Apparatus for Prevention of a Toilet Overflow

Abstract

To prevent an overflow in a toilet system having a tank in fluid communication with a bowl and having a flapper style flush valve, the invention suggests using a baffle assembly mountable between the tank and the bowl. A water level sensor is positioned in the bowl and sends an out-of-range signal to a solenoid, which causes a pivotal baffle plate to close a fluid path between the tank and the bowl.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for prevention of an overflow in a toilet system having a tank in fluid communication with a bowl and having a flapper style flush valve, the apparatus comprising: a baffle assembly mountable between the tank and the bowl and a water level sensor mountable inside the bowl, the baffle assembly comprising a tubular baffle housing detachably securable in general alignment with the flush valve and a baffle plate mounted for pivotal movement inside the housing, the baffle plate being movable between a normally open position substantially parallel to a vertical axis of the baffle housing and a closed position, transverse to the vertical axis of the baffle housing, the baffle plate moving between the open position and the closed position in response to a control signal from the water level sensor transmitted to the baffle assembly. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a means for transmitting a control signal said baffle assembly comprising a means for transmitting the signal from the water level sensor to the baffle plate. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , said means for transmitting control signal comprises a solenoid member operationally connected to the water level sensor, a pivot arm secured to the solenoid member and a baffle shaft engaged with the pivot arm, said baffle shaft extending between the pivot arm and the baffle plate. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , said pivot shaft being securely attached to the baffle plate and adapted to transmit pivotal movement to the baffle plate from the pivot arm. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , said solenoid member being detachably secured to the baffle housing. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein a supporting bracket is secured to an exterior of the baffle housing, the supporting bracket supporting the solenoid member and the baffle shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein a mounting tab is secured to the exterior of the baffle housing, and wherein the supporting bracket is detachably secured to the mounting tab. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , said solenoid member comprising a securing end, and wherein the pivot arm is carried by the securing end. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , said securing end comprising a pair of spaced-apart legs, and wherein the pivot arm is received in a space between the spaced-apart legs and is secured with the spaced-apart legs by a pin. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , said baffle shaft is dimensioned to extend through an opening formed in a wall of the baffle housing such that at least a portion of the baffle shaft extends outwardly from the housing and is capable of attachment to the pivot arm. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , said baffle shaft has a generally cylindrical configuration, and a distant end extending outwardly from the baffle housing. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the distant end of the baffle shaft has a flat cutout that matches a flat surface of a cutout formed in the pivot arm. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , said baffle shaft being provided with a circumferential groove a distance from the distant end, and wherein a sealing O-ring is fitted in said circumferential groove to form a watertight seal connection between the baffle shaft and the baffle housing. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein a retainer ring secures the distant end of the baffle shaft with the pivot arm. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the solenoid member is battery operated. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for prevention of an overflow in a toilet system having a tank in fluid communication with a bowl and having a flapper style flush valve, the apparatus comprising: a baffle assembly mountable between the tank and the bowl, a water level sensor mountable inside the bowl, and a means for transmitting a signal indicative of an out-of-range water level from the sensor to the baffle assembly, the baffle assembly comprising a tubular baffle housing detachably securable in general alignment with the flush valve and a baffle plate mounted for pivotal movement inside the housing, the baffle plate being movable between a normally open position substantially parallel to a vertical axis of the baffle housing and a closed position, transverse to the vertical axis of the baffle housing, the baffle plate moving between the open position and the closed position in response to a control signal from the water level sensor transmitted to the baffle assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , said means for transmitting the signal comprises a solenoid member operationally connected to the water level sensor, a pivot arm secured to the solenoid member, a baffle shaft engaged with the pivot arm, and a baffle plate carried by the baffle shaft, said baffle shaft transmitting pivotal movement to the baffle plate from the pivot arm. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein a mounting tab is carried by an exterior of the baffle housing, and wherein a supporting bracket is detachable engaged with the mounting tab. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the supporting bracket supports the solenoid member and the baffle shaft. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , said solenoid member comprising a securing end, and wherein the pivot arm is carried by the securing end. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , said securing end comprising a pair of spaced-apart legs, and wherein the pivot arm is received in a space between the spaced-apart legs and is secured with the spaced-apart legs by a pin. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , said baffle shaft is dimensioned to extend through an opening formed in a wall of the baffle housing such that at least a portion of the baffle shaft extends outwardly from the housing and is capable of attachment to the pivot arm. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , said baffle shaft has a generally cylindrical configuration, and a distant end extending outwardly from the baffle housing. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the distant end of the baffle shaft has a flat cutout that matches a flat surface of a cutout formed in the pivot arm. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , said baffle shaft being provided with a circumferential groove a distance from the distant end, and wherein a sealing O-ring is fitted in said circumferential groove to form a watertight seal connection between the baffle shaft and the baffle housing. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein a retainer ring secures the distant end of the baffle shaft with the pivot arm. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the solenoid member is battery operated.