US4570272A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toilet bowl flushing device
Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co Ltd
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Filing: 1984-07-31
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Granted: 1986-02-18
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Expires: 2004-07-31
Abstract
Abstract A toilet bowl flushing device capable of discharging automatically a large amount of flushing water to the bowl immediately after termination of use of the bowl and a small amount of water continuously from the beginning of the use until a predetermined time has elapsed after the large amount discharge. Valve means for controlling the amount of water provided to the bowl includes a small-amount water discharging means and a large-amount water discharging means, and is coupled to a control means including a timer means suitably energizing the small-amount and large-amount water discharging means so that an auxiliary bowl flushing is performed with a small amount of flushing water to prevent sticking of filth to the bowl during the use, a main bowl flushing is realized with a large amount of flushing water immediately after the use, and a small amount of flushing water is kept discharged still after the main flushing to avoid any generation of water hammering phenomenon.
Inventors
- 👤 Shojiro Kawaguchi
- 👤 Kuniyuki Odaka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:10
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D5/00; E03D5/10; E03D5/105; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S4/00; Y10S4/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
305 words
A toilet bowl flushing system, comprising: (a) an electromagnetic valve means including means for discharging a low flow-rate of flushing water to said bowl and means for discharging a high flow-rate of flushing water to the bowl; (b) means for detecting approach and departure of users of said bowl, said detecting means generating an ON signal indicative of said approach and initiation of use of said bowl by a first user, a first OFF signal indicative of said departure and termination of use of said bowl by said first user, a second OFF signal indicative of approach of a second user immediately after departure of said first user, and a third OFF signal indicative of departure of said second user; and (c) means for controlling operation of said valve means, including (1) first means responsive to said ON signal from said detecting means for energizing said high flow-rate water discharging means for a relatively short first period of time upon said initiation of use by said first user; (2) second means for energizing said low flow-rate discharging means in response to said ON signal and said high flow-rate water discharging means in response to said first OFF signal, said high flow-rate discharging means being energized for a second period of time longer than said first period of time, and said low flow-rate discharging means being deenergized a predetermined period after deenergization of said high flow-rate discharging means; (3) third means responsive to said second OFF signal occurring during said second period of time for deenergizing said high flow-rate discharging means, thereby to interrupt the high flow in said bowl during use by said second user; and (4) fourth means responsive to said third OFF signal for reenergizing said high flow-rate water discharging means for said second period of time following departure of said second user.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
305 words
A toilet bowl flushing system, comprising: (a) an electromagnetic valve means including means for discharging a low flow-rate of flushing water to said bowl and means for discharging a high flow-rate of flushing water to the bowl; (b) means for detecting approach and departure of users of said bowl, said detecting means generating an ON signal indicative of said approach and initiation of use of said bowl by a first user, a first OFF signal indicative of said departure and termination of use of said bowl by said first user, a second OFF signal indicative of approach of a second user immediately after departure of said first user, and a third OFF signal indicative of departure of said second user; and (c) means for controlling operation of said valve means, including (1) first means responsive to said ON signal from said detecting means for energizing said high flow-rate water discharging means for a relatively short first period of time upon said initiation of use by said first user; (2) second means for energizing said low flow-rate discharging means in response to said ON signal and said high flow-rate water discharging means in response to said first OFF signal, said high flow-rate discharging means being energized for a second period of time longer than said first period of time, and said low flow-rate discharging means being deenergized a predetermined period after deenergization of said high flow-rate discharging means; (3) third means responsive to said second OFF signal occurring during said second period of time for deenergizing said high flow-rate discharging means, thereby to interrupt the high flow in said bowl during use by said second user; and (4) fourth means responsive to said third OFF signal for reenergizing said high flow-rate water discharging means for said second period of time following departure of said second user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further including accumulator means for accumulating the total period of time that said high flow-rate discharging means is interrupted, said accumulator means causing said high flow-rate to be energized when said accumulated period of time exceeds a threshold level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
238 words
A toilet bowl flushing system, comprising: (a) an electromagnetic valve means including means for discharging a low flow-rate of flushing water to said bowl and means for discharging a high flow-rate of flushing water to the bowl; (b) means for detecting approach and departure of users of said bowl, said detecting means generating an ON signal indicative of said approach and initiation of use of said bowl by a first user, a first OFF signal indicative of said departure and termination of use of said bowl by said first user, a second OFF signal indicative of approach of a second user immediately after departure of said first user, and a third OFF signal indicative of departure of said second user; and (c) means for controlling operation of said valve means, including (1) first means responsive to said ON signal from said detecting means for energizing said high flow-rate water discharging means for a relatively short first period of time upon said initiation of use by said first user; and (2) second means for energizing said low flow-rate discharging means in response to said ON signal and said high flow-rate water discharging means in response to said first OFF signal, said high flow-rate discharging means being energized for a second period of time longer than said first period of time, and said low flow-rate discharging means being deenergized a predetermined period after deenergization of said high flow-rate discharging means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
238 words
A toilet bowl flushing system, comprising: (a) an electromagnetic valve means including means for discharging a low flow-rate of flushing water to said bowl and means for discharging a high flow-rate of flushing water to the bowl; (b) means for detecting approach and departure of users of said bowl, said detecting means generating an ON signal indicative of said approach and initiation of use of said bowl by a first user, a first OFF signal indicative of said departure and termination of use of said bowl by said first user, a second OFF signal indicative of approach of a second user immediately after departure of said first user, and a third OFF signal indicative of departure of said second user; and (c) means for controlling operation of said valve means, including (1) first means responsive to said ON signal from said detecting means for energizing said high flow-rate water discharging means for a relatively short first period of time upon said initiation of use by said first user; and (2) second means for energizing said low flow-rate discharging means in response to said ON signal and said high flow-rate water discharging means in response to said first OFF signal, said high flow-rate discharging means being energized for a second period of time longer than said first period of time, and said low flow-rate discharging means being deenergized a predetermined period after deenergization of said high flow-rate discharging 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) | 1989-02-17 | 1989-08-19 | 1990-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-02-17 | 1993-08-19 | 1994-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-02-17 | 1997-08-19 | 1998-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |