Patents by Inventor Norman R. Preston

Norman R. Preston 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: 4821766
    Abstract: A toilet tank fill valve assembly is disclosed, in which the tank water level at which the valve opens is different from the tank water level at which the valve closes. The valve has a substantially vertical rod, which moves up to activate a lever to allow the ballcock valve to close, and moves down to activate the lever to open the ballcock valve. The rod has upper and lower stops, preferably adjustable, corresponding to the valve closing and valve opening positions respectively. A float lifts the upper stop when the tank becomes full, thereby allowing the ballcock valve to close. A weight pushes the lower stop down when the tank becomes empty, thereby opening the ballcock valve. The float and weight may be separate units, or may be a single unit which rides up and down on the rod between the stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Inventor: Norman R. Preston
  • Patent number: 4134165
    Abstract: This invention provides an attachment for use with a flush toilet mechanism with the usual stopper and a cylindrical float member horizontally disposed, both being fixed with respect to each other and being swingable about a horizontal axis parallel with the cylinder axis. The attachment effects a saving of water used in flushing, and includes an upwardly open receptacle pivotally mounted with respect to a frame element, the latter being attached to the flush toilet mechanism such that the vertical location of the frame element with respect to the flush toilet mechanism can be selectively adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1979
    Inventors: Clarence F. Phripp, Norman R. Preston
  • Patent number: 4120056
    Abstract: This invention provides a flush regulator for use in a toilet flush tank, in order to regulate the outflow through the outlet pipe in such a way that less water is used per flush than normally is the case. The regulator includes a gripping means for attaching to the vertical stem which is screwed into the standard ball valve, and the gripping means supports two upright post members from which upwardly open cups are supported. The cup members are wholly to one side of their respective post members, and are positioned such that rotation of the regulator with respect to the bracket normally supporting the stem will bring one of the post members into contact with the bracket, rather than a cup member. By insuring that the cup members do not contact the bracket, interference with the intended vertical motion of the regulator, ball valve and stem is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1978
    Inventors: Clarence F. Phripp, Norman R. Preston
  • Patent number: 4032997
    Abstract: This invention provides a flush regulator for use in a toilet flush tank in order to regulate the outflow from the flush tank through an outlet pipe. The regulator includes a mounting portion from which extends water chamber means open upwardly, and air chamber means open downwardly. The chamber means are symmetrically arranged with respect to the mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1977
    Inventors: Clarence F. Phripp, Norman R. Preston