Abstract: A toilet sensor and actuator assembly, having: (a) an infrared sensor configured to detect the presence of an object at a far distance from a toilet; (b) an ultrasonic sensor configured to detect the presence of the object at a near distance from the toilet, wherein the ultrasonic sensor remains in a sleep mode until awakened by a signal from the infrared sensor that the infrared sensor has detected the presence of the object at the far distance; and (c) an actuator mechanism that flushes the toilet in response to a signal from the ultrasonic sensor that the ultrasonic sensor has detected the presence of the object at the near distance.

Abstract: A toilet flush valve that has a moveable buoyant float therein, wherein the float has an open bottom end to trap air therein and wherein the housing includes controls to selectively release air to allow the float to move upwardly therein to permit flushing. By timing when one or two air vents on the housing are open, the duration and volume of the flush can be controlled, with the buoyancy provided by the water lifting the float to open the flush valve. This provides a flushing system with minimal activation energy.

Abstract: A flow valve that maintains a constant flow valve despite varying pressures at its inlet, comprising: (a) an elongated cage with alternating axially-extending pockets and ridges on its inner surface; and (b) an elongated generally conical shaped elastomeric sleeve received within the elongated cage; wherein the sleeve flexes outwardly at higher pressures, thereby decreasing the size of the flow channel between the sleeve and cage, thereby restricting flow to maintain constant flow valve despite varying inlet pressures.

Abstract: A leak prevention device is provided for use in operation with a fill valve with a fill valve arm in a toilet tank. The device may comprise a pivotable locking lever having a first portion positioned to pivot into and out of contact with the fill valve arm or an extension thereof. The fill valve arm affects actuation of the fill valve to modulate fluids from entering the toilet tank, wherein the pivotable locking lever is operable to contact or is capable of contacting the fill valve arm thereby prohibiting the operation of the fill valve.

Abstract: A fluid connector assembly comprises an outer fastener and an inner fastener. The outer fastener is comprised of a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of radially extending members on the top surface. The inner fastener is provided comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of radially extending projections. The radially extending projections are dimensioned to be received by the radially extending members when the inner fastener is assembled with the outer fastener. A connector is disposed in the inner fastener, wherein the connector may be externally threaded so as to receive a fluid supply line that is internally threaded. The radially extending projections of the inner fastener may be flexible.

Abstract: A torque limiting fluid connector system which can be hand screwed to a maximum tightening torque and be hand loosened, including: an outer member having a front opening, a back opening, and a plurality of outwardly flexible portions separated by axially extending slots; an inner member having a front opening, a back opening, an interior threaded surface and a plurality of outwardly extending projections dimensioned to be received within the axially extending slots when the inner member is received within the outer member; a connector having one end received within the inner member and an opposite end extending out of the back end of the inner member; and a washer mounted onto the end of the connector that is received within the inner member.

Abstract: A toilet valve float adjustment assembly, including: a dual flush valve; a pair of floats disposed within the dual flush valve, wherein the vertical position of one of the floats determines the flush volume for a full flush and the vertical position of the other float determines the flush volume for a partial flush; a pair of adjustment mechanisms, wherein each adjustment mechanism adjusts the vertical height of one of the floats; and a pair of locking mechanisms, wherein each locking mechanism inhibits movement of one of the adjustment mechanisms, thereby keeping its float at a preferred vertical height when locked, and wherein the adjustment and locking mechanisms are controlled at the top of the dual flush valve.

Abstract: A toilet sensor and actuator assembly, having: (a) an infrared sensor configured to detect the presence of an object at a far distance from a toilet; (b) an ultrasonic sensor configured to detect the presence of the object at a near distance from the toilet, wherein the ultrasonic sensor remains in a sleep mode until awakened by a signal from the infrared sensor that the infrared sensor has detected the presence of the object at the far distance; and (c) an actuator mechanism that flushes the toilet in response to a signal from the ultrasonic sensor that the ultrasonic sensor has detected the presence of the object at the near distance.

Abstract: An improved flush system as described herein may comprise a reservoir with a drain opening for egress of liquids disposed in the reservoir into a surrounding toilet tank. A lock mechanism is slidably received by the reservoir so that the lock mechanism is translatable between one or more fixed positions on the reservoir. In turn, translating the lock mechanism into the reservoir at increasing depths causes a size of the drain opening to be reduced and therefore adjusted.

Abstract: A flush valve system may comprise a rail guide configured to extend between upper and lower portions of the flush valve system in a toilet tank. A float may be slidably coupled to the rail guide and be configured to be received by a reservoir associated with the float. The float may comprise a closed upper surface with a mating pocket and one or more circumferential walls extending from the closed upper surface. A lock mechanism may be slidably received by the mating pocket of the float. The lock mechanism may comprise one or more bias arms to fixedly engage the lock mechanism to the float and one or more locking members to fixedly engage the lock mechanism to the rail guide.

Abstract: A dual flush toilet assembly including a locking mechanism that prevents over travel of a piston, thereby preventing inadvertent full flushing when only a partial flush has been selected, yet permits full flushing when so desired. Specifically, a rotatable locking mechanism that prevents the piston from moving fully upwards into the second latched position when a partial flush is desired, yet rotates to an unlocked position to permit the piston to move fully upwards into the second latched position when full flushing is desired.

Abstract: A device for preventing leaks in a toilet that comprises a fill valve operatively connected to and disposed above a float. In certain embodiments an arm is rotably connected to the fill valve such that the arm comprises a pivot. A lever is, for example, pivotally connected to the pivot of the arm and biased towards the fill valve, wherein a flush actuator causes the lever to pivot away from the fill valve. The lever may comprise a first side and a second side joined at the pivot, wherein the first side weighs less than the second side, and wherein the distribution of weight between the first and second sides of the lever causes the lever to bias towards the fill valve.

Abstract: A dual flush toilet assembly including a locking mechanism that prevents over travel of a piston, thereby preventing inadvertent full flushing when only a partial flush has been selected, yet permits full flushing when so desired. Specifically, a rotatable locking mechanism that prevents the piston from moving fully upwards into the second latched position when a partial flush is desired, yet rotates to an unlocked position to permit the piston to move fully upwards into the second latched position when full flushing is desired.

Abstract: A toilet lever assembly, including: (a) a sleeve dimensioned to pass through a toilet tank wall; (b) a rotatable post extending through the sleeve; (c) a toilet flush handle mounted to the end of the rotatable post that is positioned outside of the toilet tank; (d) a nut received onto the end of the sleeve that is positioned outside of the toilet tank; and (e) a lever housing mounted to the end of the post that is positioned inside of the toilet tank, the lever housing comprising: (i) an actuator for moving a toilet lever to cause a flush when the post is rotated, and (ii) a biasing mechanism for rotating the post back to a neutral position.

Abstract: A flow valve that maintains a constant flow valve despite varying pressures at its inlet, comprising: (a) an elongated cage with alternating axially-extending pockets and ridges on its inner surface; and (b) an elongated generally conical shaped elastomeric sleeve received within the elongated cage; wherein the sleeve flexes outwardly at higher pressures, thereby decreasing the size of the flow channel between the sleeve and cage, thereby restricting flow to maintain constant flow valve despite varying inlet pressures.

Abstract: A jet powered toilet flushing system, including: a toilet bowl; a reservoir; a fluid conduit between the reservoir and the toilet bowl; a jet inside the reservoir, the jet having a nozzle directed toward an entrance of the fluid conduit; a fill valve that supplies water to the jet; and a flow diverter in the reservoir, the flow diverter positioned to divert water flow: (a) from the jet nozzle into the entrance of the fluid conduit when the reservoir is full, or (b) from the jet nozzle away from the entrance of the fluid conduit and into the reservoir when the reservoir is empty.

Abstract: An air activated toilet flush system, including: a toilet bowl; a reservoir; a fluid conduit between the reservoir and the toilet bowl; a system for supplying water into the reservoir; and a system for supplying air into the reservoir, wherein a supply of air into the reservoir causes fluid to flow from the reservoir through the fluid conduit and into the toilet bowl.

Abstract: A fluid connector, having: (a) a flexible tube; (b) an outwardly expandable barbed fitting receivable into a distal end of the flexible tube, wherein the outwardly expandable barbed fitting can be deformed outwardly against an inner surface of the flexible tube; (c) a collar received around the flexible tube; and (d) a hose end connector receivable onto the collar.