With Overflow Through Valve Closure Patents (Class 4/390)
  • Patent number: 10859165
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a ring, a top portion, and a bottom portion. The apparatus further comprises a first leg and a second leg. In addition, the apparatus comprises a horizontal portion. The horizontal portion connects the first leg and the second leg. The legs and horizontal portion, together with an adhesive, overlay and sealingly engage the top rim of a flush valve wall, which is part of a toilet flush valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Lavelle Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin J. Guthrie
  • Patent number: 9371639
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for prematurely terminating a flush cycle. A valve stem may be coupled to a cable to move the valve stem in an upward direction to initiate a flush cycle. A buoyant float may be configured to engage the valve stem to prevent the valve stem from moving in a downward direction during the flush cycle, until a water level drops below a predefined level. Finally, a second cable coupled to a valve release assembly may be utilized to release the valve stem from the buoyant float to prematurely terminate the flush cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Danco, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Duston E. A. Stutzman, Douglas C. Saunders
  • Patent number: 8590066
    Abstract: An offset outlet flush valve has a valve body, the valve body having an inlet comprising an inlet aperture, an overflow tube socket comprising an overflow tube aperture, and an outlet comprising an outlet aperture. The outlet aperture of the valve body, and the wall that defines it, intersects a portion of the inlet aperture and a portion of the overflow tube aperture and the walls that define them. In this way, a water flow continuum is created between the inlet aperture and the outlet aperture and between the overflow tube aperture and the outlet aperture. A number of alternative embodiments of an overflow tube socket and overflow tube are also provided depending upon OEM or after-market application of the offset outlet flush valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Lavelle Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Alberto C. Torres, David Nichols-Roy, Dennis D. Woods
  • Patent number: 8060954
    Abstract: The invention relates to a toilet flush actuator mechanism for a toilet tank which has a discharge port surrounded by a valve seat having a central axis, a ball-cock type valve, and a flush valve having a vertical axis. The actuator mechanism consists of a trip lever pivotally mounted to the toilet tank and having a free end over which a boot member is telescopically and captively held. First and second resilient guide members extend laterally from the boot member adjacent the free end, and are parallel, coplanar, and separated by a fixed distance. A linkage member is captively carried in fixed relationship with the upper end of the flush valve and has an open void region through which the free end extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventor: Bruce A. Antunez
  • Patent number: 8056154
    Abstract: A device for opening a toilet flushing system, of the type that includes a water cistern fed by a filling tap, and that includes a bottom discharge orifice and a vertical mobile discharge valve element associated with this orifice, which is capable of occupying a low closed position for keeping the water in the cistern or a high open position to discharge the water to a toilet pan, and of the type that includes a float which, when the cistern is full, is submerged to push the valve element towards its open position, and of the type that includes an element for locking the valve element to keep the valve element closed, characterized in that the float is secured to the valve element and in that the locking element includes a vertically mobile locking finger which is capable of being locked or released by an associated latching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: CELEC Conception Electronique
    Inventor: Christian Martin
  • Patent number: 7895684
    Abstract: A canister type flush valve has an upright cup-shaped hollow float working under buoyancy forces without a captured air volume that controls the valve during a flush cycle. Hooded bleed openings at a bottom wall of the float can be sized and numbered to selectively control the closuring timing of the valve. Baffles of the hood bleed openings redirect water bleeding into the float to prevent the water from spraying up against the top of the tank. The geometry of a seal retaining groove is designed to reduce leakage at the float/seal interface. For example, the groove has an annular wall with a compound profile forming a non-cylindrical, preferably serpentine, seal contact area. The seal is backed by a slotted flange located just above the retaining groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Peter W. Denzin
  • Patent number: 7673352
    Abstract: A flush mechanism for a water closet include a housing fixable to a toilet flush tank outlet and a float body removable within the housing for controlling water discharge through the tank outlet. A hydraulic assist valve is disposed within the float body and moveable therein for causing upward opening movement of the float body in order to reduce exterior operational force required to operate the float body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Feiyu Li
  • Patent number: 7634821
    Abstract: A canister type flush valve has an upright cup-shaped hollow float working under buoyancy forces without a captured air volume that controls the valve during a flush cycle. Hooded bleed openings at a bottom wall of the float can be sized and numbered to selectively control the closuring timing of the valve. Baffles of the hood bleed openings redirect water bleeding into the float to prevent the water from spraying up against the top of the tank. The geometry of a seal retaining groove is designed to reduce leakage at the float/seal interface. For example, the groove has an annular wall with a compound profile forming a non-cylindrical, preferably serpentine, seal contact area. The seal is backed by a slotted flange located just above the retaining groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Peter W. Denzin
  • Patent number: 6920649
    Abstract: A flushing mechanism for toilet tank comprises an overflow tube (1) provided with a sealing valve (3, 4) co-operating with a discharge orifice (5?) including a first floater (30) mounted on a height-adjusting screw (31) and a second floater (40) mounted pivoting about a fixed pin (41). The adjusting screw (31) is articulated (33) on a lever (34) articulated about a fixed pin (35), the lever (34) is provided with a snug (36) co-operating with a first locking cam (37) and the second floater (40) is provided with a snug (42) co-operating with a second locking cam (43). The invention is applicable to double-volume flushing systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Societe Etex de Recherches Techniques, Sert
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Oury
  • Patent number: 6901610
    Abstract: A flush valve assembly includes a valve body with a first cylindrical tube member and a flush cover member that is coaxially and slidably mounted with respect to the valve body so as to create a valve opening therebetween when the flush cover member is removed from the valve body. A guiding means is provided that includes a second cylindrical tube member secured to the flush cover member and slidably fitted over the first cylindrical tube member. The guiding means further includes at least one alignment tab on the flush cover member that engages a corresponding tab recess defined in the valve body. A secondary float assembly pivotably affixed to the valve body has a flotation cup with a resilient member integral therewith. A pawl member includes retention members in combination with each of a primary finger and a secondary finger that engage an integral tab portion along an outside peripheral surface of the flush cover member during reciprocating movement of the flush cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: American Standard International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Jensen, Joseph Unkyung Han
  • Patent number: 6728975
    Abstract: A flush valve assembly for a water tank of a water closet which includes a first valve member which can be secured to the water tank and has a base sleeve position including a radiused inlet to thereby increase the discharge coefficient of the valve opening. A second valve member is coaxially and slidably mounted with respect to the first valve member so that the valve opening is created between the first and second valve members when the second valve member is removed from the first valve member. The second valve member is slidably movable between a first rest position, wherein the second valve member is seated on the base sleeve portion of the first valve member so that water cannot pass through the valve opening, and a second position, wherein the second valve member is removed from the base sleeve portion of the first valve member so that water can pass through the valve opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Unkyung Han
  • Publication number: 20020066136
    Abstract: A toilet flushing system primarily having an actuating assembly, guide housing, funnel assembly and flexible hose. Designed to minimize water utilization, the water inlet is located above the water line in a natural state. With the ability to select the desired amount of water for flushing, the actuating assembly is pushed vertically downward within the guide housing to overcome the upward buoyancy force surrounding the funnel assembly. The flushing cycle may be interrupted by vertically pulling the actuating assembly with sufficient force to overcome the water pressure established over the funnel assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Carlos A. Ferreyra, Alejandro L. Ferreyra
  • Patent number: 6397404
    Abstract: A toilet flushing system primarily having an actuating assembly, guide housing, funnel assembly and flexible hose. Designed to minimize water utilization, the water inlet is located above the water line in a natural state. With the ability to select the desired amount of water for flushing, the actuating assembly is pushed vertically downward within the guide housing to overcome the upward buoyancy force surrounding the funnel assembly. The flushing cycle may be interrupted by vertically pulling the actuating assembly with sufficient force to overcome the water pressure established over the funnel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventors: Carlos A. Ferreyra, Alejandro L. Ferreyra
  • Patent number: 6381764
    Abstract: A flush tank has a tube fitted to a downwardly open outlet and having an upper end vertically displaceable in the tank. A float fixed to the tube can switch between a low buoyancy insufficient to hold the tube upper end above the liquid level and a high buoyancy capable of holding the tube upper end above a liquid level in the tank. An actuating rod has an upper end and can engage vertically downward against the float to submerge same and changed it from high buoyancy to low buoyancy so the tube upper end sinks below the liquid level and the liquid in the tank flows through the tube out of the outlet. Stops on the tube and on the rod are engageable for limiting downward displacement of the float and tube to an intermediate position and are disengageable to allow downward displacement of the float and tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Grohedal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ulrich Stahlhut
  • Patent number: 6199221
    Abstract: A flush tank having a downwardly open outlet and a valve for filling the tank with a liquid has a flush valve having a tube fitted to the outlet and having an upper end vertically displaceable in the tank. A float fixed to the tube upper tube end has a buoyancy changeable between a high buoyancy capable of holding the tube upper end above a liquid level in the tank and a low buoyancy insufficient to hold the tube upper end above the liquid level. An actuator connected to the float can temporarily change the float from high buoyancy to low buoyancy and thereby sink the tube upper end below the liquid level and cause the is liquid in the tank to flow through the tube out of the outlet. The float has a lower part annularly surrounding the tube and an upper part formed as an upper space having a large upwardly open mouth level with the upper end of the tube and a small opening below its mouth opening into the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Dal-Georg Rost & Sohne Sanitaramaturen GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Stahlhut
  • Patent number: 6151725
    Abstract: A toilet tank capable of use in combination with a toilet or commode to allow improved flushing operations. The toilet tank comprises a smooth inner surface and a formed bottom portion defining a tank evacuation hole at a base of the conical portion. A flush ball head will seat into a sealed position over the tank evacuation hole, guided by the tank walls. The flush ball may be weighted while the remaining, generally tubular flusher element may be left hollow to facilitate a generally vertical orientation of the entire flusher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: Alfonso Di Stefano
  • Patent number: 6094753
    Abstract: A flush valve has a valve ring defining a downwardly open valve port and an overflow tube centered on an upright axis and having a lower end seatable on the port. The tube is displaceable relative to the port between a lower closed position and an upper open position. Mechanism inside the tube can lift the tube into the open position and thereby allow water in the tank to move down and out through the port. A lower float vertically fixed in the tank is displaceable between a latching position and a releasing position and is constructed such that when submerged it normally assumes the latching position. A latch on the lower float engageable with the tube can hold the tube in the open position and can release the tube for movement into the closed position and ending of a flushing cycle. An upper float in the tank above the lower float has a part engageable with the lower float for displacing same into the releasing position on downward displacement of the upper float toward the lower float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: DAL-Georg Rost & Sohne Sanitaramaturen GmbH
    Inventor: Hermann Korte
  • Patent number: 5343572
    Abstract: A flush valve device is described for use in a toilet that includes a pressured water source, which can drain away water in the event of excess pressure with minimal modification to the toilet and which facilitates initial operation of the flush valve device. The flush valve device includes a valve member (16, FIG. 2 ) which lifts off a valve seat (22) at the beginning of a flushing, the valve member carrying a pressure operated relief valve (50) which dumps water at excess pressure through the opening (52) within the valve seat, to avoid the need for additional fluid-tight couplings in the water source. The valve member includes a sealing portion (60) which normally lies against the valve seat and which is lifted completely away from the valve seat during a flushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Fluidmaster, Inc.
    Inventor: Myron Ament
  • Patent number: 5088133
    Abstract: A flush mechanism for toilets comprises a water supply control device and a water escape control device independently disposed in a flush tank. The mechanism is actuated to flush by raising a plunger to lift a piston of the water escape position from its normally closed position to its open position allowing water flow from the tank to a toilet bowl associated therewith and maintain that position by vacuum suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Inventor: Tsai-An Chen
  • Patent number: 4910812
    Abstract: A semi-flush valve mechanism in a toilet tank is provided with a two way flush operating handle. If the handle is pressed downward the toilet tank is flushed fully in the conventional way. If the handle is pressed upwardly the toilet tank is only half emptied in a semi-flush. A pivotally extended vane on a tilted valve assembly will receive a water stream from a refill tube to sooner help restore the toilet tank valve assembly to its closed upright position causing the semi-flush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Inventor: Joseph Comparetti
  • Patent number: 4903724
    Abstract: A liquid level control system for automatically stopping the flow of water in a bathtub. The system includes an adjustable level control mechanism and a flow control device. The control mechanism comprises a float suspended from a flexible chain and slidingly mounted in a vertical chamber hydraulically linked to the bathtub. When the float is buoyantly actuated by the level of the water reaching a predeterminedly set height, the flow control device obturates the inlet of water coming from the water supply conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Inventor: Gilles R. Simard
  • Patent number: 4882793
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a dual flush cistern mechanism in which a hollow central stem functions as a flush valve operating member, a slide for a float and an overflow pipe. The float is retained on the stem by a releasable latch during normal operation. During reduced volume flush operation the latch is released, the float drops with the level of water in the cistern sliding along the raised stem until it strikes a projection thereby lowering the stem and prematurely closing the flush valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Caroma Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Bruce R. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4615056
    Abstract: A flushing cistern includes a flushing device which is located in a liquid-containing cistern. The device includes a hollow tube and a closure member carried by the tube. The tube can be moved in the cistern between open and closed positions in which the closure member is clear of, and seals the cistern outlet. A float is mounted on the tube to hold the tube in the open position while flushing takes place and which causes the tube to resume its closed position at the end of the flush. The device also includes a float arm carrying a float. The float arm is pivoted to a control arm of the inlet valve to the cistern, and there is a detent on the tube which engages the float arm and pulls it downwardly when the flush is over, so operating the control arm and opening the inlet valve to admit further liquid to the cistern. When the cistern has again filled up, the float arm detaches itself from the detent, and permits the inlet valve to close again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: Max Rudman
    Inventor: Rixwell S. Grant
  • Patent number: 4454614
    Abstract: A water toilet has a valve arrangement of the integrated type, i.e. the float and all valves form a unit which in its mounted position is connected to the outlet pipe of the flush water container. According to the invention the unit is loosely connected to said pipe and mechanically retained at its top end by means cooperating with the inner surface of the top portion of the water container wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1984
    Assignee: Ifo Sanitar AB
    Inventors: John H. Gustafsson, Tord E. H. Froberg
  • Patent number: 4435859
    Abstract: Toilet flush tanks run completely empty when the actuating device is actuated briefly. In very many cases this is not necessary. Therefore, a toilet flush tank is proposed where the drain closure part, actuated by a closing force, closes the drain. The closing force can either occur automatically after the water level has dropped accordingly, or it can be released manually when the water level is observed visually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1984
    Inventor: Reinhard Barnowski
  • Patent number: 4341238
    Abstract: An improved flushing device is disclosed for use in tanks such as are used for flushing toilets. The flushing device has an inlet means including an improved two-stage valve which uses inlet line pressure in operating each of the two stages. A float is movably mounted on an inlet fixture for use in controlling the tank filling operation with a lever operatively coupling the float to the first stage of the valve. A vertical hollow overflow tube including a bowl filling aperture cooperates with a liquid operated variable buoyancy means on the float and alternatively a tube connects the inlet means with an overflow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Inventors: Vernon D. Roosa, Peter V. Roosa
  • Patent number: 4304014
    Abstract: This invention relates to a variable volume flushing cistern and in particular it relates to a cistern of the type in which a selection can be made of the amount of water discharged during a flush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1981
    Assignee: United Packages Limited
    Inventor: Bruce R. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4219895
    Abstract: A variable volume flushing cistern comprising a body with a division wall across it to form two compartments, the first containing a float and water inlet valve and communicating with a flushing valve on the base of the cistern, a second communicating through a movable flap with the flushing valve so that by closing the valve water from the second compartment can be prevented from discharging through the flushing valve when a smaller flush is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1980
    Assignee: United Packages Limited
    Inventor: Bruce R. Thompson