US20160097190A1

US20160097190A1 - Fill valve leak prevention system

Info

Publication number: US20160097190A1
Application number: US14/505,416
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph Han; Tuan Le
Original assignee: Fluidmaster Inc
Current assignee: Fluidmaster Inc
Priority date: 2014-10-02
Filing date: 2014-10-02
Publication date: 2016-04-07

Abstract

A leak prevention device is provided for use in operation with a fill valve with a fill valve arm in a toilet tank. The device may comprise a pivotable locking lever having a first portion positioned to pivot into and out of contact with the fill valve arm or an extension thereof. The fill valve arm affects actuation of the fill valve to modulate fluids from entering the toilet tank, wherein the pivotable locking lever is operable to contact or is capable of contacting the fill valve arm thereby prohibiting the operation of the fill valve.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to fill valves for toilets and more specifically, to systems directed towards preventing and detecting leaky flush valves in toilets and preventing waste of water during use of the same.

BACKGROUND

Occasionally, valves in toilets leak fluids. A leaky flush valve for example will cause water in the tank to leak out into the corresponding toilet bowl and ultimately down the drain. When a leak causes the water level in the tank to dip below its shut-off level, the water inlet valve typically opens in order to refill the tank. Between flushes, the tank is almost completely filled. As a result of the tank being ostensibly filled, a user may not be able to recognize that a valve such as the flush valve is leaking. A leaky flush valve that goes unrepaired will waste water which is of particular concern in an age when water has become increasingly scarce and expensive.
Previous approaches to resolving leaky toilet valves been designed so that the inlet valve of the toilet assembly is prevented from opening and thus disabling introduction of water until a person affirmatively flushes the toilet. As such, any valve that is leaking will empty the tank so that future flushes are only possible after the user manually fills the tank and/or fixes the leak. This is advantageous since water is conserved and users are put on notice that there is a leak due to the empty tank.
Aside from conservation of water, other considerations for solutions to leaky toilet valves include ensuring that any solution remains inexpensive and easy to implement on many different systems such as the approach taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,891 (hereinafter “'891 patent”). However, the '891 patent requires that the inlet valve post of the system be modified which is not easily achievable by one skilled in the art such as a plumber or handyman. Moreover, this approach is relatively difficult to use in practice since it requires mounting a bracket to the valve float (which may additionally not be capable of receiving such a bracket). Perhaps most importantly, this approach fails to operate when the position of the valve float changes even slightly.
Other approaches have including positioning floats that slide along vertical posts of the toilet as is the case in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,100,928 and 4,703,653. Each of these approaches, however, fail to describe a fill valve leak prevention device of relatively simple construction which is imperative in the field of toilets. Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a fill valve leak prevention device that addresses these and other needs in the art.

SUMMARY

The following simplified summary is provided in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the claimed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview, and is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
In some embodiments, a leak prevention device is provided for use in operation with a fill valve that is seated on a post in a toilet. The device may comprise a locking lever pivotable about a central pivot comprising a bias element operable to bias a first portion of the locking lever pivotally about the central pivot. The first portion may be operable to be pivotally positioned to prevent movement of a fill valve arm in communication with the fill valve.
The locking lever may be pivotally connectable to the central pivot that is in communication with the post. The central pivot may be associated with a fixed hinge in a toilet tank, the first portion further comprising a locking member operable to securely engage with a lever receiving surface of the fill valve arm.
In some embodiments, a second portion may be positioned opposite the first portion of the locking ever such that the first portion may weigh less than the second portion thereby creating the bias element of the locking lever. As such, the second portion may comprise a material density, material thickness, or material width that differs or is otherwise greater than the first portion. The center of gravity of the locking lever may likewise be positioned in the second portion. Optionally, the bias element of the locking lever may be provided by a coil or a spring in communication with the first portion and the central pivot.
The first and second portions may be joined at the central pivot thereby creating an angle defined by the first portion, the second portion, and the central pivot. The second portion of the locking lever may be operable to receive a flush actuator such as a chain, rope, wire, or string in communication with a flush lever. Further, the angle may be adjustable between one or more fixed positions.
In other embodiments, a leak prevention system is provided for use in operation with a fill valve seated on a post in a toilet. The system may comprise a float slidably coupled to the post underneath the fill valve, a link with an upper end and a lower end, the lower end being rigidly coupled to the float, an arm pivotally connected to the fill valve and pivotally connected to the upper end of the link, and a locking lever pivotally connected to a central pivot underneath the arm and the fill valve. In this respect, a first portion of the locking lever is configured to pivot about a central pivot and bias towards the link. The locking lever may further comprise a second portion positioned opposite the first portion so that a center of gravity of the locking lever is positioned in the second portion.
In some embodiments, the central pivot in the system may be associated with a fixed hinge in a toilet tank, wherein the first portion further comprising a locking member operable to securely engage with a lever receiving surface of the fill valve arm. In this respect, the lever receiving surface may comprise teeth, projections, grooves, members or an otherwise friction-inducing surface to securely receive and engage the locking member of the first portion. The locking member may be integrally formed with the first portion or removable attached thereto. The first and second portions may likewise be joined at the central pivot of the locking lever thereby creating an angle defined by the first portion, the second portion, and the central pivot. The angle may also be adjustable between one or more fixed positions.
In this system, the first portion may weight less than the second portion so that the first portion naturally pivots towards the link and the second portion naturally pivots towards the fill valve. To achieve this weight distribution, the second portion may comprise a material density, material thickness, or material width that differs or is greater than that of the first portion. A flush actuator may extend from the locking lever in this embodiment, wherein the flush actuator may be operable to cause the first portion of the locking lever to pivot about the central pivot away from the link. The flush actuator may comprise a chain, rope, wire, beam, member or string in communication with a flush lever.
In other embodiments, the central pivot may be in communication with the post wherein a lever attachment mechanism may pivotally receive the locking lever at the central pivot, the lever attachment mechanism disposed on the post between the fill valve and the float. The lever attachment mechanism may be removably attached and/or slidable coupled to the post or the lever attachment mechanism is integrally formed with the post.
The system may likewise comprise a lever locking receiver mechanism that is disposed on the link underneath the upper end the same. The first portion of the locking lever may therefore be operable to pivot about the central pivot until being securely received by the lever locking receiver. The lever locking receiver mechanism may comprise an annular ring, shoulder, flange or projection operable to securely receive the first portion of the locking lever. The lever locking receiver mechanism may likewise be integrally formed with the link or be removably attached thereto and slidable between one or more fixed positions.
In other embodiments, a method is provided for preventing a toilet tank with a fill valve seated above a post from leaking. The method may comprise the following steps: pivotally connecting a locking lever to a central pivot in communication with the fill valve (which may be directly or indirectly to the corresponding post), wherein a first portion of the locking lever is operable to bias away from the post; and preventing the fill valve from actuating the flow of fluids into the toilet tank by pivoting the first portion of the locking lever about the central pivot towards a fill valve link mechanically attached to a float slidably couple to the post so that an actuating arm pivotally connected to the link and the fill valve is prevented from translating.
The method may further comprise: unlocking the fill valve by actuating a flush actuator operably connected with the locking lever causing the first portion of the locking lever to pivot about the central pivot away from the fill valve link so that the fill valve is operable. The method may additionally comprise pivotally connecting the central pivot of the locking lever with a lever attachment mechanism disposed on the post, wherein the central pivot is in communication with the post and/or securely engaging a first portion of the locking lever with a lever locking receiver mechanism disposed on the link, wherein the central pivot is in communication with the post.
In other embodiments, a leak prevention device may also be provided for use in operation with a fill valve with a fill valve arm in a toilet. The device may comprise a pivotable locking lever having a first portion positioned to pivot into and out of contact with the fill valve arm or an extension thereof. The fill valve arm affects actuation of the fill valve to modulate fluids from entering the toilet tank, wherein the pivotable locking lever is operable to contact or is capable of contacting the fill valve arm thereby prohibiting the operation of the fill valve.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the claimed subject matter may be employed and the claimed subject matter is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features may become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a fill valve leak prevention system in a first position between flushes.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the system FIG. 1 in an engaged position to prevent the fill valve from actuating flow of fluids into the toilet tank.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the system of FIG. 1 just after being released from the engaged position of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of another fill valve leak prevention system in a first position between flushes.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the system FIG. 4 in an engaged position to prevent the fill valve from actuating flow of fluids into the toilet tank.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of the system of FIG. 4 just after being released from the engaged position of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The fill valve leak prevention device and method of use described herein are configured to conserve vital resources such as water, manufacturing resources, and time associated with repairs and system maintenance that otherwise require attention. Accordingly, the device and systems described herein depict a fill valve leak prevention device moving between unlocked and locked positions.
Specifically, FIG. 1 depicts a side view of a fill valve leak prevention device 10 assembled within a tank 14 of a toilet 1 (each not depicted) for use with a fill valve 15. In FIG. 1, the leak prevention device 10 is depicted unlocked with associated float 26 in a down position. FIG. 2 depicts the embodiment of FIG. 1 with valve 15 in a locked engagement so arm 47 is prevented from translating such that valve 15 is prevented from refilling tank 14. FIG. 3 similarly depicts the embodiments of FIG. 1-2 just after valve 15 has been released from its locked engagement in FIG. 2.
Device 10 is disposed internal to tank 14 above the associated bowl 12. Typically, a flush actuator 55 such as a chain is in communication with a flush actuator (not depicted) that allows the user to pull, push, or otherwise actuate toilet 10 in order to cause a flush. Accordingly, actuating actuator 55 in conventional flush systems causes fill valve arm 47 to translate associated fill valve 15 to allow ingress of water into tank 14 between flushes.
Fill valve 15 may be seated above an associated post 17 that mounts to the lower surface of the tank 14 and slidably couples to float 26. In this regard float 26 may slide between pre-flush and flush configurations along post 17 as described. Post 17 may be constructed from a variety of materials and/or shapes such as tubular, rectangular, or otherwise shaped cross sections so that associated float 26 may slide therealong between positions with its correspondingly shaped internal float guide.
A lever attachment mechanism 19 may also be operatively coupled to the post 17 above float 26 and below fill valve 15. Mechanism 19 may be integrally formed with post 17 or removably attached thereto, wherein mechanism 19 may be slidably coupled or fixedly attached in one or more fixed positions on post 17. In a preferred embodiment, mechanism 19 is an annular ring, collar, shoulder, or flange that substantially encircles the external surface of post 17 at a predetermined position, wherein one or more projections of mechanism 19 extend away from post 17 towards link 27 terminating in lever central coupling pivot 31. Pivot axis of pivot 31 may be oriented substantially orthogonal relative to post 17 and substantially parallel with the plane of the lower surface of the tank.
Arm 47 in turn may pivotally couple to fill valve 15 on one end and on its opposite end may be pivotally coupled to an upper end of link 27 underneath cap 37. In some embodiments, a link end of arm 47 slidably mounts to the upper end of link 27 with C-shaped or U-shaped coupling members and is securely fastened thereto by cap 37. Cap 37 may comprise internal threads configured to fasten with external threads of link 27. However, link 27 may optionally comprise integrally formed fasteners such as a hook, loop, pin, dowel, snap/fit engagement or the like so that arm 47 is slidably received by and/or fastened to the upper portion of link 27.
A locking lever 45 is also provided pivotally coupled to mechanism 19 at central pivot 31. Specifically, lever 45 couples to pivot 31 at a central pivot of lever 45 thereby dividing lever 45 into first 29 and second portions 30. A hinge, axel, rotatable pin, or the like may be provided to couple pivot 31 and lever 45 together so that the desired pivoting movement between mechanism 19 and lever 45 may be achieved.
In this regard, when comparing FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, it can be seen that first portion 30 of lever 45 pivotally moves about pivot 31 until contacting link 27. Further, because portions 29 and 30 are joined at central pivot 31, lever arm angle 35 is provided defined between portions 29 and 30. Likewise, lever 45 comprises a center of gravity 85 positioned substantially in portion 29. In practice, when the water level of tank 14 decreases, portion 30 of lever 45 is operable to naturally bias towards link 27 in order to prevent arm 47 from translating so that valve 15 in turn is prevented from opening and thus actuating ingress of fluids into tank 14 between flushes. Because of the unique positioning of center of gravity 85 in portion 29, lever 45 is naturally biased towards having portion 29 pivot about pivot 31 towards post 17 with corresponding portion 29 being constructed to pivot about pivot 31 towards link 27.
Lever arm angle 35 may be any angle less than 180 degrees and preferably, more than 90 degrees. In some embodiments, angle 35 may be adjustable which provides additional ease of installation as well as ability to customize to design constrains since relative distance between float 26, post 17, and valve 15 has no effect on whether lever 45 can be incorporated into tank 14.
An alternative approach to achieving the bias element of lever 45 includes provision of an optional coil or a spring in communication with central pivot 31 and portion 30 so that portion 30 in turn comprises a resistance element that causes portion 30 to naturally pivot about pivot 31 until contacting link 27 and ultimately mechanism 65 as required. Preferably, however, portion 29 may be heavier than portion 30. Portion 29 may therefore be constructed from denser or heavier materials) and/or respective material thicknesses, length or width of portion 29 may differ with respect to those of portion 30. As a result, lever 45 will comprise a bias element that causes portion 30 to naturally pivot about pivot 31 towards link 27. The aforementioned difference in weight between portions 29 and 30 may be optionally achieved by removably positioning ballast to one or more portions 29 and 30 as desired.
When comparing FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that FIG. 2 clearly shows lever 45 in an engaged position, wherein arm 47 is in a raised position relative to FIG. 1 and portion 30 is seated underneath or otherwise in communication with mechanism 65. Portion 30 therefore contacts mechanism 65 thereby imparting a substantially upward resistance force depicted by the upward arrow. In practice, if tank 14 comprising the herein described lever 45 and associated system comprises a leak, lever 45 as described prevents float 26 and corresponding link 27 from moving arm 47. In turn, arm 47 is prevented from actuating valve 15 to the extent that fluids are prevented from being introduced into tank 14 via valve 15 thereby unnecessarily wasting water that otherwise would result if the refilling action caused by valve 15 were left unchecked.
FIG. 3 depicts lever 45 and it associated system after actuator 55 pulls and/or moves portion 29 to pivot away from post 17 towards link 27. In this respect, portion 30 of lever 45 pivots about pivot 31 away from link 27 towards post 17 thereby releasing its engagement with mechanism 65. By removing portion 30 from being securely engaged with mechanism 65, link 27 and associated arm 47 are now free to translate to an unlocked position during a flush as represented by downward arrow of FIG. 3. Thus, pulling or otherwise moving actuator 55 may cause portion 29 to rotate about pivot 31 towards link 27 and rotate portion 30 about pivot 31 towards post 17 (i.e. opposite the pivoting movement caused by the bias element of lever 45). By pivoting portion 30 away from link 27 in this manner, arm 47 is no longer prevented from translating since the upward, preventive force imparted by portion 30 to mechanism 65 has been released. As a result valve 15 may now permit ingress of water into tank 14 during tank 14 refilling (since link 27, cap 37, associated float 26, and arm 47 are able to translate freely between flushes).
As can be seen, mechanism 65 may comprise an annular ring, shoulder, flange, collar, projection or the like operable to securely receive and engage with arm 47 once arm 47 has naturally pivoted into position underneath mechanism 65. Optionally, mechanism 65 may be integrally formed with link 27 below cap 37 at a predetermined position dependent upon corresponding size and shape of lever 45. Preferably, mechanism 65 may be removably attached to link 27 at one or more fixed positions on link 27.
In another embodiment depicted in FIGS. 4-6, a similar locking lever 145 is provided moving between engaged and translatable positions so that lever 145 may prevent corresponding fill valve 15 and fill valve arm 47 from translating and in turn activating fill valve 15 to refill tank 114. FIG. 4 specifically depicts lever 145 when pivotally attached to central pivot 131 on a fixed hinge inside tank 14 and in communication with valve 15 (e.g. directly to post 17 or any other feature or component operatively coupled thereto), wherein corresponding float 26 is positioned in a down position since the tank 14 is empty. FIG. 5 by contrast depicts the same system of FIG. 4 whereas tank 14 now comprises fluids such that float 26 is oriented in an upward position with portion 130 of lever 145 securely engaged with arm 47 (thereby preventing translation and thus actuation of arm 47). Finally, FIG. 6 depicts the previously described system of FIGS. 4-5 just after corresponding actuator 55 has been pulled or otherwise moved so that portion 130 is caused to pivot about pivot 131 towards link 27 thereby releasing its secure engagement with arm 47.
As can be seen in FIGS. 4-6, arm 47 further comprises a locking member surface 152 disposed on the an underside of arm 47 adjacent to or otherwise nearby where arm 47 couples to link 27 underneath cap 37. Portion 129 of lever 145 may optionally comprise a locking member 150 disposed on distal end of portion 129 (opposite pivot 131) that extends away from the portion 129. In this respect, instead of securely engaging with link 27 as in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3, portion 129 of lever 145 is operable to pivot about central pivot 131 until contacting arm 47 and securely engaging with corresponding surface 152 as shown in FIG. 5.
Portion 130 of locking lever 145 may optionally comprise corresponding locking member 150 which may be a blade or extruded member that extends from the distal end of portion 130 until contacting lower locking surface 152 of arm 47. It can be seen that portion 130 engages with arm 47 at locking surface 152, such that locking surface 152 is operable to receive lever 45 and/or any corresponding member 150. When lever 145 or member 150 is seated against or otherwise in contact with surface 152, advantageously lever 145 is naturally maintained in a secure engagement that prevents translation and thus actuation of arm 47. In so doing, arm 47 is prevented from actuating valve 15 such that valve 15 is incapable of introducing fluids into tank 14 until portion 130 disengages with arm 47 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).
Similar to lever 45, when comparing FIGS. 4-6, it can be seen that first portion 130 of lever 145 is operable to pivotally moves about pivot 131 until contacting arm 47. Further, because portions 129 and 130 are joined at central pivot 131, when the water level of tank 14 ascends (FIGS. 4 to 5) or descends (FIGS. 5 to 6), portion 130 of lever 145 is operable to naturally bias towards surface 152 of arm 47 in order to prevent arm 47 from translating so that valve 15 in turn is prevented from opening and thus actuating ingress of fluids into tank 14 between flushes.
The unique bias element comprised by lever 145 that causes portion 129 to pivot about pivot 131 towards post arm 47 with corresponding portion 130 being constructed to pivot about pivot 131 towards link 27 may be preferably be achieved as follows. Portion 129 may be heavier than portion 130, wherein portion 129 may be constructed from denser or heavier materials) and/or respective material thicknesses, lengths or width of portion 129 may differ with respect to those of portion 130. As a result, bias element of lever 145 causes portion 130 to naturally pivot about pivot 131 towards arm 47 to prevent arm 47 from translating or otherwise moving to actuate refill by valve 15. The aforementioned difference in weight between portions 129 and 130 may be optionally achieved by removably positioning ballast to one or more portions 129 and 130 as desired. Alternatively, the bias element of bias element of lever 145 may comprise an optional coil or a spring in communication with central pivot 131 and portion 130 so that portion 130 in turn comprises a resistance element that causes portion 130 to naturally pivot about pivot 131 until contacting arm 47.
In some embodiments, member 150 may comprise a locking blade constructed from stainless steel or other metal with binding teeth configured to etch or dig into surface 152. This induces friction between member 150 and surface 152 (which may be plastic). Although metal may be preferred, member 150 may utilize any material more rigid than surface 152. Member 150 may also comprise a relatively sharp edge configured to etch into surface 152 to induce friction securely engage member 150 to arm 47 thereby preventing arm 47's pivoting movement.
The present device 10 differs significantly from the approach taught by U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,111 (hereinafter “'111 patent”). The '111 patent teaches a leak prevention device but is of relatively complex construction and its installation consists of a buoyant cup that must be mounted underneath a valve float. The device functions by preventing the float from moving down between flushes by the buoyant cup. A mount assembly attaches to the underside of the float below the water such that the cup is normally immersed in water. When the water drops, the weight of the float causes the cup to pivot towards the post of the float until it locks the float in place. To unlock the cup of the '111 patent, a chain is moved thereby disengaging the cup from contacting the float so that refilling may take place. This approach requires intricately machined parts, a mount to the float, a buoyant cup, and a pivot arrangement that relies upon the weight of the float for leak prevention functionality.
By contrast, the approaches described in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-6 secure the actuating arm 47 in order to prevent actuation of fill valve 15 through a relatively simple system that incorporates locking lever 45/145 and associated portions 29/129 and 30/130. Lever arm 47 is maintained in place upwards by the tendency of locking lever 45/145 to pivot about pivot 31/131 (either by contacting arm 47 itself or contacting and securely engaging link 27). This advantageously provides a simpler solution to the foregoing problems since it does not rely upon levels of water floating a buoyant cup or the weight of a float.
The fill valve leak prevention system and device as taught and described herein is able to be installed on any variety of toilets. Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments disclosed and described herein. Therefore, it is understood that the illustrated and described embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of examples and that they are not to be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the embodiments include other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed above even when not initially claimed in such combinations.
The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to not only include the combination of elements which are literally set forth. It is also contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination(s).
Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essential idea of the embodiments.
What has been described above includes examples of one or more embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the aforementioned embodiments, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of various embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the described embodiments are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A leak prevention device for use in operation with a fill valve seated on a post in a toilet, the device comprising:

a locking lever pivotable about a central pivot comprising a bias element being oriented to bias a first portion of the locking lever pivotally about the central pivot;

wherein the first portion is operable to be pivotally positioned to prevent movement of a fill valve arm in communication with the fill valve.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the central pivot is associated with a fixed hinge in communication with the fill valve, the first portion further comprising a locking member operable to securely engage with a lever receiving surface of the fill valve arm.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the locking lever is pivotally connectable to the central pivot in communication with the post, further comprising a second portion positioned opposite the first portion on the locking ever, the first portion weighing less than the second portion thereby creating the bias element of the locking lever.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the second portion comprises a material density, material thickness, or material width greater than the first portion.

5. The device according to claim 3, wherein a center of gravity of the locking lever is positioned in the second portion, wherein the first and second portions are joined at the central pivot thereby creating an angle defined by the first portion, the second portion, and the central pivot.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the second portion of the locking lever is operable to receive a flush actuator, and wherein the flush actuator comprises a chain, rope, wire, or string in communication with a flush lever.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein the angle is adjustable between one or more fixed positions.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the bias element further comprises a coil or a spring in communication with the first portion and the central pivot.

9. A leak prevention system for use in operation with a fill valve seated on a post in a toilet, the system comprising:

a float slidably coupled to the post underneath the fill valve;

a link with an upper end and a lower end, the lower end being rigidly coupled to the float;

an arm pivotally connected to the fill valve and pivotally connected to the upper end of the link;

a locking lever pivotally connected to a central pivot underneath the arm and the fill valve, wherein a first portion of the locking lever is configured to pivot about a central pivot and bias towards the link.

10. The system according to claim 9, the locking lever further comprising a second portion positioned opposite the first portion, wherein a center of gravity of the locking lever is positioned in the second portion.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the central pivot is associated with a fixed hinge in communication with the fill valve, the first portion further comprising a locking member operable to securely engage with a lever receiving surface of the fill valve arm.

12. The system according to claim 11, the lever receiving surface comprising teeth, projections, members or a friction-inducing surface to securely receive the locking member of the first portion.

13. The system according to claim 10, wherein the first and second portions are joined at the central pivot of the locking lever thereby creating an angle defined by the first portion, the second portion, and the central pivot.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the angle is adjustable between one or more fixed positions.

15. The system according to claim 10, wherein the first portion weighs less than the second portion so that the first portion naturally pivots towards the link and the second portion naturally pivots towards the fill valve.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the second portion comprises a material density, material thickness, or material width greater than the first portion.

17. The system according to claim 15, further comprising a flush actuator extending from the locking lever, wherein the flush actuator is operable to cause the first portion of the locking lever to pivot about the central pivot away from the link, and wherein the flush actuator comprises a chain, rope, wire, or string in communication with a flush lever.

18. The system according to claim 10, wherein the central pivot is in communication with the post, the system further comprising a lever attachment mechanism to pivotally receive the locking lever at the central pivot, the lever attachment mechanism disposed on the post between the fill valve and the float.

19. The system according to claim 10, wherein the central pivot is in communication with the post, the system further comprising a lever locking receiver mechanism disposed on the link underneath the upper end of the link, wherein the first portion of the locking lever is operable to pivot about the central pivot until being securely received by the lever locking receiver.

20. A method of preventing a toilet tank with a fill valve seated above a post from leaking, the method comprising:

pivotally connecting a locking lever to a central pivot, wherein a first portion of the locking lever is operable to bias away from the post; and

preventing the fill valve from actuating fluid flow into the toilet tank by pivoting the first portion of the locking lever about the central pivot towards a fill valve link mechanically attached to a float slidably couple to the post so that an actuating arm pivotally connected to the link and the fill valve is prevented from translating.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising:

unlocking the fill valve by actuating a flush actuator operably connected with the locking lever causing the first portion of the locking lever to pivot about the central pivot away from the fill valve link so that the fill valve is operable.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the locking lever further comprises a second portion opposite the first portion and joined at the central pivot thereby creating an angle defined by the first portion, the second portion, and the central pivot, and wherein the locking lever is operable to bias towards the fill valve link.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising: pivotally connecting the central pivot of the locking lever with a lever attachment mechanism disposed on the post, wherein the central pivot is in communication with the post.

24. The method according to claim 22, further comprising: securely engaging a first portion of the locking lever with a lever locking receiver mechanism disposed on the link, wherein the central pivot is in communication with the post.