Patent US4115880A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4115880A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flush valve control assembly
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1977-08-15
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Granted: 1978-09-26
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Expires: 1997-08-15
Abstract
Abstract A control system for a toilet flush valve includes an automatically controlled vent valve for controlling the venting of the flush valve to provide a long flush or a short flush controlled by a combination of the toilet flush handle and a float controlled latch within the tank.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry William Gruenhagen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:09
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D1/00; E03D1/02; E03D1/14; E03D1/142
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
Vent control assembly for a flapper type flush valve comprising: a valve body having a bore, tubular means connected to said valve body for communicating said bore with the air chamber of a flush valve, a valve member mounted on said body and comprising a rocker arm having a valve plug on one end for engaging said valve bore and selectively movable into and out of engagement with said valve bore for either selectively closing or venting said air chamber, and a float assembly connected to the other end of said rocker arm and responsive to the level of water acting thereon for controlling said valve member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
Vent control assembly for a flapper type flush valve comprising: a valve body having a bore, tubular means connected to said valve body for communicating said bore with the air chamber of a flush valve, a valve member mounted on said body and comprising a rocker arm having a valve plug on one end for engaging said valve bore and selectively movable into and out of engagement with said valve bore for either selectively closing or venting said air chamber, and a float assembly connected to the other end of said rocker arm and responsive to the level of water acting thereon for controlling said valve member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vent control assembly of claim 1, including latch means for latching said valve in a closed position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The vent control assembly of claim 2, wherein said latch means is responsive to said float to maintain a latched condition when water is below said float and responsive to water acting on said float for unlatching said valve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The vent control assembly of claim 2, including latch means for latching said vent valve in a closed position, said latch means including means responsive to the toilet flush arm for biasing said latch means into a latched position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The vent control assembly of claim 4, wherein said float assembly comprises an elongated rod pivotally connected at its upper end to said rocker arm and supporting said float at its lower end, and said latch means comprises a notch in said rod, and a fixed latch bar for engaging said notch
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The vent control assembly of claim 5, wherein said valve body comprises a support bracket for mounting inside and near the upper edge of a flush tank, and said rocker arm is pivotally mounted on said bracket.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
98 words
The vent control valve of claim 6, wherein said bracket is of a generally rectangular configuration having top, side and bottom edges and a genrally U-shaped supporting member at the upper edge for hooking over the upper edge of the wall of a tank, said valve bore is disposed adjacent one side edge and oriented vertically, and said means responsive to a toilet flush arm comprises a bell crank pivotally mounted adjacent the other side edge having one arm for engagement by a toilet flush arm for moving said float rod into latching engagement with said latch bar.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The vent control valve of claim 7, wherein said valve bore is defined by a clamp having an annular gripping surface and an end of a flexible tube disposed in said clamp and defining an annular valve seat.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
86 words
The vent control assembly of claim 8, wherein said float is adjustably secured to said float rod for adjustment vertically along said rod, and said float is disposed on one side of said float rod for tilting said rod away from said latch bar in response to the buoyant forces of water acting thereon when the water level is above said float and for tilting said rod toward said latch bar position under the weight of said float when the water level is below said float.
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) | 1981-09-25 | 1982-03-27 | 1982-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-09-25 | 1986-03-27 | 1986-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-09-25 | 1990-03-27 | 1990-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |