Automatic cut-off valve

Abstract

A fill valve is disclosed for use in a toilet tank, to work in conjunction with a flapper, includes a float cup forming a recess and at least one opening in or near the bottom and at least one opening at or near the top thereof, a valve body installed through the recess, on which the float cup freely moves up and down, and a coil spring placed between the top of the valve body and the top inside of the float cup. The coil spring exerts upward pressure from the top of the valve body against the top of the float cup. The float cup fills at least partially with water taken in through the at least one opening. When the flapper is lifted and water flows out of the tank, the float cup moves down the valve body until the spring is substantially compressed. When the water has substantially drained from the tank, then the water that at least partially filled the float cup runs out of the float cup through the at least one opening in the bottom, and the spring returns the float cup to the upper position. In this way, should the flapper fail to return to the closed position, the valve will automatically cut-off so that water will not continue to run. 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 member installed through the recess, on which the supplemental float cup freely moves up and down, and a coil spring placed between the top of the vertical member and the top inside of the supplemental float cup. A lifting member extending from the supplemental float cup to the float cup, preferably under the float cup, lifts the float cup. An alternative supplemental fill valve includes a weighted supplemental float cup, and a lifting cam activated by the weighted supplemental float cup, extending from the supplemental float cup to the float cup for lifting the float cup, wherein when water flows out of the tank, the weighted float cup activates the cam, lifting the float cup. The weighted supplemental float cup rides up and down in a guide which is affixed to the side of the main valve body.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.