US Patent 11149426 Toilet assembly having improved closet flange

A toilet assembly comprises a mounting surface defining an opening in which a waste pipe is located. The waste pipe has an end at a location no higher than flush with the mounting surface. A toilet having a drain aligned with the waste pipe is also provided. A ring gasket (e.g., a wax seal) has at least a portion situated around the drain of the toilet. A closet flange has a tubular portion having a proximal end and a distal end and a flange portion located at the proximal end of the tubular portion. The flange portion is connected to the mounting surface. The end of the waste pipe is received in the tubular portion of the closet flange such that an outer surface of the waste pipe is adjacent to an inner surface of the tubular portion. A seal ring is disposed between the inner surface of the tubular portion and the outer surface of the waste pipe. A locking structure is carried by the tubular portion of the closet flange, the locking structure including a plurality of inner edge portions spaced circumferentially about the inner surface of the tubular portion and engaging the outer surface of the waste pipe so as to inhibit axial separation of the closet flange and waste pipe.