Closet Carrier System

Abstract

A closet carrier for a water closet includes a faceplate, an adjustable coupling connected to and extending from the faceplate, the adjustable coupling being configured to be connected to the water closet, at least two vertical supports adjustably connected to the faceplate for supporting the system on a floor surface, and a fitting connected to the faceplate. The fitting includes an endplate, an inlet defined within the endplate, an intermediate portion, and a main body defining a main passageway. The fitting is connected to the faceplate by the endplate such that the inlet is in fluid communication with the adjustable coupling. The main passageway is placed in fluid communication with the inlet by the intermediate portion. The intermediate portion of the fitting is configured to accelerate a velocity of a flow of waste fluid from the inlet to the main passageway.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A closet carrier for a water closet, comprising:
 a faceplate having a first side and a second side;   an adjustable coupling connected to and extending from the first side of the faceplate, the adjustable coupling being configured to be connected to the water closet and placed in fluid communication therewith;   at least two vertical supports adjustably connected to the first side of the faceplate for supporting the system on a floor surface; and   a fitting connected to the second side of the faceplate, the fitting comprising an endplate, an inlet defined within the endplate, an intermediate portion, and a main body defining a main passageway of the fitting,   wherein the fitting is connected to the second side of the faceplate by the endplate such that the inlet of the fitting is in fluid communication with the adjustable coupling,   wherein the main passageway of the fitting is placed in fluid communication with the inlet by the intermediate portion of the fitting, and   wherein the intermediate portion of the fitting is configured to accelerate a velocity of a flow of waste fluid from the inlet of the fitting to the main passageway.   
     
     
         2 . The closet carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate portion of the fitting comprises a bubble and a sweep passageway, wherein the bubble is connected to the endplate and has an interior in fluid communication with the inlet, and wherein the sweep passageway is in fluid communication with the bubble and the main passageway of the fitting and is configured to accelerate the velocity of the flow of waste fluid through the sweep passageway. 
     
     
         3 . The closet carrier according to  claim 2 , wherein the sweep passageway decreases in size between the bubble and the main passageway of the fitting to accelerate the flow of waste fluid through the sweep passageway. 
     
     
         4 . The closet carrier according to  claim 3 , wherein the sweep passageway is at least partially defined by a first internal sidewall substantially extending at a first acute angle with respect to a plane defined by the endplate of the fitting and a second internal sidewall substantially extending at a second acute angle with respect to the plane defined by the endplate of the fitting, and
 wherein the first acute angle is greater than the second acute angle such that the second internal sidewall converges toward the first internal sidewall as the first and second internal sidewalls extend from the bubble to the main passageway of the fitting.   
     
     
         5 . The closet carrier according to  claim 4 , wherein the first acute angle is greater than 30° and the second acute angle is less than 25°. 
     
     
         6 . The closet carrier according to  claim 5 , wherein the first acute angle is approximately 35.5° and the second acute angle is approximately 23°. 
     
     
         7 . The closet carrier according to  claim 4 , wherein a difference between the first acute angle and the second acute angle is greater than 10°. 
     
     
         8 . The closet carrier according to  claim 2 , wherein the adjustable coupling comprises a hollow cylindrical body defining an internal passage having an internal diameter,
 wherein the sweep passageway has a maximum width between the first internal sidewall and the second internal sidewall at a point within the sweep passageway proximate to the bubble and a minimum width between the first internal sidewall and the second internal sidewall at a point within the sweep passageway proximate to the main passageway, and   wherein the maximum width of the sweep passageway is approximately equal to the internal diameter of the adjustable coupling and the minimum width of the sweep passageway is less than the maximum width of the sweep passageway and the internal diameter of the adjustable coupling.   
     
     
         9 . The closet carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the internal diameter of the adjustable coupling and the maximum width of the sweep passageway are less than or equal to 4 inches and are greater than 2.75 inches and the minimum width of the sweep passageway is greater than or equal to 2.125 inches and less than 2.75 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The closet carrier according to  claim 9 , wherein the internal diameter of the adjustable coupling and the maximum width of the sweep passageway are approximately 3 inches and the minimum width of the sweep passageway is approximately 2.25 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The closet carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the endplate of the fitting is adjustably connected to the second side of the faceplate. 
     
     
         12 . The closet carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least two vertical supports includes a foot at each end thereof such that the at least two vertical supports are reversible. 
     
     
         13 . The closet carrier according to  claim 12 , wherein each foot of the at least two vertical supports includes a notch defined therein for receiving a fastener. 
     
     
         14 . The closet carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable coupling is connected to an internally-threaded horn extending from the first side of the faceplate. 
     
     
         15 . The closet carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable coupling extends through the faceplate to be in direct fluid communication with the inlet of the fitting. 
     
     
         16 . The closet carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the inlet of the fitting has an oblong circular shape. 
     
     
         17 . The closet carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable coupling and fitting are configured to accommodate a flow volume of waste fluid of approximately 1.28 gallons per flush from the waste closet. 
     
     
         18 . A method of conveying waste fluid from a water closet to a fluid waste system, comprising:
 providing a closet carrier, the closet carrier comprising:
 a faceplate having a first side and a second side; 
 an adjustable coupling connected to and extending from the first side of the faceplate, the adjustable coupling being configured to be connected to the water closet and placed in fluid communication therewith; 
 at least two vertical supports adjustably connected to the first side of the faceplate for supporting the system on a floor surface; and 
 a fitting connected to the second side of the faceplate, the fitting comprising an endplate, an inlet defined within the endplate, an intermediate portion, and a main body defining a main passageway of the fitting, 
 wherein the fitting is connected to the second side of the faceplate by the endplate such that the inlet of the fitting is in fluid communication with the adjustable coupling, and 
 wherein the main passageway of the fitting is placed in fluid communication with the inlet by the intermediate portion of the fitting; 
   transmitting waste fluid to the intermediate portion of the fitting through the adjustable coupling and the inlet of the fitting; and   accelerating a velocity of a flow of the waste fluid to the main passageway of the fitting within the intermediate portion of the fitting.   
     
     
         19 . An arrangement of closet carriers, comprising:
 at least two closet carriers, each closet carrier comprising:
 a faceplate having a first side and a second side; 
 a coupling connected to and extending from the first side of the faceplate, the coupling being configured to be connected to the water closet and placed in fluid communication therewith; 
 at least two vertical supports adjustably connected to the first side of the faceplate for supporting the system on a floor surface; and 
 a fitting connected to the second side of the faceplate; 
   at least two strut members, each of the at least two strut members being connected to a respective one of the at least two closet carriers; and   a carrier member connected to all of the at least two strut members,   wherein the at least two strut members connect the at least two closet carriers to the carrier member for common transportation and installation of the at least two closet carriers.   
     
     
         20 . The arrangement of closet carriers according to  claim 19 , wherein the at least two strut members comprise at least four strut members, each of the at least four strut members being connected to a respective one of the vertical supports and to the carrier member.