US5940899A — System for preventing toilet overflows

Claim 1

Independent Claim 162 words

A system for preventing overflows in a toilet connected to a water conduit, said system comprising: a capacitive sensor adapted to be mounted to the toilet at a location above a normal water level for the toilet, the sensor being operative to sense a water level in the toilet above the normal water level and responsive thereto to generate a warning signal; a valve adapted to be connected to the water conduit and being manipulable to respective open and closed positions; a drive assembly connected to the valve and operative to selectively drive the valve to the respective open and closed positions; and a processor electrically connected to the sensor and the drive assembly, and operative to control the sensor to sense the water level in the toilet at predetermined intervals, the processor being responsive to receiving plural consecutive warning signals from the sensor to enable the drive assembly to drive the valve to the closed position to close the water conduit.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 162 words

A system for preventing overflows in a toilet connected to a water conduit, said system comprising: a capacitive sensor adapted to be mounted to the toilet at a location above a normal water level for the toilet, the sensor being operative to sense a water level in the toilet above the normal water level and responsive thereto to generate a warning signal; a valve adapted to be connected to the water conduit and being manipulable to respective open and closed positions; a drive assembly connected to the valve and operative to selectively drive the valve to the respective open and closed positions; and a processor electrically connected to the sensor and the drive assembly, and operative to control the sensor to sense the water level in the toilet at predetermined intervals, the processor being responsive to receiving plural consecutive warning signals from the sensor to enable the drive assembly to drive the valve to the closed position to close the water conduit.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 28 words

The system of claim 1 wherein the capacitive sensor is adapted to be mounted on the outside of the toilet above the normal water level of the toilet.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 34 words

The system of claim 1 wherein the drive assembly comprises a drive motor electrically connected to the processor, the drive motor being operative to manipulate the valve between the respective open and closed positions.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 21 words

The system of claim 3 wherein the drive assembly further includes a gear train interposed between the drive motor and valve.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 46 words

The system of claim 1 and further including a housing containing the processor, valve, and drive assembly therein, the housing including a water inlet to engage an upstream portion of the water conduit and a water outlet to engage a downstream portion of the water conduit.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system of claim 5 and further including a power supply electrically connected to the processor and drive assembly to provide power thereto.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 18 words

The system of claim 6 wherein the power supply comprises a pair of batteries mounted in the housing.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 39 words

The system of claim 1 and further including an audible signal generator connected to the processor, wherein the processor, upon actuating the drive assembly, controls the audible signal generator to generate an audible signal indicative of a clogged condition.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 15 words

The system of claim 8 wherein the audible signal generator 2 comprises a piezo buzzer.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 18 words

The system of claim 1 wherein the capacitive sensor comprises a 2 pair of substantially coplanar capacitor plates.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 35 words

The system of claim 1 wherein the capacitive sensor includes a 555 timer to convert the capacitance sensed into a pulse train, wherein the frequency of the pulse train is dependent upon the capacitance sensed.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 170 words

A system for preventing overflow in a toilet bowl connected to a water conduit, said system comprising: a capacitive sensor adapted to be mounted to an exterior of the toilet bowl at a location above a normal water level for the toilet, the capacitive sensor being operative to sense a water level in the toilet above the normal water level and responsive thereto to generate a warning signal; a valve adapted to be connected to the water conduit and being manipulable to respective open and closed positions; a drive assembly connected to the valve and operative to drive the valve to the respective open and closed positions; and a processor electrically connected to the capacitive sensor and the drive assembly, and operative to control the capacitive sensor to sense the water level in the toilet at predetermined intervals, the processor being responsive to receiving plural consecutive warning signals from the capacitive sensor to enable the drive assembly to drive the valve to the closed position to close the water conduit.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 170 words

A system for preventing overflow in a toilet bowl connected to a water conduit, said system comprising: a capacitive sensor adapted to be mounted to an exterior of the toilet bowl at a location above a normal water level for the toilet, the capacitive sensor being operative to sense a water level in the toilet above the normal water level and responsive thereto to generate a warning signal; a valve adapted to be connected to the water conduit and being manipulable to respective open and closed positions; a drive assembly connected to the valve and operative to drive the valve to the respective open and closed positions; and a processor electrically connected to the capacitive sensor and the drive assembly, and operative to control the capacitive sensor to sense the water level in the toilet at predetermined intervals, the processor being responsive to receiving plural consecutive warning signals from the capacitive sensor to enable the drive assembly to drive the valve to the closed position to close the water conduit.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 29 words

The system of claim 12 wherein the drive assembly comprises a drive motor electrically connected to the processor, and a gear train interposed between the drive motor and valve.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 39 words

The system of claim 12 and further including an audible signal generator connected to the processor, wherein the processor, upon actuating the drive assembly, controls the audible signal generator to generate an audible signal to indicate a clogged condition.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 17 words

The system of claim 12 wherein the capacitive sensor comprises a pair of substantially coplanar capacitor plates.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 35 words

The system of claim 12 wherein the capacitive sensor includes a 555 timer to convert the capacitance sensed into a pulse train, wherein the frequency of the pulse train is dependent upon the capacitance sensed.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-08-23	2003-02-22	2003-08-24	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-08-23	2007-02-22	2007-08-24	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-08-23	2011-02-22	2011-08-24	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

System for preventing toilet overflows

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