Pressure actuated fill tube for toilet tanks

Abstract

A pressure actuated fill tube for toilet tanks is taught which is capable of reducing the flow of water into the toilet tank to a minimum rate when a shower or other water use appliance is running, substantially reducing the likelihood of a shower scalding incident if someone flushes the toilet while someone else is in the shower, and allowing the toilet tank to fill over time. Also taught is a means to implement the required pressure sensitive valve as an integral part of the pressure actuated fill tube for toilet tanks. Also taught is a pressure actuated fill system for toilet tanks that is configured with the pressure sensitive valve located inside the toilet tank.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A pressure actuated fill tube for toilet tanks comprising: 
 a. An inlet tube,    b. A pressure sensitive valve that is responsive to changes in water supply pressure, and    c. An outlet tube.    Said inlet tube directing the flow of water from the water supply system into said pressure sensitive valve, said pressure sensitive valve controlling the flow of water between a minimum flow rate and a maximum flow rate, and said outlet tube directing the controlled flow of water into said toilet tank.    
     
     
         2 . The pressure actuated fill tube for toilet tanks as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said minimum flow rate is equal to or greater than zero gallons per minute, and wherein said minimum flow rate is less than said maximum flow rate.  
     
     
         3 . The pressure actuated fill tube for toilet tanks as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least said minimum flow rate will always be allowed to flow through said pressure sensitive valve.  
     
     
         4 . The pressure actuated fill tube for toilet tanks as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said minimum flow rate will fill said toilet tank over time while having a minimal affect on the water pressure within said water supply system.  
     
     
         5 . The pressure actuated fill tube for toilet tanks as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising an adjustment mechanism, wherein said pressure sensitive valve responds at an adjustable minimum threshold water supply pressure as determined by said adjustment mechanism.  
     
     
         6 . The pressure actuated fill tube for toilet tanks as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said inlet tube is connected to a standard toilet tank shut-off valve or other standard toilet water supply plumbing attachment.  
     
     
         7 . The pressure actuated fill tube for toilet tanks as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said outlet tube is connected to a standard toilet plumbing attachment.  
     
     
         8 . The pressure actuated fill tube for toilet tanks as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said pressure sensitive valve may be adaptively configured as a stand-alone component that may be attached at either end of a standard toilet tank fill tube.  
     
     
         9 . The pressure actuated fill tube for toilet tanks as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said pressure sensitive valve may be adaptively configured as an integral part of the shut-off valve that isolates the toilet from the main water supply in most installations.  
     
     
         10 . The pressure actuated fill tube for toilet tanks as claimed in  claim 1  further configured and adapted to control the supply of water to clothes washing machines, lawn sprinklers, and other water use appliances.  
     
     
         11 . The pressure actuated fill tube for toilet tanks as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said pressure sensitive valve is further comprised of; 
 a. a valve seat,  
 b. a valve ball,  
 c. a valve spring,  
 d. a spring plate, and  
 e. an actuator cam.  
 Wherein said actuator cam acts on said spring plate to adjust the pre-load on said valve spring, and wherein said valve spring with said adjustable pre-load holds said valve ball firmly in said valve seat until such time as said input water pressure rises above said minimum threshold level to counteract said pre-load on said valve spring to move said valve ball away from said valve seat.  
 
     
     
         12 . The pressure actuated fill tube for toilet tanks as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said valve plate has a hole to allow the through flow of water.  
     
     
         13 . The pressure actuated fill tube for toilet tanks as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said actuator cam is in communication with an externally accessible set screw, and wherein said set screw is sealed against leaks with o-rings.  
     
     
         14 . The pressure actuated fill tube for toilet tanks as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said pressure sensitive valve is configured with an imperfect said valve seat, and wherein said imperfect valve seat allows said minimum flow rate to flow past said valve ball when said pressure sensitive valve is closed.  
     
     
         15 . The pressure actuated fill tube for toilet tanks as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said valve seat contains minimum flow rate channels and wherein said minimum flow rate channels allow said minimum flow rate to flow past said valve ball when said pressure sensitive valve is closed.  
     
     
         16 . The pressure actuated fill tube for toilet tanks as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said inlet tube and said outlet tube are further configured to form the body of said pressure sensitive valve.  
     
     
         17 . The pressure actuated fill tube for toilet tanks as claimed in  claim 11  further configured and adapted to control the supply of water to clothes washing machines, lawn sprinklers, and other water use appliances.  
     
     
         18 . A pressure actuated fill system for toilet tanks comprising: 
 a. A standard toilet tank fill tube connected between a standard toilet tank shut-off valve and a standard toilet tank, and    b. An integrated pressure sensitive valve, internal to said standard toilet tank, which is responsive to changes in water supply pressure.    Said standard toilet tank fill tube directing the flow of water into said standard toilet tank through said integrated pressure sensitive valve, said integrated pressure sensitive valve controlling the flow of water between a minimum and a maximum flow rate.    
     
     
         19 . The pressure actuated fill system for toilet tanks as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said minimum flow rate is equal to or greater than zero gallons per minute, and wherein said minimum flow rate is less than said maximum flow rate.  
     
     
         20 . The pressure actuated fill system for toilet tanks as claimed in  claim 18  wherein at least said minimum flow rate will always be allowed to flow through said pressure sensitive valve.  
     
     
         21 . The pressure actuated fill system for toilet tanks as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said minimum flow rate will fill said toilet tank over time while having a minimal affect on the water pressure within said water supply system.  
     
     
         22 . The pressure actuated fill system for toilet tanks as claimed in  claim 18  further comprising an adjustment mechanism, wherein said pressure sensitive valve responds at an adjustable minimum threshold water supply pressure as determined by said adjustment mechanism.  
     
     
         23 . The pressure actuated fill system for toilet tanks as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said pressure sensitive valve is an integral part of the flush mechanism contained within said standard toilet tank.  
     
     
         24 . The pressure actuated fill system for toilet tanks as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said pressure sensitive valve is an integral part of the flush mechanism contained within said standard toilet tank and wherein said pressure sensitive valve is positioned downstream from the flush mechanism shut-off valve; said pressure sensitive valve being further configured with an adjustment mechanism, wherein said pressure sensitive valve responds at an adjustable minimum threshold water supply pressure as determined by said adjustment mechanism, wherein said adjustment mechanism is not sealed against leaks, and wherein said leaks contribute to said minimum flow rate.  
     
     
         25 . The pressure actuated fill system for toilet tanks as claimed in  claim 18  further configured and adapted to control the supply of water to clothes washing machines, lawn sprinklers, and other water use appliances.