US3829905A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toilet improvements
Assignee: Thetford LLC
•
Filing: 1972-10-10
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Granted: 1974-08-20
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Expires: 1992-10-10
Abstract
Abstract A toilet that has an improved vacuum breaker assembly wherein the vacuum breaker casing has integral hinge posts for the toilet cover. The improved vacuum breaker assembly is snap-fitted into place on the toilet housing and is secured in place against displacement in any direction.
Inventors
- 👤 Broek C Vanden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:18
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D11/00; E03D11/02; E03D11/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
In a toilet that has a water inlet system for flush purposes, a housing enclosing the toilet bowl and said water inlet system and providing a pivotally mounted cover, an improvement comprising an integral vacuum breaker and hinge post assembly mounted on said housing, said assembly providing hinge posts on which said cover is hingedly connected, and the vacuum breaker of said assembly being in serieS in said water inlet system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
In a toilet that has a water inlet system for flush purposes, a housing enclosing the toilet bowl and said water inlet system and providing a pivotally mounted cover, an improvement comprising an integral vacuum breaker and hinge post assembly mounted on said housing, said assembly providing hinge posts on which said cover is hingedly connected, and the vacuum breaker of said assembly being in serieS in said water inlet system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The toilet that is defined in claim 1, wherein said housing and said assembly are interlocked together by a snap-fit connection.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
The toilet that is defined in claim 2, wherein said snap-fit connection comprises a pair of lugs integrally formed on the undersurface of the top wall of said housing, said top wall having openings adjacent to each of said lugs through which said hinge posts project upwardly, and the lower portions of said hinge posts having resilient hooks extending into engagement with said lugs to interlock the housing and assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The toilet that is defined in claim 3, wherein said hinge posts and said top wall in cooperation with said lugs and said hooks have abutting wall surfaces preventing displacement in any direction of said hinge posts relative to said top wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The toilet that is defined in claim 4, wherein said legs and hooks are oriented with respect to said openings so that when mounting said assembly on said housing the posts can initially be inserted upwardly through said holes and then advanced forward to a position in which said hooks snap over said lugs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
83 words
The toilet that is defined in claim 1, wherein said vacuum breaker includes a casing having an inlet conduit connected to a flush water supply conduit and an outlet conduit connected to a flush water discharge conduit, said inlet conduit including a check valve responsive to pressure of water in said supply conduit to move to an open position to permit water to flow to said outlet conduit and operable to close when the flow of water in said supply conduit is interrupted.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The toilet that is defined in claim 6, wherein said casing has a vent in communication with said outlet conduit for preventing a vacuum condition in said casing when said check valve is closed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The toilet that is defined in claim 7, wherein said check valve is aligned with said vent so that when moved to an open position the check valve closes said vent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The toilet that is defined in claim 6, wherein said casing defines a recessed portion adjacent to said outlet conduit for a fixed volume of water to be discharged after said check valve is closed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
The toilet that is defined in claim 6, wherein said casing has a vent, said check valve being aligned with said vent so that when it is moved to its open position it will close said vent, and said casing has a recessed portion adjacent to said outlet for discharging a volume of water after said check valve is closed.
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) | 1977-08-19 | 1978-02-18 | 1978-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-19 | 1982-02-18 | 1982-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-19 | 1986-02-18 | 1986-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |