US6058519A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toilet overflow control
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1999-04-19
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Granted: 2000-05-09
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Expires: 2019-04-19
Abstract
Abstract A flow control device for a toilet to prevent flooding upon obstructing of a waste outlet of a toilet bowl. The device includes a sensor assembly mounted on a clip held over a rim of the toilet bowl so as to hold the sensor assembly in a predetermined position within the toilet bowl. The clip may include adjustable elements thereon to enable the height of the sensor assembly to be adjusted, depending on the size and type of toilet in which it is affixed. If water bridges contacts on the sensor assembly, an electrical circuit is completed, and a solenoid is actuated to close a normally opened valve to shut off running water to the water tank of the toilet. The present invention is an easily-added-on, simplified device for use with a toilet bowl to prevent flooding, if the waste outlet of the toilet bowl is blocked for any reason.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Quintana
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:34
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D1/00; E03D11/00; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A10/00; Y02A10/30; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7287; Y10T137/7306; Y10T137/8158; Y10T137/8342
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
An overflow control device for a toilet, comprising, in combination: a flexible, clip-on assembly adapted to be secured to a rim of a toilet bowl; a detector element secured at one end of the flexible, clip-on assembly for insertion into a toilet bowl; and a wire connected between the detector element and a solenoid-actuated, normally opened valve, adapted to be connected to a waterline connected to a water tank toilet to which the overflow control device is attached.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
An overflow control device for a toilet, comprising, in combination: a flexible, clip-on assembly adapted to be secured to a rim of a toilet bowl; a detector element secured at one end of the flexible, clip-on assembly for insertion into a toilet bowl; and a wire connected between the detector element and a solenoid-actuated, normally opened valve, adapted to be connected to a waterline connected to a water tank toilet to which the overflow control device is attached.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The overflow control device of claim 1 wherein the detector element is adjustably held on the flexible clip-on assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The overflow control device of claim 2, further including guiding elements for the wire, and wherein the clip-on assembly is plastic or metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The overflow control device of claim 3, further including a warning-sounding speaker in the solenoid-actuated valve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The overflow device of claim 1 wherein the flexible clip-on assembly is made from plastic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The overflow control device of claim 5, further including a valve-closed indicator on the solenoid-actuated, normally opened valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The overflow control device of claim 6 wherein the valve-closed indicator is a speaker, which issues a warning sound.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The overflow control device of claim 7, further including a light indicator connected to the speaker.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The overflow control device of claim 8 wherein the detector element is adjustably held on the flexible clip-on assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The overflow control device of claim 9, further including guiding rings mounted on the flexible, clip-on assembly for holding the wire in position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The overflow control device of claim 6 wherein the valve-closed indicator is a light.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The overflow control device of claim 11 wherein the detector element is adjustably held on the flexible clip-on assembly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The overflow control device of claim 12, further including guiding rings mounted on the flexible, clip-on assembly for holding the wire in position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
165 words
A combination overflow control device and toilet, comprising, in combination: the toilet including a toilet bowl having a rim, a water tank and a water line connected to the water tank; a flexible, clip-on assembly having a sensor assembly held at one end, releasably secured to the rim, with the sensor assembly held in the toilet, above a top surface of any water held therein; a solenoid-operated, normally opened valve, including an electrical power source, connected in the waterline to control the flow of water to the water tank; a wire connected between the sensor assembly and the solenoid-operated, normally opened valve; and the sensor assembly including a pair of electrical contacts held on an outside wall thereof, whereby, if the water rises in the toilet bowl and bridges the two electrical contacts, a circuit will be completed to connect the electrical power source to the solenoid so as to close the normally opened valve, and stop the flow of water to the water tank.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
165 words
A combination overflow control device and toilet, comprising, in combination: the toilet including a toilet bowl having a rim, a water tank and a water line connected to the water tank; a flexible, clip-on assembly having a sensor assembly held at one end, releasably secured to the rim, with the sensor assembly held in the toilet, above a top surface of any water held therein; a solenoid-operated, normally opened valve, including an electrical power source, connected in the waterline to control the flow of water to the water tank; a wire connected between the sensor assembly and the solenoid-operated, normally opened valve; and the sensor assembly including a pair of electrical contacts held on an outside wall thereof, whereby, if the water rises in the toilet bowl and bridges the two electrical contacts, a circuit will be completed to connect the electrical power source to the solenoid so as to close the normally opened valve, and stop the flow of water to the water tank.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination overflow control device and toilet of claim 14 wherein the sensor assembly is adjustably mounted on the flexible, clip-on assembly.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination overflow control device and toilet of claim 15, further including guiding rings mounted on the flexible, clip-on assembly for holding the wire in position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination overflow control device and toilet of claim 16, further including a valve-closed indicator on the solenoid-operated, normally closed valve.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination overflow control device and toilet of claim 17 wherein the valve-closed indicator is a speaker which issues a warning sound.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination overflow control device and toilet of claim 17 wherein the valve-closed indicator is a light, and the flexible, clip-on assembly is plastic or metal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
115 words
An overflow control device for a toilet, comprising, in combination: a flexible, clip-on assembly having a rim attachment end and a sensor holding end; a sensor assembly adjustably held in the sensor holding end; the rim attachment end adapted to be attached to the rim of a toilet bowl with the sensor assembly held within the toilet bowl and above a surface of any water held therein; a solenoid-actuated, normally opened valve, having a power source and a closed indicator, adapted to be held in a waterline to a toilet to control the flow of water to a water tank in the toilet; and a wire connected between the sensor assembly and the solenoid-actuated valve.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
115 words
An overflow control device for a toilet, comprising, in combination: a flexible, clip-on assembly having a rim attachment end and a sensor holding end; a sensor assembly adjustably held in the sensor holding end; the rim attachment end adapted to be attached to the rim of a toilet bowl with the sensor assembly held within the toilet bowl and above a surface of any water held therein; a solenoid-actuated, normally opened valve, having a power source and a closed indicator, adapted to be held in a waterline to a toilet to control the flow of water to a water tank in the toilet; and a wire connected between the sensor assembly and the solenoid-actuated valve.
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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) | 2003-05-09 | 2003-11-08 | 2004-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-09 | 2007-11-08 | 2008-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-09 | 2011-11-08 | 2012-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |