

tank, .and means toretainthe fixture in. the re cited -assembledposition on the fitting, such" last;

named means comprising a flexible member de-i signed to fit within'theannular groove-.on -rthe,

shapedsbodyiof theafixture, and means for attache ing edges being sharp, two buiiers on the outer surface of the bight of the U-shaped body, one buffer extending generally opposite to one leg and the other buffer extending generally opposite the other leg, the distance between the outer corners of the buffers being at least slightly less than the width of the toilet tank.

2. An assembling and disassembling fixture for the outlet fitting of a toilet tank, said outlet fitting having a rounded end portion having the main discharge opening therethrough and a laterally extending hollow portion having the overflow connection therein, said fitting lying on the bottom of the tank, the fixture comprising a main body portion of generally U configuration, the legs of the body portion lyin generally parallel to each other and being spaced sufiiciently to embrace the side surfaces of the extension on the fitting and of such length as to extend along a major portion of the length of such extension of the fitting, the legs having a height which is at least a substantial part of the height of the extension on the fitting, the inner confronting edges of the legs of the U-shaped body having included solid angles of no more than 90, two bufiers on the outer surface of the bight of the U-shaped body, one buffer extending generally opposite to one leg and the other buifer extending generally opposite the other leg, the distance between the outer cornersof the buffers bein at least slightly less than the width of the toilet tank, and means to retain the fixture in the recited assembled position on the fitting.

3. An assembling and disassembling fixture for the outlet fitting of a toilet tank, said outlet fitting having 'a rounded end portion having the main discharge opening therethrough and a laterally extending hollow portion having the overflow connection therein, said fitting lying on the bottom of the tank, the rounded end of the fitting having an annular groove thereabout, the

fixture comprising a main body portion of generally U configuration, the legs of the body portion lying generally parallel to each other and being spaced sufficiently to embrace the side surfaces of the extension on the fitting and of such length as to extend along a major portion of the length of such extension of the fitting, the U- shaped body of the fixture having a height which is at least a substantial part of the height of the extension on the fitting, the inner confronting edges of the legs of the U-shaped body having included solid angles of no more than 90, two buffers on the outer surface of the bight of the U-- shaped body, one buifer extending generally opposite to one leg and the other buffer extending mg the other end ofthe flexible memberunder tension, when about the rounded-end of:the':fit-

' ting, to such other leg of the U-shaped body.

- 4. An assembling and. ,disassemblingv fixture for the? outlet fitting of, }a toilet tank, saidiyoutlet fitting having a rounded-end; portion having the main discharge opening therethrough and a being spaced suiiiciently to embrace the side sur faces of the extension on the fitting, and of such length as to extend along a major portion of the length of such extension of the fitting, the U-shaped bodyof the fixture having a height which is at least a substantial part of the height of the extension onthe fitting, the inner confronting edges of the legs of the U-shaped body having included solid angles of no more than 90, two bufiers on the outer surface of the bight of the U-shaped body, one buffer extending generally oppositeto one leg and the other buffer extending generally opposite the other leg, the distance between the outer corners of the buffers being at least slightly less than the width of the toilet tank, and means to retain the fixture in the recited assembled position on the fitting, such last named means comprising an elongated coil spring having turns of such diameter as to fit within the annular groove'on the rounded end of the fitting, means-including a flexible member attaching one end of the spring to one leg of the fUeshaped body of the fixture, and means for atoverflow connection therein,- said fitting lying on generally opposite the other leg, the distance between the outer corners of the buifers being at least slightly less than the width of the toilet the bottom of the tank, the rounded end of the fitting having an annular groove thereabout, the fixture comprising a main body portion of generally U configuration, the legs of the body portion lying generally parallel to each other and being spaced sufiiciently to embrace the side surfaces of the extensionon th fitting, and of such length as to extend along a major portion of the length of such extension of the fitting, the U-shaped body of the fixture having a height at least substantially as great as the'height of that of the extension on the fitting, the inner confronting edges of thelegs of the U-shaped body having included solid-angles of no more than two buffers on the, outer surface of the bight erally opposite to one leg and the other buffer extending generally opposite the other leg, each buifer' including atits outer end an elastomeric cap member, the distance between the outer cor- .ners of the caps being at least slightly less than H the width of the toilet tank, and means to retain anew" T I the fixture m. the recited: assembled. position on I such last named means compnsm The folluwing references-are of" record" in the an; elongated coil spring having turns of such of-fims agent: diameter asrto fit within the annular groove on the? rounded: end; at thefitting, means. including: 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS a flexible-member attaching oneendvnf the spring Number Name- Datetoitheruutersideof. one leg of the U-shaped body 672,162 Burdic et a1; .Apr. 16,1901; at the fixture, and means including a, boss on the 689,059 Britton Dec 17,1901; outer side of the other leg of the U-shaped body 1,455,61'2 Heeten May$15,,1923- and at book on the free end of the coil spring 10 11,5FL2J67' Ostheimer June15, 1925 for attacking such spring under tension, when TE NT about the rounded end of the fitting, to such other FOREIGN" PA S Ieg' oi: the U-shapedbody. Number 1 Country Date.

I 746,310 Erance Mar. 12 1933 SEfiH- QTHER; REFERENCES:

Ame can Machinist; page" 89, Ma-y' 11; 1944-.

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