Non-removable refill restrictor apparatus
View Patent ↗A toilet refill restrictor apparatus includes an adapter interposed between a fill valve and a refill hose. The adapter is non-removably coupled to the fill valve and is configured with a larger proximal pathway, and a smaller distal metering pathway for restricting the refill flow rate. The adapter may be coupled to a shortened horizontal outlet formed at a top portion of the fill valve. The horizontal outlet is shortened to a length such that the refill hose cannot be connected directly to the outlet. The adapter may also be coupled to a fill valve without a horizontal outlet where an exit port is defined in the vertical conduit of the fill valve. The adapter includes a securing mechanism to prevent removal from the fill valve without excessive force or breaking the adapter.
1. A toilet apparatus, comprising:
a fill valve defining a refill port; and
an adapter fixedly coupled to the fill valve and configured to direct fluid from the refill port to a refill hose, the adapter including:
a proximal tubular portion,
a distal tubular portion, and
a securing mechanism fixedly coupled to the fill valve, wherein the securing mechanism prevents removal of the adapter from the fill valve without breaking the adapter, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a finger configured to hook into a vent hole of the fill valve, and wherein the finger is inserted flush underneath a top portion of the fill valve.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fill valve comprises a laterally extending outlet that defines the refill port.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the laterally extending outlet comprises a tube with a lateral length between 0.1 inch to 0.8 inch.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein: the proximal tubular portion comprises a proximal inner diameter and a proximal outer diameter, the proximal outer diameter being configured to form a press fit with the laterally extending tube.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the proximal inner diameter comprises a range between 0.1 inch and 0.6 inch.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein: the distal tubular portion comprises a distal inner diameter and a distal outer diameter, the distal inner diameter comprises a range between 0.050 inch and 0.200 inch.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the securing mechanism comprises a finger configured to hook into a vent hole of the refill device.
8. A kit for use with a toilet apparatus, comprising:
a first adapter configured to be fixedly coupled to a fill valve and configured to direct fluid from a fluid valve refill port on the fill valve to a refill hose, the first adapter having a proximal tubular portion with a proximal inner diameter, and a distal tubular portion with a distal inner diameter, and a securing mechanism configured to fixedly couple the first adapter to the fill valve, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a finger configured to hook into a vent hole of the fill valve, and wherein the finger is inserted flush underneath a top portion of the fill valve; and
a second adapter configured to be fixedly coupled to a fill valve and configured to direct fluid from a fluid valve refill port on the fill valve to a refill hose, the second adapter having a proximal tubular portion with a proximal inner diameter that is the same as the proximal inner diameter of the first adapter, and wherein the distal inner diameter of the second adapter is greater than the distal inner diameter of the first adapter, the second adapter further comprising a securing mechanism configured to fixedly couple the second adapter to the fill valve, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a finger configured to hook into a vent hole of the fill valve, and wherein the finger is inserted flush underneath a top portion of the fill valve.
9. A toilet apparatus, comprising:
a conduit defining a port, the conduit being configured to direct refill water to the port;
a proximal tubular portion having a proximal inner diameter and a proximal outer diameter, the proximal outer diameter configured to form a press fit with the port;
a distal tubular portion having a distal inner diameter and a distal outer diameter; and
a securing mechanism for coupling the proximal tubular portion and the distal tubular portion to the conduit, wherein the securing mechanism prevents removal of the proximal tubular portion from the conduit without breaking the proximal tubular portion, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a finger configured to hook into a vent hole of a fill valve, and wherein the finger is inserted flush underneath a top portion of the fill valve.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein: the conduit comprises a vertical annular wall; and the port is defined in the vertical annular wall.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein: the conduit comprises a horizontal outlet; and the port is defined in the horizontal outlet.
12. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein: the distal inner diameter comprises a range between 0.050 inch and 0.200 inch.