Patent US4091474A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4091474A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flush interrupting attachment for toilet tanks
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-06-21
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Granted: 1978-05-30
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Expires: 1996-06-21
Abstract
Abstract An attachment for interrupting the flushing action of a toilet before the entire volume of water in the toilet tank has exited includes a buoyant member that is connected to the water outlet plug of the toilet tank and acts to close the plug when some but not all of the water in the tank has exited. The buoyant member is connected to the plug and closes the plug by applying its weight to the plug when the member is no longer supported by the water. An adapter allows the buoyant member to act on flapper valves as well as on conventional tank plugs.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Makhobey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:41
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D1/00; E03D1/02; E03D1/14; E03D1/142; E03D1/144
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A flush interrupting attachment for use in a toilet tank having an independently buoyant plug means normally resting in the seat of a water outlet opening when the toilet is not being flushed but being raised from the seat to allow passage of water when the toilet is being flushed, the plug means lowering to the seat to terminate water passage at a normally predetermined closing level of water in the tank, wherein the invention comprises: (a) a buoyant member in the toilet tank for applying premature closing force to the plug means before the water level drops to the normally predetermined closing level; (b) means for adjusting the buoyancy of said buoyant member to apply the required closing force to a plug means; and (c) stiff connecting means attached to said buoyant member and contacting the plug means for transmitting the weight of the buoyant member to the plug means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A flush interrupting attachment for use in a toilet tank having an independently buoyant plug means normally resting in the seat of a water outlet opening when the toilet is not being flushed but being raised from the seat to allow passage of water when the toilet is being flushed, the plug means lowering to the seat to terminate water passage at a normally predetermined closing level of water in the tank, wherein the invention comprises: (a) a buoyant member in the toilet tank for applying premature closing force to the plug means before the water level drops to the normally predetermined closing level; (b) means for adjusting the buoyancy of said buoyant member to apply the required closing force to a plug means; and (c) stiff connecting means attached to said buoyant member and contacting the plug means for transmitting the weight of the buoyant member to the plug means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
148 words
A flush interrupting attachment for use in a toilet tank having plug means normally resting in the seat of a water outlet opening when the toilet is not being flushed, said plug means being raised from the seat when the toilet is being flushed, wherein said plug means has a chain attached thereto for raising the plug means to initiate a flush, comprising: (a) a sealed member having adjustable buoyancy located in the toilet tank: (b) an elongated stiff adapter connecting the sealed member to the plug means, having chain engaging hooks at both ends thereof and having length adjusting means for expanding the distance between said hooks and securing the adapter to the chain, said adapter transmitting the weight of the sealed member to the plug means and urging the plug means into said seat when the water level in the tank drops below the sealed member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
148 words
A flush interrupting attachment for use in a toilet tank having plug means normally resting in the seat of a water outlet opening when the toilet is not being flushed, said plug means being raised from the seat when the toilet is being flushed, wherein said plug means has a chain attached thereto for raising the plug means to initiate a flush, comprising: (a) a sealed member having adjustable buoyancy located in the toilet tank: (b) an elongated stiff adapter connecting the sealed member to the plug means, having chain engaging hooks at both ends thereof and having length adjusting means for expanding the distance between said hooks and securing the adapter to the chain, said adapter transmitting the weight of the sealed member to the plug means and urging the plug means into said seat when the water level in the tank drops below the sealed member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The flush interrupting attachment of claim 2, wherein said sealed member has a passageway therein receiving at least a portion of said stiff adapter therethrough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The flush interrupting attachment of claim 2, wherein said sealed member is attached to the stiff adapter by clip means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2290679A
Cited
US2651532A
Cited
US3331387A
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US3345648A
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US3964109A
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US4000526A
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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) | 1981-05-29 | 1981-11-28 | 1982-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-29 | 1985-11-28 | 1986-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-29 | 1989-11-28 | 1990-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |