WO2010021741A2

WO2010021741A2 - Wizard water saver

Info

Publication number: WO2010021741A2
Application number: PCT/US2009/004778
Authority: WO
Original assignee: Water Savers Foundation
Priority date: 2008-08-21
Filing date: 2009-08-21
Publication date: 2010-02-25
Also published as: WO2010021741A3

Abstract

Throughout the world there are hundreds of millions of conventional gravity fed toilets that due to their design waste water with every flush. The embodiment of this invention converts the standard single flush toilet to that of Dual flush thus regulating the amount of water used with every flush. By attaching the embodiment of this invention to the overflow tube in Flopper style toilets, said toilets can be easily converted to that of Dual flush. As such toilet water could be saved during both on the Urine and Feces flush.

Description

TITLE OF INVENTION

Wizard Water Saver BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The embodiment of this invention is an improvement to the existing gravity fed Flopper designed toilet which currently is use by millions of people throughout the world. To be more specific the embodiment of this invention allows one to convert their single flush toilet to that having the capability to function as a Dual flush system for the purpose cutting the amount of water needed during flush modes.

Problematically when one flushes a gravity fed flopper toilet, the user cannot use less water, which would be equal to that amount of water held in the holding tank. As such, primarily in Urine flush but occasionally in a Feces flush as well, the amount of water uses is far in excess of what is needed to clear those materials down the trap as the majority of gravity fed Flopper designed toilets will flush Urine as well as some small amounts of Feces with less water than that held in the holding tank, and delivered during a regular flush.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to a mechanical devise which can be easily installed into the standard 1.6 gallon and larger capacity flush toilets which solves the problem of using excessive amounts of water during flush modes. Historically when one flushes a 1.6 gallon or larger gallon capacity toilet, the entire amount of the water in the toilet holding tank is used with every flush.

The embodiment of this invention will allow one to convert with ease their existing gravity fed flopper toilet which would allow the toilet to function as if it were a water saving Dual Flush toilet. With the embodiment of this invention one can create a water saving Dual Flush toilet in two ways. First the low or Urine flush can be accomplished by lightly pushing and then releasing the flush handle. This would activate the invented mechanism and render a regulated low flush thus saving water.

Further the embodiment of this invention is such that the amount of water used in the low flush can be regulated by a simply adjustment of the mechanism. This allows allows one to save the maximum amount of water for their particular toilet design. The embodiment of this invention further allows for a water saving during a full or feces flush. This saving can be accomplished by holding the flush handle down just long enough for the material to clear the trap. Once cleared, the flush handle is released. The amount of water used will be no more or no less than is necessary for an adequate flush. Again water is saved. After the Urine or Feces flush cycle has been completed, the toilet would refill making ready for another low or full flush.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Momentarily turning to Fig 2 which is the Perspective plain view of the invention attached to the overflow tube number 9. In figure 2, number 1 is the mainframe that is attached through the use of number 10 which is a zip tie. Within the body of mainframe number 1, as shown in Fig. 2 is number 2, which consists of two identical mirrored protruding pins with each extending outward from the bottom and most back trailing edge of the left and right outermost vertical sides of mainframe number 1 as shown in Fig. 2.

Momentarily turning to Fig 2, number 3, which is that part of the invention known as the highchair. Highchair umber 3, as shown in Fig. 2, is attached to mainframe number 1 as shown in Fig. 2, through the use of pins, number 2, which pass through two mirrored holes number 4, found on each side of the trailing most end of highchair number 3 as shown in Fig. 2.

Momentarily turning to Fig. 2, number 5, which consists of two mirrored holes found on each side of the most leading front edge of highchair number 3. Said holes, number 5, act as a female receptacle for number 7, which is the adjustable stem to which water cup number 6 is permanently attached as shown in Fig 2.

Momentarily turning to Fig 2, number 8 which consists of two identical cams that can be vertically adjusted. Said cams as shown in Fig. 2 are attached to the most frontal edge of 3.

Momentarily turning to Fig 2, number 11, which is the Flopper valve that is pivotally connected to the lower most portion of the apparatus that rests directly over the drain. When the toilet is activated, the Flopper, number 11, lifts up allowing water held in the holding tank to be released enters the drain.

The embodiment of this invention is designed to work in conjunction with gravity fed flopper styled toilets for the purpose of reducing the amount of water that would normally be used with each standard flush.

Momentarily turning to Fig. 3 which is the side plain view of the embodiment of this invention. As shown in Fig 3, the Mainframe number 1, is attached to overflow number 9, using the zip tie number 10.

Momentarily turning to Fig 2, number 8, which is the Side plain view of the embodiment of this invention. As shown in Fig 2, number 8 consists of a pair of mirrored cams which can be vertically adjusted. As shown Fig. 2, both cams are identical to each other and rest approximately one half inch above the top surface of the flopper number 11 as shown in Fig. 2. The distance between the bottom most leading edge of the two cams and the top most leading edge of the flopper can be changed by either vertically adjusting the cams or by manually sliding the mainframe bracket, number 1, up or down the overflow tube number 9.

Momentarily turning to Fig. 1, which is the Front plain view of the embodiment of this invention. In Fig. 1 , the two cams number 8, are centered over flopper number 11 as shown in Fig 1. The embodiment of this invention requires that the two cams number 8 be centered over the flopper number 11 so there will be equal pressure on both sides of the flopper as it is raised during the flush mode.

Momentarily turning to Fig. 1 , number 6. Water cup 6 is attached to highchair 3 by inserting the water cup stem number 7, permanently attached to the most bottom of water cup number 6, into the left hole number 5, of highchair number 3. The embodiment of this invention allows for water cup stem, number 7, attached to water cup number 6, to be inserted into either the left or right holes, number 5 on highchair number 3.

The embodiment of this invention is designed to function only when the toilet holding tank is full of water and the flush handle has been activated during the standard flush mode.

Momentarily turning to Fig. 3, which is the side plain view of the embodiment of this invention. As water begins to fill the toilet holding tank and reaches the bottom of the water cup which has a baffle in the most frontal and most bottom area. As the water rises the baffle is trapped with air creating a bubble. As the water continues to rise the bubble forces the water to rise upward. Since the water cup is attached to highchair number 3 via the connecting stem, number cumber 7 attached to water cup number 6, the entire unit in tandem moves upward and is forced to stop when the back top area of highchair 3 comes to rest on top frontal area of mainframe 1.

As the water continues to rise it flows over the top of water cup number 6 filling each of the five upper most open baffles retaining water within each baffle only to stop filling when the water level reached it reached the automatic shut off.

Upon flushing the toilet the flush handle is pushed downward causing the flopper valve, number 9 to rise. The flopper continues to rise until the bubble of air trapped in the flopper valve is released. With the majority of gravity fed flopper design toilets the amount of time to release the flopper bubble is such that the majority of water held in the holding tank is utilized.

The embodiment of this invention forces the flopper to close prematurely before all the water in the holding tank has been dispelled thus using less water. This is accomplished by the added weight in the water cup number 6 which is created by water being retained in the five rectangular baffles at the top of the water cup. As such when the water level begins to fall, the added water weight along with the weight of highchair number 3 and the two cams number 8 prematurely force the flopper to close reducing the amount of water used during that flush mode.

At the end of the water saving flush sequence, the embodiment of this invention allows for one to increase of decrease the amount of water used by adjusting the water cup 6 attached to stem number 7 by moving stem number 7 upward or downward in hole number 5.

The embodiment of this invention allows for further adjustment by moving the two cams vertically up or down utilizing one of three slots. After the water cup and cams have been adjusted to match the desired to be water used, that toilet will then utilize that same amount of water each and every time flushed.

The embodiment of this invention allows the user to switch from the water saving mode to a flush mode requiring more water. To accomplish this the user holds down the flush handle which in turn lifts the flopper. As the flopper is lifted, so also are the two cams as well as highchair number 3 and water cup number 6. Once the flushed material clears the trap and the handle released, the flopper will immediately drop being pushed shut by the added water weight in the five water cup baffles as well as the added weight of the cams and highchair.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to the equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. AU publications, patent applications, patents and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. In the case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than forgoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG.l is the Front Plain view of the water saver invention attached to an overflow tube.

FIG. 2 is a Perspective Plain view of the water saving invention attached to an overflow tube.

FIG. 3 is a Side Plain view of the water saving invention attached to an overflow tube. FIG 4 is a Back Plain view of the water saving invention attached to an overflow tube.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An apparatus which retrofits existing gravity fed flopper style toilets for the purpose of saving water.

2. As claimed in Claim 1, this apparatus consists of a mainframe which attaches to various size and shaped overflow tubes found within the holding tanks of gravity fed flopper toilets.

3. As claimed in Claim 2, the mainframe may be attached using a zip tie, adhesive, adhesive strip, integral snaps or screw mechanisms of any nature as well as any other means.

3. As claimed in Claim 2, the mainframe body has two protruding pins one on each of the left and right side of the back of the mainframe which function as a means to receive that part of the invention known as the highchair.

4. As claimed in Claim 3, the highchair has two holes one on each side of the left and right most trailing end which function as a female receptacle to which the two protruding pins attached to the mainframe are inserted.

5. As claimed in Claim 4, the highchair after properly attached to the mainframe will pivot upward as the toilet holding tank is filled with water with said highchair coming to rest as the most top and back area of the highchair comes in contact with the top leading edge of the mainframe.

6. As claimed in Claim 4, the highchair has at two holes in the outer most frontal area which function as a female receptacle for the stem that is attached to the base of a water cup with said water cup stem being interchangeable in either the left or right female receptacle.

7. As claimed in Claim 6, the stem to which the water cup is attached is slotted allowing for vertical adjustment.

8. As claimed in Claim 6, the interchangeable water cup has at least one baffle at its base which retains an air pocket creating buoyancy forcing said water cup and all apparatus attached to float out of the way of the flopper valve as the water in the holding tank rises during the filling process.

9. As claimed in Claim 6, the interchangeable water cup has a varied number of pockets which retain water adding weight which will force the flopper valve to close faster than normal when the toilet is flushed.

10. As claimed in Claim 4 the highchair has at least one slotted area in the most frontal area to which at least one vertically adjustable cam is attached.