Abstract:
A universal valve adaptor for toilet fill-valves is placed within a toilet tank and connected to a water source outside the toilet tank. The top end of the system has a threaded profile to mate a toilet fill-valve and the bottom end has a threaded profile to mate a water supply line. An internal valve contained within the lower non-separated portion of the body controls water flow through the body. The internal valve allows water flow to occur while coupled and open, with an automatic shut-off when the separated top end is detached. The internal valve is actuated by an axial profile on the separable top end which forces and displaces a plunger located within the lower non-separated portion of the body. The separable top end allows a new or replacement toilet fill-valve to be installed without further disassembly or impact on associated connections and related parts.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    This invention is generally related to toilet fill-valves, and, in particular to a universal valve adaptor device for a fill-valve within a toilet tank and connected to an external water supply source. Furthermore, this invention relates to coupling and removing the proximal end of toilet fill-valves within a toilet tank. 
         [0005]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0006]    Toilets have been accepted as a common fixture within households, institutions and all phases of industries for the purpose of providing a suitable means for people to relieve themselves. Toilets generally are constructed as a two component system, comprised of a commode and its corresponding reservoir tank. For decades, and even today, the reservoir tank holds a predetermined amount of water to flush clean the commode after use. The reservoir tanks are generally connected to a water supply source for refilling the reservoir tank after each use. In order to fill and refill the reservoir tank, a valve is mounted within, having a discharge opening for filling the reservoir tank. As the water level rises, a buoyant float mounted to the valve also rises until it reaches a preset height at which point the water source is shut-off. 
         [0007]    The performance and reliability to successfully re-flush the toilet is directly dependent upon the fill-valve reliably opening and closing to properly refill the reservoir tank. Whether due to the number of times the valve is used, especially with variable water pressure, or due to time in service, the fill-valve internal seating seal fails in most applications over time, requiring the fill-valve to be replaced. 
         [0008]    The effort to replace the fill-valve generally results in a time-consuming, problem-plagued process. In order to replace the fill-valve, the water supply source needs to be shut-off, the reservoir tank drained and sponged out, and the fill-valve disconnected. During this process, several issues often arise; the water-supply connection or pipe fittings can leak or break off, especially in the presence of corrosion, requiring more replacement parts and/or labor costs. 
         [0009]    Thereafter, installing the replacement fill-valve further relies on the ability of the installer to properly attach and seal the fill-valve to the reservoir tank in the correct orientation allowing the typical float to fully travel with the water level lowering or raising. A second, and often more problematic, installation issue involves the re-connection of the water supply line and its valve. Some water supply lines have been updated to a flexible hose with crimped end fittings having a non-replaceable seal contained in the fitting and being deformed by the initial connection, thus causing the seal to leak when reconnected. Other water supply lines have copper or steel plated tubing connections; these tubes generally bend out during fill-valve removal and may be difficult to bend back and achieve an effective, leak-proof connection. As a practical matter, the majority of the effort required to replace a reservoir tank fill-valve involves the water supply connection and ability to provide a long-term leak-proof joint. 
         [0010]    The present invention has been developed to provide a device which overcomes multiple issues associated with reservoir tank fill-valve replacement. The developed device inherently addresses problematic issues and achieves a safe, time-saving, effective solution to easily replace toilet fill-valves, while being ergonomically friendly. Further, the present invention reduces the skill level required to manually service the plumbing components described. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention provides a Universal valve adaptor for toilet fill-valves being placed within a toilet tank and connected to an external water supply source. A separable conduit allows a toilet fill-valve to be installed or removed solely within a toilet reservoir tank. An internal valve actuates and allows the external water supply to be closed upon fill-valve removal and open again upon fill-valve installation. 
         [0012]    In accordance with the present invention the Universal valve adaptor constructed as a multi-piece conduit body joining each end as an assembly or being the proximal end of a fill-valve. The top end of the system has a threaded profile to connect, seal and fasten a mating toilet fill-valve and the bottom end having a threaded profile to connect, seal and fasten the mating water supply line. 
         [0013]    Further, in accordance of the present invention, disconnection and separation of the threaded top end from the body can occur, and, the separation is located between the connected toilet fill-valve and the toilet tank inner surface. Secondly, an internal valve contained within the lower non-separated portion of the body controls water flow through the body. The function of the internal valve allows water flow to occur when installed and immediately shut-off when removed. The internal valve is actuated by an axial profile on the separable top end which forcefully displaces a plunger located within the lower non-separated portion of the body. The method to install or disconnect the separable top end occurs by inserting or removing the separated top end into or out of the body by hand and using a rotating motion causing the internal valve to open or close. The rotation is limited to an arc with a predetermined stop. The separable top end allows a new or replacement toilet fill-valve to be installed without further disassembly or impact on associated connections and related parts. 
         [0014]    These and other objects, advantages and features of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is an elevation view of a universal valve adaptor according to the present invention with a fill valve installed and mounted within a section of a toilet tank; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the complete universal valve adaptor; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2A  is a bottom perspective view of the upper coupler showing a restrictor plate; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2B  is a sectional view of the upper coupler and restrictor plate of  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a cross section view of the assembled universal valve adaptor mounted within a section of a toilet tank; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  of the upper coupler above and disengaged from the lower coupler; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  of the lower coupler installed without the upper coupler; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the arrangement of the lower coupler components for assembly within a section of the toilet tank; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the lower coupler assembled within a section of a toilet tank with the water supply connection; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the upper couple components of the assembly; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the installed lower coupler assembly mounted within a section of a toilet tank and the upper coupler assembly illustrated and positioned to be installed into the lower coupler assembly; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the complete universal valve adaptor mounted within a section of a toilet tank and having both the water supply connection and fill valve installed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    Like parts are marked throughout the specifications and drawings with the same reference numbers. The drawings Figures are not necessarily to scale. Referring now to the drawing, and in particular to  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 ; a Universal valve adaptor according to the present invention is generally referred to by reference numeral  10  as mounted within a toilet tank  12 . The Universal valve adaptor  10  normally is installed in a conventional manner being positioned vertically in the toilet tank  12  and more specifically, perpendicular to the water surface  14 . The water surface  14  defines a horizontal reference and an up above or down below direction as being perpendicular to the said surface. Further the Universal valve adaptor  10  mounts though either a horizontal or angled or vertical opening in the toilet tank  12 . As vertically shown in  FIG. 1  and for clarity of this detailed description of the Universal valve adaptor  10  aligns on a center axis  32  having a concentric reference on the base of the toilet tank  12 . 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , illustrates a portion of the Universal valve adaptor  10  mounted externally below the toilet tank  12  and a portion mounted above and within the toilet tank  12 . The Universal valve adaptor  10  separates as a jointed fitting into an upper coupler  16  and a lower coupler  18  and disconnects within the toilet tank  12 . Tank seal  20  provides a non-hygroscopic barrier and provides the containment of water  24  from exiting out of the toilet tank  12 . Tank seal  20  has a sized concentric opening only allowing the external threaded portion of the lower coupler  18  to protrude though the toilet tank  12  and be secured externally by nut  22 . Water  24  can flow  26  though an internal open passage of the lower coupler  18  into and though the upper coupler  16  of the Universal valve adaptor  10  and into a Fill Valve  28  filling toilet tank  12  to a desired water level  30 . 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 ; the Universal valve adaptor  10  shown as an exploded view to illustrate the sequence of components normally having installed contact with mating surfaces. Upper coupler  16  having a generally circular contoured shape concentric to a center axis  32  utilizes an internal thread seal  34  as a ring shaped elastomeric non-hygroscopic barrier preventing water from penetrating though an installed fill valve (not shown) flowing up and around the threads and out of upper coupler  16 . External tabs  36  are an integral feature of the upper coupler  16  to engage and lock into passages  38  of the lower coupler  18 . Lower coupler  18  having a generally circular contoured shape concentric to a center axis  32  utilizes an internal coupler to coupler seal  40  as a ring shaped elastomeric non-hygroscopic barrier preventing water flow  26  from leakage between lower coupler  18  and upper coupler  16 . Contoured plunger  42  having an upper finned or round restrictor plate  43  with holes  45  through the outer surface and a round shank lower body are concentric to a center axis  32  and placed onto compression spring  44  and inserted into the upside of the center hole in the lower coupler  18 . Plunger seal  46  inserts in the lower side of the center hole in the lower coupler  18  and fastens to the down facing side of the plunger  42  body and retained by washer  48  and screw  50 . Tank seal  20  has an array of tabs facing up to engage into mating slots on lower coupler  18  for torsional positioning and locking. Tank seal  20  contacts toilet tank  12  (not shown) on the inner surface and external nut  22  contacts the lower external surface of Toilet tank  12 . 
         [0030]    Spring  44  is commonly a helix composed of wound wire, having an open space between windings with closing ends perpendicular to axis  32  applies an uplifting, separating force against plunger  42  to lift the attached plunger seal  46  to contact an internal seat  18 B (not shown) within the center passage of the lower coupler  18 . Deflection of spring  44  forces the attached plunger seal  46  to unseat and create a passage for water flow. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , universal valve adaptor  10  has an open water flow  26 B though a center passage  18 A on the lower end of the lower coupler  18  around plunger seal  46  and across an internal seat  18 B, up and though spring  44 , around the fin portion  42 A of the plunger  42 . The lower end of the upper coupler  16  applies a force against the top of plunger  42  compressing spring  44  and unseating plunger seal  46 . The coupler to coupler seal  40  has a molded flexible lip  40 A to deflect upon an increase in water pressure providing a tighter barrier as water flows though the lower coupler  18  center passage  18 A. Now as water continues flow upward into the upper coupler  16  across the fill valve seal, over the internal threads and out the top of the upper coupler  16  allowing free flow. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , upper coupler  16  can rotate about center axis  32  disengaging the tabs  36  from horizontal slot  52  by pressing downward to vertically offset out of recess  52 A and begin to rotate about center axis  32  until tabs  36  stop at the arc end of horizontal slot  52 . At the arc end of horizontal slot  52 , upper coupler  16  can be vertically lifted out of lower coupler  18  along the intersecting vertical slot  38  as tabs  36  pass upward though vertical slot  38 . As upper coupler  16  clears lower coupler  18 , the full disconnection occurs. 
         [0033]    A valve action occurred as upper coupler  16  rotated out of the horizontal slot  52  when upper coupler  16  had been vertically lifted out of lower coupler  18 , releasing flexible lip  40 A from providing a non-hygroscopic barrier against upper coupler  16  as upper coupler  16  passes along the intersecting vertical slot  38  further plunger  42  along with plunger seal  46  vertically traveled upward in sequence with upper coupler  16  causing plunger seal  46  to contact seat  18 B terminating water flow  26 A from passing though center passage  18 A. Plunger  42  along with plunger seal  46  traveled upward vertically due to the upward force of spring  44  and water flow  26 A. Plunger seal  46  provides a non-hygroscopic barrier and the containment of water flow  26 A. 
         [0034]    Those skilled in the art will recognize that full disconnection occurred with the removal of the upper coupler  16  and that water flow  26  has stopped. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , retention of water  24  can be contained within toilet tank  12  without back flowing through the center passage  18 A of lower coupler  18 . Water flow  26  has stopped though an internal open passage of the lower coupler  18  as plunger seal  46  seats against seat  18 B in lower coupler  18 . This allows the present invention to maintain the water level  24  within the toilet tank  12  despite the absence of upper coupler  16 . 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , is an illustrated view of the lower coupler  18  being positioned in toilet tank  12 . The inside surface base  55  of toilet tank  12  has a generally round vertical opening  57  as a passage for a water supply line. Tank seal  20  will be placed in the vertical opening  57  on the inside surface base  55  of toilet tank  12  providing a non-hygroscopic barrier and preventing water  24  (not shown) from exiting out of the toilet tank  12 . Once in place lower coupler  18  can be inserted though tank seal  20  with slots  18 A locked and aligned to multiple external contoured protrusions  20 A for assembly and seating of lower coupler  18 . Nut  22  being positioned along axis  32  and directly below toilet tank  12  can then be used to secure lower coupler  18  when installed. 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , shows conventional construction and includes the attachment of an external fitting  40  being assembled as an integral part of a water supply line  41 . The lower coupler  18  having tank seal  20  installed abuts the inside surface base  55  of the toilet tank  12  secured on the outer base of the toilet tank  12  by threaded nut  22  screwed on the circular threads of lower coupler  18  by applying torsion force against tabs  22 A. This embodiment creates a functional valved lower coupler  18  assembly as a stand-alone portion of the present invention. 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , is an illustrated view of a typical fill valve  28 , partially shown, having a normally threaded end-body being positioned along axis  32  in toilet tank  12 . The upper coupler  16  positioned along axis  32  and directly below the typical fill valve  28  have been aligned for assembly by inserting the typical fill valve  28  and to be threaded into the upper coupler  16 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  depicted the lower coupler  18  in part and as an installed assembly within toilet tank  12  as being the lower separable portion of the present invention. The assembled lower coupler  18  remains within toilet tank  12  as a stationary stand-alone portion of the Universal valve adaptor in a disconnect mode.  FIG. 8  only depicted the upper coupler  16  unassembled to the typical fill valve  28  as a removable portion of the Universal valve adaptor in a disconnect mode. 
         [0040]    Now referring to  FIG. 9 , both the assembled upper coupler  16  and the assembled lower coupler  18  have been positioned along axis  32  within toilet tank  12  as separate assemblies shown in a disconnect mode. Upper coupler  16  can align about center axis  32  to engage tabs  36  into vertical slot  38  of lower coupler  18  by moving downward  61  and inserting it into the bottom of vertical slot  38  of lower coupler  18  then to engage into horizontal slot  52 . Thereafter begin to rotate  62  about center axis  32  until tabs  36  stop at the arc end of horizontal slot  52  of lower coupler  18 . 
         [0041]    Referring also to  FIG. 10 , universal valve adaptor  10  is joined and fully connected as a flow-fitting, allowing water  24  to flow upward, unrestricted, and though the Universal valve adaptor into a typical fill valve  28 . Water  24  thereafter is controlled by the typical fill valve  28  as needed within toilet tank  12 . 
         [0042]    From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is well adapted to attain all of the ends and objectives hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages, which are inherent to the apparatus. 
         [0043]    It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. 
         [0044]    As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the Figures of the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.