US4928327A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for reducing rinsing water consumption
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-05-11
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Granted: 1990-05-29
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Expires: 2008-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A device for the reduction of water use in a WC water tank comprises a closing element which opens and closes an outlet opening of the tank and is formed as a buoyant member. The device ensures a various rationing of water discharged from the tank by a ring-shaped suppressing element provided on the closing element which hangs on a chain connected to an operating knob. The suppressing element exerts on the closing element a force which is greater than the force required to maintain the closing element buoyant.
Inventors
- 👤 Dieter Kuhn
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
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
A device for the reduction of the amount of rinsing water in a WC-water tank including a housing to be filled with water and having an outlet opening, a rinsing knob supported on the housing, a closing element operatively connected to the knob for closing and opening the outlet opening, the closing element being formed as a buoyant element, and pulling means connecting the closing element to the knob, said reduction device comprising a ring-shaped suppressing element provided on the closing element and made of elastic material with high specific weight, said suppressing element encircling the pulling means and exerting on the closing element a force which is greater than a force required to maintain the closing element in a buoyant state, said ring-shaped suppressing element including at least one ring; and a friction disc mounted on said pulling element between said closing element and said ring-shaped suppressing element for joint movement therewith for delaying closing of the outlet opening, said friction disc having a diameter which is larger than that of said ring-shaped suppressing element so that only a very short pressing of the knob enables the tank to discharge a predetermined portion of water which is smaller than an entire filling amount of water in the tank.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
209 words
A device for the reduction of the amount of rinsing water in a WC-water tank including a housing to be filled with water and having an outlet opening, a rinsing knob supported on the housing, a closing element operatively connected to the knob for closing and opening the outlet opening, the closing element being formed as a buoyant element, and pulling means connecting the closing element to the knob, said reduction device comprising a ring-shaped suppressing element provided on the closing element and made of elastic material with high specific weight, said suppressing element encircling the pulling means and exerting on the closing element a force which is greater than a force required to maintain the closing element in a buoyant state, said ring-shaped suppressing element including at least one ring; and a friction disc mounted on said pulling element between said closing element and said ring-shaped suppressing element for joint movement therewith for delaying closing of the outlet opening, said friction disc having a diameter which is larger than that of said ring-shaped suppressing element so that only a very short pressing of the knob enables the tank to discharge a predetermined portion of water which is smaller than an entire filling amount of water in the tank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device as defined in claim 1, wherein said suppressing element is formed of two half-rings pivotally connected to each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device as defined in claim 2, wherein said one ring may be formed with an interrupting gap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device as defined in claim 2, wherein said suppressing element is made of plastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device as defined in claim 2, wherein said friction disc is a ring with an interrupting gap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device as defined in claim 2, wherein said two half-rings have each a projection outwardly extending from a respective half ring, said suppressing element further including a spring retaining element connecting two projections of the two half-rings to each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device as defined in claim 1, wherein said one ring is helical in shape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device as defined in claim 1, wherein said suppressing element includes two half-rings each formed with a circumferential groove, and a spring ring inserted into the grooves of said two half-rings to connect said half-rings to each other.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3036313A
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US3345648A
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US3561016A
Cited
US3982283A
Cited
US4091474A
Cited
US4467482A
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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) | 1993-05-28 | 1993-11-27 | 1994-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-05-28 | 1997-11-27 | 1998-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-05-28 | 2001-11-27 | 2002-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |