Patent US6178569B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6178569B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Toilet overflow control
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1999-09-28
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Granted: 2001-01-30
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Expires: 2019-09-28
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 at least one sensor assembly mounted on a rim of a bowl of a toilet or urinal to hold the sensor assembly in a predetermined position within the bowl. If water bridges contacts on the at least one 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. A power source and a valve open alarm system are electrically connected to the at least one sensor assembly and the solenoid actuated valve.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Quintana
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:55
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: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A combination overflow control device and toilet, comprising: at least one sensor assembly mounted in a rim of a bowl; the at least one sensor assembly electrically connected to a solenoid-actuated, normally opened valve, a power supply and a valve closed alarm system; and the solenoid-actuated, normally opened valve is mounted in a water tank attached to the toilet, on a water supply line, adjacent a water line feeding to a bowl in the toilet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A combination overflow control device and toilet, comprising: at least one sensor assembly mounted in a rim of a bowl; the at least one sensor assembly electrically connected to a solenoid-actuated, normally opened valve, a power supply and a valve closed alarm system; and the solenoid-actuated, normally opened valve is mounted in a water tank attached to the toilet, on a water supply line, adjacent a water line feeding to a bowl in the toilet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination overflow control device and toilet of claim 1 , further including a test button electrically connected to the power supply and the valve closed alarm system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination overflow control device and toilet of claim 2 wherein the valve closed alarm system includes a speaker.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination overflow control device of claim 3 , further including a light indicator connected to the speaker.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination overflow control device and toilet of claim 1 wherein the valve closed alarm system includes a speaker.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination overflow control device of claim 5 , further including a light indicator connected to the speaker.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
149 words
A combination overflow control device and toilet, comprising, in combination: the toilet including a bowl having a rim and water line feeding water into a water tank; at least one sensor assembly held in the rim, above a top surface of any water normally held in the bowl when an outlet from the bowl is not blocked; a solenoid-operated, normally opened valve, including an electrical power source, mounted on the water line to control the flow of water into the water tank; the solenoid-actuated, normally opened valve is mounted in the water tank connected to the toilet, on the water line leading into a further water line feeding water to the bowl; means electrically connecting the at least one sensor assembly and the solenoid-operated, normally opened valve; and a power source and an alarm having a speaker held in a unit electrically connected to the solenoid-operated, normally opened valve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
149 words
A combination overflow control device and toilet, comprising, in combination: the toilet including a bowl having a rim and water line feeding water into a water tank; at least one sensor assembly held in the rim, above a top surface of any water normally held in the bowl when an outlet from the bowl is not blocked; a solenoid-operated, normally opened valve, including an electrical power source, mounted on the water line to control the flow of water into the water tank; the solenoid-actuated, normally opened valve is mounted in the water tank connected to the toilet, on the water line leading into a further water line feeding water to the bowl; means electrically connecting the at least one sensor assembly and the solenoid-operated, normally opened valve; and a power source and an alarm having a speaker held in a unit electrically connected to the solenoid-operated, normally opened valve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
116 words
A combination overflow control device and a toilet, comprising: a plurality of water level sensors secured in the rim of a bowl; a solenoid-operated, normally opened valve electrically connected to a power source and a speaker to indicate that the solenoid-actuated, normally opened valve has been closed; the solenoid-actuated, normally opened valve mounted on a waterline to control the flow of water into a water tank; the solenoid-actuated, normally opened valve is mounted in the water tank connected to the toilet, on the water line leading into a further water line feeding water to the bowl; and a plurality of wires electrically connecting the plurality of sensors to the solenoid-operated, normally opened valve and the speaker.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
116 words
A combination overflow control device and a toilet, comprising: a plurality of water level sensors secured in the rim of a bowl; a solenoid-operated, normally opened valve electrically connected to a power source and a speaker to indicate that the solenoid-actuated, normally opened valve has been closed; the solenoid-actuated, normally opened valve mounted on a waterline to control the flow of water into a water tank; the solenoid-actuated, normally opened valve is mounted in the water tank connected to the toilet, on the water line leading into a further water line feeding water to the bowl; and a plurality of wires electrically connecting the plurality of sensors to the solenoid-operated, normally opened valve and the speaker.
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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) | 2004-01-30 | 2004-07-31 | 2005-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-30 | 2008-07-31 | 2009-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-30 | 2012-07-31 | 2013-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |