US3922729A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toilet flush system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-09-13
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Granted: 1975-12-02
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Expires: 1993-09-13
Abstract
Abstract A toilet flushing system wherein water in a bowl and a conventional, change-of-direction trap, are not gravity flow communication except during flushing, although an open passageway is provided between the two for trap ventilation, cleaning and visual inspection of the trap seal. Structure higher than the bottom of the bowl prevents gravity flow until flushing, which is accomplished by relative movement of such structure and the bottom of the bowl. In the disclosed constructions the movable structure is in the form of a dam between the bowl and trap with mechanism actuated by the flush handle serving both to move the dam and to cause flushing water from an associated tank to flow through the bowl. Flushing is normally accomplished without siphon action in the trap. Tank water surrounds the element providing the dam to prevent leakage from the bowl, and to position elements of the control linkage within tank water, thereby insuring that the linkage cannot be subject to fouling or produce leakage.
Inventors
- 👤 David C Ashley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:47
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D11/00; E03D11/02; E03D11/10; E03D1/00; E03D1/24; E03D1/28; E03D5/00; E03D5/012; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S4/00; Y10S4/13
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A toilet of the type wherein flushing water is provided to carry the bowl contents through a liquid sealed trap, said toilet comprising: a. a bowl having an open top and a laterally disposed outlet; b. a trap having inlet and outlet sides defined by a pipe having two vertical changes of direction, with liquid being retained to seal the trap between said inlet and outlet sides; c. dam means between said bowl outlet and trap inlet movable between a first portion, wherein said dam means obstructs flow between said bowl outlet and trap inlet to mutually isolate the liquids in said bowl and trap, and a second position, wherein liquid may flow by gravity from said bowl outlet to said trap inlet; d. a passageway connecting said bowl outlet and trap inlet, said dam means being disposed in said passageway and said trap being laterally disposed with respect to said bowl outlet to permit direct visibility of the liquid at said trap inlet through said bowl outlet and passageway when said dam means is in said first position; e. first means for effecting movement of said dam means between said first and second positions; f. second means for providing a flow of flushing liquid into said bowl; and g. actuating means manually movable to effect cooperative actuation of both said first and second means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
A toilet of the type wherein flushing water is provided to carry the bowl contents through a liquid sealed trap, said toilet comprising: a. a bowl having an open top and a laterally disposed outlet; b. a trap having inlet and outlet sides defined by a pipe having two vertical changes of direction, with liquid being retained to seal the trap between said inlet and outlet sides; c. dam means between said bowl outlet and trap inlet movable between a first portion, wherein said dam means obstructs flow between said bowl outlet and trap inlet to mutually isolate the liquids in said bowl and trap, and a second position, wherein liquid may flow by gravity from said bowl outlet to said trap inlet; d. a passageway connecting said bowl outlet and trap inlet, said dam means being disposed in said passageway and said trap being laterally disposed with respect to said bowl outlet to permit direct visibility of the liquid at said trap inlet through said bowl outlet and passageway when said dam means is in said first position; e. first means for effecting movement of said dam means between said first and second positions; f. second means for providing a flow of flushing liquid into said bowl; and g. actuating means manually movable to effect cooperative actuation of both said first and second means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said dam means, when in said first position, extends from the bottom of said outlet to a predetermined height, obstructing gravity flow through said outlet of liquid within said bowl below said predetermined height, said outlet extending above said predetermined height to provide ventilation and visibility of the liquid at said trap inlet therethrough when said dam means is in said first position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention according to claim 2 wherein sAid dam means comprises a flexible member disposed in said passageway, and said first means comprises means for raising and lowering a portion of said member between said first and second positions, respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention according to claim 3 wherein said flexible member extends along the direction of flow from said bowl outlet to trap inlet, and a central portion thereof is raised and lowered between said first and second positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention according to claim 1 and further including an associated tank with a water supply line and refill valve, and wherein said second means includes communicating passageways through which water flows from said tank to said bowl upon actuation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention according to claim 5 wherein said actuating means comprises an element movable to remove a stopper from an opening in the lower part of said tank communicating with said passageways.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention according to claim 6 and further including a siphon tube having inlet and outlet sides communicating with said tank and said bowl, respectively, and wherein said actuating means comprises an element movable within said tank to initiate a siphon through said tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention according to claim 5 wherein said first means includes a float in said tank operatively connected to said dam means to effect movement of the latter between said first and second positions as said float moves in response to the water level in said tank.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention according to claim 8 and further including linkage connecting said float to said dam means and positioned entirely within space communicating directly with the interior of said tank and below the lowest level reached by the tank water, whereby said linkage is positioned within water from said tank.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention according to claim 9 and further including a passageway between said bowl and said trap wherein said dam means is disposed, said passageway being at least partially surrounded by water from said 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) | 1978-12-01 | 1979-06-02 | 1979-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-01 | 1983-06-02 | 1983-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-01 | 1987-06-02 | 1987-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |