Toilet overflow sensor and pump apparatus

Abstract

A device for preventing overflow of a toilet, the device comprising a pump, a moisture sensor and a circuit for receiving a signal from the moisture sensor and activating the pump. The pump is associated with the toilet and attached to an inlet pipe to receive liquid from the toilet bowl of the toilet. The pump is further attached to an outlet pipe for discharging liquid from the toilet bowl. The fluids removed from the toilet can be discharged into an expandable receptacle, a drain line or the discharge line in the base of the toilet. The moisture sensor senses an overflow condition in the toilet.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional application is converted from provisional U.S. application No. 60/758,090, filed Jan. 10, 2006, for the invention of Kevin J. Morris, entitled “TOILET OVERFLOW SENSOR AND PUMP APPARATUS,” and derives and claims priority from that application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to toilets, and more specifically, to a system for sensing the fill level of a toilet bowl and for pumping liquid from the toilet bowl to prevent spillage from an overflow condition.

Most residences today have indoor plumbing, which delivers liquid directly to sinks, bathtubs, and toilets for use by the occupants of the residence as needed. While indoor plumbing is a significant advance and indeed a requirement in most urban areas, there are also some drawbacks associated with indoor plumbing. One such drawback is that toilets will, from time to time, become clogged when the waste outlet line leading from the toilet bowl becomes obstructed with waste matter, toilet paper, or the like. Because conventional toilets are not equipped with any means for sensing and reacting to a clogged condition, those toilets will often overflow, resulting in spillage or a flooding condition in the lavatory area. Such spillage or flooding can cause significant property damage, as well as create an unsanitary condition, and is a burden to clean up.

Others in the past have proposed systems for detecting potential clogged conditions in toilets and for preventing an overflow from occurring by interrupting the supply of water to the toilet bowl. One such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,987,502 to Hartmann. The Hartmann '502 patent discloses an electrical sensing probe 50 that is placed inside of the toilet bowl. An overflow chamber is provided which extends about the entire rim of the bowl. The probe extends into the overflow chamber, and when liquid flows into the chamber, the liquid bridges the gap between the probe and the conductive side wall of the bowl, to initiate a signal to stop the flow of liquid to the toilet bowl.

Another such overflow prevention system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,041,557 to Ringler. The Ringler '557 patent discloses an insulated electrode placed in a horizontal pipe 15 that delivers liquid to a toilet bowl. So long as liquid remains in the pipe, a circuit is closed between the electrode 47 and ground, which disables the toilet to prevent further flushings.

Yet another device for preventing toilet overflows is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,195,374 to Morris et al., and includes an insulated electrical probe 37 housed inside a liquid flushing line 18.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,258,444 to Orszullok discloses an overflow system for detecting an overflow condition in a bathtub, and includes a capacitive sensor that is operative to detect the liquid level within the bathtub and to generate a control signal as the liquid level approaches the top of the tub. While such a device is arguably suitable for bathtub applications, this system is not suitable for use in toilet applications where the liquid level varies during the normal use of the toilet, for example during a standard toilet flush. Placement in such close proximity to the sidewall of a toilet will cause the capacitive sensor to detect that the liquid level has risen to the level of the sensor, thereby triggering a signal to stop the flow of liquid to the toilet bowl. Thus, if used in a toilet application, the capacitive sensor would detect a false positive every time the toilet is flushed.

Accordingly, it will be apparent that there continues to be a need for a reliable, efficient system for detecting a clogged toilet condition and for preventing spillage or flooding from occurring due to an actual overflow condition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a section view of a toilet having a toilet overflow prevention device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a section view of a toilet having a toilet overflow prevention device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a section view of a toilet having a toilet overflow prevention device according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electronic circuit of the system of the present invention according to an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

In a first embodiment, the present invention comprises a system including a sensor to detect a clogged condition of a toilet and in response thereto simultaneously turn off the water supply, sound an alarm and begin pumping liquid from the toilet bowl.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the system 10 is mounted on a toilet bowl 12 containing a quantity of liquid A. The system 10 comprises a pump housing 14 in which is mounted a pump 15 and control circuitry for operating the invention. Attached to the suction side of the pump housing 14 is an inlet pipe 16. The inlet pipe 16 is attached to the toilet boil 12 by having a U-shaped configuration that is placed over the toilet rim 18. A retaining tab 20 extends under the rim 18 and secures the inlet pipe 16 and pump housing 14 to the toilet 12. The inlet pipe 16 defines an opening 22 adjacent an end 24 thereof to allow the pump 15 to draw liquid from the toilet bowl 12.

An outlet pipe 26 exits the pump housing 14 and attaches to an expandable receptacle or bladder 28 for retaining the liquid pumped from the toilet bowl 12.

A liquid sensor 30 is attached to the circuitry within the pump housing 14 and mounted on an end of the inlet pipe 16. The liquid sensor 30 is a capacitive switch that senses the liquid level within the toilet bowl 12. The sensor 30 may, alternatively, be a contact switch, a float switch, or any other such switch that is capable of sensing the liquid level within the toilet bowl 12.

The system 10 further comprises a water supply valve 32 that is electrically operated to turn off the water supply when a clogged condition is detected.

Referring to FIG. 4, the circuitry attached to the switch preferably comprises a holding relay circuit 34 that is electrically connected to a liquid sensing circuit 36, which notifies the holding relay circuit 34 when liquid is detected against the liquid sensor 30. The holding relay circuit 34 is further attached to a pump 15 that begins pumping when the holding relay circuit 34 supplies power to the pump 15 in response to the liquid sensor 30. An alarm 40 is also optionally sounded to alert people to the clogged condition. Furthermore, the water supply valve 32 is controlled by the holding relay circuit 34 to turn on and off the water supply to the toilet. A reset switch 42 resets the holding relay circuit 34 after the clogged condition has been removed.

The system 10 operates in the following manner. When the toilet is flushed, the toilet bowl 12 begins operating in a normal manner. If the toilet bowl 12 becomes clogged, causing an overflow condition, the liquid sensor 30 will eventually contact liquid disposed within the toilet bowl 12. The liquid sensing circuit 36 will notify the holding relay circuit 34, which will then activate the pump 15, the alarm 40 and the water supply valve 32 to turnoff the water. The pump 15 will pump the liquid from the toilet bowl 12 to the receptacle 28. After the clogged condition has been removed, the reset switch 42 will be operated, which will operate the water supply valve 32 to an open position, returning the toilet to its normal operating condition.

In a second embodiment of the invention (FIG. 2), like reference numerals are used to identify like elements from the first embodiment and will not be re-described. The second embodiment operates as the first embodiment, with the exception that the receptacle 28 is replaced by a discharge line 44 attached to the outlet line 26. The discharge line 44 attaches directly to a sewage stack 46 upon which the toilet is located. An alternative to the attachment directly to a sewage stack 46 is attachment directly to a chimney stack or other available discharge facility.

In a third embodiment of the invention (FIG. 3), the elements of the system are integrated within the toilet, and liquid discharges to the sewage stack 46 through the toilet. The moisture sensor 30 is placed on an inside lip 48 of the rim 18 of the toilet bowl 12.

The components of the present disclosure may be constructed of a variety of materials, including but not limited to various metals, plastics, ceramics, wood, or any other suitable material that will provide sufficient structural integrity for the each component to perform its desired function as stated herein. Each dimension of the disclosure, and thereby all of its components, may be of varying sizes. Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that structural members may be added to strategic positions on or in the disclosure to allow the use of a variety of materials.

While the above description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of preferred embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, the pump housing 14 and the pump 15 may be positioned on the floor next to the expandable receptacle or bladder 28. Of course, the pump 15 and the expandable receptacle 28 need not be placed on the floor, but may be placed in many other locations such as, for example, astride the toilet, under the toilet tank, behind a wall, or under the floor. Further, the pump 15 and the expandable receptacle 28 may be placed together in a single housing. In any event, any one or more of the components of the device, such as the pump 15 and the expandable receptacle 28 may be enclosed in a decorative housing. Also, the expandable receptacle 28 may be detachable or it may be disposable for the sake of convenience and cleanliness. This may require the use of a one-way valve or other such mechanism in association with the expandable receptacle 28 that would be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to minimize any spillage of waste material during removal of the expandable receptacle 28 from the device 10. The expandable receptacle 28 may be of a construction that is rolled up and will unfurl upon filling with discharge from the pump 15. Of course, the receptacle 28 need not be expandable, but may be sized to accommodate sufficient discharge from the pump 15 as necessary for an overflow condition.

The detailed description above illustrates the disclosure by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the disclosure, including what I presently believe is the best mode of carrying out the disclosure. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Hence, the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A device for preventing overflow of a toilet bowl, the device comprising:

a pump capable of placement in association with a toilet having a bowl, the pump being configured to remove material from the toilet bowl; and

a sensor associated with the pump, the sensor being adapted to detect an overflow condition in the toilet bowl, the sensor further being adapted to activate the pump;

wherein the sensor activates the pump to remove material from the toilet bowl when the sensor detects an overflow condition in the toilet bowl.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising an alarm, the alarm being associated with the sensor and adapted to sound when the sensor detects an overflow condition in the toilet bowl.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a shut-off valve positioned along the water line that supplies water to the toilet, the shut-off valve being associated with the sensor and adapted to interrupt the flow of water to the toilet when the sensor detects an overflow condition in the toilet bowl.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the shut-off valve is electronically controlled.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the material being removed from the toilet bowl by the pump is discharged directly into a sewer line.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one component of the device is manufactured integrally with the toilet.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the sensor is positioned on an inside lip of a rim of the toilet bowl.

8. The device of claim 1 further comprising an outlet pipe associated with the pump, the outlet pipe being U-shaped and adapted to support the pump on the outside of the toilet bowl when the outlet pipe is positioned to hang over the rim of the toilet bowl.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the outlet pipe further comprises a retaining tab that extends under the rim of the toilet bowl to maintain the outlet pipe a predetermined position.

10. The device of claim 9 further comprising an inlet pipe associated with the pump, the inlet pipe having an inlet end, wherein the sensor is positioned adjacent the inlet end of the inlet pipe.

11. A device for preventing overflow of a toilet bowl, the device comprising:

a pump adapted to placement in association with a toilet having a bowl, the pump being configured to remove material from the toilet bowl;

a sensor associated with the pump, the sensor being adapted to detect an overflow condition in the toilet bowl, the sensor further being adapted to activate the pump; and

an expandable receptacle associated with the pump, the expandable receptacle being adapted to receive the material removed from the toilet bowl by the pump;

wherein the sensor activates the pump to remove material from the toilet bowl and transfer said material into the expandable receptacle when the sensor detects an overflow condition in the toilet bowl.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the expandable receptacle is detachable.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the expandable receptacle is disposable.

14. The device of claim 111 further comprising a housing to contain the expandable receptacle.

15. The device of claim 11 wherein the pump and the expandable receptacle are positioned in proximity to one another.

16. A method for preventing overflow of a toilet bowl, the method comprising:

a. associating a pump with a toilet having a bowl, the pump being configured to remove material from the toilet bowl;

b. associating a sensor with the pump, the sensor being adapted to detect an overflow condition in the toilet bowl, the sensor further being adapted to activate the pump; and

c. activating the pump to remove material from the toilet bowl when the sensor detects an overflow condition in the toilet bowl.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of associating an expandable receptacle with the pump, the expandable receptacle receiving the material removed from the toilet bowl by the pump when the sensor detects an overflow condition in the toilet bowl.

18. A device for preventing overflow of a toilet bowl, the device comprising:

a pump adapted to placement in association with a toilet having a bowl, the pump being configured to remove material from the toilet bowl;

a sensor associated with the pump, the sensor being adapted to detect an overflow condition in the toilet bowl, the sensor further being adapted to activate the pump;

an expandable receptacle associated with the pump, the expandable receptacle being adapted to receive the material removed from the toilet bowl by the pump;

an alarm, the alarm being associated with the sensor and capable of sounding when the sensor detects an overflow condition in the toilet bowl; and

a shut-off valve positioned along the water line that supplies water to the toilet, the shut-off valve being associated with the sensor and adapted to interrupt the flow of water to the toilet when the sensor detects an overflow condition in the toilet bowl;

wherein when the sensor detects an overflow condition in the toilet bowl, the sensor sounds the alarm, activates the shut-off valve to interrupt the flow of water to the toilet, and activates the pump to remove material from the toilet bowl and transfer said material into the expandable receptacle.