U.S. patent application number 12/382917 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-11 for toilet water saver.
Invention is credited to George J. Wajda.
Application Number | 20100058523 12/382917 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41797948 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100058523 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wajda; George J. |
March 11, 2010 |
Toilet water saver
Abstract
The toilet water saver includes a toilet tank and flushing valve
assembly that efficiently uses the water in the tank for the
particular waste being flushed. The flushing valve assembly has two
flapper valves, one flapper valve disposed vertically higher than
the other, and an actuator that operates one valve singly or both
flapper valves simultaneously at the user's option. The disposition
of the valves with respect to the maximum tank capacity level
defines respective first and second volumes of water to be used.
The higher disposed flapper valve is operated to drain a smaller
volume of water for the common liquid wastes while the lower
disposed flapper valve is operated to drain a much greater volume
for solid waste. The toilet water saver is also configurable for
flushing wastes from either left or right side of the toilet
tank.
Inventors: |
Wajda; George J.; (San
Diego, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LITMAN LAW OFFICES, LTD.
POST OFFICE BOX 15035, CRYSTAL CITY STATION
ARLINGTON
VA
22215-0035
US
|
Family ID: |
41797948 |
Appl. No.: |
12/382917 |
Filed: |
March 26, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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12232154 |
Sep 11, 2008 |
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12382917 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/326 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02A 20/40 20180101;
Y02A 20/412 20180101; E03D 1/145 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/326 |
International
Class: |
E03D 1/14 20060101
E03D001/14 |
Claims
1. A toilet water saver, comprising: a toilet tank adapted for
holding water for flushing a toilet bowl, the tank having an outlet
adapted for connection to a toilet bowl; a water refill assembly
extending into the tank, the refill assembly being adapted for
maintaining the flush water at a predetermined level in the tank; a
flush valve assembly having: a valve body including an elongated
pipe having an upper end at a first differential depth below the
predetermined water level and a lower end connected to the tank
outlet; a first flapper valve disposed at the upper end of the
valve body, the first flapper valve permitting a first volume of
flush water to pass through the valve body and the tank outlet when
the first flapper valve is in an open position, the first volume of
flush water being defined by the first differential depth and being
adequate to flush liquid waste from the toilet bowl; and a second
flapper valve disposed adjacent the lower end of the valve body
pipe, the second flapper valve being disposed at a second
differential depth below the predetermined water level, the second
flapper valve permitting a second volume of flush water to pass
through the valve body and the tank outlet when the first and
second flapper valves are simultaneously in the open position, the
second flush volume being defined by the second differential depth
and being adequate to flush both liquid and solid waste from the
toilet bowl; and an actuator connected to the first and second
flapper valves for selectively actuating either the first flapper
valve alone or both the first and the second flapper valves
simultaneously at a user's option.
2. The toilet water saver according to claim 1, wherein said water
refill assembly comprises: an elongated float arm adapted for
connection to a ballcock assembly; and a float disposed on the
float arm, wherein draining and refilling water in the tank lowers
and raises the float for operation of the ballcock assembly.
3. The toilet water saver according to claim 1, wherein the
flushing valve assembly further comprises an elongated overflow
tube adjacent said valve body.
4. The toilet water saver according to claim 1, wherein said valve
body further comprises a branch pipe extending orthogonal to said
elongated pipe adjacent the lower end, said second flapper valve
being disposed on the branch pipe.
5. The toilet water saver according to claim 1, wherein said flush
valve assembly further comprises a first valve seat disposed at the
upper end of said elongated pipe and a second valve seat disposed
in said branch pipe, said first and second flapper valves being
seated in the first and second valve seats, respectively, when in a
closed position, the first and second valve seats being formed at
an acute angle relative to horizontal in order to promoted fluid
flow when flushing said tank.
6. The toilet water saver according to claim 1, wherein said first
volume comprises less than about one-third of the entire volume of
water defined by the predetermined water level.
7. The toilet water saver according to claim 1, wherein said second
volume comprises substantially the entire volume of water defined
by the predetermined water level.
8. A toilet water saver, comprising: a toilet tank adapted for
holding water for flushing a toilet bowl, the tank having an outlet
adapted for connection to a toilet bowl; a water refill assembly
extending into the tank, the refill assembly being adapted for
maintaining the flush water at a predetermined level in the tank; a
flush valve assembly having: a valve body including an elongated
pipe having an upper end at a first differential depth below the
predetermined water level and a lower end connected to the tank
outlet; a first flapper valve disposed at the upper end of the
valve body, the first flapper valve permitting a first volume of
flush water to pass through the valve body and the tank outlet when
the first flapper valve is in an open position, the first volume of
flush water being defined by the first differential depth and being
adequate to flush liquid waste from the toilet bowl; and a second
flapper valve disposed adjacent the lower end of the valve body
pipe on either left or right of the valve body pipe, the second
flapper valve being disposed at a second differential depth below
the predetermined water level, the second flapper valve permitting
a second volume of flush water to pass through the valve body and
the tank outlet when the first and second flapper valves are
simultaneously in the open position, the second flush volume being
defined by the second differential depth and being adequate to
flush both liquid and solid waste from the toilet bowl; and an
actuator operatively disposed on either side of the tank for
selectively actuating either the first flapper valve alone or both
the first and the second flapper valves simultaneously at a user's
option.
9. The toilet water saver according to claim 8, wherein said water
refill assembly comprises: an elongated float arm adapted for
connection to a ballcock assembly; and a float disposed on the
float arm, wherein draining and refilling water in the tank lowers
and raises the float for operation of the ballcock assembly.
10. The toilet water saver according to claim 8, wherein the
flushing valve assembly further comprises an elongated overflow
tube adjacent said valve body.
11. The toilet water saver according to claim 8, wherein said valve
body further comprises a branch pipe extending orthogonal to and to
the right of said elongated pipe adjacent the lower end, said
second flapper valve being disposed on the branch pipe.
12. The toilet water saver according to claim 8, wherein said flush
valve assembly further comprises a first valve seat disposed at the
upper end of said elongated pipe and a second valve seat disposed
in said branch pipe, said first and second flapper valves being
seated in the first and second valve seats, respectively, when in a
closed position, the first and second valve seats being formed at
an acute angle relative to horizontal in order to promoted fluid
flow when flushing said tank.
13. The toilet water saver according to claim 8, wherein said first
volume comprises less than about one-third of the entire volume of
water defined by the predetermined water level.
14. The toilet water saver according to claim 8, wherein said
second volume comprises substantially the entire volume of water
defined by the predetermined water level.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/232,154, filed on Sep. 11, 2008.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to toilet tanks, and
particularly to a toilet water saver that economizes on the use of
water when flushing a toilet tank.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Water consumption, potable or otherwise, can be costly to
consumers, depending upon demand and the available water supply in
the locality. In many metropolitan areas, wastewater is recycled,
and the costs are passed to the consumer. In some areas of the
world, water is a premium commodity because of geography,
availability, economy, and/or weather conditions. Modern toilets
consume much of the available water, but they are very inefficient
because the same amount of available water in the toilet tank is
employed to flush both liquid and solid wastes.
[0006] Thus, a toilet water saver solving the aforementioned
problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The toilet water saver includes a compact tank and a
flushing valve system having tank flush valves disposed at
different heights with respect to the base of the tank so that the
saver efficiently uses the optimal amount of water for the task.
When flushing waste, this arrangement allows a small volume of
water to be used for liquid waste, the most common form of wastes,
and a larger volume for solid waste. Moreover, the toilet water
saver is configurable to accommodate user preferences as well as
standards in other world countries.
[0008] These and other features of the present invention will
become readily apparent upon further review of the following
specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an environmental front view in section of a toilet
tank equipped with an exemplary toilet water saver according to the
present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an environmental front view in section of a toilet
tank equipped with an exemplary toilet water saver according to the
present invention adapted for right-hand operation.
[0011] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] The present invention relates to a toilet water saver that
may include a tank and flushing assembly that efficiently uses the
available water in the tank by allowing the user to selectively
flush predetermined amounts of water, depending on the particular
waste material or load. As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet water saver
10 may include a tank body 2 adapted to hold a set volume of water.
The water required to fill the tank is supplied through an inflow
tube 4 attached to an inlet pipe 6. A float 11, which is pivotally
connected to a ballcock assembly via a float arm 12, controls the
level 8 of water in the tank 2. As the tank 2 fills, the float 11
rises and gradually closes the ballcock assembly as the float 11
reaches a predetermined level 8 of water.
[0013] The flushing valve assembly includes an elongated overflow
tube 22 connected to a flush valve body 40. The flush valve body 40
includes a substantially elongated pipe 28 having a first flapper
valve seat 41 at the upper end to accommodate a first pivotable
flapper valve 24. The opposite end of the pipe 28 is connected to a
tank outlet 30 leading to the toilet bowl. The flush valve body 40
has a Tee or branch pipe 32 extending at right angles from the pipe
28 to form a second flapper valve seat 43 for a second pivotable
flapper valve 26 near the lower end of the valve body 40. Each of
the flapper valve seats 41, 43 are disposed at an angle with
respect to the horizontal to ease the flow of water during a
flushing operation. This angle is preferably between 30.degree. and
60.degree. with respect to the horizontal.
[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, each of the flapper valves 24, 26 are
disposed at different heights with respect to the vertical
orientation of the flush valve body 40, i.e., the first flapper
valve 24 is disposed at a higher elevation with respect to the
bottom of the tank 2 than the second flapper valve 26. Note also
that the branching tube 32 and the second flapper valve 26 are
disposed near the bottom of the tank 2. The purpose of these
different elevations is to control the amount of water employed to
flush liquid or solid wastes. The tank 2 holds water up to a
predetermined level 8. The first flapper valve 24 is located at a
differential depth X below the predetermined level 8. The volume of
water contained in the differential depth X corresponds to the
amount of water sufficient to provide the water pressure needed to
flush liquid wastes from the toilet bowl. Preferably, the volume is
less than one-third of the capacity of tank. The second flapper
valve 26 is located at a differential depth Y with respect to the
predetermined level 8. The volume of water contained in the
differential depth Y corresponds to the amount of water sufficient
to flush solid wastes from the toilet bowl. Note that the volume
encompassed by differential depth Y is much greater than the volume
of differential depth X.
[0015] An actuator 34 is provided to operate either the first
flapper valve 24 only or both flapper valves 24, 26 simultaneously
at the option of the user. The actuator 34 includes coaxially
mounted handles (at 34) with one handle being independently
operable from the other handle. One end of an adjustable chain 20
is connected to the distal end of a first lever arm 16, and the
other end of the chain 20 is connected to the first flapper valve
24. The first lever arm 16 is operably attached to a first one of
the independently operable handles. A second lever arm 14 is
attached to the second handle and is operably connected to a
corresponding chain 18, which is connected to the second flapper
valve 26. The second handle also actuates the first handle so that
both valves 24, 26 may be opened when flushing solid wastes. An
exemplary dual handle actuator 34 of this type that may be used in
the toilet tank saver 10 is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,261,129, issued Nov. 16, 1993 to Roy, which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0016] Next, the operation of the toilet water saver 10 will be
described. When a user desires to eliminate liquid waste, the user
actuates the independently operable first handle to open the first
flapper valve 24 via the first lever arm 16. The relatively small
volume of water in differential depth X drains through the first
flapper valve seat 41 into elongate pipe or valve body 28 to the
outlet 30. When the user desires to flush solid waste, the user
operates the second handle, which, in turn, simultaneously operates
the independent first handle to open both flapper valves 24, 26 via
the first and second lever arms 1 2 and 14. The much greater volume
of water in differential depth Y insures flushing of the solid
wastes.
[0017] Due to the features above, the toilet water saver 10
promotes water conservation by only using the necessary amount of
water for the particular task. The majority of toilet flushes occur
for liquid wastes, but conventional toilets consume the same amount
of available water in the tank for both liquid and solid wastes. A
substantial savings in water consumption, as well as financial
savings, may be obtained by the above system, since it reduces the
potential for water waste.
[0018] The toilet water saver may also be configured for right-hand
operation, especially for individuals who prefer such a mode, or
for countries where that is a standard configuration for toilets.
As shown in FIG. 2, the toilet water saver 100 includes the
actuator 134 being disposed on the right-hand side of the tank 102.
Compare the location of actuator 34 in FIG. 1 (left-hand side) with
the location of the actuator 134 in FIG. 2 (right-hand side). To
accommodate the location of actuator 134, the valve body 140 has
been reconfigured so that the lower branch pipe 132, second valve
seat 143 and the associated second flapper valve 126 extends
towards the right-hand side of the tank 2 as seen in FIG. 2. Note
that the position of the first valve seat 141 and the first flapper
valve 124 remains unchanged. As a result, the first and second
lever arms 116, 114 and respective chains 120, 118 are disposed on
the right-hand side of the tank 2 and operatively connected to the
dual handle actuator 134. As an alternative, the inflow tube 104
and a float 111 pivotally connected to a ballcock assembly via a
float arm 112 may also be disposed opposite from that shown in FIG.
1. However, either location of these features, as shown in FIGS. 1
and 2, is viable, since they function as a tank filling mechanism
independent of the flushing operation, and the location thereof may
depend more on the location of the water source in the working
environment.
[0019] In operation, the toilet water saver 100 operates in
substantially the same manner as the toilet water saver 10 as
described above, except that the handles in the dual handle
actuator 134 are employed from the right-hand side of the tank 102.
An exemplary dual handle actuator 134 of this type that may be used
in the toilet tank saver 100 is shown and described in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,261,129, issued Nov. 16, 1993 to Roy, which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety
[0020] It should be noted that the present invention may encompass
a variety of alternatives to the various features thereof. For
example, the flushing valve assembly may be formed from PVC pipes,
plastics or other sturdy waterproof materials. Moreover, the piping
thereof may be an integral unit or may be separate pipes threaded
or adhesively connected to each other.
[0021] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *