Fill valve leak prevention system

Abstract

A leak prevention device is provided for use in operation with a fill valve with a fill valve arm in a toilet tank. The device may comprise a pivotable locking lever having a first portion positioned to pivot into and out of contact with the fill valve arm or an extension thereof. The fill valve arm affects actuation of the fill valve to modulate fluids from entering the toilet tank, wherein the pivotable locking lever is operable to contact or is capable of contacting the fill valve arm thereby prohibiting the operation of the fill valve.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A leak prevention device for use in operation with a fill valve seated on a post in a toilet, the device comprising:
 a locking lever pivotable about a central pivot comprising a bias element being oriented to bias a first portion of the locking lever pivotally about the central pivot;   wherein the first portion is operable to be pivotally positioned to prevent movement of a fill valve arm in communication with the fill valve.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the central pivot is associated with a fixed hinge in communication with the fill valve, the first portion further comprising a locking member operable to securely engage with a lever receiving surface of the fill valve arm. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking lever is pivotally connectable to the central pivot in communication with the post, further comprising a second portion positioned opposite the first portion on the locking ever, the first portion weighing less than the second portion thereby creating the bias element of the locking lever. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the second portion comprises a material density, material thickness, or material width greater than the first portion. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein a center of gravity of the locking lever is positioned in the second portion, wherein the first and second portions are joined at the central pivot thereby creating an angle defined by the first portion, the second portion, and the central pivot. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the second portion of the locking lever is operable to receive a flush actuator, and wherein the flush actuator comprises a chain, rope, wire, or string in communication with a flush lever. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the angle is adjustable between one or more fixed positions. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the bias element further comprises a coil or a spring in communication with the first portion and the central pivot. 
     
     
         9 . A leak prevention system for use in operation with a fill valve seated on a post in a toilet, the system comprising:
 a float slidably coupled to the post underneath the fill valve;   a link with an upper end and a lower end, the lower end being rigidly coupled to the float;   an arm pivotally connected to the fill valve and pivotally connected to the upper end of the link;   a locking lever pivotally connected to a central pivot underneath the arm and the fill valve, wherein a first portion of the locking lever is configured to pivot about a central pivot and bias towards the link.   
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 9 , the locking lever further comprising a second portion positioned opposite the first portion, wherein a center of gravity of the locking lever is positioned in the second portion. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the central pivot is associated with a fixed hinge in communication with the fill valve, the first portion further comprising a locking member operable to securely engage with a lever receiving surface of the fill valve arm. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , the lever receiving surface comprising teeth, projections, members or a friction-inducing surface to securely receive the locking member of the first portion. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the first and second portions are joined at the central pivot of the locking lever thereby creating an angle defined by the first portion, the second portion, and the central pivot. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein the angle is adjustable between one or more fixed positions. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the first portion weighs less than the second portion so that the first portion naturally pivots towards the link and the second portion naturally pivots towards the fill valve. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the second portion comprises a material density, material thickness, or material width greater than the first portion. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 15 , further comprising a flush actuator extending from the locking lever, wherein the flush actuator is operable to cause the first portion of the locking lever to pivot about the central pivot away from the link, and wherein the flush actuator comprises a chain, rope, wire, or string in communication with a flush lever. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the central pivot is in communication with the post, the system further comprising a lever attachment mechanism to pivotally receive the locking lever at the central pivot, the lever attachment mechanism disposed on the post between the fill valve and the float. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the central pivot is in communication with the post, the system further comprising a lever locking receiver mechanism disposed on the link underneath the upper end of the link, wherein the first portion of the locking lever is operable to pivot about the central pivot until being securely received by the lever locking receiver. 
     
     
         20 . A method of preventing a toilet tank with a fill valve seated above a post from leaking, the method comprising:
 pivotally connecting a locking lever to a central pivot, wherein a first portion of the locking lever is operable to bias away from the post; and   preventing the fill valve from actuating fluid flow into the toilet tank by pivoting the first portion of the locking lever about the central pivot towards a fill valve link mechanically attached to a float slidably couple to the post so that an actuating arm pivotally connected to the link and the fill valve is prevented from translating.   
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , further comprising:
 unlocking the fill valve by actuating a flush actuator operably connected with the locking lever causing the first portion of the locking lever to pivot about the central pivot away from the fill valve link so that the fill valve is operable.   
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the locking lever further comprises a second portion opposite the first portion and joined at the central pivot thereby creating an angle defined by the first portion, the second portion, and the central pivot, and wherein the locking lever is operable to bias towards the fill valve link. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , further comprising: pivotally connecting the central pivot of the locking lever with a lever attachment mechanism disposed on the post, wherein the central pivot is in communication with the post. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 22 , further comprising: securely engaging a first portion of the locking lever with a lever locking receiver mechanism disposed on the link, wherein the central pivot is in communication with the post.