Toilet leak detection and overflow prevention system

• US 6,934,977 B1
• Filed: 10/31/2002
• Issued: 08/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Devon Niccole, Richard Quintana
• Original Assignee: Devon Niccole, Richard Quintana
• Inventors: Quintana, Richard, Niccole, Devon
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett, Henry
• Assistant Examiner(s): WIEKER, AMANDA FLYNN
• Application Number:
  US10/285,110
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 442/7, 442/1, 436/6, 436/7, 435/3
• 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

Abstract

Water leak detecting or overflow devices for a toilet may be inserted into or formed integrally with the toilet. The devices include at least one water leak sensor assembly mounted in a position in a toilet tank so as to detect the rise and fall of the water level in the toilet tank and an overflow detector in a toilet bowl. If the water level rises and falls a predetermined number of times, or if water continues to flow to the toilet longer than a measured increment of time, a microprocessor operates a normally-open valve and shuts off flow of water to the toilet tank. The devices also include a second sensor, whereby if a flapper remains open or water reaches a level where it might overflow the bowl or tank and stays there for a predetermined period of time, the microprocessor will also shut off flow to the toilet.

Claims

1. A combination overflow control and leak detecting system for a toilet, comprising:

a first magnetic detector secured in a toilet tank for detecting the level of water in the toilet tank;

the first magnetic detector being adjustably mounted on a float held in the toilet tank and including means activated by rising and falling levels of water in the toilet tank;

a second magnetic detector adjustably mounted on a second float held in the toilet for detecting an overflow condition in the toilet; and

a valve means connected to the magnetic first detector and the second magnetic detector for controlling the flow of water to the toilet when actuated by either the first magnetic detector or the second magnetic detector.

2. The combination overflow control and leak detecting system of claim 1, further including magnetic reed switches cooperating with the first magnetic detector and the second magnetic detector.

3. The combination overflow control and leak detecting system of claim 2 wherein the the float is movably held in a body adjustably mounted in the toilet.

4. The combination overflow control and leak detecting system of claim 3 wherein the magnetic reed switches are secured in the body.

5. The combination overflow control and leak detecting system of claim 1 wherein the first magnetic detector is secured in a water line in the toilet tank and the second magnetic detector has at least a portion secured on a flapper in the toilet tank.

6. The combination overflow control and leak detecting system of claim 5, further including magnetic reed switches cooperating with the first magnetic detector and the second magnetic detector.

7. The combination overflow control and leak detecting system of claim 1 wherein the first magnetic detector is a magnet cooperating with the float held in the toilet tank.

8. The combination overflow control and leak detecting system of claim 7 wherein the first magnetic detector and the second magnetic detector are mounted on floats that are permanently held in the toilet tank.

9. A combination overflow control and leak detecting system for a toilet tank, comprising:

a toilet tank having a waterline connected thereto;

a microprocessor-operated, normally-open valve, including an electrical power source held in a housing, connected in the waterline to control the flow of water to the toilet tank;

a first water level sensor and a second water level sensor mounted in the toilet tank;

means for connecting the first water level sensor and the second water level sensor to the microprocessor, and

a time-increment adjusting means cooperating with the microprocessor for controlling the flow of water into the toilet tank if either the first water level sensor or the second water level sensor detects a leakage of water and sends a signal to close the normally-open valve.

10. The combination overflow control and leak detecting system of claim 9 wherein the first water level sensor and the second water level sensor are adjustably held in an assembly removably mounted in the toilet tank.

11. The combination overflow control and leak detecting system of claim 10 wherein the first water level sensor and the second water level sensor are magnetic means secured in the toilet tank.

12. The combination overflow control and leak detecting system of claim 11, further including magnetic reed switches cooperating with the magnetic means.

13. The combination overflow control and leak detecting system of claim 12 wherein the magnetic means are secured to floats, which floats are movably held in bodies slidably mounted on holding means.

14. The combination overflow control and leak detecting system of claim 13 wherein the magnetic reed switches are secured in the bodies.

15. The combination overflow control and leak detecting system of claim 9 wherein the first water level sensor is secured in a water line in the toilet tank and the second water level sensor has at least a portion secured on a flapper in the toilet tank.

16. The combination overflow control and leak detecting system of claim 15 wherein the first water level sensor and the second water level sensor are magnetic means secured to floats.

17. The combination overflow control and leak detecting system of claim 16, further including magnetic reed switches cooperating with the magnetic means.

18. A combination overflow control and leak prevention system for a toilet comprising:

a first magnetic detector integrally formed with a toilet tank for detecting any water leaks in the toilet tank;

the first magnetic detector being connected to a valve controlling flow of water to the toilet tank; and

a second magnetic detector held in the toilet for detecting overflow conditions in the toilet and being connected to the valve controlling flow of water to the toilet tank.

19. The combination overflow control and leak prevention system of claim 18 wherein the second magnetic detector is integrally formed with the toilet.

20. The combination overflow control and leak prevention system of claim 19 wherein the second magnetic detector is a magnetic reed switch.