Urinal backup flange, a repair kit containing the same, and a method for repairing a urinal connection

Abstract

A urinal backup flange according to the present invention comprises a central flange portion with an arcuate, recessed bottom that substantially conforms to the cross-sectional shape of an upper portion of a site's piping, and two side or lateral (e.g., ear or wing) portions extending laterally from each lateral end of the central flange portion and having slots for receiving urinal bolts. The urinal backup flange can be provided with one or more apertures and/or protrusions or tabs with apertures in the form of eyelets to allow securement of the device to the wall and/or the a damaged urinal flange already in place. After adjusting alignment and positioning, and optionally replacing the gasket, if necessary, urinal bolts may be used to secure the urinal to the wall through both the damaged urinal flange as well as the urinal backup flange. A urinal flange repair kit comprising the urinal backup flange according to the present invention and a method for its use are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A backup flange for use in repairing a failed connection between a urinal outlet and a pipe caused by a damaged urinal flange, the backup flange comprising:
 (a) a central flange portion provided with an arcuate, recessed bottom configured to conform to the shape of an upper portion of a pipe; and   (b) a pair of side or lateral portions, each extending laterally from either side of the central flanged portion and defining or including an aperture or slot configured to receive a urinal bolt;
 wherein the central flanged portion and/or an upper part of the pair of side or lateral portions are provided with at least one optional aperture and/or at least one optional protrusion or tab optionally provided with an eyelet. 
   
     
     
         2 . The urinal backup flange according to  claim 1 , wherein the urinal backup flange is made of a metallic or a polymeric material. 
     
     
         3 . The urinal backup flange according to  claim 2 , wherein the urinal backup flange is made of brass or stainless steel. 
     
     
         4 . The urinal backup flange according to  claim 2 , wherein the urinal backup flange is made of a polymeric material. 
     
     
         5 . The urinal backup flange of  claim 1  further comprising written indicia on a surface thereof. 
     
     
         6 . A urinal flange repair kit comprising:
 (i) a backup flange comprising:
 (a) a central flange portion provided with an arcuate, recessed bottom configured to conform to the shape of an upper portion of a pipe; and 
 (b) a pair of side or lateral portions, each extending laterally from either side of the central flanged portion and defining or including an aperture or slot configured to receive a urinal bolt; 
 wherein the central flanged portion and/or an upper part of the pair of side or lateral portions are provided with at least one optional aperture and/or at least one optional protrusion or tab optionally provided with an eyelet; 
   (ii) optionally, a gasket for sealing an interface between the urinal outlet and an opening in a damaged flange;   (iii) optionally, a roll of adhesive seal tape provided on a release liner; and   (iv) optionally, one or more of bolt(s), screw(s), washer(s), wall anchor(s), and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         7 . The urinal flange repair kit of  claim 6 , wherein the gasket is made of closed-cell EPDM foam elastomer. 
     
     
         8 . The urinal flange repair kit of  claim 6  provided in the form of a packaged product. 
     
     
         9 . The urinal flange repair kit of  claim 8  further comprising printed instructions. 
     
     
         10 . A method for repairing a connection between a urinal outlet and a pipe caused by a damaged urinal flange, the method comprising the steps of:
 (i) shutting off incoming water and disconnecting the water line into the urinal;   (ii) loosening and optionally removing any urinal bolts securing the urinal to the damaged urinal flange and the wall structure;   (iv) positioning and inserting a backup flange according to  claim 1  between the wall and the urinal;   (v) optionally fastening the backup flange to the damaged urinal flange;   (vi) optionally installing a new gasket for sealing the urinal outlet to the damaged urinal flange;   (vii) re-securing the urinal to the damaged urinal flange, the backup flange, and the wall structure using the urinal bolts; and   (viii) reconnecting the water line to the urinal.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the backup flange is positioned and inserted behind the damaged urinal flange. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the backup flange is positioned and inserted in front of the damaged urinal flange. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the urinal remains at least partially in place when the backup flange is positioned and inserted between the wall and the urinal.