IP Library Granted Patent US 9,447,568
Granted Patent B1
US 9,447,568 · App. 14/450,782 · Granted Sep 20, 2016

Toilet fill valve with valve lock

Inventors: Michael J. Schuster (Shorewood, IL); Larry L. Schneider (Wadsworth, IL)
Assignee: Danco, Inc.
E03D1/32F16K31/24F16K35/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,447,568
App. No.
14/450,782
Granted
Sep 20, 2016
Kind
B1
Abstract

Disclosed are various embodiments of a lockable toilet fill valve and methods according to the present invention. In one embodiment, a toilet fill valve includes a float/arm assembly. The toilet fill valve is closed when the float/arm assembly is disposed in a first position. The toilet fill valve being open when the float/arm assembly is disposed in a second position. A valve lock is associated with the float/arm assembly. The valve lock includes an unlock position and a lock position, wherein the valve lock fixes the float/arm assembly in the first position when the valve lock is in the lock position.

Claims (30)

1. A lockable toilet fill valve, comprising:

a toilet fill valve comprising a float/arm assembly, the toilet fill valve configured to be closed in response to the float/arm assembly being in a first position, and the toilet fill valve configured to be open in response to the float/arm assembly being in a second position;

a valve lock associated with the float/arm assembly, the valve lock configured to engage in an unlock position and a lock position, the valve lock configured to restrict the float/arm assembly in the first position in response to the valve lock being engaged in the lock position;

a cover having a slot; and

wherein the valve lock comprises a slide mechanism that is configured to restrict movement of the float/arm assembly when the valve lock is engaged in the lock position and allow movement of the float/arm assembly when the valve lock is engaged in the unlock position and the valve lock further comprises a protrusion extending inward from the slide mechanism and adjacent to the float/arm assembly, wherein the protrusion contacts a float of the float/arm assembly when the valve lock is engaged in the lock position.

2. The lockable toilet fill valve of claim 1 , wherein the slide mechanism is further configured to be slid along the slot to engage the valve lock in the lock position.

3. The lockable toilet fill valve of claim 1 , wherein the slide mechanism is further configured to be slid along the slot to engage the valve lock in the unlock position.

4. The lockable toilet fill valve of claim 1 , wherein the protrusion comprises a contact portion configured to contact the float.

5. The lockable toilet fill valve of claim 1 , wherein the slide mechanism is configured to engage a securing protrusion to restrict the slide mechanism to a predefined position.

6. The lockable toilet fill valve of claim 5 , wherein the predefined position is the lock position.

7. The lockable toilet fill valve of claim 5 , wherein the predefined position is the unlock position.

8. A method of operating a toilet fill valve comprising a float/arm assembly and a slide mechanism with a protrusion extending inward, the slide mechanism configured to engage in a lock position and an unlock position, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning the float/arm assembly in a first position to close the toilet fill valve;

engaging the slide mechanism in the lock position by moving the protrusion of the slide mechanism into contact with a float of the float/arm assembly to restrict movement of the float/arm assembly in the first position;

engaging the slide mechanism in the unlock position by separating the slide mechanism from the float/arm assembly to allow movement of the float/arm assembly when positioned in a second position; and

positioning the float/arm assembly in the second position to open the toilet fill valve.

9. The method of operating the toilet fill valve of claim 8 , wherein the step of engaging the slide mechanism in the lock position further comprises moving the slide mechanism along a slot in a cover of the toilet fill valve.

10. The method of operating the toilet fill valve of claim 9 , wherein engaging the slide mechanism in the lock position further comprises moving the slide mechanism away from a stem portion of the toilet fill valve.

11. The method of operating the toilet fill valve of claim 9 , wherein moving the slide mechanism along the slot comprises overcoming a resistance from a securing protrusion on the cover.

12. The method of operating the toilet fill valve of claim 9 , wherein engaging the slide mechanism in the lock position further comprises moving the slide mechanism to engage a first securing protrusion of the cover.

13. The method of operating the toilet fill valve of claim 12 , wherein engaging the slide mechanism in the unlock position further comprises disengaging the slide mechanism from the first securing protrusion and moving the slide mechanism within the slot to engage a second securing protrusion on the cover.

14. A lockable toilet fill valve, comprising:

a toilet fill valve comprising a float/arm assembly, the toilet fill valve configured to close in response to the float/arm assembly moving to a first position and to open in response to the float/arm assembly moving to a second position; and

means for locking the toilet fill valve associated with the float/arm assembly, wherein the means for locking comprises a slide mechanism configured to restrict movement of the float/arm assembly when the means for locking is in a lock position and allow free movement of the float/arm assembly when the means for locking is in an unlock position and a protrusion that extends inward from the slide mechanism and adjacent to the float/arm assembly, wherein the protrusion contacts a float of the float/arm assembly when the means for locking is in the lock position.

15. The lockable toilet fill valve of claim 14 , wherein the slide mechanism shifts between the lock position and unlock position by moving along a slot in a cover.

16. The lockable toilet fill value of claim 15 , wherein moving the slide mechanism along the slot comprises overcoming a resistance from a securing protrusion on the cover.

17. The lockable toilet fill valve of claim 14 , wherein the slide mechanism is configured to engage a securing protrusion to restrict the slide mechanism to a predefined position.

18. The lockable toilet fill valve of claim 14 , wherein the protrusion comprises a contact portion configured to contact the float.

19. The lockable toilet fill valve of claim 14 , wherein the slide mechanism is configured to be separated from the float/arm assembly to allow the free movement of the float/arm assembly when the means for locking is in the lock position.

20. The lockable toilet fill valve of claim 14 , wherein the means for locking engages in the lock position by moving the slide mechanism away from a stem portion of the toilet fill valve.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 15, 2026
From: DANCO, INC.
To: DANCO, LLC
Reel/Frame 075986/0713 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 26, 2014
From: SCHUSTER, MICHAEL J.; SCHNEIDER, LARRY L.
To: MJSI, INC.
Reel/Frame 033607/0136 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 26, 2014
From: MJSI, INC.
To: DANCO, INC
Reel/Frame 033607/0197 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 13676229 · Nov 14, 2012
Continuation 12875199 · Sep 3, 2010
Division 11738029 · Apr 20, 2007
Provisional Application 60745293 · Apr 21, 2006