Patent US4392260A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4392260A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flushing apparatus with selective quantity control
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1982-07-06
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Granted: 1983-07-12
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Expires: 2002-07-06
Abstract
Abstract A flush control apparatus includes a housing which replaces the usual tank top and has a chain extending down to the usual outlet valve member which is weighted to give it negative buoyancy. In the housing is a lever, motor, switch and timing circuit system which operates in response to actuation of one of two push buttons to lift the valve member for a predetermined interval of time, thereby determining an amount of flush water to be dispensed into the bowl.
Inventors
- 👤 Court M. Bensen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:18
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D1/00; E03D1/02; E03D1/14; E03D1/142; E03D5/00; E03D5/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S4/00; Y10S4/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
263 words
An apparatus for selectively dispensing either of two predetermined quantities of flushing water from the storage tank of a toilet of the type having an opening in the bottom thereof through which flushing water passes, a valve member operable to open and close the opening, the valve member normally exhibiting a net positive buoyant force in water when removed from the opening, and upwardly extending means for operating the valve member by lifting it away from the opening, the apparatus comprising weight means attached to said valve member for changing the buoyancy thereof from positive to negative; motor means coupled to said means for operating, said motor means being operative, when energized, to exert an upward force on said means for operating to lift said valve member away from said opening, to hold said valve member in the lifted position against the downward force of said weight means, and to lower said valve member to its closed position without regard to the water level in the storage tank; housing means for supporting said motor means above the water in said tank; timing means for selectively producing energizing signals for said motor means in pairs to lift and lower said valve member, the leading edges of the signals in one said pair being separated by a first time interval and the leading edges of the signals in a second said pair being separated by a second, longer time interval; and manually operable switch means for selecting one of said signal pairs, thereby selecting the interval said valve member is held in the open position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
263 words
An apparatus for selectively dispensing either of two predetermined quantities of flushing water from the storage tank of a toilet of the type having an opening in the bottom thereof through which flushing water passes, a valve member operable to open and close the opening, the valve member normally exhibiting a net positive buoyant force in water when removed from the opening, and upwardly extending means for operating the valve member by lifting it away from the opening, the apparatus comprising weight means attached to said valve member for changing the buoyancy thereof from positive to negative; motor means coupled to said means for operating, said motor means being operative, when energized, to exert an upward force on said means for operating to lift said valve member away from said opening, to hold said valve member in the lifted position against the downward force of said weight means, and to lower said valve member to its closed position without regard to the water level in the storage tank; housing means for supporting said motor means above the water in said tank; timing means for selectively producing energizing signals for said motor means in pairs to lift and lower said valve member, the leading edges of the signals in one said pair being separated by a first time interval and the leading edges of the signals in a second said pair being separated by a second, longer time interval; and manually operable switch means for selecting one of said signal pairs, thereby selecting the interval said valve member is held in the open position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
179 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said motor means comprises a motor having a rotatable output shaft; a crank coupled to said shaft and rotatable through a circle; a lift lever pivotally connected at one end to said housing means, the other end of said lift lever being coupled to said upwardly extending means for operating said valve member, said lift lever extending across and above said crank so that said lever is lifted and lowered as said crank rotates through said circle; first and second limit switches; and means in said housing means for mounting said switches for actuation by said crank and lift lever movement so that said first one of said switches is actuated when said lever is in a high position and the second of said switches is actuated when said lever is in a low position; and wherein said timing means is connected to supply the first signal of a pair of signals through said first limit switch to said motor and the second signal of said pair through said second limit switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said housing means comprises a hollow housing of electrically nonconductive polymeric material shaped to engage and cover the open top of a toilet storage tank, thereby replacing the original cover thereof, and means defining openings through an exposed surface of said housing to receive said manually operable switch means.
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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) | 1986-07-11 | 1987-01-10 | 1987-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-07-11 | 1991-01-10 | 1991-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-07-11 | 1995-01-10 | 1995-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |