Closet bolt

• US 4,907,923 A
• Filed: 08/25/1988
• Issued: 03/13/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Terence J. Mcgrath Jr
• Original Assignee: Terence J. Mcgrath Jr
• Inventors: McGrath, Terence J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Neill R.
• Application Number:
  US07/236,595
• Time in Patent Office: 565 Days
• Field of Search: 411/105, 411/107, 411/108, 411/109, 411/84, 411/85, 411/352, 411/353, 411/399, 411/417, 411/533, 411/544, 411/903, 411/908, 411/970, 4/252 R, 285/56, 285/58
• US Class Current: 411/107
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 11/14 Means for connecting the bowl to the wall, e.g. to a wall outlet
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 21/16 with grooves or notches in the pin or shaft
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 33/006 Non-metallic fasteners using screw-thread
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 35/041 Specially-shaped shafts shape of thread F16B33/02
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 39/28 by special members on, or shape of, the nut or bolt F16B39/26 takes precedence; locknuts F16B39/12
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 41/002 Measures against loss of bolts, nuts or pins devices for fastening nuts to surfaces F16B37/04
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 411/903 Resinous exterior
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 411/908 Resinous material

Abstract

An improved closet bolt has a generally oval head, a shank including a threaded fastening portion extending from the head and generally concentric with respect thereto, and anti-turn ears or protrusions extending radially outwardly from a portion of the shank between the threaded shank portion and the head, the threaded portion adjacent the anti-turn ears having on opposite sides thereof a plurality of sawtooth or ramp members, the ramps sloping toward the bolt head, and wherein the bolt is constructed of a suitable high strength plastic material. Methods for using the improved closet bolt result in quick and efficient toilet installation, removal and repair.

Claims

1. A closet bolt comprising:

a head;

a shank integral with the head including a first threaded fastening portion generally concentric with respect to the head; and

anti-turn protrusions extending radially outwardly from a second portion of the shank between the first threaded fastening portion and the head,

wherein the shank includes a ramped portion adjacent the shank second portion, the ramped portion having on opposite sides thereof a plurality of ramp members, said ramp members being inclined toward the bolt head.

2. A closet bolt comprising:

a head;

a shank integral with the head including a first threaded fastening portion generally concentric with respect to the head; and

anti-turn protrusions extending radially outwardly from a second portion of the shank between the first threaded fastening portion and the head,

wherein the shank includes a ramped portion adjacent the shank second portion, the ramped portion having on opposite sides thereof a plurality of ramp members, said ramp members being inclined toward the bolt head, and wherein the ramped portion is also threaded on its circumferential surfaces which are not ramped.

3. The bolt of claim 2, wherein the bolt is made of plastic.

4. The bolt of claim 3, wherein the plastic is molded nylon.

5. The bolt of claim 3, further comprising a reinforcing wire internal and generally longitudinal along the bolt axis.

6. For use in combination with a toilet bowl mounting flange having at least one arcuate slot in an outer portion thereof, apparatus comprising:

a closet bolt comprising;

a head;

a shank integral with the head including a first threaded fastening portion generally concentric with respect to the head; and

anti-turn protrusions extending radially outwardly from a second portion of the shank between the first threaded fastening portion and the head,

wherein the shank includes a ramped portion adjacent the shank second portion, the ramped portion having on opposite sides thereof a plurality of ramp members, said ramp members being inclined toward the bolt head; and

a washer having a central opening therethrough having first opposed inside edges and second opposed flat inside edges, the second opposed inside flat edges being adapted to resiliently snap over and engage the ramp members when the washer is moved longitudinally along the bolt shank toward the head.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the washer is a curved spring washer.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the washer is made of plastic.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the bolt is made of plastic.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plastic is molded nylon.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the antiturn protrusions have an overall lateral dimension greater than the width of the arcuate slot of the mounting flange.