Anti overflow toilet bowl

Abstract

A toilet bowl with an overflow protection device disposed within includes of a first chamber having a predetermined shape. A first passageway is disposed in such toilet bowl having a fluid connection to a source of fluid. A second passageway is disposed in such toilet bowl having a fluid connection to a passageway for drainage of contents of such first chamber. A third passageway is disposed in such toilet bowl having a fluid connection to such first passageway for allowing such fluid from such first passageway to pass to a first end of a predetermined plurality of flushing passageways disposed in the toilet bowl. A fourth passageway is disposed in such toilet bowl, having a first end in fluid communication with the third passageway and a second end in fluid communication with such first chamber. An overflow protection device is disposed within the fourth passageway for blocking a flow of such fluid from such first passageway to such third passageway when fluid level in the first chamber reaches a predetermined level.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to toilet bowls. More particularly, the invention relates to a toilet bowl with built in over flow protection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It has been highly desirable to create a toilet bowl that offers an overflow protection mechanism. While many inventions have been disclosed, all prior art inventions have at least one of two drawbacks, if not both. Prior art overflow protection devices are either expensive, very difficult to repair or maintain, or both. Early patents show flotation devices blocking off the supply, but utilize springs or other biasing means to locate them, and are not replaceable. Another prior art invention uses a flapper and float mechanism to stop the supply. The more recent prior art type overflow protection devices use electronics combined with mechanical devices to detect overflow conditions and stop the supply. No prior art inventions which applicant is aware of combine both ease of maintenance and minimal cost to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In one aspect, the invention generally provides a toilet bowl with an overflow protection device disposed within. Such toilet bowl with the overflow protection device disposed within includes a first chamber having a predetermined shape. A first passageway is disposed in such toilet bowl and has a fluid connection to a source of fluid. A second passageway is disposed in such toilet bowl and has a fluid connection to a passageway for drainage of the contents of such bowl. A third passageway is disposed in such toilet bowl and has a fluid connection to such first passageway for allowing a fluid from such first passageway to pass to a first end of a predetermined plurality of flushing passageways disposed in the toilet bowl. A fourth passageway is disposed in such toilet bowl and has a first end in fluid communication with the third passageway, and a second end in fluid communication with such first chamber. A means is disposed within the fourth passageway for blocking a flow of fluid from such first passageway to such third passageway when the fluid level in such first chamber reaches a predetermined level.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0004] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a toilet bowl with an overflow protection device disposed within that offers a means for blocking the supply of fluid when the fluid in the bowl reaches a predetermined level.

[0005] It is another object of the present invention to provide a toilet bowl with an overflow protection device disposed within that offers cost savings.

[0006] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a toilet bowl with an overflow protection device disposed within that offers ease of maintenance.

[0007] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a toilet bowl with an overflow protection device disposed within that offers a minimum of moving parts.

[0008] It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a toilet bowl with an overflow protection device disposed within that offers over flow protection in which all devices are located internal to the bowl assembly.

[0009] In addition to the above-described objects and advantages of the toilet bowl with an overflow protection device disposed within, various other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to persons who are skilled in the same and related arts from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0010] FIG. 1 is cut away view of a standard toilet bowl assembly that includes various embodiments of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a partial diagrammatic view of a presently preferred embodiment of a toilet bowl with an overflow protection device disposed within.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a side and front view of the presently preferred embodiment of the means for blocking a flow of fluid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0013] Prior to proceeding to a much more detailed description of the present invention, it should be noted that identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures for the sake of clarity and understanding of the invention.

[0014] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a toilet bowl generally designated 10, with an overflow protection device generally designated 20, disposed within and constructed according to a presently preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The toilet bowl 10 with the overflow protection device 20 disposed within includes a first chamber 12 having a predetermined shape. Optionally, the toilet bowl 10 further includes a tank assembly (not shown) that is engageable with such toilet bowl 10 to provide a toilet assembly (not shown). In this optional embodiment, there are a predetermined plurality of holes (not shown) in the toilet bowl 10 for mounting the tank assembly (not shown) to the toilet bowl 10 to form the toilet assembly (not shown). The toilet bowl 10 further includes a predetermined plurality of holes (not shown) disposed in a base 18 area of the toilet bowl 10 for mounting such toilet bowl 10 to a floor. The toilet bowl 10 is made from a predetermined material selected from the group consisting of ceramic, plastic, and fiberglass. In a presently preferred embodiment, the toilet bowl 10 is made from a ceramic.

[0015] The toilet bowl 10 also includes a first passageway 14 disposed within, the first passageway 14 having a fluid connection to a source of fluid (not shown), and there is a second passageway 16 also disposed in the toilet bowl 10 having a fluid connection to a passageway (not shown) for drainage of contents of the first chamber 12.

[0016] There is a third passageway 22 having a fluid connection to such first passageway 14 for allowing such fluid from the first passageway 14 to pass to a first end of a predetermined plurality of flushing passageways 24 disposed in the toilet bowl 10. At least one of the flushing passageways 24 may have an opening at a second end 52 for allowing such fluid to pass into the first chamber 12 adjacent an upper portion of the first chamber 12 for forcing the material in the first chamber 12 into the second passageway 18 and towards the drainage passageway (not shown). In another embodiment, the toilet bowl 10 further includes at least one of such flushing passageways 24 having an opening at a second end 54 for allowing such fluid to pass into the first chamber 12 at a location adjacent such second passageway 16, forcing the material in the first chamber 12 into the second passageway 16 and towards the drainage passageway (not shown). The third passageway 22 further includes a notch 26 disposed within such third passageway 22 for allowing a second end of the flotation device 28 to engage said notch 26 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0017] A fourth passageway 32 is disposed in the toilet bowl 10, having a first end in fluid communication with the third passageway 22 and a second end in fluid communication with the first chamber 12. The fourth passageway 32 further includes a guide means generally designated 40, for guiding the flotation device 28. The guide means (not shown) consists of a predetermined plurality of grooves (not shown) disposed along at least one side of the fourth passageway 32, and these grooves (not shown) are engageable with the predetermined plurality of protrusions 36 shown in FIG. 3, and disposed on the flotation device 28. The guide means 40 controls the motion and travel of the flotation device 28.

[0018] The toilet bowl 10 with an overflow protection device 20 disposed within includes a means 28 disposed within the fourth passageway 32 for blocking a flow of fluid from the first passageway 14 to the third passageway 22 when the fluid level in such first chamber 12 reaches a predetermined level. In a presently preferred embodiment, this means 28 for blocking a flow of such fluid is a flotation device 28, manufactured from a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, rubber, wood, metal, and various combinations thereof. In a presently preferred embodiment, the flotation device 28 is made from plastic. As shown in FIG. 3, the flotation device 28 contains a predetermined plurality of cavities 38 having a predetermined shape for removal and insertion of the flotation device 28 into such fourth passageway 32. The flotation device 28 further has a predetermined plurality of protrusions 36 disposed on at least one side of such flotation device 28 adjacent a first end of the flotation device 28. These protrusions 36 are engageable with the aforementioned grooves (not shown) in the fourth passageway 32 for controlling the motion and travel of the flotation device 28.

[0019] While the present invention has been described by way of a detailed description of a particularly preferred embodiment, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various substitutions of equivalents may be affected without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A toilet bowl with an overflow protection device disposed within, said toilet bowl with an overflow protection device disposed within consisting of:

(a) a first chamber, said first chamber having a predetermined shape;

(b) a first passageway disposed in said toilet bowl having a fluid connection to a source of fluid;

(c) a second passageway disposed in said toilet bowl having a fluid connection to a passageway for drainage of contents of said first chamber;

(d) a third passageway disposed in said toilet bowl having a fluid connection to said first passageway for allowing such fluid from said first passageway to pass to a first end of a predetermined plurality of flushing passageways disposed in toilet bowl;

(e) a fourth passageway disposed in said toilet bowl, said fourth passageway having a first end in fluid communication with said third passageway and a second end in fluid communication with said first chamber; and

(f) a means disposed within said fourth passageway for blocking a flow of such fluid from said first passageway to said third passageway when fluid level in said first chamber reaches a predetermined level.

2. A toilet bowl with an overflow protection device disposed within according to claim 1, wherein said means for blocking a flow of such fluid is a flotation device.

3. A toilet bowl with an overflow protection device disposed within according to claim 2, wherein said flotation device is manufactured from a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, rubber, wood, metal, and various combinations thereof.

4. A toilet bowl with an overflow protection device disposed within according to claim 3, wherein said flotation device is made from plastic.

5. A toilet bowl with an overflow protection device disposed within according to claim 2, wherein said flotation device contains a predetermined plurality of cavities having a predetermined shape for removal and insertion of said flotation device into said fourth passageway.

6. A toilet bowl with an overflow protection device disposed within according to claim 2, wherein said fourth passageway further includes a guide means for guiding said flotation device.

7. A toilet bowl with an overflow protection device disposed within according to claim 6, wherein said guide means consist of a predetermined plurality of grooves disposed along at least one side of said fourth passageway.

8. A toilet bowl with an overflow protection device disposed within according to claim 7, wherein said flotation device further has a predetermined plurality of protrusions disposed on at least one side of said flotation device adjacent a first end of said flotation device.

9. A toilet bowl with an overflow protection device disposed within according to claim 8, wherein said grooves disposed along at least one side of said fourth passageway are engageable with said predetermined plurality of protrusions disposed on said flotation device for controlling motion and travel of said flotation device.

10. A toilet bowl with an overflow protection device disposed within according to claim 1, wherein said toilet bowl further includes a tank assembly engageable with said toilet bowl.

11. A toilet bowl with an overflow protection device disposed within according to claim 10, wherein said toilet bowl further includes a predetermined plurality of holes for mounting said tank assembly to said toilet bowl.

12. A toilet bowl with an overflow protection device disposed within according to claim 1, wherein said toilet bowl further includes a predetermined plurality of holes disposed in a base of said toilet bowl for mounting said toilet bowl to a floor.

13. A toilet bowl with an overflow protection device disposed within according to claim 1, wherein said toilet bowl further includes a at least one of said flushing passageways having an opening at a second end for allowing such fluid to pass into said first chamber adjacent an upper portion of said first chamber.

14. A toilet bowl with an overflow protection device disposed within according to claim 1, wherein said toilet bowl further includes at least one of such flushing passageways having an opening at a second end for allowing such fluid to pass into said first chamber at a location adjacent said second passageway.

15. A toilet bowl with an overflow protection device disposed within according to claim 1, wherein said toilet bowl is made from a predetermined material selected from the group consisting of ceramic, plastic, and fiberglass.

16. A toilet bowl with an overflow protection device disposed within according to claim 2, wherein said third passageway further includes a notch disposed within said third passageway for allowing a second end of said flotation device to engage said notch.