Patent US758952A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5148554A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
← Back to Patent Explorer
US5148554A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Variable flush valve for a toilet

Assignee: AQUALOGIC SYSTEMS Inc A CORP OF DELAWARE
•
Filing: 1990-12-07
•
Granted: 1992-09-22
•
Expires: 2010-12-07
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A modified flapper valve for use in a toilet tank having a flexible extension structure attached at a first end to the valve and including a second end having at least one primary attachment point and a plurality of secondary attachment points, and a float element removably attachable to the extension structure and including a plurality of grooves for receiving the primary attachment point and the secondary attachment points of the extension structure, wherein the number of secondary attachment points of the extension structure engaging the grooves of the float element determines the distance of the float element from the valve. The extension structure can include a weight, either removable from or integral with, the extension structure. The valve can be mounted within the tank by conventional arms or by closing-moment exerting arms.

Inventors

  • 👤 Paul F. Martin

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 15:12
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D1/00; E03D1/30; E03D1/304; E03D1/306; E03D1/02; E03D1/14; E03D1/142; E03D1/144

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 151 words
A modified valve for use with an outlet opening in a toilet tank comprising a conventional bulb having a flange disposed about an outside surface of the bulb or sealing engagement with a valve seat disposed about the outlet opening; a flexible extension structure attached at a first end to the valve seat and extending substantially perpendicularly from the valve seat, the extension structure including a second end having at least one primary attachment point and a plurality of secondary attachment points, a float element removably attachable to the extension structure, the float element including a plurality of grooves for receiving the primary attachment point of the extension structure and at least one of the secondary attachment points of the extension structure; wherein the number of secondary attachment points of the extension structure engaging the grooves of the float element determines the distance of the float element from the valve seat.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 151 words
A modified valve for use with an outlet opening in a toilet tank comprising a conventional bulb having a flange disposed about an outside surface of the bulb or sealing engagement with a valve seat disposed about the outlet opening; a flexible extension structure attached at a first end to the valve seat and extending substantially perpendicularly from the valve seat, the extension structure including a second end having at least one primary attachment point and a plurality of secondary attachment points, a float element removably attachable to the extension structure, the float element including a plurality of grooves for receiving the primary attachment point of the extension structure and at least one of the secondary attachment points of the extension structure; wherein the number of secondary attachment points of the extension structure engaging the grooves of the float element determines the distance of the float element from the valve seat.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 13 words
The modified valve of claim 1 where the valve is a flapper valve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 14 words
The modified valve of claim 1 where the valve is a vertical movement valve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 38 words
The modified valve of claim 1 further including a removably attached weight element, and the extension structure further including a slot for receiving the weight element, the slot located proximately at the first end of the extension structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 15 words
The modified valve of claim 1 further including a weight element integral with the valve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 32 words
The modified valve of claim 1 wherein the first end of the extension structure includes a thin portion connected to the valve seat so as to allow the extension structure to rotate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 31 words
The modified valve of claim 1 further including a mounting apparatus for pivotally securing the valve within the toilet tank, wherein the mounting apparatus imposes a closing moment of the valve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 13 words
The modified valve of claim 7 wherein the mounting apparatus includes flexible arms.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2290679A Cited
US2962727A Cited
US3306313A Cited
US3331084A Cited
US3839746A Cited
US3921226A Cited
US4000526A Cited
US3982283A Cited
US4145774A Cited
US4135263A Cited
US4155128A Cited
US4467482A Cited
US4782537A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1995-09-22 1996-03-23 1996-09-22 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-09-22 2000-03-23 2000-09-22 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-09-22 2004-03-23 2004-09-22 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag