Overflow Inhibitor Patents (Class 4/427)
  • Patent number: 4204285
    Abstract: An overflow protection apparatus for use with a toilet includes a bowl having an outwardly extending spout coupled by a flexible hose to a reservoir adapted to receive any excess water flowing out of the toilet. Means are also provided for closing off the water flow from the flushing source and/or the input water source so that the toilet cannot be flushed again until the cause for the overflow therein is cleared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1980
    Inventor: Ian T. Pak
  • Patent number: 4203173
    Abstract: A plumbing fixture in combination with means for preventing overflow from a toilet bowl having a P-trap when an obstruction is created in the waste outlet thereof, such plumbing fixture including a blow-out jet pipe, the entrance of the pipe being coupled in fluid communication with the water supply pipe connected to the toilet bowl at the upper portion thereof and the outlet of the pipe coupled in fluid communication with the P-trap of the toilet bowl of the plumbing fixture, comprising: a toilet bowl having a water supply pipe operably coupled therewith; an electrically-controlled flushing valve operably associated with the supply pipe for controlling the flow of water to the toilet bowl; a source of electricity for operating the valve; electrical switch means operably associated with the source of electricity for controlling the delivery of electricity for controlling the delivery of electricity to the valve for actuation thereof; an insulated electrical probe mounted in the water supply pipe; said electri
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1980
    Assignee: Acorn Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Earl L. Morris, Walter V. Hafner, Theodore J. Sally
  • Patent number: 4195374
    Abstract: A plumbing fixture with a toilet bowl having a P-trap with means for inhibiting overflow from the toilet bowl when an obstruction exists in the waste outlet thereof, comprising: a tolet bowl having a flushing rim thereabout adapted to be coupled to a water supply pipe; an electrically controlled flushing valve for controlling the flow of water in the water supply pipe; a source of electricity for operating the flushing valve; a switch for controlling the flow of electricity to the flushing valve; a blow-out jet pipe coupled to the P-trap and adapted to be coupled to the water supply pipe; a hollow adapter having at least four openings thereinto wherein one opening is coupled to a water supply pipe, one opening is coupled to the blow-out jet pipe, and one opening is coupled to the flushing rim so that when water resides therein water also resides in the adapter via the opening coupled to the flushing rim, said adapter having a weir therein dividing the openings coupled to the water supply pipe and the blow-out
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1980
    Assignee: Acorn Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Earl L. Morris, Walter V. Hafner, Theodore J. Sally
  • Patent number: 4185339
    Abstract: A flush tank is provided including a lower outlet opening and internal structure for guided movement of a free spherical buoyant valve ball into seated position in the outlet opening of the tank after the flush water has been drained therefrom. The tank includes a float controlled water inlet valve and float operated structure for at least partially unseating the valve ball from the water outlet in response to the level of water within the tank exceeding a predetermined maximum established by the float controlled water inlet valve, in the event of a malfunction of the water inlet valve to completely terminate the entrance of water into the tank as the level of water reaches the aforementioned predetermined maximum. Further, the lower outlet opening includes an upwardly facing annular concave spherical seat of the same radius of curvature as the valve ball and the seat is defined by a tapering peripheral lip portion of a resilient valve ball seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1980
    Inventor: Juan A. Morales
  • Patent number: 4170049
    Abstract: An accessory incorporated between a toilet tank and a toilet, the accessory including a float chamber, into which rising water from the toilet is accessible, so as to lift a float attached to an upwardly extending rod which extends into the toilet tank, so as to pivot a swivel arm against a drain valve ball, in order to move the ball into a close position over the tank drain, and thus stop additional water from flowing from the tank into the toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1979
    Inventor: Elbert G. Gilliland
  • Patent number: 4136823
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for preventing or limiting water damage caused by leakage from pipes or appliances in which a sensing element in the form of a pair of conductors having current applied thereto is positioned in an area to sense accumulation of water from leakage. The sensing element is connected to a resettable relay to operate the same when current flows between conductors of the sensing element. The relay is bi-stable and resettable and operates to disconnect the sensing element after initial conduction and to further apply heat through the heating element to a thermostatic valve to operate the thermostatic valve in a direction to close off water flow to piping or apparatus in which leakage occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1979
    Inventor: Bengt G. A. E. Kullberg
  • Patent number: RE30493
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for preventing or limiting water damage caused by leakage from pipes or appliances in which a sensing element in the form of a pair of conductors having current applied thereto is positioned in an area to sense accumulation of water from leakage. The sensing element is connected to a resettable relay to operate the same when current flows between conductors of the sensing element. The relay is bi-stable and resettable and operates to disconnect the sensing element after initial conduction and to further apply heat through the heating element to a thermostatic valve to operate the thermostatic valve in a direction to close off water flow to piping or apparatus in which leakage occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1981
    Inventor: Bengt G. A. E. Kullberg