Method and Apparatus Utilizing a Height Gauge for Minimizing Water from Being Wasted in Toilets

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefits of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/186,868, filed 2009 Jun. 14 by the present inventor.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

Field

This application relates to height apparatus, such as height gauges (hand held scales, scales mounted upon a base or with side attaching assist(s), scale-type decal(s), scale-like features marked on toilet components, scale-like features molded in-place on toilet components, and the like), utilized together with innovative methods, such as engineered look-up tables, charts, graphs, and the like, based on manufacturer design and product specifications, test results and other knowledge-based data, so to create water conservation opportunities in toilets. Reference data in the tables, charts, graphs, and the like, are designed to assist the consumer in properly setting up the tank water level in toilets, commodes, water closets and other such devices, by way of utilizing instructions and height apparatus, such as a height gauge or other such device. The embodiments sufficiently prevent the over-filling of water within the toilet tank, prevent the subsequent wasting of excess water into the sewer, and promotes saving on the cost of water due to the lack of water height setup awareness.

Several Terms Identified

In all aspects and contexts of this writing, terms for linear measurement tools such as the words gauge(s), scale(s), ruler(s) and the like shall have equivalent meanings and shall be used interchangeably. Likewise terms for data containment tools such as the words look-up table(s), table(s), chart(s), graph(s), and the like shall have equivalent meanings and shall be used interchangeably. References to the terms toilet(s), water closet(s) and commode(s) used individually in this writing shall have the same meaning as the terms used together, unless otherwise noted.

Prior Art

While I am aware of prior methods in the toilet industry, after performing an extensive patent and product search, I am unaware of any prior art that addresses the ability to inadvertently setup the toilet tank water to sufficiently incorrect levels. With that in mind, I am going to take time developing the nature of a problem that is at the heart of the embodiments of this writing.

In the industry, toilets have evolved over time from the older non-ultra low flush (non-ULF) to the modern ultra low flush (ULF) water models, with many stages and versions in between. In a two-year observation and data gathering effort, the “Residential End Uses of Water” study was published in 1999, jointly by the American Water Works Association Research Foundation, and Aquacraft, Inc. One segment of the comprehensive study looked at water consumption in toilets, and identified that 14.5% of flushes were less than 2.0 GPF, 34.7% of flushes were between 2.0 and 3.5 GPF, and 50.8% of flushes were greater than 4.0 GPF. Further breaking down the statistics, 8.5% of homes studied used ULF toilets almost exclusively (less than 2.0 GPF), 26.2% of homes studied had a mixture of ULF and non-ULF toilets, and 65.3% of homes studied used non-ULF toilets almost exclusively. The study indicates that while there have been efforts made to improve the overall efficiency of toilets going forward with the advent of ULF toilet technology, overwhelming opportunities are yet to be realized with existing non-ULF toilets and their inefficiencies, found primarily as part of older, existing homes. Additionally, there are several other factors that were not included in the above study that impacts toilet water usage in households, regardless of whether the households utilize old or new toilet designs, that being:

• • 1) in-coming water pressure from public or private water sources,
  • 2) after-market toilet add-ons or modifications that incorporate upgrades over time, such as modern toilet fill valves replacing less efficient older fill valves, improved flapper valves, etc., and
  • 3) varying pipe, tube or orifice sizes such as those within supply lines, discharge and drainage lines, toilet bowl fill tubes, and the like.
    The study results cited along with my personal observations suggest that there are several opportunities for toilet water conservation that exist, the greatest of which are those that can be achieved by focusing on the several parameters that are in common with all toilet types, styles and designs. Framed this way, the opportunities identified would be magnified by their application cutting across the largest number of toilet designs and models available. With this in mind, the first focus was the identification of the greatest in-common toilet water conservation opportunities, and the second focus was directed at concentrating on the least efficient, non-ULF toilet versions available. These are the methodologies used in the development of the embodiments that will later follow.

Some areas within the study observation although raised questions. An area not mentioned was that of whether the parameters observed during the study involved any observer checking to see if the toilet tank water levels were setup properly to fit the manufacturer's design and model specifications. An example, were there any glaring mistakes that homeowners were making with their water using appliances, such that improper setup resulted in overstated water results? As part of the study reporting, a comment should have been made whether the water levels in the toilet tank were in fact setup properly or improperly. Why? Even the most efficient toilets can operate inefficiently, if they are not set to the manufacturer specifications. This understanding has bearing and relevance in the development of my embodiments.

The industry for consumer home products has a wide array of companies that participate selling many versions of the same product. Over time, this has proven itself to be true in the production of toilet appliances by many well-established companies and an influx of new companies, both inside the US and across the world. To further complicate matters, with the high costs and growing shortages of treated fresh water, new toilet appliances have been designed with the goal of low water consumption; this desirable trend will likely continue. Presently, the capacity and water requirements for toilet systems, commonly use somewhere between 1.6 to 5 gallons per flush from newer to older models respectively. Additionally, toilet tank shapes and profiles vary widely, ranging from standard versions to fully designer models. With these complications and the lack of available good information for new and used homebuyers, the risk of consumer confusion is quite high stemming from the maze of possibilities, and the need for frequently guessing to establish the correct toilet tank water level. For example, a decade or two ago, during an age of more simplicity and design standardization, it was commonplace for a manufacturer to mark the inside of the toilet tank during the manufacturing process to indicate the design or recommended water level. Similarly, toilet tank overflow tube manufacturers placed a mark on the tube, indicating the correct height to which toilet tank water levels should be adjusted. Not coincidentally, the two marks sufficiently matched due to a higher level of toilet and toilet component standardization during those simpler times. Presently, neither toilet tanks nor replacement fill tubes reliably have water level reference marks on them in order to determine the correct water height in the toilet tank. In today's environment, this is commonly understood to those in the art, but to what extent does this contribute to the problem of wasted water? It just so happened that my experiences seemingly provide an answer, and to date I have not found an instance of prior art that addresses the problem.

Following the purchase of a modern 3 year old Florida home, built and optioned with a high level of energy efficient appliances, I noticed that both high efficiency toilets had a problem. On occasion should there be a clog, the toilet would revert to quickly flooding the floor. Not having the time to fully scope out the problem, a temporary but poor solution was to flush the toilet multiple times during its use for solid waste removal, trading wasted water for the avoidance of a toilet overflowing. I also noticed that during the flushing process, regardless of whether the toilet bowl had waste in it or not, the toilet bowl would refill and empty repeatedly, often 2 to 3 times, before finally ending the flushing cycle. Something was wrong, I had two modern toilets and they both had the same problem. With both toilets visibly labeled as 1.6 gallon per flush high efficiency models, they seemed to be anything but highly efficient. Being a professional engineer and having a background in residential home construction and remodeling, having built and renovated several houses, this problem seemed fixable.

I eventually removed the tank lid, and observed the water level. My first inclination was not to focus on it being a 1.6 GPF (gallons per flush) model, but to understand why the toilet had problems. There were no markings on the inner walls of the toilet tank but the overflow tube did have a label indicating a water level. The level was marked to be ½″ below the very top of the overflow tube, to which the water level was adjusted by the prior owner. Both of the toilets had overflow tube markings, and both were adjusted to the same level. Being a major well-known toilet manufacturer per the label on the toilet bowl, the manufacturer's rated toilet water efficiency was also stated to be 1.6 GPF. Then it dawned on me; visually, there was a lot more water in the toilet tank as compared to a 1.6 GPF manufacturer specification. I eventually flushed all of the water out of the tank with the water shut off. I measured 1.6 gallons, and manually poured the water back into the tank. The water only filled the tank to about ½ of the prior water level. I eventually pulled the entire toilet and tank out of the room, provided water supply, flushed and caught all of the water in a large pail, then recorded the amount. I was using about 3 gallons per flush in a 1.6 gallon rated toilet model. I adjusted the toilet fill valve settings until I achieved 1.6 GPF, the marked the tank and overflow tube. After reinstalling the tank assembly back into the bathroom, I reset the float to my new marks on the tank, and ran a small experiment. After purposely creating a clog, there was no sign of toilet bowl overflowing. Furthermore after many cycles, the multiple flush phenomena had also disappeared. Both toilets had the same results. It then became abundantly clear that when toilet manufacturers don't mark their toilet tanks or tank components to indicate the correct design water levels in order to achieve their 1.6 GPF claims, then they place the consumer at risk of guessing to adjust the toilet tank water level, with a high likelihood of needlessly wasting water. Additionally, standard overflow tubes that are marked with water level indicators, can also be used on high or low water use toilets, and thus are unreliable. In fact, my research has showed that many manufactures no longer mark their overflow tubes with water level indicators. Under a worst case but realistic scenario, over-filling of tanks in many toilets is highly likely, and could be responsible for up to doubling the amount of water needed to function properly at the original manufacturer's design water levels. I now know that I was wasting a large amount of toilet water, based on the way that the former owner had adjusted the toilet tank water levels. Our Florida home in this example was a second residence, so we endured this wasteful inconvenience for 10 years before performing the toilet water over-filling experiment that was described after having converted this home to our primary residence.

It is clear, regardless of the toilet style, manufacturer, and the internal components used, that there is a need for a reliable method to communicate and apply the original manufacturer's toilet design specifications for water usage and efficiency. This is the basis for the embodiments that follow, and an approach to communicate to the consumer the design parameters for toilet tank water level height as designed and tested by the manufacturer as available.

ADVANTAGES

The need for a method and apparatus that sufficiently minimizes the water being wasted from over-filling the toilet tank and that offers simplicity, reliability and sufficient low cost is evident and desirable. The embodiments of this writing offer these benefits and more to consumers. I am aware of prior methods and practices in the toilet industry, but I am unaware of any prior art that addresses the ability to inadvertently setup the toilet tank water to sufficiently incorrect levels.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the embodiments and specifications being disclosed, several methods and apparatus are described for minimizing water from being wasted within a toilet.

DRAWINGS

Figures

The objects and advantages of the embodiments will become apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For simplicity, like reference numerals within the several drawings shown designate functionally similar components, which may or may not be dimensionally identical. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale. Drawing descriptions follow:

FIG. 1 is a front cutaway view of a toilet tank assembly and toilet tank members interfacing with apparatus consisting of a height gauge with a mounting base;

FIG. 2 is a front view showing an embodiment of FIG. 1 consisting of a height gauge with a mounting base;

FIG. 3 is a front view showing an embodiment of FIG. 1 consisting of a height gauge with a suction mounting base;

FIG. 4 is a front view showing an embodiment of FIG. 2 or 3 consisting of a height gauge with mounting base and an adjustable pointer;

FIG. 5 is a front cutaway view of a toilet tank assembly and toilet tank members interfacing with apparatus consisting of a height gauge with suction cups for mounting on the walls of a tank;

FIG. 6 is a front view showing an embodiment of FIG. 5 consisting of a height gauge with suction cups for mounting;

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the same embodiment as in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front view showing an embodiment of FIG. 6 consisting of a height gauge with suction cups for mounting and an adjustable pointer;

FIG. 9 is a side view showing the same embodiment as in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front cutaway view of a toilet tank assembly and toilet tank members interfacing with apparatus consisting of a height gauge;

FIG. 11 is a front view showing an embodiment of FIG. 10 consisting of a height gauge;

FIG. 12 is a front view showing an embodiment of FIG. 11 consisting of a height gauge with an adjustable pointer;

FIG. 13 is a front cutaway view of a toilet tank assembly and toilet tank members interfacing with apparatus consisting of an overflow tube, or other such toilet tank member, modified to incorporate a height gauge;

FIG. 14 is a front view showing an embodiment of FIG. 13 consisting of an overflow tube, or other such toilet tank member, modified to incorporate a height gauge; and

FIG. 15 is a front view showing an embodiment of FIG. 14 consisting of an overflow tube, other such toilet tank member, modified to incorporate height gauge with an adjustable pointer.

DRAWINGS

Reference Numerals

• • 10 toilet fill valve(s)
  • 20 overflow tube(s)
  • 30 flapper valve(s)
  • 40 flush lever
  • 50 toilet tank
  • 60 toilet tank floor
  • 65 toilet tank wall
  • 70 water level
  • 80 height gauge(s), scale(s), and the like
  • 90 mounting base(s)
  • 100 suction cup(s)
  • 110 suction mounting base(s)
  • 120 water height adjustment setting(s)
  • 130 adhesive-backed scale(s) (decal, sticker, label, and the like)
  • 140 overflow tube with integrated scale
  • 150 bar element(s), such as a pointer(s), and the like

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2—First Embodiment

Embodiments utilizing a height gage 80 for minimizing water from being wasted in toilets are shown in FIG. 1 (front cutaway view). The view further shows a toilet tank 50 with a toilet fill valve 10, an overflow tube 20, a flapper valve 30 and a flush lever 40 that are used together for managing water functions within the toilet tank 50, including the water level 70. The height gauge 80, which will be described in further detail below, sufficiently rests on the toilet tank floor 60.

FIG. 2 (front view) shows the first embodiment that I contemplate to be the height gauge 80 held by a mounting base 90, which has water height adjustment settings 120 displayed on the body of the device. Water height adjustment settings 120 are referenced to engineered look-up tables (not shown), constructed, and based on specification and test data, gathered from: 1) toilet manufacturer's design and product specifications, 2) test results, and 3) other knowledge-based data, in order to establish a sufficiently accurate water level 70 that is based on the manufacturer's design parameters for their toilet models, styles, flush rates, capacities, and etc. Finding the data in the look-up table that describes the consumer's toilet manufacturer, model, flush rate, etc. and locating the respective value for the recommended water level 70, allows the consumer to target a value on the height gauge 80, in order to re-adjust the toilet fill valve 10 for sufficiently correct water levels 70 as required. Utilizing the method and apparatus of this embodiment assists the consumer in properly setting up the toilet tank water level 70 so to achieve water conservation by sufficiently minimizing the over-filling of water within the toilet tank 50 and minimizing water wasted into the sewer. This embodiment sufficiently provides tools and educates the consumer, improves toilet water design height awareness, reduces water consumption, and reduces the total cost of water.

OPERATION

FIGS. 1 and 2—First Embodiment

In the normal operation of a toilet during the flush cycle, activating the toilet tank flush lever 40 raises the flapper valve 60 and allows water to discharge until the toilet tank 50 is sufficiently emptied. Early in the flush cycle, the toilet fill valve 10 opens allowing most of the replenishing water to enter the toilet tank 50 and continues replenishing until the flapper valve 30 has closed and the toilet fill valve 10 has shut off, completing the flush cycle. During the flush cycle, if the toilet tank water level 70 is setup incorrectly high, the over-filling water can create multiple flushes, can potentially overflow onto the floor, can be wasted into the sewer, and can lead to needlessly high water cost and poor water conservation.

The first embodiment requires the consumer to:

• • 1) identify the toilet manufacturer's name, model, and other information as required,
  • 2) cross-reference the manufacturer's toilet information, or other engineered values, identified above within the look-up table so to find a table value representing the recommended design setting for the toilet tank water level 70,
  • 3) place the anticipated height gauge 80 into the toilet tank 50, so to rest on the toilet tank floor 60,
  • 4) change the toilet tank water level 70 as required by adjusting the toilet fill valve 10 so that the valve closes when the toilet tank water level 70 reaches the look-up table value found on the height gauge 80.
    Utilizing the first embodiment effectively adjusts the toilet tank water level 70 to match the manufacturer's design, or other engineered, water level in order to achieve the benefits described previously.

FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13 and 14

Additional Embodiments

A plurality of variations exist that will become obvious to those familiar with the art upon review of the embodiments described in this writing. Several additional embodiments that offer the benefits of the first embodiment will be described below, albeit more briefly:

• • 1) FIGS. 1 and 3 show a second embodiment that is similar to the first embodiment. One difference is that the height gauge 80 is designed to include a suction mounting base 110 with a suction cup 100 or the like, at the bottom of the height gauge 80 for mounting to the toilet tank floor 60. The second embodiment's operation and benefits are sufficiently similar to that of the first embodiment;
  • 2) FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 show a third embodiment that is similar to the first embodiment. One difference is that the height gauge 80 is designed to include two suction cups 100 or the like, mounted on the backside of the height gauge 80 to facilitate mounting to the toilet tank wall 65. The third embodiment's operation and benefits are sufficiently similar to that of the first embodiment;
  • 3) FIGS. 10 and 11 show fourth and fifth embodiments that are similar to the first embodiment. One difference of the fourth embodiment is that the height gauge 80 is designed to be hand held or to lean against the toilet tank wall 65. One difference of the fifth embodiment is that the height gauge 80 is designed to be adhesively attached, such as an adhesive-backed scale, decal, sticker, label, and the like 130, to the toilet tank wall 65. The fourth and fifth embodiment's operation and benefits are sufficiently similar to that of the first embodiment;
  • 4) FIGS. 13 and 14 show sixth and seventh embodiments that are sufficiently similar to the first embodiment. A major difference of the sixth embodiment is that the height gauge 80 is incorporated into the overflow tube 20, such as by molding, machining, and the like, or similarly is incorporated into any other suitable toilet tank component, such as the toilet fill valve 10, and the like. A major difference of the seventh embodiment is that the height gauge 80 is designed to be adhesively attached, such as an adhesive-backed scale, decal, sticker, label, and the like 130, to the overflow tube 20 or similar tank component. The sixth and seventh embodiment's operation and benefits are sufficiently similar to that of the first embodiment.
  • 5) FIGS. 4, 8, 9, 12 and 15 show complementary embodiments that have a bar element(s) 150 that can be incorporated into each of the embodiments previously described. While I contemplate the bar element 150 to be a pointer 150, other such devices perform equally well. The pointer 150 sufficiently incorporates into the height gauge 80, improves the highlighting of the water height adjustment setting 120 on the height gauge 80, and may provide movement on the height gauge 80, so to facilitate the consumer's ease or use. The operation of the pointer embodiment involves moving the location of the pointer 150 to the recommended water height setting on the height gauge 80 that was determined by referencing the engineered look-up table (not shown) as described in the first embodiment. The pointer is a convenience and not a requirement of any of the previous mentioned embodiments. Once the pointer 150 is set properly, there may be less need for further referencing of the engineered look-up table.
    Upon reading these embodiments, it will become obvious to those familiar with the art that there are a plurality of other embodiments that are also capable of determining the proper toilet tank water level 70 so to improve water usage and minimize water waste.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

The need for a simple, safe, and effective method and apparatus that offers low cost and reliable knowledge-based solutions, while sufficiently minimizing toilet tank water over-filling and waste in new and old toilet installations, is known in the history of the toilet industry. While I am aware of these methods, after performing an extensive patent and product search, I am unaware of any prior art or commercially available products that address the ability to inadvertently setup the toilet tank water to sufficiently incorrect levels.

The embodiments in this writing, utilize research and data gathering, and height gauge methods and apparatus that are applied to new and old toilet systems of every make, model and style to sufficiently minimize tank water waste from over-filling. The embodiments offer to consumers the benefits of efficient, inexpensive, and simple toilet devices to achieve water conservation and cost savings.

Thus the reader will see that at least one embodiment of my method and apparatus, utilizing a height gauge or other such devices for minimizing water from being wasted in toilets, provides consumers meaningful water conservation solutions for new and old toilet systems.

While the above descriptions contain much specificity, they should not be construed as limitations on the scope, but rather as an exemplification of one or more preferred embodiment(s) thereof. It is clear that other variations are possible. For example:

• • 1) instead of using a height gauge referenced to a look-up table, the gauge could be a tape measure, a ruler or any other type of scale-type device that is also so referenced,
  • 2) instead of using an adhesive-backed scale, decal, sticker, label, and the like, to display water height adjustment setting information to toilet tank walls or components, the scale, decal, sticker, label, and the like, could be glued with a liquid, secured with a tape, and the like, and
  • 3) instead of manufacturing and commercializing any of the embodiments described, it would become obvious to those familiar in the art that upon review of the embodiments of this writing, that they would be able to create the instructions for how to make the embodiments, or their likenesses, so to be sold as tutorials and instructions for the handyman or consumer's direct use.

Accordingly, the scope should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.