Pivoted Patents (Class 4/393)
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Patent number: 5524297Abstract: The Two-Level Flush Valve retrofits into standard toilet tanks replacing the flush valve and pull cord. Depressing the toilet handle through the usual first resistance lifts a non-buoyant valve (20) open. It is held open by an upper float (28) fastened onto a pull cord (24). When water lowers to the level of upper float (28) the float drops, allowing the valve to close. This accomplishes a short-duration flush that clears liquid waste from the toilet bowl and saves about a half tank of water. Depressing the handle through a second resistance causes valve (20) to pull a carriage (32) up and out of a latch (52). Lower floats (40) on carriage (32) hold valve (20) open until the tank is almost empty. This accomplishes a full flush that ensures that solid waste is flushed out without leaving dirty water in the toilet bowl. A valve delayer (62) holds valve (20) slightly open for a few seconds to allow complete refilling of the toilet bowl.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1994Date of Patent: June 11, 1996Inventor: John S. Harrison
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Patent number: 5390375Abstract: A flapper valve for sealing the discharge outlet in a water tank and for regulating the quantity of water discharged during each flush by reducing the buoyancy of the flapper valve through water inflow into the flapper during flushing. The pivotally mounted flapper has an upper body section including an integral soft annular sealing flange and a downwardly depending body member. A cap is insertable at the lower ends of the side wall and defines a water inflow aperture therein. The cap is of a relatively rigid material and serves to support the buoyancy chamber formed by the upper body portion and the end cap against deformation under operating conditions. The cap may be provided with a valve disk for selective registry with one of multiple apertures to regulate the water inflow into the cone as a function of the dimension of the aperture selected in registry with the opening.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1993Date of Patent: February 21, 1995Inventor: John A. Fernstrum, Jr.
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Patent number: 5291620Abstract: A device for regulating the discharge of water from a storage tank associated with a toilet bowl for flushing of the toilet bowl, with the operation of the device being through slight pressure on a push button on a rod extending through a front or end wall of the storage tank. This device has a flapper assembly for opening and closing access to a drain from the storage tank, with this flapper assembly having a storage volume with an adjustable opening for controlled release of water therefrom to control the timing of the closure of the flapper assembly against the drain. A trigger assembly portion has a trigger arm with one end engaged with the push button and the other end adapted to engage a distal arm of a pivotal lever arm, this lever arm carrying a buoyant float. Release of the engagement of the distal ends of the trigger arm and the lever arm causes the lever arm to rise, due to the float, and the lever arm engages the flapper assembly to open the drain.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1993Date of Patent: March 8, 1994Inventor: Lonnie W. Gilley
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Patent number: 5237711Abstract: An improved toilet flush valve for variable volume toilet flushing systems. The present improvement uses a float adjustable attached to a flapper valve by a rigid stem to vary the flush volume. The stem and flapper valve eliminate the need for a valve item guide to maintain the valve stem vertical as the stem is movably retained through an aperture in the flapper valve. Several embodiments are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1992Date of Patent: August 24, 1993Inventor: La Vaughn L. Mortensen
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Patent number: 5230103Abstract: A commode flush valve for providing short and adjustable flush cycles. The flush valve includes a valve seat around the upper end of a discharge pipe for a tank, and a body pivoted to it. The body has a peripheral valve seal to bear against the valve seat to close the flush valve. A cup beneath the valve seal has a perforation near its top for exit of air, and an opening at its bottom to enable water to flow therethrough. A removable insert is fitted in this opening with an orifice sized to regulate the rate of flow water therethrough, and perforations to enable substantially all water to drain from the cup where the valve seal rests on the valve seat.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1991Date of Patent: July 27, 1993Inventor: Bruce A. Antunez
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Patent number: 5218725Abstract: A flush valve water accelerator having a top opening of increased height to reduce the amount of water used by a toilet, and which accelerates the flow of water to increase the efficacy of the water in the toilet bowl. The device is comprised of an entry tube and an exit tube, with the exit tube having a minimum inside diameter of approximately fifty (50) percent of the median inside diameter of the entry tube to accelerate the flow of water into the toilet bowl without causing cavitation from the vacuum created by the restriction of the exit tube. A connecting tube, having a decreasing inside diameter, connects the entry tube and the exit tube.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1992Date of Patent: June 15, 1993Inventor: Wilfred E. Lipman
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Patent number: 5195189Abstract: A pliable hinged nonbuoyant flapper valve having a frusto conical projection for centering the valve in relation to a toilet drain, and for permitting the flapper valve to contact a toilet drain valve along a continuous line of engagement of seal the toilet valve. A chain connects the flapper valve to a toilet control lever. A ball float having a positive buoyancy slightly greater than the mass of the flapper valve is interposed an an adjusted location between the lever and the flapper valve for holding the flapper valve in an opened position to allow a predetermined volume of water to flow through the toilet drain.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1991Date of Patent: March 23, 1993Assignee: The Ambusant Group, Inc.Inventor: Robert F. Gibb
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Patent number: 5182819Abstract: A kit that includes a universal flapper and water saver valve stop for the fluid outlet of sanitary flush tanks utilizing a flat, thin, doughnut shaped gasket mounted on alternate supports, wherein the use of one support allows the doughnut shaped gasket to maintain its relatively flat configuration as in standard flapper valves, and the use of the alternate support stretches the doughnut shaped gasket to form a truncated cone, the dimensions of which closely follow those of standard ball valves, and the support structure for the valve stop includes at least two connecting devices for alternately connecting the valve stop to the different types of connecting assemblies found in standard flush tanks.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 1991Date of Patent: February 2, 1993Inventor: William S. Shaw
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Patent number: 5181282Abstract: A semi-flush flapper valve apparatus is provided for use in a toilet and consists of a two position operable flush handle on the toilet tank. A main flapper valve has a bleeder valve pivotally mounted thereto. The operating handle is rotated in a first direction to operate the main flapper valve normally thereby causing a conventional full flush cycle in the toilet tank. The operating handle is rotated in a second direction to open the bleeder valve and operate the main flapper valve together thereby venting air from the main flapper valve so as to make the main flapper valve close faster causing a semi-flush cycle in the toilet tank.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1991Date of Patent: January 26, 1993Inventor: Joseph Comparetti
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Patent number: 5175895Abstract: An adapter for mounting, via trunnions, a flapper valve upon a pair of uprights extending from a valve seat of a discharge pipe in a toilet tank.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 1990Date of Patent: January 5, 1993Inventors: Jeffrey R. Fike, John A. Fernstrum, Jr.
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Patent number: 5173971Abstract: An assembly is provided for replacing part or all of a toilet flush valve, which facilitates mounting in a variety of toilets and which enables saving of water. The assembly includes an adapter (30, FIG. 6) for mounting on older types of overflow tubes, which includes a ring member (70) having a gap (72) and a leaf spring (80) extending across the gap. After the adapter is moved down along the overflow tube and lies at its base, the spring is pushed in to cause a hook (84) at one end to ride along a ramp (90) from a second tooth (88) to a third tooth (92) and engage the third tooth, to tightly clamp the ring member in place to prevent turning. A closing delay cup (116, FIG. 9) that can be used on a valve member, includes a plurality of holes and at least one plug (126) that is molded to the cup and can be cut off and used to plug one of the holes (120) to adjust the amount of water saved in each flushing. A valve member includes a tank ball having an enlargement (160, FIG.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1991Date of Patent: December 29, 1992Assignee: Fluidmaster, Inc.Inventors: Adolf Schoepe, Kabir Siddiqui
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Patent number: 5153948Abstract: A water saver unit for use with a flush toilet having a tank, a flush handle, a tank drain opening and a flapper valve support, with a flapper valve having a flapper element for mounting on the flapper valve support, and a strap for connecting the flapper element to the flapper handle, with the flapper element having a solid disk with upper and lower surfaces, a center section and a rim, with radially extending ribs on the upper surface between the center section and rim, and with the bottom surface tapering downward from the rim toward the center section. A float is positioned on the strap to provide bouyancy to the flapper valve as long as the float is below the water level in the toilet tank. The flapper element solid disk is of substantially uniform thickness between the center section and rim, and the bottom surface taper is in the order of 5 to 20 degrees, preferably about 10 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1991Date of Patent: October 13, 1992Assignee: Toilet Mizer Co.Inventors: Richard S. Smith, Victor Strand
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Patent number: 5138725Abstract: An adapter for mounting and limiting the pivotal movement of a flapper valve upon a pair of uprights extending from a valve seat of a discharge pipe in a toilet tank.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1990Date of Patent: August 18, 1992Assignee: Frugal Fellows Limited PartnershipInventor: John A. Fernstrum, Jr.
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Patent number: 5117514Abstract: An improved toilet flapper valve (10) designed to directly replace either a conventional toilet flapper valve or tank ball valve. The valve (10) allows a toilet user to selectively determine the quantity of water used for a toilet flush by controlling the time that a toilet flush handle (38) is held in the depressed position. The water quantity used depends on whether liquid or solid waste is to be flushed. For liquid waste, a partial flush is used; for solid waste a full flush is recommended. The valve (10) consists of a resilient body having a cavity (12) located over the toilet tank drain (34). The cavity houses a weight (16) that fulfills two functions: it provides the weight necessary to make the valve non-buoyant and it produces under the area of the weight, a flat rigid section (18) that extends radially over and beyond the perimeter of the valve seat (36). This rigid section provides a positive seal without sagging which can produce unnoticed leaks.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1991Date of Patent: June 2, 1992Inventor: Robert A. Richter
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Patent number: 5090066Abstract: An assembly is provided for replacing part or all of a toilet flush valve, which facilitates mounting in a variety of toilets and which enables saving of water. The assembly includes an adapter (30, FIG. 6) for mounting on older types of overflow tubes, which includes a ring member (70) having a gap (72l ) and a leaf spring (80) extending across the gap. After the adapter is moved down along the overflow tube and lies at its base, the spring is pushed in to cause a hook (84) at one end to ride along a ramp (90) from a second tooth (88) to a third tooth (92) and engage the third tooth, to tightly clamp the ring member in place to prevent turning. A closing delay cup (116, FIG. 9) that can be used on a valve member, includes a plurality of holes and at least one plug (126) that is molded to the cup and can be cut off and used to plug one of the holes (120) to adjust the amount of water saved in each flushing. A valve member includes a tank ball having an enlargement (160, FIG.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1990Date of Patent: February 25, 1992Assignee: Fluidmaster, Inc.Inventors: Adolf Schoepe, Kabir Siddiqui
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Patent number: 5023960Abstract: A water saver device to be connectable to the flushing mechanism of a conventional toilet. The device causes the conventional flapper valve of the discharge opening of the toilet tank to close prematurely prior to discharge of the entire contents of the tank. The device is to be adjustable so that during the flushing action of the conventional toilet, between fifty to seventy percent of water is used from what would normally be used. There is a second embodiment which permits selecting of either a full flush or a half flush.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1990Date of Patent: June 18, 1991Inventor: Srinkarn Ratanagsu
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Patent number: 5003644Abstract: An improved two-stage controllable water discharge mechanism for flush toilet tank, and especially with the type having two float valves, an upper one and a lower one, wherein either the upper valve can be selectively opened or both can be simultaneously operated by simply actuating a couple of control buttons so as to vary the volume of water discharged from a cistern in consideration of economizing the use of water.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 1990Date of Patent: April 2, 1991Inventor: Chin-Ming Huang
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Patent number: 4953237Abstract: A globular flapper valve for use in combination with a conventional toilet tank. The flapper valve consist primarily of a normally submerged lever-actuated plunger valve having connection with two separate but interconnected air chambers. A first and upper air chamber is formed in a pneumatically sealable globular container, the upper chamber having open drain access to a lower chamber which has access to a reservoir drain. The first air chamber is operatively connected to the plunger valve and the entire unit is controlled by an attached lever which may be selectively actuated to obtain a partial and alternatively a full flush.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 1990Date of Patent: September 4, 1990Inventor: Bernard C. Perkins
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Patent number: 4910813Abstract: A flush tank h aving an outlet provided with a valve seat and a rigid support member fixed in position inside the tank is provided with a flapper valve formed of elastomeric material and having a body portion adapted to cooperate with the valve seat and having an integral mounting portion arranged to position the body portion relative to the fixed support to accommodate relative movement of the body portion and the valve seat together with a rigid stiffening element fixedly mounted on the body portion of the flapper valve for maintaining the body portion in flat face contacting relation with the valve seat during valve closed conditions. According to one aspect of the invention, a sizing element is provided for insertion into the tank outlet in snug relation therewith and having an inner opening of a size which is less than the size of the tank outlet.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1989Date of Patent: March 27, 1990Inventor: Harold G. Applegart
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Patent number: 4910812Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 29, 1989Date of Patent: March 27, 1990Inventor: Joseph Comparetti
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Patent number: 4872473Abstract: A reversible buoyant and non-buoyant flush tank valve is adapted for use in various types of flush tanks each having different selective valve operating attachments for moving the valve. The valve for use in one type of tank includes an elongated base with opposite end portions with a valve operating attachment selectivity at one end for opening and closing the valve. The other end portion of the valve is selectively attachable to the overflow pipe. The base has opposite sides with a vertically extending hollow frusto-conical cup member on one side. When the valve is used in another type of tank the opposite end portions are removed for connecting a vertical rod valve operating attachment to a first and second oppositely disposed bores to selectively position the cup member upwardly for non-buoyant operation or downwardly for buoyant operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1988Date of Patent: October 10, 1989Inventor: Michael Agostino
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Patent number: 4841579Abstract: A rigid flapper type valve having a backing plate has been provided with a valve seal in the form of a flexible disc mounted to the bottom of the flapper valve. During sealing the disc will flex to contact the backing plate. A vent hole is provided in the backing plate to vent the area between the disc and plate.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1987Date of Patent: June 27, 1989Inventor: Bruce A. Antunez
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Patent number: 4841580Abstract: A flush valve for use in a flush tank for control by the operator of the amount used in flushing, the valve including an elongate body having a solid generally hemispherical protuberance extending outwardly on one side and a hollow frusto-conical cup member extending outwardly from the other side. A tab and opening therethrough on the forward portion of the body for connection to the valve operating system allows the valve to be alternatively turned with the cup member facing upward and being non-buoyant or having the cup member facing downwardly whereby air trapped therein renders the valve buoyant for substantially a full flush. Spaced arm members extend laterally from the rearward portion of the valve body and have one or more openings pivotally mounting the valve to the normal overflow tube to position the valve with respect to the water outlet in either selected position.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1987Date of Patent: June 27, 1989Inventor: Michael Agostino
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Patent number: 4811432Abstract: A flush tank water saver has an elongated semi-circular base fitting around and clamped to the overflow pipe. This base carries an operating lever on pivots close to the flapper valve pivots. One part of this lever engages the flapper valve at its center and pushes it closed. The force causing closure is provided by another part of the lever which extends beneath and generally parallel with a float lever, the two levers being connected by an adjustable chain. The second part of the operating lever is subtantially longer than the flapper valve engaging part giving a mechanical advantage to the float and causing gravity to close the valve. A positive cut off point is provided by a latch holding the operator in open position, this latch being released by the float lever.A second embodiment utilizes a spring for pushing the valve operator. Movement of the flush lever to flush latches the valve operator open. The latch is released by the float lever.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1987Date of Patent: March 14, 1989Inventor: John L. Harris
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Patent number: 4698859Abstract: A flapper valve assembly including an adapter member and a flapper valve member. The adapter member includes a collar portion, a pair of trunions projecting radially outwardly from diametrically opposed locations on the collar portion, and a mounting portion extending rearwardly from the collar portion and defining an elongated slot. The flapper valve member includes a sealing disc for sealing coaction with the valve seat of the outlet passage of the tank, a float bowl extending integrally and centrally downwardly from the sealing disc for positioning within the outlet passage, and a pair of arms extending rearwardly from the sealing disc and including mounting apertures sized to button over the trunions on the adapter member to mount the valve member for pivotal movement on the adapter member between opened and closed positions relative to the valve seat of the outlet passage.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1986Date of Patent: October 13, 1987Assignee: Brass-Craft Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Marvin Freed
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Patent number: 4639951Abstract: A reliable, inexpensive wear plate attachment for conventional toilet flush valve assemblies which is easily attached to the same for repair of a broken or worn pivoted valve stop wall portion, or, for attachment prior to breakdown in a program of preventative maintenance, thereby obviating expensive and more complex replacement of a major portion of the valve assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1986Date of Patent: February 3, 1987Inventor: Jerzy Lamot
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Patent number: 4499616Abstract: A flush valve for use with a toilet tank assembly having a flush outlet surrounded by a valve seat, an overflow pipe, and a lift arm movable to initiate flow through the valve seat includes a one piece integral body of molded plastic material. The valve body includes a float fabricated on one end that is aligned with the valve seat to control flow therethrough. An integral beam is fabricated at another end of the body. The float and beam are interconnected by planar portions of the body. A mounting collar is also integrally formed on another planar portion of the body extending from the beam to the collar. The collar may be mounted on the overflow pipe to secure the valve to the toilet tank assembly. An elongated lift strap integrally fabricated with the body extends from the float member and includes a tooth structure for attachment to the lift arm.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1979Date of Patent: February 19, 1985Assignee: Fillpro Products, Inc.Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
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Patent number: 4497076Abstract: The invention is an improved, adjustable ball valve closure for use in a dual flush water closet which allows the choice of a regular flush or a water saving flush. The adjustable closure is the type having a buoyancy chamber with a relatively lower drain hole and a relatively higher air bleeder port. It is improved by providing a water inlet port in a position which is above the drain hole when the valve closure is closed and is lower than the air bleeder port when the valve closure is open. The improvement allows a finer, more accurate adjustment of the amount of water discharged for a limited flush.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1983Date of Patent: February 5, 1985Inventor: Donald E. Sullivan
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Patent number: 4471499Abstract: A self-contained replacement flush valve assembly has an annular valve seat member which is sealed to the original valve seat by an elastomeric sealing ring, the valve seat member being clamped in position by a toggle assembly mounted on a screw carried by a frame received in the cistern outlet tube. The frame is of H-shape and its upper limbs are pivotally connected to the valve seat member, the lower limbs having a sliding engagement with pivoted arms of the toggle assembly to resist rotation of the toggle assembly. The toggle arms are pivotally retracted during insertion of the toggle assembly and frame into the outlet tube, but fall into extended positions so that on tightening the screw the arms clamp against the lower end of the outlet tube.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1983Date of Patent: September 18, 1984Assignee: C. H. Edwards LimitedInventors: Philip Troman, Brian E. Carrington
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Patent number: 4467482Abstract: A float valve assembly for a water closet that has perfect seating control. The float valve can only move in an up and down direction and cannot move sideways. The float valve assembly has a float member that forms a valve which cooperates with a valve seat for opening and closing the flushing opening of the outlet coupling of the water closet. A pair of laterally spaced wire arm members have their one end pivotally attached to the top of the float member and their other end are pivotally attached to a C-shaped clamp that snaps onto the overflow tube within the water closet. A string-like member has its one end attached to the top of the float member and its opposite end can be attached to the free end of the actuating arm within the water closet.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1983Date of Patent: August 28, 1984Inventor: Arthur M. Dyer
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Patent number: 4455694Abstract: A clip-on attachment is disclosed by which an unskilled homeowner can easily transform his existing toilet or a new one into a water-saving device wherein either a total or partial flush can be selected at the option of a user. In the preferred embodiment, the attachment comprises a force-down wire which can be easily clipped onto any standard flapper flush valve, a lever arm having a lower end portion which can pivot against the wire to prematurely force the valve to close, a weighted float attached to the top of the lever arm near the full water line of the tank, and a latch to selectively prevent or allow the float to drop with the upper level of water in the tank during flushing of the toilet.If a user decides that a partial flush is sufficient to evacuate the bowl, the latch is positioned to allow the float to freely drop with the water level. As the float drops, the lever arm pivots and forces the valve to prematurely close before the tank is completely emptied.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1982Date of Patent: June 26, 1984Inventor: Thaddeus S. Dymon
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Patent number: 4433446Abstract: A flush valve connectable to a wall of a toilet tank is disclosed. In one embodiment, there is a non-circular outlet formed in the bottom wall of the tank. There is also a resilient seal bearing against an upper surface of the bottom wall, the seal surrounding the outlet and having a central bore aligned therewith. A flush valve is provided having a housing that extends through the seal bore and outlet. The housing also has an outwardly extending flange above the seal to trap the seal against the bottom wall, and a radially outwardly extending projection below the bottom wall. The housing is rotatable between a first position in which the projection can pass vertically through the outlet, and a second position where the projection can catch under the bottom wall.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1983Date of Patent: February 28, 1984Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventor: Ronald N. Grimstad
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Patent number: 4388736Abstract: An improvement is described for a tank type toilet flushing system. A positive coupling is provided between the flushing handle and the tank emptying flushing valve including a rigid flush control rod. This permits the flush to be terminated at will and before the flush tank is completely emptied. The flush control rod has a bent, length adjusting section, and a bent section for removably mounting a float.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1981Date of Patent: June 21, 1983Inventors: Peter V. Roosa, Vernon D. Roosa
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Patent number: 4365364Abstract: A demand type flush tank control for saving water by the utilization of a water release valve of the flapper type in the water storage tank of a toilet, with such flapper valve being non-buoyant such that it will close off the flow of water from the tank into the toilet the instant the flush handle has been released by the user. In this way, the use of the entire contents of the tank is prevented, except on those occasions where a full tank is actually needed. My novel flapper valve has no air pocket below the sealing area, as do conventional flapper valves, and it is non-buoyant in that a cavity is provided in the upper part of the valve, through which water can enter a part of the valve body. Accordingly, my novel flapper valve readily returns to its seat the moment the toilet handle is released, thereby effecting a daily savings of many gallons of water.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1981Date of Patent: December 28, 1982Inventor: Rudolph T. Riedel
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Patent number: 4365365Abstract: A flush valve adapted to be mounted to the bottom of a tank. The flush valve has a body with a drain conduit and an opening which can be opened and closed by a movable plug. The body has an internal thread in the drain conduit. A mounting seal has a flange that bears against the tank bottom and a skirt that fits in the drain port in the tank. An expander has an external thread which engages the internal thread, and also has a tapered expander section that enters and diametrally enlarges the skirt when the threads are progressively engaged. Enlargement of the skirt makes a fluid-tight seal and exerts a force which holds the body of the tank. Torque-tool engagement surfaces are formed in the expander so it can be turned.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1981Date of Patent: December 28, 1982Inventor: Bruce A. Antunez
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Patent number: 4364129Abstract: A toilet flush system designed for manual control of the amount of water used for a toilet flush cycle uses a tank ball, flapper valve, or other type valves to control the closing of a reservoir outlet at selected times prior to or upon completion of the normal flush cycle. The tank ball or flapper valve is modified to overcome its buoyancy such that it rapidly closes the tank reservoir to thereby terminate the flush cycle when the handle of the toilet is released. By maintaining the handle in the operated position, the individual flush cycle can be controlled dependent on the waste to be disposed of, thus permitting a significant saving in fresh water. The buoyancy of the valve is overcome by utilizing a water absorbing material such as sponge material within the valve which, when primed, increases the weight of the valve.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 1977Date of Patent: December 21, 1982Inventor: John S. Schonger
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Patent number: 4232408Abstract: Disclosed herein is a two variable flush gate for a flush toilet. It is a structure that, by means of adding and altering parts of elements in a traditional flush gate, can select a discharge quantity with simple operation of the discharge lever as needed so that unnecessary water consumption can be avoided.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1979Date of Patent: November 11, 1980Inventor: Lee Chen-Yuan
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Patent number: 4224703Abstract: An attachment for closing all varieties of flush valves before the normal amount of water has exited the tank includes a buoyant float that falls with the water level of the tank during a flush and applies its weight against the flush valve to push the valve prematurely into its seat. A float guide rod attaches to the tank wall and provides a path for the float to move upon, and a valve actuator rod is adjustably connected to the float and directly contacts the flush valve. A variety of attachments to the flush valves or actuator rod are provided for reliable performance. A combination of an entire flush valve assembly with a valve closer incorporated in its structure includes a float guide rod attached to the standpipe of the valve assembly rather than to the tank wall.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1977Date of Patent: September 30, 1980Inventor: Walter Makhobey
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Patent number: 4185339Abstract: A flush tank is provided including a lower outlet opening and internal structure for guided movement of a free spherical buoyant valve ball into seated position in the outlet opening of the tank after the flush water has been drained therefrom. The tank includes a float controlled water inlet valve and float operated structure for at least partially unseating the valve ball from the water outlet in response to the level of water within the tank exceeding a predetermined maximum established by the float controlled water inlet valve, in the event of a malfunction of the water inlet valve to completely terminate the entrance of water into the tank as the level of water reaches the aforementioned predetermined maximum. Further, the lower outlet opening includes an upwardly facing annular concave spherical seat of the same radius of curvature as the valve ball and the seat is defined by a tapering peripheral lip portion of a resilient valve ball seat.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1977Date of Patent: January 29, 1980Inventor: Juan A. Morales
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Patent number: 4184215Abstract: A toilet flush assembly having an imbalanced weight relationship between the flush handle and the arm of the tank lever, constructed and arranged to allow manual assistance in closing the outlet valve to thereby provide for limiting the amount of water passing from the toilet tank reservoir into the toilet bowl for flushing purposes.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1978Date of Patent: January 22, 1980Inventor: Leo S. Birdsall
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Patent number: 4172299Abstract: A dual control for selectively releasing different amounts of water from a toilet flush tank, the device including a bifurcated activating handle and arm connected by a lever and chains to first and second stoppers that seat at different vertical positions on a hallow tower.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1977Date of Patent: October 30, 1979Inventor: Joaquin G. del Pozo
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Patent number: 4160294Abstract: A two-stage toilet flush mechanism is provided in which operation of the usual control lever to a yieldable manually-felt detent point produces a partial flush the duration of which is controlled by the position of first float with respect to the initial water level in the storage tank, and movement of the lever beyond the detent point produces a complete flush the duration of which is controlled by the position of a second float with respect to the initial water level.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 1977Date of Patent: July 10, 1979Inventor: John T. Crumby
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Patent number: 4155128Abstract: A toilet tank flush valve assembly including a vinyl foam valve closure element is disclosed. A guide element is attached to the bottom of the valve closure element and extends into the flush pipe when the valve closure element is seated for guiding the seating of the valve closure element. A linkage element links the bottom of the valve closure element to the inside of the flush pipe below the valve seat for limiting upward vertical movement of the valve closure element and for limiting revolution of the valve closure element about the overflow pipe when the valve closure element is lifted off of the valve seat so that the bottom extremity of the guide is not moved horizontally to a position that is not within the valve seat.A vinyl foam disc-shaped buoy is attached to the top of the valve closure element by a ball chain and is restrained from moving more than a predetermined length of the chain from the valve closure element.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 1978Date of Patent: May 22, 1979Inventor: Arthur M. Dyer
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Patent number: 4134165Abstract: This invention provides an attachment for use with a flush toilet mechanism with the usual stopper and a cylindrical float member horizontally disposed, both being fixed with respect to each other and being swingable about a horizontal axis parallel with the cylinder axis. The attachment effects a saving of water used in flushing, and includes an upwardly open receptacle pivotally mounted with respect to a frame element, the latter being attached to the flush toilet mechanism such that the vertical location of the frame element with respect to the flush toilet mechanism can be selectively adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1978Date of Patent: January 16, 1979Inventors: Clarence F. Phripp, Norman R. Preston
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Patent number: 4120055Abstract: A flushing apparatus for a toilet includes means for positioning the float for the conventional water control valve in either a first, lower position at which a low water level is maintained or a second, higher position at which a higher water level is maintained. Partial rotation of the conventional flushing handle releases the float from the first position to permit the water level in the toilet tank to rise to the higher level controlled by the float in the second position.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1977Date of Patent: October 17, 1978Inventor: Paul F. Mormile
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Patent number: 4106136Abstract: A device usable in a toilet flush tank having a bottom wall opening comprises:(a) a tubular body adjustably located in drain communication with said opening and having an inlet spaced above the level of said opening so that only tank water above the level of said inlet will flow downward through said body during the toilet flush cycle,(b) the body containing a venturi to accelerate said flow.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 1977Date of Patent: August 15, 1978Inventor: Richard L. Lippincott, Sr.
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Patent number: 4103366Abstract: This invention relates a replacement valve assembly for flush tank toilets of the type having a vertical discharge pipe connected within the tank with a generally horizontal annular valve seat. The replacement valve comprises a disc shaped member of rubber-like plastic material which is pivotally mounted on pins carried by a flexible annular ring which is in turn frictionally slidably mounted on a vertical post to provide the proper vertical position for the replacement valve disc. The vertical post is in turn secured to a horizontal extendable tube including at least two threaded parts which are rotated relative to each other to force the ends of the extendable tube into wedging engagement with the sidewalls of the flush tank.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1976Date of Patent: August 1, 1978Inventor: John La Tour, Jr.
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Patent number: 4080669Abstract: A toilet flush control is provided which is capable of dispensing different amounts of water and which comprises a rod flexibly attached to the outlet valve and loosely confined at its upper end. A floating ball slides down the rod as the water level falls and pushes the valve closed for a short flush. In a particular embodiment the ball is held at the top for full flush when the toilet seat is down and is released when the toilet seat is raised.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1976Date of Patent: March 28, 1978Inventor: William L. Biggerstaff