Toilet fixture installation apparatus

A toilet fixture installation apparatus provides a compact structure for the support, movement, and alignment of toilet bowl fixtures during their installation. The inventive apparatus includes a three-wheeled base structure having a pair of lower frame members connected by a crossmember and defining a base plane, a fixed vertical mast portion carrying a sliding mast elevated by a jack member, a fixed horizontal boom extending from the sliding mast in the direction of the lower frame members, a fixed shoe assembly at the end of the fixed horizontal boom and bearing an outwardly-extending toilet bowl gripping member, an adjustable shoe slidably mounted and selectively fixed on the fixed horizontal boom bearing a toilet bowl gripping member extending in the opposite direction from the fixed shoe toilet bowl gripping member, this adjustable shoe also being vertically adjustable relative to the fixed shoe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates generally to tools and installation hardware, and 
more specifically to an improved apparatus for installation of toilet 
fixtures. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
The installation of common toilet bowl fixtures is an awkward and 
time-consuming task. Accordingly, numerous devices have been developed to 
assist the installer. However, most known devices are themselves bulky, 
difficult to move, and do not enable the fine positioning adjustment 
desirable during installation. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The toilet fixture installation apparatus of this invention provides a 
relatively compact structure for the support, movement, and alignment of 
toilet bowl fixtures during their installation. The inventive apparatus 
includes a three-wheeled base structure having a pair of lower frame 
members connected by a crossmember and defining a base plane, a fixed 
vertical mast portion carrying a sliding mast elevated by a jack member, a 
fixed horizontal boom extending from the sliding mast in the direction of 
the lower frame members, a fixed shoe assembly at the end of the fixed 
horizontal boom, and bearing an outwardly-extending toilet bowl gripping 
member, an adjustable shoe slidably mounted and selectively fixed on the 
fixed horizontal boom, bearing a toilet bowl gripping member extending in 
the opposite direction from the fixed shoe toilet bowl gripping member, 
this adjustable shoe also being vertically adjustable relative to the 
fixed shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the toilet fixture installation apparatus 
of this invention, illustrating the apparatus in its erected configuration 
for use. The apparatus comprises a pair of twenty-four inch long lower 
frame members 13 connected at one end by a twenty inch long crossmember 
14. At the opposite end of each of these frames 13 is a four inch diameter 
castering wheel 9. Located at the center of the outer side of the 
crossmember 14 is a small trapezoidal shaped extension 15. On the lower 
side of this extension is a third five inch diameter castering wheel 16. 
On its upper surface is a hydraulic bottle jack 10. Extending upwards from 
the center of the crossmember 14 is a twenty-four inch high mast 17. 
Slidably mounted on this mast is a fourteen inch sliding mast 6. On the 
rear side of this sliding mast is a short extension 18 that engages with 
the ram end of the back 10. Extending from the opposite side of the 
sliding mast is an eighteen inch long horizontal boom 7. At the free end 
of this boom is a fixed shoe assembly 1, the lower ends of which are 
equipped with a pair of outwardly-extending short curved rubber clad 
gripping fingers 19. Slidably mounted on the horizontal boom 7 is an 
adjustable shoe 2, equipped with a similar pair of fingers 25 extending in 
the opposite direction from fingers 19. The horizontal position of this 
adjustable shoe is regulated by way of a threaded rod 20, which is 
attached on on end to the sliding mast 6 and extending through a small 
sleeve 21, which is fixed on the upper surface of adjustable shoe 2. On 
the end of the threaded rod 20 is a small knurled adjusting nut 8. The 
lower portion of adjustable shoe 2 is vertically slidably mounted, and 
controlled by a vertical threaded rod and leveling crank 4. The rod is 
threaded through block 22, which is fixed on the side of the horizontal 
sliding portion of adjustable shoe 2 and terminates on the vertically 
sliding portion of the finger assembly by a thrust collar 23. A separate 
retainer stop 5 slides move mast 17 and is used to anchor the sliding mast 
6 so the installer can easily carry the entire unit with one hand by 
grasping the boom 7 just forward of mast 6. This retainer stop is only 
used for carrying purposes. 
To use the apparatus the installer would lower the horizontal boom 7 so 
that its front finger assembly 19 would extend inside the toilet bowl to 
be raised. Then the installer would move the unit forward until the 
fingers 19 are seated under the rear rim of the toilet bowl. The installer 
would then slide the rear adjustable shoe 2 horizontally in a position so 
that the fingers 25 of ajustable shoe 2 reach the underside of the front 
toilet rim. Then using the leveling crank 4 as necessary, and positioning 
the upthrust block 3 to fit snugly on top of the toilet rim, the installer 
would then retain this position with nut 8. The jack 10 would then be used 
to raise the entire toilet up clear of the floor. The upthrust block 3 is 
provided to secure adequately the grip on the toilet bowl. It is made of 
nylon or a similar strong, no-mar material. It is rectangular and mounted 
on an extension arm to contact the top rim of the toilet bowl and retained 
with a single bolt and wing-nut. It provides different spacings relative 
to the fingers 25 of adjustable shoe 2, thus accommodating different bowl 
configurations. 
In setting the toilet bowl over the flange and wa ring, the reverse 
sequence of installation would be used, as well as the leveling crank 4 to 
adjust the horizontal plane of the toilet base so that it contacts the 
ring and flange squarely. An additional feature that greatly facilitates 
easy alignment of the hold down bolts is the adequate size of the 
castering wheels 9 and 16. 
The adjustability of shoe 2 provides several advantages. First, the device 
conforms to all toilet bowls without changing blocks or fingers. Also, 
this enables the device to adjust vertically to change the plane of the 
toilet base to conform with the floor flange. Furthermore, when the closet 
flange is plumbed too close to the wall and the toilet tank actually rests 
against the back wall, the installer can use the adjustable shoe to tip 
the toilet slightly forward out of level to enable alignment of the floor 
bolts, and then proceed with the lowering operation. 
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the toilet 
fixture installation apparatus of this invention, illustrating a pivotable 
lower frame member enabling collapsing of the structure, and a guard 
portion to protect the toilet fixture during installation. The collapsible 
model enables compact shipping, storing, transporting, etc. To collapse 
this unit, the installer would lift the sliding mast 6 clear of the unit 
and place it in the bottom of the carry box provided. Next the installer 
would remove two retainer pins 11, one at a time, and swing the lower 
frame members 13a, 13b under and up in line with the mast 17, pivoting on 
a bolt and bushing 24. This creates a shallow structure which is then 
placed on top of the mast and boom assembly already in the box. 
Also illustrated in FIG. 2 is a protective guard 12 for the lower frame 
members 13 of both models. It is made of polyurethane or similar material 
to eliminate damage to the toilet base, should the lower frame members 
contact it during initial positioning. 
While this invention has been described in connection with preferred 
embodiments thereof, it is obvious that modifications and changes therein 
may be made by those skilled in the art to which it pertains without 
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the 
scope of this invention is to be limited only by the appended claims.