Abstract:
A finger-tip access to a water saving retrofiable or original equipped device having a free traveling flexible cord routed from a toilet holding tank to inside non-frictional orifices located at strategic points on major toilet components, able to allow free water flow for full flushes or able to limit flow for partial flushes and stop or interrupt water flow for unusual or emergency functional operations such as toilet bowl cleaning, preventing a bowl overflow, slowing or stopping a flapper valve leak, or help prevent a drowning from occurring simply by pulling a cord.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to toilet flush systems that are in wide use and characterized by a floating flapper valve and a float operated water supply valve. 
         [0002]    In the flushing and refill process, a manually operated lever on the holding tank opens a flapper value in the bottom of the tank. This releases the water from the tank into the toilet bowl, displacing the contents of the bowl through an air lock, or “P” trap and into the sewer system. After the tank has emptied from the flush, the flapper valve automatically closes, allowing a fresh supply of water to be retained by the tank. Common toilet designs use a float to control the fresh water supply valve. This assembly is located inside the tank. Upon flushing, the float lowers with the water level to a down position causing the water supply valve to open, filling the empty tank and bowl simultaneously. 
         [0003]    In typical toilet designs, approximately twenty percent of the fresh water from the water supply valve is delivered to the overflow pipe through a tube into the toilet bowl. The remaining eighty percent is discharged directly into the tank. As the tank fills, the float rises with the water to a preset level to an up position causing the water supply valve to close. This stops the filling of both the tank and the bowl. 
         [0004]    Toilets are normally designed so that a more than adequate amount of water is delivered to the bowl at each flush to fully flush out the contents thereof, solid or liquid. A considerable amount of water can be saved by individually adjusting the minimum amount of flush water used for a partial flush containing liquids only. Some known devices address this issue but suffer one primary disadvantage; their control is extremely limited. One type of control addresses the closing of the flapper valve; other types address the closing of the float controlled water supply valve. At the present time, there is no method of interrupting both flushing and filling operations simultaneously, in case of an emergency situation. 
         [0005]    Another problem in an emergency situation is getting access to the plumbing water stop valve usually located outside or below the toilet tank. It is typically very difficult to reach and is usually either seized (stuck open) or cannot be closed without extraordinary effort. On many toilets the water stop is not installed. When this occurs, the toilet tank lid must be removed and the water valve must be closed inside the tank. In addition, when using this method, in order for the valve in the tank to remain closed, the operator must continue to hold the float or else the valve reopens and refilling resumes. 
         [0006]    Interrupting and closing the flapper valve does stop water flow from the tank to the toilet bowl which works fine for partial flushes and toilet bowl cleaning. It does not address emergency situations such as bowl overflows since water will continue into the overflow pipe and into the bowl if the water supply valve is not in a closed position. The closing of the water supply valve insures complete water stoppage for short or prolong occurrences each time the cord&#39;s pull knob is actuated. 
         [0007]    Shutting off the water stop valve or accessing the automatic refill mechanism is only available if the operator is aware of them. Often it is the case that individuals do not possess this knowledge. Heretofore, neither the toilet manufacturers nor the product distributors have made efforts to make this information known. 
         [0008]    In the past, the common widespread usage of common toilets was due to the widespread availability of water. However, water in some areas of the world is becoming not so available. Also, the fact that the population is ever increasing creates an even greater demand for water. Many communities are restricting the maximum allowable water to be used within toilets. 
         [0009]    Some communities are now even further giving incentives for users to incorporate some form of water save mechanism within their toilets. The amount of water that is used in a conventional toilet is actually more than is required to effectively remove human waste. It has been found that in most instances the amount of water could be decreased as much as fifty percent and still adequate removal of the waste will occur. 
         [0010]    Prior art toilets are characterized in lacking structural flexibility for adjusting the discharge amount of the flush water therein so that every time when the flush device is actuated, a tankful of water is discharged totally, regardless whether such a large amount of water is needed. This causes a waste of water source, which is uneconomical and detrimental to the environment. 
         [0011]    As mentioned, a problem often encountered is toilet bowl overflow. It is not uncommon for the waste lines which drain the bowl of a conventional toilet to become clogged or otherwise impassable due to waste or some foreign object blocking or slowing the passage. In conventional toilets, once the flush cycle is commenced, all the water in the tank will empty into the bowl whether the bowl can accept it or not. 
         [0012]    The operator of the toilet may not notice the line stoppage until after flushing. If the bowl is unable to drain, the water from the tank fills the bowl and then overflows onto the floor. This overflow can cause extensive damage to the flooring as well as leaving the operator with an unsightly mess to clean. 
         [0013]    Several water saving methods are in current use to conserve water during the toilet flushing operation. One such method is to place a filled water bag or a solid object, such as a brick, in the water tank to displace an equivalent volume of water to thus reduce the volume of water consumed with each flushing. 
         [0014]    In summary, the design of the prior art apparatuses with respect to the design of the instant invention are relatively complicated, require modification of the existing hardware and in some cases, the toilet tank itself requires modification. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The present invention solves the problems discussed above by providing a finger-tip access to a water saving retrofiable or original equipped device having a free traveling flexible cord routed from a toilet holding tank to inside non-frictional orifices located at strategic points on major toilet components, able to allow free water flow for full flushes or able to limit flow for partial flushes and stop or interrupt water flow for unusual or emergency functional operations such as toilet bowl cleaning, preventing a bowl overflow, slowing or stopping a flapper valve leak, or help prevent a drowning from occurring simply by pulling a cord. 
         [0016]    Accordingly, besides the objects and advantages of the prior art apparatuses described above, several objects and advantages of the present invention are: 
         [0017]    (a) to provide the usual means of flushing a toilet; 
         [0018]    (b) to provide a means of creating a partial flush; 
         [0019]    (c) to provide a means to ease toilet bowl cleaning; 
         [0020]    (d) to provide a means to prevent toilet bowl overflow; 
         [0021]    (e) to provide a means of slowing or stopping flapper valve leakage; 
         [0022]    (f) to provide finger tip access to a supply water stop; 
         [0023]    (g) to provide a means of automatically resetting the flapper valve zapper whenever the toilet flush handle has been actuated; 
         [0024]    (h) to provide a means of accomplishing all the above with a pull of a cord attached to the flush handle of a toilet, or having the cord strung over the outside wall of a toilet. 
         [0025]    Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  shows the operating hardware that is found in most standard toilets, and the location of the operating cord, a front view without toilet tank walls. 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  shows a top view of a flapper valve zapper attached to an overflow pipe positioned above the flapper value. 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  shows a top, side, and front view of a flapper zapper. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  shows a top and side view of one of the locations where the cord will be attached to the water supply valve float. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  show a top view of two diverters used to divert the cord from the flapper zapper to the float diverters that are attached to the overflow pipe. 
           [0031]      FIG. 6A to 6C  shows a side view of three locations of attaching or threading a cord in a loose and free sliding mode on a water supply valve float. 
           [0032]      FIG. 7A  shows a top view of a cord with no flattened cord area threaded through the flush handle in a loose and free sliding mode. 
           [0033]      FIGS. 7B and 7C  show two cords with flattened cord areas in a loose and free sliding mode being protected by spacers or shims placed around the tank top or lid. 
           [0034]      FIG. 7D  shows a blown-up view of a flattened cord area which will insure a positive locked position for the sliding cord-lock when felt necessary for complete water stoppage. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0035]    The preferred embodiment of the device  10  as shown in  FIG. 1  is comprised of four major elements: a flapper zapper  17 , a cord diverter  24 , a sliding cord-lock  13 , and a flexible cord  19 . The device is designed to be installed in a toilet water tank  39  that incorporates a flapper valve  16 , an overflow pipe  29 , a water fill valve  22 , and a flush chain  15 , that is controlled through a flush arm  14 , which is connected to the flush handle  11 , of the toilet. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the device also has a bowl refill adjuster  25 , a level adjuster clip  26 , and a supply inlet  27 , with an adjustable height  30 . 
         [0036]    All major elements of the device may be constructed of plastic or a non-corrosive metal, with plastic preferred. The flapper zapper  17 , consists of an elongated structure which fits around the over flow pipe  29  that includes a means for allowing it to be held in place on the overflow pipe at the flapper valve pivot arms  18 . As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the flapper zapper  17 , is comprised of a closed oval elongated structure that includes a means for allowing it to move or pivot freely with a pull of the cord  19 , or pushed up by the flapper valve  16 , when flushing occurs, which is also attached to the pivot arms  18 , of the overflow pipe  29 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , flapper zapper  17  also may include flexible legs  34  and a zapper legs orifice  36 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the float  21  has a float water supply orifice  25 . 
         [0037]    State of the art flush flapper valves are characterized by an integral float chamber by which they are buoyant in order to remain elevated once lifted off the toilet bowl valve seat  45 , until the water level subsides in the flush tank  39 . This is an automatic function inherent in the operation of state of the art toilets, by means of a flexible lanyard or a loosely linked chain  15 , attached to chain orifice  32  to initially lift the flapper valve  16 . The lanyard or chain  15 , requires no guide, being lifted by a manually operated flush arm  14 . The toilet mechanism thus far described is standard. 
         [0038]    The flapper valve  16 , of the preferred embodiment is show in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and is comprised of a large diameter body of rubber or the like, having a downwardly faced planar sealing face to engage on the upwardly faced toilet bowl valve seat  45 , with the lift chain  15  coupled to the flapper valve  16 , through a loop or suitable connector, there being a depending peripheral ball within the working component is the cord, a flexible appendage made of material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl, nylon, rubber, various plasticized impregnated or laminated fibrous materials and etc. The slide cord-lock  13 , is also made of similar materials. 
         [0039]    The cord is attached to an orifice  33 , at the flapper zapper  17 , from where it is routed up and through diverter  24 , held by hose clamp  23 , through the orifice  20  on float  21  (see also  FIG. 4 ) shown at  FIG. 1 , or as seen at  18 A and  24 B in  FIG. 5  which is attached to the upper part of the overflow pipe  29 . From the diverter  5 A and  5 B, having diverter posts  37  and cord protector  38  and diverter leaf spring  40  it is routed to the float  21 , as seen in  FIG. 1 , located on the upper part of the water fill valve  22 . The float  21 , shown in  FIG. 6 , shows three potential locations of attaching cord  19 , at A 42 , at B 20 , and C 44 , having nylon cable tie  43  in a loose and free sliding mode, at the discretion on the manufacturer or the installer. 
         [0040]    In the leaving the float  21 , and prior to entering the orifice on flush arm  14 , and flush handle  11 , a cord stop  31 , is shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 7 , that is installed on cord  19 , which prevents an over-pull by the toilet operator which could damage the water saving device  10 , and make it inoperable. The end of cord  19 , is routed through the orifice in the flush arm  14 , and protrudes past the flush handle  11 , with an ample length of cord  19 , that allows attaching the sliding cord-lock  13 , and the cords pull knob  12 . When pushed into the flush handle  11 , which is the reset position, the cord  19  does not interfere with the operation of a normal flush of a toilet. Same holds true if cord is routed over the side of the tank as shown in  FIG. 7  utilizing tank lip shims  41  and flattened cord area  46 . 
         [0041]    When cord  19  is pulled out of the flush handle  11 , to comply with various operations the operator might be selecting, the sliding cord-lock  13 , can be activated and slid into the flatten cord area for a more positive locking position to keep cord  19 , from resetting or retreating back into the flush handle  11 , which is the normal position of the cord  19 , if routed over the side of the tank between the shimmed tank and lid. 
         [0042]    From the description above, a number of advantages of the device become evident by the added versatility: 
         [0043]    (a) The device allows the operator of a common toilet to cause a full flush. 
         [0044]    (b) Will permit the average user to provide a water saving mini or partial flush. 
         [0045]    (c) Allows one to flush and empty a toilet bowl for toilet bowl cleaning. 
         [0046]    (d) Permits the user to have finger-tip access to a means of shutting water flow from the water supply valve, done right on the toilet tank. 
         [0047]    (e) Allows the operator to prevent a toilet bowl overflow whenever a toilet or sewer line becomes plugged or stopped up. 
         [0048]    (f) The user will be able to pull and lock the cord on the flush handle and add additional pressure to the top of the flapper valve to either stop or slow the water leak thereby saving precious water, same holds true if cord is routed over and out the side of the toilet tank. 
         [0049]    (g) An inherent automatic result of flushing with this device installed is that the flapper zapper always gets reset with the next flush and does not interfere with future flush operations. 
         [0050]    The manner of using a toilet with this device installed is identical to some of the widely known common toilets in use today. Referring to  FIG. 1 , a front view of the controlling device is shown of the toilet tank  39 , with walls cut away to show the device. To initiate a full flush, the user makes sure that the cord  19 , is pushed in or in a reset position on the flush handle, and the same holds true if cord is routed out and over the side of the toilet tank as shown in  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B, &amp;  7 C. The toilet will now operate normal and the user need only to depress flush handle  11 , to cause flush arm  14 , to lift chain  15 , which lifts flapper valve  16 , making it become buoyant and empties the water stored in the toilet tank  39 , allowing a full flush to take place. 
         [0051]    To initiate a partial flush, one first depresses the flush handle  11 , as if causing a full flush but immediately interrupts the flush by pulling the cord&#39;s pull knob  12  as seen at  FIG. 7A , B, or  7 C. This stops water flow to and from the toilet tank  39 . Pulling the cord&#39;s pull knob lifts float  21 , which stops water flow to tank  39 , and forces the flapper zapper  17 , to push and close the flapper valve  16 , as seen in  FIG. 1 , which stops water from getting into the toilet bowl drain  28 , and into the toilet bowl. 
         [0052]    As to how soon should the operator pull the cord&#39;s pull knob  12 , after depressing the flush handle  11 , to cause a partial flush is determined by the user visually observing the drop in the toilet bowl water level and making a decision as to what makes for a satisfactory elimination of liquid waste matter. 
         [0053]    Pushing in or resetting the cord&#39;s pull knob  12 , allows the float  21 , to move freely to replenish the tank and bowl with water to a normal level and allow the flapper zapper  17 , to relax against the closed flapper valve  16 . The next flush caused by a user will automatically reset the flapper zapper  17 . 
         [0054]    To initiate toilet bowl cleaning, the same action is taken by the operator as in a partial flush. The only difference is allowing the bowl water level to drop to the bottom of the bowl and then pulling cord pull knob  12 A, B, or C, and locking the cord  19  with sliding cord-lock  13 . Once cleaning is accomplished, the sliding cord-lock is reset and the pull knob  12  and cord  19  is pushed into a reset position allowing tank  39 , and bowl to come back to normal. A full flush may be necessary to remove the cleaning solutions and etc. 
         [0055]    A toilet bowl overflow can be prevented after flushing by pulling the cord pull knob  12 A, B, or C which stops water flow to the toilet bowl and to the toilet tank  39 , preventing extensive damage to the flooring as well as leaving the operator with an unsightly mess to clean. 
         [0056]    There will come a time that an old or warn-out flapper valve will start leaking and for various reasons can not be replaced soon enough. To stop or slow the leak, the operator simply pulls and holds the cords pull knob  12 A, B, or C all the way out and slides the sliding cord-lock  13 , against the flush handle  11 , or against the tanks side wall. This locks the cord  19 , and forces the flapper zapper  17 , against the flapper valve  16 . It then stands to reason that with the flapper zapper  17 , adding additional pressure along with the normal tank&#39;s water height pressure against the flapper valve  16 , the leak will surly slow or completely stop. This does not mean that the leaky and worn-out flapper valve  16 , shouldn&#39;t be replaced, and the sooner, the better. 
         [0057]    An inherent operation this device offers right on the toilet tank  39 , is being able to stop the incoming water supply without having to rely on the standard plumber&#39;s shut-off valve in case of an emergency. In many cases it is hard to get to and at times it is seized (stuck open) and cannot be closed. Pulling on the cord&#39;s pull-knob  12 A, B, or C and locking it in place with the sliding cord-lock  13 , will lift the float  21 , on the water fill valve  22  which stops water flow to tank  39 , and forces flapper zapper  17 , to close flapper valve  16 , which stops water flow to the toilet bowl. 
         [0058]    Another inherent operation this device does automatically is that it resets the flapper zapper  17 , each time the toilet is flushed if cord  19  is in a pushed-in or reset position. Flushing the toilet lifts the flapper valve  16 , which forces the flapper zapper  17  back into a normal reset position. Most importantly, with either the cord at flush handle  11 , or routed over the side of the toilet tank  39 , operations remain the same. 
       SCOPE 
       [0059]    Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a cord configured to be pulled by the operator outside of a toilet tank that will stop water flow to the toilet tank and flow to the toilet bowl, allowing a full flush or a partial flush so that water conservation can be achieved. 
         [0060]    In addition, extreme simplicity and practicality is the essence of this invention. It is another object and advantage of the invention to provide a control device which is useful both in new equipment and in retrofitting existing toilet structures so that a reliable and economic control device can be readily achieved in existing standard toilets. 
         [0061]    It is another object and advantage of this invention to provide a device which is economic of construction, reliable in operation, easy to understand, and easily installed so that the water conservation advantages of the device can be widely enjoyed. Furthermore, the device has additional advantages in that;
       it permits a means to ease toilet bowl cleaning by allowing the operator to empty the toilet bowl by just pulling the cord&#39;s pull knob after the bowl empties;   it permits a means of preventing a toilet bowl overflow by allowing the operator to stop the flow of water to the toilet tank and water flow to the toilet bowl by pulling a cord that is routed to the outside of the toilet, either at the flush handle or on the side of the toilet tank;   it allows an operator a means to slow or stop a flapper valve leak simply by pulling and locking the cord with a novel sliding cord-lock  13  stationed on the cord, thus allowing additional pressure against the flapper valve which slows or stops the leak;   It permits the operator to have easy finger-tip access to a means of stopping water flow to the toilet in case of an emergency right on the toilet tank. Having to locate and then trying to close the plumbing&#39;s water stop valve can be very annoying;   by pushing in or resetting the cord, a remarkable inherent result takes place. No matter which of the above operations it performs, the next flush resets the flapper zapper away from the flapper valve, thus not interfering with the next flush or operation picked by the operator.       
 
         [0067]    These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of this invention, its&#39; operation advantages and the specific objects attainted by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.