AU2004201937A1 - Flush device for a flush tank, in particular a dual-flush tank - Google Patents

Description

FLUSH DEVICE FOR A FLUSH TANK, IN PARTICULAR A DUAL-FLUSH

TANK

The present invention relates to a flush device for a flush tank, in particular a dual-flush tank.

In the specification the term "comprising" shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term "including" and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the term "comprising" such as "comprise" and "comprises".

Numerous types of double-acting flush devices are known for selectively discharging all or part of the water inside a flush tank.

For example, a flush device is known in which the valve shutter is raised from its sealing seat by a slide operated by an actuating mechanism; the shutter moves by gravity back into the closed position; and full flushing is achieved by means of a float which acts on the slide to delay return of the shutter into the closed position.

Known double-acting flush devices are subject to operating defects caused by differing pressure exerted by the user on the actuating mechanism control buttons. In particular, excessive pressure exerted by the user on the partial-flush control button may result in overlift of the slide, thus resulting in full, as opposed to partial, flushing.

Moreover, in the case of flush devices with height adjusting mechanisms (for adjusting the height of the device to tanks of different sizes), the accuracy with which the device is adjusted may be impaired by slack and manufacturing tolerances of the various component parts of the adjusting mechanism, in particular the slide supporting the valve shutter.

Clearly it would be advantageous to provide a flush device for a flush tank, in particular a dual-flush tank, designed to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks, and which, in particular, operates effectively in any operating condition.

Furthermore it would also be advantageous to provide a flush device which adapts easily and accurately to flush tanks of different heights.

According to the present invention, there is provided a flush device for a flush tank, in particular a dual-flush tank, comprising a supporting structure, a valve controlled by a slide movable along an axis (A) inside the structure, and an actuating mechanism for activating the slide; the device being characterized in that the slide comprises two tubular members inserted one inside the other and connected to slide axially with respect to each other along said axis with a predetermined axial clearance.

The flush device according to the present invention prevents malfunctioning caused by excessive pressure being exerted by the user, and, in particular, prevents inadvertent performance of undesired flush modes, thus ensuring effective operation in any condition.

Moreover, if fitted with a height adjusting mechanism, the flush device may provide for recovering slack and manufacturing tolerances of the various component parts, thus ensuring effective, accurate adjustment.

A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a view in perspective, with parts removed for clarity, of a flush tank flush device in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section, with parts removed for clarity, of the Figure 1 device; Figure 3 shows a larger-scale view of a portion of Figure 2; Figures 4 and 5 show a larger-scale plan view and front view respectively of a detached component part of the Figure 1 device.

Number 1 in Figures 1 and 2 indicates as a whole a flush device for a known flush tank not shown. Device 1 is a double-acting type for selectively discharging all or part of the water inside the tank.

Device 1 extends substantially along an axis A, and comprises a supporting structure 2; a valve 3 controlled by a slide 4 movable along axis A inside structure 2; an actuating mechanism 5 for operating slide 4; and a height adjusting mechanism 6 for adjusting the height (measured along axis A) of structure 2.

Structure 2 comprises a basket 8 having a cylindrical end portion 9 insertable in fluidtight and known manner inside a drain hole in the tank; a cup fixed integrally to basket 8; and a frame 11 extending from and over cup 10 along axis A. Portion 9 comprises a drain hole 12 bounded by a peripheral edge defining a sealing seat 13.

Cup 10 comprises two coaxial cylindrical lateral walls 14, 15 defining an annular chamber 16 closed at the bottom by a bottom wall 17; and the inner lateral wall 14 defines a cylindrical guide 18 through which slide 4 is housed.

Annular chamber 16 houses a substantially toroidal float 20 mounted to slide freely about guide 18 and terminating with a top end edge 21. Float 20 defines an auxiliary member which is connectable selectively to slide 4 to vary the closing speed of valve 3 and selectively achieve full or partial flush.

A top end of the outer lateral wall 15 has a radially outer thread 22 extending about axis A and having a thread pitch Pl.

Frame 11 cdmprises two rods 26 parallel to axis A; and a cross member 27 extending crosswise to axis A and integral with the top ends of rods 26. Beneath cross member 27, rods 26 have respective tabs 28 facing each other and positioned radially with respect to axis A; tabs 28 support respective aligned pins 29 defining an axis B radially perpendicular to axis A; beneath tabs 28, each rod 26 has a succession of teeth 30 equally spaced with a spacing Pl; and teeth 30 project towards axis A and define a threaded coupling with thread 22 of cup Frame 11 also comprises a ring 32 fitted to rotate about cup 10 and for securing teeth 30 to thread 22. Ring 32 comprises a lateral wall 33 substantially surrounding thread 22; and two seats 34 for housing rods 26. The ring supports an annular lever 35 hinged centrally to wall 33; and lever 35 is fitted, in diametrically opposite positions, with a rocking tooth 36 maintained by a spring 37 in an engaged position in which it is superimposed axially on edge 21 of float 20 to prevent upward axial movement of float 20, and with an eye 38 for releasing float 20 and having an elongated slot 39 parallel to axis

A.

Valve 3 comprises a shutter 40 fitted to slide 4 and cooperating with sealing seat 13.

Slide 4 comprises two tubular members 41, 42 extending along axis A, inserted one inside the other, and slidable with respect to each other along axis A.

Tubular member 41 is a substantially cylindrical tube which also acts as an overflow pipe; and tubular member 42 is a substantially cylindrical sleeve fitted radially loosely onto the outside of tube 41 so as to slide freely on tube 41 along axis A.

With reference also to Figure 3, tube 41 comprises a bottom portion 43 housed inside guide 18; an intermediate portion 44 bounded by opposite facing annular shoulders 45, 46; and a segmented top portion 47 extending outside cup Portion 43 is fitted at the bottom end with shutter and has longitudinal tabs 48 parallel to axis A and projecting radially from an outer lateral surface of portion 43 to engage respective grooves 49 formed in an inner lateral surface of guide 18, so that portion 43 (being secured angularly to guide 18) is only movable inside guide 18 along axis A.

Portion 47 is defined by a succession of rings defined by a number of parallel circumferential slits 51, and has longitudinal ribs 52 parallel to axis A and projecting radially from an outer lateral surface of portion 47 to engage respective grooves 53 formed in an inner lateral surface of sleeve 42, and so define circumferential retaining means preventing tube 41 and sleeve 42 from rotating with respect to each other, and connecting tube 41 and sleeve 42 angularly integral with each other.

Sleeve 42 comprises an annular seat 54 located at the bottom end of sleeve 42 and defined by two parallel collars 55; and an externally threaded top portion 56 with a thread pitch P2. The top end of portion 56 supports an actuating member 57 connected to actuating mechanism Actuating member 57 comprises an internally threaded ring 58 screwed to portion 56; and a hook 59 extending radially outwards from ring 58.

Slide 4 has a connecting member 60 for connecting tube 41 and sleeve 42 axially integral with each other, with a predetermined axial clearance, when slide 4 is raised by actuating mechanism 5, and for limiting axial slide between tube 41 and sleeve 42 along axis A to a predetermined axial travel.

Connecting member 60 is fitted to sleeve 42, and, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, comprises a radially open annular body 61 having an elastic opening 62 enabling it to click inside annular seat 54. Annular body 61 has a bottom edge 63 which cooperates axially with shoulder 46; and a circumferential projection 64 which cooperates axially with a stop member defined by shoulder 45. The distance between shoulders 45 and 46 is greater than the distance between edge 63 and projection 64, and defines the allowed axial travel of tubular members 41 and 42.

Connecting member 60 also comprises an appendix which projects radially outwards from annular body 61, is located diametrically opposite opening 62, and is inserted inside slot 39 to engage eye 38.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, actuating mechanism 5 comprises two buttons 71, 72 acting on a piston 73; a guide 74 fixed to cross member 27 and inside which piston 73 slides along axis A; and a transmission Buttons 71 and 72 activate partial-flush and fullflush mode respectively, and are housed and slide inside respective seats permitting different axial travels of buttons 71, 72. Both buttons 71, 72 act on piston 73 to slide it inside guide 74, but the travel of piston 73 produced pressing partial-flush button 71 is shorter than that produced pressing full-flush button 72.

Transmission 75 comprises a substantially rectangular lever 76 hinged to pins 29 about axis B and having an eye 77; and a lever 78 hinged to lever 76 about an axis C parallel to axis B, and having a member 79 cooperating with a bottom end of piston 73. Member 79 has projections 80 engaging tabs 28 to guide member 79 parallel to axis A when activated by piston 73.

Eye 77 is engaged by hook 59 of actuating member 57, so that the movements of lever 76 are transmitted to actuating member 57 and vice versa.

The height of structure 2 is adjusted by rotating cup 10 with respect to frame 11, by virtue of the threaded connection between cup 10 and frame 11. Rotation of cup 10 with respect to frame 11 also produces rotation of threaded portion 56 of slide 4 with respect to actuating member 57, thus altering the position of portion 56 with respect to actuating member 57.

Once the adjustment is made, portion 47 of tube 41 and portion 56 of sleeve 42 projecting with respect to actuating member 57 may be cut off.

Thread 22 of cup 10 and the thread of portion 56 of slide 4 turn in the same direction, and may have the same or slightly different pitches, any defects caused by differences in pitch being compensated by the axial clearance between tubular members 41, 42.

In actual use, the device is activated by button 71 or 72.

When button 71 is pressed, lever 78 is pressed down and lever 76 rotates about axis B to raise hook 59, actuating member 57, and therefore slide 4. More specifically, actuating member 57 pulls up sleeve 42, connecting member 60, and finally tube 41 with shutter thus opening valve 3. The travel of sleeve 42 depends on the angle of rotation of lever 76 and the travel of button 71; the travel of button 71 is such that appendix slides inside slot 39 without ever coming into contact with eye 38, so that lever 35 remains unmoved, and float remains axially engaged by tooth 36; and slide 4 moves down by force of gravity to close valve 3, without being connected to float 20, thus obtaining a partial flush.

Similarly, when button 72 is pressed, lever 78 is pushed down and lever 76 rotates about axis B to raise hook 59, actuating member 57, sleeve 42, connecting member 60, and finally tube 41. The travel of button 72, however, is greater than that of button 71, so that appendix 65 slides inside slot 39 into contact with eye 38, thus rotating lever 35; the rotation of lever rotates tooth 36 to release float 20, which is raised by hydrostatic thrust; and, when slide 4 moves down by force of gravity to close valve 3, edge 63 of connecting member comes to rest on edge 21 of float 20, thus connecting slide 4 to float 20 and delaying the downward movement of slide 4 to achieve full flush.