US 5,769,111 A · Leak detector

Abstract

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) and a mount (44) that pivotally supports the body about a body axis (54) on the float (30). The body has a forward end portion (56) that can engage the post to prevent the float from moving down until a chain device (60) attached to the rear of the body is pulled to pivot the body. The body has a center of buoyancy (80), when immersed in water, which lies forward of the body axis, so when immersed the body urges its forward end portion against the post to prevent the float from moving down. The forward portion of the body can include a metal strip with a sharp edge (74) that "digs" into the inlet valve plastic post. The mount includes a pair of upstanding mount posts (114) that project into air holes (112) on the float.

Claims14

Dependent claims

Leak detector apparatus for use with an inlet valve assembly which includes a vertical post, an inlet valve, and a float which is slidable vertically along said post and which is coupled to said inlet valve to open it when said float moves down and to close it when said float moves up, to prevent the float from moving down and opening the inlet valve to refill the tank as when water leaks through an outlet valve, said float having a lower portion that normally lies under water, comprising:

a buoyant body;
a mount that is attachable to said float and that is connected to said body so said body can prevent said float from moving down to open said inlet valve when said body cannot move down, said mount being pivotally connected to said body about a body axis so said body lies under water when said float lower portion lies under water;
said body having a body forward end portion that lies closest to said post with said forward end portion having a post-engaging part that engages said post to prevent downward movement of the body when said body pivots in a direction wherein said forward end portion moves upward and forward, and said body having a rear end portion which can be pulled up;
said body having a center of buoyancy, when immersed in water with said post-engaging part lying adjacent to said post, which lies below and forward of said body axis to urge body pivoting to move said post-engaging part forwardly and upwardly against said post to prevent downward movement of the body and cause the body to prevent downward movement of the float when water leaks through the outlet valve.

1 more element

In a toilet that includes a tank that can be filled to a predetermined level with water and an inlet valve assembly lying in said tank with said inlet valve assembly having a vertical post, an inlet valve on the post, and a float that is slidable along said post and that is coupled to said inlet valve to open it when said float slides down, and said toilet includes a control that is operated to start a flushing, the improvement of apparatus that prevents opening of the inlet valve if there is a leak, comprising:

a buoyant body pivotally mounted on said float about a body axis and lying under water when said tank is filled with water to support said float against sliding down, said body having front and rear ends with said front end having a post-engaging part that engages said post when said body pivots in a first direction about said body axis and that moves away from post when said body pivots in an opposite second direction about said body axis, said body having a center of gravity and having a center of buoyancy that lies at a predetermined position when said center of gravity lies directly under said body axis, said center buoyancy controlling the body position about said body axis when said body is immersed in water and is not otherwise forced to pivot;
a coupling that extends between said body and said control and that pivots said body in said second direction when said control is operated to start a flushing;
said center of gravity of said body being positioned so when it lies directly under said body axis said location of said center of buoyancy lies forward of said body axis, so when said body is out of water and then immersed in water its buoyancy tends to pivot said body to move said body front end against said post and prevent downward movement of said float when water leaks from said tank.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Leak detector

Life of this patent

Leak detector

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14