Patents by Inventor Bruce Antunez

Bruce Antunez has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4841579
    Abstract: A rigid flapper type valve having a backing plate has been provided with a valve seal in the form of a flexible disc mounted to the bottom of the flapper valve. During sealing the disc will flex to contact the backing plate. A vent hole is provided in the backing plate to vent the area between the disc and plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Inventor: Bruce A. Antunez
  • Patent number: 4840196
    Abstract: A flush valve system for a water storage tank. The system includes a standpipe which establishes both an upper water level and a repose water level. A tank valve receives water for the tank. It includes bi-stable control means which retains the most recent condition pertaining to a level higher than the repose level, or a lower level respective to drainage of stored water. The valve will therefore remain closed while the water is drained, until the water level reaches the lower level. The standpipe may include foldable segments which enable its length to be adjustably varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Inventor: Bruce A. Antunez
  • Patent number: 4794946
    Abstract: An inverted cup float for a ballcock valve in a water tank. It is inherently able to select the water level in the tank by inherent selection of the point along its height where it becomes buoyant. An example is the provision of a plurality of vent ports at various heights along the cup which can selectively be opened to vent air from the cup at levels below the uppermost vent port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Inventor: Bruce A. Antunez
  • Patent number: 4730639
    Abstract: A two function tank valve according to this invention includes a vertically oriented supply tube or conduit with an upper opening. A valve seat surrounds the opening, and a valve seal is movable against it and away from it. Water level responsive means determines this valve setting so the valve can be opened to fill the tank, and can be closed when the tank is full.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Inventor: Bruce A. Antunez
  • Patent number: 4420845
    Abstract: A valving system capable of maintaining a substantial flow rate to a low profile toilet bowl during bowl wash, bowl flush and refill, and storage tank refill. The system includes a tank refill tube and a bowl wash tube, with an adjustable restriction in one of them to balance the flow between them. When the toilet is flushed, water from the storage tank is emptied into the toilet bowl, causing the bowl contents to start to siphon out. A level-responsive valve opens when the tank level lowers, and supplies water both to the tank to refill it, and to the rim. It flows from the rim to wash the walls, to continue the flush, and to refill the bowl. A flow control can usefully be placed upstream from the valve so that a substantially constant flow rate results which is able to be accurately divided between the tank and the bowl, so that all functions are completed by the time the tank is refilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Inventor: Bruce A. Antunez
  • Patent number: 4365365
    Abstract: A flush valve adapted to be mounted to the bottom of a tank. The flush valve has a body with a drain conduit and an opening which can be opened and closed by a movable plug. The body has an internal thread in the drain conduit. A mounting seal has a flange that bears against the tank bottom and a skirt that fits in the drain port in the tank. An expander has an external thread which engages the internal thread, and also has a tapered expander section that enters and diametrally enlarges the skirt when the threads are progressively engaged. Enlargement of the skirt makes a fluid-tight seal and exerts a force which holds the body of the tank. Torque-tool engagement surfaces are formed in the expander so it can be turned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1982
    Inventor: Bruce A. Antunez