Self cleaning toilet flush tank monitor with a flexible mount

• US 5,144,700 A
• Filed: 12/03/1990
• Issued: 09/08/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michel M. Martin
• Original Assignee: Michel M. Martin
• Inventors: Martin, Michel M.
• Primary Examiner(s): YASICH, DANIEL
• Application Number:
  US07/621,306
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 4/415, 4/314, 4/363, 340/620, 340/623, 340/624, 200/84 R, 73/307, 73/308, 73/319, 73/322
• US Class Current: 4/415
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 1/00 Water flushing devices with cisterns ; Setting up a range of flushing devices or water-closets; Combinations of several flushing devices

Abstract

A water monitor for a toilet flush tank includes a sensing system and an alarm system. The sensing system includes a tube having a constricted aperture in the base. The tube is normally filled with water. When the flush tank is emptied water begins to drain slowly from the tube. A float in the control tube responds to the water level in the tube. A contact attached to the float closes contacts on the control tube if the flush tank does not refill. The closing of the contact is used to trigger an alarm signal. The monitor includes a self cleaning drainage aperture for the control tube and a flexible mounting belt which provides for simple mounting and adjustment.

Claims

1. In an apparatus for monitoring the level of water in a toilet flush tank, wherein the apparatus includes sensing means and alarm means;

said sensing means including a control tube having a top and a base, said control tube being in fluid connection with said flush tank and being normally filled with water;

said sensing means further including a float in said control tube responsive to the water level therein, and signal means attached to said float and electrically connected to said alarm means for indicating when said water level reaches a predetermined level; and

said base including an aperture for draining water from said control tube;

the improvement comprising;

self-cleaning means for preventing a build-up of mineral deposits in said aperture, said self cleaning means including a rod attached to said flat and extending downwards through said aperture, said rod being free to move in said aperture responsive to the water level in said tube, whereby the motion of said rod in said aperture substantially prevents the accumulation of mineral deposits therein; and

flexible mounting means for adjustably suspending the sensing means in said flush tank.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rod and said tube are made from a plastic material.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said plastic material is a fluorinated hydrocarbon polymer.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flexible mounting means includes:

a belt of a flexible material, said belt having attached at one end thereof said sensing means, and at the other end thereof said alarm means;

said sensing means having ballast means attached thereto for preventing said sensing means from floating; and

;

said belt being mounted on a rim of said flush tank with said sensing means suspended inside of said tank and said alarm means suspended outside of said tank, whereby the vertical position of said sensing means in said tank may be adjusted by adjusting the position of said belt on said rim.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said belt includes electrical conductors for electrically connecting said sensing means to said alarm means.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said ballast means is a metal cylinder located inside of said control tube.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further including fastening means for maintaining the position of said belt on said rim.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said fastening means includes at least one clip.