US6401269B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flapper valve with dual action arm
Assignee: Kohler Co
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Filing: 2001-03-16
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Granted: 2002-06-11
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Expires: 2021-03-16
Abstract
Abstract A flapper valve assembly for regulating the passage of water from a toilet tank is provided with a structure to reduce overflow risk. There is a yoke pivotally disposed in the tank and supporting a flapper seal that can be seated on and unseated from the flush opening. A flapper arm has a first segment coupled to the yoke along a pivot axis and a second segment extending away from the pivot axis toward the flapper seal. The flapper arm is configured such that it delays seating of the flapper seal when the water in the tank is above a predetermined level and assists seating of the flapper seal when the water is below a designated level.
Inventors
- 👤 Terrence J. Andersen
- 👤 David K. Rische
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:18
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D1/00; E03D1/30; E03D1/308; E03D1/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A flapper valve assembly for regulating passage of water out from a toilet water tank, the tank having a lower outlet opening, the assembly comprising: a flapper seal for seating against a seal surface of the outlet opening; an attachment site for attaching a trip connector adjacent the flapper seal; a yoke supporting the flapper seal adjacent an outer end of the yoke, and having a pivot axis adjacent an inward end of the yoke; and a flapper arm for delaying and assisting the seating of the flapper seal, said flapper arm having a first segment connected to the yoke adjacent the pivot axis, and a second segment extending at least partially in an outward direction, said second segment being bent so as to increase its weight relative to the first segment and thereby skew the weight of the flapper arm towards the second segment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A flapper valve assembly for regulating passage of water out from a toilet water tank, the tank having a lower outlet opening, the assembly comprising: a flapper seal for seating against a seal surface of the outlet opening; an attachment site for attaching a trip connector adjacent the flapper seal; a yoke supporting the flapper seal adjacent an outer end of the yoke, and having a pivot axis adjacent an inward end of the yoke; and a flapper arm for delaying and assisting the seating of the flapper seal, said flapper arm having a first segment connected to the yoke adjacent the pivot axis, and a second segment extending at least partially in an outward direction, said second segment being bent so as to increase its weight relative to the first segment and thereby skew the weight of the flapper arm towards the second segment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The flapper valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second segment of the flapper arm has a U-bend in it.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The flapper valve assembly of claim 2 , wherein the second segment contains extra weight for a given length of the segment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The flapper valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the flapper arm is a metal rod.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The flapper valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein when the flapper seal is horizontal, the second segment extends at between 30 degrees and 60 degrees from vertical.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The flapper valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the flapper seal has an inner cavity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The flapper valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the yoke includes a pair of legs each having an opening defining the pivot axis.
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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) | 2005-06-10 | 2005-12-10 | 2006-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-06-10 | 2009-12-10 | 2010-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-06-10 | 2013-12-10 | 2014-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |