Actuator Patents (Class 4/405)
  • Patent number: 11732453
    Abstract: A powerless automatic flushing device is proposed. The device controls flushing of feces and time to dispose of toilet paper with feces while suctioning air from outside through a feces toilet paper time adjustment part and a flushing adjustment part when a toilet user defecates and leaves a toilet seat, and respectively controls the flushing of urine and time to dispose of toilet paper with urine while rapidly suctioning the air from the outside through each of a feces toilet paper time adjustment part, a flushing adjustment part, and a urine toilet paper time adjustment part when the toilet user urinates and leaves the toilet seat, thereby preventing the toilet user from wasting the water by unnecessarily pressing a lever, and a tension load spring compresses in conjunction with descending motion of the toilet seat and retains a tension load force capable of pulling a flushing wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: AIR VOOM INC.
    Inventors: Dong Jin Lee, Jae Tong Lee
  • Patent number: 11629487
    Abstract: An assembly comprises an outer subassembly, a toilet tank, and an inner subassembly. The outer subassembly further comprises a handle, a handle stop, a torsion spring disposed between the handle and the handle stop, and a tank hole seal. The inner subassembly further comprises a mounting plate to receive the outer subassembly. A drive pin is coupled to the mounting plate. The inner subassembly further comprises a flush lever and a roller subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventors: Kevin J. Guthrie, Jordan Smith
  • Patent number: 11365536
    Abstract: An extender device for a toilet is provided. The toilet includes a flush button provided on a first surface of a tank for flushing the toilet. The extender device includes an extender button that is configured to be mounted to a front surface of the tank of the toilet, a flexible line operatively connected to the extender button, and a member operatively connected to the line. The member is configured to be in operative connection with the flush button and the extender button is configured to be pressed to thereby cause the line to move the member to cause the flush button to depress and flush the toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Inventor: Rayan Omidi
  • Patent number: 10927535
    Abstract: Provided is a module for an unpowered and automatically flushing apparatus having detachable and waterproof functions on a toilet seat. A loading lever rotates, by means of the descending movement of a toilet seat, and presses a loading member, thereby enabling enhancement of the transmission efficiency of the force and smooth operation. Also, by means of simplifying the installation work, in which a loading unit and a toilet paper time and flush control unit, or, a loading unit, a toilet paper time and flush control unit and a toilet paper time and flush control unit, or, a loading unit, a toilet paper time and flush control unit, a feces and urine distinguishing unit and a toilet paper time and flush control unit are modularized and installed on the toilet seat, the working process and working time can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: AIR VOOM INC.
    Inventors: Dong Jin Lee, Jae Tong Lee
  • Patent number: 10077548
    Abstract: A toilet tank lever may comprise a flush handle, a first connecting rod and a second connecting rod. The flush handle is configured for flushing toilet, and a column protrudes from an inner surface thereof. The first connecting rod has a fixed section and a lever section, and the second connecting rod comprises a first end and a second end. The first connecting rod and the second connecting rod are pivotally connected with an adjustable included angle such that the toilet tank lever of the present invention is configured to be applied to different types of toilet water tanks, thereby improving the practicability thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Alexander Yeh Industry Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Li-Chen Huang
  • Patent number: 9932729
    Abstract: A control handle module includes a flush handle, a first lever and a second lever. The flush handle has an extension. The first lever is secured on the extension. The first lever includes a body section, a fixing portion and a pivot base. The pivot base has an arcuate periphery which is provided with a first stop rib and a second stop rib. The second lever has a first shank and a second shank. The second shank has a resting face and a pivot ear. The pivot ear is pivotally connected with the pivot base. The resting face rests on the first stop rib or the second stop rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Alexander Yeh Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheng-Yen Yeh
  • Patent number: 9719238
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an operating device for a flush water tank device in a flush toilet wherein manual and motorized control units are configured to actuate a flush valve by means of a single connecting member operably connecting the manual and motorized control units to the flush valve. The operating device is characterized by a single connecting member operatively connected to the flush valve for opening and closing the flush valve depending on a pull-up amount of the connecting member, a manually operating unit for pulling up the single connecting member when a user performs a manual operation for the control unit, and an electrical drive unit adapted to pull up the single connecting member so as to actuate the flush valve by using an electrical power from an external power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Masaaki Momoe, Takashi Oogami, Masateru Shiraishi, Hiroshi Suminaka
  • Patent number: 9447571
    Abstract: An automatic flushing mechanism includes an electronic control box containing a motor and an intermittent motion gear coupled to a rotation shaft of the motor. The intermittent motion gear is configured to rotate when the motor is operated. The intermittent motion gear includes a toothed portion including a plurality of gear teeth. The automatic flushing mechanism includes an intermittent motion pendulum rod including a first end pivotally attached to the electronic control box via a rotation shaft, a second end coupled to a flush valve, and a curved rack including a plurality of rack teeth which mesh with the gear teeth of the intermittent motion gear. Rotation of the intermittent motion gear causes the curved rack to be lifted upward, thereby rotating the intermittent motion pendulum rod about the rotation shaft and lifting the flush valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: SHANGHAI KOHLER ELECTRONICS, LTD.
    Inventor: Wang Yihua
  • Patent number: 8904572
    Abstract: An assembly for initiating flushing of a toilet includes a handle and a bushing. The handle includes an axially extending stem that defines an axis of rotation. The bushing is configured to rotatably couple the handle to a tank of the toilet and includes a passage with the stem of the handle received therein. The handle defines two or more annular handle surfaces that are configured to cooperatively engage two or more annular bushing surfaces for rotation of the handle relative to the bushing about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Robert Scott Davis
  • Publication number: 20140289946
    Abstract: An operating device of the present invention includes: an operating member configured to be rotationally moved according to a rotational operation performed by a user; a rotary shaft; and a drive unit disposed above a level of flush water within a flush water tank, and configured to displace a coupling member according to a rotational movement of the rotary shaft, the coupling member coupling the drive unit and a water discharge valve together, and capable of opening and closing the water discharge valve by means of its own displacement, wherein the drive unit comprises a rotation mechanism configured to be rotated at a radius of rotation greater than that of the rotary shaft, the drive unit being operable to roll up the coupling member along its own rotational direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki TANIMOTO, Koki SHINOHARA, Kenji HATAMA
  • Patent number: 8615823
    Abstract: A flusher assembly includes a main body adapted for mounting to a toilet tank; and a flush handle assembly having a shaft rotatably mounted within the main body and operable in a full flush rotation position and a limited flush rotation. The assembly is simple, reliable and efficiently manufactured, and allows selection of full or limited volume flushing of toilets and, thereby, conservation of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Edward H. Heath
  • Patent number: 8584268
    Abstract: A dual flush device is disclosed to provide a full flush for removing solid waste and a water-saving partial flush for removing liquid or light solid waste in a toilet. It includes a first flush handle attached to a shaft to raise a lever to open a flapper valve, and a second flush handle that overlaps the first handle and opens the flapper valve through the first handle. A float assembly is disclosed to be used either with the dual flush device or with the original single flush lever assembly to prematurely close an opened flapper valve and reduce water consumption. Using the original flapper valve in a conventional toilet tank, a dual flush function is achieved by any of the three implementation choices: (1) the dual flush device alone; (2) the dual flush device and a float assembly; and (3) a float assembly alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventor: James T. Han
  • Publication number: 20130247291
    Abstract: A system for preventing overflow of a toilet includes a sensor, a processor and an actuator. The sensor senses a parameter caused by fluid dynamics within the toilet during a flush cycle. The parameter may involve vibration, sound, pressure, fluid flow rate or other detectible characteristics of the toilet. The processor uses information regarding the parameter that is gathered by the sensor to evaluate the condition of the flush cycle to determine if an impeded flush condition exists. In the event of an impeded flush condition, the processor directs the actuator to close a valve, which may be the toilet flapper valve in some embodiments. Also disclosed are methods for preventing toilet overflow, detecting an impeded flush condition and calibrating the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: LIMIT, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Bowcutt, Ahmed Shishegar, Matthew Ibarra, Daniel Corbin, Dennis Repp, Robert M. Connell, Oscar Dufau, Gregory Blake, Sam Iravantchi
  • Patent number: 8418276
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a toilet flushing device including an outer casing, a gear set, a ring disk set, a connecting rod set and a drive set; wherein the drive set includes a toilet flushing handle. By pressing or lifting the toilet flushing handle towards different directions, the discharged water amount can be controlled accurately and thereby achieves the goal of water saving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventor: So-Mei Huang
  • Patent number: 8393018
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a dual-flush toilet device including an outer casing, a gear set, a ring disk set, a connecting rod set and a drive set. The drive set includes a first toilet flushing handle and a second toilet flushing handle. By pressing the first and the second toilet flushing handle, the discharged water amount can be controlled accurately and thereby achieves the goal of water saving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Somei Huang
  • Publication number: 20130019390
    Abstract: To provide a flow channel opening/closing apparatus that can keep the instantaneous flow rate of supply water, quickly open and close a main valve for starting and stopping water supply and be downsized. A flush valve CV, which is such a flow channel opening/closing apparatus, incorporates constant flow rate keeping part that operates to keep constant the main flow rate of water flowing from a primary-side internal flow channel 20 to a secondary-side internal flow channel 30, and the constant flow rate keeping part has a constant flow rate valve body 44 and a constant flow rate valve seat, operates to adjust the distance between the constant flow rate valve body 44 and the constant flow rate valve seat, and is configured as an integral valve member including a main valve body 42 and the constant flow rate valve body 44.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Naoyuki Onodera, Tsubasa Miyake, Tetsuya Uchida, Takuya Oshikawa, Takamasa Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20120124727
    Abstract: An assembly for initiating flushing of a toilet includes a handle and a bushing. The handle includes an axially extending stem that defines an axis of rotation. The bushing is configured to rotatably couple the handle to a tank of the toilet and includes a passage with the stem of the handle received therein. The handle defines two or more annular handle surfaces that are configured to cooperatively engage two or more annular bushing surfaces for rotation of the handle relative to the bushing about the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Scott Davis
  • Patent number: 8122533
    Abstract: The device has a housing (5) which comprises an opening (4) in which a button (15) is fixed on a receiving part (8) mounted movably in the housing (5). A fitting aid (36) is provided, with which the button (15) may be introduced into the opening (4) in the housing (5) and positioned in a recessed manner therein as well as being fixed to the receiving part (8). Sets of teeth (23, 27) on the receiving part (8) and on the button (15) enable simple and depth-adjustable fixing of the button (15) to the receiving part (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Geberit Technik AG
    Inventor: Martin Rudisser
  • Publication number: 20120036625
    Abstract: A toilet lever system includes a body for extending through a toilet wall, a stem extending through the body for movement relative to the body, a decorative flange covering the stem and removeably attaching to the body, and a handle attaching to the stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: James Leroy Daniels, William Spencer
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110197350
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for emptying a cistern (3) which apparatus includes control unit (2, 102, 202), a pair of actuators electrically connected to the control (2) unit and first and second cables (8a, 8b) each of which is operated by one of the actuators. A first end of each cable is connected to a respective one of the actuators and a second end of each cable is connected to a valve fluidly coupled to an outlet of the cistern. In use, the apparatus actuates the first cable to open the valve for effecting a full flush in response to a first signal received by the control unit. The apparatus is also configure do actuate the second cable to open the valve for effecting a partial flush in response to a second signal received by the control unit. Input means, preferably in the form of an infrared proximity sensor, is provided to receive a command from a user to generate the first and/or second signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Martin Dudley, Peter Cresswell
  • 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: 7966676
    Abstract: The present invention provides a toilet bowl flushing water tank device which can largely open a discharge valve element instantaneously and, at the same time, can ensure a relatively large space in the vicinity of a discharge valve device thus enhancing a discharge capacity with a small power. A push button mounted on a tank lid body of a flushing water tank body is arranged at a position offset to one side from a position where a discharge opening is formed, a leverage device is constituted of a lever which is interlockingly connected to the discharge valve element and a pedestal which pivotally supports a middle portion of the lever. The pedestal pivotally supports a middle portion of the lever at a position closer to a push button side than the discharge valve device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichiro Ueno, Eiji Fukuzawa, Haruki Matsuda, Yukihiro Muroya
  • Patent number: 7861330
    Abstract: A toilet tank lever assembly may be mounted in various toilet tanks by selective positioning of a long lever arm relative a short lever arm. One such lever assembly includes a long lever arm which may be mounted at an infinite degree of adjustment relative a short lever arm as provided by a ball and socket interface between the lever arms. The ability to reverse the short lever arm essentially doubles the number of mounting possibilities. By selecting between a front insert and a side insert, a handle is readily positioned for either front or side tank mounting. Various handles may also be readily attached to the lever post to provide various aesthetic appearances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Brasstech, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Scott Tau, Iosif Manga, Billy Ray Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7818823
    Abstract: A combination urinal/toilet flusher and grabber assembly includes a first resilient U-shaped main body having spaced apart side walls connected by a top wall such that an object can be grasped by compression of outer surfaces of the side walls toward each other. A first hollow member extends from one end of the main body for receiving a urinal/toilet flusher handle. A first tongue extends from an opposite end of the main body and has an opening for receiving a flusher handle. An inner member includes a second resilient main body having spaced apart wings connected together by a top wall, and a second hollow member extending from one end thereof and removably fit within the first hollow member for receiving a flusher handle such that the wings can grasp an object when the side walls are compressed toward each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Inventor: Clarence Thomas
  • Publication number: 20100205735
    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: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: Bruce A. Antunez
  • Publication number: 20100122405
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of a toilet flush handle. In one embodiment, the toilet flush is attached to a lever. At least one receptacle is disposed on the lever, the at least one receptacle being configured to facilitate attachment of a flapper tether to the lever. In one embodiment, the toilet flush handle includes an anti-microbial agent. In another embodiment, an active component is embedded in the toilet flush handle. The active component is configured to generate a user perceivable output in response to a movement of the toilet flush handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: MJSI, INC.
    Inventor: Michael J. Schuster
  • Patent number: 7596819
    Abstract: A trip lever assembly for initiating a flush cycle of a toilet is constructed to have a more solid and smooth feel with less play. The assembly includes a handle accessible with a stem extending into an interior of the toilet. An inner bushing fits onto the stem and inside of a fixed outer bushing. A trip arm connect the handle to a pull member operatively attached to the flush valve. The handle has an anti-rotation feature that engages an associated feature of the inner bushing so that the inner bushing mechanically couples and rotates with the handle. A high viscosity dampening grease is disposed between the inner bushing and the outer bushing to limit lateral play, and smooth the rotation of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Eric Dutton, Luke Zimbric
  • Publication number: 20090235444
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for a cordless pedal flush system 12 for a tank-type toilet 10, employing a floor-positioned RF foot pedal transmitter actuator 14 and a tank-mounted RF receiver flusher actuator 16 installed within the tank. The RF receiver flusher actuator 16 operates independently of the manual flush handle lever 24 employed on most tank-type toilets. The system is powered by its own self-contained DC power source and when activated causes a flushing of the toilet. The system is activated when the user depresses and releases, with the foot, a push button foot switch 20 employed on the RF foot pedal transmitter actuator 14. This action will initiate a toilet flush without the act of touching the flush handle with the hand. Once the RF foot pedal transmitter actuator 14 is activated, it transmits an RF coded command signal to the RF receiver flusher actuator 16.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Herman Holt Hogues, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090139018
    Abstract: A toilet flushing water controlling device is used in conjunction with a reservoir and comprises a funnel part, forming a lower part of the reservoir and having a lower end with an outlet, a sealing ball for closing the outlet, placed in the reservoir, and a flushing device for displacing the sealing ball from the outlet so as to release flushing water from the reservoir. Thereby developing of germs is prevented flushing water is saved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Kwang Wang Liu, Ko-Chin Shiao
  • Publication number: 20080289091
    Abstract: The actuating device comprises a push button housing (7), which may be inserted into an opening (4) in the cistern lid (2). At least one push button (8, 9) and a pusher (11) are mounted in the push button housing (7) for triggering flushing. The push button housing (7) is fastened only to the cistern lid (2) and may be lifted with the cistern lid (2) off the at least one push button (8, 9) and the pusher (11). The actuating device is particularly suitable for cisterns of ceramic material and enables simpler and quicker mounting as well as servicing of the cistern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: Geberit Technik AG
    Inventor: Alfred MAHLER
  • Publication number: 20080276360
    Abstract: An angle adjustable link mechanism for toilets includes a flush handle connected to the tank and a connection extension extends from a shaft of the flush handle. An adjustable assembly includes a first part and a second part which is rotatably connected to the first part. The connection extension is connected to the second part. A link has an end connected to the first part which is pivoted about a common axis with the second part so that the position of the link is set relative to the flush handle by adjustment between the first and second parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Li-Fen Yang
  • Patent number: 7434275
    Abstract: Apparatus for selectively preventing flushing of a toilet includes a flush handle mounted on the tank of the toilet and structure in the tank interior for engaging a float of the water inlet valve control assembly of the toilet when the flush handle is actuated. A lock on the flush handle is employed to lock the float in an elevated condition to prevent the flow of flush water into the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventors: Gregory DeVore, Steven DeVore
  • Publication number: 20080201834
    Abstract: A finger-tip access to a water saving retrofiable or original equipped device having a free traveling flexible cord routed from a toilet holding tank to inside non-frictional orifices located at strategic points on major toilet components, able to allow free water flow for full flushes or able to limit flow for partial flushes and stop or interrupt water flow for unusual or emergency functional operations such as toilet bowl cleaning, preventing a bowl overflow, slowing or stopping a flapper valve leak, or help prevent a drowning from occurring simply by pulling a cord.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Frank Collura
  • Patent number: 7415737
    Abstract: An automatic flushing system is equipped with a buoyancy mechanism to unseat a valve set in a tank of a toilet. The automatic flushing system, equipped with battery power, includes sets of sensing, actuating, latching, buoyancy, unseat/seat and valve members. The battery power only provides electrical power to sensing and actuating members to release a float from an engaged position to a release position. Thus, the buoyancy of the float may unseat a valve to open a drain of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Inventors: Raymond Yinghui Hung, Mark Y. F. Chow
  • Publication number: 20080115263
    Abstract: A universal kit for installing a flush lever 22 on a toilet water tank wall 12A, and a toilet with the kit components installed therein, whereby the same components can be used to quickly and efficiently install the handle on the front face, side face, or angled portion of the toilet tank. The kit comprises a fixture 66 for mounting a flush rod actuation handle 20 on a tank wall, whereby the handle can be rotated about an axis 58, 60 extending perpendicularly from the wall into the tank. A flush rod 34 is angulated in three dimensions and has opposite end portions 36, 38, having the same shape, such that either end portion is selectively securable in the mounting fixture 66 for corotation with the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Matthew J. Siena, John H. Siena, Chris W. Jeffers
  • Publication number: 20080072371
    Abstract: An attachment device adapted to connect with a toilet flush handle is disclosed. The attachment device can be configured to provide additional locations for an individual to engage and actuate a toilet flush handle when flushing a toilet. Some embodiments of the attachment device can be configured to reduce the force necessary to actuate the flush handle as well as provide engagement locations at various heights. Embodiments of the attachment device can also be provided in a method for toilet training an individual.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventor: Anthony Rogers
  • Publication number: 20080010734
    Abstract: A sensor-type flushing system for a toilet tank includes a pressured tank installed in a toilet tank, both a switch valve and an electromagnetic valve connected to the pressured tank. The pressure tank is provided with a drain valve so that pressured tater stored in the pressured tank may be made to flow out of the drain valve to flush pressed water in the toilet bawl by handling manually an operational device set on an outer wall of the toilet tank. Further, the operational device is provided with a sensor, which senses a human body and emits and receives signals to electrically open the electromagnetic valve so as to open the drain valve for flushing pressured water into the toilet bawl. Thus the sensor-type flushing system has two functions of manual and automatic flushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventor: Frank Chang
  • Patent number: 7310832
    Abstract: An automatic flush valve comprising: a linear actuator; an actuator rod in operable communication with the linear actuator; an actuator chain in communication with the actuator rod; a wheel anchor in communication with the actuator chain; a force compensating wheel in communication with the wheel anchor; a flush valve chain in communication with the wheel anchor; a actuated valve component in communication with the flush valve chain; a flush valve in operable communication with the actuated valve component; and where the force compensating wheel is configured to rotate about an off center axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Joseph Spadola
  • Publication number: 20070245476
    Abstract: A trip lever assembly for initiating a flush cycle of a toilet is constructed to have a more solid and smooth feel with less play. The assembly includes a handle accessible with a stem extending into an interior of the toilet. An inner bushing fits onto the stem and inside of a fixed outer bushing. A trip arm connect the handle to a pull member operatively attached to the flush valve. The handle has an anti-rotation feature that engages an associated feature of the inner bushing so that the inner bushing mechanically couples and rotates with the handle. A high viscosity dampening grease is disposed between the inner bushing and the outer bushing to limit lateral play, and smooth the rotation of the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: Eric Dutton, Luke Zimbric
  • Patent number: 7140050
    Abstract: An automatic flushing actuator that mounts to an overflow pipe in a tank style toilet includes a proximity sensor, a housing enclosing a motor mount and gear assembly, and a rotatably mounted lever on top of the housing. A clamp is adapted to be affixed to the side of the housing and secure the actuator to the overflow pipe. When installing the actuator, the clamp is affixed to the overflow pipe before the housing is mounted onto the clamp. The clamp allows the housing to be removably mounted or locked in position on the clamp. The lever coupled to the top of the housing is rotated to a desired position, and a chain is connected to a handle of the toilet opens the flush valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Technical Concepts, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Muderlak
  • Patent number: 7120944
    Abstract: A gripe mechanism of a reservoir tank for a toilet bowl is assembled to a through hole defined in the reservoir tank. The gripe mechanism includes a bolt extending through the through hole of the reservoir tank, a position limit member locating at an inner side of the reservoir tank with the bolt extending therethrough, a positioning member, a lever, and a gripe. A plurality of positioning cutouts is evenly defined in the position limit member. A position limit frame extends from the position limit member. A screw hole is defined in the positioning member for engaging with the bolt. The gripe is connected to a projecting rod through a screw thereby linking the gripe to the lever. Movement of the lever is limited by the position limit frame of the position limit member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Fusion Hardware Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig L. Dorsher
  • Patent number: 7100218
    Abstract: A lifting lever (10) for a cistern flush valve. The lever includes a first end (14) adapted for operative engagement with the cistern flush valve, a second end (18) adapted for operative engagement with a flush actuation button (24) and a pivot mounting (28) between the first (14) and second (18) ends. The second end (18) has first and second engagement regions (32, 34) which are respectively closer and farther to the pivot mounting (28). Initial movement of the button (24) causes it to engage the second engagement region (34) and pivot the lever (10) through a first predetermined range of movement whereafter further movement of the button (24) in the same direction causes it to engage the first engagement region (32) and further pivot the lever (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Caroma Industries Limited
    Inventors: Colin William Wooldridge, Sam Robertson England
  • Patent number: 7096517
    Abstract: A flushing device includes a cistern, in which at least one pressure chamber is arranged with a supply line for water and a discharge valve. At least part of the flushing water may be pressurised in the pressure chamber and may be discharged for flushing through the discharge valve. At least one pressure cylinder unit is provided, in which the flushing water may be pressurised and discharged for flushing, by means of a spring-loaded pressure piston. The pressure piston is preferably held in a starting position and may be released for a flushing execution. Should two pressure cylinder units be provided, either a partial or a complete flushing operation may be selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Geberit Technik AG
    Inventors: Albert Gübeli, Mario Von Ballmoos
  • Patent number: 7069604
    Abstract: The present invention provides an open/close valve which contributes the stabilization of the operation responsibility. A housing has a water-in port and a water-out port. Furthermore, a piston which is slidably mounted in the housing in an axial direction by means of an external operation of a shaft, and a pressure offset means for offsetting the pressure which the piston receives from water in the water-out port to the other side are provided. The piston is attached to a seat face of the housing by being slided on one side in an axial direction to close the communication between the water-in port and the water-out port, and the piston is detached to the seat face of the housing by being slided on the other side in an axial direction to open the communication between the water-in port and the water-out port. The pressure offset means comprises a pressure offset room which is formed at the other side of the piston, and a passage for communicating one side of the piston with the pressure offset room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: INAX Corporation
    Inventors: Katsunori Tomita, Kenichi Ito, Koji Miwa, Shingo Morikawa, Yasuhiro Shirai, Masataka Mizutani, Shoichi Nakamura, Hideya Koike, Hidefumi Toyoshi, Atsushi Itoh
  • Patent number: 6834399
    Abstract: A pressure vessel has a tank portion for preserving water and a drain mechanism mounted on the tank portion. An outlet is defined at a bottom of the tank portion for draining water. A through hole is defined at a top of the tank portion and corresponding to the outlet for mounting the drain mechanism thereon. The drain mechanism includes a hollow pipe and a separating plate extending horizontally from an inner side and near a top of the hollow pipe. An actuator is assembled on a top of the separating plate for manual operation and has a first resilient element mounted therein. At least a pivot element pivotably connects with the actuator and each forms an anchor at a lower end thereof. A pole extends longitudinally through an interior of the hollow pipe. The pole forms a flange at a top thereof, and defines at least a groove near the flange for latching the anchors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Globe Union Industrial Corp.
    Inventor: Tsung-Yi Lo
  • Publication number: 20040194824
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for converting or retrofitting manually-operated flush valves. A conversion system for converting an installed manually-operated flush valve includes a power module, a control module, and a driver module mechanically coupled to a manual handle to externally activate the converted flush valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Fatih Guler, Natan E. Parsons
  • Publication number: 20040154087
    Abstract: A cordless pedal flush system (114) for a tank-type toilet (10). The cordless pedal flush system (114) employs a floor positioned cordless pedal actuator (92), a tank mounted receiver control unit (76) and a motorized flush/trip handle actuator (118). The flush/trip handle actuator (118) replaces the conventional manual flush handle (22) employed on most tank-type toilets. The system is a self-contained DC battery powered system that is activated by the user depressing and releasing a push-button (106) on the cordless pedal actuator (92) with the foot, thus eliminating the need for physical hand touching. Once the cordless pedal actuator (92) is activated, it transmits a coded command signal to the receiver control unit (76).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Herman Holt Hogues
  • Patent number: 6651263
    Abstract: A toilet tank having a two-stage flushing device includes a housing, a first water outlet tube, a second water outlet tube, a first water relief valve, a second water relief valve, and a control unit. Thus, the toilet tank can provide a two-stage flushing function, so as to regulate the water outlet rate of the toilet tank, thereby saving the resource and energy. In addition, the first handle and the second handle are operated at the same direction, so as to satisfy the user's custom and the ergonomical requirement, thereby facilitating the user operating flushing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventors: Chien-Liang Hsiao, Pang-Yen Tsai
  • Patent number: 6637044
    Abstract: A toilet trip lever assembly provides a lever arm that extends in the tank perpendicular to the tank wall. As an outer handle is rotated, it drives a stem, which in turn drives an arm inside the tank that extends parallel to the tank wall, which pushes down an end of a lever. A support holds the lever such that downward movement of that end of the lever drives the opposite end of the lever up. The opposite end of the lever is connected to a linkage to a flush valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: David K. Rische, Kyle L. Hokel, Virgil S. Eickhoff