In Axial Alignment Patents (Class 4/327)
  • Patent number: 9689154
    Abstract: The invention relates to a two-level water flushing device for toilets (10), which allows the user to easily select between either a partial flush for liquid waste or a full flush for solid waste. The device (10) can be easily installed without requiring the toilet cistern (11) to be modified in any way. The device consists of five main parts: a modified overflow pipe (15), a full flush valve (30) mounted on the water flow casing (15B) of the modified overflow pipe (15), an adjustable height pipe nipple (45), a partial flush valve (55), and a pair of flush handles (65 and 70). In order to perform a partial flush, the partial flush handle (70) is pressed and, in order to perform a full flush, the full flush handle (65) is pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Carlos Enrique López Agüero
  • Patent number: 9181687
    Abstract: Various apparatuses and methods that facilitate dual flush capability are presented. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes a dual flush mechanism configured to provide for a dual flush capability in a toilet. The dual flush mechanism can include a basket structure. A gasket can be attached to the dual flush mechanism. The gasket can form a seal between the dual flush mechanism and a flush orifice of a flush valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: DANCO, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Duston E. A. Stutzman, Dwayne A. Porter, Douglas C. Saunders
  • Patent number: 8201283
    Abstract: A toilet tank valve structure comprises a knob unit, a rotatable shaft unit, a pole unit, a whole discharge pull wire, a partial discharge pull wire, a whole discharge assembly, a partial discharge assembly, and a water seal; the knob unit comprising a partial discharge knob and a whole discharge knob; the rotatable shaft unit comprising a shaft core and a shaft sleeve; the pole unit comprising a partial discharge pole and a whole discharge pole; the whole discharge knob being secured to an outer end of the shaft sleeve, an inner end of the shaft sleeve being secured to a first end of the whole discharge pole, a second end of the whole discharge pole being connected to the whole discharge pull wire to link the whole discharge assembly and the water seal; the partial discharge knob being secured to an outer end of the shaft core, the shaft core being inserted into the shaft sleeve, an inner end of the shaft core being secured to a first end of the partial discharge pole, a second end of the partial discharge p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventors: Andras Ciski, Xian Jin Jeff Zhang
  • Patent number: 7671264
    Abstract: A lightweight, portable, flexible protective cover for a guitar is disclosed. Upon placement of the cover in an operative position onto the guitar, the protective cover is adapted to provide unobstructed access to and use of the functional control elements of the guitar during the playing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Inventor: Howard J. Heda
  • Patent number: 7591027
    Abstract: Toilet flapper valves with multiple volume flush capability which can be quickly and easily installed to replace existing flapper valves in old or new toilets to give such toilets the capability of providing selectable amounts of flushing water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Inventor: Donald Ernest Scruggs
  • Patent number: 7526819
    Abstract: The conservation of water is an issue that preoccupies an increasing number of people. Among all domestic appliances, toilet is an appliance that consumes an appreciable quantity of water. The present invention provides a dual flush system that allows to select the volume of water when using a toilet by choosing between two volumes of water. The dual flush system can be easily installed without tools on a toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Inventor: Pierre Beaupré
  • Patent number: 6637042
    Abstract: A dual flush-volume outflow valve assembly for a toilet tank is provided. The outflow valve assembly comprises a base having an opening configured to pass water out of the toilet tank, a lower outflow tube section extending upwardly from the base, and an upper outflow tube section adjustably coupled to and extending upwardly from the lower outflow tube section. The lower outflow tube has a hollow interior and includes a high-volume flush valve positioned to pass a first, larger volume of water from the toilet tank to the toilet bowl when opened. The upper outflow tube section has a hollow interior and includes a low-volume flush valve positioned to pass a second, smaller volume of water from the toilet tank to the toilet bowl when opened. In some embodiments, the hollow interiors of the upper outflow tube section and the lower outflow tube section are positioned over and in line with the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Douglas P. Hand
  • Patent number: 6112763
    Abstract: There is described a valve arrangement which in one form is an inlet valve (60) or in another form is a dual flush valve (2). The valves may be used in a variety of situations but find particular application in a cistern for providing water to flush a toilet bowl or similar. The valve arrangement (2) comprises a flushing tube (100) or a pair of flushing tubes (14, 18) which can move axially. One end of the tubes (100, 18) is sealed to an outlet (9). The tubes are provided with rings or collars (16, 22) which co-operatively engage with locking edges (48, 50) of floats (40, 44) to control movement of the tubes (100, 14, 18). The floats (40, 44) are mounted off-center or in a position spaced apart from their respective centers of gravity so that they are free to move under the effects of gravity and the effects of lift provided by buoyancy of the floats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Muriel Ann Orbell
    Inventor: Joseph R. Orbell
  • Patent number: 5794278
    Abstract: A tank flushing apparatus comprises the instant invention. The tank is a typical water tank used to flush toilets. The tank includes an opening at the bottom thereof which opening supplies water to the toilet bowl. The operation of the flushing of the tank, or put another way the emptying of the tank, is controlled by an assembly which includes a cage, a cylinder, a full flush stopper, and a half flush stopper. The cylinder is affixed to the full flush stopper and the cage is affixed to the full flush stopper. The half flush stopper sealingly engages the cylinder. The half flush stopper is movable within the cage and out of engagement with the cylinder. The full flush stopper sealingly engages the opening in the tank. The cage, the cylinder, and the full flush stopper are movable together away from the opening in the tank. When this occurs the tank is fully flushed. The tank is half flushed when the half flush stopper is moved away from the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Inventor: William Kirt
  • Patent number: 5754986
    Abstract: A water-saving flush mechanism installed in the water tank of a flush toilet. In addition to providing an inlet control structure with an inlet pipe and a water level float ball, an outlet pipe is provided on an outlet seat. The outlet pipe is in communication with a telescopic overflow pipe. The outlet pipe includes a lower outlet pipe and an upper outlet pipe. The upper and lower outlet pipes are nested and are adjustable for height. A connecting rod on a side of the lower water outlet pipe is pivotally attached to the overflow pipe. A plate is provided on and end of a shaft. A lower pull rope is tied to the outlet pipe and pulls open the lower edge of the lower outlet pipe. A rod with a covering shaft is pivotally attached to one side of the upper outlet pipe. An outlet pipe cover at another end of the covering shaft closes the top opening of the upper outlet pipe and is provided with a pull rope that pulls the outlet pipe cover to open the top opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Inventor: Chuan-Tai Chien
  • Patent number: 4328596
    Abstract: My invention relates to a fail-safe automatic valve mechanism for water closets.This system may be operated to drain the tank either partially or completely with particular emphasis on operation of either partial or complete flushing. Previous systems have been designed where the partial flush has no definite indent or feel for the partial flush mode, making it difficult or almost impossible to select the desired flush. The magnetic trigger assembly of my invention gives positive feel to the partial flush mode, as hereinafter described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1982
    Inventor: George H. Renz
  • Patent number: 4185338
    Abstract: A double valve construction selectively provides a full flush or a partial flush from the tank of a toilet. The apparatus, which may be utilized to modify existing toilet water closets, includes a hollow cylinder with a first valve on its lower end engageable with a first valve seat on an upper end of an outlet from the tank. The upper end of the cylinder defines a second valve seat and a second valve is engageable with the second valve seat. As an operating handle is selectively moved through a first range of travel, it disengages the second valve from the second valve seat for a partial flush and as the operating handle is moved through a second range of travel, it disengages the first valve from the first valve seat for a full flush. The volume of water utilized in a full flush is adjustable, and a mechanism is provided for holding the first valve in its open position until a full flush has been achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1980
    Inventor: Nicholas P. Bresnyan
  • Patent number: 4175295
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a water saving toilet characterized in that a single handle actuates either of two water sealing valves horizontally offset one from the other and when actuated makes it possible to vary the amount of water introduced into the bowl so that a lesser amount of water can be used to evacuate urine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1979
    Inventor: Robert L. Cameron
  • Patent number: 4115882
    Abstract: Disclosed is a flush valve for toilet tanks comprising in a general form a hollow tubular member having a valve head on its lower end and adapted at its upper end to seat with a second valve head. The lower end rests in a valve seat located in or near the bottom of the flush tank. A second valve head is positioned on or seats in the upper end of the tubular member. It is positioned so that it can be raised a short distance to permit the flow of water into the top of the tubular member and from thence into the stool below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1978
    Inventor: Paul Paulus
  • Patent number: RE44783
    Abstract: Toilet flapper valves with multiple volume flush capability which can be quickly and easily installed to replace existing flapper valves in old or new toilets to give such toilets the capability of providing selectable amounts of flushing water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Donald E. Scruggs