Universal Valve Adaptor for toilet fill-valves

Abstract

A universal valve adaptor for toilet fill-valves is placed within a toilet tank and connected to a water source outside the toilet tank. The top end of the system has a threaded profile to mate a toilet fill-valve and the bottom end has a threaded profile to mate a water supply line. An internal valve contained within the lower non-separated portion of the body controls water flow through the body. The internal valve allows water flow to occur while coupled and open, with an automatic shut-off when the separated top end is detached. The internal valve is actuated by an axial profile on the separable top end which forces and displaces a plunger located within the lower non-separated portion of the body. The separable top end allows a new or replacement toilet fill-valve to be installed without further disassembly or impact on associated connections and related parts.

1 . A universal valve adaptor for a toilet fill-valve comprising, in combination:
 a. a substantially cylindrical member for connection to a water source at the bottom end and a fill-valve on the top-end, whereby water can be conducted through the substantially cylindrical member to a fill-valve;   b. an exterior threaded portion of the substantially cylindrical member able to fit through the fill-valve hole in a toilet tank;   c. a flexible washer to fit over the exterior threaded portion;   d. a securing nut to match the exterior threaded portion, capable of securing the flexible washer against a surface, such as against the top of a fill-valve hole on the internal surface of the inside of a toilet tank; and   e. a plunger inside the substantially cylindrical member, wherein the plunger blocks water flow if no fill-valve is connected to the top end of the substantially cylindrical member and to allow water flow if a fill-valve is connected.   
     
     
         2 . A universal valve adaptor for a toilet fill-valve according to  claim 1 , further including a connecting nut to fit the threaded portion of a fill-valve:
 a. wherein the nut has wings for thumb-tightening the nut onto a fill-valve and a twist-lock mechanism; and   b. wherein the top end of a substantially cylindrical member has a matching twist-lock mechanism, whereby the connecting nut and the substantially cylindrical member twist-lock together once the connecting nut engages a fill-valve.   
     
     
         3 . A universal valve adaptor for a toilet fill-valve according to  claim 2 , further including:
 a. a seal securely fastened to the plunger;   b. a seal engaging surface on the inside of the substantially cylindrical member; and   c. a cylindrical spring, which forces the seal against the seal-engaging surface, cutting off water flow unless the plunger is pushed down so that the seal no longer engages the seal-engaging surface.   
     
     
         4 . A universal valve adaptor for a toilet fill-valve according to  claim 3  further including a top portion of the plunger which is pushed down by the connecting nut when the connecting nut is connected to the substantially cylindrical member. 
     
     
         5 . A universal valve adaptor for a toilet fill-valve according to  claim 1 , further including:
 a. a seal securely fastened to the plunger;   b. a seal engaging surface on the inside of the substantially cylindrical member; and   c. a cylindrical spring, which forces the seal against the seal-engaging surface, cutting off water flow unless the plunger is pushed down so that the seal no longer engages the seal-engaging surface.   
     
     
         6 . A universal valve adaptor for a toilet fill-valve comprising, in combination:
 a. a flange for abutting the bottom of a toilet tank base;   b. a seal for tightening against the top side of a toilet tank base, within the toilet tank;   c. a retainer including lugs and a lower inside threaded portion; and   d. a connecting piece connecting the water supply to the toilet fill-valve inserted into the retainer from above the toilet tank base, wherein the retainer screws onto the connecting piece using the lugs by means of an outward threaded portion of the connecting piece being screwed through the lower inside threaded portion; and a coupler used to manually tighten the toilet fill-valve or a molded adapter fitting for accepting a small diameter toilet fill-valve.   
     
     
         7 . A universal valve adaptor for a toilet fill-valve according to  claim 6 , wherein the connecting piece includes a ridge or lip for retaining the coupler. 
     
     
         8 . A universal valve adaptor for a toilet fill-valve according to  claim 7  further including:
 a. a plug; 
 b. a cruciform engaging the plug, which cuts off the water flow to the toilet tank when no toilet fill-valve is in place; and 
 c. a return spring engaging the cruciform so that the cruciform displaces the plug when a toilet fill-valve is in place, allowing water to flow; and 
 d. a cage retaining the cruciform, the plug and the return spring. 
 
     
     
         9 . A universal valve adaptor for a toilet fill-valve according to  claim 8  further including a restrictor plate engaging the lower end of a toilet fill-valve or the molded adapter fitting to moderate water flow, wherein the restrictor plate is a plate with holes through it to allow water flow, but not unrestricted water flow. 
     
     
         10 . A universal valve adaptor for a toilet fill-valve according to  claim 6  further including:
 a. a plug; 
 b. a cruciform engaging the plug, which cuts off the water flow to the toilet tank when no toilet fill-valve is in place; and 
 c. a return spring engaging the cruciform so that the cruciform displaces the plug when a toilet fill-valve is in place, allowing water to flow; and 
 d. a cage retaining the cruciform, the plug, and the return spring. 
 
     
     
         11 . A universal valve adaptor for a toilet fill-valve according to  claim 1  wherein the plunger includes a molded contour having a determined cross section to regulate or restrict water flow. 
     
     
         12 . A universal valve adaptor for a toilet fill-valve according to  claim 1  having an internal threaded end within the toilet tank suitable to couple with plumbing fittings.