Abstract:
A geared mechanical device designed to limit a finite amount of water per flush to a tank reservoir of the common household toilet, providing positive shutoff of flow and anti-siphon back flow prevention. The toilet is flushed, the actuator lever opens the flo-control valve stopper by means of linkage to the flush lever. The water enters the back flow chamber into the primary valve chamber thence to the flow control chamber, and on to the float valve into the toilet tank for fill up. Force of the water rotates the drive impeller gearably linked to the hold release mechanism. On release the flo-control valve stopper closes. The back flow prevention chamber allows the water to pass in the direction of flow and reseats itself when the flow has stopped or if water pressure is lost at any time eliminating a need for a anti-siphon tube. A replenish tube restores water level to the bowl. A water delivery chamber may be affixed to the flo-control in place of the float valve. For the purpose of adjusting the volume of water per flush a modified slotted disk hold release mechanism is used in the flo-control, gearably connected to the drive impeller.

Description:
I, claim priority filing date of Apr. 6, 2004 of provisional Application No. 60/560,003 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable 
   REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND FIELD OF INVENTION 
   Personal use and flapper failure of common tank type toilets used in households in the United States 
   REFERENCES CITED U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 
   “The present invention relates to the fill valve of ordinary toilets with holding tanks or reservoirs, more specifically to improve and expand the scope and function of the toilet fill valve addressing the issues of water shut off, water conservation and preservation, water damage prevention, anti-siphon and back flow prevention.” 
   DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART 
   Toilet systems, of the reservoir tank type generally installed in American homes, are connected to the potable water supply. The average American home has at least one of these toilets, each of which uses approximately one and one half to three and a half gallons, or more, of water per flush, depending on the age of the toilet. 
   Generally, toilet fill valves are made with a float mechanism causing the valve to open when the toilet is flushed as the water leaves the tank and to close once the float is lifted by the water when flush valve closes and the tank or reservoir becomes full. 
   Typically these toilet fill valves work fairly well but have several drawbacks that lead to wasting of water, over flow and leaks. These drawbacks result in a myriad of problems from wells running out of water, dirt being introduced into the water lines from low water levels in shallow wells, and septic system failure, to high water and sewage bills for those on public water supply and sewage systems to water damage to the floor of a bathroom, and ceilings and walls of a downstairs room. 
   To address these issues manufacturers and inventors began to develop other types of toilet fill valves such as the “Toilet Tank Water Flow Shutoff Apparatus For Preventing Leakage And Overflow, U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,299 of Dalfino, which uses tilting trays to control water level and shutoff of the water supply. Though this device can effectively cause shut off, it tends to have many external moving parts subject to mechanical failure and also uses most of the toilet tank area and servicing as well as installation require more intensive labor and increased expense. 
   A quite different approach is taken with the Revised Automatic Water Shut Off For Stuck Open Flush Valves In Toilet Water Tanks, U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,765 of Weir, which utilizes a two cylinder system to force the float upwards to shut off the water supply should a continuous flow or wasting of water occur. Similar to the above is the Toilet Bowl Automatic Flow Shut Off and Water Saver Device, U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,377 of Weir, that accomplishes the same results with a bellows assembly that lifts the float when the tank remains empty for a period of time beyond that of normal flushing. Both of the foregoing devices utilize a large portion of the toilet tank area to the right of the flapper valve causing access to the flapper to be flanked on all sides and tends to limit service space for repairs, causing repairs to be costly and labor intensive. 
   Addressing the issues of conservation, the Water Conserving Toilet Flush Control, U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,254 of Rise, is a device that addresses preventing the wasting of water achieved by limiting the lifting action of the flapper and restricting or preventing automatic operation of flushing. Relatively similar in operation the Water Conserving Toilet Flapper Valve Control, U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,891 of Rise, which in effect limit&#39;s the height that the flapper can be lifted achieving the same results as the prior invention of Rise when the flush lever is activated. Though both Rise controls address stopping automatic function of the flapper and limiting the flappers movement they do not address wasting of water when the flapper becomes defective by means of blowout, tear or just ordinary wear of the seal, the results which could lead to a continuous loss of water to the sewer or overflow and water damage. 
   Fill valves designed to save water such as the Toilet Water Preservation Device U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,104 of Ocampo, tend to use the flow of wasting water redirecting it to a secondary float device that in turn lifts the primary float device. This device though it appears to be quite functional also renders much the same results as the Weir devices utilizing or cluttering tank space hindering and causing labor intensive costly service when repairing or replacing the flapper or primary float valve. The secondary float fill valve is also still subject to fail in much the same way as the primary float fill valve. 
   Adaptations to fill valves such as the Shut-off Device For The Float Valve Assembly Of A Toilet, U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,281 of Conner, designed so that the rotation of the lever arm causes the float valve assembly to rotate to a stop position and stop the flow of water to the toilet tank in the event that the float fails to raise up for any known reason appears as an entirely different approach. While this system would effectively shut off the flow of water it is possible that with the rotating movement of the float assembly, it could eventually cause leakage and overflow from wear due to excessive movement. 
   Most of these devices work fairly well shutting off the water, while addressing anti-siphoning of water but do not adequately address back flow prevention, wasting of water if the float fails to be elevated by the water or lack thereof, and or over flow of the bowl or a leaky gasket between tank and bowl. Recently developed toilet fill valves address one or more of these problems. One of the more recent toilet fill valves the FlowManager™ AquaOne Technologies, Inc., addresses most of these problems, incorporates the use of electronic water sensors that detect leaks and overflow. The major drawbacks of such devices are that they require regular and periodical battery maintenance and replacement as well as regular cleaning of the sensor devices that appear as necessary clutter and are actually in the way of cleaning the bowl and or the floor. Additionally, the cleaning of the sensors and the chemicals used, both cleansers and antibacterial toilet additives can cause premature failure. Although the sensor in the bowl will effectively stop overflow of the bowl or bowl in households with children who might lose a toy or otherwise plug the bowl, a floor sensor could present a problem with flushing where bath water is accidentally splashed on it or if a child accidentally misses the bowl and wets the sensor. Electronic valve systems such as the above generally utilize a normally open solenoid valve so the batteries will last a long time if the valve is not triggered shut by a sensor, however if the valve is triggered shut in the case of a flapper leak the batteries would not last very long which would in short time lead to water running to the sewer or worse yet water damage if the bowl was plugged. 
   Addressing the issues of toilet tank fill and flush problems and wasting of water with control devices has made significant progress in the Positive Shut-off, Metered Water Control System For Flush Tanks, U.S. Pat. No. 4,916,762, by Shaw. This device utilizes the flow of water to turn a vaned water wheel. A worm gear attached to the water wheel drives a spur gear which in turn rotates a second spur and worm gear. The worm gear of the secondary or intermediate gear assembly then engages a spur gear seated in a ratchet and cam assembly. The cam of the ratchet cam assembly controls both opening and closing of a stopper. The cam is ratcheted to the start position by a lever connected to the flush lever of the toilet to cause the stopper to dislodge from its seat when the toilet is flushed to allow water to pass or flow driving the water wheel which causes the cam to turn and reseat the stopper after the desired amount of water has been metered through the system. Although this device is impressive it has the possibility of lockup of the drive system if there is no particle screen at the inlet to stop foreign particles that can cause premature wear and lodging within the gears. 
   Helical gears are similar to spur gears and of the same family of gears, however the teeth of a helical gear are angled to the gear face to better mesh with the driving worm gear insuring greater performance while preventing binding or lockup. 
   While addressing anti-siphon ability as with the other devices heretofore mentioned this particular device also addresses back flow prevention when the stopper is reseated by water pressure, but will not stop back flow if water pressure is lost during fill up. As previously discussed above this invention utilizes a start arm with a pawl to ratchet forward the cam to allow a predetermined volume of water by notches fixed in the cam. While this method appears to be able to work well a shortcoming to address is each toilet with a different tank capacity would need a special cam for that particular volume of water, additionally this ratchet cam system does not address the ability to adjust the volume of water metered so a 3.5 gallon valve will not service the 1.5 gallon tank of a newer toilet or vise versa. In other words one size does not fit all due to the arrangement of the fixed setting or position of notches in the cam and the ratcheting mechanism. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, the reader will see that the instant invention is a toilet fill valve designed to operate in conjunction with or without its float assembly by providing a limited amount of water to any given toilet tank during flushing sufficient to allow a complete flush and performing a positive shut off of the water supply should the flushing operation fail for any reason. Should the float or flapper fail to operate properly and only after the maximum amount of water limited by volume has passed to the tank of a toilet, or water closet, the flo-control valve of the instant invention will close and prevent further entry of water into the tank for the purpose of eliminating running or wasting of water, preventing over flow and water damage. Additionally the fill valve is equipped with a back flow prevention check valve to stop any possible reverse flow in case of water pressure loss. The volume limiting shut-off action of the flo-control system, which can be used on any common toilet tank of sufficient dimension, comprises a flo-control valve positioned to turn on and shut off the flow of water from the feed line to the tank. The water flows from the feed line into the inlet through a channel in which the flo-control valve stopper is positioned, flow continues to a vaned water driven impeller assembly and thence to the inlet section of a float valve or a water delivery chamber and on to the outlet of whichever is used such that, during water flow the water driven impeller is caused to rotate within a channeled flow chamber. A worm gear, attached to the water driven impeller rotating therewith then drives a helical spur gear that is part of a vertical secondary gear assembly having a second worm gear on the upper end thereof. The worm gear of the intermediate gear assembly engages a horizontal helical spur gear of the same dimension which in turn rotates the final drive worm gear, which retracts the hold/release lever. The final drive worm gear, and the hold/release lever, control the positioning of the flo-control valve stopper in either a hold open or a released closed position. 
   When the toilet is flushed, the actuating lever depresses and dislodges the flo-control valve stopper to start the flow of water to fill the toilet tank. When the flo-control valve stopper is depressed the actuator lever causes the hold/release lever to disengage and retract from the final drive worm gear allowing the actuator lever to drop below the hold/release lever. When the flush lever is released the upward movement of a spring connected to the lower portion of the flo-control valve stopper causes the hold/release lever to engage the final drive worm gear while leaving the flo-control valve stopper open. 
   The water flows through the inlet, past the open flow-control valve stopper on to the impeller causing it to rotate. The rotating impeller then drives the gear assembly to cause the final drive worm gear to retract the hold/release lever releasing and allowing the actuator lever to be elevated by the closing of the flo-control actuator valve stopper, thereby effectively shutting off the flow of water. Noting that the shutting off the flow of water by the flo-control valve stopper is dependant on the failure of one or more of the flushing components of the toilet tank after allowing the full volume of water allowed or limited by the flo-control. An alternate means of controlling the actuator release is achieved by removing the hold release lever system and replacing it with a slotted disk system utilizing the same embodiment and majority of the components with some alterations which will be discussed further on. 
   Ideally the float assembly affixed to the uppermost portion of the valve body will be activated prior to the closing of the flo-control valve stopper. The flo-control valve will reset to its maximum allowance of water volume each time the flush lever is depressed. Any toilet tank that has a lesser volume capacity will cause the float valve to elevate and effectively shut off the flow of water. Should the float or flapper fail to close, the tank would call for more water than allowed and the flo control valve will shut off the flow of water when the limited volume of water has been reached effectively conserving water and reducing the volume of sewage waste caused by toilets that continuously run. In effect and operation the function of the instant invention is to shut off the water supply upon any malfunction of the toilet flushing system for any reason. 
   The reader will note that there are two interchangeable water delivery systems one being a float assembly and the other being a water delivery chamber. When using a float assembly the flo-control can be used universally in any tank irregardless to a lesser tank capacity. For instance a 1½ gallon tank will cause the float to shut the flow of water off at 1½ gallons and the flo-control will stop running. If there is a flapper leak or other malfunction the flo-control will still shut off at 3½ gallons limiting the maximum flow of water as its intended safety feature. The flo-control will also reset to its maximum allowance at every flush. 
   Said water delivery chamber system attaches to the flo-control the same way as the float assembly. However this system is simply a channeling device that directs the water downward towards the base of the tank for fill up from a delivery tube, with a replenish tube nipple at its upper most portion for removable connecting the replenish tube to restore the water level in the bowl during fill up. 
   OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
   Accordingly, being designed to address the problems of toilets that have been discussed with the prior art, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:
     (a) to provide a limited supply of water by volume to any given toilet tank per flush;   (b) to provide a failsafe positive shutoff of the water feed line when the maximum limit of water by volume has been reached;   (c) to prevent overflow and limit the extent of water damage from a plugged toilet;   (d) to conserve water, and to prevent wasting of water;   (e) to reduce municipal waste water treatment costs;   (f) to reduce the production of sewage pollution into the environment;   (g) to provide a positive means of anti-siphon and back flow prevention.   

   Further objects and advantages are to provide a cost effective easy to install toilet fill valve that will not interfere with servicing of other toilet tank parts. For instance with the present invention should the flapper of the flush valve not seat properly or worse yet rupture the water supply will be shut off and the toilet tank will be left empty and ready for easy no muss or fuss servicing. A new flapper can be installed or the flapper can be adjusted without taking too much time for cleanup, and once the repair is complete all that is necessary to return to normal flushing operation is to activate the flow of water by depressing the flush lever of the toilet tank and your back in business. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
     The present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description as depicted in the drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts; closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes. 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of a typical conventional toilet, with the tank partially cut away to reveal its interior, incorporating the automatic water limiting, supply shut off valve of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the principal portion of the toilet tank of  FIG. 1  with the lid removed, taken on line I—I of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a cutaway front view of the inlet fitting, back flow chamber assembly and flo-control valve stopper. 
       FIG. 3A  is a cutaway view side view of the flo-control valve assembly; 
       FIG. 3B  is a front view of the drive impeller and the impeller drive flow chamber base plate, taken on line II—II and line III—III of  FIG. 3A ; 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of the actuator lever and lever flush extension, taken on line II—II of  FIG. 3A ; 
       FIG. 4A  is a side view of the actuator lever; 
       FIG. 5  is a interior front view of the flo-control body rear wall, taken on line II—II and line III—III of  FIG. 3A ; 
       FIG. 5A  is a interior rear view of the flo-control cover, taken on line II—II and line III—III of  FIG. 3A ; 
       FIG. 6  is a elevated view of the hold/release lever; 
       FIG. 7  is a cut away view of the float valve coupling; 
       FIG. 8  is a front cut away view of a water delivery chamber and replenish tube. 
       FIG. 9  is a cut away side view of a modified adjustable volume flo-control assembly using a slotted disk release system; 
       FIG. 9A  is a rear view of the slotted disk and gear for the slotted disk release system; 
       FIG. 9B  is a side view of the adjusting pegs for the slotted disk release system; 
       FIG. 9C  is a front view of the replacement actuator for the alternate volume flo-control release system taken on line II—II of  FIG. 3A , for the slotted disk release system; 
       FIG. 9D  is a side view of the replacement actuator for the slotted disk release system; 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor for those so skilled to do so. 
     FIG. 1  is a side view of a conventional toilet, of the type universally found in most homes in the United States and North America, which is fitted with a water limiting flo-control valve  32 , in accordance with the present invention In the conventional home toilet, a float valve assembly  122 , comprising a float rod  9 , and a float  11 ,  FIGS. 1 and 2 , mounted at the upper end of a float valve assembly  122 , for closing the valve by means of linkage to the float  11 , with float rod  9 , when the tank is filled to a predetermined level. In the present invention a float valve assembly  122 , is affixed to the uppermost portion of the water limiting flo-control valve  32 , by means of a float coupling  124 . 
   The illustrated toilet comprises a toilet bowl  12 , and a pedestal  13 , with a tank  10 , mounted over the rear extension of toilet bowl and pedestal  13 . Water supply is introduced by means of a water feed line  34 , which is connected by known means of a standard sized fitting, commonly used with flush tanks, providing a sealable mount to the tank  10 , and a inlet fitting  36 , of the water limiting flo-control valve  32 . Water received in tank  10  which exceeds the tank&#39;s design capacity spills into an overflow tube  26 , wherefrom it is discharged to the bowl  12 . The main tank outlet  22 , is normally closed by a flapper  20 . When water from overflow tube  26 , and tank outlet  22 , is introduced into toilet bowl  12 , the level of water in bowl  12 , is raised until it exceeds the waste outlet of a flush trap  28 , causing the water to flow from bowl  12 , by siphoning action. Water, and waste products, continue to flow from bowl  12 , as long as sufficient water enters bowl  12 . 
     FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the principal portion of the toilet tank of  FIG. 1  with the lid removed, illustrating the position of a flapper  20 , along line I—I of  FIG. 1  and the position of the water limiting flo-control valve  32 , to the left most bottom portion of the tank  10 . A flush handle  14 , located in the upper left front area of the tank  10 , is depressed to activate the flushing operation of the toilet. When depressed the flush handle raises a flush rod  16 , opening a flapper  20 , by means of a flexible flapper flush linkage  18 , simultaneously said flush rod  16 , by means of a flexible flo-control flush linkage  24 , connected to a actuator lever flush extension  106 , activates the water limiting flo-control valve  32 , allowing water to flow to the tank  10 . 
     FIGS. 3–3B  are illustrations of assembled components of the water limiting flo-control valve  32 , the Automatic Water Limiting, Supply Shut Off Safety Valve system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The preferred embodiment is intended to limit the passing of up to 3.5 gallons of water by volume to the tank  10 , and to shut off the water supply.  FIGS. 4–4A  are illustrations of the actuator lever  104 , and actuator lever flush extension  106 .  FIGS. 5–5A  illustrate partial views of the interior of the flo-control body  66 , flo-control cover  72 , and the flo-control body seal  78 .  FIG. 6  illustrates an elevated view of a hold/release lever  110 .  FIG. 7  illustrates a sectional front view of the float valve coupling  124 .  FIG. 8  illustrates a water delivery chamber  125 , and a replenish tube  30 . 
   The preferred embodiment of the present invention is molded in three sections of a plastic material that may be sealed when joined with o rings or other suitable gasket type threading seal or bonding material of the manufacturers choice. A back flow prevention chamber  42 , illustrated in  FIG. 3 , demonstrates an inlet fitting  36 , comprised of a water inlet chamber  38 , fitted with a particle screen  40 , for trapping any foreign particles that may enter the water supply. Slightly above said inlet chamber  38 , molded in the embodiment of the inlet fitting is a back flow prevention chamber  42 . A back flow seat  44  is centered in said back flow chamber with a minimum ¼ inch diameter opening for water flow between the inlet chamber  38 , and the back flow prevention chamber  42 . Freely sitting on said back flow seat  44 , is a back flow check ball  46 , made of sufficient rubberized or metal material as to be non corrosive, non-buoyant and of sufficient diameter so as to block the opening for the water flow to prevent back-flow without becoming lodged. During water flow, the force of the water will lift the back flow check ball  46 , off the back flow seat  44 , allowing free flow of the water through the system. When water flow stops or at any time should the water supply lose its pressure the water will cease to flow causing the back flow check ball  46 , directed by the tapered wall of the back flow prevention chamber  42 , to reseat itself preventing reverse flow of water. At the center portion of back flow prevention chamber  42 , a mounting flange  48 , of the standard size to fit the receiving hole of the toilet tank  10 , fitted with a standard size flange seal  50 , of appropriate material between a mounting flange  48 , and the tank  10 , is affixed or mounted to said tank  10 , by means of the standard flange nut not shown for obvious reason. 
   Threaded into the upper most end of the inlet fitting  36 , and sealed by means of suitable plumber joint material or bonding material is a flo-control inlet coupling  52 . A flo-control valve stopper  58 , fitted with a o ring seal  60 , is attached to a open cross spring retainer pin  54 , of a flo-control inlet coupling  52 , by means of a flo-control valve spring  56 , preferably made of a non corrosive material such as stainless steel of sufficient diameter wire to create enough upward pressure to seat and hold said flo-control valve stopper  58 , in its closed position while still allowing the flo-control valve stopper  58 , to be unseated without excessive force. 
   The upper most portion of the flo-control inlet coupling  52 , is threaded and sealed by means of plumber joint material into a coupling receiver  53 . The flo-control valve stopper  58 , is positioned vertically within the center most portion of a flo-control chamber  62 , of preferred embodiment of the flo-control body  66 .  FIG. 3A . 
   Section two preferably molded of a plastic material in two pieces, illustrated in  FIG. 3A ,  FIG. 3  B,  FIG. 5 , and  FIG. 5  A, comprises a flo-control body  66 , and a flo-control cover  72 , that is sealed by placing a flo-control body seal  78 , between the flo-control cover  72 , and the flo-control body  66 , and placing a actuator o ring  108 , in a actuator receiver  77 , prior to aligning the actuator with a cover actuator hole  76 , then snapping the flo-control cover  72 , in place. Sealing of the housing is necessary to create driving water flow and to meet the plumbing requirements for “anti-siphoning”. The composition used for flo-control body  66 , would be a moldable plastic material of the manufacturers choice. 
   The flo-control cover  72 ,  FIG. 5 , is snapped into place by means of a set of flo-control cover guides  73 , mated to said guides by means of a matching set of cover guide receivers  74 , held in place by a body/cover locking ridge  7 . Said flo-control cover  72 , aids in directing the flow of water by means of a cover flow guide  75 , that aid in driving the rotation of a drive impeller  80 . 
   Mating of the flo-control valve stopper  58 , and a flo-control valve o ring  60 , to a flo-control valve seat  64 , is accomplished by means of threading the flo-control inlet coupling  52 , into the lower most portion of the flo-control chamber  62 , of the preferred embodiment of the flo-control body  66 , thereby extending the upper most portion of the flo-control valve stopper  58 , through the upper most portion of the flo-control chamber  62 , between the walls of a lower actuator guide  117 . 
   When unseated by means of a actuator lever  104 , the flo-control valve stopper  58 , allows water to flow through said valve into the upper most portion of the flo-control valve chamber  62 , and on into a impeller drive flow chamber  68 ,  FIGS. 3A and 3B  directed by means of a lower body flow guide  63 ,  FIG. 5 , creating an opening between said chambers. Preferably molded of a plastic material the components of the impeller drive flow chamber  68 , are comprised of a impeller drive flow chamber base plate  69 , a flo-control cover  72  seals the flow chamber when snapped into place as previously described. The impeller drive flow chamber base plate  69 , directs the flow of water by means of a split flow guide  70 , located at the lower most portion of base plate  69 , which forces the flow of water to turn a drive impeller  80 . The split flow guide  70 ,  FIG. 3  B, is comprised of two parallel walls of sufficient and equal extension at a 90 degree angle outwardly from the face of the impeller drive flow chamber base plate  69 , so as to allow sufficient space to form a chamber when covered with said flo-control cover  72 , to allow free wheeling of a drive impeller  80 . A spacing peg  71 , of equal extension molded to the uppermost end of base plate  69 , opposite the split flow guide  70 , assures equal distance between said impeller drive flow chamber base plate  69 , and the flo-control cover  72 , at all points. 
   The impeller drive flow chamber  68 , houses the drive impeller  80 ,  FIG. 3B , molded as a one piece unit with a primary drive worm gear  82 , to the rear most portion of its center. The impeller primary drive worm gear  82 , is centered and mounted through said impeller drive flow chamber base plate  69 , by means of a impeller drive shaft  84 , composed of a non corrosive metal, mounted horizontally from front to rear with a primary drive shaft bushing  83 , to the rear of the primary drive worm gear  82 , between a drive shaft receiver  85 , recessed in the inside of the flo-control cover  72 , and a body drive shaft receiver  94 , recessed in the inside of the flo-control body  66 , locked in a certain position on said impeller drive shaft  84 , by means of a retainer ring  86 , as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . Said impeller  80 , solidly connected to primary drive worm gear  84 , is caused to rotate by means of the force of water flow through the impeller drive flow chamber  68 , against a impeller fin  81 , in the flow path. The impeller fins  81 , are evenly space to insure a fin will enter the flow path as a fin leaves the flow path maintaining a constant rotation of the drive impeller  80 , during water flow with a minimum of four fins in the flow path at all times  FIG. 3B . 
   The primary drive worm gear  82 , engages a secondary drive helical gear  88 , solidly molded as a one piece unit with a secondary drive worm gear  90 , of a suitable material. Said secondary helical gear meshes with said primary drive worm gear  82 , at its 90 degree right center horizontally. Said secondary worm gear  90 , is vertically positioned by means of a secondary drive gear bracket  92 , Two secondary drive gear brackets  92 , are mounted horizontally parallel to each other, one above the other, spaced a sufficient distance apart so as to accommodate the length and fixing the position of said secondary drive helical gear  88 , and secondary drive worm gear  90 . Said secondary drive gear brackets  92 , are mounted from front to back by means of a secondary drive bracket mount  96 , molded into the rear most side of the impeller drive flow chamber base plate  69 , and the front most inside of the rear wall of the flo-control body  66 , illustrated in  FIG. 3A . 
   The secondary drive worm gear  90 , then engages a final drive helical gear  98 , solidly molded as a one piece unit with a final drive double thread worm gear  100 , of a suitable material. Said final drive helical gear  98 , meshes with said secondary worm gear  90 , at its center 90 degrees to its left and centered above said primary worm gear  82 . Final drive double thread worm gear  100 , is horizontally positioned from front to back by means of two final drive gear shaft studs  102 , one being molded to the rear side of the impeller drive flow chamber base plate  69 , 180 degrees horizontally to the other being molded to the front inside of the rear wall of the flo-control body  66 , spaced a sufficient distance apart so as to accommodate the length and fix the position of said final drive gears. 
   When flush handle  14 ,  FIG. 2 , is depressed the flo-control flush linkage  24 , elevates the actuator lever flush extension  106 ,  FIG. 3B  and  FIG. 4 , Connected by means of a lever connector  107 , causing a actuator lever  104 , to move in a downward motion between a lower actuator guide  117 , and a upper actuator guide  118 ,  FIG. 5 , by means of a beveled surface  105 , pushing a hold/release lever  110  rearward. The hold/release lever  110 , is connected to and positioned by means of two retainer pins  109   FIG. 6 , mated to two retainer slots  116 , in a hold/release lever receiver  115 , molded into the preferred embodiment of the flo-control body,  FIGS. 3A and 5 , and a hold/release lever spring  112 , composed of a non corrosive material of sufficient diameter wire to provide a slight forward tension  FIG. 3A , held in position by two spring pins  113 . One spring pin  113 , being molded to the rear most center within the hold/release lever receiver  115 , and the other spring pin  113 , molded to the centered rear most end of the hold/release lever  110 . The passing of the beveled surface  105 , against a mated beveled surface  111 , of the actuator lever  104 , forces the hold/release lever  110 , to move rearward into the hold/release lever receiver  115 . After the actuator lever  104 , pushes past the hold/release lever  110  in a downward motion, said lever  110 , by means of tension supplied by the hold/release lever spring  112 , moves forward resting on top of actuator lever  104  holding actuator lever  104  in its down most position. Simultaneously actuator lever  104 , unseats and holds open the flo-control valve stopper  58 , in the same downward motion. When the flush handle  14  is released it returns to its normal resting position allowing the actuator lever  104 , by means of tension of the flo-control valve spring  56 , to be pushed upward causing the hold/release lever  110 , to gearably engage a gear rack  114 , molded to the upper most surface of said hold/release lever  110   FIG. 6 , to the final drive double thread worm gear  100 , thereby holding the flo-control valve stopper  58 , open. 
   The drive impeller  80 , is caused to rotate by means of the force of water flowing through the impeller drive flow chamber  68 . The rotational energy delivered to the final drive double thread worm gear  100 , being gearably linked to said drive impeller  80 , as heretofore described causes the hold/release lever  110 , to retract into the hold/release lever receiver  115 , by means of said gear rack  114 , thereby releasing the actuator lever  104 . Upon release, the actuator lever  104 , is repositioned above said hold/release lever  110 , by means of elevation due to the upward movement of the flo-control valve stopper  58 , being reseated by means of the force of the flo-control valve spring  56 , and the water pressure terminating the flow of water completing the flush cycle. During the time the flo-control valve stopper  58 , is held open while the water passes through the impeller drive flow chamber  68 , to the outlet by means of a upper body flow guide  65 , molded within the flo-control body  66 , at its upper most interior forcing the water out the water outlet  120 ,  FIG. 5 . 
   The reader will note that there are two ways in which the water can be delivered to the tank  10 . The first and most obvious means to deliver water to the tank  10 , a float assembly  122 , illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The second means to deliver water to the tank  10 , is a water delivery chamber  125 ,  FIG. 8 , which will be discussed further on. 
   Section three is a float assembly  122 ,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , attached to the present invention by means of a water outlet  120 , at the upper most end of the flo-control valve  32 ,  FIGS. 1 and 2 , on line II—II of  FIG. 3A , molded at the upper most portion of the preferred embodiment of the flo-control body  66 , by means of mating thread of the lower most end of a float coupling  124   FIG. 7 , to the thread of said water outlet  120 , sealed with an o ring or other suitable gasket type or thread sealing material. Threading or bonding with a suitable bonding agent of the coupling  124 , to the float valve inlet while eliminating a portion the older type extension tube from the float valve to the tank mount. Where the float valve is now connected to the flo-control valve  32 , the siphon tube becomes a replenish tube  30 ,  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  8 , which is removeably attached the a siphon tube nipple of the float assembly  122 , for the purpose of replenishing the proper water level to the bowl  12 . 
   The second means to deliver water to the tank  10 , is a water delivery chamber  125 ,  FIG. 8 . The preferred embodiment of the water delivery chamber  125 ,  FIG. 8 , is a one piece mold of appropriate plastic material comprised of a chamber inlet  126 , threaded to mate the flo-control water outlet  120 . However, this system is simply a channeling device that directs the water downward towards the base of the tank for fill up by means of an water delivery chamber  127 , and an chamber outlet  128 , with an eliminator replenish tube nipple  130 , at its upper most portion for removeably connecting a replenish tube  30 . Said replenish tube  30 , is attached to the over flow tube  26 , by means of a replenish tube clip  132 , to restore the water level in the bowl during fill up. With this optional water delivery chamber  125 , attached to the flo-control valve  32 , the flo-control will run to its full limit of 3½ gallons and shut off the water feed every time. In order to fill different capacity tanks the hold/release levers beveled surface  111 , would have to be shortened or lengthened. That is to say for example if the hold/release lever  110 , required to be retracted ⅜ of an inch for release to shut off the flo-control at 4½ gallons then it would be required to be retracted ⅛ of an inch to shut off at 1½ gallons. The length would have to be shortened ¼ inch for that adjustment. This would require at least three different size hold/release levers and each flo-control would be marked appropriately on its packaging as to its limit. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE MODIFIED VERSION OF THE INVENTION 
   The following description of a modified version of the invention for the purpose of easily adjusting the gallon per flush volume of the flo-control valve  32 , is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor for those so skilled to do so. To coincide with this modified version of the invention the reader is referred to illustrations of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  3 B,  5 ,  5 A,  7 ,  8 , and  FIGS. 9–9D . The reader will also note that being that this is a modified the numbers of the parts in the forgoing description that are not modified will remain the same, modified parts will have either an A extension or a number of their own. 
     FIG. 1  is a side view of a conventional toilet, of the type universally found in most homes in the United States and North America, which is fitted with a water limiting flo-control valve  32 , in accordance with the present invention. In the conventional home toilet, a float valve assembly  122 , comprising a float rod  9 , and a float  11 ,  FIGS. 1 and 2 , mounted at the upper end of a float valve assembly  122 , for closing the valve by means of linkage to the float  11 , to the float valve with float rod  9 , when the tank is filled to a predetermined level. In the present invention the float valve assembly  122 , is affixed to the uppermost portion of the water limiting flo-control valve  32 , by means of a float coupling  124 . 
   The illustrated toilet comprises a toilet bowl  12 , and a pedestal  13 , with a tank  10 , mounted over the rear extension of toilet bowl and pedestal  13 . Water supply is introduced by means of a water feed line  34 , which is connected by known means of a standard sized fitting, commonly used with flush tanks, providing a sealable mount to the tank  10 , and a inlet fitting  36 , of the water limiting flo-control valve  32 . Water received in tank  10  which exceeds the tank&#39;s design capacity spills into an overflow tube  26 , wherefrom it is discharged to the bowl  12 . The main tank outlet  22 , is normally closed by a flapper  20 . When water from overflow tube  26 , and tank outlet  22 , is introduced into toilet bowl  12 , the level of water in bowl  12 , is raised until it exceeds the waste outlet of a flush trap  28 , causing the water to flow from bowl  12 , by siphoning action. Water, and waste products, continue to flow from bowl  12 , as long as sufficient water enters bowl  12 . 
     FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the principal portion of the toilet tank of  FIG. 1  with the lid removed, illustrating the position of a flapper  20 , along line I—I of  FIG. 1  and the position of the water limiting flo-control valve  32  to the left most bottom portion of the tank  10 . A flush handle  14 , located in the upper left front area of the tank  10 , is depressed to activate the flushing operation of the toilet. When depressed the flush handle raises a flush rod  16 , opening a flapper  20 , by means of a flapper flush linkage  18 , simultaneously said flush rod  16 , by means of a flo-control flush linkage  24 , connected to a actuator lever flush extension  106  illustrated in  FIG. 9C , activates the water limiting flo-control valve  32 , allowing water to flow to the tank  10 . 
     FIGS. 3 ,  3 B and  FIG. 9  are illustrations of assembled components of the water limiting flo-control valve  32 , the Automatic Water Limiting, Supply Shut Off Safety Valve system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The preferred embodiment is intended to limit the passing of up to 3.5 gallons of water by volume to the tank  10 , and to shut off the water supply.  FIGS. 9–9B  illustrate a modified water volume adjustable releasing mechanism for releasing a flo-control valve stopper  58 , by means of a slotted disk  140 , and a volume adjusting peg  150 .  FIGS. 9C and 9D  illustrate a actuator lever  154 , for use with the modified water volume adjustable mechanism. 
   The preferred embodiment of the present modified invention is molded in three sections of a plastic material that may be sealed when joined with o rings or other suitable gasket type threading seal or bonding material of the manufacturers choice. Section one illustrated in  FIG. 3 , being the assembled parts of a inlet fitting  36 , comprised of a water inlet chamber  38 , fitted with a particle screen  40 , for trapping any foreign particles that may enter the water supply. Slightly above said inlet chamber  38 , molded in the embodiment of the inlet fitting is a back flow prevention chamber  42 . A back flow seat  44  is centered in said back flow chamber with a minimum ¼ inch diameter opening for water flow between the inlet chamber  38 , and the back flow prevention chamber  42 . Freely sitting on said back flow seat  44 , is a back flow check ball  46 , made of sufficient rubberized or metal material as to be non corrosive, non-buoyant and of sufficient diameter so as to block the opening for the water flow to prevent back-flow without becoming lodged. During water flow, the force of the water will lift the back flow check ball  46 , off the back flow seat  44 , allowing free flow of the water through the system. When water flow stops or at any time should the water supply lose its pressure the water will cease to flow causing the back flow check ball  46 , directed by the tapered wall of the back flow prevention chamber  42 , to reseat itself preventing reverse flow of water. At the center portion of back flow prevention chamber  42 , a mounting flange  48 , of the standard size to fit the receiving hole of the toilet tank  10 , fitted with a standard size flange seal  50 , of appropriate material between a mounting flange  48 , and the tank  10 , is affixed or mounted to said tank  10 , by means of the standard flange nut not shown for obvious reason. 
   Threaded into the upper most end of the inlet fitting  36 , and sealed by means of suitable plumber joint material or bonding material is a flo-control inlet coupling  52 . A flo-control valve stopper  58 , fitted with a o ring seal  60 , is attached to a open cross spring retainer pin  54 , of a flo-control inlet coupling  52 , by means of a flo-control valve spring  56 , preferably made of a non corrosive material such as stainless steel of sufficient diameter wire to create enough upward pressure to seat and hold said flo-control valve stopper  58 , in its closed position while still allowing the flo-control valve stopper  58 , to be unseated without excessive force. 
   The upper most portion of the flo-control inlet coupling  52 , is threaded and sealed by means of plumber joint material into a coupling receiver  53 . The flo-control valve stopper  58 , is positioned vertically within the center most portion of a flo-control chamber  62 , of preferred embodiment of the flo-control body  66 .  FIG. 3A . 
   Section two preferably molded of a plastic material in two pieces, illustrated in  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 3  B,  FIG. 5 , and  FIG. 5A , comprises a flo-control body  66 , and a flo-control cover  72 , that is sealed by placing a flo-control body seal  78 , between the flo-control cover  72 , and the flo-control body  66 , and placing a actuator o ring  108 , in a actuator receiver  77 , prior to aligning the actuator with a cover actuator hole  76 , then snapping the flo-control cover  72 , in place. Sealing of the housing is necessary to create driving water flow and to meet the plumbing requirements for “anti-siphoning”. The composition used for flo-control body  66 , would be of a moldable plastic material the manufacturers choice. The flo-control cover  72 ,  FIG. 5 , is snapped into place by means of a set of flo-control cover guides  73 , mated to said guides by means of a matching set of cover guide receivers  74 , held in place by a body/cover locking ridge  7 . Said flo-control cover  72 , aids in directing the flow of water by means of a cover flow guide  75 , that aid in driving the rotation of a drive impeller  80 . 
   Mating of the flo-control valve stopper  58 , and a flo-control valve o ring  60 , to a flo-control valve seat  64 , is accomplished by means of threading the flo-control inlet coupling  52 , into the lower most portion of the flo-control chamber  62 , of the preferred embodiment of the flo-control body  66 , thereby extending the upper most portion of the flo-control valve stopper  58 , through the upper most portion of the flo-control chamber  62 , between the walls of a lower actuator guide  117 . 
   When unseated by means of a actuator lever  154 , the flo-control valve stopper  58 , allows water to flow past said flo-control valve stopper  58  into the upper most portion of the flo-control valve chamber  62 , and on into a impeller drive flow chamber  68 ,  FIGS. 3A and 3B  directed by means of a lower body flow guide  63 ,  FIG. 5 , creating an opening between said chambers. Preferably molded of a plastic material the components of the impeller drive flow chamber  68 , are comprised of a impeller drive flow chamber base plate  69 , a flo-control cover  72  seals the flow chamber when snapped into place as previously described. The impeller drive flow chamber base plate  69 , directs the flow of water by means of a split flow guide  70 , located at the lower most portion of base plate  69 , which forces the flow of water to turn a drive impeller  80 . The split flow guide  70 ,  FIG. 3  B, is comprised of two parallel walls of sufficient and equal extension at a 90 degree angle outwardly from the face of the impeller drive flow chamber base plate  69 , so as to allow sufficient space to form a chamber when covered with said flo-control cover  72 , to allow free wheeling of a drive impeller  80 . A spacing peg  71 , of equal extension molded to the uppermost end of base plate  69 , opposite the split flow guide  70 , assures equal distance between said impeller drive flow chamber base plate  69 , and the flo-control cover  72 , at all points. 
   The impeller drive flow chamber  68 , houses the drive impeller  80 ,  FIG. 3B , molded as a one piece unit with a primary drive worm gear  82 , to the rear most portion of its center. The primary drive worm gear  82 , is centered and mounted through said impeller drive flow chamber base plate  69 , by means of a impeller drive shaft  84 , composed of a non corrosive metal, mounted horizontally from front to rear with a slotted disk  140 , solidly molded to a spur gear  142 , mounted to the rear of the primary drive worm gear  82 , between a drive shaft receiver  85 , recessed in the inside of the flo-control cover  72 , and a body drive shaft receiver  94 , recessed in the inside of the flo-control body  66 , locked in a certain position on said impeller drive shaft  84 , by means of a retainer ring  86 , as shown in  FIG. 3B  and  FIG. 9 . Said impeller  80 , solidly connected to primary drive worm gear  84 , is caused to rotate by means of the force of water flow through the impeller drive flow chamber  68 , against a impeller fin  81 , in the flow path. The impeller fins  81 , are evenly space to insure a fin will enter the flow path as a fin leaves the flow path maintaining a constant rotation of the drive impeller  80 , during water flow with a minimum of four fins in the flow path at all times  FIG. 3B . 
   A primary drive worm gear  82 , engages a secondary drive helical gear  88 , solidly molded as a one piece unit with a secondary drive worm gear  90 , of a suitable material. Said secondary helical gear meshes with said primary drive worm gear  82 , at its 90 degree right center horizontally. Said secondary worm gear  90 , is vertically positioned by means of a secondary drive gear bracket  92 . Two secondary drive gear brackets  92 , mounted horizontally parallel to each other, one above the other, spaced a sufficient distance apart so as to accommodate the length and fixing the position of said secondary drive helical gear  88 , and secondary drive worm gear  90 . Said secondary drive gear brackets  92 , are mounted from front to back by means of a secondary drive bracket mount  96 , molded into the rear most side of the impeller drive flow chamber base plate  69 , and the front most inside of the rear wall of the flo-control body  66 , illustrated in  FIG. 3A . 
   A secondary drive worm gear  90 , then engages a final drive helical gear  98 , solidly molded as a one piece unit with a intermediate drive spur gear  134 , of a suitable material. Said final drive helical gear  98 , meshes with said secondary worm gear  90 , at its center 90 degrees to its left and centered above said primary worm gear  82 . Final drive helical gear  98 , and intermediate spur gear  134 , are vertically positioned from front to rear by means of two final drive gear shaft studs  102 , one being molded to the rear side of the impeller drive flow chamber base plate  69 , 180 degrees horizontally to the other being molded to the front inside of the rear wall of the flo-control body  66 , spaced a sufficient distance apart so as to accommodate the length and fix the position of final drive helical gear  98 , and intermediate spur gear  134 . 
   Intermediate spur gear  134 , drives a tapered face spur gear  136 , held in the engaged position by means of a spring  139 , mounted to the embodiment of the flo-control body  66 , by means of a jack shaft  138 . Solidly molded on one face of the tapered face spur gear  136 , is a tapered rise  137 ,  FIG. 9 . When engaged tapered face spur gear  136 , drives a spur gear  142 , solidly connected to a slotted disk  140 , mounted on a impeller drive shaft  84 , to the rear of the primary drive worm gear  82 . The slotted disk  140 ,  FIG. 9A , comprises a actuator release slot  146 ,  FIG. 9A , the means which allows opening and closing of the flo-control valve stopper  58 . The adjustment of gallons allowed from 1.5 gallons to 3.5 gallons is accomplished by means of a volume adjusting slot  148 , and a volume adjusting peg  150 ,  FIG. 9B . There are three volume adjusting pegs of a different diameter to fit the volume adjusting slot  148 , allowing the slotted disk  140 , to turn when the toilet is flushed to the limit set by the peg  150 , inserted into a adjusting peg receiver  152 , illustrated in  FIGS. 9 , and  9 A, sealed with a adjusting peg o ring  153 . The slotted disk  140 , is held in the valve closed position by means of a actuator foot  156 , of the actuator  154 , illustrated in  FIGS. 9C and 9D , mated to the actuator release slot  146 ,  FIG. 9A . The actuator lever  154 , of the modified valve control mechanism is comprised of a actuator foot  156 , a tapered spur gear push  158 , and a start spring receiver hole  145 . A start spring receiver hole  145 , is also located in the slotted disk  140 . When the flush handle  14 , of the toilet is depressed the slotted disk  140 , is released by the actuator foot  156  and the disengaging of the tapered face spur gear  136 , by means of pushing rearward on said tapered rise  137 , from said actuator gear push  158  means, and is rotated to the limit of the selected volume adjusting peg  150 , by means of a start spring  144 , inserted into the slotted disk  140 , and the actuator lever  154 , by means of the start spring receiver hole  145 , simultaneously dislodging and opening the actuator valve  58 . When the flush handle  14 , is released the jack shaft spur gear re-engages. The actuator valve is held open by the slotted disk until the selected volume of water rotates the actuator release slot  146 , over the actuator foot  156 , by means of the gearably linked drive impeller thereby allowing the flo-control valve stopper  58 , to close. 
   Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiments which can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.