Hollow Patents (Class 4/403)
  • Patent number: 10900212
    Abstract: A magnetic flapper flush valve system for toilets may include a flush tube; a flapper arm pivotally engaged with the flush tube, the flapper arm including a balanced counterweight at a first end thereof; a weighted dome attached to a second end of the flapper arm, wherein the weighted dome includes a flapper dome frame and a top magnetic ring attached to a bottom surface of the flapper dome frame; a flush valve base attached to a bottom end of the flush tube, the flush valve base being a tube with a circular upper opening, the upper opening sized and shaped to accommodate placement of weighted dome therein; and a bottom magnetic ring attached to the flush valve base, wherein the bottom magnetic ring is positioned to removably engage with the top magnetic ring when the weighted dome is positioned within the flush valve base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Inventor: Rami Ben Shoshan
  • Patent number: 8819874
    Abstract: A toilet tank flush valve structure includes a valve base. A float assembly that is adjustable in buoyancy is movable between a sealing position and a flushing position. An overflow tube is attached to the float assembly and extends from a lower end in communication with a water outflow passage of the valve base to an upper end in communication with the interior space of the toilet tank. The upper end of the overflow tube is adjustable relative to the float assembly independently of the buoyancy of the float assembly. A guide member guides movement of the float assembly. A stop member on the guide member limits upward travel of the float assembly from its sealing position. The stop member is adjustable in position lengthwise of the guide member or by extension of the guide member independently of the buoyancy of the float assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Douglas P. Hand
  • Patent number: 8122525
    Abstract: A putting green whose perimeter is level with the top of a concrete-sided pool having a decorative ribbon along the top of the pool side and an apron surrounding the pool having at least partially flat surface, the putting green overlying a deck including a) a waterproof surface comprising decking surface members having lengths and ends, the lengths being sized to the dimensions of the pool and the surface being at the same level as the pool apron; b) supports including i. cross members which are perpendicular to the lengths of the decking surface members; ii. underlying joists that form a sturdy base for the cross members; and iii. joist hangers being secured to the sides of the pool below the decorative ribbon along the top of the pool side and being sunk into the concrete side of the pool; and c) a putting green comprising at least the layers of gravel, sand and artificial grass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: Jeffery L. Getz
  • Patent number: 7992232
    Abstract: A device for controlling valve travel of the flush valve of a toilet operated by a rigid linkage rod and for forcibly returning the valve to the closed position. The device may comprise a spring contained within a sleeve. The sleeve has end caps bearing openings for passing the rigid linkage rod entirely through the sleeve and spring. One end cap may be threaded to enable it to compress and immobilize the spring for selectively defeating operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Paul A. Stone
  • Patent number: 7891028
    Abstract: An improved water-saving toilet flapper valve (20) that calls for an end to automatic toilet flushing; instead it is operated manually. By manually depressing the toilet flush handle (72) for a desired amount of time, the user regulates the amount of water flushed down the toilet in a single session, thus saving water. A short flush interval or full flush interval can be achieved. This is accomplished by designing the flange body (50) of the toilet flapper valve to house a solid inner core (54) containing a weighted mass (56). This allows the toilet flapper valve to become non-buoyant when submerged underwater in a toilet tank (60). The flange body design is an improvement on prior-art since it acts as a flange to create a positive seal with the valve seat (68) of the toilet tank; thus preventing water leakage. This improved toilet flapper valve design can replace a standard toilet flapper valve without the need of additional tools or costly modifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventors: Anthony Camargo, Rocky Caleb Camargo
  • Patent number: 7865979
    Abstract: A toilet tank flush valve structure includes a valve base for installation in the outlet hole formed in the floor of a toilet tank and defining a water outflow passage and including a first valve member at the upper end of the water outflow passage. A float assembly is movable relative to the valve base between a sealing position in which a second valve member at a lower end of the float assembly engages the first valve member in sealing relationship and a flushing position in which the second valve member is spaced upwardly from the first valve member. The float assembly includes an outer shell that is open downwards and has a lower edge at which the shell is provided with the second valve member, and a closure member within the outer shell and cooperating with the outer shell to define a float chamber. The closure member is adjustable in position relative to the outer shell, whereby the float chamber is adjustable in volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Inventor: Douglas P. Hand
  • Patent number: 7788742
    Abstract: A cistern outlet valve assembly (10). The assembly includes an outlet orifice (14) and a buoyant member (20). The buoyant member (20) has an outlet seal (22) on one side and a housing seal (26) on the other. The assembly (10) also includes a valve housing (18) is adapted to cover the buoyant member (20). The housing (18) has large clearance guide means (30) adapted to guide movement of the buoyant member (20) from a closed position in which the outlet seal (22) seals against the outlet orifice (14) and an open position in which the housing seal (20) seals against the housing (18). When the buoyant member (20) is in the open position any fluid incident on the guide means (30) is prevented from flowing onto the buoyant member (20) by the housing seal (20) sealing against the housing (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Caroma Industries Limited
    Inventor: Sam Robertson England
  • Patent number: 7281279
    Abstract: A drain valve, which is assembled on a rotating element of a water tank, is adapted to cooperate with a handle and a link element of the water tank for controlling opening or stopping a drain hole of the water tank. The drain valve includes a fixing base, a cover above the fixing base, a float below the fixing base, and a stop pad between the cover and the fixing base. The fixing base forms outer screw threads on an outer peripheral of a lower portion thereof. A plurality of vent holes being distributed at an outer peripheral of a bottom of the fixing base. The float defines inner screw threads on an inner peripheral of an upper portion thereof for engaging with the outer screw threads of the fixing base thereby adjusting width of the vent holes. The drain valve controls water draining time and stopping time and effectively saves water. In addition, the drain valve is adapted for all types of toilet water tank and is assembled easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Globe Union Industrial Corp.
    Inventor: Ching-chen Shieh
  • Patent number: 7171216
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting a wireless network includes receiving at a mobile device a signal having data indicative of a location of the mobile device. A determination is made whether the mobile device is within the coverage area of a specified network based on the data. The mobile device scans for the specified network in response to at least determining that it is within the coverage area of the specified network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Ojas T Choksi
  • Patent number: 6615415
    Abstract: A tank valve for a lavatory has a body having a plug with a hollow. A flange is formed on a top edge of the plug. A pair of arms is formed on the flange and extends outwards. An upper ring made of a metal is mounted on a top surface of the flange. A lower ring made of a metal is mounted on a bottom surface of the flange. When a user releases a handle, the valve is immediately pivoted downwards to close a water outlet. Thus, a flow-out capacity of water can be controlled by a time of holding a handle, and a lot of water can be saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: A-Pi Lai
  • Patent number: 6263520
    Abstract: Controlling a volume of water contained in the toilet's water tank by manipulating short or long a drawing line connected to an operating lever, includes an operating part having an operating member connected with the line and either operated short by pressing an auxiliary button along with the operating lever's handle, or operated long by pressing the overall handle without pushing the auxiliary button; a flush valve opening a drain pipe's intake with a buoyancy maintained if a working distance of the line is short; and a buoyancy control part letting the flush valve's upper part communicate with the water tank and closing the valve to remove the buoyancy if the working distance of the line is long. This system is easily installed in a drain pipe of the water tank already provided to the toilet body, and is capable of controlling a volume of water after installation just by turning the operating lever's handle in one direction only, thus attaining an advantageous economical aspect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Shin Woo Watos Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kong Seuk Song
  • Patent number: 5784726
    Abstract: A method and device for limiting upward movement of a flapper valve in a toilet having an overflow pipe, wherein upon flushing the toilet the flapper valve is raised to a maximum height. The device comprises a spherical body having a bore therethrough with a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the overflow pipe. The method comprises inserting the spherical body onto the overflow pipe and positioning it at a height on the overflow pipe such that upon flushing the toilet, the flapper valve is raised and contacts the spherical body, which prevents the flapper valve from being raised to its maximum height. The device limits the amount of water used with each flush and prevents the flapper valve from becoming stuck in an upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Steven G. Kay
  • Patent number: 5489165
    Abstract: A retaining module for forming a vertical wall for retaining the earth or similar medium from which a pool, pond or stream is to be constructed. The retaining module has a vertical beam and a horizontal beam integrally molded as a single module, or alternatively, separately molded and fastened together. Several such retaining modules are combined with earth retaining blankets and means for anchoring a flexible water tight membrane in the ground to form a substantially permanent and watertight structure to create a pool, pond or stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Inventor: David J. Smith
  • Patent number: 5182819
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Inventor: William S. Shaw
  • Patent number: 4872473
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Inventor: Michael Agostino
  • Patent number: 4656677
    Abstract: Savings in water consumption are obtained and problems with leakage are avoided by using a water-closet valve which is made of flexible air- and water-tight material and has not only a generally frustoconical seat-engaging portion provided with a pair of circumferential rings or protuberances so as to permit the formation of a double seal but also an interior hollow portion such that towards the end of a flushing operation there is produced within the valve member a partial vacuum which creates a thrust force to perfect the sealing of the valve member within its seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Inventor: Leonard A. Miskiewicz
  • Patent number: 4385406
    Abstract: An improved water closet valve is provided having two separate and distinct circular sealing rings interposed between the valve bulb and the conical opening which constitutes the valve seat. Both sealing rings may be secured to the bulb; both may be secured to the conical opening or one may be secured to the valve bulb and another to the surface of the conical opening. When the valve is in a closed position, at least two distinct spaced-apart seals are provided to obstruct the flow of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1983
    Inventor: Leonard A. Miskiewicz
  • 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: 4189795
    Abstract: An improved ball valve for toilet flush tanks for regulating the quantity of water released from a tank in a flush includes a gauged or adjustable water inlet hole at the bottom of the ball valve and an air bleed hole at the top of the ball valve. The water inlet hole at the bottom of the ball valve is adjustable in size for selectively setting the flow rate of water entering the ball valve during a flush action, and thereby determining the time the ball valve remains open to allow flush water to drain from the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1980
    Inventors: Angelo J. Conti, Ira Pile