Abstract:
The present invention is a toilet having auxiliary discharge path and valve and adapted to prevent accidently overflows of the toilet. The auxiliary discharge valve is actuateable so as to allow the contents of a toilet to bypass the trap of a toilet and flow through the discharge path and into a sewer line.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This U.S. nonprovisional utility patent application claims the benefit under 35 USC §119(e) of U.S. provisional application No. 61/947,117 filed Mar. 3, 2014 which is expressly incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to toilets and more especially to toilets adapted to prevent overflow thereof. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Toilets are a common plumbing appliance that are widely used throughout the US and the throughout the world. A common problem associated is toilets is clogging or plugging of the toilet and resulting in stoppage of the toilet contents and often overflow of the toilet contents onto the floor near where the toilet is mounted. Such overflow is not only distasteful, it can cause the spread of germs and disease. Part of the cause of toilet clogging is that the trap of the toilet often reduces in diameter so as to create a “bottleneck”. Even if the toilet doesn&#39;t overflow, unclogging a toilet is typically a time consuming and unpleasant task. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention is a toilet having auxiliary discharge path and valve. The auxiliary discharge valve is actuateable so as to allow the contents of a toilet to bypass the trap of a toilet and flow through the discharge path and into a sewer line. The auxiliary discharge valve may be any of a variety actuateable valves that provide for the opening and closing of a plumbing passage way. The auxiliary discharge valve may be actuated manually, automatically, by a combination thereof. In the case of automatic valve actuation, the toilet preferably includes a sensor adapted so as to sense if a toilet is filled beyond a predetermined level, and upon sensing such overfill condition, automatically sends a signal to an automatic valve actuator, causing the toilet to discharge the contents of the toilet through the auxiliary path and to the sewer line before the toilet would otherwise overflow. In a preferred embodiment of a manually actuated valve, the auxiliary discharge valve preferably includes a spring bias or like mechanism to cause the auxiliary discharge valve to return to a closed position upon removal of a manual actuation load (e.g. a hand or foot is removed from a valve actuation lever). In a preferred embodiment of an automatically actuated valve, the auxiliary discharge valve is preferably adapted to re-close after a predetermined open dwell period. It is noted that the invention has the added benefit of easier mounting of the toilet to the floor by using the auxiliary path opening as a target for connecting with the sewer line. Further, while the invention reduces the likelihood of toilet removal to unclog a clogged toilet, if the toilet is removed, unlike convention toilets, water can drain from the trap by actuating the auxiliary discharge valve before removing the toilet. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a side sectional view of a first embodiment of the toilet apparatus with the auxiliary discharge valve shown in a closed position; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a side sectional view of a first embodiment of the toilet apparatus with the auxiliary discharge valve shown in an open (actuated) position; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a side sectional view of a second embodiment of the toilet apparatus with the auxiliary discharge valve shown in a closed position; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a side sectional view of a second embodiment of the toilet apparatus with the auxiliary discharge valve shown in an open (actuated) position; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a side sectional view of a third embodiment of the toilet apparatus with the auxiliary discharge valve shown in a closed position; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a side sectional view of a third embodiment of the toilet apparatus with the auxiliary discharge valve shown in an open (actuated) position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a side sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the toilet apparatus with the auxiliary discharge valve shown in a closed position, and; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a side sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the toilet apparatus with the auxiliary discharge valve shown in an open (removed) position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. 
         [0015]    Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are included to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. 
         [0016]    In order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention in reviewing the drawings accompanying the specification, a feature list is provided below. It is noted that like features are like numbered throughout all of the figures. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 FEATURE TABLE 
               
             
          
           
               
                 # 
                 Feature 
                 # 
                 Feature 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 10 
                 Toilet apparatus 
                 12 
                 Toilet bowl 
               
               
                 14 
                 Toilet tank 
                 16 
                 Toilet lever 
               
               
                 18 
                 Trap 
                 20 
                 Auxiliary discharge path 
               
               
                 22 
                 Flapper auxiliary discharge valve 
                 24 
                 Actuator 
               
               
                 26 
                 Linkage 
                 27 
                 Sensor 
               
               
                 28 
                 Sewer line 
                 29 
                 Floor 
               
               
                 30 
                 Toilet apparatus 
                 32 
                 Toilet bowl 
               
               
                 34 
                 Toilet tank 
                 36 
                 Toilet lever 
               
               
                 38 
                 Trap 
                 40 
                 Auxiliary discharge path 
               
               
                 42 
                 Sliding auxiliary discharge valve 
                 44 
                 Actuator 
               
               
                 46 
                 Linkage 
                 47 
                 Sensor 
               
               
                 48 
                 Sewer line 
                 49 
                 Floor 
               
               
                 50 
                 Toilet apparatus 
                 52 
                 Toilet bowl 
               
               
                 54 
                 Toilet tank 
                 56 
                 Toilet lever 
               
               
                 58 
                 Trap 
                 60 
                 Auxiliary discharge path 
               
               
                 62 
                 Linear auxiliary discharge valve 
                 64 
                 Actuator 
               
               
                 66 
                 Linkage 
                 67 
                 Sensor 
               
               
                 68 
                 Sewer line 
                 69 
                 Floor 
               
               
                 70 
                 Toilet apparatus 
                 72 
                 Toilet bowl 
               
               
                 74 
                 Toilet tank 
                 76 
                 Toilet lever 
               
               
                 78 
                 Trap 
                 80 
                 Auxiliary discharge path 
               
               
                 82 
                 Plug auxiliary discharge valve 
                   
                   
               
               
                 88 
                 Sewer line 
                 89 
                 Floor 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0017]    Referring now to the drawings and in particular to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a first embodiment of the invention is a toilet apparatus  10  having an auxiliary discharge path and a flapper type auxiliary discharge valve. Toilet apparatus  10  defines a toilet apparatus having a toilet bowl  12 , a toilet tank  14 , a toilet lever  16  adapted to discharge water from toilet tank  14  to toilet bowl  12 , a trap  18  providing a substantially circuitous discharge path from toilet bowl  12  to a sewer line  28  (and which prevents noxious gases in sewer line  28  from entering toilet bowl  12 ), an auxiliary discharge path  20  providing a substantially non-circuitous direct discharge path from toilet bowl  12  to a sewer line  28 , a flapper type auxiliary discharge valve  22 , an actuator  24 , a linkage  26  actuatingly connecting auxiliary discharge valve  22  to actuator  24 , and a water level sensor  27 . It is noted that actuator  24  may be a manually operated actuator (for instance by actuating a hand or foot lever), an automatically operated actuator, or a combination manually and automatically operated actuator. 
         [0018]    In practice, the first embodiment of the toilet apparatus  10  functions as a conventional toilet such that when toilet apparatus  10  is flushed, contents of toilet bowl  12  are discharged through trap  18  and into sewer line  30 . However, in a manual mode, if toilet apparatus  10  becomes clogged, toilet apparatus  10  may be unclogged by manually actuating the auxiliary discharge valve  22 , which causes auxiliary discharge valve  22  to open, and to allow the contents of toilet bowl  12  to discharge or flow from toilet bowl  12  substantially directly to sewer line  28 . Auxiliary discharge valve  22  is adapted to return to a closed (default position) after opening. It shall be note that most toilet traps are circuitous (to keep noxious gases in the sewer line from escaping into the toilet bowl) and typically reduce in diameter from the opening at the base of the toilet bowl. In contrast to trap  18 , auxiliary discharge path  20  is not circuitous and preferably does not reduce in diameter, thus providing for a more certain discharge. In automatic mode, if sensor  27  senses water, liquid, or like contents above a predetermined level, an actuation signal is sent to actuator  24 , which causes auxiliary discharge valve  22  to open, and to allow the contents of toilet bowl  12  to discharge or flow from toilet bowl  12  substantially directly to sewer line  28 . Auxiliary discharge valve  22  is adapted to return to a closed (default position) after opening. 
         [0019]    Referring now to the drawings and in particular to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a second embodiment of the invention is a toilet apparatus  30  having an auxiliary discharge path and a sliding type auxiliary discharge valve. Toilet apparatus  30  defines a toilet apparatus having a toilet bowl  32 , a toilet tank  34 , a toilet lever  36  adapted to discharge water from toilet tank  34  to toilet bowl  32 , a trap  38  providing a substantially circuitous discharge path from toilet bowl  32  to a sewer line  48  (and which prevents noxious gases in sewer line  48  from entering toilet bowl  32 ), an auxiliary discharge path  40  providing a substantially non-circuitous direct discharge path from toilet bowl  32  to sewer line  48 , a sliding type auxiliary discharge valve  42 , an actuator  44 , a linkage  46  actuatingly connecting auxiliary discharge valve  42  to actuator  44 , and a water level sensor  47 . It is noted that actuator  44  may be a manually operated actuator (for instance by actuating a hand or foot lever), an automatically operated actuator, or a combination manually and automatically operated actuator. 
         [0020]    In practice, the second embodiment of the toilet apparatus  30  functions as a conventional toilet such that when toilet apparatus  30  is flushed, contents of toilet bowl  32  are discharged through trap  30  and into sewer line  48 . However, in a manual mode, if toilet apparatus  30  becomes clogged, toilet apparatus  30  may be unclogged by manually actuating auxiliary discharge valve  42 , which causes auxiliary discharge valve  42  to open, and to allow the contents of toilet bowl  32  to discharge or flow from toilet bowl  32  substantially directly to sewer line  48 . Auxiliary discharge valve  42  is adapted to return to a closed (default position) after opening. It shall be note that most toilet traps are circuitous (to keep noxious gases in the sewer line from escaping into the toilet bowl) and typically reduce in diameter from the opening at the base of the toilet bowl. In contrast to trap  38 , the auxiliary discharge path  40  is not circuitous and preferably does not reduce in diameter, thus providing for a more certain discharge. In automatic mode, if sensor  47  senses water, liquid, or like contents above a predetermined level, an actuation signal is sent to actuator  44 , which causes auxiliary discharge valve  42  to open, and to allow the contents of toilet bowl  32  to discharge or flow from toilet bowl  32  substantially directly to sewer line  48 . Auxiliary discharge valve  42  is adapted to return to a closed (default position) after opening. 
         [0021]    Referring now to the drawings and in particular to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a third embodiment of the invention is a toilet apparatus  50  having an auxiliary discharge path and a “pop up” or linear extension type auxiliary discharge valve. Toilet apparatus  50  defines a toilet apparatus having a toilet bowl  52 , a toilet tank  54 , a toilet lever  56  adapted to discharge water from toilet tank  54  to toilet bowl  52 , a trap  58  providing a substantially circuitous discharge path from toilet bowl  52  to sewer line  68  (and which prevents noxious gases in sewer line  68  from entering toilet bowl  52 ), an auxiliary discharge path  60  providing a substantially non-circuitous direct discharge path from toilet bowl  52  to sewer line  68 , a linear extension type auxiliary discharge valve  62 , an actuator  64 , a linkage  66  actuatingly connecting auxiliary discharge valve  62  to actuator  64 , and a water level sensor  67 . It is noted that actuator  64  may be a manually operated actuator (for instance by actuating a hand or foot lever), an automatically operated actuator, or a combination manually and automatically operated actuator. It is further noted that actuator  54  may be a for instance a pneumatic actuator or a hydraulic actuator. In the case of a hydraulic actuator, actuator  64  may be powered by pressurized water. 
         [0022]    In practice, the third embodiment of the toilet apparatus  50  functions as a conventional toilet such that when toilet apparatus  50  is flushed, contents of toilet bowl  52  are discharged through trap  58  and into sewer line  68 . However, in a manual mode, if toilet apparatus  50  becomes clogged, toilet apparatus  50  may be unclogged by manually actuating auxiliary discharge valve  62 , which causes auxiliary discharge valve  62  to open, and to allow the contents of toilet bowl  52  to discharge or flow from toilet bowl  52  substantially directly to sewer line  68 . Auxiliary discharge valve  62  is adapted to return to a closed (default position) after opening. It shall be note that most toilet traps are circuitous (to keep noxious gases in the sewer line from escaping into the toilet bowl) and typically reduce in diameter from the opening at the base of the toilet bowl. In contrast to trap  18 , auxiliary discharge path  60  is not circuitous and preferably does not reduce in diameter, thus providing for a more certain discharge. In automatic mode, if sensor  67  senses water, liquid, or like contents above a predetermined level, an actuation signal is sent to actuator  64 , which causes auxiliary discharge valve  62  to open, and to allow the contents of toilet bowl  52  to discharge or flow from toilet bowl  52  substantially directly to sewer line  68 . Auxiliary discharge valve  62  is adapted to return to a closed (default position) after opening. 
         [0023]    Referring now to the drawings and in particular to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a fourth embodiment of the invention is a toilet apparatus  70  having an auxiliary discharge path and a core or plug type auxiliary discharge valve. Toilet apparatus  70  defines a toilet apparatus having a toilet bowl  72 , a toilet tank  74 , a toilet lever  76  adapted to discharge water from toilet tank  74  to toilet bowl  72 , a trap  78  providing a substantially circuitous discharge path from toilet bowl  72  to sewer line  88  (and which prevents noxious gases in sewer line  88  from entering toilet bowl  72 ), an auxiliary discharge path  80  providing a substantially non-circuitous direct discharge path from toilet bowl  72  to sewer line  88 , and a core or plug type auxiliary discharge valve  82 . 
         [0024]    In practice, the fourth embodiment of the toilet apparatus  70  functions as a conventional toilet such that when toilet apparatus  70  is flushed, contents of toilet bowl  72  are discharged through trap  78  and into sewer line  88 . However, if toilet apparatus  70  becomes clogged, toilet apparatus  70  may be unclogged by manually removing auxiliary discharge valve  82 , which causes the contents of toilet bowl  72  to discharge or flow from toilet bowl  72  substantially directly to sewer line  88 . Auxiliary discharge valve  82  is returned to the closed (default position) after opening. It shall be note that most toilet traps are circuitous (to keep noxious gases in the sewer line from escaping into the toilet bowl) and typically reduce in diameter from the opening at the base of the toilet bowl. In contrast to trap  78 , auxiliary discharge path  80  is not circuitous and preferably does not reduce in diameter, thus providing for a more certain discharge. 
         [0025]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.