Abstract: A programmable fluid or gas control system controls the operation of one or more solenoid valves, each of which in turn controls a gas or fluid dispensing unit. The control system may be used to control water dispensing fixtures such as sprinklers, sinks, showers, toilets and the like, or it may be used in heating-ventilating-air conditioning (HVAC) applications. The control system may have several configurations. In one configuration, a master controller controls one or more slave circuits, which in turn control one or more solenoid valves. Each valve controls at least one gas or liquid dispensing device. The mode of operation of any particular valve and the timing of its operation may be input either via the master controller or via the associated slave control circuit. The operation of the valve may be easily changed without changing hardware or software, allowing the system to be used in a wide variety of applications. In other configurations, the master controller is not used.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for preventing communication through pipe lines of high security institutions. A flapper valve is provided with a valve seat having a plurality of teeth extending into the center of the opening formed in the valve seat. A pivotal flapper opens or closes the valve by abutting a seating face of the valve seat or moving away, under the force of a fluid flow, and allowing passage of waste water from a plumbing fixture to the main waste conduit. A water trap seal is optionally and/or separately mounted for delivering an additional amount of water into the conventional waste trap to fill in the waste trap with fluid and prevent undesirable communication. An independent conduit connected to a water supply deilvers water to a reservoir which is fluidly connected with a conventional jet conduit of a waster system upstream from an outlet point of the jet conduit into the main waste trap.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for preventing communication through pipe lines of high security institutions. A flapper valve is provided with a valve seat having a plurality of teeth extending into the center of the opening formed in the valve seat. A pivotal flapper opens or closes the valve by abutting a seating face of the valve seat or moving away, under the force of a fluid flow, and allowing passage of waste water from a plumbing fixture to the main waste conduit. A water trap seal is optionally and/or separately mounted for delivering an additional amount of water into the conventional waste trap to fill in the waste trap with fluid and prevent undesirable communication. An independent conduit connected to a water supply delivers water to a reservoir which is fluidly connected with a conventional jet conduit of a waste water system upstream from an outlet point of the jet conduit into the main waste trap.

Abstract: A retractable guard for use in combination with a sewage pipe leading from a flush toilet is provided having a plurality of prongs with hooked ends positioned within a cross section of the pipe. The prongs are connected to a piston which is slidable within a cylinder, perpendicular to the pipe. Flushing the toilet causes water to be directed in the cylinder which in turn partially retracts the prongs. Water may be diverted from the cylinder to wash accumulated debris from the prongs.

Abstract: A flush control assembly for delaying the flush cycle of pressure flush valves for use on plumbing fixtures. The flush control assembly attaches to, and becomes an integral working part of the flush valve and contains a delaying means which is actuated by water pressure differentials in the flush valve.

Abstract: A flushing control system for prisons and the like includes a fixture and a source of water. A solenoid operated valve is interposed between the fixture and the source for regulating the flow of water to the fixture. A capacitance sensor is operably associated with the fixture for requesting operation of the valve. A control mechanism is operably associated with the capacitance sensor and with the valve for causing operation of the valve to be delayed for a selected period after the sensor has been operated and for limiting the number of operations of said valve per unit time.

Abstract: A security sleeve for facilitating the mounting of plumbing fixtures in fire rated masonry or concrete wall construction. The sleeve has a pair of metal plates which are spaced apart about the thickness of the wall. The plates have a plurality of holes which correspond with a plurality of conduits bridging the metal plates to form passageways for plumbing pipes and fasteners connected to the plumbing fixture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a toilet fixture, and supporting structure therefor, especially well adapted for use on marine vehicles, such as yachts or other pleasure craft. The supporting structure provides extra lateral support for the pedestal upon which the toilet bowl is mounted; in particular, the supporting structure opposes bending moments operating on the pedestal's stem. Additionally, the supporting structure can be made into the form of a closed cover, which is effective to prevent accidental or unauthorized tampering with the plumbing entering and exiting the toilet fixture. This prevents alteration of valve settings in this plumbing. The cover can also prevent dust accumulation on this plumbing, and in the general area at which the pedestal is joined to the floor.

Abstract: There is a requirement when using toilets to prevent and/or remove the accumulation of odor-causing substances from the sidewall of the toilet bowl. This can easily be accomplished with ceramic toilets where the water is directed to swirl around by angled holes formed in the flushing rim. However, in stainless steel toilets, the material is too thin to form angled holes and the water has previously simply entered a flushing rim and run vertically down the wall of the toilet. This invention is an improvement in the flushing rim portion of a stainless steel toilet which causes the water to swirl around as in ceramic toilets, to effectively clean the inside of the toilet bowl. Instead of drilled holes, the rim has upturned notches in its lower wall which cause the flushing water to spray the toilet bowl wall in an overlapping pattern. The notches also contribute to the swirling action of the water.

Abstract: An adjustable sleeve for supporting plumbing fixtures in a high security type environment wherein the sleeve is composed of telescoping type frames which are easily adjustable to the wall thickness yet can accommodate security type devices such as reinforcing bars. The adjustable wall sleeve of this invention includes at least two frame members which telescope with respect to each other with one of the sleeve members having cutout portions to accommodate security bars normally associated with a sleeve of this type. In still an additional embodiment, a third frame member can be easily secured to the two frame members to provide for additional adjustment in the wall thickness. The frame members are readily secured to each other either by screws or welding and at the same time will accommodate various types of plumbing units which can be securely attached to them yet will provide the security needed in a high security environment such as a prison.

Abstract: A reset mechanism for a vacuum-actuated lockout device that disables a flush valve to prevent flooding of a receptacle includes a solenoid coupled to a reset stem and to a vacuum relief valve built into the reset stem. The solenoid is energized to open the relief valve in a first portion of a reset stroke and is coupled to the reset stem with a lost motion connection for withdrawal of the reset stem in a second portion of the reset stroke, after relief of the vacuum. A circuit is also disclosed for remote control of the reset mechanism.

Abstract: An improved flood level sensor has an upstanding, vented tube extending above and outside a receptacle while maintaining fluid communication with an enclosed rim of the receptacle. A partial vacuum is communicated to an orifice which is located within the tube at a height related to a limit on the level of fluid in the receptacle. The level of fluid in the tube depends upon the fluid pressure in the enclosed rim and therefore upon the fluid level in the receptacle. When the fluid level in the receptacle is below flood level, the orifice is able to relieve any partial vacuum communicated to it. However, when the level of fluid in the receptacle rises to the flood level, the fluid level in the tube rises to partially seal the orifice and prevent relief of the partial vacuum which then actuates a valve lockout device.

Abstract: A flood preventer has a pneumatically operable lockout mechanism to disable a valve actuator and prevent its repeated operation when fluid in a receptacle has reached an excess level. In the preferred embodiments the flood preventer has a latch that is responsive to a partial vacuum to engage a catch in the linkage between the valve actuator and a fill control valve. The partial vacuum is created by the flow of fluid into the receptacle through a venturi. The venturi is connected by a vacuum line to a fluid level sensing orifice that opens into the receptacle and relieves the partial vacuum when not blocked by fluid that has reached an excess level. In two other embodiments the partial vacuum is subject to the same conditions at the venturi and the orifice, but the lockout mechanisms are different. In the second embodiment a pin is dropped out to uncouple a valve actuator linkage, while in a third embodiment a jamming mechanism is used to block movement of the valve actuator.

Abstract: An overflow protection apparatus for use with a toilet includes a bowl having an outwardly extending spout coupled by a flexible hose to a reservoir adapted to receive any excess water flowing out of the toilet. Means are also provided for closing off the water flow from the flushing source and/or the input water source so that the toilet cannot be flushed again until the cause for the overflow therein is cleared.

Abstract: A plumbing fixture in combination with means for preventing overflow from a toilet bowl having a P-trap when an obstruction is created in the waste outlet thereof, such plumbing fixture including a blow-out jet pipe, the entrance of the pipe being coupled in fluid communication with the water supply pipe connected to the toilet bowl at the upper portion thereof and the outlet of the pipe coupled in fluid communication with the P-trap of the toilet bowl of the plumbing fixture, comprising: a toilet bowl having a water supply pipe operably coupled therewith; an electrically-controlled flushing valve operably associated with the supply pipe for controlling the flow of water to the toilet bowl; a source of electricity for operating the valve; electrical switch means operably associated with the source of electricity for controlling the delivery of electricity for controlling the delivery of electricity to the valve for actuation thereof; an insulated electrical probe mounted in the water supply pipe; said electri

Abstract: A plumbing fixture with a toilet bowl having a P-trap with means for inhibiting overflow from the toilet bowl when an obstruction exists in the waste outlet thereof, comprising: a tolet bowl having a flushing rim thereabout adapted to be coupled to a water supply pipe; an electrically controlled flushing valve for controlling the flow of water in the water supply pipe; a source of electricity for operating the flushing valve; a switch for controlling the flow of electricity to the flushing valve; a blow-out jet pipe coupled to the P-trap and adapted to be coupled to the water supply pipe; a hollow adapter having at least four openings thereinto wherein one opening is coupled to a water supply pipe, one opening is coupled to the blow-out jet pipe, and one opening is coupled to the flushing rim so that when water resides therein water also resides in the adapter via the opening coupled to the flushing rim, said adapter having a weir therein dividing the openings coupled to the water supply pipe and the blow-out

Abstract: An electrical toilet flushing device is provided which is particularly adapted for use in prisons and similar institutions whereby a toilet cannot be made to overflow by repeated flushing, even if the toilet is clogged. A fail-safe electrical circuit is provided and, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an electrical alarm is provided for toilets, warning when the water reaches a high level.

Abstract: A combination plumbing fixture is provided for institutional use which combines a toilet, wash basin and drinking fountain. Both the water and the waste connections are made through the floor, making it adaptable for use in buildings which do not have a pipe chase.

Abstract: A plumbing fixture is provided with means for preventing flooding by obstructing the waste outlet thereof, such means being an overflow chamber along the edge of a bowl or basin, further provided with an electrical probe within the overflow chamber to complete an electrical circuit between the probe and the basin when the water level bridges the gap therebetween, thereby actuating a normally open solenoid valve to closed position for shutting off the supply of running water to the basin. The invention is applicable to a combination lavatory and water closet fixture for preventing flooding from either the bowl of the lavatory, or the bowl of the water closet, or both by providing such means for both bowls.