Patent US4230983A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3962731A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Flapper-type discharge valve for flush tanks
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-07-10
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Granted: 1976-06-15
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Expires: 1995-07-10
Abstract
Abstract A flapper discharge valve comprises a movable flapper which is adapted to be movably seated on the opening in the outlet pipe by way of which the toilet tank empties. The flapper is adapted to be pivoted into or out of operative relation with this opening, whereby it either covers the opening to prevent water from escaping therethrough or it uncovers the opening to permit water to escape therethrough. The flapper carries a projecting member on its top surface which provides a streamlining action which assists the flapper in pivoting in the water and freeing the outlet opening so that water can escape, and it also includes various other projecting portions, including one on its bottom surface, which assist the flapper in performing its opening and closing operations. The projecting members on the top and bottom surfaces serve, among other things, to impart buoyancy to the flapper valve, and the provision of the projecting member on the top surface makes it possible to minimize the size of the projecting member on the bottom surface, thus eliminating or substantially lessening the likelihood of said member catching or snagging on the lip of the outlet opening and so failing to cover this opening.
Inventors
- 👤 Samuel S. Cheiten
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:33
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D1/00; E03D1/30; E03D1/304; E03D1/306
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A flapper-type control valve for use in controlling the retention and discharge of fluid by streamline action from a tank through an outlet pipe therein, said valve comprising a generally flat, flexible member having securing means at one end, by means of which it can be secured to a vertical pipe adjacent to said outlet pipe which comprises a pivot with respect to which the member rotates when operated to discharge fluid from said tank, said member having a generally flat top surface and a bottom surface and including a large-area portion adapted to overlay and obstruct the outlet opening in said outlet pipe with the fluid in the tank exerting pressure on said top surface thereof, and a projecting member extending upwardly from said top surface of said flat member and having a relatively sharp line-like leading edge for providing generally streamline flow through said water when said valve is raised and rotated to permit said fluid to flow through ssid outlet pipe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A flapper-type control valve for use in controlling the retention and discharge of fluid by streamline action from a tank through an outlet pipe therein, said valve comprising a generally flat, flexible member having securing means at one end, by means of which it can be secured to a vertical pipe adjacent to said outlet pipe which comprises a pivot with respect to which the member rotates when operated to discharge fluid from said tank, said member having a generally flat top surface and a bottom surface and including a large-area portion adapted to overlay and obstruct the outlet opening in said outlet pipe with the fluid in the tank exerting pressure on said top surface thereof, and a projecting member extending upwardly from said top surface of said flat member and having a relatively sharp line-like leading edge for providing generally streamline flow through said water when said valve is raised and rotated to permit said fluid to flow through ssid outlet pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The valve defined in claim 1 wherein said projecting member is positioned on said top surface of said member so that it is generally aligned with the opening in said outlet pipe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The valve defined in claim 1 wherein said projecting member is of a wedge-like shape selected from the group of geometric solids including cones, pyramids, frusto-cones, and frusto-pyramids.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The valve defined in claim 1 wherein said projecting member is generally pyramidal in shape and includes a surface which is oriented generally facing the vertical pipe to which the valve is secured.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The valve defined in claim 4 wherein said surface includes a generally concave depression extending along its length.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The valve defined in claim 4 wherein said projecting member includes an apex line having a concave depression therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The valve defined in claim 1 wherein said projecting member is hollow and includes an opening which communicates with said outlet pipe.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The valve defined in claim 1 and including another projecting member which extends downwardly from said bottom surface of said member and is positioned so that it lies within the opening in said outlet pipe when said valve is lying flat over said outlet pipe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The valve defined in claim 8 wherein said other projecting member is generally pyramidal in form.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The valve defined in claim 8 wherein said other projecting member is of a shape of a multi-sided member which includes a plurality of sharp edges which can bear against the side wall of said outlet pipe and assist in seating said valve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The valve defined in claim 8 wherein said other projecting member is hollow and communicates with the interior of said projecting member and has an opening in its apex which communicates with its interior.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
The valve defined in claim 8 and including a pair of generally elongated guide members secured to opposed marginal portions of the bottom surface of said member, outwardly of said other projecting member, and positioned so that they lie adjacent to the outer wall of said outlet pipe when said valve is in position overlaying said outlet pipe.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
79 words
The valve defined in claim 1 and including a pair of arms extending rearwardly from said large-area portion to a cross-piece to which the ends of said arms are connected, an apertured tab on the top surface of each of said arms, and a ring secured to said cross-piece by a severable web and positioned in the space between said cross-piece and said large-area portion, said tabs being positioned on said arms at a location adjacent to said ring.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
73 words
The valve defined in claim 1 wherein said securing means is a pair of arms extending from said large-area portion having an apertured rib on each of said arms for use in coupling said arms to said outlet pipe, each apertured rib extending along substantially the entire length of its arm and including a portion which is coupled to said large-area portion whereby a favorable degree of rigidity is imparted to its arm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The valve defined in claim 14 wherein said arms include upper and lower surfaces and an auxiliary reinforcing rib extends along the lower surface of each of said arms and includes a portion coupled to said large-area portion of said valve.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The valve defined in claim 14 and including reinforcing metal pins disposed within said apertured ribs to impart rigidity thereto.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The valve defined in claim 1 and including a guide member secured to the lower surface of said flat, flexible member and adjacent to the marginal portion thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The valve defined in claim 17 wherein said guide member is annular in form.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The valve defined in claim 1 and including a pair of opposed guide members extending from the lower surface of said flat, flexible member adjacent to the margin thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The valve defined in claim 8 and including at least one guide member secured to the lower surface of said flexible member outwardly of said other projecting member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
178 words
A flapper-type control valve for use in controlling the retention and discharge of fluid from a tank through an outlet pipe therein, said valve comprising a generally flexible, large-area portion adapted to overlay and obstruct the outlet opening in said outlet pipe, with the fluid in the tank exerting pressure thereon, a pair of arms extending from said large-area portion, generally parallel to each other for coupling to a vertical pipe adjacent to said outlet pipe with respect to which the valve rotates to lift said large-area portion off said outlet pipe to discharge fluid from said tank, each said arm having an end remote from said large-are portion and an upper surface and a lower surface, and an upstanding apertured rib rising from the top surface of each said arm near the end thereof for use in coupling said arms to said outlet pipe, each apertured rib extending along substantially the entire length of its arm and including a portion which extends to said large-area portion whereby a favorable degree of rigidity is imparted to its arm.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
178 words
A flapper-type control valve for use in controlling the retention and discharge of fluid from a tank through an outlet pipe therein, said valve comprising a generally flexible, large-area portion adapted to overlay and obstruct the outlet opening in said outlet pipe, with the fluid in the tank exerting pressure thereon, a pair of arms extending from said large-area portion, generally parallel to each other for coupling to a vertical pipe adjacent to said outlet pipe with respect to which the valve rotates to lift said large-area portion off said outlet pipe to discharge fluid from said tank, each said arm having an end remote from said large-are portion and an upper surface and a lower surface, and an upstanding apertured rib rising from the top surface of each said arm near the end thereof for use in coupling said arms to said outlet pipe, each apertured rib extending along substantially the entire length of its arm and including a portion which extends to said large-area portion whereby a favorable degree of rigidity is imparted to its arm.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
The valve defined in claim 21 and including an auxiliary upstanding reinforcing rib which extends along the lower surface of each of said arms and includes a portion which extends to said large-area portion of said valve.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The valve defined in claim 21 and including reinforcing metal pins disposed within said apertured ribs and extending along their lengths to impart rigidity thereto.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
189 words
A flapper-type control valve for use in controlling the retention and discharge of fluid from a tank through an outlet pipe therein, said valve comprising a generally flexible, large-area portion adapted to overlay and obstruct the outlet opening in said outlet pipe, with the fluid in the tank exerting pressure thereon, a pair of arms extending from said large-area portion, generally parallel to each other for coupling to a vertical pipe adjacent to said outlet pipe with respect to which the valve rotates to lift said large-area portion off said outlet pipe to discharge fluid from said tank, each said arm having an end remote from said large-area portion and an upper surface and a lower surface, an upstanding apertured rib rising from the top surface of each said arm near the end thereof for use in coupling said arms to said outlet pipe, and a relatively rigid bar secured at one end to each of said apertured ribs and extending rearwardly and upwardly therefrom so that its opposite end is positioned adjacent to said outlet pipe and can provide a guide action with respect to said outlet pipe.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
189 words
A flapper-type control valve for use in controlling the retention and discharge of fluid from a tank through an outlet pipe therein, said valve comprising a generally flexible, large-area portion adapted to overlay and obstruct the outlet opening in said outlet pipe, with the fluid in the tank exerting pressure thereon, a pair of arms extending from said large-area portion, generally parallel to each other for coupling to a vertical pipe adjacent to said outlet pipe with respect to which the valve rotates to lift said large-area portion off said outlet pipe to discharge fluid from said tank, each said arm having an end remote from said large-area portion and an upper surface and a lower surface, an upstanding apertured rib rising from the top surface of each said arm near the end thereof for use in coupling said arms to said outlet pipe, and a relatively rigid bar secured at one end to each of said apertured ribs and extending rearwardly and upwardly therefrom so that its opposite end is positioned adjacent to said outlet pipe and can provide a guide action with respect to said outlet pipe.
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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) | 1979-06-15 | 1979-12-15 | 1980-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-15 | 1983-12-15 | 1984-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-15 | 1987-12-15 | 1988-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |