US4348778A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Emergency toilet water protection unit
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-10-15
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Granted: 1982-09-14
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Expires: 1999-10-15
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus combining a flush toilet including a toilet bowl and water supply tank and a device for preventing the flow of water into and out of the supply tank. The supply tank includes a ball float and an outlet water control plunger which is located adjacent to a vertically extending pipe mounted at the base of the tank. A tubular sleeve is installed over the pipe and includes thereon an outer sleeve and a control arm that is pivotedly attached to the tubular sleeve and positioned below and generally opposite to the ball float. A plunger is mounted onto and extending out from the tubular sleeve and is positioned above and generally opposite to the water control plunger. A triggering device is provided to activate the control arm and the plunger to contact the ball float and water control plunger to stop the flow of water into and out of the supply tank.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph P. Rau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:14
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
In combination with a flush toilet having a toilet bowl and a water supply tank, said tank including a ball float and an outlet water control plunger located adjacent to an upwardly extending pipe mounted inside said supply tank, a device for preventing toilet water overflow, comprising: means for stopping the flow of water into and out of said supply tank, said means including a tubular sleeve member installed over said pipe, said tubular member including thereon an outer sleeve member, a control arm pivotedly attached to said tubular member and positioned below and in generally faced opposed relation to said ball float, a plunger member mounted onto and extending out from said outer sleeve member and positioned above and in generally faced opposed relation to said water control plunger, and, means for triggering said means for stopping the flow of water so that said control arm and said plunger member contact said ball float and said water control plunger, respectively, to stop the flow of water into and out of said supply tank.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
In combination with a flush toilet having a toilet bowl and a water supply tank, said tank including a ball float and an outlet water control plunger located adjacent to an upwardly extending pipe mounted inside said supply tank, a device for preventing toilet water overflow, comprising: means for stopping the flow of water into and out of said supply tank, said means including a tubular sleeve member installed over said pipe, said tubular member including thereon an outer sleeve member, a control arm pivotedly attached to said tubular member and positioned below and in generally faced opposed relation to said ball float, a plunger member mounted onto and extending out from said outer sleeve member and positioned above and in generally faced opposed relation to said water control plunger, and, means for triggering said means for stopping the flow of water so that said control arm and said plunger member contact said ball float and said water control plunger, respectively, to stop the flow of water into and out of said supply tank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said triggering means comprises a cable having a first end extending over a side wall of said supply tank and a second end attached to said trigger arm adjacent to said outer sleeve member, said trigger arm being in a cocked position so that upon pulling the first end of said cable, said trigger is engaged causing said plunger to move downwardly to contact said water control plunger and said control arm to move upwardly to contact said ball float.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
157 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the means for triggering comprises a container positioned adjacent to said toilet bowl, said container having a front wall, back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall, said front wall and said top wall defining therebetween an inlet through which water flows, said top wall having attached thereto means for attaching a first end of a cable to said container, a second end of said cable being attached to a trigger arm adjacent to said outer sleeve member, said container positioned between rail and guide means along which said container may move in an upwards or downwards direction, whereby water entering said inlet causes said container to move downwardly so that said cable pulls on said trigger to release said plunger member downwardly and said control arm upwardly to shut off the flow of water into and out of said supply tank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said means for triggering may be contained within a side wall of said toilet bowl.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
172 words
In combination with a flush toilet having a toilet bowl and a water supply tank, said tank including a slide float and an outlet water control plunger located adjacent to an upwardly extending pipe mounted inside said supply tank, a device for preventing toilet water overflow, comprising: means for stopping the flow of water into and out of said supply tank, said means including a tubular sleeve member installed over said pipe, said tubular member including thereon an outer sleeve member, a control arm pivotedly attached and positioned generally perpendicular to said tubular member, a plunger member mounted onto and extending out from said outer sleeve member and positioned above and in generally faced opposed relation to said water control plunger, and, means for triggering said means for stopping the flow of water so that said control arm moves upwardly causing said slide float to rise concurrently therewith and said plunger member to contact said water control plunger to stop, respectively, the flow of water into and out of said supply tank.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
172 words
In combination with a flush toilet having a toilet bowl and a water supply tank, said tank including a slide float and an outlet water control plunger located adjacent to an upwardly extending pipe mounted inside said supply tank, a device for preventing toilet water overflow, comprising: means for stopping the flow of water into and out of said supply tank, said means including a tubular sleeve member installed over said pipe, said tubular member including thereon an outer sleeve member, a control arm pivotedly attached and positioned generally perpendicular to said tubular member, a plunger member mounted onto and extending out from said outer sleeve member and positioned above and in generally faced opposed relation to said water control plunger, and, means for triggering said means for stopping the flow of water so that said control arm moves upwardly causing said slide float to rise concurrently therewith and said plunger member to contact said water control plunger to stop, respectively, the flow of water into and out of said supply tank.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein said triggering means comprises a cable having a first end extending over a side wall of said supply tank and a second end attached to said trigger arm adjacent to said outer sleeve member, said trigger arm being in a cocked position so that upon pulling the first end of said cable, said trigger is engaged causing said plunger to move downwardly to contact said water control plunger and said control arm to move upwardly causing said slide float to rise concurrently.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4170049A
Cited
US4204285A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-09-13 | 1986-03-15 | 1986-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-09-13 | 1990-03-15 | 1990-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-09-13 | 1994-03-15 | 1994-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |