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Patent US5073995A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5073995A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Universal toilet tank water saving device
Assignee: NEUBAUER-JENNISON CONSTRUCTION A PARTNERSHIP OF
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Filing: 1990-10-09
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Granted: 1991-12-24
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Expires: 2010-10-09
Abstract
Abstract A water saving device for a flush tank includes a floating body, a guide track on which the floating body is slidably mounted by a bracket, and a clip mounted to the guide track for snap fitting around a standpipe of the tank. The guide track is positioned so that the body is substantially directly above a flush valve of the tank, so that upon flushing the body will contact and forcibly close the flush valve to save water. The weight of the body is adjustable, as the body has an inner chamber for holding ballast and an inlet sealed by a removable plug. The guide track has breakoff segments at its bottom portion so that the track can be adapted to virtually any size tank. In another embodiment of the water saving device, the guide track is replaced by a small diameter tube through which the chain linking the flush valve and the flush lever attached to a flush handle is threaded. The body has a large tube attached to it which slidably fits over the standpipe.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory F. Jennison
- 👤 John C. Neubauer
- 👤 Robert D. Baker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:49
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D1/00; E03D1/30; E03D1/302; E03D1/02; E03D1/14; E03D1/142; E03D1/144; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
In a flush tank containing water and having an outlet valve with a normally closed valve cover to maintain a normal water level, a handle for opening the valve cover to release water from the tank, a vertical standpipe with a lower end adjacent the valve cover and an upper end at least at a normal water level, wherein the valve cover closes in response to a decrease in water level to a minimum, the improvement comprising: a floating body; an elongate guide track having a T-shaped section, the T-shaped section being defined by a stem and a cross member; means for fixedly attaching an upper end of the guide track to the standpipe; and means for slidably attaching the floating body around the cross member of the T-shaped section of the guide track, wherein the guide track is disposes with its lower end adjacent the valve cover such that the body is positioned over the valve cover, whereby, in response to release of water, the body slides down the guide track and contacts the valve cover to thereby close the valve cover at an intermediate water level between the water level minimum and the normal water level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
In a flush tank containing water and having an outlet valve with a normally closed valve cover to maintain a normal water level, a handle for opening the valve cover to release water from the tank, a vertical standpipe with a lower end adjacent the valve cover and an upper end at least at a normal water level, wherein the valve cover closes in response to a decrease in water level to a minimum, the improvement comprising: a floating body; an elongate guide track having a T-shaped section, the T-shaped section being defined by a stem and a cross member; means for fixedly attaching an upper end of the guide track to the standpipe; and means for slidably attaching the floating body around the cross member of the T-shaped section of the guide track, wherein the guide track is disposes with its lower end adjacent the valve cover such that the body is positioned over the valve cover, whereby, in response to release of water, the body slides down the guide track and contacts the valve cover to thereby close the valve cover at an intermediate water level between the water level minimum and the normal water level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The flush tank of claim 1, wherein the body comprises means for changing its weight to adjust the intermediate water level at which the body contacts the valve cover.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The flush tank of claim 2 wherein the means for changing comprises a chamber formed in the body, an inlet to the chamber and a removable plug for the inlet, wherein the chamber is adapted to hold ballast.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The flush tank of claim 1, wherein the guide track comprises means for adjusting its length.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The flush tank of claim 4, wherein the means for adjusting comprises removable segments of the guide track.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The flush tank of claim 5, wherein the removable segments are defined by perforations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The flush tank of claim 1 wherein the means for attaching the guide track is removable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The flush tank of claim 7, wherein the means for removably attaching the guide track to the standpipe comprises a clip for snap fitting around the standpipe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The flush tank of claim 1, wherein the means for slidably attaching the body to the guide track is removable from the guide track.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
187 words
In a flush tank containing water and having an outlet valve with a normally closed valve cover to maintain a normal water level, a handle for opening the valve cover to release water from the tank, a vertical standpipe with a lower end adjacent the valve cover and an upper end at least at a normal water level, wherein the valve cover closes in response to a decrease in water level to a minimum, the improvement comprising: a floating body; an elongate guide track; means for fixedly attaching an upper end of the guide track to the standpipe; and means for slidably attaching the floating body to the guide track, wherein the guide track is disposes with its lower end adjacent the valve cover such that the body is positioned over the valve cover, whereby, in response to release of water, the body slides down the guide track and contacts the valve cover to thereby close the valve cover at an intermediate water level between the water level minimum and the normal water level, wherein the guide track comprises means forming removable segments for adjusting its length.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
187 words
In a flush tank containing water and having an outlet valve with a normally closed valve cover to maintain a normal water level, a handle for opening the valve cover to release water from the tank, a vertical standpipe with a lower end adjacent the valve cover and an upper end at least at a normal water level, wherein the valve cover closes in response to a decrease in water level to a minimum, the improvement comprising: a floating body; an elongate guide track; means for fixedly attaching an upper end of the guide track to the standpipe; and means for slidably attaching the floating body to the guide track, wherein the guide track is disposes with its lower end adjacent the valve cover such that the body is positioned over the valve cover, whereby, in response to release of water, the body slides down the guide track and contacts the valve cover to thereby close the valve cover at an intermediate water level between the water level minimum and the normal water level, wherein the guide track comprises means forming removable segments for adjusting its length.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The flush tank of claim 10, wherein the removable segments are defined by preforations.
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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) | 1994-12-23 | 1995-06-24 | 1995-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-23 | 1999-06-24 | 1999-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-12-23 | 2003-06-24 | 2003-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |