Patent US4101986A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4101986A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Regulatable flush valve for tank flush toilets
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1977-07-29
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Granted: 1978-07-25
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Expires: 1997-07-29
Abstract
Abstract A regulatable flush valve for tank type flush toilets includes a piston-cylinder dash pot, a weighted (fluid filled) plug/valve, a cylindrical overflow tube and a fluid vortex generating element secured in a coaxial arrangement vertically above the outlet of the toilet tank. The piston and plug/valve secured to the overflow tube are lifted from a normally closed position by a conventional pivoting handle mechanism. The piston-cylinder dash pot determines the water volume of a particular flush by controlling the rate of descent of the weighted plug/valve. The vortex generating element works in combination with the walls of the raised plug/valve to generate an energetic fluid vortex as the water flows from the tank into the toilet bowl. The vortex generated by the generating element is complementary to vortex generating elements within the toilet basin to increase washing action in the toilet bowl. The above combination of elements significantly reduces the volume of water required for complete flushing action.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter C. Ng
- 👤 Conrad A. Wilgus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:35
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D1/00; E03D1/02; E03D1/14; E03D1/142; E03D11/00; E03D11/02; E03D11/08; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
332 words
In a tank type flush toilet including a tank for containing a liquid flushing medium, a bowl for receiving waste materials, an outlet communicating between said tank and bowl and a pivoting handle and lever mechanism for lifting a valving element disposed in said outlet of said tank, a regulatable flush valve mechanism comprising in combination therewith, a liquid vortex generating element secured coaxially above said outlet within said tank, a cup element secured coaxially above said liquid vortex generating element having a bottom with a hole defined therethrough axially aligned with said outlet, a valve element having a central passageway disposed coaxially within said vortex generating element adapted to plug said outlet, an overflow tube having a lower end secured to and communicating with said central passageway of said valve element and extending upwardly therefrom through said hole defined in the bottom surface of said cup element to a point above said cup element, said overflow tube having an upper end secured to the lever of said pivoting handle and lever mechanism whereby said liquid flushing medium overflows into said tube, a piston element coaxially secured to said overflow tube axially positioned within said cup element to provide in combination therewith an enclosed volume, check valve means for permitting the liquid flushing medium to flow into and preventing said liquid from flowing out of said enclosed volume defined by said piston and cup elements, regulating means for controlling flow of said liquid flushing medium out of said enclosed volume defined by said piston and cup elements whereby turning said handle of said handle and lever mechanism raises said overflow tube, piston element and valve element allowing the liquid flushing medium to flow from said tank through said vortex generating element out said outlet and into said bowl, the volume of liquid flowing from the tank being determined by the distance said valve element is raised above the outlet and by the rate at which said liquid flows from said enclosed volume.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
332 words
In a tank type flush toilet including a tank for containing a liquid flushing medium, a bowl for receiving waste materials, an outlet communicating between said tank and bowl and a pivoting handle and lever mechanism for lifting a valving element disposed in said outlet of said tank, a regulatable flush valve mechanism comprising in combination therewith, a liquid vortex generating element secured coaxially above said outlet within said tank, a cup element secured coaxially above said liquid vortex generating element having a bottom with a hole defined therethrough axially aligned with said outlet, a valve element having a central passageway disposed coaxially within said vortex generating element adapted to plug said outlet, an overflow tube having a lower end secured to and communicating with said central passageway of said valve element and extending upwardly therefrom through said hole defined in the bottom surface of said cup element to a point above said cup element, said overflow tube having an upper end secured to the lever of said pivoting handle and lever mechanism whereby said liquid flushing medium overflows into said tube, a piston element coaxially secured to said overflow tube axially positioned within said cup element to provide in combination therewith an enclosed volume, check valve means for permitting the liquid flushing medium to flow into and preventing said liquid from flowing out of said enclosed volume defined by said piston and cup elements, regulating means for controlling flow of said liquid flushing medium out of said enclosed volume defined by said piston and cup elements whereby turning said handle of said handle and lever mechanism raises said overflow tube, piston element and valve element allowing the liquid flushing medium to flow from said tank through said vortex generating element out said outlet and into said bowl, the volume of liquid flowing from the tank being determined by the distance said valve element is raised above the outlet and by the rate at which said liquid flows from said enclosed volume.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said vortex generating element comprises a cylindrical element having a plurality of planer vanes parallel to its longitudinal axis oriented to direct liquid flow tangentially into its interior volume.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said valve element has a frusto-conical configuration, the lower end of said overflow tube being secured to the base of said frusto-conical valve element, the apex of said frusto-conical valve element adapted to extend into said outlet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said frusto-conical valve element is hollow and has a plurality of ports communicating from its interior through its upper base surface for allowing the liquid flushing medium to fill its interior volume.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said valve element is composed of a flexible inert material from the class consisting of rubber, silicone rubber and neoprene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The regulatable flush valve of claim 2 wherein said bowl has a liquid distribution system for generating liquid vortexes in the liquid draining into said bowl and wherein said fluid vortex generating element generates a liquid vortex complementary to that generated by the liquid distribution system of said bowl.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further including a valve seat element mounted coaxially in said outlet of said toilet tank having an annular seating surface adapted to receive and make a water tight seal with the frusto-conical outer walls of said valve element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said check valve means comprises in combination, a plurality of ports defined through said piston element oriented in an annular row, a flat annular ring coaxially disposed around said overflow tube within said enclosed volume for preventing liquid from flowing out of said enclosed volume through said plurality of ports, and a retainer ring secured to said overflow tube for holding said flat annular ring proximate said annular row of ports through said piston.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
137 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said regulating means from controlling the flow of liquid flushing medium from said enclosed volume defined by said piston element and said cup element comprises in combination, at least one bleeder orifice defined through said piston element, a flat adjustment ring disposed around said overflow tube, said adjustment ring being free to rotate around said overflow tube, said adjustment ring also having an orifice defined therethrough positioned for rotation into registry with said bleeder orifice defined through said piston, retaining means for securing said flat adjustment ring against said piston whereby the rate of liquid flow from said enclosed volume defined by said piston and cup element may be controlled by adjusting the degree of registry between the bleeder orifice through said piston and the orifice through said flat adjustment ring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said liquid vortex generating element, said cup element, said overflow tube and said piston element are each composed of inert rigid materials from the class consisting of plastic, bakelite and fiberglass.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
297 words
A regulatable flush valve for tank type toilets using liquid flushing medium comprising in combination, a valve seat element mounted coaxially in a drain outlet of a toilet tank, a liquid vortex generating element secured coaxially above the valve seat element within said toilet tank, a cup element secured coaxially above said vortex generating element having a bottom with a hole defined therethrough in axial alignment with said outlet of said toilet tank, a frusto-conical plug element coaxially received within said vortex generating element adapted to seat on said valve seat and establish a liquid tight seal, said plug element having a density greater than said liquid flushing medium, a rod having a lower end secured to said frusto-conical plug element, extending upwardly therefrom through said hole through the bottom of said cup element to a point above said cup element, a piston element coaxially secured to said rod axially positioned within said cup element to provide in combination therewith an enclosed volume adapted to be filled with a liquid medium, a check valve means for permitting the liquid flushing medium to flow into said enclosed volume defined by said piston and cup elements and for preventing said liquid flushing medium from flowing out of said enclosed volume defined by said piston and cup elements, regulating means for controlling liquid flow out of said enclosed volume defined by said piston and cup elements, and manual means operatively secured to the upper end of said rod for raising said plug element from the valve seat, whereby the volume of water for flushing waste materials from a toilet bowl is determined by the distance said plug is raised above said valve seat and the rate of liquid flow from said enclosed volume defined by said piston and cup elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
297 words
A regulatable flush valve for tank type toilets using liquid flushing medium comprising in combination, a valve seat element mounted coaxially in a drain outlet of a toilet tank, a liquid vortex generating element secured coaxially above the valve seat element within said toilet tank, a cup element secured coaxially above said vortex generating element having a bottom with a hole defined therethrough in axial alignment with said outlet of said toilet tank, a frusto-conical plug element coaxially received within said vortex generating element adapted to seat on said valve seat and establish a liquid tight seal, said plug element having a density greater than said liquid flushing medium, a rod having a lower end secured to said frusto-conical plug element, extending upwardly therefrom through said hole through the bottom of said cup element to a point above said cup element, a piston element coaxially secured to said rod axially positioned within said cup element to provide in combination therewith an enclosed volume adapted to be filled with a liquid medium, a check valve means for permitting the liquid flushing medium to flow into said enclosed volume defined by said piston and cup elements and for preventing said liquid flushing medium from flowing out of said enclosed volume defined by said piston and cup elements, regulating means for controlling liquid flow out of said enclosed volume defined by said piston and cup elements, and manual means operatively secured to the upper end of said rod for raising said plug element from the valve seat, whereby the volume of water for flushing waste materials from a toilet bowl is determined by the distance said plug is raised above said valve seat and the rate of liquid flow from said enclosed volume defined by said piston and cup elements.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-07-24 | 1982-01-23 | 1982-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-24 | 1986-01-23 | 1986-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-24 | 1990-01-23 | 1990-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |