Human powered grey water toilet retrofit system and method
First Claim
1. A method of flushing and filling toilets with grey water utilizing human energy comprising:
- a. collecting grey water in a reservoir;
b. receiving human energy from a pedal;
c. triggering a first flush cycle, using up a portion of said human energy;
d. storing the remaining portion of human energy; and
e. transferring said collected grey water to the toilet tank using said remaining portion of human energy,whereby completing said first flush cycle and supplying said toilet tank with said collected grey water for the next flush cycle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A grey water toilet system utilizing a pedal interface to trigger the toilet flush and to resupply the toilet tank with grey water. The grey water is generally collected from a nearby water fixture such as a wash basin and placed in a storage reservoir until the user flushes the toilet. This invention can be used to retrofit most existing toilets without the need for remodeling thus making it possible to expand the use of grey water for toilets, potentially leading the way for significant fresh water savings. It is estimated that the average American residence uses in the range of 100,000 gallons of water annually and that more water is used to flush toilets than any other individual activity.
38 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of flushing and filling toilets with grey water utilizing human energy comprising:
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a. collecting grey water in a reservoir; b. receiving human energy from a pedal; c. triggering a first flush cycle, using up a portion of said human energy; d. storing the remaining portion of human energy; and e. transferring said collected grey water to the toilet tank using said remaining portion of human energy, whereby completing said first flush cycle and supplying said toilet tank with said collected grey water for the next flush cycle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A human powered grey water toilet flush and fill retrofit system comprising:
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a. a reservoir for collecting grey water in advance of a toilet flush; b. a pedal for receiving human mechanical energy from a user'"'"'s foot actuation; c. an energy storage mechanism, connected to said pedal, capable of storing said human mechanical energy, in either kinetic or potential form, to provide a continued discharge of the stored energy allowing said pedal to be released immediately after said foot actuation; d. a flush adaptor connected to said pedal, via a flush adaptor link, used to actuate the toilet'"'"'s native flush mechanism utilizing a first portion of said human mechanical energy received either directly from said pedal or indirectly from said energy storage mechanism; e. a liquid transfer mechanism or pump connected to said energy storage mechanism and said reservoir for the transference of said grey water to a toilet tank by applying a second portion of said human mechanical energy received either directly from the pedal or indirectly through said energy storage mechanism, allowing said transference to continue after said pedal has been released; and f. a grey water outlet connecting said reservoir with said toilet tank used to route said grey water into said toilet tank. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A liquid level sensing valve for delaying abrupt, high flow liquid entry into a toilet tank which can also be applied in other applications where seepage is allowed comprising:
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a. a first housing used to convey liquid; b. an opening on said first housing where said liquid enters; c. one or more exit openings on said first housing where said liquid is expelled; d. a second housing which loosely fits over said first housing, such that a seepage gap is formed between the two, allowing this second housing to slide over said first housing; e. openings on said second housing which substantially align with said exit openings of the first housing when the valve is in the open position and substantially offsets with the exit openings of the first housing, interfering with the flow of liquid, when the valve is in the closed position; and f. a float component which moves with the level of the surrounding liquid, actuating at least one of the housings such as to substantially open and close the valve. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification