US4203173A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Overflow inhibitor for plumbing fixtures
Assignee: Acorn Engineering Co
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Filing: 1979-05-14
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Granted: 1980-05-20
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Expires: 1999-05-14
Abstract
Abstract A plumbing fixture in combination with means for preventing overflow from a toilet bowl having a P-trap when an obstruction is created in the waste outlet thereof, such plumbing fixture including a blow-out jet pipe, the entrance of the pipe being coupled in fluid communication with the water supply pipe connected to the toilet bowl at the upper portion thereof and the outlet of the pipe coupled in fluid communication with the P-trap of the toilet bowl of the plumbing fixture, comprising: a toilet bowl having a water supply pipe operably coupled therewith; an electrically-controlled flushing valve operably associated with the supply pipe for controlling the flow of water to the toilet bowl; a source of electricity for operating the valve; electrical switch means operably associated with the source of electricity for controlling the delivery of electricity for controlling the delivery of electricity to the valve for actuation thereof; an insulated electrical probe mounted in the water supply pipe; said electrical probe operably associated with a detection circuit means whereby said detection circuit deactivates said source of electricity when water is in said supply pipe and completes the circuit between said electrical probe and electrical ground.
Inventors
- 👤 Earl L. Morris
- 👤 Walter V. Hafner
- 👤 Theodore J. Sally
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 04:39
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D11/00; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A10/00; Y02A10/30; Y10; Y10S; Y10S4/00; Y10S4/03; Y10S4/15; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7287; Y10T137/7306; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86389; Y10T137/86397
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
A plumbing fixture with a toilet bowl, the toilet bowl having a P-trap coupled to the waste outlet thereof, including a toilet bowl overflow inhibiting means, comprising: (a) a toilet bowl having a water supply pipe operably coupled therewith; (b) an electrically-controlled flushing valve operably associated with said supply pipe for controlling the flow of water to the toilet bowl; (c) a source of electricity for operating said valve; (d) electrical switch means operably associated with the source of electricity for controlling the delivery of electricity to the valve for actuation thereof; (e) an insulated electrical probe mounted in said water supply pipe; (f) said electrical probe operably associated with a detection circuit means whereby said detection circuit disconnects said source of electricity when water is in said supply pipe and completes the circuit between said electrical probe and electrical ground; (g) a blow-out jet pipe having an entrance and an outlet thereto, the entrance thereto being coupled in fluid communication with said supply pipe at the upper portion thereof and the outlet being coupled in fluid communication with the P-trap of the toilet bowl at the uprising portion thereof; and (h) means within said blow-out jet pipe for preventing the draining of water from the toilet bowl into the water supply pipe and into the blow-out jet pipe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
219 words
A plumbing fixture with a toilet bowl, the toilet bowl having a P-trap coupled to the waste outlet thereof, including a toilet bowl overflow inhibiting means, comprising: (a) a toilet bowl having a water supply pipe operably coupled therewith; (b) an electrically-controlled flushing valve operably associated with said supply pipe for controlling the flow of water to the toilet bowl; (c) a source of electricity for operating said valve; (d) electrical switch means operably associated with the source of electricity for controlling the delivery of electricity to the valve for actuation thereof; (e) an insulated electrical probe mounted in said water supply pipe; (f) said electrical probe operably associated with a detection circuit means whereby said detection circuit disconnects said source of electricity when water is in said supply pipe and completes the circuit between said electrical probe and electrical ground; (g) a blow-out jet pipe having an entrance and an outlet thereto, the entrance thereto being coupled in fluid communication with said supply pipe at the upper portion thereof and the outlet being coupled in fluid communication with the P-trap of the toilet bowl at the uprising portion thereof; and (h) means within said blow-out jet pipe for preventing the draining of water from the toilet bowl into the water supply pipe and into the blow-out jet pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said toilet bowl includes a flushing rim in integral combination with the seat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the entrance to said blow-out jet pipe is fluidly coupled to the top of said water supply pipe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said blow-out jet pipe is disposed between said P-trap and said toilet bowl.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said entrance to said blow-out jet pipe is fluidly coupled to said water supply pipe between said insulated electrical probe and the connection of said supply pipe and said toilet bowl.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said blow-out jet pipe entrance is fluidly coupled to said supply pipe above the lowest portion of said electrical probe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said deactivating means includes an induction relay having primary and secondary coils wherein said primary coil is operably coupled to said source of electricity, and wherein said secondary coil is electrically connected in series arrangement with said electrical probe, said induction relay having normally closed contacts in series with said source of electricity which are disconnected when electrical current flows in said secondary coil.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination of claim 1 having in addition a time-delay relay, said time delay being greater than the normal flushing period of said toilet, said time-delay relay having means thereon to activate an indicator device.
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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) | 1983-05-20 | 1983-11-19 | 1984-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-05-20 | 1987-11-19 | 1988-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-05-20 | 1991-11-19 | 1992-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |