Abstract:
In one aspect, the device includes a control apparatus including a pilot valve projecting through a passage in a control diaphragm to be formed with an enlarged poppet to seat the underside of the diaphragm and formed with a poppet head shaped to direct incoming flow away from the pilot passage to minimize entry of residue. 
     In another aspect, the present invention includes an elongated catch device pivotally mounted intermediately to an inlet pipe device and carrying at its upper extremity a keeper selectively disposed in the path of a float device to, unless a toilet has been flushed, block lowering of the float device and consequent opening of the control valve.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 14/479,535 filed Sep. 8, 2014, which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to hydraulic valves and more particularly to valves typically utilized to control fluid flow in a toilet tank. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0003]    Hydraulic valves have long been employed to control flow of liquid such as in a toilet tank. These valves often rely on buoyant floats for actuation to turn the incoming water off when the water reaches a predetermined level and to turn the water back on when a flush handle has been actuated to exhaust the fluid from the tank into the toilet bowl. An example of these types of valves and arrangements is shown my U.S. Pat. No. 6,712,090. 
         [0004]    Many efforts have been made over the years to improve the construction of these valves, often referred to as ball cock valves and even to lock the valves against opening except when toilet has been flushed. 
         [0005]    As disclosed in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 6,712,090, existing ball cock valves, in some instances, incorporate a valve body which sits on an upright supply pipe to control flow from the outlet at the top of the pipe via a flexible diaphragm which may be raised and lowered to open and close such outlet. It has been common practice for such diaphragms to incorporate a central vertical pilot passage which receives a vertically elongated pilot pin or stem having longitudinally spaced apart, diametrically enlarged cross sections spaced for selective registration with respective reduced-in diameter ports spaced along the length of the pilot passage for selectively blocking flow through the annulus formed between such enlarged cross sections and ports. When the enlarged sections are out of registration with the respective ports, water may flow upwardly through the pilot passage to pressurize the topside of the diaphragm to force it down into engagement with a seat formed at the pipe outlet to thereby block flow. A lever arm is pivotally mounted at one end to engage the pilot pin medially for raising and lowering of the pilot pin in response to raising and lowering of a donut shaped float mounted concentrically about the feed pipe to selectively control flow through the pilot passage. 
         [0006]    While a significant improvement over the art at the time, this prior construction can sometimes suffer the shortcoming that stopping of flow through the pilot passage is dependent on registration of the enlarged sections with the respective ports and, over time, one or the other may be damaged or worn to the point where positive registration for control of flow is no longer effective. Further, the annuli between the pilot pin and ports in the passage provides for direct flow from the inlet pipe into the pilot passage and, with the relatively low volume of flow which can carry sediment, scum or residue, the annuli may become plugged or clogged. 
         [0007]    Another example of a pilot valve construction for a ball cock assembly is a pilot pin carried from one end of a lever arm mounted pivotally to a pivot pin and projecting through an aperture in a seal element to be formed on its lower extremity with an enlarged bulbous portion apparently intended to be, when the valve is closed, engaged with the lower surface of the seal element to block flow there-through. A device of this type, while in theory providing for some degree of control for the seal to close off the water inlet, fails to provide for positive exhausting of fluid above the seal element in a manner which will result in positively releasing pressure above the seal element for raising thereof and, further, fails to provide for diverting the water during inlet flow in a positive manner to direct any sediment in such water away from the central underside of the seal element in a manner which will serve to minimize the tendency for such sediment to be directed into the pilot passage. 
         [0008]    One commercially available ball cock valve is marketed under the mark FLUIDMASTER® and is well known in the field. Systems employing valves of this type, while popular in the marketplace, often incorporate a great number of parts, in some instances over 40, thus making them expensive to manufacture and requiring some degree of skill to assemble and install. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention includes an upright inlet pipe terminating at its upper extremity in a housing defining a chamber sitting over an inlet port for introduction of water. A flexible valve diaphragm is received in a chamber above an inlet port and includes a central, through, pilot passage which receives a pilot pin disposed longitudinally therein and including enlarged portions to be aligned with respective ports spaced along the passage. The enlarged portions are formed with a peripheral fluted areas for escape of pilot control fluid. The pilot pin projects below the lower surface of the diaphragm and is formed with an enlarged poppet which, upon raising of the pin within the passage, serves to abut a valve seat formed on the underside of such diaphragm to close flow in the passage to thereby decrease the pressure on the top side of the diaphragm causing the water pressure on the underside to raise the diaphragm for flow of water from the inlet port outwardly into the toilet tank. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a front view, partially broken away, of a toilet storage tank which incorporates the improved flow control valve of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  A is a partial perspective view, in enlarged scale, of the upper portion of a control tube included in the catch device shown in  FIG. 1  and depicting the control valve being installed; 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  B is a perspective view similar to  1  A but showing the control valve fully installed; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an exploded, vertical, sectional view, in enlarged scale, of an inlet pipe device and the control valve shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a vertical, sectional view similar to  FIG. 2  but in enlarged scale and the components assembled; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a vertical, sectional view, in enlarged scale, of the upper portion of the flow control valve shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a vertical, sectional view, in enlarged scale, of the lower portion of the inlet pipe device shown in  FIGS. 2 &amp; 3 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a partial vertical sectional view, in enlarged scale and partially broken away, of the flow control valve shown in  FIG. 4  and depicting the valve in its closed position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a vertical, sectional view similar to  FIG. 6  but showing the flow control valve in its open position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a vertical, sectional view, in enlarged scale, of the catch device shown in  FIG. 3  and depicting a catch device blocking downward travel of a float tube device controlling the control valve shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a vertical, sectional view, similar to  FIG. 8  but showing the catch device released; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a transverse, sectional view, in enlarged scale, of a locking flange incorporated in the catch mechanism shown in  FIG. 9 ; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is vertical, sectional view, partially broken away, of a second embodiment of the flow control device shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the control valve  13  of the present invention has utility for mounting on top of an upright inlet pipe device  15  which includes an outlet  17  surrounded by an upwardly facing valve seat  19  ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ) against which a diaphragm  20  will seat when a pilot valve  23  is opened. The diaphragm  20  is formed with a central structure defining an axial pilot stem passage  26  ( FIG. 7 ) formed with a pair of reduced-in-diameter, vertically spaced apart ports  27  and  29  with which respective enlarged portions  33  and  35  of a valve stem  37  are selectively registered. The passage terminates at its bottom end in an inlet port surrounded by a downwardly facing pilot valve seat  28 . The valve stem  37  projects downwardly below the port pilot seat  28  ( FIG. 7 ) and is formed with an enlarged poppet  41  configured in its lower portion with downwardly facing upwardly and radially outwardly angled deflecting surfaces  60 , ( FIG. 7 ) to deflect upwardly flowing, incoming water to flow radially outwardly as it passes the poppet. The stem  37  is controlled by a control lever  42  having a projecting extremity  43  controlled by a concentrically disposed cylindrical control tube  51  encircled and carried, by a donut shaped float  47 . 
         [0024]    Thus, when the float  47  is lowered, the projecting extremity  43  of the lever arm  42  will be lowered thereby raising the pilot stem  37  to raise the poppet  41  to seat against the seat  28  on the underside of the diaphragm  20  ( FIG. 7 ) to block flow of water upwardly through the passage  26  to thereby allow for pressurization of the underside of the diaphragm as shown in  FIG. 7  to raise the diaphragm off its seat  19  thereby allowing flow of water up through the passage  87  defined by the upper extremity if the pipe device to flow outwardly into the toilet tank and bowl as will be described below. 
         [0025]    As will be appreciated by those of skill, lowering of the float may be selectively restricted to prevent the pilot valve  23  from opening the control valve  13 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , control of the pilot valve  23  to control flow from the inlet pipe device  15  may be via the concentric control tube  51 . The inlet pipe device is typically disposed spaced laterally from a flapper flush valve  53 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , a catch device, generally designated  55 , is disposed on the side of the fill pipe facing the flush valve and, in the preferred embodiment, is formed by a generally hairpin shaped somewhat stiff but resilient spring wire  57  mounted medially from a mount device  58  which may include a radially projecting hinge arm  59  constructed of elastomeric material such as flexible rubber to provide for rocking or slight rotation of such catch device about the arm. Carried at the upper extremity of the catch device is a keeper  61  to be selectively disposed in the downward path of the control tube  51  to block the downward path thereof ( FIG. 8 ). The lower extremity of the catch device  55  is connected with the flush control lever  75  by means of a link  65  such that, when the flush control lever is actuated, the catch device is rotated a few degrees counterclockwise on the hinge arm  59 , as viewed in  FIGS. 1 and 9 , to move the keeper  61  to the left out from under the bottom edge of the control tube  51  thereby freeing the tube to lower as the water in the tank is lowered to thereby rotate the lever arm  42  counterclockwise as viewed in  FIG. 7  to open the flow control valve  13 . Concurrently, the lever arm will lift the free side of the flapper valve  53  to flush the water from the tank into the bowl. 
         [0027]    On the other hand, should the water level in the tank  71  be lowered, by a leak, from the level shown in  FIG. 1  without actuation of the flush lever, the keeper  61  will remain positioned in the path of the control tube  51  ( FIG. 8 ) to prevent lowering thereof to retain the pilot valve  23  open and the flow control valve closed ( FIG. 6 ). 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 1  A and  1  B, the control tube  51  may be constructed of plastic and the upper extremity thereof formed at one diametrical side with a pair of annularly spaced apart, longitudinal slits  126  defining there-between a narrow, upwardly projecting resilient tongue  128  formed at its free extremity with the bore  129 . In this manner, when the control valve is installed, the distal extremity  43  of lever arm  42  will ride downwardly on the inner surface of the free extremity of the tongue  128  to drive the free end radially outwardly, as it is viewed in  FIG. 1  A, until the bore  129  is registered with the lever arm for projection into such bore as shown in  FIG. 1  B allowing the tongue to snap back into its neutral position. 
         [0029]    Toilet tanks  71  typically incorporate an upstanding inlet pipe and an upstanding overflow pipe  72  ( FIG. 1 ). The overflow pipe is formed on its top end  73  for when the water reaches a certain level, allow escape of the water thereby preventing overflow of the water from the tank. Overflow pipes of the type of the pipe  72  typically incorporate a network of water channels leading to the toilet bowl for replenishing bowl water after a flush. 
         [0030]    With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , such toilet tanks also typically incorporate an actuation knob or lever which might actuate a flush lever  75  to rotate a free end  77  between a lowered fill position and a raised flush position. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the inlet pipe device  15  includes a lower pipe  131  typically connected through the bottom wall of the tank  71  and an upper pipe  141  telescoped downwardly therein. The pipe  141  is formed on its upper extremity  87  with a radially enlarged flange  81  constructed with an upwardly facing annular surface defining the control valve seat  19 . 
         [0032]    The control valve device  13  includes a tubular housing, generally designated  91 , formed on its periphery with longitudinal guide ribs spaced equidistant annularly around the housing to provide a generally annular siphon break space between the housing and the control tube  51 . The lower portion of the housing is configured in part, by an interior annular flange and an exterior connector flange  21  ( FIG. 6 ). The housing is further formed with an annular top wall  93  ( FIG. 6 ). The top wall is formed centrally with a downwardly projecting cylindrical shell defining a central, stepped, vertical bore  95  which, in the upward direction, progressively reduces in diameter to terminate at its upper extremity in an upwardly opening O-ring gland for receipt of an O-ring  97  ( FIG. 7 ). 
         [0033]    The diaphragm is then formed centrally with a upstanding, stepped tower  109  received complimentary in the stepped bore  95  and configured centrally with the pilot passage  26 . The tower is further configured at the upper extremity with an annular flange  111  receiving a reduced-in-diameter neck  113  of the stem. 
         [0034]    The tower  109  is formed with a plurality of radially, outwardly opening bleed passages  115  for selectively bleeding fluid from the pilot passage  26  when the pilot valve is open. 
         [0035]    In the preferred embodiment, the lever arm  42  is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin  121  carried from a yoke  123  standing up from the top side of the housing  93 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , the right hand end of the lever arm includes a ball socket couple with a ball  125  formed at the upper extremity of the stem  37 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  6  and  7 , a pair of posts  132  and  133  stand up from the top of the housing  93  and project through spaced apart bores  136  in a top wall  140  of a cap  143  having an annular, downwardly projecting skirt  147  sitting on an annular flange  159  formed about the periphery of the valve housing. 
         [0037]    As noted above, in one preferred embodiment, a donut shaped buoyant float  47  is telescoped over the control tube. The float is configured with an annular air chamber  154  and is formed on its interior diameter with one or more friction devices such a rib  161  ( FIG. 3 ) to form an interference fit with the exterior wall of the control tube  51  to releasably hold the float in position along the vertical length of such tube. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  4  the valve housing is conveniently formed with a downwardly depending nipple  88  which is connected on its lower extremity with a fill tube  90  leading to the top end of the overflow pipe  72  for filling the bowl. 
         [0039]    The diaphragm  20  is typically constructed of elastomeric material and includes a central body having a downwardly facing sealing surface  101  ( FIG. 7 ) to seat against the seat  19 . The diaphragm is concentrically formed about its periphery with an annular, flexible web  102  carrying the body from an anchor ring  104  trapped in an annular channel  106  formed between the top and bottom walls of the housing. The body incorporates a upwardly projecting, concentric rim  103  received in an annular clearance groove  105  formed in the underside of the top wall  93 . 
         [0040]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the poppet  41  is enlarged in diameter and is preferably formed on its bottom side with upwardly and outwardly angled deflecting surfaces  60 . This serves to, when the valve is open or closing, deflect upwardly flowing water radially outwardly to then flow back radially inwardly under the seat  28  and upwardly into the annulus formed in the passage  26 . 
         [0041]    Turning now back to  FIGS. 5 and 8 , the fill pipe device  15  includes upper and lower pipes  141  and  131  respectively. The lower fill pipe  131  is configured in its upper extremity with a pair of interior annular ribs  137  formed to receive in overlapping radial relationship corresponding pairs of annular ribs  139  spaced along the exterior of the upper pipe  141 . The upper pipe is telescoped the desired distance downwardly into the lower pipe for selective registration of the ribs  137  in respective grooves formed between the ribs  139  on the upper tube  141 . 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 10 , the upper extremity of the lower pipe  131  is configured with four longitudinal, upwardly opening slots  142  spaced equidistant about the periphery to form four resilient, upstanding, cantilevered fingers  144  disposed in respective quadrants. As will be appreciated, each finger is formed at its upper extremity with a respective segment of the radially, inwardly projecting ribs  137 . Consequently, I provide a snap in feature facilitated by outwardly flared flange segments defining respective lips  138  at the upper extremities of the fingers having, when the fingers are in their relaxed position, a combined maximum outside diameter larger than the inside diameter at the top of the fitting flange  149 . 
         [0043]    Formed in the lower extremity of the upper pipe  141  are a pair of O-ring grooves for receipt of O-rings  145  for sealing against the interior of the lower pipe  131 . 
         [0044]    With continued reference to  FIG. 8 , a spool shaped lock fitting, generally designated  149 , is received in telescopical relationship over the upper extremity of the lower pipe  131  and is formed with upper and lower radial flanges  151  and  155 . 
         [0045]    As mentioned, in one preferred embodiment, the fitting  149  is formed with an upwardly narrowing tapered interior diameter sized to, be dropped down over the upper extremity of the lower pipe  131  during assembly to leave a concentric annulus between the pipe  131  and such inside diameter as shown in  FIG. 8  for free rotation of the fitting on such pipe. In any event, as the fitting is brought into position the upper end will compress the upper ends of the fingers  144  in each quadrant radially inwardly to the point where the rib segments  137  will be diminished in their respective combined diameters to allow for relative longitudinal shifting to align with a selected groove formed between the ribs  139  to, upon release, register in the groove to lock the fill pipe device at the desired height. The fitting will thus be dropped down to the level where the lip segments will be disposed above the top of the fitting  149  to thus block the fitting from shifting upwardly, as for instance, under the force of the link  65  being drawn upwardly to the right during flush ( FIG. 5 ). 
         [0046]    The flanges  151  and  155  ( FIGS. 8 and 10 ) are configured with a plurality of through, vertical bores  156 , respectively, spaced equidistant thereabout for receipt of the tube  90 . The flanges are further formed on their respective one sides with diametrical, outwardly opening clearance slots  157  for receipt of the catch device  55  and to act as a radial guide. The closed end of the slot in the upper flange acts as a stop  158  to limit counter clockwise rotation of the catch device. 
         [0047]    With continued reference to  FIG. 8 , conveniently, the fitting  149  is further formed below the flange  155  with a downwardly projecting annular skirt  167 . The mount device  58  is conveniently formed with an elastomeric ring  168  to be telescoped over the skirt  167  and is formed in its lower extremity with the radially, outwardly projecting, flexible hinge arm  59 . The hinge arm  59  is formed with a through vertical bore  174  for frictional receipt of one leg  173  of the catch device  55 . The other leg  175  of the catch device  55  is constructed of spring wire to project parallel to the leg  173  and cooperate in mounting the slider  187 . The leg  175  is formed at its lower extremity with a orthogonal tab  177  which, in the preferred embodiment, is turned radially inwardly toward the first leg  173  to terminate in an end spaced therefrom. In some embodiments, the tab  177  is turned radially outwardly so that the catch device can be mounted via that tab. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, some embodiments do not include such a tab  177 . A U-shaped slider  187 , formed with bores and maintaining a keeper  61 , may be telescoped over the parallel legs  173  and  175 . 
         [0048]    In the preferred embodiment, the leg  173  projects below the hinge arm  59  to define a lever arm formed with an eye  181  connected with the link  65 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the link  65  may take many different forms such as a chain, rigid link, coil spring or even an elastomeric strip. 
         [0049]    The slider  187  is configured with a pair of horizontally spaced apart vertical bores into which spring wire legs  173  and  175  are friction fit for slidable adjustment of the slider  187  to the desired elevation on the catch device. As will be appreciated, such bores may merely be in the form of a single transverse, through slot, vertically receiving such legs at the opposite sides thereof. 
         [0050]    In operation, it will be appreciated that the subject device can easily be installed in a conventional toilet tank  71  and the vertical adjustment made for the vertical profile of the tank and desired water level. Hence, when the water valve under the tank is opened, the water will flow upwardly through the inlet pipe device  15  through the upper tube  87  to pressurize under the diaphragm as shown in  FIG. 7  thereby raising the diaphragm off its seat  19  allowing water to flow upwardly and radially outwardly under the diaphragm as indicated by the directional arrows  201  ( FIG. 7 ) to flow downwardly through the passages  166  into the tank  71  thereby commencing filling of such tank water will also flow downwardly through the nipple  88  through the tube  90  to the overflow pipe  72  to fill the toilet bowl. As the water level in the tank rises, the float  47  will be raised causing it to raise the control tube  51  thereby raising the free end  43  of the control lever arm  42  as shown in  FIG. 6  to rotate such lever arm clockwise about its pivot pin  121  to drive the stem  37  downwardly. This will then lower the poppet  41  downwardly from its seat  28  to enable flow about such poppet and upwardly through the fluted grooves in the enlarged sections  33  and  35  and upwardly in the tower to flow radially inwardly through the bleed ports  115  to flow downwardly in the tower and radially outwardly above the top of the diaphragm  20  as indicated by the directional arrows  203  ( FIG. 6 ) to pressurize the top side of such diaphragm driving it downwardly to seat on the seat  19  and block further escape of incoming water from the upper tube  87  thereby serving to maintain the water in the tank  71  at the desired level. 
         [0051]    Concurrently, as the control tube  51  is raised by elevation of the float  47  the bottom edge thereof will clear the elevation of the keeper  61  allowing the bias of the hinge arm  59  to rotate the catch device  55  clockwise about such hinge arm, as viewed in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , to drive the keeper  61  radially outwardly under the wall of the tube  51  to block the downward path of such tube until such time as the toilet is flushed again. 
         [0052]    As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, water in the tank  71  will thus remain at the desired level prepared for the next flush. In the event, however, that water should accidentally leak from the tank, as by a loose or failing connection or crack in the tank, it will be appreciated that as the water level lowers in the tank without actuation of the flush control lever (not shown), the catch  55  will remain in the catch position shown in  FIG. 8 , thus blocking the control tube  51  from lowering below the position shown. This then serves to prevent such control tube from lowering the free extremity  43  of the lever arm  42  ( FIG. 6 ) thus leaving the valve poppet off its seat and the top side of the diaphragm  20  pressurized to maintain the diaphragm on its seat  19  to block inflow of water from the upper inlet tube  87 . 
         [0053]    Consequently, the total loss of water will be only that which is stored in the tank  71  and inflow of additional water from the upper inlet tube  87  will be blocked until such time as the homeowner or attendant note that the tank  71  has been evacuated without refill. This then alerts the homeowner of the leak thus allowing for repair work before the tank  71  is again filled with water. 
         [0054]    With continued reference to  FIG. 7 , when the poppet is closed it will thus be appreciated that water flowing upwardly from the upper inlet tube  87  it will strike the facing conical surface of the poppet  41  to be diverted radially, outwardly, and downwardly as indicated by directional arrows  201  to the outlets  166  to be defined by annular deflectors  85 . 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , when the poppet is open the incoming water will be directed to flow outwardly around the conical surface of the poppet to flow upwardly in the passage  26 , through the annuli formed with the respective ports  27  and  29 , via the grooves in the flutes of the enlarged sections  33  and  35  ( FIG. 6 ). Flow will continue on upwardly in the tower to flow outwardly in the bleed ports  115  ( FIG. 7 ) to maintain a positive pressure differential acting down on the top of the diaphragm  20 . The control valve will thus remain closed until such time as the float and control tube are lowered as by a toilet flush. 
         [0056]    It will be appreciated that as the float carries the control tube  51  up, the lower edge of such tube will be raised above the level of the keeper  61  to free the catch to be rotated clockwise under the influence of the elastomeric hinge arm  59  to the position shown in  FIG. 8  disposed under the bottom edge of such tube. 
         [0057]    Then, when the flush handle is operated to flush the toilet, the outlet valve  53  ( FIG. 1 ) will be opened and the link  65  drawn to the right as viewed in  FIG. 9  to rotate the catch device  55  counter clockwise about the point defined by the hinge arm  59  to drive the upper end of such catch device  55  to the left to strike the stop  158  as the keeper  61  is likewise shifted to the left from under the edge of the tube  51  freeing such tube to lower. This then serves to lower the free end  43  of the lever  42  ( FIG. 7 ) to raise the poppet  41  to discontinue bleed of fluid up the passage  26  and pressurize the underside of the diaphragm to raise such diaphragm off its seat. This then allows for pressurized water to flow out of the upper inlet tube  87  to flow radially outwardly and down through the ports  166  as depicted by the directional arrows ( FIG. 7 ) to again fill the tank. 
         [0058]    As will be appreciated by those of skill, for different types of water tanks  71 , such as the ever-popular low profile tanks, the vertical adjustment of the inlet pipe device  15  will be made to establish the desired level of water in the tank. Thus, for a low profile tank, the upper inlet pipe  141  may easily be telescoped downwardly into the lower pipe  131  as the ribs  139  flexibly pass the ribs  137  until the desired height of the inlet device is established thereby positioning the float  47  at the desired level for causing the control tube  51  to actuate the control lever  42  at the desired water level. 
         [0059]    In that regard, the reader will understand that when the inlet pipe device is telescoped down, it is possible to slide the slider  187  down a corresponding amount on the catch device  55  to thus coordinate actuation of and blocking in accordance with the desired height of the water in the tank  71 . 
         [0060]    The embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 11  is similar to that shown in  FIG. 7  except that the pilot stem  37  is configured at its lower extremity with an enlarged poppet in the form of a spherical poppet  191  configured to seat upwardly on the downwardly facing pilot seat  28 . 
         [0061]    From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the valve control device of the present invention is made up of a minimal number of parts making it economical to manufacture and assemble to provide an economical and convenient and effective means for controlling flow of water from an inlet pipe and will provide for a long trouble free life with minimal or no clogging due to residue, scum or the like as might be carried by the water. 
         [0062]    Although the present invention has been described in detail with regard to the preferred embodiments and drawings thereof, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various adaptations and modifications of the present invention may be accomplished without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the detailed description and the accompanying drawings as set forth hereinabove are not intended to limit the breadth of the present invention.