US4817216A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water-saving flushing attachment
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-05-17
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Granted: 1989-04-04
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Expires: 2008-05-17
Abstract
Abstract A water-saving flushing device for a toilet tank is presented comprising a hollow casing and a rotatably attached pivot-plate secured inside said casing. A first pin pivotably secures an upper latch arm to said pivot-plate arm while a second pin pivotably secures a lower stop arm. A third pin is attached to the pivot plate. A float arm is attached to the third pin by means of a spring. The float arm rises or falls according to the water level in the toilet tank. To effectuate a partial flush, the flushing lever is pushed downward once. The travel of the flushing arm upward is limited by striking the upper latch arm. This limited path also limits the flapper valve to a partial opening only. When the mechanism is thus tripped, the latch arm rapidly recedes into the casing and a lower stop arm is forced outward to stop the downward travel of the flushing arm. As the water drains and then fills, the mechanism re-cocks itself. A second flushing motion in rapid succession to the first opens the flapper valve for a full flush when needed.
Inventors
- 👤 David Auman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:14
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D1/00; E03D1/02; E03D1/14; E03D1/142; E03D1/144; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
237 words
A water-saving attachment to a toilet tank, comprising: (a) a hollow casing having a first side with first and second openings therein and a bottom with a third opening therein, said casing being attached to the inside of a toilet tank by attaching means; (b) a pivot-plate rotatably secured to the inside of said casing by an axial pin; (c) a latch arm having one end thereof pivotably secured to said pivot-plate by a first pivot pin and having the other end thereof protruding from said first side opening when the mechanism is in a cocked position; (d) an oblique lower stop arm having one end thereof pivotably secured to said pivot-plate by a second pivot pin, the other end thereof protruding from said second side opening when the mechanism is in a tripped position; (e) a float arm having an irregular shape cut out therefrom to accomodate a third pin attached to said pivot plate, said third pin being attached to said float arm by a spring, said float arm extending through said third opening and having a float attached to the lower end thereof; (f) a flushing arm extension which is attached to the other end of a normal toilet tank flushing arm, said flushing arm extension being adapted to cooperate with the other ends of said latch arm and said lower stop arm to control the amount of water discharged from said flush tank.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
237 words
A water-saving attachment to a toilet tank, comprising: (a) a hollow casing having a first side with first and second openings therein and a bottom with a third opening therein, said casing being attached to the inside of a toilet tank by attaching means; (b) a pivot-plate rotatably secured to the inside of said casing by an axial pin; (c) a latch arm having one end thereof pivotably secured to said pivot-plate by a first pivot pin and having the other end thereof protruding from said first side opening when the mechanism is in a cocked position; (d) an oblique lower stop arm having one end thereof pivotably secured to said pivot-plate by a second pivot pin, the other end thereof protruding from said second side opening when the mechanism is in a tripped position; (e) a float arm having an irregular shape cut out therefrom to accomodate a third pin attached to said pivot plate, said third pin being attached to said float arm by a spring, said float arm extending through said third opening and having a float attached to the lower end thereof; (f) a flushing arm extension which is attached to the other end of a normal toilet tank flushing arm, said flushing arm extension being adapted to cooperate with the other ends of said latch arm and said lower stop arm to control the amount of water discharged from said flush tank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A water-saving attachment to a toilet tank as in claim 1, said casing further comprising vertical guide flanges attached to the front and back edges of the first side of said casing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A water-saving attachment to a toilet tank as in claim 1, wherein said pivot-plate is essentially triangular in shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A water-saving attachment to a toilet tank as in claim 1, said latch arm further comprising an upper lip attached to the upper part of the free end of said arm and a lower lip attached to the lower part of the free end of said arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A water-saving attachment to a toilet tank as in claim 1, said oblique arm further comprising a horizontal stop arm platform.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A water-saving attachment to a toilet tank as in claim 1, said float arm having a vertical groove therein, further comprising a vertical guide tongue which guides said float arm in a vertical path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A water saving attachment to a toilet tank as in claim 1, wherein said flushing arm extension has a longitudinal slot therein further comprising a fail-safe adaptor pivotably secured on the upper side of the tip of said flushing arm extension.
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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) | 1992-04-03 | 1992-10-03 | 1993-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-04-03 | 1996-10-03 | 1997-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-04-03 | 2000-10-03 | 2001-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |