Patent Publication Number: US-2007094781-A1

Title: Water displacement device for toilet tanks

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to water displacement devices for toilet tanks. More particularly, the present invention relates to buoyant displacement devices that may be inserted into a conventional toilet tank to conserve water.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The precise origins of the flush toilet are in dispute. However, in 1596, Sir John Harington published a book related to the flush toilet entitled “The Metamorphosis of Ajax.” This led to use of the British slang term “a jakes” or “jakes” to refer to the flush toilet. However, some attribute the invention of the flush toilet to Alexander Cummings, due to his award of English patent number 814 in 1775. Other sources attribute the origins of the flush toilet to Englishman Joseph Adamson for his 1853 design of the siphon flush toilet. Misunderstandings that Thomas Crapper invented the flush toilet are generally attributed to false advertising by Mr. Crapper himself, Wallace Reyburn&#39;s 1969 book “Flushed With Pride: The Story of Thomas Crapper,” and a number of British patents held by Mr. Crapper. The patents include British Patent No. 1,628, awarded in 1881 for ventilating house drains, and British Patent No. 11,604, awarded in 1893, for a mechanism to flush a lavatory by means of a foot lever.  
      The modern water closet relies upon the tendency of a moving liquid to continue flowing, even in defiance of gravity. The tank is kept nearly full, and during a flush, the water rushes into the bowl, thereby creating a surge over a weir (or dam). The flow stops when the bowl is empty, and the tank refills in preparation for the next flush. Originally, tanks were placed high above the bowl such that water would move forcefully to clear the weir. However, by 1915, narrower, smoother porcelain passageways allowed quieter, 5 to 7 gallon tanks to be mounted on the backs of bowls. These toilet designs remained constant until the 1970&#39;s, when water conservation became more of an issue. Toilet tanks generally became standardized to a design of 5.5 gallons per flush (gpf), then 3.5 gpf in the early 1980&#39;s, which was termed by the industry as a “Water Saver.” This standard lasted until the early 1990&#39;s.  
      On Jan. 1, 1994, the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1992 (“EPCA”) became effective, and thereby prescribed water conservation standards for faucets, showerheads, water closets and urinals. The EPCA further provided that if the requirements of ASME/ANSI Standard A112.18.1M-1989 or ASME/ANSI Standard A112.19.6-1990 are amended to improve the efficiency of water use, the Secretary shall publish a final rule establishing an amended uniform national standard unless the Secretary determines that adoption of such a standard at the level specified is not (i) technologically feasible and economically justified, (ii) consistent with the maintenance of public health and safety; or (iii) consistent with the purposes of this Act. EPCA, Sec. 325(j) and 325(k), 42 U.S.C. Sec. 6295(j) and Sec. 6295(k). Accordingly, all residential toilets, i.e. gravity tank-type toilets, flushometer tank toilets, and electromechanical hydraulic toilets, manufactured after Jan. 1, 1994 use a standard of 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf). All new homes built after 1996 are required to be equipped with toilets having 1.6 gpf. The final agency rule implementing the national standard is codified in Part 430 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations. In addition, many state and local governments have passed laws restricting gallons per flush for water closets within their jurisdiction.  
      In order to comply with the new government standards, many toilet tank manufacturers modified the internal components of their 3.5 gpf Water Saver models to provide 1.6 gpf, while retaining the standard size toilet tank. However, the new low flow toilet tanks were plagued by a number of performance related issues. In October of 2000, Jim Henderson and Gary Woodard prepared a report for the City of Phoenix and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation entitled Functioning of Aging Low-Consumption Toilets in Tucson. According to the study, 170 homes were monitored with water data loggers and specialized software to identify toilet flushes. According to the data, 42.9% of all types of toilets experienced some form of problem, while 14.2% required double flushing—thereby obviating the need for the low-consumption toilet. Since 1.6 gpf low-consumption toilets became the standard, there have been anecdotal reports of problems with their functioning, including a need for multiple flushes to clear the bowl, and frequent clogging. More anecdotal evidence suggests that the functioning of some early low-consumption toilets has continued to decline as they age. Even though low-consumption toilet performance has improved since the first models, many current models still rely on the same adjustments to the 3.5 gallon toilet. Lack of correct replacement parts seems a likely contributor to a possible decline in toilet performance with age, as early-close flappers are replaced with generic flappers which allow a 3.5 gallon flush, or as toilet dams are removed.  
      In view of the above, today&#39;s toilets are designed to minimize water consumption while still effectively eliminating waste. The latest ultra-low flush toilet models provide 1.6 gallons per flush, which is significantly less than older models which use 3.5 gallons per flush or even 6 gallons per flush. There are estimates of 350 million toilets in the U.S. alone. Almost 70% of those are still the old, 3.5 gpf and 6 gpf models. Their construction is very similar among manufacturers, with the supply tube being disposed towards the left rear of the tank and the overflow tube being central near the valve seat (i.e. flush valve).  
      The U.S. daily average of water used is 185 gallons per person, for a total of almost 450 billion gallons per day. Nearly 40% of personal water consumption is related to water flushed by toilets. Thus, a savings of 25% equates to a savings of over 18 gallons per day—per person. In other words, a savings of 25% translates into a savings of 45 billion gallons of water in the U.S. on a daily basis.  
      Accordingly, there remains a need for a device that can be used in conjunction with standard or older model toilets to reduce the volume of water flow while maintaining consistent and reliable performance.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In one preferred form, the present invention provides a water displacement device for a toilet tank in the form of a hollow container that is configured and arranged to hold liquid therein. The container has a fill spout for entry of the liquid and a fill cap to secure the liquid therein. The liquid may be water or a combination of water and a disinfectant. The container defines a first aperture that is configured and arranged to be received around an overflow tube in a toilet tank and a first indention that is configured and arranged to be received around a fill valve of a toilet tank. The container further defines a second indention that is configured and arranged to permit clearance for a connecting member between a lever control arm and a valve seat in a toilet tank. The position of the first aperture is optionally disposed to the right or left of a line perpendicular to the center point of the second indention. When the device is filled with liquid, the device maintains buoyant repose within the toilet tank while maintaining downward pressure on water within the toilet tank.  
      In another preferred form, the present invention provides a unit that is configured and arranged to maintain buoyant repose with respect to water within a toilet tank. The unit has a width dimension between 12 and 20 inches, a depth dimension between 3.75 and 6.75 inches, and a height dimension between 1 and 4 inches. The unit further defines a first aperture having a diameter dimension between 1.25 and 4 inches to thereby fit around an overflow tube within the toilet tank.  
      The present invention also provides for use in older toilets that have a nearly standardized design in North America. The present invention provides for installation without the requirement of technical plumbing skills or specialized tools. Accordingly, a homeowner may reduce the amount of water consumption by up to 25% with each flush, without minimizing the effectiveness.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is an elevated perspective view of an exemplary conventional siphon toilet for use with the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a side view of an exemplary siphon toilet bowl for use with the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is an elevated top view of an exemplary toilet tank for use with the present invention;  
       FIG. 4  is an elevated perspective view of a water displacement device in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 5  is an elevated top view of a water displacement device in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 6  is an elevated front view of a water displacement device in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 7  is an elevated side view of a water displacement device in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 8  is a top view of a water displacement device showing dimensions;  
       FIG. 9  is a side view of a water displacement device showing dimensions;  
       FIG. 10  is an elevated top view of a water displacement device according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 11  is an elevated top view of a water displacement device according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 12  is an elevated top view of a water displacement device according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 13  is an elevated top view of a water displacement device according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 14  is an elevated top view of a water displacement device according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      With reference now to the figures, and in particular  FIG. 1 , an elevated perspective view of an exemplary conventional siphon toilet  100  is shown for use with the present invention. Toilet  100  includes tank  102  that is connected to bowl  104  by way of gasket fitting  106  and securing bolts  108 . The interior components of tank  102  are covered by tank cover  103 . Water is supplied to tank  102  by way of water supply line  110 .  
      The internal components of tank  102  include a supply tube  112  that is connected to the water supply line  110  by way of connecting member  114 . Supply tube  112  is connected to fill valve  116  (also known as a ballcock), which is generally disposed at a higher location than the highest water level in tank  102 . Plumbing codes generally provide that fill valve  116  be an anti-siphon valve to prevent backflow of water from tank  102  into the household water system. In order to maintain the anti-siphoning effect, the water level within tank  102  is not permitted to rise above fill valve  116 . By convention, the supply tube  112  and fill valve  116  are generally disposed in the rear left-hand side of tank  102 .  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the float ball  118  is attached to lever  120  by way of float arm  117 , and rises and falls with the water level in tank  102 . The position of float ball  118  controls operation of fill valve  116 . According to this illustrated embodiment, the fill valve  116  is connected to float arm  117 , which also connects to lever  120 . According to alternate toilet control embodiments that are compatible with the present invention, the float arm  117  connects directly to fill valve  116  through a separate connection (see  FIG. 3 ). Water is flushed from tank  102  by way of lever  120 . When the lever  120  is turned, the connection member  122  lifts valve seat  124  (also known as a flapper), to permit water to flow into bowl  104 . The valve seat is generally 2 to 3 inches in diameter, which corresponds to 5.08 to 7.62 centimeters.  
      As illustrated, connection member  122  is a chain. However, connection member  122  may be a rigid member in accordance with different configurations of toilet tank components. After tank  102  has been discharged, float ball  118  lowers, which turns fill valve  116  on. Water is then transmitted from fill valve  116  into tank  102  through refill tube  126 . The refill tube  126  is approximately ⅛ inch in diameter. The end spout of refill tube  126  is generally placed above overflow tube  128  with a clip (not shown), which directs the water downward into tank  102 . Overflow tube  128  is generally 1 inch in diameter (5.08 cm) and is conventionally disposed adjacent to valve seat  124  near the center of tank  102 . According to various configurations of interior toilet tank components, overflow tube may be greater or less than 1 inch in diameter. The pressure of water exiting refill tube  126  and flowing into overflow tube  128  is generally not powerful enough to displace a closed valve seat  124  and exist into bowl  104 . However, should the water level in tank  102  reach the top of overflow tube  128 , the pressure of the downwardly flowing water into overflow tube  128  is generally powerful enough to displace a closed valve seat  124  and thereby prevent overflow of tank  102 . According to some models, fill valve  116  also includes a fill tube (not shown) that extends downwardly from fill valve  116  to provide a second pathway for filling tank  102 .  
      The height of overflow tube  128  is significant, and the top thereof is generally disposed lower than fill valve  116  and lower than the level of handle  120 . In the event of a malfunction in the control of fill valve  116  by float ball  118 , the water would continually rise within tank  102 . However, once the water level reaches the top of overflow tube  128 , the water flows into overflow tube  128  and is directed past valve seat  124  and into bowl  104 . This prevents overflow of tank  102 . Likewise, by positioning the top of overflow tube  128  lower than lever  120 , water leaks around lever  120  are avoided.  
      The overflow tube  128  includes trunion “mounting ears” that are approximately ⅛-inch diameter by ⅜-inch long shafts protruding out from overflow tube  128  near its base. These are the “ears” to which the valve seat  124  connects. In some cases the overflow tube  128  is void of these ears in which case, a “rubber” type round “trunion-ring” with two mounting ears slides down over the tube to provide the connecting points for valve seat  124 . However, the overflow tube  128  in North American toilets is located adjacent to the valve seat  124  that is located in the center of tank  102 . This position allows the water entering the top of overflow tube  128  to bypass valve seat  124  and drain into bowl  104 .  
       FIG. 2  is a side view of an exemplary siphon toilet bowl  104  holding water  131 . When water travels from tank  102  into bowl  104 , a portion of the water is ejected from holes  130  disposed about the rim  132 . However, a large portion of the water flows down to siphon jet  134 , which is a larger hole at the bottom of the bowl  104 . Siphon jet  134  releases most of the water directly into siphon tube  136 . The majority of water in the bowl enters from the tank in about three seconds, and thereby activates the siphon effect to suck the water and waste out of bowl  104 . The water filled bowl  104  will flush as long as there is enough flowing water into it to activate the siphon.  
      The siphon action in bowl  104  is only engaged when a large flow of water enters bowl  104 . Thus, if a cup of water was poured into the bowl, nothing appears to happen. In reality, the water level in the bowl rises but the extra water immediately spills over the edge of siphon tube  136  and drains away. On the other hand, if a bucket of water, approximately 2 gallons, is rapidly poured into bowl  104 , the bowl flushes. Once siphon tube  136  is filled, the water is sucked out of the bowl and down the sewer pipe. When the contents of bowl  204  are emptied, air enters siphon tube  136 , which stops the siphoning process.  
      Accordingly, the purpose of tank  102  is to hold and then rapidly dump about 1.6 gallons of water into bowl  104 . Thus, it is not merely the amount of water that is displaced by into bowl  104  that triggers the siphoning action, but it is also the speed at which the water travels. When water travels from tank  102  into bowl  104 , it is the weight of the water under the influence of gravity that influences the speed, and thereby the efficiency of the flush.  
       FIG. 3  is an elevated top view of an exemplary toilet tank  102  with the float ball  118 , removed for clarity and ease of understanding. In this illustrated embodiment, float ball  118  (not shown) would connect to a float arm  117  (not shown) that would in turn connect to fill valve control extension  116   a . In this case, lever  120  connects to lever control arm  121  that is connected via chain (not shown) to valve seat  124 . Alternately, lever control arm  121  connects to valve seat  124  by way of a rigid member (also not shown).  
      Fill valve  116  and supply tube  112  generally remain fixedly attached to the bottom of tank  102 . Likewise, overflow tube  128  and valve seat  124  remain fixedly attached to the bottom of tank  102 . However, refill tube  126  is generally held to overflow tube  128  by way of a clip that is readily removed by hand. Refill tube  126  is generally positioned above the top surface of overflow tube  128  instead of being disposed downwardly within overflow tube  128  to avoid suction of water from refill tube  126  during the siphoning action of the bowl  104 . Float ball  118  (not shown) is readily movable about tank  102  by hand. The illustrated static positions of fill valve  116  and overflow tube  128  relate to the preferred embodiment of the subject water displacement device. However, different configurations of tank components exist and therefore the illustrated positions are by way of example. Alternate embodiments of the subject water displacement device are provided to correspond to alternate arrangements of toilet tank components, while achieving the same functionality and effect.  
       FIG. 4  is an elevated perspective view of a water displacement device  140  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Water displacement device  140  is preferably embodied as a generally hollow container  141  that is configured and arranged to hold liquid. The liquid is preferably water. A sealable sealable fill spout  142  is formed in container  141 . The amount of water to be filled into device  140  is approximately 1.5 gallons. However, the amount will vary depending upon the particular size and dimensions of device  140 . A cap  143  is removable engaged with fill spout  142  to permit water tight sealing thereof. According to a preferred embodiment, container  141  is filled with water. According to an alternate embodiment, container  141  is filled with water and disinfectant, such as 4 to 5 ounces of bleach to prevent stagnation of water therein.  
      The dimensions of water displacement device  140  are configured to be received within the interior of tank  102 . An aperture  144  is configured and arranged to be received around overflow tube  128 , and a first indention  146  is disposed at the rearward left corner such that the device  140  does not touch fill valve  116 . According to a preferred embodiment, aperture  144  is generally circular. A second indention  148  is provided about the frontward center of device  140  to allow the connection member  122  to freely control operation of valve seat  124 . According to a preferred embodiment, second indention  148  is generally arcuate. Some models of toilet tank components provide the connection member  122  as a chain or a rigid member. Water is filled into device  140  until the device barely floats on the water surface within tank  102 . According to a preferred embodiment, fill line  150  is provided on the side of device  140  to indicate to the user the amount of water that should be filled within device  140 . When device  140  is installed in tank  102  around overflow tube  128 , float ball  118  rests on the top thereof. As tank  102  is discharged, the device  140  falls along with the top level of the water, and the float ball  118  also falls along with the top of device  140 .  
      The speed of water exiting tank  102  and then outputting from siphon jet  134  of bowl  104  is proportional to the amount of water in tank  102 . The greater the amount of water in tank  102 , the greater the weight of water, and thereby the greater the speed of water flow. The weight of device  140 , when filled with water to the appropriate amount, is almost equal to the weight of water that is displaced within tank  102 . Accordingly, the weight of device  140  pushes downwardly on the remaining water within tank  102  such that the speed of water exiting the tank is equal to the speed if no displacement device was in the tank. The speed of the water exiting the tank provides for normal siphoning action within bowl  104 , and contributes to normal and effective operation.  
       FIG. 5  is an elevated top view,  FIG. 6  is an elevated front view, and  FIG. 7  is an elevated side view of a water displacement device  140  in accordance with the present invention. During installation, the aperture  144  is disposed around overflow tube  128  and float ball  118  is positioned on the top of water displacement device  140 . The position of aperture  144  corresponds to a position of overflow tube  128  located to the left of valve seat  124  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . First indention  146  is preferably molded in such a manner as to allow clearance with respect to fill valve  116  during upward and downward movement of device  140  about overflow tube  128 . Water is then filled into fill spout  142  such that device  140  is barely maintained in buoyant repose on the top of water in tank  102 . As set forth above, the water level in tank  102  is set to be below the top of overflow tube  128  and below the height of lever  120 . Accordingly, there is not interference with movement of lever  120 . Moreover, second indention  148  is configured and arranged to permit movement of a connection member between lever control arm  121  and valve seat  124 . First foot  152  and second foot  154  are disposed on the bottom of device  140  such that when water is emptied from tank  102 , device  140  does not contact valve seat  124 . According to a preferred embodiment, first foot  152  and second foot  154  are molded integrally with device  140  such that water within device  140  is present therein. According to an alternate embodiment, the bottom of device  140  is flat and first molded foot  152  and second molded foot  154  are separate plastic members that are affixed to the bottom of device  140  through a bonding agent such as glue, a solvent or ultrasonic bonding. According to yet another embodiment, the bottom of device  140  is flat without the provision of feet  152 ,  154 . This embodiment may actually save even more water due to the fact that device  140  will actually cause valve seat  124  to close upon contact, thereby preventing the final ¼ gal (approx) from being expelled into the tank.  
      Water displacement device  140  is preferably a plastic container having an outer dimension that approximates the shape of an interior of a standard tank  102 . Device  140  is filled with liquid, approximately 1.5 gallons, and then placed into tank  102 . Device  140  then floats (or “bobs”) on the water surface inside the tank  102 . When the toilet is flushed, the weight of the approximately 1.5 gallons of liquid contained within device  140  provides a nearly identical amount of flushing pressure for the water within tank  102 . However, the volume of water within device  140  is never used. The container sinks as the tank empties, but the design ensures that the normal operation of the flush valve is not impeded. Thus, for a 6 gpf “older style” toilet, 4.5 gallons of water contained in tank  102  is flushed, while 1.5 gallons is conserved. Likewise, as set forth above, toilets having 3.5 gpf or 1.6 gpf generally maintain the use of the standard 6 gallon toilet tank. Accordingly, for these toilets, the water displacement device can also be used to provide downward pressure on the water within the tank  102 , and thereby maintain the desired water speed during a flush. When the water is drained, the flush valve closes, and the water is replaced via the fill tube.  
      By way of example, the user of the subject water displacement device will follow the steps set forth below:  
      a) Remove the tank cover  103  and carefully set it aside;  
      b) Remove cap  143  from device  140 , fill device to fill line  150 , and replace cap  143 ;  
      c) Remove refill tube  126  from attachment to overflow tube  128 ;  
      d) Slide the device  140  under float ball  118  and around overflow tube  128 ;  
      e) Replace refill tube  126  tube into position above overflow tube  128 ;  
      f) Flush toilet with lever  120  to verify operation; and  
      g) Carefully replace the tank cover  103 .  
      According to an embodiment of the present invention, water displacement device  140  is filled with water and the fill cap  143  is permanently affixed to fill spout  142 . In this case, the water level would be pre-filled prior to purchase by the end user such that the user would not be required to fill device  140  to the appropriate level. According to this embodiment, optional fill line  150  may be removed.  
      Alternately, water displacement device  140  may be filled with a solid, a combination of solid and gas, a combination of solid, liquid, and gas, or other material such as foam or gel such that the device is maintained in a state of buoyant repose while continually pressing downward on the liquid in the tank. Alternately, water displacement device  140  may be integrally formed of a solid material that has buoyant properties, and a weight similar but slightly less than water, such that placement in toilet tank  102  provides the effect as set forth above. Alternately, water displacement device  140  may be constructed out of a porous material that will absorb and hold water and remain buoyant as well. This material would offer the consumer the ability to actually cut and shape the device to fit their particular toilet design.  
       FIG. 8  is a top view and  FIG. 9  is a side view of water displacement device  140  showing dimensions. Dimension A is the width, dimension B is the depth, dimension C is the diameter of aperture  144 , dimension D is the width of second indention  148 , dimension E is the depth of second indention  148 , dimension F is the depth of first indention  146 , dimension E is the width of first indention  146 , dimension H is the height of device  140  from the top surface thereof to the bottom surface thereof without regard to feet  152  and  154 , and dimension I is the height of feet  152  and  154 . Dimensions of device  140  in accordance with operation of the present invention are provided by Table 1 as set forth below.  
                           TABLE 1                                   Dimension   Length                                                        A   12 to 20   inches           B   3.75 to 6.75   inches           C   1.25 to 4   inches           D   2 to 8   inches           E   0.5 to 3   inches           F   1.5 to 5   inches           G   1.5 to 5   inches           H   1 to 4   inches           I   2 to 5   inches                        
      A more preferable range of dimensions is provided by Table 2 as set forth below.  
                           TABLE 2                                   Dimension   Length                                                        A   14 to 18   inches           B   4.5 to 6   inches           C   1.5 to 3   inches           D   3 to 7   inches           E   1 to 2   inches           F   2 to 3   inches           G   2 to 3   inches           H   2 to 2.25   inches           I   3 to 4   inches                      
 
      The preferred dimensions of device  140  are provided by Table 3 set forth below.  
                           TABLE 3                                   Dimension   Length                          A   15.5 inches            B   5.25 inches            C   2.25 inches            D     5 inches           E   1.5 inches           F   2.5 inches           G   2.5 inches           H   2.125 inches            I   3.5 inches                      
 
       FIG. 10  is an elevated top view of a water displacement device  160  according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Device  160  is shown with first indention  162  to provide clearance of fill valve  116 , second indention  164  to provide clearance for the connecting members between lever control arm  121  and valve seat  124 , and third indention  166  to provide clearance for an alternate position of overflow tube  128 . According to an embodiment, molded or attached feet are provided on the bottom surface of device  160  to avoid contact with the bottom of tank  102  and permit free operation of the valve seat  124 . According to an alternate embodiment, first indention  162  has a lower depth dimension F than the embodiment of  FIG. 8  such that device  140  is positioned around supply tube  112 , but below fill valve  116  during operation thereof.  
       FIG. 11  is an elevated top view of a water displacement device  170  according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Device  170  includes overflow tube hole  172  and a first indention  174  that are generally similar to aperture  144  and first indention  146  in  FIG. 5 . According to this embodiment, second indention  176  has a shape that is generally rectangular to permit clearance for the connecting members between lever control arm  121  and valve seat  124 . According to an embodiment, molded or attached feet are provided on the bottom surface of device  170  to avoid contact with the bottom of tank  102  and permit free operation of the valve seat  124 .  
       FIG. 12  is an elevated top view of a water displacement device  180  according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Device  180  includes overflow tube hole  182 , first indention  184  and second indention  186 . In this embodiment, overflow tube hole  182  is configured to accommodate tank components wherein the overflow tube  128  is positioned to the right of the valve seat  124  as particularly illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Second indention  186  permits clearance for the connecting members between lever control arm  121  and valve seat  124 . According to an embodiment, molded or attached feet are provided on the bottom surface of device  180  to avoid contact with the bottom of tank  102  and permit free operation of the valve seat  124 .  
       FIG. 12  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the water displacement device  180 , wherein the necessity of first indention  184  and second indention  186  are eliminated by way of reduced outside geometry of device  180 . According to this embodiment, device  180  floats upwardly and downwardly within tank  102  about overflow tube  128 , but does not interfere with fill valve  116  or the connecting members for valve seat  124  due to the reduced geometry. According to an alternate embodiment, aperture  182  is configured for an overflow tube being positioned to the right of valve seat  124 . According to an alternate embodiment, aperture  188  is configured for an overflow tube being positioned to the left of valve seat  124 .  
       FIG. 13  is an elevated top view of a water displacement device  190  according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Device  190  includes first hole  192 , second hole  194  and first indention  196 . The first hole  192  and first indention  196  generally correspond to the first aperture  144  and first indention  146  in  FIG. 5 . However, according to this embodiment, second hole  194  is provided to permit clearance for the connecting members between lever control arm  121  and valve seat  124 . Thus, for installation, the connecting members between lever control arm  121  and valve seat  124  would be disconnected and then threaded through hole  194  to permit operation thereof. According to an embodiment, molded or attached feet are provided on the bottom surface of device  190  to avoid contact with the bottom of tank  102  and permit free operation of the valve seat  124 .  
       FIG. 14  is an elevated top view of a water displacement device  200  according to an alternate embodiment. Device  200  includes first hole  202 , second hold  204 , and third hole  206 . First hole  202  is disposed around overflow tube  128 . Second hole  204  permits connection of connecting members between lever control arm  121  and valve seat  124 . Third hole  206  is threaded around supply tube  112 . According to an embodiment, molded or attached feet are provided on the bottom surface of device  190  to avoid contact with the bottom of tank  102  and permit free operation of the valve seat  124 .  
      While the invention has been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification as the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any embodiments falling within the foregoing description and the appended claims.