BOTTOM MOUNT FILL VALVE

Abstract

A system for mounting a fill valve in a toilet with a pivotable reservoir is disclosed. The pivotable reservoir is disposed inside the toilet tank. A fill valve is secured in the tank and designed to deliver water to the pivotable reservoir from an external water supply, wherein the fill valve is secured by a valve support mechanism to a lower portion of the tank. The fill valve support mechanism comprises a fluid line support mechanism and a fluid line. The fluid line support mechanism routes the fluid line away from and around the space through which the pivotable reservoir moves when actuated. A plurality of fasteners connect the fluid line to the fluid line support mechanism and the fill valve mechanism to the toilet tank and water supply.

Claims

1. A system for mounting a fill valve in a toilet with a pivotable reservoir, the system comprising: a fill valve mounted inside a toilet tank and designed to deliver water to the pivotable reservoir from an external water supply, and a fill valve support mechanism which supports the fill valve from the lower portion of the toilet tank, wherein the fill valve support mechanism comprises a fluid line support mechanism and a fluid line.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fill valve support mechanism further comprises a plurality of fasteners which secure the fill valve support mechanism to the toilet tank and to the fill valve.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid line support mechanism is rigid and the fluid line is flexible.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid line support mechanism routes the fluid line around the space through which the pivotable reservoir rotates when actuated to avoid impinging the fluid line and interfering with movement of the pivotable reservoir.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the lower portion of the toilet tank is the lower surface,

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid line is in fluid communication with the fill valve and a water supply.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the fluid line is secured by a plurality of fasteners.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid line support mechanism further comprises a channel portion in which the fluid line is disposed.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid line support mechanism further comprises a portion that at least partially envelopes the fluid line.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid line support mechanism further comprises a sleeve portion which substantially encircles the fluid line.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid line support mechanism further comprises at least one substantially horizontal member, at least one substantially diagonal member, and a plurality of substantially vertical members.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of substantially vertical members are connected by the at least one substantially diagonal member and wherein the substantially horizontal member extends from one of the plurality of substantially vertical members.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid line is supported by the fluid line support mechanism through one or more fluid line curves or bends.

14. The system according to claim 2, wherein the fill valve support mechanism further comprises an externally threaded fastener to removably fasten the fluid line support mechanism to the tank, and wherein the water supply is delivered to the fluid line through the externally threaded fastener of the fluid line support mechanism.

15. A method of mounting a fill valve in a toilet tank with a pivotable reservoir, the method comprising: A step of moving the pivotable reservoir through its pivot axis to access a lower portion of the toilet tank, a step of fastening a proximal end of a fill valve support mechanism to a lower portion of the toilet tank, wherein a the fill valve support mechanism comprises a fluid line support mechanism and a fluid line, a step of installing the fluid line into the fluid line support mechanism, wherein the fluid line support mechanism routes the fluid line around the space through which the pivotable reservoir rotates when actuated to avoid impinging the fluid line and interfering with movement of the pivotable reservoir, and a step of securing a fill valve inside the toilet tank by fastening the fill valve to the distal end of fill valve support mechanism, wherein the fill valve delivers water to the pivotable reservoir.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising a step of fastening the fill valve support mechanism to the lower portion of the toilet tank using a bolt.

17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising a step of connecting a water supply line to a fastener of the fill valve support mechanism.

18. The method according to claim 15, further comprising a step of securing a fill valve fastener to the fill valve support mechanism at the distal end by a collar.

19. The method according to claim 15, further comprising a step of installing the fluid line into the fluid line support mechanism by fasteners at a distal end and a proximal end of the fluid line.

20. The method according to claim 15, further comprising a step of protecting the fluid line by disposing it at least partially within the fluid line support mechanism.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] FIG. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of a perspective view of a portion of a toilet constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, wherein a fill valve is secured relative to a pivotable, movable reservoir within the tank.

[0029] FIG. 2 is perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 wherein the forward, circumferential wall of the toilet tank has been removed so that components of the described system are visible when the reservoir is being pivoted in order to spill water into the tank from the reservoir.

[0030] FIG. 3 depicts a side plan (elevation) view of an exemplary valve support mechanism when coupled to an exemplary fill valve of the described system.

[0031] FIG. 4 depicts a top plan view of the embodiment described in FIG. 3.

[0032] FIG. 5 depicts a forward plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 looking towards the fill valve, wherein the outer surface of the fill valve support mechanism has been removed so that components of the fill valve support mechanism, such as the fluid line and fasteners, and their interconnection, are visible.

[0033] FIG. 6a depicts a perspective view of the exemplary valve support mechanism of FIG. 3 in an exploded state and FIG. 6b depicts a similar view of the exemplary valve support mechanism when assembled.

[0034] FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of the exemplary valve support mechanism and fill valve of FIG. 3 in an exploded state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The device of the present disclosure may be economically molded by using one or more distinct parts to form a fill valve support mechanism and associated components which, when assembled together in a toilet configuration in an economical fashion, may form the disclosed device regardless of the particular form.

[0036] In exemplary embodiments, the disclosed system provides a self-contained approach to support a fill valve (which can be asymmetric) that may be mounted to a flexible fluid line to remotely supply water from an inlet of a toilet tank to a pivotable and/or movable water reservoir such as a dump bucket. The reservoir may be symmetric, asymmetric, or otherwise shaped so as to be received by the corresponding toilet tank. In all embodiments, the fill valve is secured to the toilet configuration via a fill valve support mechanism that is fastened to the lower portion of the tank as described in more detail below.

[0037] Referring to the figures herein for a better understanding, FIG. 1 depicts a toilet system 10 configured to effect a flush through a conventional dump bucket or rotatably movable reservoir 20. In practice, toilet 10 comprises toilet tank 12 with reservoir 20 disposed therein. Tank 12 may comprise circumferential walls and a closed lower end with fluid outlet hole 26 which leads to refill the toilet bowl (not depicted). Reservoir 20 may be pivotable about axis 22 which corresponds to the pivot axis of flush actuator 24 positioned on the external wall of tank 12. Actuator 24 therefore is in communication with reservoir 20 so that pivoting actuator 24 in turn causes reservoir 20 to pivot or rotate in accordance with the direction and magnitude of movement of actuator 24. In some embodiments, actuator 24 lifts a flush valve from being seated on hole 26. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, hole 26 is continually open so that when reservoir 20 pivots to dump water into tank 12, water then travels to bowl 14. Accordingly, reservoir 20 receives and stores water until a fill valve 35 delivers a predetermined amount of water wherein the end-user can effect a flush by pivoting actuator 24 thereby rotating reservoir 20 in order to dump water from reservoir 20 into tank 12.

[0038] When water is dumped from reservoir 20 into tank 12, water travels from tank 12 through hole 26 ultimately terminating in toilet bowl 14 (not depicted) to effect a flush that can dispose of liquid and solid waste previously stored in bowl 14. After reservoir 20 has finished emptying its water into tank 12, fill valve 35 directs water into reservoir from the external fluid supply (not depicted) in order to refill reservoir 20 until the fill valve 35 determines that a predetermined amount of water has been received by reservoir 20.

[0039] As shown, fill valve 35 may be asymmetric and designed to deliver water into reservoir 20. Fill valve 35 may comprise a valve and float assembly which is positioned and arranged above the reservoir 20 such that the fill valve 35 delivers water to the reservoir 20 until a predetermined volume is reached, whereupon the float assembly is rises to shut off the valve of fill valve 35. Actuator 24 may be mechanically attached to reservoir 20 from outside tank 12 so that the end-user may externally access actuator 24, rotate the same about pivot axis 22 and effectively rotate (e.g. tilt) reservoir 20 between a pre-flush, fill position when reservoir receives water from valve 35 to a flush position when reservoir is tilted by rotating actuator 24 so that water is delivered to tank 12 from reservoir 12. FIG. 1 depicts the pivoting movement of actuator 24 with rotational arrows at both ends of axis 22. Reservoir 20 and actuator 24 may be configured to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise as required or desired by the end-user.

[0040] Also seen in FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a fill valve support mechanism 40 of the present teaching assembled within the tank 12 and fastened to the lower portion of the toilet tank 12 via fastener 60. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1., the support mechanism comprises a substantially vertical member which rises from fastener 60 below the reservoir 20; a substantially diagonal member with begins beneath the reservoir 20 and extends away from the substantially vertical member toward a circumferential wall of the tank 12 and continues until it is beyond the space through which the reservoir 20 moves during a flush, but terminates prior to reaching the circumferential wall of the tank 12; a second substantially vertical member which begins at the terminus of the substantially diagonal member of the support mechanism 40 and rises above the height of the top of the reservoir 20 but terminates prior to reaching the height of the toilet tank 12; and a substantially horizontal member which beings at, and extends away from, the terminus of the second substantially vertical member of the support mechanism and continues toward a location generally above reservoir 20; and a fastening mechanism (not depicted) which removably secures the fill valve 35 to the fill valve support mechanism 40. As more fully discussed herein, fluid line 42 is also partially visible in FIG. 1 and is routed through the substantially vertical, diagonal, vertical, and horizontal members of fill valve support mechanism 40. Although the foregoing embodiment discloses a generally diagonal member extending toward the forward wall of the tank 12, the present teachings are not so limited. A fill valve support mechanism 40 consistent with the present teachings may be oriented to extend toward any circumferential wall of the tank 12 in order to avoid interfering with the space through which a reservoir 20 moves during a flush sequence.

[0041] Although not depicted, the present disclosure directed to the mounting and securing a fill valve, and routing a fluid line from the lower portion of a toilet tank may be applied to other conventional dump bucket flush designs, such as where the external lever actuator is mechanically connected to the rotatable reservoir via a chain. In such an embodiment, the rotation of the lever pulls the chain, causing the dump bucket to rotate and empty itself and effect a flush. The foregoing is not meant as limiting, but instead as an example that the teachings herein are intended for application to all dump-bucket flush designs, regardless of the particular mechanical method practiced to cause movement of the dump bucket effectuating a flush.

[0042] FIG. 2 depicts a similar embodiment of the disclosed system 10 wherein the forward circumferential wall of tank 20 has been removed in order to more clearly observe interconnection of the components in the described system 10. In FIG. 2, reservoir 20 is seen having been rotated about pivot axis 22 by actuator 24. Fill valve support mechanism 40 is in a partially exploded state so that fastener 48 is not completely seated against tank 12 and corresponding fastener 60 (e.g. internally threaded nut) is depicted before being seated against the external, lower surface of tank 12. An external water supply line may be introduced through fastener 60 and corresponding fastener 48 (depicted as externally threaded) of mechanism 40 as described below. In one embodiment, fastener 48 comprises a hollow post and external threads, wherein the diameter of the hollow post and the pitch and the spacing of the external threads are of standard sizes such that a standard water supply line may be fastened to the fastener 48. Fastener 50 is partially visible as disposed substantially within a lower part of the substantially vertical member of the fill valve support mechanism. As discussed more further herein, fastener 50 may comprise an internally threaded nut portion, which fastens fluid line 42 on to fastener 47 (not depicted).

[0043] FIG. 2 additionally depicts the various substantially vertical, diagonal, and horizontal portions of fill valve support mechanism 40 routing fluid line 42 away from the space through which reservoir 20 moves when rotated.

[0044] In all embodiments, as reservoir 20 rotates a predetermined angle of rotation in the user-defined flushing direction, this rotation causes reservoir 20 to tilt and discharge its water into tank 12 to ultimately flow into bowl 14. The predetermined angle may be any angle equal to or lesser than 90 degrees with respect to the unflushed state on axis 22. Preferably, the angle may be between 45 and 90 degrees with respect to the unflushed state on axis 22.

[0045] FIG. 3 depicts a forward plan (elevation) view of valve support mechanism 40 when coupled to fill valve 35 (corresponding toilet configuration not depicted in this figure) via fastener 52 which is held by collar 53 (pictured in FIG. 6a). It can be seen that mechanism 40 comprises fastener 48 on its proximal end, wherein fastener 48 is configured to protrude through tank 12 and removably attach to fastener 60 (as seen in FIG. 2). Fastener 60 may be an internally threaded nut and fastener 48 may be a hollow and externally threaded post received by fastener 60. However, fasteners 48 and 60 may alternatively be a pin and hole receiver assembly, snap fit assembly, or the like. In the elevation view of FIG. 3, the plurality of substantially vertical portions of fill valve support mechanism 40 are visible, as well as the substantially horizontal portion extending toward the fill valve 35. The substantially diagonal portion of the fill valve support mechanism 40 is extending between the substantially vertical portions through the plane of view.

[0046] The external water supply that is ultimately introduced into fill valve 35 may be introduced through fluid line 42 of fill valve support mechanism 40. To that end, external water supply may be introduced into fill valve support mechanism 40 through proximal end of fill valve support mechanism 40 at fastener 48. Fluid line 42 then travels through or along valve support mechanism 40 via fluid line support mechanism 45 until arriving at distal end of fill valve support mechanism 40 at fastener 52 which may be removably fastened to fill valve 35 and fill valve support mechanism 40 via collar 53.

[0047] FIG. 4 depicts a top plan view of the embodiment described in FIG. 3, wherein fill valve support mechanism 40 and fill valve 35 have been rotated to provide a different perspective for illustrative purposes. Fluid line 42 is depicted as traversing the top of the fill valve support mechanism 40 and connecting to fill valve 35 via fastener 52 which is held by collar 53.

[0048] FIG. 5 depicts a side plan (elevation) view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 looking towards the mounting portion of fill valve 35, wherein the outer surface of the fill valve support mechanism 40 has been removed. In this regard, interconnection of fasteners 48 and 50 via fill valve support mechanism 40 is clearly seen. As fastener 48 is threadably received by fastener 60, fluid line support mechanism 45 of fill valve support mechanism 40 is secured to a wall in the lower portion of tank 12. Fastener 50 removably attaches to fluid line support mechanism 45, wherein fluid line 42 provides fluid communication between external water supply received by fill valve support mechanism 40 and fill valve 35.

[0049] Fill valve support mechanism 40 in turn may be constructed from relatively rigid material sufficient to support components of fluid line support mechanism 45, fill valve 35, fluid line 42, and the plurality of fasteners therein interconnected. Fill valve support mechanism 40 must be sufficiently rigid to support fill valve 35 above reservoir 20, and route fluid line 42 through or along fluid line support structure 45 from the lower portion of tank 12 without needing additional support, lateral, vertical, or otherwise. As can be seen, line 42 is fed from fastener 50 through guides of fluid line support mechanism 45 into fastener 52 which is coupled to fill valve 35. Fluid line support mechanism 45 may comprise fluid line receiver 51 positioned in a substantially vertical member of fill valve support mechanism 45 may be configured to receive and substantially envelop fluid line 42 and guide it between fasteners 50 and 52. Receiver 51 may comprise one or more walls that extend away from mechanism 45 and are sufficient to receive and support line 42. Optionally, receiver 51 may be a channel formed by and within fluid line support mechanism 45 wherein fluid line 42 is received. Optionally, fluid line support mechanism 45 may further comprise partial sleeve 49 sized to partially receive fluid line 42 at various points throughout fluid line support mechanism 45, such as, for example, just prior to fastener 52. An inner diameter of sleeve 49 may be slightly greater than outer diameter of line 42 so that line 42 may securely snap into sleeve 49 or be inserted thereto so that line is secured to mechanism 45 and fill valve 35.

[0050] The foregoing described features of fluid line support mechanism 45 ensure that fluid line 42 securely supplies water from external water supply (not depicted) to fill valve 35 so that reservoir 20 ultimately receives water without having to secure fill valve 35 to the upper portion of tank 12. The foregoing disclosure also provides a secure method of delivering water from the external water supply into the fill valve 35 while also providing structural support for the fill valve 35 from the lower portion of the toilet tank 12 (thereby removing a need to secure fill valve 35 from above reservoir 20 or anywhere in the upper portion of tank 12). Moreover, the foregoing disclosure additionally eliminates the need for a precast rigid fluid pipe. Additionally, the foregoing disclosure demonstrates an apparatus and method for employing a flexible tube as fluid line 42 which is routed away from movement of reservoir 20, thereby protected from blockage, impingement, twisting, or otherwise developing a kink in fluid line 42. It is understood that the lower portion of tank 12 may include the lower surface or any of the circumferential walls at least positioned near or below the lower portion of reservoir 20 when reservoir 20 is pivotally connected to tank 12.

[0051] FIG. 6a specifically depicts an exemplary embodiment of fill valve support mechanism 40 in an exploded state and FIG. 6b depicts fill valve support mechanism 40 with all components assembled as described below. In this embodiment, fastener 47 is visible and receives fastener 50 that may preferably be an internally threaded shank nut received by fastener 47 and fastener 47 may preferably be an externally threaded shank rise. Fastener 47 may be integrally formed with mechanism 45 or removably attached thereto.

[0052] As can be seen, fluid line 42 extends along fluid line support mechanism 45 from fastener 47 until terminating at fastener 52. Preferably, fastener 52 may be a valve nut coupled to valve end riser 54 and ultimately fill valve 35. Fastener 52 is removably connected to fill valve support mechanism 40 by collar 53. Further, fasteners 52 and 50 may receive fliud line 42 or may be inserted into fluid line 42 depending on design need or preference. Riser 54 may optionally comprise an O-ring and may be inserted into fluid line 42 to ensure that the fluid connection between fastener 52 and line 42 is properly sealed without leaks.

[0053] Fill valve 35 is then removably attached to fastener 52 and preferably through riser 54. Once fill valve 35 and fill valve support mechanism 40 are assembled to each other by collar 53, they may be installed into existing dump bucket configurations by rotating reservoir 20 in order to be able to access the lower portion of tank 12 and removably attach fill valve support mechanism 40 thereto. Preferably, fill valve support mechanism 40 is removably attached to a wall in the lower portion of tank 12 by inserting fastener 48 through to a valve opening hole (depicted in FIGS. 1-2) and then fastened to the wall of tank 12 by fastener 60. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of fill valve 35 and mechanism 40 in an exploded state prior to being assembled and therefore prior to be secured to tank 12. This particular view is beneficial as it depicts how fastener 52 and riser 54 can receive fill valve 35 and how sleeve 49 secures line 42 prior to being fastened to fastener 52 and how fastener 52 is removably connected to fill valve support mechanism 40 via collar 53.

[0054] Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments disclosed and described herein. Accordingly, the toilet configuration in which the disclosure herein is applied may comprise a valve seat to seal off hole 26 in which case actuator 24 is in communication with the same so that flush actuation includes unseating the seal from hole 26. Therefore, it is understood that the illustrated and described embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of examples and that they are not to be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the embodiments include other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed above even when not initially claimed in such combinations.

[0055] The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to not only include the combination of elements which are literally set forth. It is also contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination(s).

[0056] Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essential idea of the embodiments.

[0057] What has been described above includes examples of one or more embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the aforementioned embodiments, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of various embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the described embodiments are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.