US4365364A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toilet flush control using a hollow crown instant close flapper valve
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-06-29
•
Granted: 1982-12-28
•
Expires: 2001-06-29
Abstract
Abstract A demand type flush tank control for saving water by the utilization of a water release valve of the flapper type in the water storage tank of a toilet, with such flapper valve being non-buoyant such that it will close off the flow of water from the tank into the toilet the instant the flush handle has been released by the user. In this way, the use of the entire contents of the tank is prevented, except on those occasions where a full tank is actually needed. My novel flapper valve has no air pocket below the sealing area, as do conventional flapper valves, and it is non-buoyant in that a cavity is provided in the upper part of the valve, through which water can enter a part of the valve body. Accordingly, my novel flapper valve readily returns to its seat the moment the toilet handle is released, thereby effecting a daily savings of many gallons of water.
Inventors
- 👤 Rudolph T. Riedel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:10
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D1/00; E03D1/02; E03D1/14; E03D1/142; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A flush arrangement for preventing the utilization of an unnecessary amount of water in the flushing of a toilet of the type having a water storage tank and a handle movable to bring about a lifting of a water release device from its seat to accomplish a flushing of the toilet, said water release device being a pivotally mounted flapper valve, said flapper valve being non-buoyant, and having a cavity in its upper portion into which water can enter and occupy at least a portion of the interior of the flapper valve, said flapper valve using no guides, weights or appendages, means connecting a portion of said flapper valve to the handle so that handle manipulation brings about a pivotal movement of said flapper valve away from its seat, thus to permit a controlled flow of water from the tank, said flapper valve, because of its non-buoyancy, and depending solely on downward water pressure from above, plus suction from outflowing water below, plus the density of the valve itself, returning to its seat as soon as the handle is released, such that the flow of water from the tank will be promptly shut off.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
A flush arrangement for preventing the utilization of an unnecessary amount of water in the flushing of a toilet of the type having a water storage tank and a handle movable to bring about a lifting of a water release device from its seat to accomplish a flushing of the toilet, said water release device being a pivotally mounted flapper valve, said flapper valve being non-buoyant, and having a cavity in its upper portion into which water can enter and occupy at least a portion of the interior of the flapper valve, said flapper valve using no guides, weights or appendages, means connecting a portion of said flapper valve to the handle so that handle manipulation brings about a pivotal movement of said flapper valve away from its seat, thus to permit a controlled flow of water from the tank, said flapper valve, because of its non-buoyancy, and depending solely on downward water pressure from above, plus suction from outflowing water below, plus the density of the valve itself, returning to its seat as soon as the handle is released, such that the flow of water from the tank will be promptly shut off.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The flush arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said flapper valve utilizes a generally flat member having a sealing portion, in a central part of which the cavity is located.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The flush arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said flapper valve is made of plastic material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2059749A
Cited
US2158452A
Cited
US2779028A
Cited
US3036313A
Cited
US3239848A
Cited
US3707733A
Cited
US3719957A
Cited
US3831204A
Cited
US3921226A
Cited
US3996629A
Cited
US4293964A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-12-27 | 1986-06-28 | 1986-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-27 | 1990-06-28 | 1990-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-27 | 1994-06-28 | 1994-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |