IP Library Granted Patent US 7,320,146
Granted Patent B2
US 7,320,146 · App. 11/127,538 · Granted Jan 22, 2008

Sensor plate for electronic flushometer

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,320,146
App. No.
11/127,538
Granted
Jan 22, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

An manual activation mechanism for an electronic flushometer system. A manual activation or override plate has a sensor switch directly coupled thereto and is hingedly connected to a sensor bracket. When a user presses the manual activation or override plate, the sensor switch acts against a bumper, which is compressed to create an electrical contact with a printed circuit board. The electrical contact results in the transmission of an electrical signal to a solenoid system, actuating a flushometer valve.

Claims (31)

1. A manual actuation assembly for use in electronic flushometer system, comprising:

a manual actuation plate;

a sensor mounting bracket coupled to the manual actuation plate and including a manual sensor switch coupled directly thereto;

a sensor mounting plate hingedly connected to the sensor mounting bracket at one end thereof, the sensor mounting plate supporting a bumper positioned therein,

wherein actuation of the manual actuation plate causes a pivoting movement of the manual sensor switch relative to the sensor mounting plate, the manual sensor switch acting against the bumper to create an electrical signal that is transmitted to actuate a flushometer valve.

2. The manual actuation assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sensor mounting plate is hingedly connected to the sensor mounting bracket at a top portion thereof.

3. The manual actuation assembly of claim 2 , wherein the sensor mounting plate includes a plurality of hooks at a top portion thereof, and wherein the plurality of hooks engage a plurality of openings in the sensor mounting brackets to create a hinge therebetween.

4. The manual actuation assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an infrared sensor switch positioned within the sensor bracket and in electrical communication with the flushometer valve.

5. The manual actuation assembly of claim 1 , wherein a bottom portion of the manual actuation plate is directly coupled to a bottom portion of the sensor mounting plate via a retaining fastener, restricting the movement of the manual actuation plate.

6. The manual actuation assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sensor mounting plate is secured to a wall via a plurality of fasteners.

7. The manual actuation assembly of claim 1 , wherein the flushometer valve comprises a solenoid valve assembly in selective electrical communication with the manual sensor switch.

8. An electronic flushometer valve system, comprising:

a manual actuation plate;

a sensor mounting bracket coupled to the manual actuation plate and including a manual sensor switch coupled directly thereto;

an automated sensor switch positioned within the sensor mounting bracket and in electrical communication with a solenoid valve, the automated sensor switch transmitting an electrical signal to actuate the solenoid valve in response to selected user movement to actuate the electronic flushometer valve system; and

a sensor mounting plate hingedly connected to the sensor mounting bracket at one end thereof, the mounting plate supporting a bumper positioned therein,

wherein actuation of the manual actuation plate causes a pivoting movement of the manual sensor switch relative to the sensor mounting plate, the manual sensor acting against the bumper to electrically actuate the solenoid valve.

9. The electronic flushometer valve system of claim 8 , wherein the automated sensor switch comprises an infrared sensor.

10. The electronic flushometer valve system of claim 8 , wherein the sensor mounting plate is hingedly connected to the sensor mounting bracket at a top portion thereof.

11. The electronic flushometer valve system of claim 8 , wherein the sensor mounting plate includes a plurality of hooks at a top portion thereof, and wherein the plurality of hooks engage a plurality of openings in the sensor mounting brackets to create a hinge therebetween.

12. The electronic flushometer valve system of claim 8 , wherein a bottom portion of the manual actuation plate is directly coupled to a bottom portion of the sensor mounting plate via a retaining fastener, restricting the movement of the manual actuation plate.

13. An electronic flushometer valve system, comprising:

a solenoid valve;

an infrared sensor switch in electrical communication with the solenoid valve, the infrared sensor configured to automatically actuate the solenoid valve;

a manual actuation plate;

a sensor mounting bracket coupled to the manual actuation plate and including a manual sensor switch coupled directly thereto; and

a sensor mounting plate hingedly connected to the sensor mounting bracket at one end thereof, the sensor mounting plate supporting a bumper positioned therein,

wherein actuation of the manual actuation plate causes the manual sensor switch to pivot relative to the sensor mounting plate, the manual sensor switch acting against the bumper to electrically actuate the solenoid valve.

14. The electronic flushometer valve system of claim 13 , wherein the sensor mounting plate is hingedly connected to the sensor mounting bracket at a top portion thereof.

15. The electronic flushometer valve system of claim 14 , wherein the sensor mounting plate includes a plurality of hooks at a top portion thereof, and wherein the plurality of hooks engage a plurality of openings in the sensor mounting brackets to create a hinge therebetween.

16. The electronic flushometer valve system of claim 14 , wherein a bottom portion of the manual actuation plate is directly coupled to a bottom portion of the sensor mounting plate via a retaining fastener, restricting the movement of the manual actuation plate.

Assignments (2)
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jul 1, 2021
From: SLOAN VALVE COMPANY
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS BANK
Reel/Frame 056751/0614 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 12, 2005
From: NORTIER, RICHARD A.; OLIVER, STEVEN R.
To: SLOAN VALVE COMPANY
Reel/Frame 016563/0863 →