U.S. patent application number 14/479535 was filed with the patent office on 2016-03-10 for hydraulic valve and toilet leak safety catch.
The applicant listed for this patent is Anthony R. Brandelli. Invention is credited to Anthony R. Brandelli.
Application Number | 20160069056 14/479535 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55275335 |
Filed Date | 2016-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160069056 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brandelli; Anthony R. |
March 10, 2016 |
HYDRAULIC VALVE AND TOILET LEAK SAFETY CATCH
Abstract
An elongated catch device pivotally mounted intermediately to an
inlet pipe device and carrying at its upper extremity a keeper
selectively disposed in the path of a float device to, unless a
toilet has been flushed, block lowering of the float device and
consequent opening of the control valve.
Inventors: |
Brandelli; Anthony R.;
(Lomita, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Brandelli; Anthony R. |
Lomita |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55275335 |
Appl. No.: |
14/479535 |
Filed: |
September 8, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
137/414 ;
137/432 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16K 31/18 20130101;
F16K 31/126 20130101; E03D 1/36 20130101; E03D 1/33 20130101; E03D
1/32 20130101; G05D 9/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E03D 1/32 20060101
E03D001/32; E03D 1/33 20060101 E03D001/33 |
Claims
1. A fluid control assembly mounted on an upstanding fill pipe to
selectively block travel of a control valve float tube device along
a predetermined path comprising: an elongated linear catch device
mounted from the pipe to project vertically adjacent the pipe and
formed, at one end with a control extremity and at the opposite end
with a drive extremity, the catch device being rotatable from a
catch to a release position; a keeper device mounted from the
control extremity and configured to be, when the catch device is in
the catch position, project into the predetermined path to block
travel of the float; a mount device to mount the catch device on
the pipe and including a hinge connected medially with the catch
device for rotation of the catch device from the catch to the
release positions.
2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein: the keeper device includes a
housing mounted from the catch device for adjustment longitudinally
there along.
3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein: the hinge device includes a
rubber compound.
4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein: the hinge device includes a
polymer.
5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein: the hinge device is
elastomeric.
6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein: the catch device includes an
elongated u-shaped spring wire.
7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein: the connector extremity
includes an eye for connection to an actuator link.
8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein: the mount device includes a
mounting ring for fitting on the pipe.
9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein: the mounting ring is
constructed of elastic material.
10. The assembly of claim 8 wherein: the flexible material is a
rubber compound.
11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein: the catch device is
constructed with an elongated resilient wire and the device
includes a slider mounting the keeper from the resilient wire.
12. A fluid valve assembly carried from a upstanding fill pipe in a
toilet tank of the type including a control float device arranged
to move along a predetermined path as water raises and lowers in
the tank and comprising: an elongated linear catch device proximate
the pipe and formed with a medial section, an upper end defining a
control extremity, a lower end defining a connector extremity and
arranged to oscillate through a path from a catch to a release
position; a keeper carried from the control extremity and arranged
to be, when the catch device is in the catch position, disposed in
the predetermined path; a mount device for mounting the catch
device from the pipe and including a hinge connected with the
medial section and for carrying the catch device for oscillation
from the catch to the release position.
13. The assembly of claim 11 wherein: the catch device includes a
slider for adjustable sliding vertically along the elongated linear
catch device.
14. The assembly of claim 11 wherein: the hinge device includes
elastomeric material.
15. The assembly of claim 11 that includes: a link connected
between a control handle on the toilet tank and the control
extremity for, when the control handle is shifted to its flush
position, shifting the control lever arm to its release
position.
16. The assembly of claim 11 wherein: the catch device is u-shaped
to form opposite legs, at least one of the legs being connected
with the hinge.
17. The assembly of claim 11 wherein: the mount includes a mounting
ring to be received over the upstanding pipe.
18. The assembly of claim 11 wherein: the ring is constructed of
elastomeric material.
19. The assembly of claim 12 that includes: the upstanding fill
pipe being in the form of a fill pipe assembly including a female
lower pipe and including a male upper pipe telescoped downwardly
into the lower pipe, the lower pipe configured at its upper
extremity with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart
flexible gripping fingers configured at their upper extremities
with radially inwardly directed female rib segments and the upper
pipe being formed with a plurality of spaced apart, radially
outwardly directed male ribs cooperating to form there between
annular groves for selective receipt of the rib segments so the
upper pipe may be telescoped a selected distance downwardly into
the lower pipe to register the rib segments with a selected groove;
an annular fitting configured with an inside diameter to be fitted
down over the upper extremity of the lower pipe to press the rib
segments radially inwardly into the selected groove and having a
tubular skirt; the mount device including an elastomeric ring
encircling the skirt; a control valve on the upper tube, the
control valve including an elongated, radial control lever formed
with a free extremity; the float control device including a control
tube concentric with the fill pipe assembly, the control tube
formed in its upper extremity with an elongated resilient tongue
terminating in a free extremity, the tongue formed in the free
extremity with a radial bore receiving the free extremity.
20. The assembly of claim 19 wherein: the annular fitting is
constructed with the inner diameter formed to, during assembly, be
slip fit down on the upper extremity to lock the rib segments in
the selected groove and the assembly includes: a lock device for
locking the fitting downwardly on the upper extremity.
21. The assembly of claim 19 that includes: a water deflecting
device below the upper extremity of the upper tube.
22. A refill valve apparatus comprising: an upright fluid supply
pipe device; a valve housing mounted on the pipe device, formed
with a valve chamber configured with a circular wall formed with a
central inlet port and outlet ports spaced radially outwardly
therefrom, and a control valve seat interposed between the inlet
port and outlet ports; a flexible diaphragm overlying the circular
wall and formed with a seal to engage the control valve seat, the
diaphragm being shiftable to shift the seal into and out of
engagement with the seat and formed centrally with a pilot passage,
aligned over the inlet port, the diaphragm being further formed
with and downwardly facing planer pilot seat surrounding the pilot
passage; a pilot valve stem received in the pilot passage and
configured with a diameter sufficiently smaller than the passage to
form an annulus for flow of bleed fluid, formed with upper and
lower extremities, and shiftable from a lower bleed position to an
upper sealing position; a poppet on the lower extremity formed with
an upwardly facing poppet sealing surface to abut the pilot valve
seat when the valve stem is in the sealing position; and a float
lever assembly coupled with the pilot pin and operable to advance
and retract the pin between the bleed position and the sealing
position to draw the poppet sealing surface into positive sealing
contact with the poppet seat.
23. The refill valve apparatus of claim 22 wherein: the poppet is
configured on its bottom side with a conical shape to deflect water
flowing upwardly there-against.
24. The refill valve apparatus of claim 22 wherein: the poppet is
formed with the upwardly facing poppet sealing surface of a planar
configuration.
25. The refill valve apparatus of claim 22 wherein: the poppet is
conically shaped.
26. The refill valve apparatus of claim 22 wherein: the poppet is
spherical.
27. The refill valve apparatus of claim 22 wherein: the valve stem
is formed with at least one enlarged section configured of splines
to define longitudinal grooves for flow there-through.
28. The refill valve apparatus of claim 22 wherein: the pilot valve
is formed with radially projecting grooves to feed water past the
pilot seat.
29. The refill valve apparatus of claim 22 wherein: the pilot valve
seat is formed with radial bleed passages to cooperate with the
poppet when unseated, to provide for bleed of fluid past the valve
seat.
30. (canceled)
31. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein: the mounting device includes
an elastomeric hinge for engaging a medial portion of the
catch.
32. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein: the keeper device includes a
friction element for accommodating shifting of the keeper device
longitudinally to selected positions on the catch device.
33. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein: a mount attached to the pipe
and including an elastomeric hinge for mounting the catch device to
project upwardly adjacent the float tube device.
34. (canceled)
35. The toilet fluid control apparatus of claim 52 wherein: the
fill pipe device includes a lower pipe formed in its upper
extremity with an inwardly projecting registration rib and the pipe
device further includes an upper pipe telescoped downwardly into
the lower pipe and formed with a plurality of ribs spaced
therealong to form there between grooves for selective registration
with the registration rib to adjust the vertical height of the pipe
device; and the upper extremity of the lower pipe being formed with
a plurality of upwardly projecting flexible fingers cooperating to
form the registration rib and constructed to provide for expansion
and contraction of the registration rib.
36. The toilet fluid control apparatus of claim 35 that includes: a
fitting fitted down over the upper extremity and wherein the
apparatus includes; a snap lock device for locking the fitting
against movement upwardly on the upper extremity of the lower
pipe.
37. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein: the lower extremity of the
upper tube includes a O-ring seal device for engaging the interior
wall of the lower pipe.
38. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein: the fitting is constructed
to be telescoped over the upper extremity of the lower pipe for
compressing the fingers radially inwardly.
39. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein: the fitting includes at
least one flange member incorporating through bores for receipt of
one or more tubes.
40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein: the flange includes a
clearance slot for receipt of the catch device.
41. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein: the fitting is formed on its
lower extremity with a downwardly projecting skirt; and the
apparatus includes a mounting ring received over the skirt.
42. (canceled)
43. (canceled)
44. A toilet fluid control apparatus for mounting in a toilet
comprising: a fluid tank; a flush control device mounted to the
tank to be actuated to flush fluid from the toilet; an upright fill
pipe device mounted to the tank; a flow control valve mounted on
the pipe to control flow of the fluid into the tank; a float
apparatus coupled with the flow control valve and configured to
lower and raise with flow of the fluid out of and into the tank; a
vertically elongated catch device disposed on one side of the pipe
for rotating between catch and release positions; a mounting device
including an elastomeric hinge for engaging a medial portion of the
catch device for mounting the catch device from the pipe for
rotation between the catch and release positions; a keeper device
mounted on the catch device to be, when the catch is in the catch
position, disposed in the predetermined path to block lowering of
the float apparatus; and a connector connecting the catch with the
control device to, upon the control device being actuated, rotate
the catch device to the release position.
45. A toilet fluid control apparatus comprising: a fluid tank; a
flush control device mounted to the tank to be actuated to flush;
an upright fill pipe device mounted to the tank; a flow control
valve mounted on the pipe for controlling flow of fluid into the
tank; a float apparatus coupled with the flow control valve and
configured to lower and raise with the flow of fluid into the tank;
a vertically elongated catch device disposed on one side of the
pipe for rotating between catch and release positions; a mounting
device for mounting the catch device from the pipe for rotation
between the catch and release positions; a keeper device mounted on
the catch device for, when the catch is in the catch position,
being disposed in the predetermined path to block lowering of the
float apparatus; a friction element engaging the catch device to
frictionally hold the keeper device in a selected vertical position
on the catch device; and a connector connecting the catch device
with the control device to, upon the control device being actuated,
rotate the catch to the release position.
46. (canceled)
47. A toilet fluid control apparatus comprising: a fluid tank; a
flush control device mounted to the tank to be actuated to flush
the tank and including a control lever arm rotatable to a flush
position to flow fluid from the tank; an upright fill pipe device
mounted to the tank and including a lower pipe formed in its upper
extremity with an inwardly projecting registration rib and the pipe
device further includes an upper pipe telescoped downwardly into
the lower pipe and formed with a plurality of ribs spaced
therealong to form there between grooves for selective registration
with the registration rib to adjust the vertical height of the pipe
device; a fitting to be telescoped over the upper extremity of the
lower pipe for selectively compressing the upper extremity radially
inwardly and formed in its lower extremity with a downwardly
projecting skirt; a flow control valve mounted on the pipe; a float
apparatus coupled with the flow control valve and configured to
lower and raise along a predetermined path with the changing of the
fluid level in the tank; a vertically elongated catch device
disposed on one side of the pipe device for rotating between catch
and release positions; a mounting device for mounting the catch
device from the pipe for rotation between the catch and release
positions and including a ring received over the skirt; a keeper
mounted on the catch device for, when the catch device is in the
catch position, being disposed in the predetermined path to block
lowering of the float apparatus; and a connector connecting the
catch with the control lever arm to, upon the lever arm being
rotated to the flush position, rotate the catch device to the
release position.
48. The toilet fluid control apparatus of claim 47 wherein: the
catch device includes a linear arm carried medially from the
mounting device to project vertically below the mounting device to
form a vertical lever arm connected with the control device.
49. The toilet fluid control apparatus of claim 47 wherein: the
float apparatus is cylindrically shaped and is disposed
concentrically about the pipe device and is formed with a
downwardly facing edge cooperating with the pipe device to form a
downwardly opening annulus; and the catch device is configured to
project vertically upwardly into the annulus and is further
configured so that when the control device is actuated the keeper
will be carried radially from beneath the edge toward the pipe
device.
50. The toilet fluid control apparatus of claim 47 wherein: the
mounting device includes an adjustment device for mounting the
catch device for adjusting the vertical position relative to the
pipe device.
51. The toilet fluid control apparatus of claim 47 wherein: the
catch device includes a hairpin shaped spring device formed with
co-extensive first and second legs disposed vertically alongside
the pipe device; the mounting device mounts the catch device
medially from the pipe device with the first leg projecting there
below and attached to the control device; and the keeper is mounted
to the catch device for shifting vertically relative to the pipe
device.
52. A toilet fluid control apparatus for mounting in a toilet tank
and having a flush control device mounted to the tank to be
actuated by a flush lever shiftable to a flush position to flush
the toilet, an upright fill pipe device including a flow control
valve mounted on the pipe and comprising: a float apparatus coupled
with the flow control valve and configured to lower and raise with
the level of the fluid in the tank; a vertically elongated catch
device disposed exclusively on one side of the pipe device for
rotating between catch and release positions; a mounting device for
mounting the catch device from the pipe for rotation between the
catch and release positions; a keeper device mounted on the upper
portion of the catch device to be, when the catch is in the catch
position, being disposed in the predetermined path to block
lowering of the float apparatus; and a connector connecting the
catch device with the flush lever to, upon the flush lever being
rotated to the flush position, rotate the catch to the release
position.
53. A toilet fluid control apparatus for mounting in a toilet tank
and having a flush control device mounted to the tank to be
actuated by a flush lever shiftable to a flush position to flush
fluid from the toilet, an upright fill pipe device including a flow
control valve mounted on the pipe device and comprising: a float
apparatus coupled with the flow control valve and configured to
lower and raise with the level of the fluid in the tank; a
vertically elongated catch device disposed adjacent the pipe device
for rotating between catch and release positions; a mounting device
for mounting the catch device from the pipe for rotation between
the catch and release positions and including an elastomeric hinge
for engaging the medial portion of the latch; a keeper device
mounted on the catch device to be, when the catch device is in the
catch position, disposed in the predetermined path to block
lowering of the float apparatus; and a connector connecting the
catch device with the flush lever to, upon the flush lever being
rotated to the flush position, rotate the catch to the release
position.
54. A toilet fluid control apparatus for mounting in a toilet tank
and having a flush control device mounted to the tank to be
actuated by a flush lever shiftable to a flush position to flush
the toilet, an upright fill pipe device including a flow control
valve mounted on the pipe device and comprising: a float apparatus
coupled with the flow control valve and configured to lower and
raise with the fluid level in the tank; a vertically elongated
catch device disposed exclusively on one side of the pipe device
for rotating between catch and release positions; a mounting device
for mounting the catch device from the pipe for rotation between
the catch and release positions; a keeper device mounted on the
upper portion of the catch device to be, when the catch is in the
catch position, disposed in the predetermined path to block
lowering of the float apparatus and including a friction element
operating to accommodate shifting of the keeper device
longitudinally to selected positions on the catch device; and a
connector connecting the lower extremity of the catch device with
the flush lever to, upon the flush lever being shifted to the flush
position, rotate the catch to the release position.
55. A toilet fluid control apparatus for mounting in a toilet tank
and having a flush control device mounted to the tank to be
actuated by a flush lever shiftable to a flush position to flush
the toilet, an upright fill pipe device including a flow control
valve mounted on the pipe and comprising: a float apparatus coupled
with the flow control valve and configured to lower and raise with
the fluid level in the tank; a vertically elongated catch device
disposed exclusively on one side of the pipe device for rotating
between catch and release positions; a mounting device including an
elastomeric hinge for mounting the catch device from the pipe to
project upwardly adjacent the float apparatus for rotation between
the catch and release positions; a keeper device mounted on the
upper portion of the catch device to be, when the catch device is
in the catch position, disposed in the predetermined path to block
lowering of the float device; and a connector connecting the lower
extremity of the catch device with the flushable lever to, upon the
flush lever being shifted to the flush position, rotate the catch
to the release position.
56. A toilet fluid control apparatus for mounting in a toilet tank
and having a flush control device mounted to the tank to be
actuated by a flush lever shiftable to a flush position to flush
the toilet; the apparatus comprising: an upright fill pipe device
including a flow control valve and lower pipe formed in its upper
extremity with an inwardly projecting registration rib and pipe
device further includes an upper pipe telescoped downwardly into
the lower pipe and formed with a plurality of ribs spaced
therealong to form there between grooves for selective registration
with the registration rib to adjust the vertical height of the pipe
device; the upper extremity of the lower pipe being formed with a
plurality of upwardly projecting flexible fingers to allow for
expansion and contraction of the registration rib; a fitting fitted
down over the upper extremity and including at least one flange
member incorporating through bores for receipt of one or more
tubes; a float apparatus coupled with the flow control valve and
configured to lower and raise with the level of fluid in the tank;
a vertically elongated catch device disposed exclusively on one
side of the pipe device for rotating between catch and release
positions; a mounting device for mounting the catch device from the
pipe for rotation between the catch and release positions; a keeper
device mounted on the catch device to be, when the catch device is
in the catch position, disposed in the predetermined path to block
lowering of the float apparatus; and a connector connecting the
lower extremity of the catch device with the flush lever to, upon
the flush lever being shifted to the flush position, rotate the
catch device to the release position.
57. The toilet fluid control apparatus of claim 47 that includes:
an actuation tube concentric about the fill pipe device to
cooperate therewith in forming an annulus, the actuation tube
formed with a downwardly facing edge and coupled with the flow
control valve; an annular float concentric about the actuation
tube; a friction element interposed between the float and actuation
tube to provide for adjusting the position of the float on the
actuation tube; and the catch device configured to project
vertically upwardly into the annulus and further configured so
that, when the control device is actuated, the keeper will be
carried radially from beneath the edge toward the fill pipe device.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to hydraulic valves and more
particularly to valves typically utilized to control fluid flow in
a toilet tank and to a catch device to selectively control inflow
from such valve.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] Hydraulic valves have long been employed to control flow of
liquid such as in a toilet tank. These valves often rely on buoyant
floats for actuation to turn the incoming water off when the water
reaches a predetermined level and to turn the water back on when a
flush handle has been actuated to exhaust the fluid from the tank
into the toilet bowl. An example of these types of valves and
arrangements is shown my U.S. Pat. No. 6,712,090.
[0003] Many efforts have been made over the years to improve the
construction of these valves, often referred to as ball cock valves
and even to lock the valves against opening except when toilet has
been flushed.
[0004] As disclosed in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 6,712,090, existing
ball cock valves, in some instances, incorporate a valve body which
sits on an upright supply pipe to control flow from the outlet at
the top of the pipe via a flexible diaphragm which may be raised
and lowered to open and close such outlet. It has been common
practice for such diaphragms to incorporate a central vertical
pilot passage which receives a vertically elongated pilot pin or
stem having longitudinally spaced apart, diametrically enlarged
cross sections spaced for selective registration with respective
reduced-in diameter ports spaced along the length of the pilot
passage for selectively blocking flow through the annulus formed
between such enlarged cross sections and ports. When the enlarged
sections are out of registration with the respective ports, water
may flow upwardly through the pilot passage to pressurize the
topside of the diaphragm to force it down into engagement with a
seat formed at the pipe outlet to thereby block flow. A lever arm
is pivotally mounted at one end to engage the pilot pin medially
for raising and lowering of the pilot pin in response to raising
and lowering of a donut shaped float mounted concentrically about
the feed pipe to selectively control flow through the pilot
passage.
[0005] While a significant improvement over the art at the time,
this prior construction can sometimes suffer the shortcoming that
stopping of flow through the pilot passage is dependent on
registration of the enlarged sections with the respective ports
and, over time, one or the other may be damaged or worn to the
point where positive registration for control of flow is no longer
effective. Further, the annuli between the pilot pin and ports in
the passage provides for direct flow from the inlet pipe into the
pilot passage and, with the relatively low volume of flow which can
carry sediment, scum or residue, the annuli may become plugged or
clogged.
[0006] Another example of a pilot valve construction for a ball
cock assembly is a pilot pin carried from one end of a lever arm
mounted pivotally to a pivot pin and projecting through an aperture
in a seal element to be formed on its lower extremity with an
enlarged bulbous portion apparently intended to be, when the valve
is closed, engaged with the lower surface of the seal element to
block flow there-through. A device of this type, while in theory
providing for some degree of control for the seal to close off the
water inlet, fails to provide for positive exhausting of fluid
above the seal element in a manner which will result in positively
releasing pressure above the seal element for raising thereof and,
further, fails to provide for diverting the water during inlet flow
in a positive manner to direct any sediment in such water away from
the central underside of the seal element in a manner which will
serve to minimize the tendency for such sediment to be directed
into the pilot passage.
[0007] One commercially available ball cock valve is marketed under
the mark FLUIDMASTER.RTM. and is well known in the field. Systems
employing valves of this type, while popular in the marketplace,
often incorporate a great number of parts, in some instances over
40, thus making them expensive to manufacture and requiring some
degree of skill to assemble. Additionally, these commercially
available valves do not typically incorporate any safety mechanism
to stop flow of incoming water in the event of leakage from the
tank.
[0008] As a result when, for one reason or another, water in the
tank is drained from the tank as a result of malfunctions such as
leakage from the water tank via a loose connection or a
deteriorating flush valve thereby evacuating water from the tank
causing the valve to open to allow for continuous inflow wasting
water and creating a risk that the leakage may continue for an
extended period of time.
[0009] In recognition of this problem, various efforts have been
made to provide some type of lock for locking the control float
against lowering to selectively lock the float against lowering to
thereby prevent opening of the flow control valve to continuously
introduce water.
[0010] In unrelated art, it has also been recognized that there may
be a benefit to locking the valve control in its elevated position
when repair work is to take place within the tank to thereby
prevent continuous introduction of water during the repair
process.
[0011] In this regard, it has been proposed to the incorporate a
lock slidable on a float control arm to selectively lock the arm in
its raised position to prevent actuation of the pilot valve. A lock
of this type is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,837,264 to Schuster. While
effective for locking the actuation arm in its raised position to
prevent the ball cock valve from opening, such devices suffer the
shortcoming that they require manual actuation thus failing to
address the problem of continuous flow due to leakage which may
take place over an extended period of time, as when the homeowner
is on vacation or the toilet otherwise remains unattended.
[0012] In recognition of the need for a device to prevent inflow of
water where there has been a leak unintentionally draining water
from a toilet tank, it has been proposed to provide an auxiliary
float to control a dog intended to engage a main float to restrict
lowering thereof to prevent opening of a flow valve controlled by
the main float unless draining of water from the tank was caused by
a flush. It is believed that such a device was unduly complicated
and has never achieved commercial success.
[0013] Further efforts prevent flow from the inlet pipe to
replenish water which has leaked out, lead to a proposal that the
float controlling the valve be blocked from lowering to selectively
prevent actuation of a flow control valve. One such solution
proposed an orthogonal catch device to be pivotally mounted to the
lower portion of the fill pipe. The catch device includes an
elongated vertical catch arm and a horizontal counterweight arm
coupled with the flush lever. The catch arm is intended to be
counterweighted to a vertical position underneath the float to
block lowering of the float until such time as the free end of the
counterweight arm has been raised by actuation of the flush lever
to thereby rotate the mechanism to displace the top end of the
catch arm from underneath the float to free the float to descend. A
device of this type is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,657 to Orr.
[0014] While such devices might theoretically operate to block
unwanted lowering of the float, it would appear that any commercial
embodiment thereof would be somewhat expensive to manufacture and
challenging to install and adjust to align the top end of the
elongated vertical catch arm under floats of different diameters
and configurations.
[0015] In further recognition of the need for a leak prevention
mechanism, it has been proposed to provide a plurality of lever
arms projecting outwardly and downwardly from the control valve and
to manipulate control cams at the intersecting proximal ends to
cooperate with the movement of a float for preventing unwanted
leakage when the flush handle has not been actuated. A device of
this type is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 8,132,273 to Bouchard. Such
devices, while possibly helpful in preventing unwanted leakage, are
particularly complicated, expensive to manufacture and would
require a considerable amount of skill for successful
installation.
[0016] Other efforts have included the proposal of a crank shaped
wire latch device linked to the flush lever and having a section
disposed under the actuation arm of a control valve such that
actuation of the flush lever will release the control arm to
initiate flow but, without actuation of the flush lever, will serve
to block against opening of the control valve. A device of this
type is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,931 to Royalty. Such devices,
while appearing practical in theory, would be challenging to
install and unreliable in operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] In one aspect, the present invention includes an upright
inlet pipe terminating at its upper extremity in a housing defining
a chamber sitting over an inlet port for introduction of water. A
flexible valve diaphragm is received in a chamber above the inlet
port and includes a central, through pilot passage which receives a
pilot pin disposed longitudinally in the passage and supported
therein by enlarged portions engaged with respective ports spaced
along the passage. The enlarged portions are formed with a
peripheral fluted areas for escape of pilot control fluid. The
pilot pin projects below the lower surface of the diaphragm and is
formed with an enlarged poppet which, upon raising of the pin
within the passage, serves to abut a seat formed on the underside
of such diaphragm to close flow between the poppet and passage to
thereby decrease the pressure on the top side of the diaphragm
causing the water pressure on the underside to raise the diaphragm
for flow of water from the inlet port outwardly into the toilet
tank.
[0018] In another aspect, the invention incorporates an elongated
catch device rotatably mounted on the inlet stand pipe of a fluid
tank. The catch includes an upper extremity projecting upwardly
adjacent a float device to normally dispose a keeper in the
descending path of the float tube and wherein the opposite end of
the catch device is linked to the flush handle for hinging of the
catch device about an intermediate mount to selectively clear the
keeper of such path when the flush handle is actuated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a front view, partially broken away, of a toilet
storage tank which incorporates the improved flow control valve and
flow stop catch device of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 1 A is a partial perspective view, in enlarged scale,
of the upper portion of a control tube included in the catch device
shown in FIG. 1 and depicting the control valve being
installed;
[0021] FIG. 1 B is a perspective view similar to 1 A but showing
the control valve fully installed;
[0022] FIG. 2 is an exploded, vertical, sectional view, in enlarged
scale, of an inlet pipe device, control valve and catch device
incorporated in the tank shown in FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a vertical, sectional view similar to FIG. 2 but
in enlarged scale and the components assembled;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a vertical, sectional view in enlarged scale, of
the upper portion of the flow control valve shown in FIG. 3;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a vertical, sectional view, in enlarged scale, of
the lower portion of the inlet pipe device and catch device shown
in FIGS. 2 & 3;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a partial vertical sectional view, in enlarged
scale, of the flow control valve shown in FIG. 4 and depicting the
valve in its closed position;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a vertical, sectional view similar to FIG. 6 but
showing the flow control valve in its open position;
[0028] FIG. 8 is a vertical, sectional view, in enlarged scale, of
the catch device shown in FIG. 3 and depicting the catch device
blocking downward travel of a float tube device controlling the
control valve shown in FIG. 7;
[0029] FIG. 9 is a vertical, sectional view, similar to FIG. 8 but
showing the catch devices released;
[0030] FIG. 10 is a transverse, sectional view, in enlarged scale,
of a locking flange incorporated in the catch mechanism shown in
FIG. 9; and
[0031] FIG. 11 is vertical, sectional view of a second embodiment
of the flow control device shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] The control valve 13 of the present invention is intended
for mounting on top of an upright inlet pipe device 15 which
includes an outlet 17 surrounded by an upwardly facing valve seat
19 (FIGS. 6 and 7) against which a diaphragm 20 will seat when a
pilot valve 23 is opened. The diaphragm 20 is formed with a central
structure defining a pilot stem passage 26 having a pair of
vertically spaced apart ports 27 and 29 with which respective
enlarged portions 33 and 35 of a valve stem 37 are selectively
registered. The passage terminates at its bottom end in an inlet
port defining a downwardly facing pilot valve seat 28. The valve
stem 37 projects downwardly below the port pilot seat 28 and is
formed with an enlarged poppet 41 configured in its lower portion
with downwardly facing upwardly and outwardly angled deflecting
surfaces 60, (FIG. 7) to deflect upwardly flowing, incoming water
to flow radially outwardly past the poppet. The stem 37 is
controlled by a control lever 42 having a projecting extremity 43
controlled by a concentrically disposed cylindrical control tube 51
encircled by and carried by a donut shaped float 47.
[0033] Thus, when the float 47 is lowered, the projecting extremity
43 of the lever arm 42 will be lowered thereby raising the pilot
stem 37 to raise the poppet 41 to seat against the seat 28 on the
underside of the diaphragm 20 (FIG. 7) to block flow of water
upwardly through the passage 26 to thereby allow for pressurization
of the underside of the diaphragm as shown in FIG. 7 to raise the
diaphragm off its seat 19 thereby allowing flow of water up through
the outlet of the flow passage 87 to flow outwardly into the toilet
tank and bowl as will be described below.
[0034] In another aspect of the present invention, lowering of the
float may be selectively restricted to prevent the pilot valve 23
from opening the control valve 13. Referring to FIG. 1, control of
the pilot valve 23 to control flow from the inlet pipe device 15
may be via the concentric control tube 51. The inlet pipe device is
typically disposed spaced laterally from a flapper flush valve
53.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 8, a catch device, generally designated
55, is disposed on the side of the fill pipe facing the flush valve
and, in the preferred embodiment, is formed by a generally hairpin
shaped somewhat stiff but resilient spring wire 57 mounted medially
from a mount device 58 which may include a radially projecting
hinge arm 59 constructed of elastomeric material such as flexible
rubber to provide for rocking or slight rotation of such catch
device about the arm. Carried at the upper extremity of the catch
device is a keeper 61 to be selectively disposed in the downward
path of the control tube 51 to block the downward path thereof
(FIG. 8). The lower extremity of the catch device 55 is connected
with the flush control lever 75 by means of a link 65 such that,
when the flush control lever is actuated, the catch device is
rotated a few degrees counterclockwise on the hinge arm 59, as
viewed in FIGS. 1 and 9, to move the keeper 61 to the left out from
under the bottom edge of the control tube 51 thereby freeing the
tube to lower as the water in the tank is lowered to thereby rotate
the lever arm 42 counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 7 to open the
flow control valve 13. Concurrently, the lever arm will lift the
free side of the flapper valve 53 to flush the water from the tank
into the bowl.
[0036] On the other hand, should the water level in the tank 71 be
lowered, by a leak, from the level shown in FIG. 1 without
actuation of the flush lever, the keeper 61 will remain positioned
in the path of the control tube 51 (FIG. 8) to prevent lowering
thereof to retain the pilot valve 23 open and the flow control
valve closed (FIG. 6).
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1 A and 1 B, the control tube 51 may be
constructed of plastic and the upper extremity thereof formed at
one diametrical side with a pair of annularly spaced apart,
longitudinal slits 126 defining there-between a narrow, upwardly
projecting resilient tongue 128 formed at its free extremity with
the bore 129. In this manner, when the control valve is installed,
the distal extremity 43 of lever arm 42 will ride downwardly on the
inner surface of the free extremity of the tongue 128 to drive the
free end radially outwardly, as it is viewed in FIG. 1 A, until the
bore 129 is registered with the lever arm for projection into such
bore as shown in FIG. 1 B allowing the tongue to snap back into its
neutral position.
[0038] Toilet tanks 71 typically incorporate an upstanding inlet
pipe and an upstanding overflow pipe 72 (FIG. 1). The overflow pipe
is formed on its top end 73 for when the water reaches a certain
level, allow escape of the water thereby preventing overflow of the
water from the tank. Overflow pipes of the type of the pipe 72
typically incorporate a network of water channels leading to the
toilet bowl for replenishing bowl water after a flush.
[0039] With continued reference to FIG. 1, such toilet tanks also
typically incorporate an actuation knob or lever which might
actuate a flush lever 75 to rotate a free end 77 between a lowered
fill position and a raised flush position.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the inlet pipe device 15
includes a lower pipe 131 typically connected through the bottom
wall of the tank 71 and an upper pipe 141 telescoped downwardly
therein. The pipe 141 is formed on its upper extremity 87 with a
radially enlarged flange 81 constructed with an upwardly facing
annular surface defining the control valve seat 19.
[0041] The control valve device 13 includes a tubular housing,
generally designated 91, formed on its periphery with longitudinal
guide ribs spaced equidistant annularly around the housing to
provide a generally annular siphon break space between the housing
and the control tube 51. The lower portion of the housing is
configured in part, by an interior annular flange and an exterior
connector flange 21 (FIG. 6). The housing is further formed with an
annular top wall 93 (FIG. 6). The top wall is formed centrally with
a downwardly projecting cylindrical shell defining a central,
stepped, vertical bore 95 which, in the upward direction,
progressively reduces in diameter to terminate at its upper
extremity in an upwardly opening O-ring gland for receipt of an
O-ring 97 (FIG. 7).
[0042] The diaphragm is then formed centrally with a upstanding,
stepped tower 109 received complimentary in the stepped bore 95 and
configured centrally with the pilot passage 26. The tower is
further configured at the upper extremity with an annular flange
111 receiving a reduced-in-diameter neck 113 of the stem.
[0043] The tower 109 is formed with a plurality of radially,
outwardly opening bleed passages 115 for selectively bleeding fluid
from the pilot passage 26 when the pilot valve is open.
[0044] In the preferred embodiment, the lever arm 42 is pivotally
mounted on a pivot pin 121 carried from a yoke 123 standing up from
the top side of the housing 93. Referring to FIG. 6, the right hand
end of the lever arm includes a ball socket couple with a ball 125
formed at the upper extremity of the stem 37.
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, a pair of posts 132 and 133
stand up from the top of the housing 93 and project through spaced
apart bores 136 in a top wall 140 of a cap 143 having an annular,
downwardly projecting skirt 147 sitting on an annular flange 159
formed about the periphery of the valve housing.
[0046] As noted above, in one preferred embodiment, a donut shaped
buoyant float 47 is telescoped over the control tube. The float is
configured with an annular air chamber 154 and is formed on its
interior diameter with one or more friction devices such a rib 161
(FIG. 3) to form an interference fit with the exterior wall of the
control tube 51 to releasably hold the float in position along the
vertical length of such tube.
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 the valve housing is
conveniently formed with a downwardly depending nipple 88 which is
connected on its lower extremity with a fill tube 90 leading to the
top end of the overflow pipe 72 for filling the bowl.
[0048] The diaphragm 20 is typically constructed of elastomeric
material and includes a central body having a downwardly facing
sealing surface 101 (FIG. 7) to seat against the seat 19. The
diaphragm is concentrically formed about its periphery with an
annular, flexible web 102 carrying the body from an anchor ring 104
trapped in an annular channel 106 formed between the top and bottom
walls of the housing. The body incorporates a upwardly projecting,
concentric rim 103 received in an annular clearance groove 105
formed in the underside of the top wall 93.
[0049] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
poppet 41 is enlarged in diameter and is preferably formed on its
bottom side with upwardly and outwardly angled deflecting surfaces
60 to deflect upwardly flowing water radially outwardly to then
flow back radially inwardly under the seat 28 and upwardly into the
annulus formed in the passage 26.
[0050] Turning now back to FIGS. 5 and 8, the fill pipe device 15
includes upper and lower pipes 141 and 131 respectively. The lower
fill pipe 131 is configured in its upper extremity with a pair of
interior annular ribs 137 formed to receive in overlapping radial
relationship corresponding pairs of annular ribs 139 spaced along
the exterior of the upper pipe 141. The upper pipe is telescoped
the desired distance downwardly into the lower pipe for selective
registration of the ribs 137 in respective grooves formed between
the ribs 139 on the upper tube 141.
[0051] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 10, the upper extremity of the
lower pipe 131 is configured with four longitudinal, upwardly
opening slots 142 spaced equidistant about the periphery to form
four resilient, upstanding, cantilevered fingers 144 disposed in
respective quadrants. As will be appreciated, each finger is formed
at its upper extremity with a respective segment of the radially,
inwardly projecting ribs 137. Consequently, I provide a snap in
feature facilitated by outwardly flared flange segments defining
respective lips 138 at the upper extremities of the fingers having,
when the fingers are in their relaxed position, a combined maximum
outside diameter larger than the inside diameter at the top of the
fitting flange 149.
[0052] Formed in the lower extremity of the upper pipe 141 are a
pair of O-ring grooves for receipt of O-rings 145 for sealing
against the interior of the lower pipe 131.
[0053] With continued reference to FIG. 8, a spool shaped lock
fitting, generally designated 149, is received in telescopical
relationship over the upper extremity of the lower pipe 131 and is
formed with upper and lower radial flanges 151 and 155.
[0054] As mentioned, in one preferred embodiment, the fitting 149
is formed with an upwardly narrowing tapered interior diameter
sized to, to be dropped down over the upper extremity of the lower
pipe 131 during assembly. This serves to compress the upper ends of
the fingers 144 in each quadrant 144 radially inwardly to a degree
where the rib segments 137 will be diminished in their respective
combined diameters to register in respective, selected grooves
formed between the ribs 139 to lock the fill pipe device at the
desired height. The fitting will thus be dropped down to the level
where the lip segments will be disposed above the top of the
fitting 149 to thus block the fitting from shifting upwardly as,
for instance, under the force of the link 65 being drawn upwardly
to the right during flush (FIG. 5).
[0055] The flanges 151 and 155 (FIGS. 8 and 10) are configured with
a plurality of through, vertical bores 156, respectively, spaced
equidistant thereabout for receipt of the tube 90. The flanges are
further formed on their respective one sides with diametrical,
outwardly opening clearance slots 157 for receipt of the catch
device 55 and to act as a radial guide. The closed end of the slot
in the upper flange acts as a stop 158 to limit counter clockwise
rotation of the catch device.
[0056] With continued reference to FIG. 8, conveniently, the
fitting 149 is further formed below the flange 155 with a
downwardly projecting annular skirt 167. The mount device 58 is
conveniently formed with an elastomeric ring 168 to be telescoped
over the skirt 167 and is formed in its lower extremity with the
radially, outwardly projecting, flexible hinge arm 59. The hinge
arm 59 is formed with a through vertical bore 174 for frictional
receipt of one leg 173 of the catch device 55. The other leg 175 of
the catch device 55 is constructed of spring wire to project
parallel to the leg 173 to cooperate in mounting the slider 187.
The leg 175 is formed at its lower extremity with a orthogonal tab
177 which, in the preferred embodiment, is turned radially inwardly
toward the first leg 173 to terminate in an end spaced therefrom.
In some embodiments, the tab 177 is turned radially outwardly so
that the catch device can be mounted via that tab. As will be
apparent to those skilled in the art, some embodiments do not
include such a tab 177 and a U-shaped slider 187, formed with bores
comparable to a keeper 61, may be telescoped over the parallel legs
173 and 175.
[0057] In the preferred embodiment, the leg 173 projects below the
hinge arm 59 to define a lever arm formed with an eye 181 connected
with the link 65. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the
art, the link 65 may take many different forms such as a chain,
rigid link, coil spring or even an elastomeric strip.
[0058] The slider 187 is configured with a pair of horizontally
spaced apart vertical bores into which spring wire legs 173 and 175
are friction fit for slidable adjustment of the slider 187 to the
desired elevation on the catch device. As will be appreciated, such
bores may merely be in the form of a single transverse, through
slot, vertically receiving such legs at the opposite sides
thereof.
[0059] In operation, it will be appreciated that the device of the
present invention can easily be installed in a conventional toilet
tank 71 and the vertical adjustment made for the vertical profile
of the tank and desired water level. Hence, when the water valve
under the tank is opened, the water will flow upwardly through the
inlet pipe device 15 through the upper tube 87 to pressurize under
the diaphragm as shown in FIG. 7 thereby raising the diaphragm off
its seat 19 and allowing water to flow upwardly and radially
outwardly under the diaphragm as indicated by the directional
arrows 201 (FIG. 7) to flow downwardly through the passages 166 and
outlets 168 into the tank 71 thereby commencing filling of such
tank water will also flow downwardly through the nipple 88 through
the tube 90 to the overflow pipe 72 to fill the toilet bowl. As the
water level in the tank raises, the float 47 will be raised causing
it to raise the control tube 51 thereby raising the free end 43 of
the control lever arm 42 as shown in FIG. 6 to rotate such lever
arm clockwise about its pivot pin 121 to drive the stem 37
downwardly. This will then lower the poppet 41 downwardly from its
seat 28 to enable flow about such poppet and upwardly through the
fluted grooves in the enlarged sections 33 and 35 and upwardly in
the tower to flow radially inwardly through the bleed ports 115 to
flow downwardly in the tower and radially outwardly above the top
of the diaphragm 20 as indicated by the directional arrows 203
(FIG. 6) to pressurize the top side of such diaphragm driving it
downwardly to seat on the seat 19 and block further escape of
incoming water from the upper tube 87 thereby serving to maintain
the water in the tank 71 at the desired level.
[0060] Concurrently, as the control tube 51 is raised by elevation
of the float 47 the bottom edge thereof will clear the elevation of
the keeper 61 allowing the bias of the hinge arm 59 to rotate the
catch device 55 clockwise about such hinge arm, as viewed in FIGS.
8 and 9, to drive the keeper 61 radially outwardly under the wall
of the tube 51 to block the downward path of such tube until such
time as the toilet is flushed again.
[0061] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, water in
the tank 71 will thus remain at the desired level prepared for the
next flush. In the event, however, that the water should
accidentally leak from the tank, as by a loose or failing
connection or crack in the tank, it will be appreciated that as the
water level lowers in the tank without actuation of the flush
control lever (not shown), the catch 55 will remain in the catch
position shown in FIG. 8, thus blocking the control tube 51 from
lowering below the position shown. This then serves to prevent such
control tube from lowering the free extremity 43 of the lever arm
42 (FIG. 6) thus leaving the valve poppet off its seat and the top
side of the diaphragm 20 pressurized to maintain the diaphragm on
its seat 19 to block inflow of water from the upper inlet tube
87.
[0062] Consequently, the total loss of water will equal only that
which is stored in the tank 71 and inflow of additional water from
the upper inlet tube 87 will be blocked until such time as the
homeowner or attendant note that the tank 71 has been evacuated
without refill. This then alerts the homeowner of the leak and will
allow for repair work before the tank 71 is again filled with
water.
[0063] With continued reference to FIG. 7, it will thus be
appreciated that water flowing upwardly from the upper inlet tube
87 it will strike the facing conical poppet 41 and be diverted
radially, outwardly, and downwardly as indicated by directional
arrows 201 to the outlets 166 to be defined by annular deflectors
85.
[0064] The incoming water will be directed to flow outwardly around
the conical poppet to flow upwardly in the passage 26, through the
annuli formed with the respective ports 27 and 29, via the grooves
in the flutes of the enlarged sections 33 and 35 (FIG. 6). Flow
will continue on upwardly in the tower to flow outwardly in the
bleed ports 115 (FIG. 7) to maintain a positive pressure
differential acting down on the top of the diaphragm 20. The
control valve will thus remain closed until such time as the float
and control tube are lowered as by a toilet flush. It will be
appreciated that as the float carries the control tube 51 up, the
lower edge of such tube will be raised above the level of the
keeper 61 to free the catch to be rotated clockwise under the
influence of the elastomeric hinge arm 59 to the position shown in
FIG. 8 disposed under the bottom edge of such tube.
[0065] Then, when the flush handle is operated to flush the toilet,
the outlet valve 53 (FIG. 1) will be opened and the link 65 drawn
to the right as viewed in FIG. 9 to rotate the catch device 55
counter clockwise about the point defined by the hinge arm 59 to
drive the upper end of the catch device 55 to the left to strike
the stop 158 as the keeper 61 is likewise shifted to the left from
under the edge of the tube 51 freeing such tube to lower. This then
serves to lower the free end 43 of the lever 42 (FIG. 7) to raise
the poppet 41 to discontinue bleed of fluid up the passage 26 and
pressurize the underside of the diaphragm to raise such diaphragm
off its seat. This then allows for pressurized water to flow out of
the upper inlet tube 87 to flow radially outwardly and down through
the ports 166 as depicted by the directional arrows (FIG. 7) to
again fill the tank.
[0066] As will be appreciated by those of skill, for different
types of water tanks 71, such as the ever-popular low profile
tanks, the vertical adjustment of the inlet pipe device 15 will be
made to establish the desired level of water in the tank. Thus, for
a low profile tank, the upper inlet pipe 141 may easily be
telescoped downwardly into the lower pipe 131 as the ribs 139
flexibly pass the ribs 137 until the desired height of the inlet
device is established thereby positioning the float 47 at the
desired level for causing the control tube 51 to actuate the
control lever 42 at the desired water level.
[0067] In that regard, it will be appreciated that when the inlet
pipe device is telescoped down, it is possible to slide the slider
187 down a corresponding amount on the catch device 55 to thus
coordinate actuation of and blocking in accordance with the desired
height of the water in the tank 71.
[0068] The embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 11 is
similar to that shown in FIG. 7 except that the pilot stem 37 is
configured at its lower extremity with an enlarged poppet in the
form of a spherical poppet 191 configured to seat upwardly on the
downwardly facing pilot seat 28.
[0069] From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the valve
control device of the present invention provides an economical and
convenient and effective means for controlling flow of water from
an inlet pipe and will provide for a long trouble free life with
minimal or no clogging due to residue, scum or the like as might be
carried by the water. The catch is operable to positively block the
control tube from lowering to open the control valve unless the
toilet has been flushed thereby conserving water in the event of a
leak and preventing continuous, long term flow through a leak
resulting in water damage to the bathroom and underneath rooms.
[0070] Although the present invention has been described in detail
with regard to the preferred embodiments and drawings thereof, it
should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that
various adaptations and modifications of the present invention may
be accomplished without departing from the spirit and the scope of
the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the
detailed description and the accompanying drawings as set forth
hereinabove are not intended to limit the breadth of the present
invention.
* * * * *