CA1077372A - Flush control device for conserving water - Google Patents
Flush control device for conserving waterInfo
- Publication number
- CA1077372A CA1077372A CA298,501A CA298501A CA1077372A CA 1077372 A CA1077372 A CA 1077372A CA 298501 A CA298501 A CA 298501A CA 1077372 A CA1077372 A CA 1077372A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- lever
- rod member
- stopper
- flush
- tank
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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- Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
This invention relates to flush tank type toilets and is a device by which a long or short flush cycle may be selected by manipulation of the flush lever handle.
The conventional flush uses the full contents of the flush tank and is selected when solid waste must be flushed through the toilet. The short flush uses a portion of the flush tank contents and is selected to conserve water when liquid waste is flushed. This device controls the lifting of the outlet stopper by providing float operated cam member (or members) acting on a rod link connected to the flush lever which lifts the stopper, holding the lever and stopper in the lifted position.
When the water level in the tank drops below the float, the cam releases the rod link and the stopper will be force-seated into the discharge outlet of the tank by the water remaining in the tank.
This invention relates to flush tank type toilets and is a device by which a long or short flush cycle may be selected by manipulation of the flush lever handle.
The conventional flush uses the full contents of the flush tank and is selected when solid waste must be flushed through the toilet. The short flush uses a portion of the flush tank contents and is selected to conserve water when liquid waste is flushed. This device controls the lifting of the outlet stopper by providing float operated cam member (or members) acting on a rod link connected to the flush lever which lifts the stopper, holding the lever and stopper in the lifted position.
When the water level in the tank drops below the float, the cam releases the rod link and the stopper will be force-seated into the discharge outlet of the tank by the water remaining in the tank.
Description
Field of the Invention This invention relatecl generally to flush control mechanism.s used in flush tank type ~oilet~ and more particularly, to a de~ice for attachment to 2 convent~onal flush tan~. to allow manual selection of water volume used in a flush cycle.
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: ., . -37,~, De~cription of the Prior Art In flu~h tank toilets a re~ervoir oE wat~r i8 re-tained in the flu3h tank. To~lush the toilat the user pivots a handle on the flush ~an}; which move~ a lever connected to the handle. The encl of the lever ~8 mechanically lin~:ed to a ball ~tc~pper which is ~eated ~n the flush tank discharge outlet. Operating the flush handle pivo~s the lever upward, lifting the stopp~r ball from the discharge outlet~ In a normal flush cycle the ball stopper is lifted far enough to remain buoyed on the water. The water in tha flush tank then escapes out the discharge outlet through a num~er of orlfices in the toilet bowl and the bo~l contents are flu~hea ~nto the sewage disposal system. When the water level in the flush t~nk drops low enough, the ~topper ~all alls and seats in the di~charge outlat. The flush tank ref~lls and iQ ready for the next flush cycle.
~llowing the ball stopper to buoy upward allows the fluqh cycle to proceed to completion even though the flush lever has been allowed to drop to its resting position.
A pr~mary disadvantage of this system i8 th~t the entire content of ~he flush tank 18 used in evexy flush cycle whether or not the full amount of water ~8 needed ~o proviae adequate flu~hin~ of the toilet bowl contents.
1{3'~7~372 ~UM~RY O~ INVENTIO~
The short flush device of this invention comprlsas a support member adapted to be mounted inside the flush tank. A rod enga~es the ~all ~topper lever and i~
vertically mo~able ln a guide a8semhly ~upported on the suppor. member. ~ float-operatea cam is pivotally connected to the gui~e assembly and serves to act against the rod when lifted thereby preventing further upward movement of the lever and ball stopper. When the flu~h lever is 1~ pivoted, the ball stopper is lifted from the discharge outlet but not far enough to allow the stopper to buoy upward. The lever also lifts the rod member until positive stop means on the rod and guide assemhly such as, for example, a notch in the rod is aligned with a matching detent on the guide assembly. Pressure from the float-operated cam forces the notch in the rod ~e~ber to engage the detent, locking the rod in place andhhence tha flush lever and stopper in the limited rai~ed position. After the flush tank water level has dropped below the cam float, force is no longer maintained on the rod by the cam. The notch disengages from the detent freeing the rod, a~lowing the flush lever to drop to its resting position and allowing the stopper to seat in the flush tank di~charge outlet stopping the 1ushing operation. Means are provided to ~5 allow engagement and disengagement of the device of my invention. I !provide a spring biased flush handle whereby the lever connlected thereto may be displaced laterally. The flush lever i5 lin~ed to the ball gtopper in the convent~onal 11 ~7~37Z
manner and du~ to the spring bias, normally engages a horizontally ~xtendlng glo~ in the ro~ member. ~hen a long ~lush is activated, pu~hing inward on the flu~h hanclle displace3 th~ flush lever laterally and di~engages S it from a Qlot ln the rod member. Then, when the ~lush handle i9 rotat~a, the flush lever moves upward and the flush cycle proceeds to complet:Lon in the convent~onal ~anner. I~hen a 3hort flush i~ desire~, the flush handle is rotated without pushing it i~ard toward the tank wall. The flu~h l~ver rem~in~ sngaged in the slot of the rod ~e~er. The a~ount of water discharged in the short flush is determined l)y the p~sit-on of the flu~h control ~loat on the arm that attaches to the cam. The higher the flu~h control float is positioned, the shorter the flush cycle.
It is, therefore, the pr~mary object of my ~nvention to provlde a flush control device for conserving water which can be easily installed on existing tan~ type tollets.
~nother ob~ect o~ my invention i~ to provide a flush control device or ConsarYinq water that is adjustable in the amount of water d~ scharsed in the short or long flu~h cycle.
Still another ob~ect of my invention is to provide a flush control device for conserving water which is o~erable ~ith a non-floatable outlet stopper.
O~her objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent by a careful study o~ the following ~eta~ led de~cription when read with reference to the accompanying drawings which illu~trate the preferred en~od~ment of thi~ invention.
~ 773 ~
In general terms, the present invention provides a flush control device for a water tank comprising a stopper seated in an outlet liftable therefrom to allow the water to discharge through the outlet and wherein said lifting of said stopper is accomplished by a lever connected to said stopper by a link, said lever being pivotable by a handle exterior of the tank;
guide means supported in said tank;
a rod member longitudinally movable in said guide means;
a float lever arm pivotally supported to laterally bear against said rod member to arrest said longitudinal movement of said rod member; and means on said rod member for engaging said lever connected to lift said stopper, to control the degree of pivotal movement of said lever when said rod member is arrested in its longitudinal movement.
More specifically but still deEined in the present invention in general terms, the said means on said rod member for engaging said lever connected to lift said stopper is arranged to prevent pivotal movement of said lever when said rod member is arrested in its longitudinal movement.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a flush control device is provided for a water tank comprising a stopper seated in an outlet liftable therefrom to allow the water to discharge through the outlet and wherein said lifting of said stopper is accomplished by a lever connected to said stopper by a link, said lever being pivotable by a handle exterior of the tank;
guide means;
a rod member vertically movable in said guide means;
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float means supported for pivotal movement against said rod member;
means for arresting the vertical movement of said rod member when said float means moves a~ainst said rod member;
~ means on said rod member for engaging said lever, said means limiting the pivotal movement of said lever when said rod member is arrested in ~ts vertical movement; and spring means for disengaging said lever and said means on said rod member~
According to a still further e~bodiment of the present invention, a flush control device is provided for a water tank comprising a stopper seated in an outlet liftable therefrom to allow the water to discharge through the outlet and wherein said lifting of said stopper is accomplished by a lever connected to said stopper by a link, said lever : being pivotable by a handle exterior of the tank;
: support means in said tank;
:~ guide means on said support means;
a rod member vertically movable in said guide means;
float means supported on said guide means for pivotal movement against said rod member;
means on said rod member for arresting the upward vertical : movement of said rod member;
means on said rod member for arresting the downward vertical movement of said rod member when said float means moves against said rod member;
means on said rod member for engaging said lever, said means -:
limiting the pivotal movement of said lever when said rod member is ~ ;
arrested in its vertical movement; and spring means between said support means and the handle for urging said laver and said means on said rod member in connecting engagement, said spring means being depressable by said handle to disengage said lever from said means on said rod member.
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According to a yet another definition of the present invention, a flush control device is provided for a water tank, comprising: a stopper seated in an outlet liftable therefrom to allow the water to discharge through the outlet and wherein said lifting o~ said stopper is accomplished by a lever connected to said stopper by a link, said lever being pivotable by a handle exterior of the tank;
support means for conneceion to said tank, guide means on said support means;
a rod member vertically movable in said guide means;
an arm member pivotally supported on said guide means, a float connected to one end of said arm member and a roll member at the other end of said arm member pivotally movable against said rod member;
means on said rod member and said guide means for arresting the vertical movement of said rod member when said roll member of said arm moves against said rod member;
said rod member provided with means to engage said lever in said :~
water tank which lifts said stopper, limiting the pivotal movement of said lever;
said means provided on szid rod-member for engaging said lever being manually disengageably; and spring means on said support means acting against said rod member to separate said means on said rod member and said means on said guide means when said roll member on said arm pivotally moves away from said rod member.
According to a yet another feature of the present invention, a flush control device is provided for limiting the amount of water discharged from a water tank having a stopper seated in an outlet and liftable therefrom to allow said water to discharge through said outlet and wherein said lifting is accomplished by a - 5, ~
.
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:; : -lever connected to sald ~topper by a link said lever being pivotable by a handle exterior of said tank;
a support adapted to be mounted in said tank;
guide means mounted on said support;
a member mounted for longitudinal movement in said guide means;
a float lever arm pivotally supported to bear against said member to arrest said longitudinal movement of said member; and ` a means on said member for engaging said lever connected to lift said stopper, said means stopping pivotal movement of said lever when said member is arrested in its longitudinal movement.
The present invention can also be ~enerally . defined, in yet another aspect, as a flush control device to limit the amount of water discharged from a water tank having a stopper seated in an outlet and li~table therefrom to allow said water to discharge through said outlet and wherein said lifting is accomplished by a lever connected to and ; , ." pivotable by a handle exterior of said tank, comprising: :
a support adapted to be mounted in said tank;
guide means mounted on said support;
a member mounted for longitudinal movement in said guide means;
a float lever arm pivotally supported to bear against said member ~ .
to arrest said longitudinal movement of said member;
means on said member for engaging said lever connected to lift :j said stopper, said means stopping pivotal movement of said lever when `, said member is arrested in its longitudinal movement;
~j a second member mounted for longitudinal movement in said guide means;
a second float lever arm pivotedly supported to bear against said second member to arrest said longitudinal movement of said second member; and means on said second member for engaging said lever connected to lift said stopper, said means stopping pivotal movement of said lever when said second member is arrested in its longitudinal movement.
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BP.IEF DESCRIPTION OF TH~ DRAWI~GS
FI~IJR~ 1 ia a top view of the flu3h control devic~
of my invention connected to the toilet flush tan} which ~s ~ho~m in fra~ment;
FIGU~ ~ is a rear view of the flu~h control ~evice in ~he ~lush tan~ which is sho~n bro};en and in cro~
~ection;
FIGURE 3 i~ a top view of t~e flush handle and bus~g asse~bly shown in cross section alon~ l~nes 3-3 of FIGUR~. 2;
: 10 FIG'~ 4 is a detailea vie~ of the float-operated cam of this invention;
FI~U~E ~ i~ a perspective vie~J of the flush control device showing t~e component parts thereof in explodea relation;
FIGURE 6 ~s a top view of the preferrad flush control ~evice of my invent~on shown broken in part ~:
FIGURE 7 is a rear view of the flush control devica of my invention looking from tha rear of the flush tan~
which ~ shown broXen and in cros~ se~tion;
~IGUP~B and 9 are perspective views of the preferred flush control de~ice of my invention showing the component part~ thereof ~n exploded relation;
FIG~lgE 10 is a rear view of another preferred embodiment of the flush control device in the flush tank which ~s shown broken and-in cross section;
FIGURE 11 i9 a side v~ew of the flush control de~ice of FIGU~E 10 ~hown partly ~ect~oned;
FIG~RE 12 i~ a rear vie~ of the flush control device ~aken along :Line8 12-12 of M GURE 11~
~'77372 FIGU~ 13 Ls a rear view of the flush control device ta~en along lines 13-13 of FI~7UR~
FIGU~E 14 i~ a top ~iew of an o~tlet stopper; and FIGURE 15 iq a ~ront vie~w of the outlet stopper of FIGURE 14.
DESC~PTIONSOP ~IE PREFE~D R~50DIMæNT
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Referring now to the drawin~ particularly FIGUR~S 1 through S, the flush control device of my ~nvention is designated generally by the numeral 10. It compri~e~ a support ~.ember 12 formed with a horizontally extending arm 1 and a ~ertically extending leg 16 depending therefrom.
-Leg 16 i8 provided with flange 18. Flange 18 i9 fOrmea ` with a slotted aperture 20 and urther pr~vided with a T
- shaped lug 22. Arm 14 is formed w~th a hole 24 and provi~ed ~; 15 with wedge bloc~ 26. Supported on 3upport member 12 again~t ~lange 18 i~ rod guiae a~sembly 28. Rod guide assembly 28 i~ pre~erablY formea with back plate 30 ha~nq at the top ~: , . . , '~
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thereof rod 5uide bracket 32 and a second rod guide bracket 34 spaced below bracket 32. ~racket 34 is formed with pivot lug 3~ and connect~d to back plate 30 with ~tiffeners 37. Though it is not necessaxy to provide mean~ for a positive stop because the rod may be ~upported in it~
elevated position solely by f;riction between the member~
i the side force exerted by ~he float-operated cam is great enough, detent or projection 38, as an example o~ a positive stop ~eans, may be provided on back plate 30.
Back plate 30 i5 furt~er provided at the bottom thereof with slot 40. Back plate 30 and guide bracket 32 are provided with a threaded hole 42 for receiving there~hrough thumb screw 44 ~y which means rod guide asse~bly 28 is connected against flange 18 of support member 1~. In providing slot 20 in flange 18 through which th~mb screw 44 passes for t~y~tening in threaded hole 42, guide assembly ~8 may be vertically adjusted on flange 18. T shaped lug 22 engages back plate me~her 30 through slot 40 therein whereby the bottom end of back plate 30 straddles the anchor
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: ., . -37,~, De~cription of the Prior Art In flu~h tank toilets a re~ervoir oE wat~r i8 re-tained in the flu3h tank. To~lush the toilat the user pivots a handle on the flush ~an}; which move~ a lever connected to the handle. The encl of the lever ~8 mechanically lin~:ed to a ball ~tc~pper which is ~eated ~n the flush tank discharge outlet. Operating the flush handle pivo~s the lever upward, lifting the stopp~r ball from the discharge outlet~ In a normal flush cycle the ball stopper is lifted far enough to remain buoyed on the water. The water in tha flush tank then escapes out the discharge outlet through a num~er of orlfices in the toilet bowl and the bo~l contents are flu~hea ~nto the sewage disposal system. When the water level in the flush t~nk drops low enough, the ~topper ~all alls and seats in the di~charge outlat. The flush tank ref~lls and iQ ready for the next flush cycle.
~llowing the ball stopper to buoy upward allows the fluqh cycle to proceed to completion even though the flush lever has been allowed to drop to its resting position.
A pr~mary disadvantage of this system i8 th~t the entire content of ~he flush tank 18 used in evexy flush cycle whether or not the full amount of water ~8 needed ~o proviae adequate flu~hin~ of the toilet bowl contents.
1{3'~7~372 ~UM~RY O~ INVENTIO~
The short flush device of this invention comprlsas a support member adapted to be mounted inside the flush tank. A rod enga~es the ~all ~topper lever and i~
vertically mo~able ln a guide a8semhly ~upported on the suppor. member. ~ float-operatea cam is pivotally connected to the gui~e assembly and serves to act against the rod when lifted thereby preventing further upward movement of the lever and ball stopper. When the flu~h lever is 1~ pivoted, the ball stopper is lifted from the discharge outlet but not far enough to allow the stopper to buoy upward. The lever also lifts the rod member until positive stop means on the rod and guide assemhly such as, for example, a notch in the rod is aligned with a matching detent on the guide assembly. Pressure from the float-operated cam forces the notch in the rod ~e~ber to engage the detent, locking the rod in place andhhence tha flush lever and stopper in the limited rai~ed position. After the flush tank water level has dropped below the cam float, force is no longer maintained on the rod by the cam. The notch disengages from the detent freeing the rod, a~lowing the flush lever to drop to its resting position and allowing the stopper to seat in the flush tank di~charge outlet stopping the 1ushing operation. Means are provided to ~5 allow engagement and disengagement of the device of my invention. I !provide a spring biased flush handle whereby the lever connlected thereto may be displaced laterally. The flush lever i5 lin~ed to the ball gtopper in the convent~onal 11 ~7~37Z
manner and du~ to the spring bias, normally engages a horizontally ~xtendlng glo~ in the ro~ member. ~hen a long ~lush is activated, pu~hing inward on the flu~h hanclle displace3 th~ flush lever laterally and di~engages S it from a Qlot ln the rod member. Then, when the ~lush handle i9 rotat~a, the flush lever moves upward and the flush cycle proceeds to complet:Lon in the convent~onal ~anner. I~hen a 3hort flush i~ desire~, the flush handle is rotated without pushing it i~ard toward the tank wall. The flu~h l~ver rem~in~ sngaged in the slot of the rod ~e~er. The a~ount of water discharged in the short flush is determined l)y the p~sit-on of the flu~h control ~loat on the arm that attaches to the cam. The higher the flu~h control float is positioned, the shorter the flush cycle.
It is, therefore, the pr~mary object of my ~nvention to provlde a flush control device for conserving water which can be easily installed on existing tan~ type tollets.
~nother ob~ect o~ my invention i~ to provide a flush control device or ConsarYinq water that is adjustable in the amount of water d~ scharsed in the short or long flu~h cycle.
Still another ob~ect of my invention is to provide a flush control device for conserving water which is o~erable ~ith a non-floatable outlet stopper.
O~her objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent by a careful study o~ the following ~eta~ led de~cription when read with reference to the accompanying drawings which illu~trate the preferred en~od~ment of thi~ invention.
~ 773 ~
In general terms, the present invention provides a flush control device for a water tank comprising a stopper seated in an outlet liftable therefrom to allow the water to discharge through the outlet and wherein said lifting of said stopper is accomplished by a lever connected to said stopper by a link, said lever being pivotable by a handle exterior of the tank;
guide means supported in said tank;
a rod member longitudinally movable in said guide means;
a float lever arm pivotally supported to laterally bear against said rod member to arrest said longitudinal movement of said rod member; and means on said rod member for engaging said lever connected to lift said stopper, to control the degree of pivotal movement of said lever when said rod member is arrested in its longitudinal movement.
More specifically but still deEined in the present invention in general terms, the said means on said rod member for engaging said lever connected to lift said stopper is arranged to prevent pivotal movement of said lever when said rod member is arrested in its longitudinal movement.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a flush control device is provided for a water tank comprising a stopper seated in an outlet liftable therefrom to allow the water to discharge through the outlet and wherein said lifting of said stopper is accomplished by a lever connected to said stopper by a link, said lever being pivotable by a handle exterior of the tank;
guide means;
a rod member vertically movable in said guide means;
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float means supported for pivotal movement against said rod member;
means for arresting the vertical movement of said rod member when said float means moves a~ainst said rod member;
~ means on said rod member for engaging said lever, said means limiting the pivotal movement of said lever when said rod member is arrested in ~ts vertical movement; and spring means for disengaging said lever and said means on said rod member~
According to a still further e~bodiment of the present invention, a flush control device is provided for a water tank comprising a stopper seated in an outlet liftable therefrom to allow the water to discharge through the outlet and wherein said lifting of said stopper is accomplished by a lever connected to said stopper by a link, said lever : being pivotable by a handle exterior of the tank;
: support means in said tank;
:~ guide means on said support means;
a rod member vertically movable in said guide means;
float means supported on said guide means for pivotal movement against said rod member;
means on said rod member for arresting the upward vertical : movement of said rod member;
means on said rod member for arresting the downward vertical movement of said rod member when said float means moves against said rod member;
means on said rod member for engaging said lever, said means -:
limiting the pivotal movement of said lever when said rod member is ~ ;
arrested in its vertical movement; and spring means between said support means and the handle for urging said laver and said means on said rod member in connecting engagement, said spring means being depressable by said handle to disengage said lever from said means on said rod member.
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According to a yet another definition of the present invention, a flush control device is provided for a water tank, comprising: a stopper seated in an outlet liftable therefrom to allow the water to discharge through the outlet and wherein said lifting o~ said stopper is accomplished by a lever connected to said stopper by a link, said lever being pivotable by a handle exterior of the tank;
support means for conneceion to said tank, guide means on said support means;
a rod member vertically movable in said guide means;
an arm member pivotally supported on said guide means, a float connected to one end of said arm member and a roll member at the other end of said arm member pivotally movable against said rod member;
means on said rod member and said guide means for arresting the vertical movement of said rod member when said roll member of said arm moves against said rod member;
said rod member provided with means to engage said lever in said :~
water tank which lifts said stopper, limiting the pivotal movement of said lever;
said means provided on szid rod-member for engaging said lever being manually disengageably; and spring means on said support means acting against said rod member to separate said means on said rod member and said means on said guide means when said roll member on said arm pivotally moves away from said rod member.
According to a yet another feature of the present invention, a flush control device is provided for limiting the amount of water discharged from a water tank having a stopper seated in an outlet and liftable therefrom to allow said water to discharge through said outlet and wherein said lifting is accomplished by a - 5, ~
.
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. .
:; : -lever connected to sald ~topper by a link said lever being pivotable by a handle exterior of said tank;
a support adapted to be mounted in said tank;
guide means mounted on said support;
a member mounted for longitudinal movement in said guide means;
a float lever arm pivotally supported to bear against said member to arrest said longitudinal movement of said member; and ` a means on said member for engaging said lever connected to lift said stopper, said means stopping pivotal movement of said lever when said member is arrested in its longitudinal movement.
The present invention can also be ~enerally . defined, in yet another aspect, as a flush control device to limit the amount of water discharged from a water tank having a stopper seated in an outlet and li~table therefrom to allow said water to discharge through said outlet and wherein said lifting is accomplished by a lever connected to and ; , ." pivotable by a handle exterior of said tank, comprising: :
a support adapted to be mounted in said tank;
guide means mounted on said support;
a member mounted for longitudinal movement in said guide means;
a float lever arm pivotally supported to bear against said member ~ .
to arrest said longitudinal movement of said member;
means on said member for engaging said lever connected to lift :j said stopper, said means stopping pivotal movement of said lever when `, said member is arrested in its longitudinal movement;
~j a second member mounted for longitudinal movement in said guide means;
a second float lever arm pivotedly supported to bear against said second member to arrest said longitudinal movement of said second member; and means on said second member for engaging said lever connected to lift said stopper, said means stopping pivotal movement of said lever when said second member is arrested in its longitudinal movement.
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~:3773~'~
BP.IEF DESCRIPTION OF TH~ DRAWI~GS
FI~IJR~ 1 ia a top view of the flu3h control devic~
of my invention connected to the toilet flush tan} which ~s ~ho~m in fra~ment;
FIGU~ ~ is a rear view of the flu~h control ~evice in ~he ~lush tan~ which is sho~n bro};en and in cro~
~ection;
FIGURE 3 i~ a top view of t~e flush handle and bus~g asse~bly shown in cross section alon~ l~nes 3-3 of FIGUR~. 2;
: 10 FIG'~ 4 is a detailea vie~ of the float-operated cam of this invention;
FI~U~E ~ i~ a perspective vie~J of the flush control device showing t~e component parts thereof in explodea relation;
FIGURE 6 ~s a top view of the preferrad flush control ~evice of my invent~on shown broken in part ~:
FIGURE 7 is a rear view of the flush control devica of my invention looking from tha rear of the flush tan~
which ~ shown broXen and in cros~ se~tion;
~IGUP~B and 9 are perspective views of the preferred flush control de~ice of my invention showing the component part~ thereof ~n exploded relation;
FIG~lgE 10 is a rear view of another preferred embodiment of the flush control device in the flush tank which ~s shown broken and-in cross section;
FIGURE 11 i9 a side v~ew of the flush control de~ice of FIGU~E 10 ~hown partly ~ect~oned;
FIG~RE 12 i~ a rear vie~ of the flush control device ~aken along :Line8 12-12 of M GURE 11~
~'77372 FIGU~ 13 Ls a rear view of the flush control device ta~en along lines 13-13 of FI~7UR~
FIGU~E 14 i~ a top ~iew of an o~tlet stopper; and FIGURE 15 iq a ~ront vie~w of the outlet stopper of FIGURE 14.
DESC~PTIONSOP ~IE PREFE~D R~50DIMæNT
- - .
Referring now to the drawin~ particularly FIGUR~S 1 through S, the flush control device of my ~nvention is designated generally by the numeral 10. It compri~e~ a support ~.ember 12 formed with a horizontally extending arm 1 and a ~ertically extending leg 16 depending therefrom.
-Leg 16 i8 provided with flange 18. Flange 18 i9 fOrmea ` with a slotted aperture 20 and urther pr~vided with a T
- shaped lug 22. Arm 14 is formed w~th a hole 24 and provi~ed ~; 15 with wedge bloc~ 26. Supported on 3upport member 12 again~t ~lange 18 i~ rod guiae a~sembly 28. Rod guide assembly 28 i~ pre~erablY formea with back plate 30 ha~nq at the top ~: , . . , '~
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thereof rod 5uide bracket 32 and a second rod guide bracket 34 spaced below bracket 32. ~racket 34 is formed with pivot lug 3~ and connect~d to back plate 30 with ~tiffeners 37. Though it is not necessaxy to provide mean~ for a positive stop because the rod may be ~upported in it~
elevated position solely by f;riction between the member~
i the side force exerted by ~he float-operated cam is great enough, detent or projection 38, as an example o~ a positive stop ~eans, may be provided on back plate 30.
Back plate 30 i5 furt~er provided at the bottom thereof with slot 40. Back plate 30 and guide bracket 32 are provided with a threaded hole 42 for receiving there~hrough thumb screw 44 ~y which means rod guide asse~bly 28 is connected against flange 18 of support member 1~. In providing slot 20 in flange 18 through which th~mb screw 44 passes for t~y~tening in threaded hole 42, guide assembly ~8 may be vertically adjusted on flange 18. T shaped lug 22 engages back plate me~her 30 through slot 40 therein whereby the bottom end of back plate 30 straddles the anchor
2~ ~tem of T lug 22 and is retained thereby when secured thereto by thumb screw 44 ana allows easy removal therefrom, when de~ired.
Float 46 is connected to the distal end of float arm 48 by a~y convenient means such as ~crew block 50 ~ 25 provided with thumb screw 52 whereby float 46 may be radially anct longitudinally po~itioned on arm 48 to control the level at which the flush device of my invention will cycle. The other end of arm 48 i~ provided with pivot yoke 'i4 haviny cam roll 56 at the end thereof.
Float 46 is connected to the distal end of float arm 48 by a~y convenient means such as ~crew block 50 ~ 25 provided with thumb screw 52 whereby float 46 may be radially anct longitudinally po~itioned on arm 48 to control the level at which the flush device of my invention will cycle. The other end of arm 48 i~ provided with pivot yoke 'i4 haviny cam roll 56 at the end thereof.
3~ Float arm 4B i~ pivotally connected to p~vot lug 36 on guide bracket 3~.
-~7737'~
Elong~t~d rod mem~er 58 is freely movable ~n qulde ~rackets 32 and 34. I form rod member 58 with ~lot~d aperture 60 an~ space~. therehelow I provide, lf positive stop means i~ deslred, a notch 62 in the slde of rod member 58 facing back plate 30 for enc3agement with det~nt 38 thereon during the o~eration of my invention. The portion of rod 58 con.aining slo~ted aperture 60 is movable within guide bracket 32 and receives the extended shaft 64 of thumb screw 44 to l~mlt th~xvertic~ move~ent of rod 58 within the longitudinal limits of slot aperture 60.
Extending fro~ the top of rod 58 is a resiliently flexible sheet mem~er 66 which ifi formed with a horizontally extenaing slot 68, one side thereof as at 70 extends hori~ontally to provide a base against which the conventional ball stopper lever 72 rests~ The upper edge of horizontal slot 68 terminates as at 74 nd. ~hat part of member 66 extends ~pright to pre~ent lever 72 from accidentally pivoting over flexible member 66 thereby preventin~ lever 72 from returning to its support edge 70.
As shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, the conventional ball ~topper lever 72 i5 connecSed to flush handle 76 through wall 78 of water tank 80. For the selective operation of the flu~h device 10 of my invention, I provide spring means 82 in the bushing assembly 84 through which lever 72 and flush handle 76 are connected to blas handle 76 away from ~ater closet wall 78.
Lever 72 is normally seated ~n slot 68 in flexible memher 66 because spring 82 normally bia~es handle 76 away from tank wall 78 and le~er 72 i8 thereby conta~ned ~n 810t 68 preparatory ~or the short flu8h operation.
When handle 76 i~ manually pushed against tanX wall 78 ~ 77 3~ ~
against the ~as of spring ~2, lever 72 i~ laterally displaced on ~dge 70 of flexible member 66 clearing the top edge 74 oF slot 68 and then upon rotation o~ handle 76 stopper ~6 may be lifted from its seat in discharge outlet 90 for the conventlonal flush. Edge 74 of flexible member 66 e~tends upright a sufficient distance to prevent lever 72 from accidentally being displaced toward wall 78 of toilet tank 80 and thereby escaping the confines of edge 74 and slot 6~.
In the operation of my invention, support member 12 is connected to water closet wall 78 at bu~hing assembly 84 axially supporting flush hanale 76. This may con-veniently be accomplished by inserting the threaded end of bushing 84 through hole 24 in hori~ontal arm 14 Qf : 15 support member 12 and connect support me~ber 12 as well as handle 76 to water closet wall 78 by a single nut 88.
~y invention 10 as9emb1ed as herein described is normally ready for short flush operation since liquid waste is more fre~uently discharged ~han solid wastes. Accordingly, if the flush handle 76 is rotated, a sl~ort cycle flush is initiated. In such flu.~hes, ball stopper lever 72 being normally positioned in slot 68 of flexible member 66, rotation of flush handle 76 and lever 72 connected thereto, operate to lift stopper 86 from its seat in discharge outlet 90. The pivotal movement of lever 72, being con-tained in ~lot 68 by the bias of spring 82, will lift r~d 58 within the limits of slot 60 which will abutt against shaft end 64 of thumb screw 44 as rod 58 is guided in its vertical movement by guide brackets 32 and 34. As rod 58 is lifted, flexible member 66 flexes as distal end 94 thereof moves along incline surface 92 of wedge bloc~ 26 ~, 1~77372 Rod 58 is lifted by the pivot movement of lever 72 until r.otch 62 is aligned with dete~t 38 on back plate member 30 at which time detent 38 will enaage notch 62 and rod 58 will therehy b~ prevented from drop~ing dot~ward by the action of cam roll 56 bearing against the oppo~ite ~ide of rod memb~r 5~. ~oll 56 bears against the side of rod 58 since float anm 48 is pivotally connected to lug 36 of guide bracket 34. The pressure exerted by roll 56 i~ a function of the weight of the water displaced ~y float 46 : 10 acting at a moment ar~ which is float arm 48. sall stopper lever 72 is thus limited in its upward pivot movement thereby limiting the elevation of ball stopper 86 from its seat in discharge outlet 90 allowing the water to be ais-charged t~er~hrough accomplishing the flushing operation with ball stopper 86 sufficiently in the way of the A~ 5-charging water ~o that upon release of the detent-notch engagement o~ rod 58, the outflowing water will pull ~topper -86 to its seat in outlet 90 immediately stopping the flu~hing operation. Stop~er 86 as mentioned will be released when ~; 20 the water level W in the water closet tank descends below ~loat ball 46 of the device of my invention. The water level - ~ thus receding, will allow float arm 48 to pivot clockw~se as vie~ed in FIGURE 2 thereby re~oving the pre~sure exerted by roll 56 against rod member 58 whereupon the flexed distal 2~ end 94 of fle~clble member 66 will cause the bottom end of : rod 58 to spring away aisengaging notch 62 from detent 38.
m is action removes the elevated support provided by edge 70 which pre~ented lever 72 and stopper 86 from descending to its seated po8ition in discharge outlet 90 while the 3~ water level W was above float 46. As soon as the water level W descerlds below float 46, the locking~act~on of detent 38 ln notch 62 i~ released allowing the ~eating of ~1 ln~7737z stopper 86 terminatlng the flush t~ith a sub~tantial amount of wat~r rsmaining in the water closet tank.
The convontional flushin~ operation is initiated by first pushing in handle 76 prior to the rotatlon movement.
S This action remo~es lever 72 fr~m slot 68 thereby dis-engaging it from~he flush device of my invention and allow~ns the acti~n of a conventional flush. Since lever 72 will then pivot to raise ball stop~er 86 to its maximum heig~t so that it`will float out of the way of the discharging ~ater, the water content~ of the tank will be completely discharged and stopper 86 will descend to its seat in the discharge outlet 90 as it floats on the water level.
It should ~e understood that the ~tructure of the means by whieh rod member 58 is supported in its elevated position when the float cam mean~ pivots again~t the rod member, may be any convenient structure. Friction alone between -rod member se and guide members 32 and 34 will be sufficient if the lateral force provide~ by cam roller 56 against rod member 58 is sufficient to prevent rod member 58 from dropp~ng wh~e~float ball 46 i3 buoyed up by the water level in the tank. For purposes of showing a positive ~top, I illustrate ; a detent-notch engagement between rod member 58 ana guide means 2~. However, other structure~ may perform this function e~uaily well such as, for example, the bottom of rod member 58 resting on a projection provided on back plate 30. It sho~ld also be understood that other types of spring means other t~an flexible member ~ may be used to free rod member 58 from its positive stop engagement, or for that matter no ~pring mean8 at all will be nece~sary if upon removal of th~ ~ide force on rod member 58 exerted by cam ~2 -~'7737'~
roller 56, rs~ ~ember 58 will c~ro~ unaided. Thouqh I ~how the resilieney of lexible member 66 reacting aqainst wedge bloc~: 26 a~ aiding the ~isengagement of the positlve stop means bet~een guide means 28 an~ rotl member 5~, it shoul~ ~e un~lerstood that o~her type spring mean~ can be located at any convenient ~osition to bear against rod memher 58 in order to dis~ssc,ciate the elements of the positive stop means.
he device 10 of my invention may also be used to ; 10 control a fixed amount of water to be discharged in a flush. ~he flush cycle will not be determine& by the user but will be ~re-sct by adjustin~ float 4fi in combination with the height adjustment of rod guide assembly 28 on 1ange 18 as determined by the position of thumb screw 44 in slot 20. Spr~ng 82 may be removed or made inoperable, or ~lush handle 76 may be a conventional flush handle, so that ~t may not be pushed in and stopper lever 72 will be in permanent engagement with flexible memher 66. So ad~usted, or if spring 82 is removed, or if device ln is connected to a conventional flush handle, a controlled amount of water will be dischar~ed for every flush operation regardless whether the waste flu~hea is liquid or solid. The amount of water flushed will be more than the short fluæh but ~ess than the conventional flush. Thi5 modified use of the flush device 10 of my inve~tion may be used in situations where it will b~
impractical to teach users the selective flushing feature of this in~entiOn such as when usediin hotels and motels and other such places where there w~ll be tran~ient u~ers.
It wil:L be noted that I provide rod ~uide as~embly 28 separable fr.om support frame 12 and ea5ily removable therefrom. Thi8 feature of my invention i3 particularly sdvantaqe~us since a8sembly 28 conta~n~ all the moving : , . .
~3 ~ ~7737Z
parts which c~uld ~ear and may ~ economically and easily replaced without removing the entire device of my inven~ion.
FI~17RES 1 through 5 illustrate the flush control device of my invention discloc;ed in the oriainal patent application. Though the flllsh control device 10 of my invention functions satisfactorily and accomplishes the state~ objectives, several experimental models manufacttlrea subsequent to the filin~ of the original application revealed that a second preferred e~bodiment of this invention can be made operatin~ on the same ~eneral ~rinciple but simpler, more economical in structure and less likely to malfunction than my flush control device 10 illustrated in PIGUr~S 1 through 5.
Accoxd~n~y this invention as illustrated in FIGIJRES 6 throu~h ~ discloses an improved fluæ~ control device in that it is simpler in structure, more economical ~o manufacture in that it has less parts and is not suhject to malfunction.
With reference to FIGURES 6 through 9, numeral 11~
designates generally m~ now preferred flush control device.
It comprises a su~port mem~er 112 formed with a horizontally extended arm 11~ and a vertically extended le~ 116 depending therefrom. Le~ 116 is ~rovided with a flange 118. Plange 118 is provided with a projection 120 which extends toward rod lift member 122. Thouqh it is not necessary to provide means for a positive s~op becauserrod 122 may be supported in an elevated position solely by friction hetween rod 122 and flan~e 118 if the force exerted by float-operated ca~
end 124 is great enou~h, a detent 126, as an example of a ; positive stop means, is preferably provided on flange 118.
3~ Horizontally extended arm 114 has a hole 128 to allow mountin~
of the flu~h control device in water tank 80 ~n the same ~(~7737'~
manner as flu~h control devlce 10 as ~hown ln FIG~ES 1 through 3.
supporte~ on support mem~er 112 against flange 118 an~ leg 116 i~ guide brac~;et 130. ~uide brac~et 130 ma~ntainS
ro;l-lit ~ember 122 ln the rec~uired posi~lon for longitudinal movement. Rod ~.ember 1~2 i9 fOrmea with a t~perad ~ection as at 132 bet~een ~he upper portion an2 ~hinned 1exi~1e lower por~ion 134. tlotch 136 is formed ln the end of lower portion 134 ~f rod memuber 122 to enga~e detent 126 thereby for~inq a means for poaiti~ely locking rod member 122 in it~ elevated position.
~xtending from the top of rod member 122 i~ lev~r engaging means 1~0 for engag~n~ leYer 72 conne~ted to lLft stopper 86 -~ when flush control device 110 is installed ~n water tank 80 of FIGUR~S 1 and ~ in ~lace of flush control device 10~
Means 140 pre~ents ~urther pivotal move~ent of lever 72 when rod 122 i~ arrested ~n its longitudinal movement. Means 140 which ~ay be formed inte~ral wlth or attached to rod member ~22 has a horizontally c~posed 810t 146 for receiving : 20 lever 72 which is normally seated in ~lot 146. The upper edae of hori~ontal slot 146 terminates at 148 and that part of means 140 extend~ upright to form a notched side above slo~ 146 for cooperation with lever 72 when it is desired to use the full contents of water tank ~0 shown in PIGURE
A float lever arm generally designated a~ 152 is : pivotally connected to-hou~ing 154 ~ounted on flange 118.
~ousins 154 prefsrAbly has a 1ang9 156 protruding from at least one si.de of housing 154 toward member 122 posit~oned therebetween. Flange lS6 limits the pressure applled to end portion 134 of member 122 by cam ~nd 124. Float lever ~rm 152 has an ~d~u~table po~itioned floa~ 158 connected to thre~dea 1~7737~
distal en~ 1~0 of floctt ar~ 152 ~y any convenient means such as ratch~t joint connec~ion lG2 and held ~n the clesired position ~y any conven~en~ means such as far.tener 164 on distal en~ 160. The cther end o~ arm 152 i8 provided with pins 16rJ for Divot~l c~nection to housing 154 in holes 170. T~ousins 154 also sorves as a lower guide moctnS for ~en~,er 122.
~ ~hown in rIc~ 3, the conventional ball stopper lever 72 is connected to flush ~andle 76 through wall 78 of water tank 80. For selective operation of flush device 110 o. my invention, I provide ~pring means 82 in ~ushing assembly 84 throug~ ich lever 72 and flush ~andle 76 are connected to ~ias han~le 76 away from water closet wall 78.
Similarly, lever 72 is normally seated in slot 14 in lever engaging means 140 because ~ ng 82 normally biases handle 76 away from tank wall ~ and le~er 72 ~
thereby contained in slot 146 preparatory for the ~hort flu~h operation. I~ten handle 76 i~ manually pushed against tank wal ~ against the bias of ~pring 82, lever 72 is laterally displacea from slot 146 and then upon rotation of handle 75, ~topper 86 may be lifted from its seat in discharge outlet 90 for the conventional flu~h. Notched side 1~8 providea in lever engaging means 140 extenA.ing upright from slot 146 a ~ufficient aistance to prevent lever 72 from accidentally being displaced toward wall 78 of toilet tank 80 and thereby escaping the confine~ of ~eans 140.
In the operation of the preferrea embodiment of my invention, ~upport member 112 is connected to water closet wall 78 at bu~hing asse~hly 84 axially supporting flush handle 76. This may convenlently be accomplished by , .
:~t~73~2 inserting th~ threaded end of bt~shin~ 84 through hole 128 in horizont~l arm 114 of ~upport me~er 112 an~ connect y ~uppor~ m~mber 112 as well 35 han~le 76 to water clo~et wall ~ by a sin~le nut 8~ ~uch in ~he sa~e manner descri~ed above for flush control ~evice 10. My ~nvention 110 asse~le~ 29 herein described i9 nor~ally ready for short flu~h op~ration since liquid waste is more frequently discharged th~n solid ~aste~. Accordir.~ly, 1~ the flush ha~dle 76 is rotateA, a short c~cle flush i5 initiated.
In such ~lushes, ball stopper lever 72 being normally position~a in slot 146 of m~ans 140 in my now preferred e~o~iment, ro-ation of 1ush handle 76 and lever 72 con-nected thereto, opera~e to lift stopper 86 from its ~eat in discharge outlet 90~ ~he pivotal mo~e.ment of lever 72, }5 being contained in slot 146 ~y the bia~ of spring 3~, will lif~ rod 122 until notch 136 i5 vertically aligned with - aetent 126, at which time detent 126 enga~s notch 136 and rod 122 will thereby be prevente~ from dropping downward by the action of cam end 124 bear~ng again~t the o~osit~ siae of rod memher 1~2. Cam end 124 bears against the side of rod 122 3ince float arm 152 is p~ntally connected to hous~ng 1~4. The pressure exe~ed~by cam 124 i8 a function of ~he weight of the w~ter displaced by float 158 acting at a moment arm which is float arm 152. Ball stopper lever 72 is thu~ limlted in its upwar~ pivot ~ovement thereby llmltlng the elevation of ball ~to~per 86 from its seat in discharge outlet 90 allowing the wat~r to be discharged therethrou~h accompl~shing the flushing operation wîth ball ~topper 86 sufficiently fLn the way of the discharging water ~o that upon re~ea~e of the detent-notch 126, 136 engagement of ro~ 122, the outflowlng water will pull ball ~to~p~r 86 J
.!i 7 1(~7737~
to its seat ln outlet 90 i~e~iately ~toppin~ the flushinq operA~tion. ~-~op~er ~ ~s mentioned wlll be relea~ed when the ~ater level ~-~ in the water clo~et tank descen~s ~elow float ball 1;8 of the ~evice of my invention. qhe w~ter level W thu~ rec~cllng, will allow float arm 152 to pivot clock~wise as vie-~ed in FIG~lR~ 7 thereby removing the pre~sure exerted by ca~ 124 ac~al nst rod member 122 ~ereupon thin fle~ihle portion 134 of roa 122 will spring away als-engaging ~otch 136 from ~.etent 126. ~.s soon as the water level ~ descends below ~loat 158, the lockin~ action of datent 126 in notch 136 is rele~sed allowing the seating o~ stopper ~6 thus term.inating the flush w~th a substantial ~mount of water remaining in the water closet tan~ 80.
The conventional 1ush~ng operat~on i~ initiated by first pushing in handle 76 prior to the rotation m~ovement.
This action remove~ lever 72 from slot 146 thereby dis-en~a~ing it from the flush devico o~ my lnv~ntion and ~llow~ng thesact~on o~ a conventional flu~h. ~ince lever 72-will - --then pivot to raise ball stoppar 86 to it3 maximum height so that it will float out o~ the way o~ the discharging water, ~he water contents of ~he tank will be co~pletely dscharged an~ stopper 86 will de~cend to its ~eat ~n the discharge outlet ~0 as it floats on the water le~el.
~ It ~hould b~ understood that the structure of the means by whic}l rod member 122 is supported ln it~ el~vated pos~t~on when ~he fl~at cam means 124 pivots against rod mem~er 1220 may be any c~nvenient ~tructure. Friction alone bet~een rod ~ember 122 and flange 118 will be suf~icient if the later~l force prov~dad by car.~ end 124 ~galnst rod member 122 iB sufflcient to prevent rod me~b~r 122 from dropping whil~
~lost ball 158 1~ buoyed up by w~t~r level W in th~ tank, ~ .
-~0'7737Z
~or pur2o~s of ~howing a ~o~itive ~too, I lllu~trate a det~nt-notch engagement betw~en rod member 122 and flange 118. Elowev~r, other gtructures may perform this function equally w~ uch aq, ~or ~x~ple, the bottom of rod member 122 resting on a pro~ec~lon provided on ~lanse 118. It should also be unders~ood thalt o~her ~ypes of spring means other than flexible me~her 134 may be u3ed to free rod member 1~2 from its po~ tive ~stop engagement, or for that matter no spring mean3 at all will be necessary if upon removal of the ~ide force on ro~ m~mber 122 exerted by cam end 124, rod mr~mber 122 will ~rop unaided. Though I show the resiliency of flexible member 134 reacting on wedge block 12~ as aiding the disengaaement of the positive ~op means betweeQ fl~nge 118 and rod member 12~, it 3hould be ; 15 understood that othex type spring mean~ can be located at any convenient pos~ tion to bear against rod member 12~ ~n order to disassociate the elemen~s of the positive .~top means.
Still, a third embodiment of my invention is i~lustrated in FIG~RES 10 throu~h 13 of the drawings. This e~bodiment of my invention which functions to control the long flush ~ycle, i3 designatea generally by the numeral ~10 an~
compr~se~ a auplex version of the flush control device 110 illustrated in FIGURES 6 through 9. It will be notecl from the compari~on of ~he PI~ RF,S illustrat~ng the devices 110 and 210 that the duplex flus~ control deYice 210 comprise~
a ~milar ~upport me~ber 212 formed with a hor~20ntally extended arm 214 and a vertically exten~ed leg 216 dependlng therefrom. Leg 216 15 provided w~th ~lange 218 which i~
formed wlth lat~r~l extensions on which are provided guide bracket 230" fulcrum projection 220 and detent 226 which per~orm the s~me functlons as their counterparts of flush control device 110 o~ FIGURES 6 through 9. The structure 1C~7737Z
of rod lift ~ber 2?2 is slmll~r to rod lift member 122 of device 110 of my invention a~ove descri~ed having a ta~ered section 232, a flcxibl~ portion 234 and a notch 236 in the lower end of member ~22 ~o enga~e detent 226 to lock rod ~mher 222 in an elevated po~ition.
~tending from the top of rod lift member 222 i~ lever engaging means 240 for engaging lever 72 which t 8 connectad to stopper lift lin~ ~88 ~en ~:lush control devlce 210 i~
installed in ~ater tank 280 of FIGURE 10. Means 2~0 prevents further pivotal movement of lever 72 when rod 222 i~ arrested in its longitudinal movement. ~ean~ 240 which may be formed integral with or attached to rod member 222 ha~ a horizontally disposed slot 246 for receiving levsr 72 which is normally ~eated ~n ~lot 246 due to the bias of ~pring 8~ (FIG~IRP. 3).
~ever engaging means 240 unlike lever enga~ing ~eans 140 ana 66 of flush control device~ 110 and 10 re~pectively, i8 formed with a ~traight edge 248 to whic~ 810t 246 Open8.
A seaond rod member 223 is spaced laterally ad~acent to rod me~ber 222 and is ~imllar in structure to rod member 22~ ~iffering only in the length thereof and the - f~cing airection of lever engaging means 2~1 be~ng reversed ~o that ~lot 247 formed therein i8 hori20ntally align~d with slot 24S o~ me~n~ 240 when both rod lift member~ are in non-flushing repose. The corresponding edge 24q of lever engaging means 241 mates with and is in cont~us sliding contact with the edge 248 of ~eans 240 of rod member 222.
Due to the extended length of rod lift member 223, flange 218, a~ shown in FIGUR~ 12, ~s provided with a second housing 255 and detent 227 for guiding and engaging respectlvely the notch 237 providea ~n the lower portion 235 of rod meniber 2230 Pro~ection 221 ~ 8 pr~vided on 1~7737f~
flange 218 e~ten~ing toward rod li..t member 2~3 to serve as a fle~ing fulcrum ther~for. The purpose o the du~le~.
arrangement o~ ro~ me~bers 222 and 223 is to provide control for both the s!lort ancl lona flu~h. Thls em~odiment 210 Q~ ~y invention i9 particularly applicahle for an outlet stopper ~36 ~Ihich does not ~loat~ Outlet stopper 286 is con~ected to the base of t~e ~ater overflow pipe 282 and is formed from fle~ible material to allow pivoting movement when lifted by link 288 so that upon release, stopper 286 will pivotedly fall to seat in o~tlet ~90. Accordin~ly, the function of dupleY. rod lift member ~23 is to retain lever 72 in the elevate~. position so that a long flush may be accomplished with outle- stopper 2~6 which does not float.
This embodiment of my invention utilizes float operated ~`15 c~m 224 for locking rod member 222 in the elevated position until water level W rececles helow f~oat 258 at which polnt cam 224 releases rod member 222 allowina it, to~ether with lever 72, to fall, droppinq ~topper 286 to seat in outlet 290 thereby accomplishing the short flush operation. '.A~en it is aesirea to perfor~ the long flush whereby the entire or controllec~ amount of t~e water content of toilet tank 280 is discharge~, flush handle 76 (~IGU~E 3) is pushed to-~ard the tank against the bias of spring 82 laterally moving stopper lift1le~er 72 in horizontal slot 247 ~FIGURE 11 of lift means 241 of rod me~er 223 thereby liftlng rod mem~er 223 until its notch 237 in the lower end th~reof engages detent ~27 and retained in loc~ing engagement by : float operate~ cam 225 thereby lifting stopper 286 from ~t~ seat in o~tlet 290 ancl maintainin~ stopper 286 in the raised po~ition allo~ing the water to be discharged from tank until water level l~? in the tank recedes below float 2~
~7737;~
259 at which tlme cam ~her 225 will release rod member 223 from thP aetent notch en~agement allowin~ the taperad end 235 of rod mem~er 223 to disengage by springing ~ay from the detent. Thi~ embo~l~n!ont of my inVen~iOn ha~
the sdded advantag~ of not only controlling or regulating the amount of water to be used for the short flush, but also the am~n~ of water to be used for a long flush.
This is accompl~she~ by ad~usting the ball floats 25S and 259 on their respecti~e cam lever arms 252 and ~53. Since the a~ount of water to be used in the respective flushe~
may be controlled very accurately by the u~e o~ my invention~
particularly the e~bodiment of PIGUR~5 10 thrQu~h 13, I
provide in conjunction with my invention an outlet ~topper 286 whlch ia new and novel and operates to opan and close outlet 290 quickly and firmly. FIGURES 14 and 15 ~how outlet stopper 286 of my invention which i~ to be u~ed with the duplex e~bodlment of ~y flu~h control dev~ce. It comprise~ a 5topper body having a ~hal~ow dished bottom 294 circumscri~ed by a circu~ferent~al rim 96 which projects rearwardly as a flexible flap 284 provided with a circul~r open~n~ 29~ for anchoring to the ba~e of di~charge pipe 282 by which means lt is hingedly connected to outlet 290 ~or plvoting out of the outlet seat for the flu~hin~
operation. The top 300 of stopper 286 ~ domed to provlde an inter~or hollow 298 having an op~ning 3Q2 in the forward quadrant thereo~ adjacent the lift llnk 304 BO that when pivotedly ral.sed, the openinga302 in the domed part thereof is at the zen~th positlon so that hollow 298 remains filled with water. The purpo8e of th~s con~tructlon ~s to provlde the stopper 286 ~ith ~ufflcient weight to alose stopper 286 ln outlet 290 with 8uffic~nt fo~ce to effect a t$ght ~ezl.
37;~
Thls con~truction also allows the bottom 2~4 of the stopper to be narro~.ly dished ~o that upon lifting tlle stopper, the fl~sh commence~ rapiflly and forc~ully.
While I have described my emhodiment~. of ~y invention, it will be understood ~y those s~illea in the art tl~at various other alternatives anc~ combinations o~ ~y invantion can be practlced anc~ I ~ntend only to be bound by the scope of the appended claims.
-~7737'~
Elong~t~d rod mem~er 58 is freely movable ~n qulde ~rackets 32 and 34. I form rod member 58 with ~lot~d aperture 60 an~ space~. therehelow I provide, lf positive stop means i~ deslred, a notch 62 in the slde of rod member 58 facing back plate 30 for enc3agement with det~nt 38 thereon during the o~eration of my invention. The portion of rod 58 con.aining slo~ted aperture 60 is movable within guide bracket 32 and receives the extended shaft 64 of thumb screw 44 to l~mlt th~xvertic~ move~ent of rod 58 within the longitudinal limits of slot aperture 60.
Extending fro~ the top of rod 58 is a resiliently flexible sheet mem~er 66 which ifi formed with a horizontally extenaing slot 68, one side thereof as at 70 extends hori~ontally to provide a base against which the conventional ball stopper lever 72 rests~ The upper edge of horizontal slot 68 terminates as at 74 nd. ~hat part of member 66 extends ~pright to pre~ent lever 72 from accidentally pivoting over flexible member 66 thereby preventin~ lever 72 from returning to its support edge 70.
As shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, the conventional ball ~topper lever 72 i5 connecSed to flush handle 76 through wall 78 of water tank 80. For the selective operation of the flu~h device 10 of my invention, I provide spring means 82 in the bushing assembly 84 through which lever 72 and flush handle 76 are connected to blas handle 76 away from ~ater closet wall 78.
Lever 72 is normally seated ~n slot 68 in flexible memher 66 because spring 82 normally bia~es handle 76 away from tank wall 78 and le~er 72 i8 thereby conta~ned ~n 810t 68 preparatory ~or the short flu8h operation.
When handle 76 i~ manually pushed against tanX wall 78 ~ 77 3~ ~
against the ~as of spring ~2, lever 72 i~ laterally displaced on ~dge 70 of flexible member 66 clearing the top edge 74 oF slot 68 and then upon rotation o~ handle 76 stopper ~6 may be lifted from its seat in discharge outlet 90 for the conventlonal flush. Edge 74 of flexible member 66 e~tends upright a sufficient distance to prevent lever 72 from accidentally being displaced toward wall 78 of toilet tank 80 and thereby escaping the confines of edge 74 and slot 6~.
In the operation of my invention, support member 12 is connected to water closet wall 78 at bu~hing assembly 84 axially supporting flush hanale 76. This may con-veniently be accomplished by inserting the threaded end of bushing 84 through hole 24 in hori~ontal arm 14 Qf : 15 support member 12 and connect support me~ber 12 as well as handle 76 to water closet wall 78 by a single nut 88.
~y invention 10 as9emb1ed as herein described is normally ready for short flush operation since liquid waste is more fre~uently discharged ~han solid wastes. Accordingly, if the flush handle 76 is rotated, a sl~ort cycle flush is initiated. In such flu.~hes, ball stopper lever 72 being normally positioned in slot 68 of flexible member 66, rotation of flush handle 76 and lever 72 connected thereto, operate to lift stopper 86 from its seat in discharge outlet 90. The pivotal movement of lever 72, being con-tained in ~lot 68 by the bias of spring 82, will lift r~d 58 within the limits of slot 60 which will abutt against shaft end 64 of thumb screw 44 as rod 58 is guided in its vertical movement by guide brackets 32 and 34. As rod 58 is lifted, flexible member 66 flexes as distal end 94 thereof moves along incline surface 92 of wedge bloc~ 26 ~, 1~77372 Rod 58 is lifted by the pivot movement of lever 72 until r.otch 62 is aligned with dete~t 38 on back plate member 30 at which time detent 38 will enaage notch 62 and rod 58 will therehy b~ prevented from drop~ing dot~ward by the action of cam roll 56 bearing against the oppo~ite ~ide of rod memb~r 5~. ~oll 56 bears against the side of rod 58 since float anm 48 is pivotally connected to lug 36 of guide bracket 34. The pressure exerted by roll 56 i~ a function of the weight of the water displaced ~y float 46 : 10 acting at a moment ar~ which is float arm 48. sall stopper lever 72 is thus limited in its upward pivot movement thereby limiting the elevation of ball stopper 86 from its seat in discharge outlet 90 allowing the water to be ais-charged t~er~hrough accomplishing the flushing operation with ball stopper 86 sufficiently in the way of the A~ 5-charging water ~o that upon release of the detent-notch engagement o~ rod 58, the outflowing water will pull ~topper -86 to its seat in outlet 90 immediately stopping the flu~hing operation. Stop~er 86 as mentioned will be released when ~; 20 the water level W in the water closet tank descends below ~loat ball 46 of the device of my invention. The water level - ~ thus receding, will allow float arm 48 to pivot clockw~se as vie~ed in FIGURE 2 thereby re~oving the pre~sure exerted by roll 56 against rod member 58 whereupon the flexed distal 2~ end 94 of fle~clble member 66 will cause the bottom end of : rod 58 to spring away aisengaging notch 62 from detent 38.
m is action removes the elevated support provided by edge 70 which pre~ented lever 72 and stopper 86 from descending to its seated po8ition in discharge outlet 90 while the 3~ water level W was above float 46. As soon as the water level W descerlds below float 46, the locking~act~on of detent 38 ln notch 62 i~ released allowing the ~eating of ~1 ln~7737z stopper 86 terminatlng the flush t~ith a sub~tantial amount of wat~r rsmaining in the water closet tank.
The convontional flushin~ operation is initiated by first pushing in handle 76 prior to the rotatlon movement.
S This action remo~es lever 72 fr~m slot 68 thereby dis-engaging it from~he flush device of my invention and allow~ns the acti~n of a conventional flush. Since lever 72 will then pivot to raise ball stop~er 86 to its maximum heig~t so that it`will float out of the way of the discharging ~ater, the water content~ of the tank will be completely discharged and stopper 86 will descend to its seat in the discharge outlet 90 as it floats on the water level.
It should ~e understood that the ~tructure of the means by whieh rod member 58 is supported in its elevated position when the float cam mean~ pivots again~t the rod member, may be any convenient structure. Friction alone between -rod member se and guide members 32 and 34 will be sufficient if the lateral force provide~ by cam roller 56 against rod member 58 is sufficient to prevent rod member 58 from dropp~ng wh~e~float ball 46 i3 buoyed up by the water level in the tank. For purposes of showing a positive ~top, I illustrate ; a detent-notch engagement between rod member 58 ana guide means 2~. However, other structure~ may perform this function e~uaily well such as, for example, the bottom of rod member 58 resting on a projection provided on back plate 30. It sho~ld also be understood that other types of spring means other t~an flexible member ~ may be used to free rod member 58 from its positive stop engagement, or for that matter no ~pring mean8 at all will be nece~sary if upon removal of th~ ~ide force on rod member 58 exerted by cam ~2 -~'7737'~
roller 56, rs~ ~ember 58 will c~ro~ unaided. Thouqh I ~how the resilieney of lexible member 66 reacting aqainst wedge bloc~: 26 a~ aiding the ~isengagement of the positlve stop means bet~een guide means 28 an~ rotl member 5~, it shoul~ ~e un~lerstood that o~her type spring mean~ can be located at any convenient ~osition to bear against rod memher 58 in order to dis~ssc,ciate the elements of the positive stop means.
he device 10 of my invention may also be used to ; 10 control a fixed amount of water to be discharged in a flush. ~he flush cycle will not be determine& by the user but will be ~re-sct by adjustin~ float 4fi in combination with the height adjustment of rod guide assembly 28 on 1ange 18 as determined by the position of thumb screw 44 in slot 20. Spr~ng 82 may be removed or made inoperable, or ~lush handle 76 may be a conventional flush handle, so that ~t may not be pushed in and stopper lever 72 will be in permanent engagement with flexible memher 66. So ad~usted, or if spring 82 is removed, or if device ln is connected to a conventional flush handle, a controlled amount of water will be dischar~ed for every flush operation regardless whether the waste flu~hea is liquid or solid. The amount of water flushed will be more than the short fluæh but ~ess than the conventional flush. Thi5 modified use of the flush device 10 of my inve~tion may be used in situations where it will b~
impractical to teach users the selective flushing feature of this in~entiOn such as when usediin hotels and motels and other such places where there w~ll be tran~ient u~ers.
It wil:L be noted that I provide rod ~uide as~embly 28 separable fr.om support frame 12 and ea5ily removable therefrom. Thi8 feature of my invention i3 particularly sdvantaqe~us since a8sembly 28 conta~n~ all the moving : , . .
~3 ~ ~7737Z
parts which c~uld ~ear and may ~ economically and easily replaced without removing the entire device of my inven~ion.
FI~17RES 1 through 5 illustrate the flush control device of my invention discloc;ed in the oriainal patent application. Though the flllsh control device 10 of my invention functions satisfactorily and accomplishes the state~ objectives, several experimental models manufacttlrea subsequent to the filin~ of the original application revealed that a second preferred e~bodiment of this invention can be made operatin~ on the same ~eneral ~rinciple but simpler, more economical in structure and less likely to malfunction than my flush control device 10 illustrated in PIGUr~S 1 through 5.
Accoxd~n~y this invention as illustrated in FIGIJRES 6 throu~h ~ discloses an improved fluæ~ control device in that it is simpler in structure, more economical ~o manufacture in that it has less parts and is not suhject to malfunction.
With reference to FIGURES 6 through 9, numeral 11~
designates generally m~ now preferred flush control device.
It comprises a su~port mem~er 112 formed with a horizontally extended arm 11~ and a vertically extended le~ 116 depending therefrom. Le~ 116 is ~rovided with a flange 118. Plange 118 is provided with a projection 120 which extends toward rod lift member 122. Thouqh it is not necessary to provide means for a positive s~op becauserrod 122 may be supported in an elevated position solely by friction hetween rod 122 and flan~e 118 if the force exerted by float-operated ca~
end 124 is great enou~h, a detent 126, as an example of a ; positive stop means, is preferably provided on flange 118.
3~ Horizontally extended arm 114 has a hole 128 to allow mountin~
of the flu~h control device in water tank 80 ~n the same ~(~7737'~
manner as flu~h control devlce 10 as ~hown ln FIG~ES 1 through 3.
supporte~ on support mem~er 112 against flange 118 an~ leg 116 i~ guide brac~;et 130. ~uide brac~et 130 ma~ntainS
ro;l-lit ~ember 122 ln the rec~uired posi~lon for longitudinal movement. Rod ~.ember 1~2 i9 fOrmea with a t~perad ~ection as at 132 bet~een ~he upper portion an2 ~hinned 1exi~1e lower por~ion 134. tlotch 136 is formed ln the end of lower portion 134 ~f rod memuber 122 to enga~e detent 126 thereby for~inq a means for poaiti~ely locking rod member 122 in it~ elevated position.
~xtending from the top of rod member 122 i~ lev~r engaging means 1~0 for engag~n~ leYer 72 conne~ted to lLft stopper 86 -~ when flush control device 110 is installed ~n water tank 80 of FIGUR~S 1 and ~ in ~lace of flush control device 10~
Means 140 pre~ents ~urther pivotal move~ent of lever 72 when rod 122 i~ arrested ~n its longitudinal movement. Means 140 which ~ay be formed inte~ral wlth or attached to rod member ~22 has a horizontally c~posed 810t 146 for receiving : 20 lever 72 which is normally seated in ~lot 146. The upper edae of hori~ontal slot 146 terminates at 148 and that part of means 140 extend~ upright to form a notched side above slo~ 146 for cooperation with lever 72 when it is desired to use the full contents of water tank ~0 shown in PIGURE
A float lever arm generally designated a~ 152 is : pivotally connected to-hou~ing 154 ~ounted on flange 118.
~ousins 154 prefsrAbly has a 1ang9 156 protruding from at least one si.de of housing 154 toward member 122 posit~oned therebetween. Flange lS6 limits the pressure applled to end portion 134 of member 122 by cam ~nd 124. Float lever ~rm 152 has an ~d~u~table po~itioned floa~ 158 connected to thre~dea 1~7737~
distal en~ 1~0 of floctt ar~ 152 ~y any convenient means such as ratch~t joint connec~ion lG2 and held ~n the clesired position ~y any conven~en~ means such as far.tener 164 on distal en~ 160. The cther end o~ arm 152 i8 provided with pins 16rJ for Divot~l c~nection to housing 154 in holes 170. T~ousins 154 also sorves as a lower guide moctnS for ~en~,er 122.
~ ~hown in rIc~ 3, the conventional ball stopper lever 72 is connected to flush ~andle 76 through wall 78 of water tank 80. For selective operation of flush device 110 o. my invention, I provide ~pring means 82 in ~ushing assembly 84 throug~ ich lever 72 and flush ~andle 76 are connected to ~ias han~le 76 away from water closet wall 78.
Similarly, lever 72 is normally seated in slot 14 in lever engaging means 140 because ~ ng 82 normally biases handle 76 away from tank wall ~ and le~er 72 ~
thereby contained in slot 146 preparatory for the ~hort flu~h operation. I~ten handle 76 i~ manually pushed against tank wal ~ against the bias of ~pring 82, lever 72 is laterally displacea from slot 146 and then upon rotation of handle 75, ~topper 86 may be lifted from its seat in discharge outlet 90 for the conventional flu~h. Notched side 1~8 providea in lever engaging means 140 extenA.ing upright from slot 146 a ~ufficient aistance to prevent lever 72 from accidentally being displaced toward wall 78 of toilet tank 80 and thereby escaping the confine~ of ~eans 140.
In the operation of the preferrea embodiment of my invention, ~upport member 112 is connected to water closet wall 78 at bu~hing asse~hly 84 axially supporting flush handle 76. This may convenlently be accomplished by , .
:~t~73~2 inserting th~ threaded end of bt~shin~ 84 through hole 128 in horizont~l arm 114 of ~upport me~er 112 an~ connect y ~uppor~ m~mber 112 as well 35 han~le 76 to water clo~et wall ~ by a sin~le nut 8~ ~uch in ~he sa~e manner descri~ed above for flush control ~evice 10. My ~nvention 110 asse~le~ 29 herein described i9 nor~ally ready for short flu~h op~ration since liquid waste is more frequently discharged th~n solid ~aste~. Accordir.~ly, 1~ the flush ha~dle 76 is rotateA, a short c~cle flush i5 initiated.
In such ~lushes, ball stopper lever 72 being normally position~a in slot 146 of m~ans 140 in my now preferred e~o~iment, ro-ation of 1ush handle 76 and lever 72 con-nected thereto, opera~e to lift stopper 86 from its ~eat in discharge outlet 90~ ~he pivotal mo~e.ment of lever 72, }5 being contained in slot 146 ~y the bia~ of spring 3~, will lif~ rod 122 until notch 136 i5 vertically aligned with - aetent 126, at which time detent 126 enga~s notch 136 and rod 122 will thereby be prevente~ from dropping downward by the action of cam end 124 bear~ng again~t the o~osit~ siae of rod memher 1~2. Cam end 124 bears against the side of rod 122 3ince float arm 152 is p~ntally connected to hous~ng 1~4. The pressure exe~ed~by cam 124 i8 a function of ~he weight of the w~ter displaced by float 158 acting at a moment arm which is float arm 152. Ball stopper lever 72 is thu~ limlted in its upwar~ pivot ~ovement thereby llmltlng the elevation of ball ~to~per 86 from its seat in discharge outlet 90 allowing the wat~r to be discharged therethrou~h accompl~shing the flushing operation wîth ball ~topper 86 sufficiently fLn the way of the discharging water ~o that upon re~ea~e of the detent-notch 126, 136 engagement of ro~ 122, the outflowlng water will pull ball ~to~p~r 86 J
.!i 7 1(~7737~
to its seat ln outlet 90 i~e~iately ~toppin~ the flushinq operA~tion. ~-~op~er ~ ~s mentioned wlll be relea~ed when the ~ater level ~-~ in the water clo~et tank descen~s ~elow float ball 1;8 of the ~evice of my invention. qhe w~ter level W thu~ rec~cllng, will allow float arm 152 to pivot clock~wise as vie-~ed in FIG~lR~ 7 thereby removing the pre~sure exerted by ca~ 124 ac~al nst rod member 122 ~ereupon thin fle~ihle portion 134 of roa 122 will spring away als-engaging ~otch 136 from ~.etent 126. ~.s soon as the water level ~ descends below ~loat 158, the lockin~ action of datent 126 in notch 136 is rele~sed allowing the seating o~ stopper ~6 thus term.inating the flush w~th a substantial ~mount of water remaining in the water closet tan~ 80.
The conventional 1ush~ng operat~on i~ initiated by first pushing in handle 76 prior to the rotation m~ovement.
This action remove~ lever 72 from slot 146 thereby dis-en~a~ing it from the flush devico o~ my lnv~ntion and ~llow~ng thesact~on o~ a conventional flu~h. ~ince lever 72-will - --then pivot to raise ball stoppar 86 to it3 maximum height so that it will float out o~ the way o~ the discharging water, ~he water contents of ~he tank will be co~pletely dscharged an~ stopper 86 will de~cend to its ~eat ~n the discharge outlet ~0 as it floats on the water le~el.
~ It ~hould b~ understood that the structure of the means by whic}l rod member 122 is supported ln it~ el~vated pos~t~on when ~he fl~at cam means 124 pivots against rod mem~er 1220 may be any c~nvenient ~tructure. Friction alone bet~een rod ~ember 122 and flange 118 will be suf~icient if the later~l force prov~dad by car.~ end 124 ~galnst rod member 122 iB sufflcient to prevent rod me~b~r 122 from dropping whil~
~lost ball 158 1~ buoyed up by w~t~r level W in th~ tank, ~ .
-~0'7737Z
~or pur2o~s of ~howing a ~o~itive ~too, I lllu~trate a det~nt-notch engagement betw~en rod member 122 and flange 118. Elowev~r, other gtructures may perform this function equally w~ uch aq, ~or ~x~ple, the bottom of rod member 122 resting on a pro~ec~lon provided on ~lanse 118. It should also be unders~ood thalt o~her ~ypes of spring means other than flexible me~her 134 may be u3ed to free rod member 1~2 from its po~ tive ~stop engagement, or for that matter no spring mean3 at all will be necessary if upon removal of the ~ide force on ro~ m~mber 122 exerted by cam end 124, rod mr~mber 122 will ~rop unaided. Though I show the resiliency of flexible member 134 reacting on wedge block 12~ as aiding the disengaaement of the positive ~op means betweeQ fl~nge 118 and rod member 12~, it 3hould be ; 15 understood that othex type spring mean~ can be located at any convenient pos~ tion to bear against rod member 12~ ~n order to disassociate the elemen~s of the positive .~top means.
Still, a third embodiment of my invention is i~lustrated in FIG~RES 10 throu~h 13 of the drawings. This e~bodiment of my invention which functions to control the long flush ~ycle, i3 designatea generally by the numeral ~10 an~
compr~se~ a auplex version of the flush control device 110 illustrated in FIGURES 6 through 9. It will be notecl from the compari~on of ~he PI~ RF,S illustrat~ng the devices 110 and 210 that the duplex flus~ control deYice 210 comprise~
a ~milar ~upport me~ber 212 formed with a hor~20ntally extended arm 214 and a vertically exten~ed leg 216 dependlng therefrom. Leg 216 15 provided w~th ~lange 218 which i~
formed wlth lat~r~l extensions on which are provided guide bracket 230" fulcrum projection 220 and detent 226 which per~orm the s~me functlons as their counterparts of flush control device 110 o~ FIGURES 6 through 9. The structure 1C~7737Z
of rod lift ~ber 2?2 is slmll~r to rod lift member 122 of device 110 of my invention a~ove descri~ed having a ta~ered section 232, a flcxibl~ portion 234 and a notch 236 in the lower end of member ~22 ~o enga~e detent 226 to lock rod ~mher 222 in an elevated po~ition.
~tending from the top of rod lift member 222 i~ lever engaging means 240 for engaging lever 72 which t 8 connectad to stopper lift lin~ ~88 ~en ~:lush control devlce 210 i~
installed in ~ater tank 280 of FIGURE 10. Means 2~0 prevents further pivotal movement of lever 72 when rod 222 i~ arrested in its longitudinal movement. ~ean~ 240 which may be formed integral with or attached to rod member 222 ha~ a horizontally disposed slot 246 for receiving levsr 72 which is normally ~eated ~n ~lot 246 due to the bias of ~pring 8~ (FIG~IRP. 3).
~ever engaging means 240 unlike lever enga~ing ~eans 140 ana 66 of flush control device~ 110 and 10 re~pectively, i8 formed with a ~traight edge 248 to whic~ 810t 246 Open8.
A seaond rod member 223 is spaced laterally ad~acent to rod me~ber 222 and is ~imllar in structure to rod member 22~ ~iffering only in the length thereof and the - f~cing airection of lever engaging means 2~1 be~ng reversed ~o that ~lot 247 formed therein i8 hori20ntally align~d with slot 24S o~ me~n~ 240 when both rod lift member~ are in non-flushing repose. The corresponding edge 24q of lever engaging means 241 mates with and is in cont~us sliding contact with the edge 248 of ~eans 240 of rod member 222.
Due to the extended length of rod lift member 223, flange 218, a~ shown in FIGUR~ 12, ~s provided with a second housing 255 and detent 227 for guiding and engaging respectlvely the notch 237 providea ~n the lower portion 235 of rod meniber 2230 Pro~ection 221 ~ 8 pr~vided on 1~7737f~
flange 218 e~ten~ing toward rod li..t member 2~3 to serve as a fle~ing fulcrum ther~for. The purpose o the du~le~.
arrangement o~ ro~ me~bers 222 and 223 is to provide control for both the s!lort ancl lona flu~h. Thls em~odiment 210 Q~ ~y invention i9 particularly applicahle for an outlet stopper ~36 ~Ihich does not ~loat~ Outlet stopper 286 is con~ected to the base of t~e ~ater overflow pipe 282 and is formed from fle~ible material to allow pivoting movement when lifted by link 288 so that upon release, stopper 286 will pivotedly fall to seat in o~tlet ~90. Accordin~ly, the function of dupleY. rod lift member ~23 is to retain lever 72 in the elevate~. position so that a long flush may be accomplished with outle- stopper 2~6 which does not float.
This embodiment of my invention utilizes float operated ~`15 c~m 224 for locking rod member 222 in the elevated position until water level W rececles helow f~oat 258 at which polnt cam 224 releases rod member 222 allowina it, to~ether with lever 72, to fall, droppinq ~topper 286 to seat in outlet 290 thereby accomplishing the short flush operation. '.A~en it is aesirea to perfor~ the long flush whereby the entire or controllec~ amount of t~e water content of toilet tank 280 is discharge~, flush handle 76 (~IGU~E 3) is pushed to-~ard the tank against the bias of spring 82 laterally moving stopper lift1le~er 72 in horizontal slot 247 ~FIGURE 11 of lift means 241 of rod me~er 223 thereby liftlng rod mem~er 223 until its notch 237 in the lower end th~reof engages detent ~27 and retained in loc~ing engagement by : float operate~ cam 225 thereby lifting stopper 286 from ~t~ seat in o~tlet 290 ancl maintainin~ stopper 286 in the raised po~ition allo~ing the water to be discharged from tank until water level l~? in the tank recedes below float 2~
~7737;~
259 at which tlme cam ~her 225 will release rod member 223 from thP aetent notch en~agement allowin~ the taperad end 235 of rod mem~er 223 to disengage by springing ~ay from the detent. Thi~ embo~l~n!ont of my inVen~iOn ha~
the sdded advantag~ of not only controlling or regulating the amount of water to be used for the short flush, but also the am~n~ of water to be used for a long flush.
This is accompl~she~ by ad~usting the ball floats 25S and 259 on their respecti~e cam lever arms 252 and ~53. Since the a~ount of water to be used in the respective flushe~
may be controlled very accurately by the u~e o~ my invention~
particularly the e~bodiment of PIGUR~5 10 thrQu~h 13, I
provide in conjunction with my invention an outlet ~topper 286 whlch ia new and novel and operates to opan and close outlet 290 quickly and firmly. FIGURES 14 and 15 ~how outlet stopper 286 of my invention which i~ to be u~ed with the duplex e~bodlment of ~y flu~h control dev~ce. It comprise~ a 5topper body having a ~hal~ow dished bottom 294 circumscri~ed by a circu~ferent~al rim 96 which projects rearwardly as a flexible flap 284 provided with a circul~r open~n~ 29~ for anchoring to the ba~e of di~charge pipe 282 by which means lt is hingedly connected to outlet 290 ~or plvoting out of the outlet seat for the flu~hin~
operation. The top 300 of stopper 286 ~ domed to provlde an inter~or hollow 298 having an op~ning 3Q2 in the forward quadrant thereo~ adjacent the lift llnk 304 BO that when pivotedly ral.sed, the openinga302 in the domed part thereof is at the zen~th positlon so that hollow 298 remains filled with water. The purpo8e of th~s con~tructlon ~s to provlde the stopper 286 ~ith ~ufflcient weight to alose stopper 286 ln outlet 290 with 8uffic~nt fo~ce to effect a t$ght ~ezl.
37;~
Thls con~truction also allows the bottom 2~4 of the stopper to be narro~.ly dished ~o that upon lifting tlle stopper, the fl~sh commence~ rapiflly and forc~ully.
While I have described my emhodiment~. of ~y invention, it will be understood ~y those s~illea in the art tl~at various other alternatives anc~ combinations o~ ~y invantion can be practlced anc~ I ~ntend only to be bound by the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (25)
1. A flush control device for a water tank comprising a stopper seated in an outlet liftable therefrom to allow the water to discharge through the outlet and wherein said lifting of said stopper is accomplished by a lever connected to said stopper by a link, said lever being pivotable by a handle exterior of the tank;
guide means supported in said tank;
a rod member longitudinally movable in said guide means;
a float lever arm pivotally supported to laterally bear against said rod member to arrest said longitudinal movement of said rod member; and means on said rod member for engaging said lever connected to lift said stopper, said means preventing pivotal movement of said lever when said rod member is arrested in its longitudinal movement.
guide means supported in said tank;
a rod member longitudinally movable in said guide means;
a float lever arm pivotally supported to laterally bear against said rod member to arrest said longitudinal movement of said rod member; and means on said rod member for engaging said lever connected to lift said stopper, said means preventing pivotal movement of said lever when said rod member is arrested in its longitudinal movement.
2. A flush control device for a water tank comprising a stopper seated in an outlet liftable therefrom to allow the water to discharge through the outlet and wherein said lifting of said stopper is accomplished by a lever connected to said stopper by a link, said lever being pivotable by a handle exterior of the tank;
guide means;
a rod member vertically movable in said guide means;
float means supported for pivotal movement against said rod member;
means for arresting the vertical movement of said rod member when said float means moves against said rod member;
means on said rod member for engaging said lever, said means limiting the pivotal movement of said lever when said rod member is arrested in its vertical movement; and spring means for disengaging said lever and said means on said rod member.
guide means;
a rod member vertically movable in said guide means;
float means supported for pivotal movement against said rod member;
means for arresting the vertical movement of said rod member when said float means moves against said rod member;
means on said rod member for engaging said lever, said means limiting the pivotal movement of said lever when said rod member is arrested in its vertical movement; and spring means for disengaging said lever and said means on said rod member.
3. The flush device of claim 2 wherein said float means is further characterized as being pivotally supported on said guide means at a position intermediate the maximum and minimum water level in said tank.
4. The flush device of claim 2 wherein said float means is further characterized as being pivotally supported on said guide means at a position intermediate the maximum and minimum water level in said tank.
5. The flush device of claim 4 wherein said means for arresting the vertical movement of said rod member is further characterized as being a projection-platform engagement.
6. The flush device of claim 5 wherein said means for arresting the vertical movement of said rod member is further characterized as being a notch-detent engagement.
7. The flush device of claim 5 wherein said means on said rod member for engaging said lever is further characterized as being a slotted recess for receiving said lever.
8. A flush control device for a water tank comprising a stopper seated in an outlet liftable therefrom to allow the water to discharge through the outlet and wherein said lifting of said stopper is accomplished by a lever connected to said stopper by a link, said lever being pivotable by a handle exterior of the tank;
support means in said tank;
guide means on said support means;
a rod member vertically movable in said guide means;
float means supported on said guide means for pivotal movement against said rod member;
means on said rod member for arresting the upward vertical movement of said rod member;
means on said rod member for arresting the downward vertical movement of said rod member when said float means moves against said rod member;
means on said rod member for engaging said lever, said means limiting the pivotal movement of said lever when said rod member is arrested in its vertical movement; and spring means between said support means and the handle for urging said lever and said means on said rod member in connecting engagement, said spring means being depressable by said handle to disengage said lever from said means on said rod member.
support means in said tank;
guide means on said support means;
a rod member vertically movable in said guide means;
float means supported on said guide means for pivotal movement against said rod member;
means on said rod member for arresting the upward vertical movement of said rod member;
means on said rod member for arresting the downward vertical movement of said rod member when said float means moves against said rod member;
means on said rod member for engaging said lever, said means limiting the pivotal movement of said lever when said rod member is arrested in its vertical movement; and spring means between said support means and the handle for urging said lever and said means on said rod member in connecting engagement, said spring means being depressable by said handle to disengage said lever from said means on said rod member.
9. The flush device of claim 8 wherein said guide means is further characterized as being removably connected to said support means.
10. A flush control device for a water tank comprising:
a stopper seated in an outlet liftable therefrom to allow the water to discharge through the outlet and wherein said lifting of said stopper is accomplished by a lever connected to said stopper by a link, said lever being pivotable by a handle exterior of the tank;
support means for connection to said tank;
guide means on said support means;
a rod member vertically movable in said guide means;
an arm member pivotally supported on said guide means, a float connected to one end of said arm member and a roll member at the other end of said arm member pivotally movable against said rod member;
means on said rod member and said guide means for arresting the vertical movement of said rod member when said roll member of said arm moves against said rod member;
said rod member provided with means to engage said lever in said water tank which lifts said stopper, limiting the pivotal movement of said lever;
said means provided on said rod member for engaging said lever being manually disengageably; and spring means on said support means acting against said rod member to separate said means on said rod member and said means on said guide means when said roll member on said arm pivotally moves away from said rod member.
a stopper seated in an outlet liftable therefrom to allow the water to discharge through the outlet and wherein said lifting of said stopper is accomplished by a lever connected to said stopper by a link, said lever being pivotable by a handle exterior of the tank;
support means for connection to said tank;
guide means on said support means;
a rod member vertically movable in said guide means;
an arm member pivotally supported on said guide means, a float connected to one end of said arm member and a roll member at the other end of said arm member pivotally movable against said rod member;
means on said rod member and said guide means for arresting the vertical movement of said rod member when said roll member of said arm moves against said rod member;
said rod member provided with means to engage said lever in said water tank which lifts said stopper, limiting the pivotal movement of said lever;
said means provided on said rod member for engaging said lever being manually disengageably; and spring means on said support means acting against said rod member to separate said means on said rod member and said means on said guide means when said roll member on said arm pivotally moves away from said rod member.
11. The flush device of claim 10 wherein said rod member vertically movable on said guide is further characterized as being constrained in said guide means for limited upward movement.
12. A flush control device to limit the amount of water discharged from a water tank having a stopper seated in an outlet and liftable therefrom to allow said water to discharge through said outlet and wherein said lifting is accomplished by a lever connected to said stopper by a link, said lever being pivotable by a handle exterior of said tank;
a support adapted to be mounted in said tank;
guide means mounted on said support;
a member mounted for longitudinal movement in said guide means;
a float lever arm pivotally supported to bear against said member to arrest said longitudinal movement of said member; and a means on said member for engaging said lever connected to lift said stopper, said means stopping pivotal movement of said lever when said member is arrested in its longitudinal movement.
a support adapted to be mounted in said tank;
guide means mounted on said support;
a member mounted for longitudinal movement in said guide means;
a float lever arm pivotally supported to bear against said member to arrest said longitudinal movement of said member; and a means on said member for engaging said lever connected to lift said stopper, said means stopping pivotal movement of said lever when said member is arrested in its longitudinal movement.
13. The flush control device of claim 12 wherein said lever is further characterized as being disengageable from said means on said member.
14. The flush control device of claim 13 wherein at least a portion of said member mounted for longitudinal movement in said guide means is further characterized as being flexible.
15. The flush control device of claim 14 wherein said support is further characterized as having a detent on said support and wherein said member is further characterized as having a notch for mating engagement with said detent to positively arrest said longitudinal movement of said member when said float lever arm bears against said member.
16. The flush control device of claim 15 wherein said support is further characterized as having means which projects outwardly to bear against said member when said member is in an arrested position to assure disengagement of said notch with said detent when said float lever arm releases said member.
17. The flush control device of claim 13 wherein said float is further characterized as being adjustable on said lever arm to change the quantity of said water to be discharged.
18. The flush control device of claim 13 wherein said float lever arm support is further characterized as having means to limit the pressure applied to said member by said float lever arm.
19. The flush control device of claim 18 wherein said means to limit said pressure against said member is further characterized as being a projection on said support adjacent to at least one side of said member so that said float lever arm bears against said member and said projection.
20. A flush control device to limit the amount of water discharged from a water tank having a stopper seated in an outlet and liftable therefrom to allow said water to discharge through said outlet and wherein said lifting is accomplished by a lever connected to and pivotable by a handle exterior of said tank, comprising:
a support adapted to be mounted in said tank;
guide means mounted on said support;
a member mounted for longitudinal movement in said guide means;
a float lever arm pivotally supported to bear against said member to arrest said longitudinal movement of said member;
means on said member for engaging said lever connected to lift said stopper, said means stopping pivotal movement of said lever when said member is arrested in its longitudinal movement;
a second member mounted for longitudinal movement in said guide means;
a second float lever arm pivotedly supported to bear against said second member to arrest said longitudinal movement of said second member; and means on said second member for engaging said lever connected to lift said stopper, said means stopping pivotal movement of said lever when said second member is arrested in its longitudinal movement.
a support adapted to be mounted in said tank;
guide means mounted on said support;
a member mounted for longitudinal movement in said guide means;
a float lever arm pivotally supported to bear against said member to arrest said longitudinal movement of said member;
means on said member for engaging said lever connected to lift said stopper, said means stopping pivotal movement of said lever when said member is arrested in its longitudinal movement;
a second member mounted for longitudinal movement in said guide means;
a second float lever arm pivotedly supported to bear against said second member to arrest said longitudinal movement of said second member; and means on said second member for engaging said lever connected to lift said stopper, said means stopping pivotal movement of said lever when said second member is arrested in its longitudinal movement.
21. The flush control device of claim 20 wherein said means on said first member and said means on said second member for engaging said lever are further characterized as being aligned notches.
22. The flush control device of claim 21 wherein said lever is further characterized as being movable to engage either of the notches of said first means and said second means on said members.
23. The flush control device of claim 20 wherein said support is further characterized as having detents, and wherein said first and second members are further characterized as having notches for mating engagement with said detents to positively arrest said longitudinal movements of said first and second members when said first and second float lever arms bear against said first and second members respectively.
24. The flush control device of claim 23 wherein said first and second lever arms are further characterized as being pivotedly supported at different elevations.
25. A flush control device for a water tank comprising a stopper seated in an outlet liftable therefrom to allow the water to discharge through the outlet and wherein said lifting of said stopper is accomplished by a lever connected to said stopper by a link, said lever being pivotable by a handle exterior of the tank;
guide means supported in said tank;
a rod member longitudinally movable in said guide means;
a float lever arm pivotally supported to laterally bear against said rod member to arrest said longitudinal movement of said rod member; and means on said rod member for engaging said lever connected to lift said stopper, to control the degree of pivotal movement of said lever when said rod member is arrested in its longitudinal movement.
guide means supported in said tank;
a rod member longitudinally movable in said guide means;
a float lever arm pivotally supported to laterally bear against said rod member to arrest said longitudinal movement of said rod member; and means on said rod member for engaging said lever connected to lift said stopper, to control the degree of pivotal movement of said lever when said rod member is arrested in its longitudinal movement.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA298,501A CA1077372A (en) | 1978-03-08 | 1978-03-08 | Flush control device for conserving water |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA298,501A CA1077372A (en) | 1978-03-08 | 1978-03-08 | Flush control device for conserving water |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1077372A true CA1077372A (en) | 1980-05-13 |
Family
ID=4110945
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA298,501A Expired CA1077372A (en) | 1978-03-08 | 1978-03-08 | Flush control device for conserving water |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1077372A (en) |
-
1978
- 1978-03-08 CA CA298,501A patent/CA1077372A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |