U.S. patent application number 14/935147 was filed with the patent office on 2016-03-10 for hydraulic valve.
The applicant listed for this patent is Anthony R. Brandelli. Invention is credited to Anthony R. Brandelli.
Application Number | 20160069470 14/935147 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55275335 |
Filed Date | 2016-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160069470 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brandelli; Anthony R. |
March 10, 2016 |
HYDRAULIC VALVE
Abstract
In one aspect, the device includes a control apparatus including
a pilot valve projecting through a passage in a control diaphragm
to be formed with an enlarged poppet to seat the underside of the
diaphragm and formed with a poppet head shaped to direct incoming
flow away from the pilot passage to minimize entry of residue. In
another aspect, the present invention includes 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) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Brandelli; Anthony R. |
Lomita |
CA |
US |
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|
Family ID: |
55275335 |
Appl. No.: |
14/935147 |
Filed: |
November 6, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14479535 |
Sep 8, 2014 |
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14935147 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
137/430 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16K 31/126 20130101;
E03D 1/33 20130101; E03D 1/32 20130101; E03D 1/36 20130101; F16K
31/18 20130101; G05D 9/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16K 31/126 20060101
F16K031/126; F16K 31/18 20060101 F16K031/18; E03D 1/32 20060101
E03D001/32; G05D 9/02 20060101 G05D009/02 |
Claims
1. 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 central inlet port and
outlet port and a control valve seat interposed between the inlet
and outlet ports; a flexible diaphragm in the chamber and formed
with a valve 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 of a
predetermined diameter aligned over the inlet port, the diaphragm
being further configured with an underside formed with a 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 predetermined diameter to
form an annulus for flow of the fluid, formed with upper and lower
extremities, and shiftable from a lower bleed position to an upper
pilot valve 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 pilot valve sealing
position; and a float lever assembly coupled with the pilot stem
and operable to advance and retract the stem between the bleed
position and the sealing position to draw the poppet sealing
surface into positive sealing contact with the pilot seat.
2. The refill valve apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the poppet is
configured on its bottom side with a conical shape to deflect water
flowing upwardly there-against.
3. The refill valve apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the poppet is
formed with the upwardly facing planar poppet sealing surface.
4. The refill valve apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the poppet is
formed with a circular horizontal cross section.
5. The refill valve apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the poppet is
spherically shaped.
6. The refill valve apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the valve stem is
formed with at least one enlarged section configured with splines
to define longitudinal grooves for flow of the fluid
there-through.
7. The refill valve apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the pilot valve
is formed with radially projecting grooves to feed the fluid past
the pilot seat.
8. The refill valve apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the pilot valve
seat is formed with radial bleed passages to cooperate with the
poppet when unseated, provide for bleed of the fluid past the valve
seat.
9. A valve apparatus comprising: an upright fluid supply pipe
device; a valve housing configured with a valve chamber defining a
circular wall formed with a central inlet port and outlet port for
flow of a fluid and a control valve seat interposed between the
inlet port and outlet ports; a diaphragm 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 of predetermined diameter, aligned
over the inlet port, the diaphragm being further formed with a
downwardly facing planer pilot seat surrounding the pilot passage;
an elongated pilot valve stem received in the pilot passage and
configured with a diameter sufficiently smaller than the
predetermined diameter to form an annulus for flow of the fluid,
formed with upper and lower extremities, and shiftable from a lower
bleed position to an upper sealing position; and 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.
10. The valve apparatus of claim 9 wherein: the poppet is
configured on its bottom side with a conical shape to deflect water
flowing upwardly there-against in a laterally outward pattern.
11. The valve apparatus of claim 10 wherein: the poppet is formed
with the upwardly facing poppet planar sealing surface.
12. The valve apparatus of claim 10 wherein: the poppet is
conically shaped.
13. The valve apparatus of claim 10 wherein: the poppet is
spherically shaped.
14. The valve apparatus of claim 10 wherein: the valve stem is
formed with at least one enlarged section configured with
longitudinal splines to define there-between longitudinal grooves
for flow of the fluid there-through.
15. The valve apparatus of claim 10 wherein: the pilot valve is
formed with radially projecting grooves to feed flow of the fluid
past the pilot seat.
16. The valve apparatus of claim 10 wherein: the diaphragm is
formed with a radial bleed passage to cooperate with the poppet
when unseated, to provide for bleed of the fluid past the valve
seat.
17. The valve apparatus of claim 1 to be mounted in a toilet tank
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, the
apparatus 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 device 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.
18. The valve apparatus of claim 17 that includes: a fitting
received rotatably on the fill pipe device; and a snap lock for
locking the fitting to the fill pipe device for rotation relative
thereto.
19. The valve apparatus of claim 18 wherein: the fitting is
configured with an inside diameter to cooperate with the fill pipe
device to form an annulus.
20. A valve apparatus comprising: a valve housing configured with a
valve chamber constructed with a circular wall formed with spaced
apart inlet and outlet ports, and a control valve seat interposed
between the inlet port and outlet ports, the seat formed with a
radial bleed passage; a flexible diaphragm in the chamber 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 a
downwardly facing planer pilot seat surrounding the pilot passage;
an elongated pilot valve stem received in the pilot passage and
constructed with a diameter sufficiently smaller than the passage
to cooperate therewith to form an annulus for flow of the fluid and
configured with a central enlarged portion formed with longitudinal
splines to define therebetween longitudinal grooves and further
formed with upper and lower extremities, and shiftable from a lower
bleed position to an upper sealing position; and a conical poppet
on the lower extremity formed with an upwardly facing planar poppet
sealing surface to abut the pilot valve seat and cover the bleed
passage when the valve stem is in the sealing position.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S.
application Ser. No. 14/479,535 filed Sep. 8, 2014, which is
incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to hydraulic valves and more
particularly to valves typically utilized to control fluid flow in
a toilet tank.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0003] 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.
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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 and install.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] 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 an inlet port and
includes a central, through, pilot passage which receives a pilot
pin disposed longitudinally therein and including enlarged portions
to be aligned 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 valve seat formed on the underside of such diaphragm to
close flow in the 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a front view, partially broken away, of a toilet
storage tank which incorporates the improved flow control valve of
the present invention;
[0011] 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;
[0012] FIG. 1 B is a perspective view similar to 1 A but showing
the control valve fully installed;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded, vertical, sectional view, in enlarged
scale, of an inlet pipe device and the control valve shown in FIG.
1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a vertical, sectional view similar to FIG. 2 but
in enlarged scale and the components assembled;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a vertical, sectional view, in enlarged scale, of
the upper portion of the flow control valve shown in FIG. 3;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a vertical, sectional view, in enlarged scale, of
the lower portion of the inlet pipe device shown in FIGS. 2 &
3;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a partial vertical sectional view, in enlarged
scale and partially broken away, of the flow control valve shown in
FIG. 4 and depicting the valve in its closed position;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a vertical, sectional view similar to FIG. 6 but
showing the flow control valve in its open position;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a vertical, sectional view, in enlarged scale, of
the catch device shown in FIG. 3 and depicting a catch device
blocking downward travel of a float tube device controlling the
control valve shown in FIG. 7;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a vertical, sectional view, similar to FIG. 8 but
showing the catch device released;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a transverse, sectional view, in enlarged scale,
of a locking flange incorporated in the catch mechanism shown in
FIG. 9; and
[0022] FIG. 11 is vertical, sectional view, partially broken away,
of a second embodiment of the flow control device shown in FIG.
2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] Referring to FIG. 4, the control valve 13 of the present
invention has utility 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 an axial pilot stem
passage 26 (FIG. 7) formed with a pair of reduced-in-diameter,
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 surrounded by a downwardly facing pilot valve seat 28. The
valve stem 37 projects downwardly below the port pilot seat 28
(FIG. 7) and is formed with an enlarged poppet 41 configured in its
lower portion with downwardly facing upwardly and radially
outwardly angled deflecting surfaces 60, (FIG. 7) to deflect
upwardly flowing, incoming water to flow radially outwardly as it
passes 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 and carried, by a
donut shaped float 47.
[0024] 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 passage 87 defined by the upper extremity if the pipe device to
flow outwardly into the toilet tank and bowl as will be described
below.
[0025] As will be appreciated by those of skill, 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.
[0026] 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.
[0027] 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).
[0028] 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.
[0029] 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.
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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.
[0032] 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).
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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.
[0035] 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.
[0036] 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.
[0037] 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.
[0038] 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.
[0039] 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.
[0040] 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. This serves to, when the valve is open or closing, 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.
[0041] 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.
[0042] 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.
[0043] 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.
[0044] 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.
[0045] As mentioned, in one preferred embodiment, the fitting 149
is formed with an upwardly narrowing tapered interior diameter
sized to, be dropped down over the upper extremity of the lower
pipe 131 during assembly to leave a concentric annulus between the
pipe 131 and such inside diameter as shown in FIG. 8 for free
rotation of the fitting on such pipe. In any event, as the fitting
is brought into position the upper end will compress the upper ends
of the fingers 144 in each quadrant radially inwardly to the point
where the rib segments 137 will be diminished in their respective
combined diameters to allow for relative longitudinal shifting to
align with a selected groove formed between the ribs 139 to, upon
release, register in the groove 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).
[0046] 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.
[0047] 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 and 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. A U-shaped slider 187, formed with bores
and maintaining a keeper 61, may be telescoped over the parallel
legs 173 and 175.
[0048] 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.
[0049] 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.
[0050] In operation, it will be appreciated that the subject device
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
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 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 rises, 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.
[0051] 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.
[0052] 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 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.
[0053] Consequently, the total loss of water will be 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 thus
allowing for repair work before the tank 71 is again filled with
water.
[0054] With continued reference to FIG. 7, when the poppet is
closed it will thus be appreciated that water flowing upwardly from
the upper inlet tube 87 it will strike the facing conical surface
of the poppet 41 to be diverted radially, outwardly, and downwardly
as indicated by directional arrows 201 to the outlets 166 to be
defined by annular deflectors 85.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 6, when the poppet is open the incoming
water will be directed to flow outwardly around the conical surface
of the 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.
[0056] 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.
[0057] 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 such 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.
[0058] 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.
[0059] In that regard, the reader will understand 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.
[0060] 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.
[0061] From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the valve
control device of the present invention is made up of a minimal
number of parts making it economical to manufacture and assemble to
provide 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.
[0062] 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.
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