Patent US5452482A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5452482A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dual-flush refill control apparatus
Assignee: Hunter Plumbing Products
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Filing: 1994-04-20
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Granted: 1995-09-26
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Expires: 2014-04-20
Abstract
Abstract A refill apparatus for a dual flush apparatus comprises a refill tube connected to a refill valve responsive to a drop in water level in a tank to initiate a refill flow of water for refilling the tank and for refilling a trap via an overflow tube, the refill tube having an inlet end connected to the valve and an outlet end positioned for directing water to the overflow tube for refilling the trap, and a diverting member for diverting the refill flow from the refill tube to the tank during a portion of the refill following a long flush.
Inventors
- 👤 David Nichols-Roy
- 👤 Dennis D. Woods
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:59
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D1/00; E03D1/30; E03D1/32; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7287; Y10T137/7358; Y10T137/7439; Y10T137/7462
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
An apparatus for diverting a flow of water from a refill tube into a flush tank during a portion of a refill cycle, the refill tube normally directing water into an upper end of an overflow tube, said apparatus comprising: support means for mounting on the upper end of the overflow tube for supporting the outlet end of the refill tube in a fixed position; and diverting means comprising an elongated arm having an inner end and an outer end and pivotally mounted at said inner end directly to said support means for diverting water from the outlet end of the refill tube into the flush tank, said diverting means including a diverting surface formed on said inner end of said arm and a float mounted on said outer end of said arm, said float responsive to water level in the flush tank for moving said diverting surface to a position for diverting water into the flush tank during the portion of the refill cycle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
165 words
An apparatus for diverting a flow of water from a refill tube into a flush tank during a portion of a refill cycle, the refill tube normally directing water into an upper end of an overflow tube, said apparatus comprising: support means for mounting on the upper end of the overflow tube for supporting the outlet end of the refill tube in a fixed position; and diverting means comprising an elongated arm having an inner end and an outer end and pivotally mounted at said inner end directly to said support means for diverting water from the outlet end of the refill tube into the flush tank, said diverting means including a diverting surface formed on said inner end of said arm and a float mounted on said outer end of said arm, said float responsive to water level in the flush tank for moving said diverting surface to a position for diverting water into the flush tank during the portion of the refill cycle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a generally loop shaped main body portion including an adjustable clamp for detachable attachment to the upper end of the refill tube, and a wall extending upwardly from said main body portion; and a nipple fixed to said wall for receiving and supporting said outlet end of said refill tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said diverting surface comprises a generally U shaped member formed on said inner end of said elongated arm, said U shaped member defining said diverting surface and a pair of parallel disposed pivot arms on opposite sides of said diverting surface pivotally mounting said inner end to said wall above said adjustable clamp.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said diverting surface comprises a generally U-shaped member formed on said inner end of said elongated arm, said U-shaped member defining said diverting surface and a pair of parallel disposed pivot arms on opposite sides of said diverting surface pivotally mounting said inner end to said support means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said diverting surface is curved to direct water from said outlet end of said refill tube downward.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said elongated arm is generally L-shaped with a first arm portion at said inner end adapted to extend across said upper end of said overflow tube, and a second arm portion at said outer end adapted to extend downward generally parallel to said overflow tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said float is generally U-shaped and adapted to extend partially around said overflow tube when in a lowermost position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said float is generally U-shaped having gripping means for selectively gripping said elongated arm for selectively positioning said float along said arm.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
228 words
An apparatus for diverting a flow of water from a refill tube into a flush tank during a portion of a refill cycle, the refill tube normally directing water into an upper end of an overflow tube, said apparatus comprising: support means comprising a generally loop shaped main body portion including an adjustable clamp for mounting on the upper end of the overflow tube and a wall extending upwardly from said main body portion for supporting an outlet end of the refill tube in the fixed position; and a diverting means for diverting water from the outlet end of said refill tube into said flush tank, said diverting means comprising an elongated float arm having an inner end and an outer end, a generally U-shaped diverting member on said inner end thereof, said member having a diverting surface extending transverse between a pair of connecting arms extending outward from opposite sides of said diverting surface and said arms pivotally attached to said support means, and a float mounted on an outer end of said float arm responsive to water level in the flush tank below a predetermined level for pivoting said diverting surface in front of said outlet end of said refill tube and said float responsive to water level above said predetermined level for pivoting said diverting surface away from said outlet end of said refill tube.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
228 words
An apparatus for diverting a flow of water from a refill tube into a flush tank during a portion of a refill cycle, the refill tube normally directing water into an upper end of an overflow tube, said apparatus comprising: support means comprising a generally loop shaped main body portion including an adjustable clamp for mounting on the upper end of the overflow tube and a wall extending upwardly from said main body portion for supporting an outlet end of the refill tube in the fixed position; and a diverting means for diverting water from the outlet end of said refill tube into said flush tank, said diverting means comprising an elongated float arm having an inner end and an outer end, a generally U-shaped diverting member on said inner end thereof, said member having a diverting surface extending transverse between a pair of connecting arms extending outward from opposite sides of said diverting surface and said arms pivotally attached to said support means, and a float mounted on an outer end of said float arm responsive to water level in the flush tank below a predetermined level for pivoting said diverting surface in front of said outlet end of said refill tube and said float responsive to water level above said predetermined level for pivoting said diverting surface away from said outlet end of said refill tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said support means comprises a nipple fixed to said wall for receiving and supporting said outlet end of said refill tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said pivot arms pivotally mount said inner end to said wall above said adjustable clamp.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said diverting surface is curved to direct water from said outlet end of said refill tube downward.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said elongated arm is generally L-shaped with a first arm portion at said inner end adapted to extend across said upper end of said overflow tube, and a second arm portion at said outer end adapted to extend downward generally parallel to said overflow tube.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said float is generally U-shaped and adapted to extend partially around said overflow tube when in a lowermost position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said float is generally U-shaped having gripping means for selectively gripping said elongated arm for selectively positioning said float along said arm.
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) | 1998-09-25 | 1999-03-27 | 1999-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-09-25 | 2003-03-27 | 2003-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-09-25 | 2007-03-27 | 2007-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |