Patent Publication Number: US-2013247292-A1

Title: Apparatus for Prevention of a Toilet Overflow

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an apparatus for preventing a toilet overflow and, more particularly, to an apparatus that can be used to retrofit conventional toilets for prevention of an overflow. 
     A toilet can overflow due to various reasons, such as for instance malfunctioning flapper valve that is mounted in the tank and normally closes the outlet port of the tank. Another reason is a blocked sewage pipe that leads from the toilet bowl into the sewage line. In either case, the results create considerable inconvenience to a home owner or an owner of a commercial facility. The overflow creates unsanitary conditions that must be remedied in an expeditious manner. 
     There have been a number of patents directed to toilet overflow control in conventional gravity tank toilet systems. U.S. Pat. No. 6,052,841 teaches a system for preventing a toilet bowl from overflowing. The system includes a sensor mounted on exterior of the toilet bowl at a location above a normal water level for the toilet bowl. The sensor uses capacitance values of air and water to sense the water level in the toilet bowl, and generates a warning signal if the level is above the normal level. The system further includes a valve connected to the water conduit upstream from the toilet tank, the valve being displaceable to respective open and closed positions. A drive assembly is connected to the valve to drive the valve to the open and closed positions. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,934,977 discloses a combination overflow control and leak detecting system for a toilet. It uses a magnetic detector secured in a toilet tank for detecting the level of water in the toilet tank. This detector is adjustably mounted on a float held in the toilet tank and is designed to be activated by rising and falling levels of water in the toilet tank. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,383,594 discloses a circular opening integrally formed within the left side of the concave inner wall of the toilet bowl. The overflow inlet portal provides passage to an auxiliary waste drain outlet which extends downward through toilet bowl front to the primary waste discharge pipe, and through the stool portion of the standard toilet, under which connection is made to an auxiliary waste outlet piping being in fluid communication with the primary waste discharge pipe. 
     U.S. application publication No. 2005/0132483 discloses the use of a secondary valve, a fluid cylinder and a transmission mechanism. The secondary valve is positioned between a primary flush valve of the toilet and a bowl of the toilet. The secondary valve rotates from an open position, wherein water is permitted to flow through the secondary valve, to a closed position, wherein water is substantially prevented from flowing from a tank of the toilet to the bowl. The fluid cylinder has a cylinder member defining a bore and a piston. The piston moves within the bore and defines a variable volume fluid chamber with the cylinder member. The transmission mechanism converts translation of the piston into rotation of the secondary valve. 
     U.S. application publication No. 2005/071914 discloses the use of a sensor, which operates to sense a liquid level within a toilet bowl, and an actuator, which moves between a flush position and an idle position. A controller operates to move the valve to the open position in response to movement of the actuator to the flush position and a liquid level within the bowl below a predetermined level. U.S. application publication No. 2008/0250555 discloses the use of a flapper solenoid mounted in the tank, for depressing the flapper valve into a closed position, an overflow sensor mounted in the bowl for sensing an over fill condition in the bowl, and a control box communicating with the over flow sensor and the flapper solenoid for operably signaling the flapper solenoid to depress the flapper valve into the closed position in the case of an over fill condition. 
     U.S. application publication No. 2003/0196258 discloses a water level sensor, which is designed for attachment to the rim of the toilet bowl. The overflow apparatus has a hollow flexible tube connecting the water level sensor to an air vented toilet tank flapper. The water level sensor opens an air valve to allow air to flow out of the flexible tube attaching to the water level sensor coming from the air vented toilet tank flapper when it trips. As water displaces the air inside the air vented toilet tank flapper, it sinks to close the toilet tank flush valve. Water flowing through the toilet tank flush valve is closed and a toilet bowl overflow is prevented. 
     U.S. application publication No. 20060059612 discloses the use of four drain ports and a float. As water rises, the float rises, allowing water to drain into return ports and not over the top of the toilet. The ports are molded into the toilet bowl which would drain directly back to the main toilet line, therefore stopping water from flowing over the top of the toilet. The ports are located just below the brim of the toilet. U.S. application publication No. 2010/0095447 discloses the use of a sensor capable of detecting vibration of the toilet during a flush cycle. The sensor generates a signal indicative of the vibration. A processor receives the signal from the sensor and processes the signal to determine if the vibration is indicative of an impeded flush condition. If an impeded flush condition is determined to exist, the processor generates a control signal to cause an actuator to close a valve, which stops a flow of water within the toilet. 
     U.S. application publication No. 2010/0299823 discloses the use of a secondary drainpipe which bypasses the primary waste drain of traditional fixtures. When the primary waste drain of the fixture is blocked, the wastewater will back up in the fixture&#39;s basin until the water level reaches a plurality of secondary discharge holes formed in the upper region of the fixture&#39;s basin. The rising water flows through these discharge holes and through the secondary drain which is in fluid connection with the building&#39;s drainage/sewer system. U.S. application publication No. 2007/0157374 discloses the use of a pump, a moisture sensor and a circuit for receiving a signal from the moisture sensor and activating the pump. The pump is associated with the toilet and attached to an inlet pipe to receive liquid from the toilet bowl of the toilet. The pump is further attached to an outlet pipe for discharging liquid from the toilet bowl. 
     While these solutions may work satisfactory in many cases, many of them are too complex for retrofitting a conventional toilet system. The present invention contemplates elimination of drawbacks associated with the above-discussed solutions and provision of an easy-to-install inexpensive retrofit apparatus that can be used in residential and commercial settings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an overflow prevention apparatus that can be used to retrofit convention gravity toilet systems. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide an overflow prevention apparatus that is easy to install and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide an overflow prevention apparatus that operates through a solenoid moving a baffle member to close a flapper valve of a conventional water tank. 
     These and other objects of the invention are achieved through a provision of an apparatus for prevention of an overflow in a toilet system having a tank in fluid communication with a bowl and having a flapper style flush valve directing water by gravity from the tank to the bowl. The apparatus comprises a baffle assembly mountable between the tank and the bowl, a water level sensor mountable inside the bowl and a solenoid assembly transmitting a signal from the water level sensor when an out-of-range water level conditions are detected. 
     The baffle assembly comprises a tubular baffle housing detachably securable in general alignment with the flush valve and a baffle plate mounted for pivotal movement inside the housing, the baffle plate being movable between a normally open position substantially parallel to a vertical axis of the baffle housing and a closed position, transverse to the vertical axis of the baffle housing. The baffle plate moves between the open position and the closed position in response to a control signal from the water level sensor transmitted to the baffle assembly via the solenoid assembly. 
     The apparatus of the present invention can be used to retrofit conventional toilet systems. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals and wherein 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating the overflow prevention apparatus of the present invention mounted between a water tank and a toilet bowl. 
         FIG. 2  is a detail view illustrating supporting spacers engaged between the water tank and the toilet bowl. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the overflow prevention apparatus of the present invention, with a sensor member omitted. 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the overflow prevention apparatus of the present invention mounted between the water tank and the toilet bowl. 
         FIG. 5  is a detail top view illustrating the baffle plate in an open position. 
         FIG. 6  is a detail, partially sectional side view illustrating the baffle plate in an open position. 
         FIG. 7  is a detail top view illustrating the baffle plate in a closed position. 
         FIG. 8  is a detail, partially sectional side view illustrating the baffle plate in the closed position. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates pivotal movement of the lever arm between an open and a closed positions. 
     
    
    
     DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Turning now to the drawings in more detail, numeral  10  designates the overflow prevention apparatus according to the present invention. The apparatus  10  comprises a baffle assembly dimensioned for positioning between a water tank  14  and a toilet bowl  16  of a conventional gravity system. 
     The baffle assembly comprises a baffle housing housing  12  has a tubular configuration with an open top  18  and an open bottom  20 . A mounting tab  22  is secured on an exterior surface of the baffle housing  12 . A mounting bracket  24  is detachably secured to the mounting tab  22  using a screw  26 . The mounting bracket  24  comprises a pair of planar portions  28 ,  29  unitary connected to each at a right angle. Each of the planar portions  28 ,  30  is provide with a through opening  29 ,  31 , respectively. The planar portion  28  is secured to the mounting tab  22  using the screw  26 , while the planar portion  30  supports a solenoid assembly  32 . 
     The solenoid assembly  32  comprises a solenoid member  34 , which can be a tubular battery-operated solenoid and a pivot lever arm  36  secured to a securing proximate end  35  of the solenoid member  34 . The solenoid member  32  is operationally connected to a power supply, such as battery  46 , and to a water level sensor or overflow sensor  48 . 
     The securing end  35  of the solenoid member  34 , as can be seen in  FIG. 3 , has a fork-like configuration with spaced-apart securing legs  38 ,  39 . A lower end of the lever arm  36  fits between the legs  38 ,  39  of the securing end of the solenoid member  34  and is secured therein by a pin  40  passing through respective openings  37 , formed in the lower end of the lever arm, and through openings formed in the securing legs  38 ,  39 . A retaining ring  42  secures the pin  40  in its engagement with the securing legs  38 ,  39  and the lever arm  36  sandwiched therebetween. 
     An opposite upper end  50  of the lever arm  36  is provided with a through opening  51 , which receives a distant end  52  of an elongated baffle shaft  54 . The baffle shaft  54  has a generally cylindrical configuration, and the distant end  52  has a flat cutout that matches a flat surface of the cutout  51  formed in the opening  51  of the pivot lever arm  36 . When engaged with the baffle shaft  54 , the lever arm  36  transmits pivotal movement from the solenoid securing end  35  to the baffle shaft  54  causing the baffle shaft to move laterally inside the baffle housing  12 , as will be described in more detail hereinafter. 
     A circumferential groove  56  is formed on the baffle shaft  54  a distance from the distant end  52 . When secured in the baffle housing  12 , the majority length of the baffle shaft  54  appears to extend in the baffle housing  12 . An opening  15  is formed in the wall of the baffle housing  12  a distance above the tab  22 . The baffle shaft  54  extends through the opening  15  such that the groove  56  is positioned adjacent the wall of the baffle housing  12 . A sealing O-ring  58  seals the area of connection between the baffle shaft  54  and the baffle housing  54  forming a watertight seal in the connection area. A retaining ring  60  secures the distant end  52  of the baffle shaft  54  to the upper end  50  of the lever arm  36 . 
     The baffle shaft  54  is provided with a pair of spaced apart threaded openings  62 ,  64 . A baffle plate  68  is provided for closing the fluid path between the water tank  14  and the toilet bowl  16  in case of impending overflow. The baffle plate  68  is secured to the baffle shaft  54  using a pair of screws  69 ,  70 , which pass through respective apertures  71 ,  72  formed in the baffle plate  68 . The apertures  71 ,  72  align with the threaded openings  62 ,  64 , respectively, allowing the screws  69  and  70  to engage the baffle plate  68  to the baffle shaft  54 . 
     The baffle plate  68  comprises a generally planar body configured to be slightly smaller than an interior chamber defined by the hollow baffle housing  12 , such that the baffle plate can pivot together with the shaft  54  opening and closing a fluid path defined by the cylindrical baffle housing  12  between the water tank  14  and the toilet bowl  16 . In a closed position, shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the baffle plate  54  extends horizontally and transversely to a vertical axis of the baffle housing  12 . In this position the baffle plate  54  blocks a flow of water from the water tank  14 . When the baffle plate  54  is in a normally open position shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the baffle plate is oriented generally parallel to the vertical axis of the baffle housing  12 . 
     The water level sensor  48  is detachably mounted in an upper part of the toilet bowl  16  (see,  FIG. 1 ). The water level sensor  48  can be secured to a rim  74  of the toilet bowl  16  using a clip  76  or other suitable mounting means. The water level sensor  48  is operationally connected to the solenoid member  34  using electrical wiring  78 . 
     When mounting the apparatus  10  of the present invention, advantage is taken of the existing sealing gaskets  80  and  82  conventionally used between the water tank  14  and the toilet bowl  16 . The upper sealing gasket  80  is fitted around the upper end  18  of the baffle housing  12 , while the lower sealing gasket  82  is fitted around an open bottom end  20  of the baffle housing  12 . 
     A retrofitting kit of the instant invention also comprises a pair of long bolts  84  securing the tank  14  to the toilet bowl  16 . Usually, there are two such bolts provided. A spacer  86  is used in a surrounding relationship to each of the securing bolts  84  to allow positioning of the baffle housing  12  between a bottom of the water tank  14  and the top of the toilet bowl  16 . 
     In one aspect of the invention, the baffle housing  12  is positioned in fluid communication with the water tank  14  and the toilet bowl  16  such that a conventional flapper style flush valve  88  is oriented to be above the upper end  18  of the baffle housing  12 . When in a fully open position, the baffle plate  68  does not interfere with the normal flow of water from the tank  14  to the bowl  16 . However, when the level sensor  48  detects an abnormal condition, that is a water level above a pre-determined level in the bowl  16 , the sensor  48  generates a signal and transmits it to the solenoid  34 . The solenoid then causes the lever arm  36  to pivot, rotating the baffle plate  90  degrees and extend transversely in the baffle housing  12 . The flow of water from the tank  14  to the bowl  16  is prevented, thereby preventing an overflow of water in the bowl  16 . 
     During the operation, as the water level comes up the sensor  48  sends an electrical signal closing the circuit on the electromagnet in the solenoid member  34  and causing the pivotal movement of the lever arm and the baffle plate. As the water recedes, the connection is no longer made and the baffle plate  68  is returned to its normally open position. 
     The attachment of the sensor  48  to the bowl  16  can be done by a clip, similar to a deodorizer attachment to a bowl or glue that attaches to a ceramic bowl. All the elements necessary to retrofit this apparatus to an existing toilet will be provided in a kit along with instructions that instructs the user on the removal of the conventional bolts, the use of the longer bolts  84  which will be supplied, the attachment of the sensor  48  to the bowl  16 , the installation of the a baffle to the toilet and the use of the gaskets in the proper places. The water sealing gaskets are conventionally used in gravity systems therefore there will be no need deal with the gaskets. The apparatus of the present invention can be installed by a handyman can install this without the use of a plumber to prevent overflowing of the toilet. 
     It is envisioned that the apparatus of the present invention can use a sensor equipped with an audible alarm feature. When the water level has rise above the predetermined level and the solenoid is activated, the sensor will emit a sound alerting the home owner of the out-of-range conditions. Similarly, an audible alarm feature can be provided for alerting the home owner of a dead battery. Then the batteries will need to be changed. 
     Many changes and modifications can be made in the design of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I, therefore, pray that my rights to the present invention are limited only by the scope of the appended claims.