US4232406A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water closet ventilating system with vacuum breaker valve
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-05-18
•
Granted: 1980-11-11
•
Expires: 1999-05-18
Abstract
Abstract A system for ventilating the toilet bowl of a water closet of the type having a standpipe in the flush tank thereof and wherein the lower end of the standpipe is connected to the conduit which extends between the flush tank and the flush ring in the toilet bowl and the upper end of the standpipe extends above the normal level of the water in the flush tank. The inlet of a suction fan communicates with the space above the level of the water in the flush tank and the outlet of the fan is connected to a suitable point of discharge for gases withdrawn from the toilet bowl. A vent passage extends from the exterior of the flush tank to the space above the level of the water in the flush tank, and a normally closed flapper valve, which is connected by linkage to a float that floats on the surface of the water in the flush tank, moves to an open position to prevent a vacuum from developing in the space above the level of the water in the flush tank when the tank is flushing the toilet bowl and the water level in the tank drops.
Inventors
- 👤 Lester R. Beeghly
- 👤 George E. Gilchrist
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:53
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D9/00; E03D9/04; E03D9/05; E03D9/052
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
In a system for ventilating water closets of the type having a flush tank for storing water at a storage level, said flush tank having a cover adapted to fit thereon, a bowl having a flush ring with a plurality of apertures formed around the periphery of said bowl, conduit means connecting said flush tank with said bowl, a standpipe mounted within said flush tank and having its lower end communicating with said flush ring and its upper end communicating with the space above the normal level of the water in said flush tank, and means for effecting the withdrawal of gases from said space and consequently from said bowl, the improvement of which comprises the inclusion of means responsive to lowering of the water level in said flush tank for venting the space above the level of the water in said tank to the atmosphere during flushing so as to eliminate any vacuum in said space and thereby prevent any restriction of the flow of water from said flush tank into said bowl.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
In a system for ventilating water closets of the type having a flush tank for storing water at a storage level, said flush tank having a cover adapted to fit thereon, a bowl having a flush ring with a plurality of apertures formed around the periphery of said bowl, conduit means connecting said flush tank with said bowl, a standpipe mounted within said flush tank and having its lower end communicating with said flush ring and its upper end communicating with the space above the normal level of the water in said flush tank, and means for effecting the withdrawal of gases from said space and consequently from said bowl, the improvement of which comprises the inclusion of means responsive to lowering of the water level in said flush tank for venting the space above the level of the water in said tank to the atmosphere during flushing so as to eliminate any vacuum in said space and thereby prevent any restriction of the flow of water from said flush tank into said bowl.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said means responsive to lowering of the water level in said flush tank comprises a float adapted to float on the surface of the water in said flush tank, and a valve controlled by said float.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
106 words
The system of claim 2, wherein said venting means includes means defining a passage having one end connected to the atmosphere and its other end connected to said space, a flapper valve coacting with said other end of said passage and movable between positions permitting and preventing flow through said other end, and linkage connecting said float with said flapper valve for moving said valve into its closed position when the water level in said flush tank is at said storage level and for moving said flapper valve into its open position upon lowering of the water level in said flush tank below said storage level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
98 words
The system of claim 3, wherein said linkage includes a draw rod connected to said flapper valve, a pivotably mounted link connected to said draw rod and movable in a plane perpendicular to said draw rod, and a vertically shiftable push rod connected to said float and said link, said push rod being movable from an upper to a lower position in response to lowering of the water level in said flush tank from said storage level, whereby said flapper valve moves from its closed to and remains in its open position while said bowl is being flushed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 4, wherein said flapper valve is generally L-shaped and arranged with one leg normally extending vertically and another leg normally extending horizontally, said draw rod being connected to said vertically extending leg.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1, including a spacer adapted to be mounted on the top of said flush tank and adapted to receive said cover, and said venting means is mounted in said spacer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 3, including a spacer adapted to be mounted on the top of said flush tank and adapted to receive said cover, said passage defining means comprises spaced walls in said spacer, and said linkage is carried by at least one of said walls.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
The system of claim 4, including a spacer adapted to be mounted on the top of said flush tank and adapted to receive said cover, said passage defining means includes spaced, upper and lower, horizontal walls and vertical side walls in said spacer, said flapper valve is pivotally mounted on one of said horizontal walls, and said push rod extends through vertically aligned opening in said horizontal walls of said passage defining means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3192539A
Cited
US3495282A
Cited
US3626554A
Cited
US3703010A
Cited
US3691568A
Cited
US3939506A
Cited
US4011608A
Cited
US4017916A
Cited
US4007498A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-11-11 | 1984-05-12 | 1984-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-11 | 1988-05-12 | 1988-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-11 | 1992-05-12 | 1992-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |