Retractable float for a ballcock valve
AssigneeFluidmaster, Inc.
InventorJoseph Han
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A collapsible floating apparatus for controlling a valve includes a floating device and a collapsible lever. The collapsible lever includes a first member rotatably coupled to the valve, and a second member attached to the floating device at one end and rotatably coupled to the first member adjacent another end. The apparatus has a retracted position for shipping and storage, and operational positions. In the position, the second member, or the first and second members together, are brought adjacent to the valve. In operational positions, the first and second members act as a single lever to relay the buoyancy of the floating device drives to the valve. An adjusting member is provided for adjusting a relative position or angle between the first and second members, which in turn adjusts a water level.
Claims20
A collapsible floating apparatus for controlling a ballcock valve, comprising:
- a floating device for providing a buoyancy to drive the valve;
- and
- a collapsible lever coupled to the floating device and the valve.
A collapsible floating apparatus for driving a valve, the apparatus comprising:
- a floating device for providing a buoyancy to drive the valve;
- a collapsible lever comprising a first movable member coupled to the valve and a second movable member coupled to the floating device;
- and
- an adjusting member for adjusting a relative position or angle between the first member and the second member, the relative position or angle between the first member and the second member in turn determines a water level in the tank.
A method for assembling a valve system having a valve for refilling a tank with fluid, comprising:
- providing a floating apparatus having a collapsible lever coupled to a floating device;
- and
- adjusting the collapsible lever from a collapsed position to a first operational position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.