Quick-coupling mechanism for toilet and method of using same

Abstract

At least one embodiment relates to a quick-coupling mechanism including a clamp spring configured to receive a valve body. The clamp spring is coupled to a release button configured to manipulate one or more arms of the clamp spring. The quick-coupling mechanism includes a base structure coupled to the toilet pedestal/bowl. The base structure is configured to hold the clamp spring in place. In a locking-state, the clamp spring seats in a groove in the valve body thus securing the valve body in place and preventing an axial movement of the valve body relative to the clamp spring. In a non-locking state, the release button bends the arms of the clamp spring outwardly to increase the diameter of the clamping portion, thus releasing valve body such that the valve body can move axially relative to the clamp spring.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A coupling mechanism for a toilet, the coupling mechanism comprising:
 a base structure configured to be coupled to a pedestal of the toilet;   a collar separated from the base structure; and   a retention spring coupled to the base structure and the collar, the retention spring configured to hold the coupling mechanism in place with respect to a valve body and release the coupling mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The coupling mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an attachment feature of the base structure configured to receive a fastener to attach the base structure to the toilet.   
     
     
         3 . The coupling mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the base structure includes a hollow portion configured to receive the valve body, wherein the retention spring is configured to release the valve body. 
     
     
         4 . The coupling mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an extending feature coupled to the collar configured to lock the valve body.   
     
     
         5 . The coupling mechanism of  claim 4 , wherein a top end of the extending feature has a top diameter and a bottom end of the extending feature has a bottom diameter, the bottom diameter being different than the top diameter. 
     
     
         6 . The coupling mechanism of  claim 5 , wherein the top diameter corresponds to the diameter of the valve body. 
     
     
         7 . The coupling mechanism of  claim 5 , wherein the bottom diameter is larger than the top diameter. 
     
     
         8 . The coupling mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the retention spring is disposed between the base structure and the collar. 
     
     
         9 . The coupling mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the valve body is unlocked from the coupling mechanism when the collar is pulled downward toward the base structure. 
     
     
         10 . A toilet comprising:
 a pedestal; and   a tank configured to be secured to the pedestal via a coupling mechanism for a toilet, the coupling mechanism comprising:
 a base structure coupled to the pedestal; 
 a collar separated from the base structure; and 
 a retention spring coupled to the base structure and the collar, the retention spring configured to hold the coupling mechanism in place with respect to a valve body and release the coupling mechanism. 
   
     
     
         11 . The toilet of  claim 10 , wherein the coupling mechanism further comprises:
 an extending feature coupled to the collar configured to lock the valve body.   
     
     
         12 . The toilet of  claim 11 , wherein a top end of the extending feature has a top diameter and a bottom end of the extending feature has a bottom diameter, the bottom diameter being different than the top diameter. 
     
     
         13 . The toilet of  claim 12 , wherein the top diameter corresponds to the diameter of the valve body. 
     
     
         14 . The toilet of  claim 12 , wherein the bottom diameter is larger than the top diameter. 
     
     
         15 . The toilet of  claim 10 , wherein the retention spring is disposed between the base structure and the collar. 
     
     
         16 . The toilet of  claim 10 , wherein the valve body is unlocked from the coupling mechanism when the collar is pulled downward toward the base structure. 
     
     
         17 . A coupling mechanism for a toilet, the coupling mechanism comprising:
 a base structure configured to be coupled to a pedestal of the toilet;   a collar separated from the base structure; and   a retention spring disposed between and coupled to the base structure and the collar, the retention spring configured to hold the coupling mechanism in place with respect to a valve body and release the coupling mechanism.   
     
     
         18 . The coupling mechanism of  claim 17 , wherein the base structure includes a hollow portion configured to receive the valve body, wherein the retention spring is configured to release the valve body. 
     
     
         19 . The coupling mechanism of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 an extending feature coupled to the collar configured to lock the valve body.   
     
     
         20 . The coupling mechanism of  claim 19 , wherein a top end of the extending feature has a top diameter corresponding to a diameter of the hollow portion and a bottom end of the extending feature has a bottom diameter, the bottom diameter being larger than the top diameter.