US3811464A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ballcock
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-07-10
•
Granted: 1974-05-21
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Expires: 1992-07-10
Abstract
Abstract A ballcock for use in a toilet tank comprising a base that is adapted to be connected to a water supply, a cap that is attached to the top of the base with the cap having an opening to receive a pilot valve and the cap also having means to receive a hinge piece, a diaphragm which is received and held in place between the base and the cap with the diaphragm having a central opening, a weight tube having a hinge piece and a float tube being telescopically slidable on the weight tube. When the water level within the toilet tank drops, the float pivots downwardly to depress the pilot valve which have the effect of venting the space above the diaphragm to atmosphere. In this condition the water pressure in the supply line urges the diaphragm upwardly, and water now flows in a flow passage within the base to an outlet containing a fitting which divides the flow, permitting the major part (approximately 90 percent) to go directly into the tank with the remainder going via a flexible tubing to an overflow tube (which is a part of the toilet tank). When the desired liquid level is reached within the tank, the float tube is again upright, so that the pilot valve returns to its normally closed position. Fluid pressure quickly builds above the diaphragm until it equals the liquid line pressure below the diaphragm, and at this time the diaphragm returns to its original closed position, and water no longer flows.
Inventors
- 👤 H Esten
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:25
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/12; F16K31/18; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0971; Y10T137/1007; Y10T137/7287; Y10T137/7358; Y10T137/7368; Y10T137/7371; Y10T137/7374; Y10T137/7439; Y10T137/7465; Y10T137/7472
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
257 words
A ballcock operating in an axial path comprising a base including a diaphragm and a pivoting cap, said base, diaphragm and cap all normally axially aligned with respect to each other, said base also having a water inlet chamber and a water discharge chamber with said diaphragm interposed between said chambers to normally isolate the chambers from each other, said base including a space above the diaphragm, said diaphragm having a relatively small opening, nonaxial means to vent the space above said diaphragm, including actuating means, a float tube coupled to said cap and normally axially aligned with said base and diaphragm and adapted to pivot along with the cap to cause movement of said actuating means when it is desired to allow liquid flow through said inlet chamber to said discharge chamber, said actuating means causing the space above said diaphragm to be vented in response to the pivoting of said cap, wherein the liquid pressure below said diaphragm unseats at least a portion of said diaphragm to allow liquid to flow from said inlet chamber to said discharge chamber, and whereby, when a predetermined liquid level is reached, said float tube and cap pivot back to their normal axially aligned orientation whereupon said actuating means are released to cease the venting of the space above said diaphragm so that fluid pressure quickly builds up therein to be sufficiently effective to counteract the water pressure below said diaphragm and thereby cause said diaphragm to again isolate the chambers from one another to prevent further liquid flow.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
257 words
A ballcock operating in an axial path comprising a base including a diaphragm and a pivoting cap, said base, diaphragm and cap all normally axially aligned with respect to each other, said base also having a water inlet chamber and a water discharge chamber with said diaphragm interposed between said chambers to normally isolate the chambers from each other, said base including a space above the diaphragm, said diaphragm having a relatively small opening, nonaxial means to vent the space above said diaphragm, including actuating means, a float tube coupled to said cap and normally axially aligned with said base and diaphragm and adapted to pivot along with the cap to cause movement of said actuating means when it is desired to allow liquid flow through said inlet chamber to said discharge chamber, said actuating means causing the space above said diaphragm to be vented in response to the pivoting of said cap, wherein the liquid pressure below said diaphragm unseats at least a portion of said diaphragm to allow liquid to flow from said inlet chamber to said discharge chamber, and whereby, when a predetermined liquid level is reached, said float tube and cap pivot back to their normal axially aligned orientation whereupon said actuating means are released to cease the venting of the space above said diaphragm so that fluid pressure quickly builds up therein to be sufficiently effective to counteract the water pressure below said diaphragm and thereby cause said diaphragm to again isolate the chambers from one another to prevent further liquid flow.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The ballcock of claim 1 wherein said venting means is a tire valve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The ballcock of claim 2 wherein said discharge chamber is connected to a discharge tube to which a refill hose is attached.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The ballcock of claim 2 wherein said base is threaded so that it can be attached to a water inlet pipe.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The ballcock of claim 2 wherein said cap is attached to the top of said base with said diaphragm being disposed under said cap, said diaphragm having a thinner central section, including said opening, with said central section being adapted to be bulged away from said base to allow liquid flow.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The ballcock of claim 5 wherein said cap includes a hinge piece upon which a weight tube is positioned, and wherein said float tube is positioned on said weight tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ballcock of claim 6 wherein said float tube is telescopically slidable on said weight tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The ballcock of claim 7 wherein said hinge piece includes a web that is pivoted by said float tube and said weight tube, with said web contacting the actuating means asssociated with said pilot valve during the pivoting of said float tube to open said pilot valve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The ballcock of claim 7 wherein said float tube includes a slot permitting water to enter a portion of said weight tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ballcock of claim 9 wherein said weight tube includes a compartment for reception of sand.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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 |