US4152793A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flush tank water saver
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-06-15
•
Granted: 1979-05-08
•
Expires: 1997-06-15
Abstract
Abstract An inner tank or reservoir is mounted in the conventional flush tank of a sanitary toilet or commode. The tank may be rectangular and have an open top and a closed bottom. An outlet in a vertical wall is closable by a buoyant sphere. The sphere may be free-floating and guided to the outlet by a cage. Alternatively the sphere may be lever-mounted and pivotable in and out of sealing contact with the outlet. A bellows operated from an air pump displaces the sphere from closed relationship to the outlet. Preferably the pump is exterior of the toilet flush tank and connected to the bellows by a flexible plastic conduit. The conventional tank is flushable in conventional manner from its outside handle and the capacity of the inner tank may be added to the water flow by the operation of the air pump.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel J. Mills
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:08
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D1/00; E03D1/02; E03D1/14; E03D1/142; E03D1/145; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
Liquid control appartus for a liquid flush tank having a controlled inlet for liquid under pressure responsive to tank liquid level and a manually controlled outlet to an open bowl and comprising a plurality of contiguous walls defining a liquid reservoir containable in said tank, an outlet adjacent the bottom of said reservoir and an inlet at the top of said reservoir both connecting to the interior of said tank; an outlet valve element adapted to close said outlet, and fluid-filled means responsive to applied pressure adapted to displace said valve element from said outlet for liquid interchange between said tank and said reservoir.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
Liquid control appartus for a liquid flush tank having a controlled inlet for liquid under pressure responsive to tank liquid level and a manually controlled outlet to an open bowl and comprising a plurality of contiguous walls defining a liquid reservoir containable in said tank, an outlet adjacent the bottom of said reservoir and an inlet at the top of said reservoir both connecting to the interior of said tank; an outlet valve element adapted to close said outlet, and fluid-filled means responsive to applied pressure adapted to displace said valve element from said outlet for liquid interchange between said tank and said reservoir.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said valve element is buoyant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said valve element is pivotably secured to one of said reservoir walls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said valve element comprises a sphere.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 further comprising a valve element cage having an upper guide, a lower guide, and a flexible stop remote from said outlet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said valve element is a free floating sphere.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fluid filled means comprises a flexible air pump, an expandable bellows, means supporting said bellows adjacent said outlet valve element, and an air conduit connecting said air pump to said expandable bellows.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said reservoir comprises substantially vertical end walls, said outlet being in one of said walls, an open top defining said inlet, a reservoir bottom, and side walls between said end walls, each of said bottom and sidewalls being accordion pleated for varying reservoir size.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1982-05-07 | 1982-11-06 | 1983-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-05-07 | 1986-11-06 | 1987-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-05-07 | 1990-11-06 | 1991-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |