U.S. patent application number 11/697628 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-09 for self-plunging toilet and method of clearing a toilet.
Invention is credited to David Meador.
Application Number | 20080244819 11/697628 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39825630 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080244819 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meador; David |
October 9, 2008 |
SELF-PLUNGING TOILET AND METHOD OF CLEARING A TOILET
Abstract
The present toilet relates to devices for removing clogs from
drains and hand operated toilet plungers. More particularly the
present invention concerns a toilet which when clogged can clear
the clog automatically. With one push of a valve or turning a
valve, clogs are moved and eliminated. The toilet contains within
the toilet base a plunger or means to clear the obstructions.
Inventors: |
Meador; David; (Danville,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
David Meador
21 Westwood
Danville
IL
61832
US
|
Family ID: |
39825630 |
Appl. No.: |
11/697628 |
Filed: |
April 6, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60744391 |
Apr 6, 2006 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/434 ;
4/255.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03D 9/00 20130101; E03D
11/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/434 ;
4/255.01 |
International
Class: |
E03D 11/02 20060101
E03D011/02; E03D 9/00 20060101 E03D009/00 |
Claims
1. A toilet consisting of: a bowl; means for flushing the bowl with
water, including a water supply, and a drain line; a diverter valve
for diverting the water supply from flushing the bowl to a plunger
mechanism upon activation by a user; the plunger mechanism having
means for sealing the drain line and connection of the water supply
into the drain line, whereby, the water pressure of the water
supply could remove clogs in the drain line.
2. A toilet clog remover for incorporation into a toilet having a
water supply and a drain line extending downstream from the toilet
to a sewage outlet, comprising: a plunger mechanism having means
for activation by a user; means for sealing the drain line of the
toilet; and means for connecting the water supply downstream of the
means for sealing the drain line, such that the water supply can
remove clogs in the drain line.
3. A method of clearing a toilet clog from a toilet having a water
supply and a drain line comprising: a user activating the water
supply to a plunger mechanism; the plunger mechanism sealing off
the drain line; the water supply being connected to the drain line,
such that the water pressure clears the toilet clog.
4. A self-plunging toilet comprising: a plunger; a diverter valve
linked to the plunger by water lines, whereby a diverter valve
directs pressure from a water supply to seal a toilet drain with an
expanding seal, whereas the water supply flushes an obstruction
free.
5. The self-plunging toilet of claim 4, wherein the diverter valve
returns water from the plunger to the toilet.
Description
[0001] This application claims the priority of Provisional
Application 60/744391 filed on Apr. 6, 2006, which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present toilet relates to devices for removing clogs
from drains and hand operated toilet plungers. More particularly
the present invention concerns a toilet which when clogged can
clear the clog automatically. With one push of a valve or turning a
valve, clogs are moved and eliminated. The toilet contains within
the toilet base a plunger or means to clear the obstructions.
[0003] Not a month goes by in some households when a toilet will
stop up either due to low volume flush toilets or the interior
piping from the toilet accumulating debris causing a clog.
Generally toilet plungers are kept beside every toilet for this
emergency event. Though most plungers can be successfully operated
contaminated water might be sprayed, spilled, or tracked across the
floor because the toilet clogged. This toilet eliminated dripping a
plunger or other device across a floor to be put away as the toilet
houses and operates the plunger only when needed. This toilet
eliminates the need to place other drain cleaners into the
toilet.
[0004] With current standard toilets, often stubborn clogs may
required additional appliances such as a snake or pressurized
flushing device added to the toilet to eliminate the blockage. When
these external devices are removed, often residual matter remains
on the device which could potentially contaminate the
environment.
[0005] Many times plunging a toilet requires repeated flushing
before the clog is loosened and the pipes cleared. This self
plunging system reduces the amount of water used to clean or flush
a clog. Considerably less water is wasted as this device is self
cleaning.
[0006] As stated above there exists a distinct need for a toilet
with a mechanism to eliminate clogs and aggravations in an
efficient and sanitary method.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a self-plunging,
self-cleaning, and drain flushing toilet whereby with one motion
activates a water valve. The toilet responds by sealing the drain
to prevent backflow so that full water pressure from the house hold
supply is applied to the blockage. Once the blockage clears, the
water pressure in the device cleans the valve mechanism and then
the device returns to resting or normal operation position. The
device includes a diverter valve which when pushed or turned
redirects the water supply to the device. The device features a
plunger, or rotating valve, or gait which clamps the drain line
shut. Once sufficient pressure to seal the drain is achieved the
configuration allows water pressure to open into the drain blowing
clear the clog. Letting go of the diverter valve returns the toilet
to normal operation by redirecting water from the toilet plunger or
rotating valve to the toilet waste system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a side view cross-section of a toilet embodiment
of the invention, in a pressurized mode position.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a side view cross-section of a toilet embodiment
of the invention, in a normal mode position.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a pair of cross-section views of a diverter valve
in a normal mode position in FIG. 3a and in a diverted position in
FIG. 3b.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a pair of cross-section views of a diverter valve
in a normal mode position in FIG. 3a and in a diverted position in
FIG. 3b.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a cross-section and exploded view of the plunger
mechanism, showing the cross-section view in FIG. 5a and the
exploded view of the components in FIG. 5b.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the invention apparatus is preferably
connected to a toilet outlet drain, near the toilet bowl. It could
be located anywhere along the drain line. As shown, the device
could be incorporated into the toilet bowl design.
[0014] The plunger mechanism is designed to fill the outlet drain
and seal it such that water can not flow back into the toilet bowl.
The mechanism may include at least two cylinders 1, 2 which fit
inside each other and are machined to slide apart when water
pressure is supplied to them and later contract back together, via
pressure from a spring 3 which is internally located. The base
cylinder 1 has a waterline attachment 4 located on it which
connects to a water source, such as by the water line from the
diverter valve 17 on the toilet water source. For convenience in
usage, and to help keep waste debris out of the chamber 5, another
water line is located on the flattened portion of the cylinder on
top 6. The flattened inside of the base cylinder serves to prevent
rotation of the inner cylinder 2. This could be achieved by other
methods, such as a groove along the cylinders. The base cylinder 1
further includes means for connecting the spring 3, as shown in
FIG. 4 by the bent bar 7. The interior cylinder 2 has means to
attach a rubber seal 8, which in FIG. 4 is a threaded hollow bolt
9. The bolt 9 has a bar 10 for attaching to the spring 3. The bolt
9 can be permanently attached and could be provided simply by a
groove for the seal to attach itself to the interior cylinder. The
rubber seal 8 would need to be designed to withstand the water
pressures supplied to the toilet, most commonly under 120 pounds
per square inch. The design shown in FIG. 4 is made of separate
components that are designed to have threads to screw together
tightly to prevent leakage. The other side of disk-like rubber seal
8 is attached to the head of a plunger 11 via another hollow bolt
9. The head of the plunger 11 has a threaded opening to accept a
pressure relief valve 12. The pressure relief valve 12 has a spring
13 and ball valve 14. The valve 12 has passage ways 15 which are
the paths of the water to flow into the toilet drain 16 to force
the clog through the system.
[0015] Operation of the water flow to the mechanism would be
provided by a diverter valve 17 that takes the water supply to the
toilet to be used by the mechanism. Separate water supply
connections could also be provided. The diverter valve 17 could be
of other designs, including common rotational designs, but the push
button style shown in FIG. 3 is seen as preferred for simplicity.
The diverter valve 17 of the design in FIG. 3 attaches to the base
of a toilet tank 18 via standard plumbing fittings. The water
supply line to the toilet attaches to the bottom section 19 of the
diverter valve 17. The diverter valve 17 in its normal state allows
the toilet to operate normally, as a standard toilet. Upon pressing
of the button on the diverter valve 17, the water pressure is
diverted or re-routed to the plunger mechanism 1. The plunger
responds by expanding pressure against the opening and expanding
the rubber seal 8. Once sufficient sealing has occurred the
pressure relief valve 12 opens which opens passageways 15 to the
clogged drain line 16, which is then pushed clear. Once clearing is
complete, the diverter valve 17 senses a drop in pressure like a
vibration. Wen the diverter valve 17 is manually released, it
returns to its normal position and normal operation of the toilet
water supply system. The water and water pressure in the plunger
system must then be eliminated to return the plunger mechanism to
normal operation. This invention may allow the diverter valve 17 to
return the water via a second line, to the tank via the attachment
connection 6 of the plunger. This serves to clean the plunger
mechanism and prevent debris from prohibiting return of the
plunger.
[0016] It is envisioned that the parts could preferably be
manufactured of stainless steel construction except the rubber seal
8 and drain line 16. Plastic materials could easily be used for the
plunger 1, the inner cylinder 2, the threaded hollow bolt 9, and
the plunger head 11 if it will withstand necessary water pressures.
The inner cylinder 2, the threaded hollow bolt 9, and the plunger
head 11 could be made in one piece if a rubber seal 8 could be made
strong enough to withstand the necessary water pressures. The
rubber seal 8 could be manufactured of a rubber compound, similar
to what plumbers commonly use to stop up a line or silicon rubber
similar to what scuba face masks are made of. The part itself may
look like a disk, as designed in FIG. 4.
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