Abstract:
A toilet removal and disposal tray ( 1 ) for removing and transporting an old toilet ( 2 ) from a bathroom. The toilet removal and disposal tray has a planar base panel ( 3 ) having a perimeter edge ( 6 ) and a perimeter wall ( 7 ) extending upward a predetermined distance from the perimeter edge. The perimeter wall contains any liquids that leak from the toilet after the toilet has been uninstalled and placed on the toilet removal and disposal tray. A drain line connector ( 12 ) and/or one or more bolt hole connectors ( 13 ) attach the toilet to the toilet removal and disposal tray.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the removal of toilet from homes and other buildings, more particularly, to a tray used for removing a toilet from a bathroom and disposing of the toilet in a clean and sanitary manner. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Toilets are commonly removed by a worker standing over a toilet and pulling the toilet up from the floor and then setting the toilet directly on the floor of the bathroom. The toilet is then carried to a truck or trash bin for disposal. 
     The removal of toilets can be unsanitary and cause a mess in the bathroom and throughout a home while the toilet is being carried outside. This can occur from water that has not completely drained from the toilet leaking onto the bathroom floor and other parts of a home including carpeted areas while being carried outside. This can also occur from the wax ring on the bottom of the toilet being set directly on the bathroom floor. 
     In addition, this is a dangerous task because toilets may be heavy and awkward to handle. The worker can easily suffer personal injuries, such as back injuries, from carrying such a heavy object in such an awkward position or damage items in the home, such as walls and/or furniture. 
     Therefore, a need exists for a toilet removal and disposal tray that attaches to the bottom of a toilet and protects the floor from water leaking from the toilet and from coming into contact with the used wax ring located on the bottom of the old toilet. In addition, a need exists for a toilet removal and disposal tray that allows a user to easily transport a toilet by sliding the tray, rolling the tray and/or carrying the tray using elongated handles. 
     The relevant prior art includes the following references: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Pat. No. 
                   
                   
               
               
                 (U.S. Patent References) 
                 Inventor 
                 Issue/Publication Date 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 3,391,905 
                 Burns 
                 Jul. 09, 1968 
               
               
                 5,074,572 
                 Delmerico et al. 
                 Dec. 24, 1991 
               
               
                 5,184,653 
                 Lacy 
                 Feb. 09, 1993 
               
               
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                 Decky et al. 
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                 6,685,170 
                 Gwynn 
                 Feb. 03, 2004 
               
               
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                 Barnett 
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                 Jacquay 
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                 6,135,466 
                 Irwin 
                 Oct. 24, 2000 
               
               
                 6,752,379 
                 Wall 
                 Jun. 22, 2004 
               
               
                 7,058,996 
                 Merrill 
                 Jun. 13, 2006 
               
               
                 7,107,632 
                 Huff et al. 
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                 Cernik 
                 Jun. 19, 2007 
               
               
                 2008/0109957 
                 Blancke 
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                 7,798,469 
                 Junka 
                 Sep. 21, 2010 
               
               
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                 Wakil 
                 Nov. 02, 2010 
               
               
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                 Hazel 
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                 8,312,608 
                 Head 
                 Nov. 20, 2012 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary object of the present invention is to provide a toilet removal and disposal tray that attaches to the bottom of a toilet and protects the floor from water leaking from the toilet and from coming into contact with the used wax ring. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a toilet removal and disposal tray that allows a user to easily transport a toilet by sliding the tray, rolling the tray and/or carrying the tray using elongated handles. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a toilet removal and disposal tray that is compact and easily carried and stored, such as in a plumber&#39;s work truck. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a toilet removal and disposal tray that may be disposable so that it can be thrown with the toilet after use. 
     The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a toilet removal and disposal tray for removing and transporting an old toilet from a bathroom. The toilet removal and disposal tray has a planar base panel having a perimeter edge and a perimeter wall extending upward a predetermined distance from the perimeter edge. The perimeter wall contains any liquids that leak from the toilet after the toilet has been uninstalled and placed on the toilet removal and disposal tray. The toilet removal and disposal tray may also be lined with an absorbent material to soak up any water that drains from the toilet into the toilet removal and disposal tray, thereby further preventing water from leaking onto the floor. 
     The toilet is secured to the toilet removal and disposal tray by a drain line connector, which is preferably a rounded cylindrical projection, which is centrally located on the toilet removal and disposal tray and fits into the drain line of the toilet. Two bolt hole connectors, which are preferably finger-shaped projections, are located on either side of the drain line holder and further secure the toilet to the toilet removal and disposal tray by fitting through bolt holes located on the base of the toilet. The bolt hole connectors and drain line connector constructed out of a resilient material that provides outward pressure against the drain line and the bolt holes when squeezed inward, thereby creating a pressure fit to prevent the toilet removal and disposal tray from separating from the toilet when the toilet is lifted off the ground. Alternatively, the bolt hole connectors and drain line connector may have finger springs that automatically expand outward to lock the bolt hole connectors and drain line connector to the toilet. 
     The toilet and a toilet removal and disposal tray may be removed from the bathroom by sliding the a toilet removal and disposal tray across the floor or by carrying the a toilet removal and disposal tray using removable elongated handles that attach to the a toilet removal and disposal tray or by rolling the a toilet removal and disposal tray on wheels attached to the a toilet removal and disposal tray. The wheels may be attached directly to the toilet removal and disposal tray or to a dolly that is removably attachable to the a toilet removal and disposal tray. 
     The tray may be made of a reusable material or of a cheaper material so the tray can be discarded with the toilet after use. 
     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective side view of a toilet removal and disposal tray having a toilet located therein; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a toilet removal and disposal tray having a toilet located therein; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective side view of a toilet removal and disposal tray having elongated handles attached thereto; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view along the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 2  is illustrated showing a toilet removal and disposal tray having a drain line connector and bolt hole connectors secured to the toilet by a pressure fit; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view along the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 2  is illustrated showing a toilet removal and disposal tray having a drain line connector and bolt hole connectors secured to the toilet by finger springs; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective bottom view of a toilet removal and disposal tray of the present invention having wheels located thereon; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view along the line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 6 ; and 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective side view of a simplified toilet removal and disposal tray of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered accessories in the drawings is as follows: 
       1 . toilet removal and disposal tray, generally 
       2 . toilet 
       3 . planar base panel 
       4 . top surface of planar base panel 
       5 . bottom surface of planar base panel 
       6 . perimeter edge of planar base panel 
       7 . perimeter wall 
       8 . upper edge of perimeter wall 
       9 . lip 
       10 . elongated handle 
       11 . slot 
       12 . drain line connector 
       13 . bolt hole connector 
       14 . drain line 
       15 . bolt hole 
       16 . finger spring 
       17 . wheel 
       18 . absorbent liner 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a perspective side view and a top view, respectively of a toilet removal and disposal tray  1  having a toilet  2  located therein are illustrated. The toilet removal and disposal tray  1  comprises a planar base panel  3  having a top surface  4 , a bottom surface  5 , and a perimeter edge  6 . A perimeter wall  7  extends upward a predetermined distance from the perimeter edge  6 . An upper edge  8  of the perimeter wall  7  may have a lip  9  on one or both sides to provide a place for a user to grab the toilet removal and disposal tray  1  when moving the toilet  2 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , a perspective side view of a toilet removal and disposal tray  1  having elongated handles  10  attached thereto is illustrated. The elongated handles  10  are preferably removably attachable to the toilet removal and disposal tray  1 , and may be attached via a C-shaped distal end that hooks around the lip  9  on one or both sides of the perimeter wall  7  or through slots  11  located on the perimeter wall  7 . Said slots  11  may also provide a user with areas to place his fingers through to pick up the toilet removal and disposal tray  1 . Said slots may also be located on  11  either side of a toilet  2  when placed in the toilet removal and disposal tray  1  to provide attachment points for one or more straps, which may be used to secure the toilet removal and disposal tray  1  to the toilet  2 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , a cross sectional view along the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 2  is illustrated showing a toilet removal and disposal tray  1  having a drain line connector  12  and bolt hole connectors  13  secured to the toilet  2  by a pressure fit. The toilet  2  is secured to the toilet removal and disposal tray  1  by a drain line connector  12 , which is preferably a rounded cylindrical projection, which is centrally located on the toilet removal and disposal tray  1  and fits into the drain line  14  of the toilet  2 . Two bolt hole connectors  13  (also illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ), which are preferably finger-shaped projections, are located on either side of the drain line connector  12  and further secures the toilet to the toilet removal and disposal tray  1  by fitting through bolt holes  15  located on the base of the toilet  2 . As illustrated here, the drain line connector  12  and bolt hole connectors  13  are constructed of a resilient material that provides outward pressure against the drain line  14  and the bolt holes  15  when squeezed inward, thereby creating a pressure fit. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , a cross sectional view along the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 2  is illustrated showing a toilet removal and disposal tray  1  having a drain line connector  12  and bolt hole connectors  13  secured to the toilet  2  by finger springs. The toilet  2  is secured to the toilet removal and disposal tray  1  by a drain line connector  12 , which is preferably a rounded cylindrical projection, which is centrally located on the toilet removal and disposal tray  1  and fits into the drain line  14  of the toilet  2 . Two bolt hole connectors  13 , which are preferably finger-shaped projections, are located on either side of the drain line connector  12  and further secures the toilet to the toilet removal and disposal tray  1  by fitting through bolt holes  15  located on the base of the toilet  2 . As illustrated here, the drain line connector  12  and bolt hole connectors  13  have finger springs  16  that automatically expand outward to lock the bolt hole connectors  13  and drain line connector  12  to the toilet. 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , a perspective bottom view of a toilet removal and disposal tray  1  of the present invention having wheels  17  located thereon. The toilet removal and disposal tray  1  may comprise wheels  17  may attached directly to the toilet removal and disposal tray  1  on the bottom surface  5  of the planar base panel  3  (as illustrated here). Alternatively, a dolly or second planar panel having wheels  17  attached thereto that is removably attachable to the toilet removal and disposal tray  1 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 7 , a cross sectional view along the line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 6  is illustrated. The toilet removal and disposal tray  1  may comprise an absorbent liner  18  adjacent to the perimeter wall and/or planar base panel  3  to soak up any water that drains from the toilet  2  into the toilet removal and disposal tray  1 , thereby further preventing water from leaking onto the floor. 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , a perspective side view of a simplified toilet removal and disposal tray  1  of the present invention is illustrated. The toilet removal and disposal tray  1  comprises a planar base panel  3  having a top surface  4 , a bottom surface  5 , and a perimeter edge  6 . A perimeter wall  7  extends upward a predetermined distance from the perimeter edge  6 . The toilet  2  is secured to the toilet removal and disposal tray  1  by a drain line connector  12 , which is preferably a rounded cylindrical projection, which is centrally located on the toilet removal and disposal tray  1  and fits into the drain line  14  of the toilet  2 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The drain line connector  12  may also be angled, having a diameter that increases from top to bottom like a conical shape, to allow for easier insertion into the drain line  14  of the toilet  2 . 
     It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.