US5584080A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dual-flush refill control apparatus
Assignee: Hunter Plumbing Products
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Filing: 1995-06-05
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Granted: 1996-12-17
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Expires: 2015-06-05
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 11:03
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: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
An apparatus for diverting a flow from a refill tube in a flush tank, comprising: a support bracket having a sleeve for mounting on an upper end of an overflow tube for supporting said bracket on the overflow tube, an arm secured at an inner end to and extending outward from said sleeve and a guide bore in an outer end of said arm, said bore normally oriented vertically in use; an elongated connecting rod reciprocally mounted for vertical movement in said guide bore; float means connected to a lower end of said connecting rod; and attachment means on an upper end of said connecting rod for connecting to and supporting the outlet end of the refill tube so that vertical movement of said float means responsive to water level in the flush tank moves said outlet end of said refill tube vertically for diverting water from the outlet end of the overflow tube into the flush tank during a first portion of a refill cycle and moves said outlet end of said refill tube vertically for directing water into the upper end of the overflow tube during a second portion of a refill cycle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
195 words
An apparatus for diverting a flow from a refill tube in a flush tank, comprising: a support bracket having a sleeve for mounting on an upper end of an overflow tube for supporting said bracket on the overflow tube, an arm secured at an inner end to and extending outward from said sleeve and a guide bore in an outer end of said arm, said bore normally oriented vertically in use; an elongated connecting rod reciprocally mounted for vertical movement in said guide bore; float means connected to a lower end of said connecting rod; and attachment means on an upper end of said connecting rod for connecting to and supporting the outlet end of the refill tube so that vertical movement of said float means responsive to water level in the flush tank moves said outlet end of said refill tube vertically for diverting water from the outlet end of the overflow tube into the flush tank during a first portion of a refill cycle and moves said outlet end of said refill tube vertically for directing water into the upper end of the overflow tube during a second portion of a refill cycle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said attachment means includes clamp means for supporting the outlet end of the refill tube at an angle toward the overflow tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said attachment means comprises a clip member extendable over said outer end of said arm and includes a shoulder for limiting upward movement of said connecting rod.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said attachment means comprises a clip member extendable over said outer end of said arm and includes a shoulder for limiting upward movement of said connecting rod.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said clip member releasably latches said rod to said arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sleeve on said support means comprises an adjustable clamp for attachment to an upper end of the overflow tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said float means comprises an inverted cup having a through bore for receiving said connecting rod, and gripping means for selectively gripping said rod for selectively positioning said float along said rod.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
195 words
An apparatus for diverting a flow from a refill tube in a flush tank, comprising: a support bracket having a tubular sleeve for mounting on an upper end of an overflow tube for supporting said bracket on the overflow tube, said bracket including an arm extending outward from said sleeve and having a guide bore in an outer end thereof, said guide bore normally oriented vertically in use; an elongated connecting rod reciprocally mounted for vertical movement in said guide bore; a float adjustably connected to a lower end of said connecting rod; and attachment means on an upper end of said connecting rod for attaching to and supporting the outlet end of the refill tube so that vertical movement of said float means responsive to changes in water level in the flush tank moves said outlet end of said refill tube vertically for diverting water from the outlet end of the overflow tube into the flush tank during a first portion of a refill cycle and moves said outlet end of said refill tube vertically for directing water into the upper end of the overflow tube during a second portion of a refill cycle.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
195 words
An apparatus for diverting a flow from a refill tube in a flush tank, comprising: a support bracket having a tubular sleeve for mounting on an upper end of an overflow tube for supporting said bracket on the overflow tube, said bracket including an arm extending outward from said sleeve and having a guide bore in an outer end thereof, said guide bore normally oriented vertically in use; an elongated connecting rod reciprocally mounted for vertical movement in said guide bore; a float adjustably connected to a lower end of said connecting rod; and attachment means on an upper end of said connecting rod for attaching to and supporting the outlet end of the refill tube so that vertical movement of said float means responsive to changes in water level in the flush tank moves said outlet end of said refill tube vertically for diverting water from the outlet end of the overflow tube into the flush tank during a first portion of a refill cycle and moves said outlet end of said refill tube vertically for directing water into the upper end of the overflow tube during a second portion of a refill cycle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said attachment means includes clamp means for supporting the outlet end of the refill tube at an angle toward the overflow tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said sleeve on said support means comprises an adjustable clamp for attachment to an upper end of the overflow tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said attachment means comprises a clip member extendable over said outer end of said arm releasably latching said rod to said arm and includes a shoulder for limiting upward movement of said connecting rod.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said float comprises an inverted cup having a through bore for receiving said connecting rod, and gripping means for selectively gripping said rod for selectively positioning said float along said rod.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said float comprises an inverted cup having a through bore for receiving said connecting rod, and gripping means for selectively gripping said rod for selectively positioning said float along said rod.
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) | 1999-12-17 | 2000-06-17 | 2000-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-12-17 | 2004-06-17 | 2004-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-12-17 | 2008-06-17 | 2008-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |