Apparatus for reducing flush water in toilets

Abstract

A replacement toilet valve apparatus for a toilet includes a rod bracket attachable to the stand pipe at a selected vertical location. A vertical rod channel is defined in the bracket at an adjustable lateral distance from the stand pipe. A valve rod slides up and down in the rod channel and is connected to the flush lever. A valve member mounted to the bottom end of the valve rod is configured to engage the valve seat to seal the top end of the flush water outlet. The valve member is configured such that same sinks in water. A float is attached to the valve rod at one of a plurality of vertical float locations and the float is operative, when immersed in water, to prevent the valve member from sinking.

1 . A replacement toilet valve apparatus for a toilet comprising a tank, a flush water outlet connecting a bottom of the tank to a bowl, a valve seat on a top end of the flush water outlet inside the tank, a substantially vertical stand pipe inside the tank, and a flush lever, the apparatus comprising:
 a rod bracket adapted for attachment to the stand pipe at a selected vertical location, the rod bracket defining a substantially vertical rod channel at a lateral distance from an attached stand pipe, wherein the lateral distance from the attached stand pipe is adjustable;   a valve rod slidable up and down in the rod channel and adapted at a top end thereof for connection to the flush lever;   a valve member mounted to a bottom end of the valve rod and configured to engage the valve seat to seal the top end of the flush water outlet, wherein the valve member is configured such that same sinks in water;   a float attached to the valve rod at one of a plurality of vertical float locations, the float operative, when immersed in water, to prevent the valve member from sinking.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the valve rod and rod channel are configured such that the valve rod can slide up and down in the rod channel and such that the valve rod is prevented from rotating in the rod channel. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the valve seat of the toilet is oriented at an inclined angle to a horizontal tank bottom, and wherein the orientation of the valve member with respect to the valve rod is adjustable such that a sealing plane of the valve member can be oriented to engage the valve seat at a corresponding inclined angle to seal the top end of the flush water outlet. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein:
 a threaded bottom portion of the valve rod below the rod channel is bent at an angle to an upper portion thereof;   the threaded bottom portion of the valve rod engages a threaded socket defined by the valve member;   the threaded socket is oriented at an angle to the sealing plane such that rotating the valve member on the valve rod changes the orientation of the sealing plane with respect to the upper portion of the valve rod.   
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the valve rod and valve member are marked to indicate relative angular orientations thereof as the valve member is rotated on the valve rod. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the float is attached to the valve rod above the rod channel. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the float comprises right and left float members mounted on a float bracket such that the float members are located substantially equidistant from the valve rod and such that the right and left float members and the valve rod are substantially aligned. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the valve rod extends upward through a mounting aperture defined by the float bracket, and wherein the float members are located on lower ends of float arms extending outward and downward from the mounting aperture. 
   
   
       9 . A toilet comprising:
 a tank;   a flush water outlet connecting a bottom of the tank to a bowl;   a valve seat on a top end of the flush water outlet inside the tank;   a substantially vertical stand pipe inside the tank;   a flush lever mounted on an exterior of the tank;   a rod bracket attached to the stand pipe at a selected vertical location, the rod bracket defining a substantially vertical rod channel at a lateral distance from an attached stand pipe, wherein the lateral distance from the attached stand pipe is adjustable;   a valve rod in the rod channel and slidable up and down and connected at a top end thereof to the flush lever;   a valve member mounted to a bottom end of the valve rod and configured to engage the valve seat to seal the top end of the flush water outlet, wherein the valve member is configured such that same sinks in water;   a float attached to the valve rod at one of a plurality of vertical float locations, the float operative, when immersed in water, to prevent the valve member from sinking.   
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the valve rod and rod channel are configured such that the valve rod can slide up and down in the rod channel and such that the valve rod is prevented from rotating in the rod channel. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the valve seat of the toilet is oriented at an inclined angle to a horizontal tank bottom, and wherein the orientation of the valve member with respect to the valve rod is adjustable such that a sealing plane of the valve member can be oriented to engage the valve seat at a corresponding inclined angle to seal the top end of the flush water outlet. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein:
 a threaded bottom portion of the valve rod below the rod channel is bent at an angle to an upper portion thereof;   the threaded bottom portion of the valve rod engages a threaded socket defined by the valve member;   the threaded socket is oriented at an angle to the sealing plane such that rotating the valve member on the valve rod changes the orientation of the sealing plane with respect to the upper portion of the valve rod.   
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the valve rod and valve member are marked to indicate relative angular orientations thereof as the valve member is rotated on the valve rod. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the float is attached to the valve rod above the rod channel. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the float comprises right and left float members mounted on a float bracket such that the float members are located substantially equidistant from the valve rod and such that the right and left float members and the valve rod are substantially aligned. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the valve rod extends upward through a mounting aperture defined by the float bracket, and wherein the float members are located on lower ends of float arms extending outward and downward from the mounting aperture.