Abstract: A rigid piston assembly for use in a conventional flush valve includes a rigid piston and a solenoid configured to fixedly engage within the valve body. A flush valve for a plumbing fixture as well as a method of retrofitting a piston valve into a diaphragm flush valve body which includes a rigid piston and solenoid configuration.

Abstract: A toilet fixture is provided including an inlet pipe, a toilet bowl in fluid communication with the inlet pipe, an outlet pipe in fluid communication with the toilet bowl, a jet pipe in fluid communication with the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe, and a removable jet pipe assembly that connects the jet pipe to the outlet pipe. A foreign object strainer may be positioned in-line with the inlet pipe. A flush assembly may also include a flush valve, a vacuum breaker tube in fluid communication with the flush valve, a foreign object strainer in fluid communication with the vacuum breaker tube, and an outlet pipe in fluid communication with the foreign object strainer.

Abstract: A power supply assembly and method for a plumbing fixture includes a control circuit that controls operation of the plumbing fixture, and a wireless power receiving circuit coupled to the control circuit that wirelessly receives energy and provides the energy to the control circuit.

Abstract: A system for monitoring flush valves includes a plurality of flush valves arranged in at least one restroom, each flush valve including a communication device configured to transmit flush valve data, and at least one controller arranged in a first flush valve and in communication with each other flush valve. The at least one controller is configured to determine a static pressure within the first flush valve, detect a second pressure within the first flush valve, determine that the second pressure is less than the static pressure, in response to determining that the second pressure is less than the static pressure, compare the second pressure with at least one other pressure associated with at least one other flush valve, and determine that the first flush valve is in need of servicing or replacement based on comparing the second pressure with the at least one other pressure.

Abstract: A rigid piston assembly for use in a conventional flush valve includes a rigid piston and a solenoid configured to fixedly engage within the valve body. A flush valve for a plumbing fixture as well as a method of retrofitting a piston valve into a diaphragm flush valve body which includes a rigid piston and solenoid configuration.

Abstract: A rigid piston assembly for use in a conventional flush valve includes a rigid piston and a solenoid configured to fixedly engage within the valve body. A flush valve for a plumbing fixture as well as a method of retrofitting a piston valve into a diaphragm flush valve body which includes a rigid piston and solenoid configuration.

Abstract: A system for monitoring flush valves is provided, including a plurality of flush valves arranged in at least one restroom of a building, each flush valve of the plurality of flush valves including a communication device configured to transmit flush valve data, and at least one controller in communication with each flush valve of the plurality of flush valves. The at least one controller is programmed or configured to receive the flush valve data from each flush valve of the plurality of flush valves and determine if a first flush valve of the plurality of flush valves is in need of servicing or replacement based at least partially by comparing flush valve data for the first flush with flush valve data for at least one other flush valve of the plurality of flush valves. A method and apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for adjusting a timing of at least one flush valve based on demand is provided. The system includes a plurality of flush valves arranged in at least one restroom. The system also includes a network device configured to receive wireless signals, and at least one processor in communication with the network device and the plurality of flush valves, the at least one processor programmed or configured to: detect, based on wireless signals received by the network device, a number of mobile devices in the area; determine whether the number of mobile devices in the area meets or exceeds at least one predetermined threshold; and in response to determining that the number of mobile devices in the area meets or exceeds the at least one predetermined threshold, adjusting the flush time of each of the plurality of flush valves to an adjusted flush time.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant aerator including an aerator cartridge, an insert defining at least one removal slot, and a locking ring defining at least one removal slot at least partially disposed within a housing is disclosed. The locking ring rotates with respect to the housing to allow alignment of the removal slot of the locking ring with the removal slot of the insert. Alignment of the slots form a continuous passageway through the locking ring and into the insert. Alternatively, a plurality of removal slots may be provided. A mating engagement between the locking ring and the housing secures the locking ring within the housing while still allowing it to rotate with respect to the housing. An aerator system is also provided comprising an aerator as described above and a tool adapted to be received in the continuous passageway formed by the alignment of the slots and engage the insert.

Abstract: A system for optimizing a timing of a flush valve is provided. The system includes a flush valve comprising a flow area and a solenoid configured to open the flush valve, at least one pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure in the flush valve, and at least one controller in communication with the at least one pressure sensor and the solenoid. The at least one controller is programmed or configured to control the solenoid to open the flush valve for a flush time in response to a flush request, measure a pressure in the flush valve to obtain at least one flush valve pressure, adjust the flush time based at least partially on the at least one flush valve pressure, resulting in an adjusted flush time, and control the solenoid to open the flush valve for the adjusted flush time in response to a flush request.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for operating a restroom appliance. The system includes a valve configured to control flow of a fluid to the restroom appliance by a valve operation, an actuator configured to request the valve operation, an indicator arranged as a ring surrounding the actuator, and at least one controller in communication with the actuator, the valve, and the indicator, the at least one controller programmed or configured to: cause the valve operation based at least partially on input received through the actuator, and control the indicator to display at least one visual state based at least partially on the valve operation.

Abstract: A plumbing connector and method of connection including: a fitting having external threads on at least the first end; a tube having a first end inserted into the first end of the fitting; and an annular gasket, a compression ring, a lock ring, and a nut coaxial with and surrounding the outer diameter of the tube. The nut has internal threads adapted to engage the external threads of the fitting and is adapted to contain the gasket, the compression ring, and the lock ring upon threading of the nut onto the fitting. Upon threading and tightening of the nut onto the fitting, the gasket is compressed, an inner edge of the lock ring bitingly engages the outer diameter of the tube, and the gasket forms a seal with at least the first end of the fitting, the outer diameter of the tube, and an outer edge of the lock ring.

Abstract: A system, device, and method for communicating distress signals through a plumbing control system is provided. The system includes a plumbing controller configured to operate at least one plumbing appliance, at least one distress indicator in communication with the plumbing controller, and at least one distress sensor in communication with the plumbing controller. Activation of the at least one distress sensor causes activation of the at least one distress indicator.

Abstract: A pipe connector includes a clip, first pipe fitting, and second pipe fitting. The clip includes a cross member having a first end and a second end and a leg extending from each end. The first pipe fitting includes a connecting portion comprising a first end, a second end, and a sidewall having two slots. The second pipe fitting includes a connecting portion and a first end, a second end, a sidewall extending therebetween, and a circumferential groove in an outer diameter of the sidewall. The circumferential groove aligns with the slots in the sidewall of the first pipe fitting when the second pipe fitting is inserted into the first pipe fitting, and the legs of the clip engage the circumferential groove in the connecting portion of the second pipe fitting, allowing the first pipe fitting and the second pipe fitting to rotate with respect to one another.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant aerator including an aerator cartridge, an insert defining at least one removal slot, and a locking ring defining at least one removal slot at least partially disposed within a housing is disclosed. The locking ring rotates with respect to the housing to allow alignment of the removal slot of the locking ring with the removal slot of the insert. Alignment of the slots form a continuous passageway through the locking ring and into the insert. Alternatively, a plurality of removal slots may be provided. A mating engagement between the locking ring and the housing secures the locking ring within the housing while still allowing it to rotate with respect to the housing. An aerator system is also provided comprising an aerator as described above and a tool adapted to be received in the continuous passageway formed by the alignment of the slots and engage the insert.

Abstract: A system, device, and method for adjusting temporal settings of an electronic plumbing controller are provided. A removable time adjustment device includes at least one input device, at least one interface configured to communicate with the electronic plumbing controller, and at least one controller configured to set or adjust, on the electronic plumbing controller through the at least one interface, at least one temporal setting for the at least one plumbing fixture based at least partially on user input from the at least one input device.

Abstract: A fence valve to catch material introduced into a pipe includes a housing defining a chamber and a catch plate disposed within the chamber that is movable with respect to the housing. The catch plate includes at least one magnetic region. The valve further includes a magnetic body in communication with at least a portion of the chamber, an indicator in communication with the catch plate, and a cable having a first end secured to the catch plate and a second end secured to a hook. The catch plate is transitionable from a first position in which the catch plate is disposed at a first location within the chamber, to a second position in which the catch plate is displaced from the first location. The catch plate is detachably held in the first position by interaction between the at least one magnetic region and the magnetic body.

Abstract: Provided is a system, method, and apparatus for preventing repeated use of a restroom appliance with visual feedback. The system includes a valve configured to control flow of a fluid by at least one valve operation, an actuator configured to request a use of the restroom appliance, at least one indicator configured to display at least three different visual states, and at least one controller in communication with the actuator, the valve, and the at least one indicator. The at least one controller is programmed or configured to control the at least one indicator to display a first visual state, receive a plurality of requests to operate the restroom appliance exceeding a maximum number of valve operations, perform a first valve operation in response to receiving a first request, and control the at least one indicator to display a second visual state in response to performing the first valve operation.

Abstract: A flush valve system is provided having an inlet and an outlet, and a main valve element adapted for transition between a closed position and an open position is disclosed. The flush valve further includes a control chamber in communication with the inlet, and a vent outlet in communication with the outlet. The system includes a solenoid for establishing communication between the control chamber and the vent outlet to establish a pressure differential across a portion of the main valve element. The system also includes a power supply for energizing the solenoid, a deployable actuator in communication with the power supply, and a microprocessor in electrical communication with the main valve element. The microprocessor is adapted to determine a valve opening time, calculate fluid pressure based on the valve opening time, and deliver a predetermined quantity of fluid through the valve based on fluid pressure.

Abstract: A rigid piston assembly for use in a conventional flush valve includes a rigid piston and a solenoid configured to fixedly engage within the valve body. A flush valve for a plumbing fixture as well as a method of retrofitting a piston valve into a diaphragm flush valve body which includes a rigid piston and solenoid configuration.