Kohler Company

Andrew H Matznick

Daniel N Halloran

Randy O Mesun

Tony L Lambert

Robert S Davis

Donald P Freier

Sudip Mukerji

Thomas M Spankowski

Lachlan A Stewart Iii

A toilet assembly includes a pedestal, a tank disposed on the pedestal, and an inlet chamber formed in the pedestal. The inlet chamber includes an inlet portion comprising an upstream end defining an upstream inner diameter, and a downstream end defining a downstream inner diameter less than the upstream inner diameter. The inlet chamber further includes an elbow extending downstream from the inlet portion, the elbow defining an elbow diameter substantially the same as the downstream inner diameter. The inlet portion is configured to receive water from the tank. The toilet assembly further includes a flush valve disposed in the tank, the valve defining a valve outlet disposed below the tank and in the inlet portion of the inlet chamber.

Toilet inlet configuration

An attachment system for mounting a flush tank to a toilet bowl includes a bracket disposed between the tank and the bowl. The bracket has a generally planar body defining a central opening receiving a tubular flush extension extending from the tank into an opening in a bowl extension. The bracket is fastened to the tank by a large nut threaded to the tank extension. The bracket is mounted to the bowl at two slots opening at opposite side edges of the bracket by two bolts disposed through openings in the bowl extension. The bracket has a unitary pair of upwardly extending spring arms contacting the bottom wall of the flush tank and a unitary pair of lower spring arms contacting the bowl extension. The spring arms are deflectable between the flush tank and the toilet bowl to accommodate for warping or mold variations between the tank and the bowl.

Toilet tank attachment bracket with unitary spring arm

A flush valve is connectable to a blind hole in a vertical wall of a toilet tank. An overflow member is in fluid communication with a flush valve housing. The flush valve housing is wider than it is higher, and fits into a blind hole in the tank wall of similar cross sectional shape. The tank is formed with an attachment ear. A clip mounted on the housing holds the housing against the tank wall, while the non-circular nature of the housing and blind hole prevent relative rotation there between.

Flush valve attachment system with low-profile outlet end

A faucet with a vacuum breaker for a pull-out spray head plumbing fixture is provided. The vacuum breaker is in the faucet housing and provides a guide for and surrounds an extendible and retractable hose connected to the pull-out spray head. The vacuum breaker has a flapper valve stretch fitted over a body member of the vacuum breaker. The body member also affords pivotal attachment of a spout. A tubular guide for the hose also provides a quick connect or disconnect feature.

Growing community of inventors

Newton, WI, United States of America

Andrew H Matznick