Toilet Tank Draining Apparatus

The present invention generally relates to the field of toilet repairing tools. More specifically, the present invention is a toilet tank draining apparatus that completely drains the toilet tank to perform necessary repairs.

A typical toilet has a tank, also known as toilet tank, fixed above the bowl which contains a fixed volume of water. When the tank is flushed, the fixed amount of water can be discharged rapidly into the toilet bowl thus causing the contents of the bowl to be swept or sucked out of the toilet and into the drain. Simultaneously, the water inlet of the tank automatically supplies a flow of water into the tank until the water level is appropriate for a subsequent flush. When the toilet fails to perform as intended, specific parts of the toilet such as the fill valve, the flapper, the flush mechanism, or other related components have to be repaired or replaced. In order to replace or repair the aforementioned parts, the tank has to be completely empty of water to avoid spillage of water. After the tank is flushed, there is about an inch of water left in the bottom of the tank. The typical way to remove this water is to use a towel and soak up the water or scoop it out with a cup or other object. When a towel is used, the towel gets soaking wet with toilet water and creates a messy surrounding as the towel is moved into a bucket to squeeze the toilet water. When a cup is used, the cup is not able to completely remove the toilet water due to the rigid shape of the cup. Additionally, both of these methods are time consuming and can potentially damage other components within the tank.

It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a toilet tank draining apparatus so that the user can fully empty the tank during toilet repairs. More specifically, the present invention is a pump unit with two hoses that function as an inlet hose and outlet hose. When the present invention is activated, the inlet hose is able to remove water from the tank as the outlet hose discharges water into the drain hole of the tank. As a result, the present invention is able to drain the last water out of the tank in an easy and non-messy way.

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a toilet tank draining apparatus so that the user can fully empty the tank during toilet repairs. More specifically, the present invention is able to pumpout the excess water that normally remains within the tank after the water supply is turned off and the tank is flushed. As result, the present invention is able to drain the last water out of the tank in an easy and non-messy way thus allowing the user to perform necessary repairs such as changing the fill valve, the flapper, the flush mechanism, or other related components of the tank.

In reference to general configuration, as shown inand, the present invention comprises a housing, a pump system, a battery, and a power switch. The housingfunctions as an enclosure so that the remaining components of the present invention can be oriented or connected. The pump systemthat circulates the remaining water within the tank comprises a pump, an inlet hose, and an outlet hose. The pumpis hermetically connected within the housingto protect the housingfrom the outside elements such as water. The inlet hoseis in fluid communication with the pumpthus allowing the pumpto withdraw the excess water from the tank. The outlet hose is in fluid communication with the pumpso that the excess water from the tank canbe discharged into the drain hole of the tank. In order to easily maneuver the inlet hosewithin the tank, the inlet hosetraverses through the housing. In order to easily maneuver the outlet hoseinto the drain hole, the outlet hosetraverses through the housing. The batteryis removably positioned within the housingso that the pumpcan be operated. More specifically, the pumpis electrically connected to the batterythrough the power switchas the power switchis connected onto the housing. For example, when the power switchis in the on-position, the pumpis operational and the tank water can be pumped out. When the excess water is completely removed from the tank, the pumpcan be deactivated by the off-position of the power switch.

In reference to, the housingcomprises a front panel, a rear panel, and a lateral panel. Even though the preferred embodiment of the housingis formed into a rectangular shape for aesthetic appearance, the housingcan be formed into any other geomatic shape other than the rectangular shape. More specifically, the front paneland the rear panelare oppositely positioned of each other about the lateral panel as the housingis formed into an enclosure. The front panelis designed to be oriented towards the user, and the rear panelis designed to be oriented towards the back wall of the tank.

In reference to, the housingfurther comprises a compartmentso that the batteryis removably positioned within the compartment. More specifically, the compartmentis connected within the housingand accessible from the outside via a removable plate. When the removable plate is detached from the housing, the batterycan be accessed. When the removable plate is attached to the housing, the batteryis fully enclosed and hermetically sealed within the compartmentto eliminate the entry of water.

In reference to, the batteryis a disposable-battery so that the user can conveniently use the present invention without having to recharge the battery. However, it is understood that the batterycan be a secondary-battery without deviating from the scope of the functionality. In the event that the present invention is equipped with a secondary-battery, a charging port that is electrically connected to the batterycan optionally be integrated into housingto recharge the battery.

As shown in, the power switchis preferably connected to the front panelso that the user can easily access the power switch. The preferred embodiment of the power switchis a single-button switch that can be configured between the on-position and the off-position. However, the present invention can utilize any type of industry standard electrical component that can disconnect or connect the conducting path in an electrical circuit as the power switch. As explained before, when the power switchis in the on-position, the pumpis activated as the batteryis able to provide the necessary electrical current to the pumpvia the power switch. When the power switchis in the off-position, the pumpis deactivated as the power switchdisconnect the electrical current of the batteryto the pump.

In reference to, the inlet hoseand the outlet hoseeach comprises a proximal endand a distal endto further explain the positioning of the inlet hoseand the outlet hosewith respect to the housing. More specifically, the proximal endof the inlet hoseis connected to an inlet portof the pumpas the inlet hosetraverses through the housing. The distal endof the inlet hoseis externally positioned to the housing. As a result, the user can utilize the distal endof the inlet hoseto remove the excess water from the tank. The proximal endof the outlet hoseis connected to an outlet portof the pumpso that the excess water that enters into the pumpvia the inlet portcan be redirected to the outlet port. The distal endof the outlet hoseis externally positioned to the housingas the outlet hosetraverses through the housing. As a result, the user can insert the distal endof the outlet hoseinto the drain hole of the tank to discharge the excess water. Preferably, the inlet hoseand the outlet hoseare made from flexible material so that the user can easily maneuver the positioning of the inlet hoseand the outlet hosewithin the tank. For example, the flexibility of the inlet hoseis essential to the present invention as excess water always flow toward the low-end of the tank. The flexibility of the inlet hoseand the outlet hosealso enables the user to easily position and orient both the inlet hoseand the outlet hosearound obstacles such as the fill valve, float, overflow tube, chain, handle lever, or other related tank components.

In reference to, the present invention further comprises a control stickso that the user can easily maneuver the inlet hosewithin the tank. The control stickis an elongated shaft and directly attached to the distal endof the inlet hose. More specifically, the user can grasp the top end of the control stickto precisely maneuver the distal endof the inlet hosethat is attached to the bottom end of the control stick, without having to enter their hand into the tank. As a result, the control stickis able to eliminate potential hand injuries and damage to components of the tank.

In reference to, the present invention further comprises a mounting hook. The mounting hookis integrated into the rear panelof the housingso that the present invention can be hung to the tank wall during operation. The mounting hookcan be integrated to the housingas a slidable hook or a retractable hook to eliminate unnecessary tangles within a toolbox.

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 spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.