US3271054A - Fitting for batteries of wall mounted wall closets - Google Patents

Description

J H SCHMID Sept. 6, 1966 FITTING FOR BATTERIES OF WALL MOUNTED WALL CLOSETS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed July 27. 1961 O R LI INVENTOR. H, SGHMID JOHN J. H. SCHMID Sept. 6, 1966 FITTING FOR BATTERIES OF WALL MOUNTED WALL CLOSETS Original Filed July 27. 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ZIVVZIVTOR JOHN H. Sum n0 United States Patent 3,271,054 FITTING FOR BATTERIES OF WALL MOUNTED WALL CLOSETS John H. Schmid, Erie, Pa., assignor t0 Zurn Industries, Inc, Erie, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Continuation of application Ser. No. 127,248, July 27,

1961. This application Oct. 23, 1965, Ser. No. 503,984

4 Claims. (Cl. 28593) This application is a continuation of patent application, Serial No. 127,248, filed July 27, 1961, and now abandoned.

This invention relates to water closet supports and, more particularly, to the type of Water closet supports used to support water closets known as wall type water closets.

The invention relates more particularly to wall type Water closet supports which support water closets in batteries of a number of closets each along a generally horizontal waste line. It is necessary for a horizontal waste line to incline toward its outlet or toward the soil stack into which it empties. It is also necessary to have each closet of such a battery supported at the same height above the floor but with the connection to the horizontal waste line from each closet being slightly lower than the one upstream therefrom to accommodate the incline or pitch of the waste line toward the soil stack or sewer. It is difficult to make the necessary vertical adjustment of the connection from the closet to the waste line with ordinary pipe fittings. It has become common practice to obtain this adjustment by complex connecting mechanisms.

It has also been common practice to obtain the necessary vertical adjustment by connecting the closet directly to the waste line by means of a face plate having an opening therein communicating with the'closet on one side and communicating with a vertically elongated branch opening in the waste line on the other side. In other applications of a similar type fitting, a special fitting in the line has a vertically elongated boss on the branch which could be drilled at various heights to accommodatte the pitch of the waste line. All of these methods require heavy expensive fittings and considerable installation labor.

In the conception of the present invention, it was considered that the closet could be connected to the waste line by means of a modified Z-shaped conduit arm having the plane of its center line generally parallel to the center line of the waste line and swingably connected to the waste line at one end and to the closet at the other, thereby providing the vertical adjustment required. This presented several problems, however. Since the spacing of one closet from the other in a battery of closets is limited, the connecting conduit would form a relatively short radius and, therefore, there would be a relatively large lateral movement of the closet and of the conduit for any vertical adjustment.

This would result in an erratic .spacing of the closets. Also, the flow pattern at the point of entry into the waste line would have to be sanitary and in accordance with sound plumbing practice. In addition, the plane of the inlet opening of the conduit would have to be vertical and parallel to the center line of the waste line for all positions of the conduit and the assembly would have to be rigid enough to prevent undue fiexure of the conduit under the load of the water closet and user thereof.

The spacing of closets is specified by the architect of the building in which the closets are to be installed. This spacing of closets in a battery is usually in the range of from thirty to thirty-six inches. Therefore, the length of arm used to connect each closet to the line would be limited to thirty inches or less in a direction parallel to the waste line. Since the curvature of an arc of thirty Patented Sept. 6, 1966 inches or less is substantial, the spacing of the closets along the line would vary substantially from upstream end to downstream end of the line. This variation is indicated in FIG. 9 of the drawings.

The present invention contemplates using the above principle of mounting a conduit arm on the waste line fitting so that one end of the arm may be swung in a path in order to get a vertical adjustment of the fitting relative to the water closet. It also contemplates a structure to correct lateral displacement of the closet along the are through which is would ordinarily be swung in order that the closet will experience no substantial lateral displacement from uniform spacing along a battery of closets.

In one form of the present invention, the latter is accomplished by a pivot point eccentric to the center of the inlet to the waste line from the arm about which the are through which a closet attached to the arm is swung so that the closets can be adjusted vertically without substantial horizontal movement. By properly selecting such an eccentric point, the distal end of the arm will have a minimum of horizontal displacement from a median point.

By utilizing a combination of an eccentric pivot point relative to the conduit arm outlet along with the large arc through which the other end of the fitting may be swung, a substantial vertical adjustment can be accomplished without substantial horizontal variation of the closet position and, yet, the fitting arm can be maintained relatively short.

In another embodiment of the invention, elongated openings are provided in the waste line for the closets and each closet is connected to the waste line by a short conduit arm having an apertured plate attached to its outlet. The plate is connected to the waste line by studs which are received in curved slots in the plate. The studs allow the plate to move laterally to compensate for the lateral movement due to the curvature of the arcuate path through which the distal end would swing but for the compensation.

For sanitary flow characteristics from a horizontal plumbing waste branch, the entry from the branch should be at an angle in the order of forty-five degrees or less to the center line of the waste line. A swinging branch arm of the type described cannot be assembled from standard pipe fittings to meet this requirement and still keep the plane of the inlet end vertical and parallel to the center line of the waste line for all positions of the arm. If a ninety degree T is used in the waste line, the flow is unsanitary. If a forty-five degree T is used, vertical adjustment is lost.

By using a modified Z-shaped branch arm having its outlet join the waste line with center lines at fortyafive degrees but connecting to the waste fitting at a plane parallel to the waste line and perpendicular to the floor, it is possible to swing the arm through an appreciable arc while still maintaining sanitary flow characteristics and keeping the plane of the inlet vertical and parallel to the center line of the waste line. Coincidental with this design, the outlet of the arm acquires an elongated or elliptical cross section which, with an encircling boss or flange, creates a very strong, rigid section at the point of maximum stress in the arm so that it will support a face plate and water closet with minimum flexure.

The fittings disclosed herein have numerous advantages over fittings presently available. For example, since .the fitting is made up principally of a fitting member and an arm, each being relatively slender pieces, several of them can be molded in a single mold. The opening into the waste line fitting can 'be small and, therefore, requires a smaller fitting than in previous arrangements, Such fittings as disclosed are usually made of cast iron or brass for connecting in copper lines.

It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide an improved support for water closets.

Another object of the invention is to provide a support for water closets wherein the closet outlet is connected to the waste line through a conduit arm swingably in an arc whose plane is parallel to the waste line.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a support for water closets wherein a vertical adjustment of the waste fittings in a battery of closets is accomplished by swinging a short conduit arm about a pivot eccentric to the outlet of the arm.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved fitting in combination with a generally horizontally disposed waste line for connecting a water closet thereto wherein means is provided to compensate for horizontal displacement of the closet throughout the path of movement of the connecting arm.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved fitting and waste line combination wherein an arm is connected to a line through a shaped opening and the arm is slidably connected to the line to compensate for lateral adjustment relative to the fitting.

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention consists of the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the form, size, proportions, and minor details of construction without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top view of the combination fitting according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of part of the fitting shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a part of the fitting shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8 are views of other embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a typical installation.

Now with more particular reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a fitting 10 adapted to be supported as one of a series of such fittings which, with spacer pipes between them, comprise a horizontal waste line. The fitting 10 has a hub 11 on one end thereof which is suitable for connecting it by means of a caulked joint in a waste line. An end 12 is suitable to he received in a hub such as hub 11 of a similar fitting such as shown. The laying length of the fitting could be thirty-six inches, for example, which is a standard spacing for water closets set in batteries, therefore eliminating the need for pipe spacers.

The fitting has a bell shaped boss 34 defining a vent opening 13 suitable for connecting a conventional vent pipe. An elongated opening 14 is formed in the side of the fitting 10 and a boss 15 is supported around this opening. The boss 15 forms a border for the opening 14. The boss has an outside finished surface 16 with peripherally spaced, thereaded openings 17, 18 and 19 formed therein.

A hollow swinging Z-shaped arm 20 has an intermediate generally straight part 21 disposed generally parallel to the fitting and an end 22 is turned outwardly generally at right angles thereto. An end 23 is open generally toward the fitting.

A flange 24 is integrally attached to the arm 20 and forms a border around the-opening in the end 23. The flange 24 has a generally contoured outside peripheral surface and it is pivotally connected to the fitting 10 by means of a pivot bolt 25. The 'bolt 25 extends through a hole 26 in the flange 24 and threadably engages the opening 19 in the fitting.

The heads of bolts in .the openings 17 and 18 overlie the flange 24 and may clamp and thereby fasten it in position on the fitting. Lugs 29 and 30 form outwardly extending stops which engage the stop bolt in the opening 17 in extreme positions of the arm 20 so that the movement of the arm is limited.

A face plate for supporting the closet will normally be supported on the end of the arm adjacent the threaded end 22. Ears 31 are integrally attached to the end 22. The cars 31 will engage the face plate and prevent it from moving out of position when suitably bolted together. Slots for the bolts in the face plate permit it to be located in vertical position for all positions of the arm. An outlet 33 from the boss 34 defining the opening 13 of the vent pipe is above a top edge 35 of the hollow in the fitting 10. Therefore, even though the fitting is becoming full, any liquid therein will not obstruct the vent. Since the vent opens to the arm and above the top edge 35, even though the fitting 10 is full, the branch will be vented.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a fitting 310 is shown having a vent 313 as in FIG. 4. The fitting has a hub 311 for receiving an end such as end 312 of another pipe in the waste line. A swinging arm 321 is integrally attached to a plate 323 and the plate 323 is connected to the fitting. The plate 323 has a short top slot 325 and arcuate long slots 329 and 330. These slots each receive one of the bolts 317, 318, and 319, which connect the hollow swinging arm 321 to the fitting 310. An outlet is threaded at 322 to receive a suitable lock nut and lugs 331 are provided to support a suitable face plate restrained between them and the lock nut.

When the device is installed in a waste line pitched toward the outlet end, the difference in height between the elongated opening in the side of the fitting and the outlet from the closet can be accomplished and compensated for by swinging the arm 321 on the bolts 317, 318, and 319. To compensate for lateral movement through the arc of swinging movement of the threaded end 322, the arm can be adjusted laterally to compensate for arcuate movement by plate 323 sliding backward on the bolt 318 in the slot 325 so that uniform spacing of the closets can be maintained. Thus, the movement is similar to but not the same as in FIG. 1 as there is no fixed pivot point within the confines of the plate 323. This will make it possible to maintain exact spacing of the closets.

The bolts 317, 318, and 319 slide in the slots 325, 329, and 330 in the swinging arm flange as shown and are located in fixed positions on the fitting. This makes possible a motion of both rotation and translation of the threaded outlet end 322. Many slot arrangements are possible; however, the one shown is illustrative. The motion resulting from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 allows the closet to be located more precisely in a horizontal position than the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 where extreme accuracy is required since the rotation is about a fixed center in the first embodiment while in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the vertical motion of the inlet end of the swinging arm may be maintained in a straight line.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a fitting has a hub 411 and an outlet 412 with a hollow swinging arm 421 connected thereto as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. In the present embodiment, the arm 421 swings and it connects to the fitting in the same manner as in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4; however, in this embodiment, a cam locking arrangement 439 is connected to the boss defining the vent opening by means of a bolt or stud 440 and the swinging cam 439 has an overlying flange 446 with a contoured surface 441 which overlies a flange 443 on a flange 424.

The swinging cam 439 may be calibrated with numerals 1, 2, 3, 4 for example, and these numerals are adapted to align with the corresponding numerals on the flange 424. The cam is so shaped that when the swinging arm 421 is swung to a position shown to align, for instance, numeral 2 on the cam with numeral 2 on the flange, it will indicate that outlet 422 is swung upward a predetermined amount above the second closet in the line of the given pitch or a fixed amount above the center line of the fitting. By using the calibrations, a plumber can readily determine at what position to lock the swinging arm 421 for any closet in the line. For example, the first closet on the upstream end of the battery might be connected with the cam in the number 1 calibration position, the second in number 2, the third in number 3, and the fourth in number 4. Additional calibrations could be added.

The foregoing specification sets forth the invention in its preferred practical forms but the structure shown is capable of modification within a range of equivalents without departing from the invention which is to be understood is broadly novel as is commensurate with the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A fitting for connecting a closet in a generally horizontal line slightly inclined toward the outlet comprising a hollow member having means on the ends thereof for connecting it in said line,

a hollow arm disposed generally parallel to said line,

an opening in one side of said hollow member,

said opening being longer in a horizontal direction than its height,

a finished outwardly disposed surface around said opena finished surface on said arm around a hollow end thereof engaging said finished surface on said hollow member,

pivot means swingably connecting said arm to said member,

said pivot means being attached to said member above and on the side of said opening remote from the distal end of said arm whereby said distal end swings through a generally vertical line,

said arm having a peripheral edge defining a curve of predetermined shape,

a cam swingably connected to said hollow member,

an edge of said cam engaging said curved edge,

said cam and said hollow member adjacent said peripheral edge having calibration marks indicating the position to which said distal end of said arm is swung.

2. A drainage system comprising a hollow body having a longitudinal central axis adapted to be connected in a drain line,

a flange defining an opening in one side of said hollow body,

a generally Z-shaped, hollow rigid arm having an inlet end and an outlet end and an elongated intermediate P a flange at said outlet end defining an opening,

said opening in said body being substantially larger than said opening at said outlet end of said arm,

each of said flanges being radially extending from their respective arm and body,

said flange on said outlet end of said arm being so sized and shaped with respect to the flange on said body as to completely overlie and seal the edges of said opening in said hollow body when moved to any permissible angle of adjustment with respect thereto,

connecting means on said inlet end of said rigid arm to connect a water closet thereto,

means swingably connecting said flanges to permit relative movement between said body and said rigid arm to thereby swing said arm relative to said body through a range of angular positions and to move said connecting means in a substantially straight line generally perpendicular to said axis of said fitting body,

the openings in said body and arm being in full, un-

restricted fluid flow communication at all angular positions of adjustment,

and fastening means to secure said flanges in fluid tight adjusted position.

3. The fitting recited in claim 2 wherein said swingable connecting means comprises at least two bolts attached to said fitting and extending therefrom,

and spaced slots in one said flange receiving a part of said bolts,

said bolts being slidable in said slots when said arm is swung relative to said fitting.

4. The fitting recited in claim 2 wherein said swingable connecting means comprises a hole in said flange,

and a pivot bolt in said fitting extending through said flange,

said arm, when unfastened, being adapted to swing around said bolt.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,473,439 11/1923 Marsh 285-455 CARL W. TOMLIN, Primary Examiner.

T. F. CALLAGHAN, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A FITTING FOR CONNECTING A CLOSET IN A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL LINE SLIGHTLY TOWARD THE OUTLET COMPRISING A HOLLOW MEMBER HAVING MEANS ON THE ENDS THEREOF FOR CONNECTING IT IN SAID LINE, A HOLLOW ARM DISPOSED GENERALLY PARALLEL TO SAID LINE, AN OPENING IN ONE SIDE OF SAID HOLLOW MEMBER, SAID OPENING BEING LONGER IN A HORIZONTAL DIRECTION THAN ITS HEIGHT, A FINISHED OUTWARDLY DISPOSED SURFACE AROUND SAID OPENING, A FINISHED SURFACE ON SAID ARM AROUND A HOLLOW END THEREOF ENGAGING SAID FINISHED SURFACE ON SAID HOLLOW MEMBER, PIVOT MEANS SWINGABLY CONNECTING SAID ARM TO SAID MEMBER, SAID PIVOT MEANS BEING ATTACHED TO SAID MEMBER ABOVE AND ON THE SIDE OF SAID OPENING REMOTE FROM THE DISTAL END OF SAID ARM WHEREBY SAID DISTAL END SWINGS THROUGH A GENERALLY VERTICAL LINE, SAID ARM HAVING A PERIPHERAL EDGE DEFINING A CURVE OF PREDETERMINED SHAPE, A CAM SWINGABLY CONNECTED TO SAID HOLLOW MEMBER, AN EDGE OF SAID CAM ENGAGING SAID CURVED EDGE, SAID CAM AND SAID HOLLOW MEMBER ADJACENT SAID PERIPHERAL EDGE HAVING CALIBRATION MARKS INDICATING THE POSITION TO WHICH SAID DISTAL END OF SAID ARM IS SWUNG.

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