Toilet overflow control

• US 6,178,569 B1
• Filed: 09/28/1999
• Issued: 01/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Niccole Family Trust
• Original Assignee: Niccole Family Trust
• Inventors: Quintana, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TUAN N
• Application Number:
  US09/408,287
• Time in Patent Office: 490 Days
• Field of Search: 436/6, 436/7, 440/6, 441/5, 442/1, 442/7, 450/8, 432/5, 340/604, 340/605, 340/618, 340/620, 733/04.C, 733/04.R, 116/109, 116/227, 137/392, 137/558
• US Class Current: 4/427
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 11/00 Other component parts of water-closets pipe-joints or couplings in general F16L , e.g. noise-reducing means in the flushing system noise-reducing means in combination with flushing valves E03D9/14, flushing pipes mounted in the bowl, seals for the bowl outlet, devices preventing overflow of the bowl contents; devices forming a water seal in the bowl after flushing, devices eliminating obstructions in the bowl outlet or preventing backflow of water and excrements from the waterpipe
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 10/30 Flood prevention; Flood or storm water management, e.g. using flood barriers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7306 Electrical characteristic sensing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8342 Liquid level responsive indicator, recorder or alarm

Abstract

A flow control device for a toilet to prevent flooding upon obstructing of a waste outlet of a toilet bowl. The device includes at least one sensor assembly mounted on a rim of a bowl of a toilet or urinal to hold the sensor assembly in a predetermined position within the bowl. If water bridges contacts on the at least one sensor assembly, an electrical circuit is completed, and a solenoid is actuated to close a normally opened valve to shut off running water to the water tank of the toilet. A power source and a valve open alarm system are electrically connected to the at least one sensor assembly and the solenoid actuated valve.

Claims

1. A combination overflow control device and toilet, comprising:

at least one sensor assembly mounted in a rim of a bowl;

the at least one sensor assembly electrically connected to a solenoid-actuated, normally opened valve, a power supply and a valve closed alarm system; and

the solenoid-actuated, normally opened valve is mounted in a water tank attached to the toilet, on a water supply line, adjacent a water line feeding to a bowl in the toilet.

2. The combination overflow control device and toilet of claim 1, further including a test button electrically connected to the power supply and the valve closed alarm system.

3. The combination overflow control device and toilet of claim 2 wherein the valve closed alarm system includes a speaker.

4. The combination overflow control device of claim 3, further including a light indicator connected to the speaker.

5. The combination overflow control device and toilet of claim 1 wherein the valve closed alarm system includes a speaker.

6. The combination overflow control device of claim 5, further including a light indicator connected to the speaker.

7. A combination overflow control device and toilet, comprising, in combination:

the toilet including a bowl having a rim and water line feeding water into a water tank;

at least one sensor assembly held in the rim, above a top surface of any water normally held in the bowl when an outlet from the bowl is not blocked;

a solenoid-operated, normally opened valve, including an electrical power source, mounted on the water line to control the flow of water into the water tank;

the solenoid-actuated, normally opened valve is mounted in the water tank connected to the toilet, on the water line leading into a further water line feeding water to the bowl;

means electrically connecting the at least one sensor assembly and the solenoid-operated, normally opened valve; and

a power source and an alarm having a speaker held in a unit electrically connected to the solenoid-operated, normally opened valve.

8. A combination overflow control device and a toilet, comprising:

a plurality of water level sensors secured in the rim of a bowl;

a solenoid-operated, normally opened valve electrically connected to a power source and a speaker to indicate that the solenoid-actuated, normally opened valve has been closed;

the solenoid-actuated, normally opened valve mounted on a waterline to control the flow of water into a water tank;

the solenoid-actuated, normally opened valve is mounted in the water tank connected to the toilet, on the water line leading into a further water line feeding water to the bowl; and

a plurality of wires electrically connecting the plurality of sensors to the solenoid-operated, normally opened valve and the speaker.