Patent US4918764A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4918764A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrically operated toilet
Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp
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Filing: 1988-06-13
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Granted: 1990-04-24
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Expires: 2008-06-13
Abstract
Abstract An electrically operated toilet wherein a toilet bowl is coupled to an electrically operated water valve which selectively flows water into the toilet bowl. An electrically operated waste valve is coupled to the discharge opening of the toilet bowl for selectively allowing waste material to pass out of the toilet bowl. A control unit is coupled to the water valve and to the waste valve for operating the water valve and the waste valve is a synchronous manner so that water is allowed to flow into the toilet and subsequently out of the discharge opening, while ensuring that the waste valve closes off the discharge opening after the flush cycle is completed.
Inventors
- 👤 Vernon W. Haselswerdt
- 👤 John M. Mayfield, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:08
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D5/00; E03D5/012; E03D5/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S4/00; Y10S4/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
An electrically operated toilet comprising: water receiving means for receiving pressurized water; a toilet bowl in fluid communication with the water receiving means, the toilet bowl having a discharge opening for flowing waste material therefrom; an electrically operated water valve, coupled to the water receiving means, for selectively allowing water to flow into the toilet bowl; an electrically operated waste valve, coupled to the toilet bowl, for selectively allowing waste material to flow through the discharge opening, the waste valve including a cover for covering the discharge opening; and control means, coupled to the water valve and to the waste valve, for operating the water valve and the waste valve so that water is allowed to flow into the toilet and subsequently out of the discharge opening, the control means comprising: a first switch for selectively activating the water valve; a motor; linkage means, coupled to the motor and to the cover, for moving the cover for selectively uncovering the discharge opening when the motor is activated; switch activating means, disposed in close proximity to the first switch, for causing the first switch to activate the water valve when the motor is activated, the switch activating means including a cam mounted on the motor, the cam rotating when the motor is activated, and the cam having a lobe which selectively contacts the first switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
224 words
An electrically operated toilet comprising: water receiving means for receiving pressurized water; a toilet bowl in fluid communication with the water receiving means, the toilet bowl having a discharge opening for flowing waste material therefrom; an electrically operated water valve, coupled to the water receiving means, for selectively allowing water to flow into the toilet bowl; an electrically operated waste valve, coupled to the toilet bowl, for selectively allowing waste material to flow through the discharge opening, the waste valve including a cover for covering the discharge opening; and control means, coupled to the water valve and to the waste valve, for operating the water valve and the waste valve so that water is allowed to flow into the toilet and subsequently out of the discharge opening, the control means comprising: a first switch for selectively activating the water valve; a motor; linkage means, coupled to the motor and to the cover, for moving the cover for selectively uncovering the discharge opening when the motor is activated; switch activating means, disposed in close proximity to the first switch, for causing the first switch to activate the water valve when the motor is activated, the switch activating means including a cam mounted on the motor, the cam rotating when the motor is activated, and the cam having a lobe which selectively contacts the first switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The toilet according to claim 1 wherein the control means further comprises a manually operated second switch connected for activating the motor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The toilet according to claim 2 wherein the first switch deactivates the water valve when the cam is in a prescribed position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The toilet according to claim 3 wherein the cam moves away from the prescribed position when the second switch is operated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The toilet according to claim 4 wherein the first switch is coupled to the motor for supplying current to the motor and thereby maintaining the motor activated when the cam is not in the prescribed position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The toilet according to claim 5 wherein the cam returns to the prescribed position at the end of a flush cycle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The toilet according to claim 6 wherein the cam rotates 360 degrees during each flush cycle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The toilet according to claim 7 wherein the second switch is connected for activating the water valve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The toilet according to claim 8 wherein the toilet bowl has an overflow opening disposed in an upper portion thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The toilet according to claim 9 further comprising a conduit in fluid communication with the overflow opening for receiving material flowing therethrough.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The toilet according to claim 10 wherein the conduit is shaped for forming a water trap.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The toilet according to claim 8 wherein the second switch comprises a momentary switch for initiating the operation of the water valve and the waste valve.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-04-23 | 1993-10-23 | 1994-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-23 | 1997-10-23 | 1998-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-23 | 2001-10-23 | 2002-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |