Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Flush closet – Bowl
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-28
2001-01-30
Recla, Henry J. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Flush closet
Bowl
C004S406000, C340S620000, C073S30400R, C137S392000, C137S558000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178569
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to fluid control devices, and more particularly, to a device mounted in a conventional toilet for controlling overflow of water, if the waste outlet thereof is obstructed.
2. Description of Related Art
As homeowners and those who work in and around certain types of institutions, such as retirement homes, convalescent homes, and the like, are aware, toilet bowls may become blocked for any number of reasons, and a person who repeatedly flushes such a toilet will cause it to flood. This flooding may cause serious problems, particularly in institutions, such as homes for the aged, since older people may slip and fall, or be subjected to diseases by such flooding waters.
Many patents have disclosed mechanical and electrically controlled water overflow devices to prevent the overflowing of toilets. Examples of such patents include U.S. Pat. No. 1,090,200 to Cole, U.S. Pat. No. 3,928,874 to Albertson, U.S. Pat. No. 3,987,502 to Hartmann, U.S. Pat. No. 4,041,557 to Ringler, U.S. Pat. No. 4,195,374 to Morris et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,203,173 to Morris et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,258,444 to Orszullok, U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,758 to Suttlemyre et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,417 to Pondelick et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,908,204 to Hopkins and U.S. Pat. No. 4,985,944 to Shaw. These patents show that a system that detects the rise of water in a toilet bowl to a preset high-level, and then signals a valve unit to cause it to close and prevent further water delivery to the toilet system is old and well-known in the art. However, these patents tend to be complicated and expensive, and fail to disclose or teach a low-cost and simple device that is inserted in or near a rim of a toilet bowl to provide a sensor in the bowl at a selected level to sense the level of water and operate a solenoid valve to stop water flow. Furthermore, these patents fail to teach a system incorporating an easily and conveniently positioned water sensor, together with a warning-sounding alarm speaker or LED, and a low-voltage, rechargeable battery for energizing the system, as specifically disclosed in the operating system of the present invention.
A further U.S. Pat. No. 5,940,899 to Mankin et al. (“'899”) is drawn to a system for preventing toilet overflow. The '899 patent includes a sensor (
14
), which is securely attached to the exterior of a toilet bowl (
12
). The sensor (
14
) is connected to a processor (
16
) to operate a valve (
18
) via a drive assembly (
20
). The sensor (
14
) includes a timer chip (U
1
) electrically connected to capacitor plates (
22
) in a housing (
24
), to produce a pulse train of variable frequency that is output to processor (
16
). Furthermore, the drive assembly (
20
) is composed of a DC drive motor (
46
) and a reduction gear train (
48
) to operate the valve (
18
). This '899 patent is felt to provide a system which is too complicated and expensive, and which is not as versatile as the system of the present invention, having a solenoid actuated valve and alarm system therein.
As stated above, the prior art devices tend to be complicated, while the present invention provides a simple and easy-to-use device which is easily installed in a toilet to prevent overflow in a more expeditious and cheaper manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved and simplified overflow control device. It is a particular object of the present invention to provide an improved and simplified overflow control device, which is easily built into a toilet or urinal. It is yet another particular object of the present invention to provide an improved and simplified system, having one or more detecting sensors inserted in the rim of a toilet bowl or urinal and connected to a solenoid-operated valve means connected in a water line to the toilet bowl or urinal. It is yet another particular object of the present invention to provide an improved and simplified overflow control device having a plurality of sensing means attached at a rim of a toilet bowl or urinal and which is electrically connected to a normally open solenoid valve means for controlling the flow of water to the toilet bowl or urinal. And, it is still another particular object of the present invention to provide an improved and simplified flow control device having a battery-operated solenoid valve means, connected to sensors mounted at a rim of a toilet bowl or urinal, and which includes a warning sounding alarm speaker and/or an LED device to indicate closure of the valve means and a low-voltage, rechargeable battery pack for energizing the system.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by mounting at least one water level sensor in a rim of a toilet bowl or urinal and electrically connecting the at least one sensor to a solenoid-operated valve mounted in a water line for controlling the water flow to the toilet bowl or urinal. The device of the present invention may also have a warning-sounding alarm speaker and/or flashing LED connected to the solenoid to indicate that the solenoid has been actuated to close the valve, as well as a low-voltage, rechargeable battery pack for energizing the solenoid and alarm.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3984877 (1976-10-01), Kirby
patent: 4203173 (1980-05-01), Morris et al.
patent: 4547768 (1985-10-01), Kulhavy
patent: 5305475 (1994-04-01), Jaeckels et al.
patent: 5731758 (1998-03-01), Suttlemyre et al.
patent: 5732417 (1998-03-01), Pondelick et al.
patent: 5940899 (1999-08-01), Mankin et al.
Nguyen Tuan
Niccole Family Trust
O'Neill James G.
Recla Henry J.
LandOfFree
Toilet overflow control does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Toilet overflow control, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Toilet overflow control will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2474589