Sensor device for use with a flush valve

Details Sensor device for use with a flush valve Sensor device for use with a flush valve

1999-12-16

2001-04-24

Eloshway, Charles R. (Department: 3751)

Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons

Wash receptacles

With proximity operated valve

C004S304000, C004S313000, C004S668000, C250S338100, C250S347000, C250S353000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06219857

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a sensor device, more particularly to a sensor device for use with a flush valve which controls outflow of the water to a sanitary apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring to
FIG. 1
, a conventional sensor device (
1
a
) is shown to be mounted on a sanitary apparatus, such as a urinal
2
, to actuate a solenoid valve (
1
b
) of a flush valve
1
for controlling outflow of the water to the urinal
2
. Since the sensor device (
1
a
) is secured on the urinal
2
, the angular position of the light emitted from the sensor device (
1
a
) is fixed. As such, the conventional sensor device (
1
a
) is not suitable for mounting on other kinds of the sanitary apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a sensor device which permits ease of adjustment of the angular position of the emitted light so as to be suitable for mounting on any kind of the sanitary apparatus.
According to this invention, the sensor device includes a mounting frame having open front and rear ends opposite to each other in a transverse direction, and right and left inner side walls spaced apart from each other in a first longitudinal direction and extending in the transverse direction between the first front and rear ends so as to define a passage. The mounting frame is adapted to be mounted such that the body of a user of the sanitary apparatus will be sighted by the passage. A sensor body has a front side to emit and receive a light signal, and right and left lateral walls disposed opposite to each other in a second longitudinal direction. The sensor body is disposed to be insertable into the passage such that the front side is proximate to the open front end and faces towards the transverse direction, and such that the right and left lateral walls face respectively and spacedly the right and left inner side walls with the first and second longitudinal directions aligned with each other. A pair of pivotally mounting members are respectively disposed between the right lateral and inner side walls, and between the left lateral and inner side walls. When the sensor body is inserted into the passage, the pivotally mounting members effect pivotal mountings therebetween, which are pivotable between angular positions about an axis parallel to the first longitudinal direction, and which are detachable in the transverse direction. A retaining member is disposed between the sensor body and the mounting frame to frictionally retain the sensor body in a selected one of the angular positions


REFERENCES:
patent: 3864567 (1975-02-01), Bez
patent: 4672206 (1987-06-01), Suzuki et al.
patent: 4795908 (1989-01-01), Morimoto et al.
patent: 5025516 (1991-06-01), Wilson
patent: 5548119 (1996-08-01), Nortier
patent: 5586746 (1996-12-01), Humpert et al.
patent: 5780854 (1998-07-01), Lin
patent: 5901384 (1999-05-01), Sim
patent: 5950983 (1999-09-01), Jahrling

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