US3987502A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plumbing fixture for penal institution
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-01-07
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Granted: 1976-10-26
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Expires: 1996-01-07
Abstract
Abstract A plumbing fixture is provided with means for preventing flooding by obstructing the waste outlet thereof, such means being an overflow chamber along the edge of a bowl or basin, further provided with an electrical probe within the overflow chamber to complete an electrical circuit between the probe and the basin when the water level bridges the gap therebetween, thereby actuating a normally open solenoid valve to closed position for shutting off the supply of running water to the basin. The invention is applicable to a combination lavatory and water closet fixture for preventing flooding from either the bowl of the lavatory, or the bowl of the water closet, or both by providing such means for both bowls.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack P. Hartmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:56
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D11/00; E03C; E03C1/00; E03C1/01; E03C1/12; E03C1/24; E03C1/242; E03D5/00; E03D5/02; E03D5/026; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A10/00; Y02A10/30; Y10; Y10S; Y10S4/00; Y10S4/03; Y10S4/15; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7287; Y10T137/7306
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A plumbing fixture comprising: a bowl for liquid having a rim including structure defining an overflow chamber extending along the upper periphery of said bowl, said overflow chamber opening into said bowl and said structure providing an electrical ground, means including a supply line and a normally open solenoid valve in said supply line for supplying water to said bowl, a drain for said bowl, a sensing probe including a conductor extending through said overflow chamber in spaced relation to said structure providing said electrical ground, and means responsive to water completing an electrical circuit between said electrical ground and said sensing probe for energizing said solenoid valve and closing said supply line, whereby an overflow of water from said bowl into said overflow chamber such as may be caused by an obstruction in said drain will effect a termination of water supply to said bowl and thereby prevent water from overflowing the rim of said bowl.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
A plumbing fixture comprising: a bowl for liquid having a rim including structure defining an overflow chamber extending along the upper periphery of said bowl, said overflow chamber opening into said bowl and said structure providing an electrical ground, means including a supply line and a normally open solenoid valve in said supply line for supplying water to said bowl, a drain for said bowl, a sensing probe including a conductor extending through said overflow chamber in spaced relation to said structure providing said electrical ground, and means responsive to water completing an electrical circuit between said electrical ground and said sensing probe for energizing said solenoid valve and closing said supply line, whereby an overflow of water from said bowl into said overflow chamber such as may be caused by an obstruction in said drain will effect a termination of water supply to said bowl and thereby prevent water from overflowing the rim of said bowl.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A plumbing fixture according to claim 1 wherein said bowl is made of electrically conductive material, and said rim forms said overflow chamber and is electrically grounded to provide the electrical ground in said overflow chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A plumbing fixture according to claim 1 wherein said bowl is a lavatory, further including a faucet at the end of said supply line for providing running water for said bowl.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A plumbing fixture according to claim 1 wherein said bowl is included in the water closet and said supply line is further provided with flushing means at the end thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A plumbing fixture according to claim 1 further including an outlet for said means supplying water to said bowl positioned below said sensing probe and said overflow chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A plumbing fixture according to claim 1 wherein the means responsive to water completing the electrical circuit includes a low voltage electrical supply connected between said sensing probe and said solenoid valve for energizing said solenoid of said valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
A plumbing fixture according to claim 1 mounted on an upright wall structure having a utility compartment formed therein, with said fixture being mounted on said wall, with said supply line and said solenoid valve being disposed in said utility compartment, and further provided with a metal shell for housing said plumbing fixture and covering said utility compartment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A plumbing fixture according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of said bowls, each having a sensing probe in the respective overflow chambers of said bowls.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A plumbing fixture according to claim 8 wherein one of said bowls is a lavatory bowl and the other of said bowls is a toilet bowl, both of said bowls being disposed within a metal housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
A plumbing fixture according to claim 9 wherein each bowl is provided with an overflow chamber and an associated sensing probe, said probes being connected in parallel to said solenoid valve whereby said water supply line is closed in the event either one of said bowls overflows.
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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) | 1979-10-26 | 1980-04-26 | 1980-10-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-26 | 1984-04-26 | 1984-10-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-26 | 1988-04-26 | 1988-10-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |