Pneumatic Or Hydraulic Adjustability Patents (Class 4/361)
  • Patent number: 8756721
    Abstract: An improvement on a conventional toilet having a built-in plunger has a tank portion that contains a housing having a plunger apparatus and a bowl portion having a bowl, an outlet drain and one or a plurality of channels for transporting plunged water from the plunger apparatus in the tank to one or a plurality of locations in the outlet drain in order to clear a clog.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: Ryan Dewey
  • Patent number: 6584622
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for flushing a toilet are disclosed, the method including actuating a flushing initiator to open a reservoir discharge valve, closing the reservoir discharge valve after a predetermined period of time, and determining that predetermined period of time by means of a hydraulic timer disposed in a water-containing reservoir whereby the water remaining in the water-containing reservoir operating the hydraulic timer. Apparatus for carrying out these methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Ninotech HB
    Inventor: Hans Nilsson
  • Patent number: 6467101
    Abstract: A toilet flushing and cleaning device includes a reservoir with a cylinder and a mixing tube disposed therein. The cylinder communicates with a water source. A plunger is slidably disposed in the cylinder. A plurality of spray nozzles communicate with the mixing tube. When a flush valve is opened to allow water into the cylinder, the piston is driven upwards. The increase in air pressure drives pressurized air and water into the mixing tube such that the spray nozzles clean the toilet with a burst of air-water mixture. In a further embodiment, a funnel is disposed in the toilet bowl and a bucket is suspended at the lower opening of the funnel. When the piston is driven upwards, the bucket is pivoted to release its contents. Additionally, a blower disposed between the funnel and the toilet bowl may be used to drawing air and odors from inside said funnel and directing air into said toilet bowl for release through the existing drain pipe and vent pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventor: Jorge Artola
  • Patent number: 6457187
    Abstract: A pressurized flushing system for discharging liquid into a toilet bowl. The mechanism comprises a sealed container for storing a pre-determined volume of the liquid under pressure having an inlet for connection to a liquid supply source under pressure and an inlet valve to permit liquid flow through the inlet until the pre-determined volume in the sealed container is reached. There is an outlet for discharging liquid under pressure and an outlet valve movable between an open position to permit liquid discharge through the outlet and a closed position to seal the outlet. The outlet valve is urged by internal pressure within the sealed container toward an open position of the outlet when the pre-determined volume of liquid is in the sealed container, however, an actuator normally locks the outlet valve in the closed position against the internal pressure of the container. Operation of the actuator by a user unlocks the outlet valve to permit movement of the outlet valve to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Pulf Water Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Sven Eric Andersson, Grayson William Hand
  • Patent number: 6279176
    Abstract: A low volume high-pressure toilet. When the user sits on the toilet seat, a hydraulic piston pressurizes the water tank, which optimally holds 1.7 liters of water. Water is released at high pressure through the toilet interior rim and a lower waterjet, forcing the wastewater down a waste pipe. To minimize velocity pressures losses that would be caused by a p-trap, the waste is released straight down a pipe. Sewer gases are prevented from traveling back up the pipe by a sealing valve that occludes the cross sectional area of the waste cavity in the bottom of the toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: 1:7 Water Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Pedro M. Aviles
  • Patent number: 5970527
    Abstract: A pressurized water closet operating system comprises a water vessel, an external manifold mounted directly on said vessel, and an internally mounted flush valve assembly. The manifold comprises a water pressure regulator, an air induction system, and a manually operable flush valve actuator. The manually operable flush valve actuator controls the discharge of water under pressure from the water vessel into the toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: W/C Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond Bruce Martin, Thomas P. Beh, Mark M. Mrocca
  • Patent number: 5596772
    Abstract: A toilet flushing system includes a fresh water feed, a fluid storage container connected to the fresh water feed, and a supply line coupled to the storage container and a toilet. The fluid storage container has a container casing and first and second separating diaphragms within the casing. The separating diaphragms define first, second and third partial chambers within the container casing for separately receiving gas and fresh water. The second partial chamber is defined between the separating diaphragms and receives gas. A valve in the fresh water feed and the supply line, closes the fresh water feed and the supply line. The valve is movable between a first switch position for filling the partial chamber with fresh water to be delivered to the toilet and a second switch position in which the third partial chamber simultaneously is filled with a medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Hydac Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Otmar Schon
  • Patent number: 5553333
    Abstract: An apparatus for flushing a water closet bowl includes a pressurizable reservoir, within which is formed a primary and a secondary pressure zone. Formed at the bottom of the reservoir is an exit aperture through which the pressurized fluid is discharged into the bowl. Movably disposed within the reservoir is an elongate piston member. Formed at the top of the piston member is a hollow cup, which is movably disposed within a downwardly extending hollow cylinder within which is formed the secondary pressure zone. Formed at the bottom of the piston is a plug which seals the exit aperture. During a flushing action, pressure within the secondary pressure zone is released by operating a flushing lever, and the piston moves upwardly so as to release the plug from the exit aperture. In one embodiment, the flushing apparatus includes a fluid inlet regulator that controls the amount of fluid that is introduced into the reservoir from a fluid supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventor: Sven E. Andersson
  • Patent number: 5406652
    Abstract: A water source (12, FIG. 1) is provided for mounting on a toilet housing (32) rearward of the toilet bowl (18), which has a small rearward-to-forward depth (D) and low height (H), and which enables close control of the flow of water and any vacuum to the toilet bowl and its outlet. The source includes a frame (40) for mounting on the rearward portion of the toilet housing, the frame having two wide holes (50, 52) and a diaphragm device (54, 56) extending across each hole to separate water regions (60, 62) from air regions (64, 66) that lie on opposite sides of the diaphragm. The holes and diaphragms form two horizontally spaced water supply units 42, 44 that lie on opposite sides of the toilet bowl outlet 24 to efficiently use space. A spring or weight biases each diaphragm to compress the water region. The two water regions are connected together and to a flush valve (14) for supplying water to the toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Fluidmaster Inc.
    Inventor: Arnold Hennessy
  • Patent number: 5363513
    Abstract: A pressurizable flushing toilet includes a pressurizable water container having a movable stopper closing a water discharge outlet in the container. A controller energizes a solenoid to move the stopper between an outlet closing position and an outlet opening position. A water level sensor is mounted in the container and supplies a signal to the controller indicative of the build-up of a predetermined level of water within the container. The controller activates a compressor to pressurize air in the container above the water to a predetermined pressure level. A pressure sensor is mounted in the container and generates an output signal when a predetermined pressure level is reached within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Inventor: Karl Blankenburg
  • Patent number: 5361426
    Abstract: A pressurized water closet operating system comprises an accumulator vessel having a flush valve assembly mounted internally thereof both of which are connected at all times to a source of water under pressure. A remote control valve hydraulically conditions the flush valve for the discharge of water under pressure from the accumulator vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: W/C Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond B. Martin
  • Patent number: 4707868
    Abstract: A diaphragm valve for a toilet flushing mechanism, and a hydraulic flushing assembly using the valve, control water mains pressure for the pressure flushing of toilets with small quantities of water. Water mains pressure is used to retain a flexible diaphragm against the orifice through which flushing water from a pressurized tank can flow through the valve when flushing action is desired; flushing is initiated by temporarily lowering the water pressure applied to retain the diaphragm. Various designs of pressurized tank can be used to provide a constant or variable volume flush, which can be less than six quarts or liters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: AHED Research and Development Inc.
    Inventor: Arnold Hennessy
  • Patent number: 4641392
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multipurpose cleaning and transportation system. The system comprises a vacuum generating device and a liquid collecting container (10) which by a main pipe system (15) is connected to normally closed sockets (24). Dust cleaning tools (26, 27) can be connected to the sockets in order to create a passage from the tool to the main pipe system. The said pipe system is via a pipe (31) connected to a liquid absorbing hand tool (32) which is placed at a kitchen sink or the like for taking up liquid, crumbs and the like. It can also be connected to one or several liquid-supply units, for instance sanitary equipments (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Assignee: Oy Wartsila Ab
    Inventor: Camiel Huisma
  • Patent number: 4304015
    Abstract: A pneumatic actuating device for a toilet flush valve, comprising a cap emplaced on the flush valve housing and having an integral hemispherical bell member extending laterally therefrom, the bell member containing a resilient membrane. A manual pusher provided with a similar hemispherical membrane is connected to the bell member by a hose. A pipe which carries the flush valve plate is connected to a hood having a piston which extends into the membrane in the bell member. Upon actuation of the manual pusher, air flows through the hose, deforming the membrane in the bell member and causing it to lift the piston, thereby opening the flush valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1981
    Assignee: Geberit AG
    Inventor: Alex Hubatka
  • Patent number: 4275471
    Abstract: This invention comprises an improved hydraulically operated flush valve for toilet flush tanks and similar devices. Its main components are a cylinder and piston assembly positioned with its longitudinal axis directly above and vertically aligned with the vertical axis of the outlet or flush tube of the flush tank. The moveable piston within the fixed cylinder acts as the moving and sealing element of the flush valve. By means of an inner valve connected to the flush tank operating lever hydraulic force is caused to lift the piston thereby opening the flush valve. There is no direct mechanical connection between the operating arm and the flush valve, and there are no chains or hinges. There is a positive permanent flush valve alignment and a minimum of friction. In addition, the amount of water used per flushing action can be regulated to prevent water and energy wastage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1981
    Inventor: Howard W. Becker
  • Patent number: 4170048
    Abstract: A toilet installation is disclosed which is especially suited for pleasure boats. A discharge tank is disposed under a toilet fixture and connected with it through an inlet orifice. A flexible obturating member comprising a flexible flap member and a downwardly opening cup-shaped float member is fixed at one side of the inlet orifice so that the flexible obturating member hangs in the discharge tank when the latter is not pressurized. Compressed air from an air compressor is carried through a conduit for pressurizing the discharge tank and expelling the effluent from the discharge tank through a drain orifice, the outlet end of the conduit is aimed at the underside of the float member so that compressed air issuing from the conduit thrusts the obturating member against the inlet orifice thereby sealing off the discharge tank from the toilet fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1979
    Inventor: Alain Anthony
  • Patent number: RE37921
    Abstract: A pressurized water closet operating system comprises a water vessel, an external manifold mounted directly on said vessel, and an internally mounted flush valve assembly. The manifold comprises a water pressure regulator, an air induction system, and a manually operable flush valve actuator. The manually operable flush valve actuator controls the discharge of water under pressure from the water vessel into the toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: W/C Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond Bruce Martin, Thomas P. Beh, Mark M. Mrocca