Water-saving device for a toilet having a sink with a float-operated drain valve

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6425148
  • Patent Number
    6,425,148
  • Date Filed
    Friday, August 17, 2001
    22 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, July 30, 2002
    21 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Examiners
    • Huson; Gregory
    • Nguyen; Tuan
    Agents
    • Kamrath; Alan
    • Rider, Bennett, Egan & Arundel, LLP
Abstract
A water-saving device for a toilet comprises a tank, a tank lid mounted on top of the tank, a sink formed on the sink and communicated with a chamber in the tank via a hole in the sink, and an output tube having a lower end communicated with an inlet tube and an upper end for supplying water into the sink. A guide tube is mounted in the tank and comprises an upper end communicated with the hole of the sink and a lower end immersed in the water in the chamber of the tank such that drainage of water in the sink via the hole of the sink and the guide tube into the chamber of the tank is almost silent.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The present invention relates to a water-saving device for a toilet.




2. Description of the Related Art




A device has been proposed to save water when using a toilet. The device comprises a sink defined in the tank lid. An output tube has a lower end communicated with an inlet tube in the tank and an upper end with a spout for outputting water. Thus, the user may wash his or her hands in the sink with the water from the spout. A drainage hole is defined in a bottom of the sink for draining used water into the tank for flushing the toilet. However, no plug is provided for plugging the drainage hole such that the water from the spout is drained into the tank immediately. The use of water is not so effective. In addition, the sound of drainage of the water from the sink into the tank via the drainage hole is relatively loud, which would sound even louder when using the toilet in the night.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




An object of the present invention is to provide a water-saving device for a toilet, wherein water is effectively used before it is drained into the tank of the toilet.




Another object of the present invention is to provide a water-saving device for a toilet, wherein drainage of water in the sink into the tank of the toilet is almost silent.




A further object of the present invention is to provide a water-saving device for a toilet, wherein water can be outputted via a spout without flushing the toilet.




In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a water-saving device for a toilet comprises:




a tank defining a chamber therein, a wall defining the chamber having an outlet for draining water in the chamber of the tank out of the tank;




an inlet tube having an end communicated with a water source;




a tank lid mounted on top of the tank, a sink being formed on the tank lid and comprising a hole-communicated with the chamber of the tank;




an output tube having a first end communicated with the inlet tube and a second end for supplying water into the sink;




an outlet cover mounted to the tank for covering the outlet, the outlet cover being movable between a flushing position in which the outlet of the tank is not covered by the outlet cover to thereby allow drainage of water in the chamber via the outlet and a non-flushing position wherein the outlet of the tank is covered by the outlet cover; and




a guide tube comprising an upper end communicated with the hole of the sink and a lower end immersed in water in the chamber of the tank.




In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a water-saving device for a toilet comprises:




a tank defining a chamber therein, a wall defining the chamber having an outlet for draining water in the chamber of the tank out of the tank,




an inlet tube having a first end communicated with a water source and a second end;




a tank lid mounted on top of the tank, a sink being formed on the tank lid and comprising a hole communicated with the chamber of the tank;




an outlet cover mounted to the tank for covering the outlet, the outlet cover being movable between a flushing position in which the outlet of the tank is not covered by the outlet cover to thereby allow drainage of water in the chamber via the outlet and a non-flushing position wherein the outlet of the tank is covered by the outlet cover;




a valve mounted on the second end of the inlet tube;




a filling tube having a first end communicated with the second end of the inlet tube and a second end, the filling tube further having at least one transverse hole;




an output tube having a first end communicated with the second end of the filling tube and a second end for supplying water into the sink;




a float arm having a first end pivotally and thus operably connected to the valve and a second end;




a float attached to the second end of the float arm, the float being operably connected to the plug;




wherein when the water in the chamber of the tank is at a high level ready for flushing, the valve is closed to prevent water in the inlet tube from entering the filling tube and the outlet cover is in the non-flushing position;




wherein when the water in the chamber of the tank is lowered to a predetermined level after flushing, the valve is opened to allow the water in the inlet tube to enter the filling tube, a portion of the water from the filling tube entering the chamber of the tank via said at least one transverse hole, a remaining portion of the water from the filling tube entering the sink via the second end of the filling tube and the outlet tube, the plug being moved to a position preventing drainage of water in the sink via the hole.




In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, a water-saving device for a toilet comprises:




a tank defining a chamber therein, a wall defining the chamber having an outlet for draining water in the chamber of the tank out of the tank;




an inlet tube having a first end communicated with a water source and a second end;




a tank lid mounted on top of the tank, a sink being formed on the tank lid and comprising a hole communicated with the chamber of the tank;




an outlet cover mounted to the tank for covering the outlet, the outlet cover being movable between a flushing position in which the outlet of the tank is not covered by the outlet cover to thereby allow drainage of water in the chamber via the outlet and a non-flushing position wherein the outlet of the tank is covered by the outlet cover;




a valve mounted on the second end of the inlet tube;




a filling tube having a first end communicated with the second end of the inlet tube and a second end, the filling tube further having at least one transverse hole;




an output tube having a first end communicated with the second end of the filling tube and a second end for supplying water into the sink;




a float arm having a first end pivotally and thus operably connected to the valve and a second end;




a float attached to the second end of the float arm;




a guide tube comprising a first section having an upper end communicated with the hole of the sink, an intermediate portion, and a lower end, the guide tube further comprising a second section having an upper end communicated with the intermediate portion of the first section and a lower end immersed in water in the chamber of the tank, the lower end of the guide tube being arranged to prevent drainage of water from the hole of the sink into the chamber of the tank via the lower end of the first section of the guide tube; and




a valve stem slidably received in the first section, the valve stem having an upper end securely engaged with the plug and a lower end extending beyond the lower end of the first section for operable connection with the float;




wherein when the water in the chamber of the tank is at a high level ready for flushing, the valve is closed to prevent water in the inlet tube from entering the filling tube and the outlet cover is in the non-flushing position;




wherein when the water in the chamber of the tank is lowered to a predetermined level after flushing, the valve is opened to allow the water in the inlet tube to enter the filling tube, a portion of the water from the filling tube entering the chamber of the tank via said at least one transverse hole, a remaining portion of the water from the filling tube entering the sink via the second end of the filling tube and the outlet tube, the plug is moved to a position plugging the hole in the sink and thus preventing drainage of water in the sink via the hole; and




wherein when the water in the tank reaches a level between the high level and the predetermined level, the valve stem is moved by the float to a position allowing drainage of the water in the sink via the hole of the sink, the first section of the guide tube, and the second section of the guide tube.




In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention, a water-saving device for a toilet comprises:




a tank defining a chamber therein, a wall defining the chamber having an outlet for draining water in the chamber of the tank out of the tank;




an inlet tube having a first end communicated with a water source and a second end;




a tank lid mounted on top of the tank, a sink being formed on the tank lid and comprising a hole communicated with the chamber of the tank;




an outlet cover mounted to the tank for covering the outlet, the outlet cover being movable between a flushing position in which the outlet of the tank is not covered by the outlet cover to thereby allow drainage of water in the chamber via the outlet and a non-flushing position wherein the outlet of the tank is covered by the outlet cover;




a valve mounted on the second end of the inlet tube;




a filling tube having a first end communicated with the second end of the inlet tube and a second end, the filling tube further having at least one transverse hole;




an output tube having a first end having a first inlet port and a second inlet port and a second end for supplying water into the sink, the second inlet port of the output tube being communicated with the second end of the filling tube;




a float arm having a first end pivotally and thus operably connected to the valve and a second end;




a bypass tube having a first end communicated with the inlet tube and a second end communicated with the first inlet port of the output tube;




a water handle mounted to the first end of the output tube for controlling opening and closing of the first inlet port;




a float attached to the second end of the float arm;




a guide tube comprising a first section having an upper end communicated with the hole of the sink, an intermediate portion, and a lower end, the guide tube further comprising a second section having an upper end communicated with the intermediate portion of the first section and a lower end immersed in water in the chamber of the tank, the lower end of the guide tube being arranged to prevent drainage of water from the hole of the sink into the chamber of the tank via the lower end of the first section of the guide tube; and




a valve stem slidably received in the first section, the valve stem having an upper end securely engaged with the plug and a lower end extending beyond the lower end of the first section for operable connection with the float;




wherein when the water handle is in a closed position and when the water in the chamber of the tank is at a high level ready for flushing, the valve is closed to prevent water in the inlet tube from entering the filling tube and the outlet cover is in the non-flushing position, and wherein when the water handle is in an open position, water is outputted via the inlet tube, the bypass tube, and the output tube;




wherein when the water handle is in a closed position and when the water in the chamber of the tank is lowered to a predetermined level after flushing, the valve is opened to allow the water in the inlet tube to enter the filling tube, a portion of the water from the filling tube entering the chamber of the tank via said at least one transverse hole, a remaining portion of the water from the filling tube entering the sink via the second end of the filling tube and the outlet tube, the plug is moved to a position plugging the hole in the sink and thus preventing drainage of water in the sink via the hole;




wherein when the water handle is in a closed position and when the water in the tank reaches a level between the high level and the predetermined level, the valve stem is moved by the float to a position allowing drainage of the water in the sink via the hole of the sink, the first section of the guide tube, and the second section of the guide tube.




Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a toilet with a water-saving device in accordance with the present invention.





FIG. 2

is a perspective view of the water-saving device in accordance with the present invention.





FIG. 3

is an exploded perspective view of the water-saving device in accordance with the present invention.





FIG. 4

is a sectional view taken along line A—A in FIG.


2


.





FIG. 5

is a sectional view similar to

FIG. 4

, illustrating operation in the tank.





FIG. 6

is a sectional view similar to

FIG. 5

, illustrating supply of water after flushing.





FIG. 7

is a sectional view similar to

FIG. 6

, illustrating drainage of water from the sink into the toilet tank.





FIG. 8

is a sectional view illustrating a modified embodiment of the water-saving device in accordance with the present invention.





FIG. 9

is a sectional view illustrating use of the water-saving device in FIG.


8


.











DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




Referring to

FIGS. 1 through 4

, a water-saving device in accordance with the present invention generally comprises a tank


10


defining a chamber


11


for receiving water. Defined in a bottom wall defining the chamber


11


is an inlet


12


to which an inlet pipe


121


is connected and an outlet


13


(

FIG. 4

) to which an outlet tube


131


is connected. An outlet cover


14


is pivotally mounted to the bottom wall defining the chamber


11


for covering the outlet


13


and thus stopping drainage of water from the tank


10


into a bowl


15


(

FIG. 1

) located below the tank


10


.




A flush handle


17


has a threaded stem


171


that extends through a hole


16


in a side of the tank


10


into the chamber


11


and through a hole


181


in an end of a link


18


and is then engaged with a nut


19


, thereby pivotally mounting the flush handle


17


to the tank


10


. The other end of the link


18


is connected to the outlet cover


14


via a lift wire


182


such that the outlet cover


14


is lifted upward when the flush handle


17


is pivoted, thereby draining water in the tank


10


into the bowl


15


. The flush handle


17


, the link


18


, and the lift wire


182


together form a flushing means.




An inlet tube


20


is mounted in the chamber


11


of the tank


10


and comprises a lower end extended through the inlet


12


and then threadedly engaged with the inlet pipe


121


that is communicated with a water source. A passage


21


is defined in the inlet tube


20


. A filling tube


22


has an end communicated with an upper end of the inlet tube


21


. At least one transverse hole


22


is defined in the filling tube


22


for filling water into the chamber


11


of the tank


10


. A valve


231


is mounted to the upper end of the inlet tube


21


for removably blocking the passage


21


. A float arm


23


has a first end pivotally and thus operably connected to the valve


231


and a second end to which a float


232


is securely attached.




A tank lid


30


is mounted on top of the tank


10


and comprises a sink


32


formed on an upper side thereof. The sink


32


is communicated with the chamber


11


of the tank


10


via a hole


33


. An output tube


34


has a lower end extended through a hole


31


in the tank lid


30


and an upper end having a spout


35


facing the sink


32


. A connecting tube


40


has a first end


42


communicated with to the lower end of the output tube


34


and a second end


41


communicated with the other end of the filling tube


22


.




A guide tube


50


is mounted in the chamber


11


of the tank


10


and comprises a relatively long vertical section


55


, a relatively short vertical section


51


, and a horizontal connecting section


54


. In this embodiment, the relatively short vertical section


51


is mounted below and communicated with the hole


33


of the sink


32


at an upper end


52


thereof. A lower end


53


of the relatively short vertical section


51


is preferably located above the float


232


. A valve stem


56


is slidably mounted in the relatively short vertical section


51


of the guide tube


50


and a plug


57


is attached to a threaded upper end


561


of an upper portion


564


of the valve stem


56


. The plug


57


tapers downward and has a maximum diameter greater than an inner diameter of the hole


33


in the sink


32


. As illustrated in

FIG. 4

, the horizontal connecting section


54


of the guide tube


50


has a first end communicated with an intermediate section of the relatively short vertical section


51


and a second end communicated with an upper end of the relatively long vertical section


55


. The valve stem


56


comprises an annular groove


562


on a lower portion


565


thereof for receiving an O-ring


563


to thereby prevent from drainage of water from the hole


33


into the chamber


11


of the tank


10


via the lower end


565


of the valve stem


56


.




Before flushing, as illustrated in

FIG. 4

, the float


232


is in a substantially horizontal position and at a high level under the action of buoyancy. It is noted that the lower end


565


of the valve stem


56


is moved upward by the float


232


to a position in which the plug


57


is above the hole


33


of the sink


32


while the first end of the connecting section


54


is blocked by the lower end


565


of the valve stem


56


. In addition, the valve


231


is in a closed position preventing the water from the passage


21


from entering the filling tube


22


.




Referring to

FIG. 5

, when the flush handle


17


is pivoted, the outlet cover


14


is lifted, the water in the chamber


11


of the tank


10


flows via the outlet tube


131


into the bowl


15


, and the float


232


moves downward along with the lowering water level in the tank


10


. The valve stem


56


moves downward under the action of gravity, as it is no longer supported by the float


232


. As illustrated in

FIG. 5

, the plug


57


is in a position blocking the hole


33


in the sink


32


. Downward movement of the float


232


also causes opening of the valve


231


to thereby allow the water from the passage


21


to enter the filling tube


22


.




Referring to

FIG. 6

, when the flush handle


17


is released, the outlet cover


14


moves back to its initial position under the action of gravity to thereby stop draining of water via the outlet tube


131


of the tank


10


. Water from the inlet pipe


121


enters the passage


21


and then the filling tube


22


, as the valve


231


is open. A portion of the water entering the filling tube


22


flows into the chamber


11


of the tank


10


via the transverse holes


221


of the filling tube


22


. The remaining portion of the filling tube


22


is outputted via the spout


35


after passing through the connecting tube


40


and the output tube


34


. As illustrated in

FIG. 6

, the water from the spout


35


is accumulated in the sink


32


for effective use by the user, as the hole


33


in the sink


32


is blocked by the plug


57


.




Referring to

FIG. 7

, when the water flowing into the chamber


11


of the tank


10


reaches a first predetermined level, the float


232


is moved upward, which, in turn, moves the valve stem


56


upward. Thus, the plug


57


is moved upward and thus no longer blocks the hole


33


while the first end of the connecting section


54


is not blocked. The upper end


564


of the valve stem


56


has a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the hole


33


of the sink


32


to allow drainage of water in the sink


32


via the hole


33


and the first end of the connecting section


54


. As a result, the used water in the sink


32


flows into the chamber


11


of the tank


10


via the hole


33


in the sink


32


, the relatively shorter vertical section


51


, the connecting section


54


, and the relatively longer vertical section


55


, as indicated by the arrows in FIG.


7


. The lower end of the relatively longer


55


is immersed in the water in the chamber


11


of the tank


10


such that the drainage of the water in the sink


32


into the tank


10


is almost silent. When the water in the chamber


11


of the tank


10


reaches a second predetermined level above the first predetermined level, the float


232


is moved further upward, which, in turn, moves the valve stem


56


further upward to a level that the first end of the connecting portion


54


is blocked by the lower end


565


of the valve stem


56


, as shown in FIG.


4


. The toilet is now ready for next flushing.




Referring to

FIG. 3

, the lower end of the inlet tube


20


may include a transverse hole


24


for optional connection to an external water source when required. In a simplified embodiment of the invention, the valve stem


56


is omitted, and the guide tube


50


comprises an upper end directly communicated with the hole


33


of the sink


32


and a lower end immersed in the water in the chamber


11


of the tank


10


. In addition, the plug


57


is manually inserted into the hole


33


of the sink


32


for washing hands or other purpose. In another modified embodiment of the invention, the relatively shorter vertical section


51


can be deemed as a first section, and the connecting section


54


and the relatively longer vertical section


55


can be deemed as a second section having an upper end communicated with an intermediate section of the first section and a lower end immersed in the water in the tank


10


.





FIG. 8

illustrates a modified embodiment of the water-saving device in accordance with the present invention, wherein the output tube (now designated by


60


) has an upper end having a spout


61


facing the sink


32


and a lower end


62


extended through the hole


31


in the tank lid


30


. The lower end


62


of the output tube


60


comprises a first inlet port


621


to which a water handle


623


is attached and a second inlet port


622


to which the first end


42


of the connecting tube


40


is connected. The second end


41


of the connecting tube


40


communicated with the other end of the filling tube


22


. In addition, a further connecting tube


63


is provided in which a first end


631


of the connecting tube


63


is connected to the first inlet port


621


and a second end


632


of the connecting tube


63


is connected to a bypass pipe


25


formed on the inlet tube


20


. By such an arrangement, even no flushing action is taken, the user may wash his or her hands by switching the water handle


623


to an output position, as the water will be fed via the bypass pipe


25


, the connecting tube


63


, and the output tube


60


.




According to the above description, it is appreciated that the water flowing into the sink


32


is effectively used before it is drained into the chamber


11


of the tank


10


. The used water in the sink


32


is automatically drained into the chamber


11


of the tank


10


without causing noise. The user needs not to manually turn on/off the faucet in conventional toilet for washing hands, as water is automatically supplied into the sink


32


via the output tube


34


. Plugging movement is also automatically achieved by the plug


57


under control of the float


232


and the valve stem


56


. Sanitary improvement is thus provided.




Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.



Claims
  • 1. A water-saving device for a toilet, comprising:a tank defining a chamber therein, a wall defining the chamber having an outlet for draining water in the chamber of the tank out of the tank; an inlet tube having a first end communicated with a water source and a second end; a tank lid mounted on top of the tank, a sink being formed on the tank lid and comprising a hole communicated with the chamber of the tank; an outlet cover mounted to the tank for covering the outlet, the outlet cover being movable between a flushing position in which the outlet of the tank is not covered by the outlet cover to thereby allow drainage of water in the chamber via the outlet and a non-flushing position wherein the outlet of the tank is covered by the outlet cover; a valve mounted on the second end of the inlet tube; a filling tube having a first end communicated with the second end of the inlet tube and a second end, the filling tube further having at least one transverse hole; an output tube having a first end communicated with the second end of the filling tube and a second end for supplying water into the sink; a float arm having a first end pivotally and thus operably connected to the valve and a second end; a float attached to the second end of the float arm; wherein when the water in the chamber of the tank is at a high level ready for flushing, the valve is closed to prevent water in the inlet tube from entering the filling tube and the outlet cover is in the non-flushing position; wherein when the water in the chamber of the tank is lowered to a predetermined level after flushing, the valve is opened to allow the water in the inlet tube to enter the filling tube, a portion of the water from the filling tube entering the chamber of the tank via said at least one transverse hole, a remaining portion of the water from the filling tube entering the sink via the second end of the filling tube and the outlet tube and a plug being moved to a position preventing drainage of water in the sink via the hole by the float.
  • 2. The water-device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inlet tube further comprises a transverse hole outside the tank for communication with an external water source.
  • 3. The water-saving device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for moving the outlet cover between the flushing position and the non-flushing position.
  • 4. The water-saving device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the means for moving the outlet cover between the flushing position and the non-flushing position comprises a flush handle pivotally mounted to the tank, a link having a first end connected to the flush handle and a second end, and a lift wire having a first end connected to the second end of the link and a second end connected to the outlet cover.
  • 5. A water-saving device for a toilet, comprising:a tank defining a chamber therein, a wall defining the chamber having an outlet for draining water in the chamber of the tank out of the tank; an inlet tube having a first end communicated with a water source and a second end; a tank lid mounted on top of the tank, a sink being formed on the tank lid and comprising a hole communicated with the chamber of the tank; an outlet cover mounted to the tank for covering the outlet, the outlet cover being movable between a flushing position in which the outlet of the tank is not covered by the outlet cover to thereby allow drainage of water in the chamber via the outlet and a non-flushing position wherein the outlet of the tank is covered by the outlet cover; a valve mounted on the second end of the inlet tube; a filling tube having a first end communicated with the second end of the inlet tube and a second end, the filling tube further having at least one transverse hole; an output tube having a first end communicated with the second end of the filling tube and a second end for supplying water into the sink; a float arm having a first end pivotally and thus operably connected to the valve and a second end; a float attached to the second end of the float arm; a guide tube comprising a first section having an upper end communicated with the hole of the sink, an intermediate portion, and a lower end, the guide tube further comprising a second section having an upper end communicated with the intermediate portion of the first section and a lower end immersed in water in the chamber of the tank, the lower end of the guide tube being arranged to prevent drainage of water from the hole of the sink into the chamber of the tank via the lower end of the first section of the guide tube; and a valve stem slidably received in the first section, the valve stem having an upper end securely engaged with a plug and a lower end extending beyond the lower end of the first section; wherein when the water in the chamber of the tank is at a high level ready for flushing, the valve is closed to prevent water in the inlet tube from entering the filling tube and the outlet cover is in the non-flushing position; wherein when the water in the chamber of the tank is lowered to a predetermined level after flushing, the valve is opened to allow the water in the inlet tube to enter the filling tube, a portion of the water from the filling tube entering the chamber of the tank via said at least one transverse hole, a remaining portion of the water from the filling tube entering the sink via the second end of the filling tube and the outlet tube, the plug is moved to a position plugging the hole in the sink by the float and thus preventing drainage of water in the sink via the hole; and wherein when the water in the tank reaches a level between the high level and the predetermined level, the valve stem is moved by the float to a position allowing drainage of the water in the sink via the hole of the sink, the first section of the guide tube, and the second section of the guide tube.
  • 6. The water-saving device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the inlet tube further comprises a transverse hole outside the tank for communication with an external water source.
  • 7. The water-saving device as claimed in claim 5, further comprising means for moving the outlet cover between the flushing position and the non-flushing position.
  • 8. The water-saving device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the means for moving the outlet cover between the flushing position and the non-flushing position comprises a flush handle pivotally mounted to the tank, a link having a first end connected to the flush handle and a second end, and a lift wire having a first end connected to the second end of the link and a second end connected to the outlet cover.
  • 9. The water-saving device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the plug tapers downward and has a maximum diameter greater than an inner diameter of the hole in the sink.
  • 10. The water-saving device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the upper end of the first section of the guide tube has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the hole in the sink.
  • 11. The water-saving device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the lower end of first section of the guide tube comprises an annular groove, further comprising an O-ring received in the annular groove of the lower end of the first section to thereby prevent drainage of water from the hole of the sink into the chamber of the tank via the lower end of the first section of the guide tube.
  • 12. A water-saving device for a toilet, comprising:a tank defining a chamber therein, a wall defining the chamber having an outlet for draining water in the chamber of the tank out of the tank; an inlet tube having a first end communicated with a water source and a second end; a tank lid mounted on top of the tank, a sink being formed on the tank lid and comprising a hole communicated with the chamber of the tank; an outlet cover mounted to the tank for covering the outlet, the outlet cover being movable between a flushing position in which the outlet of the tank is not covered by the outlet cover to thereby allow drainage of water in the chamber via the outlet and a non-flushing position wherein the outlet of the tank is covered by the outlet cover; a valve mounted on the second end of the inlet tube; a filling tube having a first end communicated with the second end of the inlet tube and a second end, the filling tube further having at least one transverse hole; an output tube having a first end having a first inlet port and a second inlet port and a second end for supplying water into the sink, the second inlet port of the output tube being communicated with the second end of the filling tube; a float arm having a first end pivotally and thus operably connected to the valve and a second end; a bypass tube having a first end communicated with the inlet tube and a second end communicated with the first inlet port of the output tube; a water handle mounted to the first end of the output tube for controlling opening and closing of the first inlet port; a float attached to the second end of the float arm; a guide tube comprising a first section having an upper end communicated with the hole of the sink, an intermediate portion, and a lower end, the guide tube further comprising a second section having an upper end communicated with the intermediate portion of the first section and a lower end immersed in water in the chamber of the tank, the lower end of the guide tube being arranged to prevent drainage of water from the hole of the sink into the chamber of the tank via the lower end of the first section of the guide tube; and a valve stem slidably received in the first section, the valve stem having an upper end securely engaged with a plug and a lower end extending beyond the lower end of the first section; wherein when the water handle is in a closed position and when the water in the chamber of the tank is at a high level ready for flushing, the valve is closed to prevent water in the inlet tube from entering the filling tube and the outlet cover is in the non-flushing position, and wherein when the water handle is in an open position, water is outputted via the inlet tube, the bypass tube, and the output tube; wherein when the water handle is in a closed position and when the water in the chamber of the tank is lowered to a predetermined level after flushing, the valve is opened to allow the water in the inlet tube to enter the filling tube, a portion of the water from the filling tube entering the chamber of the tank via said at least one transverse hole, a remaining portion of the water from the filling tube entering the sink via the second end of the filling tube and the outlet tube, the plug is moved to a position plugging the hole in the sink by the float and thus preventing drainage of water in the sink via the hole; wherein when the water handle is in a closed position and when the water in the tank reaches a level between the high level and the predetermined level, the valve stem is moved by the float to a position allowing drainage of the water in the sink via the hole of the sink, the first section of the guide tube, and the second section of the guide tube.
  • 13. The water-saving device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the plug tapers downward and has a maximum diameter greater than an inner diameter of the hole in the sink.
US Referenced Citations (4)
Number Name Date Kind
3015827 Iwata Jan 1962 A
4163293 Basterfield Aug 1979 A
4646780 Spooner Mar 1987 A
5228152 Fraley Jul 1993 A