Did You Know...
...that in 1800 ether was first used by partyers as a fun diversion? Sniffing the gas led to hilarious and raucous laughter as people watched each other become more and more intoxicated and silly. Several doctors independently realized the value ether would have to anesthetize surgery patients. Of those who claimed rights to the "discovery," none had a happy ending. One had a seizure and died defending his rights. Another spent his life in an asylum because he had been denied acclaim. A third became addicted to chloroform and, in a New York City jail, he soaked a cloth in the drug, severed an artery and bled to death.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8132273 | Toilet fill valve including leak prevention mechanism A toilet fill valve having a mechanism for preventing leakage from a tank of the toilet between flush cycles. The mechanism includes links that are normally locked to prevent the fill valve from opening. The links are operatively connected to a handle of the toilet ... | 03/13/2012 |
| 7464415 | Automatic cut-off valve A supplemental fill valve for use in a toilet tank, to work in conjunction with a flapper and a typical fill valve having a float cup and a valve body, includes a supplemental float cup forming a recess and at least one opening in the bottom thereof, a vertical memb... | 12/16/2008 |
| 7284567 | Liquid level controller A liquid level controller for maintaining the level of liquid in a tank at a predetermined height includes a housing with an upper and lower section wherein the upper section is connected to a liquid supply and the lower section is submerged in liquid the level of w... | 10/23/2007 |
| 7171702 | Toilet tank fill valve and method of operation A metered water control system inlet tube (24) receiving water conducting water into the interior of the tank to a diverter. A diverter (48) channels the flow to cause mechanical motion responsive to the channeled flow. A control valve (66 and | 02/06/2007 |
| 7155751 | Toilet tank valve A hollow, open-ended closure for the tank valve which enables a large cross-section area of discharge port to be used, and which can pass bowl-refill water during the flushing sequence. It is especially useful as part of a valve in which it can be tilted to open the... | 01/02/2007 |
| 7117905 | System and method for automatically filling a liquid receptacle An automatic liquid filling system including a liquid supply, a liquid-retaining structure, and a filling apparatus in fluid communication with the liquid supply and the liquid-retaining structure. The filling apparatus is configured to automatically supply liquid t... | 10/10/2006 |
| 7082624 | Water-separating apparatus for toilet tank A water-separating apparatus for toilet tank bridges a toilet tank and a water supply includes a concentric tube, a distributing tube and a solenoid valve. The concentric tube has a large tube containing a small tube, and an inlet connecting to the water supply and ... | 08/01/2006 |
| 7028347 | Digital electronic volume/flow control sensor toilet A digital electronic volume/flow control sensor toilet includes a bowl, a water storage tank interconnected with the bowl, and a digital electronic volume/flow control sensor flushing mechanism. The flushing mechanism has components including a volume sensor, a shut... | 04/18/2006 |
| 6962163 | Dual-float snap-action flush valve A liquid level control apparatus for a flush tank includes a valve mechanism communicating with a fill tube and operable between open and closed conditions, two floats, at least one of which is coupled to the valve mechanism for closing it when the at least one floa... | 11/08/2005 |
| 6934977 | Toilet leak detection and overflow prevention system Water leak detecting or overflow devices for a toilet may be inserted into or formed integrally with the toilet. The devices include at least one water leak sensor assembly mounted in a position in a toilet tank so as to detect the rise and fall of the water level i... | 08/30/2005 |
| 6934976 | Toilet flusher with novel valves and controls A tank-type flusher includes an intake valve, i.e., a fill valve, a diaphragm-operated flush valve, and a pressure control mechanism. The intake valve is connected to an external water source and is constructed to close water flow to a water storage tank at about a ... | 08/30/2005 |
| 6810902 | Automatic water shut off system to prevent overflow of a plumbing device A control circuit for a plumbing device that has a drain line and a water supply line includes a water sensor generating a potential overflow level signal in response to the water level in the plumbing device caused from a restricted drain line, an electrically cont... | 11/02/2004 |
| 6675398 | Diverter for use with tank valves to direct flow to tank or rim A diverter valve for selectively passing water from a ballcock valve directly to a water storage tank or to the rim of a toilet. It includes a diverter plunger which places a deflector into the path of water from the ballcock, and a float which removes th... | 01/13/2004 |
| 6571401 | Flush and tap toilet water saver system A flush and tap toilet water saver system is provided for use in the modem 1.6 gallon toilets that can utilize a flapper valve, a water supply valve which is controlled by a float ball, and a conventional operating handle. A main flapper valve has a bleed... | 06/03/2003 |
| 6467101 | Toilet flushing and cleaning device A toilet flushing and cleaning device includes a reservoir with a cylinder and a mixing tube disposed therein. The cylinder communicates with a water source. A plunger is slidably disposed in the cylinder. A plurality of spray nozzles communicate with the... | 10/22/2002 |
| 6453479 | Flusher having consistent flush-valve-closure pressure A tank-type flusher including an intake valve, a diaphragm-operated flush valve, a pressure control mechanism. The intake valve is connected to an external water source and constructed to close water flow to a water storage tank at about a predefined wate... | 09/24/2002 |
| 6385787 | Tank fill and discharge mechanism An inlet valve and a discharge valve are operatively coupled by a coupling element so that when the discharge valve is closed, the inlet valve is open, and when the inlet valve is closed, the discharge valve is open. A biasing element biases the inlet val... | 05/14/2002 |
| 6109294 | Leak-preventing toilet flush valve assembly A leak preventing detent apparatus for a toilet flush valve assembly in which an inlet valve (13) to a toilet flush tank (11) is controlled by an inlet valve control device (14, 14a, 16, 17), and an outlet flush valve (21) is controlled by a flush lever (... | 08/29/2000 |
| 6088846 | Toilet water regulator A water regulation device for toilet flush system which can be mechanically inserted in a flush system to variably control by an adjustable valve member the amount of water that enters a flush operation, which operation is controlled by a cam member in op... | 07/18/2000 |
| 5950666 | Leak-preventing toilet flush valve assembly A leak preventing detent apparatus for a toilet flush valve assembly in which an inlet valve (13) to a toilet flush tank (11) is controlled by an inlet valve control device (14, 14a, 16, 17), and an outlet flush valve (21) is controlled by a flush lever (... | 09/14/1999 |
| 5862537 | Flush lever operated reservoir toilet tank control A flush lever operated control reservoir and toilet flush system for toilet water storage tanks, for preventing continued flow from a water supply as a result of a flush valve leak or a tank leak, the fill valve is responsive to a water level in a separat... | 01/26/1999 |
| 5862538 | Toilet flushing device A toilet flushing device is to be installed in a water supply tank and has a diverter valve which permits the supply of high pressure water to the rim flushing conduit of a toilet bowl when the toilet bowl is flushed. The diverter valve has a valve housin... | 01/26/1999 |
| 5842236 | Device for refilling and emptying lavatory flushing cisterns Device for a lavatory cistern including: a) a flush valve opened by the lowering of a horizontal cam (13) pushing on a horizontal valve (11) which separates a ball (10) from its sealing seat; and b) a dual flushing volume mechanism, with an emptying tube ... | 12/01/1998 |
| 5775366 | Leak-preventing toilet flush valve assembly A leak preventing detent apparatus for a toilet flush valve assembly in which an inlet valve to a toilet flush tank is controlled by an inlet valve control device, and an outlet flush valve is controlled by a flush lever. The detent apparatus includes a f... | 07/07/1998 |
| 5769111 | Leak detector Leak detector apparatus (40) is provided for use with a toilet inlet valve assembly (12) that includes a float (30) slidable along a vertical post (32), which can be easily installed by a handyman. The leak detector apparatus includes a buoyant body (42) ... | 06/23/1998 |
| 5715860 | Adjustable valve for controlling the amount of water refilling a toilet bowl after flushing An adjustable valve is inserted in a tubular connection extending between an inlet lien and overflow pipe in the flush tank of a flush toilet. By adjusting the rate of flow through the valve, the level of water standing in the toilet is determined.... | 02/10/1998 |
| 5652970 | Toilet water reservoir water dumping valve for sealing the reservoir's water outlet by hydraulic pressure, and controlling water volume A toilet reservoir water dumping valve for sealing the reservoir's water outlet by hydraulic pressure and for controlling the water volume to be flushed. The dumping valve is situated in the toilet reservoir at the water outlet to the toilet bowl, the dum... | 08/05/1997 |
| 5608924 | Consistent delivery flush and fill system for a tank A consistent-delivery flush and fill system for a water tank. A vertically movable post with a central passage carries a valve plug to open and close a valve seat for a discharge port from the tank. Buoyancy means on the post respond to the water level in... | 03/11/1997 |
| 5524299 | Toilet tank water flow shutoff apparatus for preventing leakage and overflow A toilet tank water flow shutoff apparatus for preventing leakage and overflows includes a fill tray mounted on an upper portion of a main frame inside a toilet tank. The fill tray receives water from a water inlet valve in the toilet tank and discharges ... | 06/11/1996 |
| 5464037 | Level control valve arrangement and water closet cistern There is disclosed a level control valve arrangement preferably for use in a water closet cistern for controlling the liquid level in the cistern or container. The arrangement has a liquid inlet (3) feeding an inlet chamber (1) and a movable valve member ... | 11/07/1995 |
| 5408705 | Toilet water reservoir valve utilizing float and hydraulic activators A toilet water reservoir inlet and outlet control valve utilizing a float and hydraulic activator. Both function simultaneously. Whenever the user flushes the toilet he will activate such valve, which will open to fill the reservoir with water, and the hy... | 04/25/1995 |
| 5327931 | Flush valve leakage prevention and detection device A flush valve leakage prevention and detection device includes a hood for being assembled over a water inlet valve assembly of a toilet tank, a latch for being mounted by the hood for rotation from a locked position wherein a locking arm of the latch hold... | 07/12/1994 |
| 5287882 | Ball cock assembly float with drain openings A toilet tank ball cock is designed for use in a toilet tank having an operating lever, a flush valve controlled by the operating lever and a water supply, with the ball cock regulating the supply of water to the tank. The ball cock includes a vertical ri... | 02/22/1994 |
| 5282280 | Toilet water reservoir inlet and outlet control valve A water conserving refill valve for a reservoir connected to a pressurized water supply. The valve includes a hollow body divided by a diaphragm into a first and second chamber and a hollow plunger extending through the diaphragm between the chambers. The... | 02/01/1994 |
| 5232011 | Flush valve leakage prevention and detection device A flush valve leakage prevention and detection device includes a latch for supporting a float lever of a float controlled water inlet valve assembly of a toilet tank in a raised, latched position corresponding to a closed position for the water inlet valv... | 08/03/1993 |
| 5175894 | Toilet flushing device A toilet flushing device has a diverter valve which permits the supply of high pressure water to the rim flushing conduit of a toilet bowl when the toilet bowl is flushed, thereby enhancing the flushing of the toilet bowl. The diverter valve has provision... | 01/05/1993 |
| 5134729 | Universal positive shut off, metered water control system for use with flush toilet tanks A device for metering the flow of water into the tank and bowl of any currently known tank toilet and providing a positive shut-off of the flow. When the toilet handle is turned, a linkage rotates a cam to force a stopper from its seat thereby commencing ... | 08/04/1992 |
| 5125120 | Toilet water regulator A toilet water regulator device which prohibits water flow into the toilet system after a predetermined amount of water has entered the system comprising a valve at the water inlet to the system, said valve having a water outlet to the system, wherein the... | 06/30/1992 |
| 5031250 | Mechanism for filling and discharging a toilet water tank The mechanism comprises an inlet valve assembly which admits water into a toilet tank under the control of a valve plug mounted on the end of a vertical axle having a float on its upper end. The valve plug is unseated, to admit water, when the axle is til... | 07/16/1991 |
| 5007452 | Bowl fill for a tank valve A tank valve for refilling a toilet tank and simultaneously supplying water to a toilet bowl has a riser, a valve mounted to the riser, a valving chamber in the body of the valve, and a downwardly directed outlet port from the valving chamber. A cuff surr... | 04/16/1991 |
