US5432959A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for regulating water flow in a toilet
Assignee: Dakota Technologies Corp
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Filing: 1994-01-05
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Granted: 1995-07-18
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Expires: 2014-01-05
Abstract
Abstract The present disclosure concerns an electro-mechanical flushing system for a residential toilet. A powered valve is controlled by a timing circuit to pass one of a plurality of water flow volumes from a toilet tank to a toilet bowl. The same system also establishes an adjustable toilet bowl water level. A manual override feature permits the toilet to be operated in the absence of electrical power.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert S. Ellsworth
- 👤 John P. Durban
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 13:40
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D1/00; E03D1/02; E03D1/14; E03D1/142; E03D5/00; E03D5/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S4/00; Y10S4/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
A toilet flush system for regulating flow of water out of a toilet tank into a toilet bowl, said flush system comprising: powered valve means for positioning a valve face with respect to a valve seat, said valve seat defines an aperture between said toilet tank and said toilet bowl, said valve face is adapted to close said aperture when said valve face is contiguous with said valve seat; toilet tank water volume means for establishing an economy volume of water flow from said toilet tank through said aperture, and aperture, and establishing a power volume of water flow from said toilet tank through said aperture, said economy flow volume being substantially less than said power flow volume and being accomplished by said valve face being separated a given distance from said valve seat for a period of time to establish said economy flow volume and a greater period of time to establish said power flow volume; and toilet bowl water level means for establishing one of a first and second water level in said toilet bowl, said first and second water levels in said toilet bowl are achieved by water transfer from said toilet tank, through said aperture, to said toilet bowl by moving said valve face from said valve seat a distance substantially less than said given distance for one period of time for said first water level and a longer period of time for said second water level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
241 words
A toilet flush system for regulating flow of water out of a toilet tank into a toilet bowl, said flush system comprising: powered valve means for positioning a valve face with respect to a valve seat, said valve seat defines an aperture between said toilet tank and said toilet bowl, said valve face is adapted to close said aperture when said valve face is contiguous with said valve seat; toilet tank water volume means for establishing an economy volume of water flow from said toilet tank through said aperture, and aperture, and establishing a power volume of water flow from said toilet tank through said aperture, said economy flow volume being substantially less than said power flow volume and being accomplished by said valve face being separated a given distance from said valve seat for a period of time to establish said economy flow volume and a greater period of time to establish said power flow volume; and toilet bowl water level means for establishing one of a first and second water level in said toilet bowl, said first and second water levels in said toilet bowl are achieved by water transfer from said toilet tank, through said aperture, to said toilet bowl by moving said valve face from said valve seat a distance substantially less than said given distance for one period of time for said first water level and a longer period of time for said second water level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The toilet flush system according to claim 1, wherein said powered valve means includes guide means for aligning said valve face with said valve seat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The toilet flush system according to claim 1, wherein said powered valve means includes closure means for pressing said valve facing toward said valve seat.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The toilet flush system according to claim 1, wherein said powered valve means includes an electric actuator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The toilet flush system according to claim 4, wherein said electric actuator is an electric motor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The toilet flush system according to claim 4, wherein said electric actuator is an electromechanical actuator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The toilet flush system according to claim 1, further comprising: selection means for electing one of said first volume of water flow and said second volume of water flow, as well as electing one of said first water level and said second water level.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The toilet flush system according to claim 7, wherein said selection means includes a battery, an electric switch and a control circuit for electing between said first volume of water flow corresponding with said first water level and said second volume of water flow corresponding with said second water level.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The toilet flush system according to claim 8, wherein said control circuit includes timing means for determining water flow through said aperture.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The toilet flush system according to claim 8, wherein said selection means further includes an indicator of minimum electrical power for operating the toilet flush system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The toilet flush system according to claim 8, wherein said electric switch is relatively remote with respect to said toilet flush system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The toilet flush system according to claim 1, further comprising: manual override means for mechanically bypassing said powered valve means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The toilet flush system according to claim 12, wherein said manual override means is operationally interposed between said powered valve means and said valve face.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
The toilet flush system according to claim 13, wherein said powered valve means includes a screw threadably engaging a nut such that relative rotation causes relative axial displacement, and said manual override means permits relative axial displacement between said powered valve means and said valve face.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The toilet flush system according to claim 1, wherein said selection means simultaneously actuates an accessory which is relatively remote with respect to said toilet flush system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The toilet flush system according to claim 15, wherein said accessory is a chemical dispenser.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The toilet flush system according to claim 15, wherein said accessory is a fan.
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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) | 1998-07-17 | 1999-01-16 | 1999-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-07-17 | 2003-01-16 | 2003-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-07-17 | 2007-01-16 | 2007-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |