US3811134A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water saving attachments for toilet gravity flush tanks
Assignee: Metropolitan Water saving Co Inc
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Filing: 1973-05-14
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Granted: 1974-05-21
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Expires: 1993-05-14
Abstract
Abstract A water saving attachment for gravity flush tanks of water closets wherein the available supply of water for each flush is reduced by a fixed volume. Specifically, this reduction is effected by forming within the tank a water retention compartment having a segment of its side wall perimeter and its entire bottom formed from segments of the tank side wall and tank bottom respectively, the remaining segment of the compartment side wall consisting of a dam or weir for impounding said fixed volumn of water during all phases of operation of the tank mechanism. Pivoted arms are provided adjacent opposite ends of the dam to facilitate introduction of the dam into and securement thereof to the flush tank.
Inventors
- 👤 T Throckmorton
- 👤 C Crawford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 08:56
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D1/00; E03D1/02; E03D1/14; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
345 words
In a water closet of the type having a tank formed by bottom and side walls and providing a hydraulic head and storage of predetermined height and capacity, having a movable flush valve mounted in the bottom wall of the ank and seated in one end of a conduit connecting the tank to a lower positioned bowl, having manual handle means to open the valves to empty the tank and cooperative water supply means for refilling the tank upon valve return to a closed position, the opening of the valve normally causing initiation of flushing and bowl evacuation followed by substantial emptying of the tank and then closing of the valVe, the improvement comprising, in combination, an auxiliary thin rectangular wall member adapted to be vertically positioned and bent within the tank into a U-like form whereby the end edges of the wall member contact an interior vertical wall surface of the tank and one of the side edges of the wall member contacts the interior bottom wall surface to form in effect an open top column extending above and around the valve and closed at the bottom by the bottom wall of the tank and closed at the side by said interior vertical wall surface forming a continuation of the wall area of said wall member; and spring retainer means adapted to retain said wall member in said column form and with the respective contacting wall member end and side edges and tank wall surfaces in relatively tight engagement to minimize water flow therebetween, said spring retainer means including a pair of elements pivotally carried by said wall member adjacent its opposite ends, respectively, said elements being pivotal between first and second positions, respectively, spaced from and engageable with the tank wall surfaces, said wall member and retainer means thereby being effective upon said valve being opened to prevent emptying of said tank below a level substantially equal to the level of said column top end and to cause said valve to seat and said tank to start refilling substantially immediately after said evacuation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
345 words
In a water closet of the type having a tank formed by bottom and side walls and providing a hydraulic head and storage of predetermined height and capacity, having a movable flush valve mounted in the bottom wall of the ank and seated in one end of a conduit connecting the tank to a lower positioned bowl, having manual handle means to open the valves to empty the tank and cooperative water supply means for refilling the tank upon valve return to a closed position, the opening of the valve normally causing initiation of flushing and bowl evacuation followed by substantial emptying of the tank and then closing of the valVe, the improvement comprising, in combination, an auxiliary thin rectangular wall member adapted to be vertically positioned and bent within the tank into a U-like form whereby the end edges of the wall member contact an interior vertical wall surface of the tank and one of the side edges of the wall member contacts the interior bottom wall surface to form in effect an open top column extending above and around the valve and closed at the bottom by the bottom wall of the tank and closed at the side by said interior vertical wall surface forming a continuation of the wall area of said wall member; and spring retainer means adapted to retain said wall member in said column form and with the respective contacting wall member end and side edges and tank wall surfaces in relatively tight engagement to minimize water flow therebetween, said spring retainer means including a pair of elements pivotally carried by said wall member adjacent its opposite ends, respectively, said elements being pivotal between first and second positions, respectively, spaced from and engageable with the tank wall surfaces, said wall member and retainer means thereby being effective upon said valve being opened to prevent emptying of said tank below a level substantially equal to the level of said column top end and to cause said valve to seat and said tank to start refilling substantially immediately after said evacuation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said spring retainer means includes a pair of tubular housings each pivotally connected at one end to said wall member respectively adjacent its opposite ends, said elements being axially receivable in said housings and a spring in each said housing engaging the element carried thereby for biasing the same in a direction away from the pivotal axis of said tubular housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said wall member lies substantially in a single plane prior to being bent into said U-like form, said elements being carried for pivotal movement in a plane generally parallel to said first mentioned plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said wall member when bent into generally U-like form is defined in part by a pair of end panels lying in spaced planes, each of said elements being carried by an end panel for pivotal movement in a plane generally parallel to the plane containing said end panel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 including a stop carried by each of said end panels, said elements being respectively engageable against said stops in the second position thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 including a seal carried by said one side edge and said end edges of said wall member, said elements in said second position thereof inclining from their pivotal axes in directions away from said one side edge and from their respective end edges whereby the portions of said seal about the end edges and one side edge of said wall member are biased into respective engagement with the vertical and bottom wall surfaces of said tank.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
190 words
Apparatus disposable within a flush tank having opposed side walls and a bottom wall defining a chamber with an outlet in the bottom wall for evacuating the chamber comprising an elongated generally rectangular wall member having end and side edges, said member being foldable about at least a pair of spaced axes extending substantially parallel to its end edges to form a generally U-shaped configuration, a seal carried by said wall member and extending along said end edges and one of said side edges, and means carried by said wall member for retaining the same when in said generally U-shaped configuration within the flush tank with the portions of said seal extending along the end and one side edge of said member in substantial sealing engagement with one of the side walls and the bottom wall, respectively, of the flush tank, said retaining means including a pair of elements, respectively, pivotally carried by said wall member adjacent its opposite ends for swingiNg movement into and out of positions engageable with the side wall of the tank opposite the side wall thereof engageable by the end sealing portions of said seal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
190 words
Apparatus disposable within a flush tank having opposed side walls and a bottom wall defining a chamber with an outlet in the bottom wall for evacuating the chamber comprising an elongated generally rectangular wall member having end and side edges, said member being foldable about at least a pair of spaced axes extending substantially parallel to its end edges to form a generally U-shaped configuration, a seal carried by said wall member and extending along said end edges and one of said side edges, and means carried by said wall member for retaining the same when in said generally U-shaped configuration within the flush tank with the portions of said seal extending along the end and one side edge of said member in substantial sealing engagement with one of the side walls and the bottom wall, respectively, of the flush tank, said retaining means including a pair of elements, respectively, pivotally carried by said wall member adjacent its opposite ends for swingiNg movement into and out of positions engageable with the side wall of the tank opposite the side wall thereof engageable by the end sealing portions of said seal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 including means carried by said wall member for retaining said elements in positions inclining away from their pivotal axes and in a direction away from said one side edge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said retaining means for each said element includes a stop carried adjacent the corresponding end of said wall member and projecting into the path of movement of the element carried thereby.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the pivotal axis of each of said elements is located a distance spaced from said one side edge within a range of distances from 20 percent to 40 percent of the distance between the side edges of said wall member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said retainer means includes a pair of tubular housings each pivotally connected at one end to said wall member, respectively, adjacent its opposite ends, said elements being axially receivable in said housings and a spring in each said housing engaging the element carried thereby for biasing the same in a direction away from the pivotal axis of said tubular housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
106 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said wall member lies substantially in a single plane prior to being folded into said generally U-shaped configuration, said elements being carried for pivotal movement in a plane generally parallel to said first mentioned plane when said wall member lies in said single plane, said wall member when folded into said generally U-shaped configuration being defined in part by a pair of end panels lying in spaced planes, each of said elements being carried by an end panel for pivotal movement in a plane generally parallel to the plane containing said end panel when said member obtains such U-shape configuration.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
96 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said wall member retaining means includes resilient means for biasing said elements in directions away from their pivotal axes, means carried by said wall member for retaining said elements in positions inclining away from their pivotal axes and in a direction away from said one side edge, said elements when in said inclined positions thereof and engaged with the side wall of the tank biasing said end and one side edges into substantial sealing engagement with one of the side walls and the bottom wall, respectively, of the flush tank.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said seal is formed of resilient material and has a pair of laterally spaced sealing portions coextensive therewith along said end and one side edges whereby said pair of sealing portions form a double seal along the one side wall and bottom wall of the flush tank.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-20 | 1977-11-19 | 1978-05-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-20 | 1981-11-19 | 1982-05-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-20 | 1985-11-19 | 1986-05-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |