Systems and methods for water conservation

• US 9,074,356 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2011
• Issued: 07/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steven Fuller Tarantino
• Original Assignee: Steven Fuller Tarantino
• Inventors: Tarantino, Steven Fuller
• Primary Examiner(s): Crane, Lauren
• Assistant Examiner(s): DEERY, ERIN LEAH
• Application Number:
  US13/229,790
• Publication Number:
  US 20130061944A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,394 Days
• Field of Search: 466/4, 466/5, 460/2, 460/3, 4615-617, 137/577, 137/268, 137/337
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 1/042 Details thereof, e.g. valves or pumps
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 1/048 Systems for collecting not used fresh water
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 2001/045 using household water
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/01 for combinations of baths, showers, sinks, wash-basins, closets, urinals, or the like combinations of baths, douches, or the like, A47K4/00; cell-like units for special technical purposes E04B1/34869; panels adapted for locating conduits E04C2/52; ducts for installation lines E04F17/08
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2536 Float controlled weir or valve

Abstract

A system is described including a diverter valve operable to divert at least a portion of water flowing through a first water line to a first volume; a first float valve controlling water flow from a second water line to a second volume; and a second float valve controlling water flow from the first volume to the second volume.

Claims

1. A system comprising;

a hot water line;

a first cold water line;

a mixing valve assembly receiving water from the hot water line and cold water line and outputting water to a mix line;

a diverter valve receiving water from the mix line and having a first output and a second output;

a dispenser positioned to receive water from the first output;

a sealed storage tank positioned to receive water from the second output, the sealed storage tank having an overflow port;

an overflow line having a first end attached to the overflow port of the sealed tank to flow overflow water upwardly from the tank to a second open overflow line end attached to the diverter valve to direct overflow water from the second open overflow line end to a drain; and

a toilet cistern having a first float valve responsive to cistern water level to control flow of water from the storage tank to the toilet cistern and a second float valve responsive to cistern water level to control flow of water from a second cold water line to the toilet cistern.

2. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the dispenser is selected from the group of dispensers comprising a showerhead, shower wand, showerhead-wand combination and a tub spout.

3. The system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a thermostatic shutoff valve positioned to receive water from said second output.

4. The system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a temperature indicator indicating water temperature in said mix line.

5. The system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a check valve positioned to receive water from said second output.

6. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the diverter valve includes three discrete lever positions allowing manual adjustment between positions.