Patent ID: 8353654

Claim:
A removable fastener for securing a tank of a toilet to a corresponding bowl of the toilet, the tank having a tank bolt hole and the bowl having a corresponding bowl bolt hole, the removable fastener comprising a threaded bolt having a head and a shank extending along a shank axis from the head toward a distal end, the shank including a threaded portion extending toward the head from at least near the distal end, the threaded portion configured to threadingly engage an associated nut such that the fastener is a removable fastener, the shank having a length to extend through both an associated tank bolt hole and bowl bolt hole when in an installed position therein to allow an associated nut to selectively engage the threaded portion and force the fastener into a tightened condition, that shank further including a cross-sectional configuration to allow the shank to freely pass through the associated tank bolt hole and bowl bolt hole, the fastener further including a pliable composition coating permanently covering the entire bolt head and the coating extending down the shank toward the distal end such that the composition coating also covers a segment of the shank immediately adjacent to the head, the coating on the head having a lower face below the head and transverse to the shank axis general facing the distal end and the lower face forming a bearing surface for the engagement between the head and the associated tank when in the installed position, the bearing surface having an integral and compressible o-ring seal extending about the shank axis such that when the fastener is in the tightened condition the o-ring is compressed and at least partially produces a water tight seal about the associated tank bolt hole and the coating prevents water in the tank from engaging the head and the shank, the water tight seal is a first water tight seal, the composition coating covering further includes at least one transverse rib extending radially outwardly from the segment and about the shank axis, the at least one transverse rib deforming when the fastener is in the installed position by the engagement between the associated tank bolt hole, the at least one transverse rib producing a second water tight seal by at least partially sealing the associated tank bolt hole.