US4032997A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flush toilet accessory
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-09-23
•
Granted: 1977-07-05
•
Expires: 1995-09-23
Abstract
Abstract This invention provides a flush regulator for use in a toilet flush tank in order to regulate the outflow from the flush tank through an outlet pipe. The regulator includes a mounting portion from which extends water chamber means open upwardly, and air chamber means open downwardly. The chamber means are symmetrically arranged with respect to the mounting portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Clarence F. Phripp
- 👤 Norman R. Preston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:47
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D1/00; E03D1/02; E03D1/14; E03D1/142; E03D1/144; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S4/00; Y10S4/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A flush regulator assembly for use in a toilet flush tank for regulating the outflow therefrom through an outlet pipe, the assembly comprising: a mounting portion, first means supporting the mounting portion from another part of the flush tank such that the mounting portion can move between upper and lower positions in the flush tank, upwardly open water chamber means connected to the mounting portion, downwardly open air chamber means connected to the mounting portion, and second means enabling the mounting portion to exert a premature downward push on a valve member adapted to open and close said outlet pipe, said second means including an elongated member oriented substantially vertically and adapted to slide freely up and down while constrained against lateral movement within the flush tank, the elongated member having a lower end adapted to push downwardly against said valve member when the latter is in its open position, said mounting portion being attached to the elongated member and being adjustable vertically with respect thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A flush regulator assembly for use in a toilet flush tank for regulating the outflow therefrom through an outlet pipe, the assembly comprising: a mounting portion, first means supporting the mounting portion from another part of the flush tank such that the mounting portion can move between upper and lower positions in the flush tank, upwardly open water chamber means connected to the mounting portion, downwardly open air chamber means connected to the mounting portion, and second means enabling the mounting portion to exert a premature downward push on a valve member adapted to open and close said outlet pipe, said second means including an elongated member oriented substantially vertically and adapted to slide freely up and down while constrained against lateral movement within the flush tank, the elongated member having a lower end adapted to push downwardly against said valve member when the latter is in its open position, said mounting portion being attached to the elongated member and being adjustable vertically with respect thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
The invention claimed in claim 1, in which said second means enabling the mounting portion to exert a premature downward push includes an elongated member oriented substantially vertically and adapted to slide freely up and down while constrained against lateral movement within the flush tank, the elongated member having a lower end adapted to push downwardly against said valve member when the latter is in its open position, said mounting portion being attached to the elongated member and being adjustable vertically with respect thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention claimed in claim 1, in which said valve member is hollow and opens downwardly, and constitutes said downwardly open air chamber means; the first and second means both including a valve stem to which said mounting portion is secured such that it is vertically adjustable with respect thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
138 words
A flush regulator for use in a toilet flush tank for regulating the outflow therefrom through an outlet pipe, the regulator comprising: a mounting portion adapted to receive and grip a rod which, when so gripped, extends along a given axis, a first chamber concentrically disposed about said mounting portion and being defined by a first wall extending outwardly and a second wall extending so as to define with the first wall a cup-like shape which opens in one direction with respect to said axis, and a second chamber concentrically disposed about said first chamber and being defined by said second wall in combination with further wall means extending outwardly and then in the direction reversed from the direction of the second wall, to define an annular chamber which opens in the opposite direction from the first chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
138 words
A flush regulator for use in a toilet flush tank for regulating the outflow therefrom through an outlet pipe, the regulator comprising: a mounting portion adapted to receive and grip a rod which, when so gripped, extends along a given axis, a first chamber concentrically disposed about said mounting portion and being defined by a first wall extending outwardly and a second wall extending so as to define with the first wall a cup-like shape which opens in one direction with respect to said axis, and a second chamber concentrically disposed about said first chamber and being defined by said second wall in combination with further wall means extending outwardly and then in the direction reversed from the direction of the second wall, to define an annular chamber which opens in the opposite direction from the first chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
The regulator claimed in claim 4, which further includes a rod gripped by said mounting portion and guide means for holding said rod within a flush tank in substantially vertical orientation such that the rod can reciprocate freely vertically, one of said chambers opening upwardly and being a water chamber, the other of said chambers opening downwardly and being an air chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The regulator claimed in claim 5, in which the volume of the air chamber is equal to or less than the volume of the water chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
101 words
The regulator claimed in claim 4, in which said mounting portion is a collar member, said first wall extending perpendicularly to said given axis, said second wall being frusto-conical and extending outwardly and upwardly from the outer edge of the first wall, said further wall means including a third wall of annular shape extending out from the outer edge of the second wall and a fourth wall of frusto-conical shape extending obliquely outwardly and downwardly from the outer edge of the third wall, the volume of the second chamber being equal to or less than the volume of the first chamber.
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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) | 1980-07-04 | 1981-01-03 | 1981-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-04 | 1985-01-03 | 1985-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-04 | 1989-01-03 | 1989-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |