EP2220300A1

EP2220300A1 - Flush control assembly

Info

Publication number: EP2220300A1
Application number: EP08845952A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jonathan Adam Todd; Carl Richard Cotton; Terrence Armstrong
Original assignee: phs Group PLC
Current assignee: Personnel Hygiene Services Ltd
Priority date: 2007-11-01
Filing date: 2008-10-31
Publication date: 2010-08-25
Also published as: GB0721456D0; GB2454222B; GB2454222A; WO2009056846A1

Abstract

A toilet flush control assembly (10) is connectable to an upper part of the siphon of a toilet (56) so as to connect the interior of the siphon with the atmosphere via the assembly and provide a variable flush facility. The assembly has a body (22) and a hollow connection projection (12) extending from a proximal end opening (16) communicating with the body (22), to a distal end opening (14) spaced from the body. A closure (40) is mounted with respect to the body (22) to be movable adjacent the proximal end opening (16) of the connection member (12), the closure (40) having one or more openings (52) therethrough which can align with the proximal end opening (16) of the connection projection (12) so as to vary the effective opening size.

Description

Flush Control Assembly

This invention concerns a flush control assembly, particularly a toilet flush control assembly and also a toilet cistern incorporating such an assembly.

A consideration of the amount of water usage is becoming increasingly important for a number of reasons. One area where water usage can be quite high is in toilets. In many instances, existing toilets use a flush with a relatively large volume of water, and it may be desirable to decrease the volume of water which is being flushed. It is generally not desirable to provide over complicated arrangements on a toilet, and particularly toilets which may be in a public location whether as a public convenience, or in a hotel, school or other institution.

According to the present invention, there is provided a toilet flush control assembly, the assembly including:

a body;

a hollow connection member extending from a proximal end opening communicating with the body, to a distal end opening spaced from the body:

a closure member mounted with respect to the body to be movable adjacent the proximal end opening of the connection member, the closure member having one or more openings therethrough which can align with the proximal end opening of the connection member so as to vary the effective opening size.

The closure member preferably also acts as a control member being manually accessible to be moved to vary the effective opening size. Beneficially, the distal end opening of the connection member comprises an inlet end which in use is sealingly inserted to extend into an upper part of the siphon of a toilet so as to connect the interior of the siphon with the body. The body and the closure member are thereby beneficially mounted to the siphon by means of the connection member.

It is preferred that plurality of openings (apertures) of different sizes are provided through the closure member such that a selected size opening is selectively locatable over the connection member proximal end opening, in order to vary the effective opening size. Preferably more than two zones of different size openings (apertures) are provided.

It is preferred that the closure member is configured such that a part thereof with no holes extending therethrough is selectively locatable over the connection member outlet, in order to effectively sealingly close the opening.

The arrangement is preferably operable that one of a range of two or more different effective opening settings, in addition to an opening closed setting, can be selected.

In a preferred embodiment, the assembly includes a marking arrangement to indicate which opening if any is locatable over the connection member outlet. Beneficially, the marking arrangement includes a number of markings on the closure member which are selectively alignable with a marker on the body.

It is preferred that the connection member comprises a rigid projection extending from the body.

Beneficially, the connection member extends in a direction away from the body, and the closure member moves in a plane which is transverse (preferably substantially perpendicular) to the extension direction of the connection member.

In a preferred embodiment, the closure member is rotatably mounted with respect to the body, beneficially having a rotatable axis which is directed in the same general direction as the extension direction of the connection member. In a preferred embodiment, the closure member comprises a rotatable disc.

It is generally preferred that the closure member comprise a planar element mounted with respect to the body to be slidable over the proximal end opening.

In a preferred arrangement, the body includes one or more retaining formations arranged to ensure that the closure member is held captive with respect to the body whilst permitting relative movement.

It is preferred that, in order to aid fitment, formations are provided on the outside of the connection member engagable with the sides of a hole in the siphon. The formations may comprise a plurality of resilient ribs or a screw thread.

It is preferred that the assembly is configured such that location of the connection member in a hole in the siphon supportingly locates the assembly immediately above the siphon.

Beneficially, a sealing member is provided around the outside of the connection member (for example for engaging against the outside of the siphon around a hole therein). The sealing member is preferably in the form of an O ring. It is preferred that the assembly includes a sealing member fitted in the body extending around the proximal end opening of the connection member, to provide a seal against the closure member. Beneficially, the sealing member is in the form of an O ring.

In accordance with a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of fitting a toilet siphon with a flush control assembly as defined herein, the method comprising making an opening in the siphon shaped and dimensioned to receive in sealing engagement the connection member and inserting the connection member into the opening such that the distal end opening is positioned internally of the siphon

According to a preferred definition, the present invention provides a toilet flush control assembly, the assembly including a body, a hollow connection member extending from the body, the connection member having an inlet end which is sealingly extendable into an upper part of the siphon of a toilet so as to connect the interior of the siphon with the body, the connection member also having an outlet end, a closure member being provided movably mounted on the body so as to sealingly close the outlet end of the connection member, the closure member having an opening therethrough which is selectively movable over the connection member outlet to provide a connection between the siphon interior and the atmosphere.

A plurality of openings of different sizes may be provided through the closure member such that a required one of the openings is selectively beatable over the connection member outlet. The closure member is preferably configured such that a part thereof with no holes extending therethrough is also selectively locatable over the connection member outlet.

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a toilet flush control assembly according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the line AA - AA of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the assembly of Fig. 1 ;

Fig.4 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly of Fig. 1 ;

Figs. 5 and 6 are perspective views respectively from above and below of the assembly of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view from above of the assembly of Fig. 1 located in a toilet cistern.

The drawings show a toilet flush assembly 10 which can be mounted on an upper part of a toilet siphon 56 by drilling a hole into the upper part of the siphon. The assembly 10 comprises a body 22 from which extends an elongate connection member 12 in the form of a short length of rigid hollow pipe of a size to fit in the hole in the siphon in a friction fit. The connection member 12 has a distal lower outlet end 14 defining a distal end opening, and an upper proximal inlet end 16 connected to, and communicating with, the body 22, and defining a proximal end opening 16. Resilient ribs 18 are provided on the outside of the connection member 12, and an O ring 20 is provided around an upper part thereof.

The body 22 has a planar base section 24 with four equispaced arcuate side wall portions 26 which all lie on a circle coaxial with the base section 24. Inwardly facing lips 28 are provided at an upper end of each of the portions 26.

Two of the side wall portions 26 are interconnected by an outwardly curved side wall 30 which has an inwardly facing pointer 32 directed at the centre of the base section 24. Around the proximal end opening 16 on the base section

24 a circular upstanding wall 34 is provided. A part circular further wall 36 is also provided which extends for approximately two thirds of the circumference of a larger circle which is coaxial with the wall 34. An O ring seal 38 is located in the seat defined between the walls 34, 36.

The assembly 10 also includes a closure/control member 40 which is in the form of a planar circular disc 42 with a central projecting axle 44 which rotatingly locates in an aperture 46 provided by an annular bush 48 in the centre of the base section 24. The underside of the closure/control member 40 slides over the top of the O ring seal 38.

Six equispaced zones 50 are provided on the upper face of the closure/control disc 42. Each of the zones 50 is marked out with a respective indicium such as a number between 0 and 5. Zone 0 is solid, and each of the zones 1 to 5 has a through hole 52 selectively alignable in use with the inlet end 16, with the holes 52 increasing in size from zone 1 to zone 5. The closure/control member 40 is rotatable relative to the body 12 by virtue of the axle 44 rotatably mounted in the aperture 46. The lip formations 28 overlap above the circumferential edges of the closure member 40 to retain the same on the body 20, whilst still permitting rotation. A plurality of indents 54 are provided on the underside of the outer edge of the disc 42 to facilitate rotation of the closure/control disc 42. The fit of the axle 44 in the aperture 46 is relatively stiff to ensure that deliberate rotation of the control/closure disc is necessary in order to effect reorientation. I will be realised that as an alternative to having a single hole at each location of a different size, zones having a plurality of same sized perforations or small apertures can be provided the effective aperture size is different for each zone.

Fig. 7 shows the assembly 10 mounted on a siphon 56 located within a cistern 58.

In use, a hole of an appropriate size is drilled into the top of the siphon, and the distal outlet end 14 of the connection member 12 is inserted through the drilled hole to be located in the interior of the siphon. A seal is formed against the siphon by the sidewall of the connection member projection 12 and also the O ring seal mounted on the connection member projection 12. The closure/control member 40 can be rotated relative to the body 22 until a required zone 50 is adjacent the pointer 32 at which point the relevant sized aperture of the control/closure member will be lined up adjacent the proximal end opening 16 of the connection member 12. The O ring seal 38 provides a seal between the closure/control member 40 and the proximal end opening 16 of the assembly. Each of the zones 1 to 5 allows a certain amount of air to enter the siphon during a flush cycle which reduces the amount of water being used in a flush. The larger apertures 52 as provided at zones 4 and 5 provide for a greater water reduction.

If zone 0 is adjacent the pointer 32 there is no opening into the siphon such that substantially all of the water in the cistern will be flushed away. In practice, tests relative to the different zones 50 would identify the appropriate zone choice for a particular situation.

There is thus described a toilet flush control assembly which readily permits the amount of water used in a flush to be adjusted. The assembly is intended only for occasional adjustment. The assembly is beatable in the toilet cistern and is therefore not visible and hence prone to vandalism or unauthorised adjustment. The control and closure structures are combined in a unitary control and closure element 40 which provides for simplicity of construction. The assembly is of relatively straightforward construction and should therefore provide long term relatively maintenance free operation. The assembly can readily be retro fitted in a number of different applications.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, the closure member may be a different size, and a different number or range of zones could be provided.

Claims

1. A toilet flush control assembly, the assembly including:

a body;

2. A toilet flush control assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the distal end opening of the connection member comprises an inlet end which is sealingly extendable into an upper part of the siphon of a toilet so as to connect the interior of the siphon with the body,

3. A toilet flush control assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which a plurality of openings of different sizes are provided through the closure member such that a selected size opening is selectively locatable over the connection member proximal end opening, in order to vary the effective opening size.

4. A toilet flush control assembly according to any preceding claim, in which the closure member is configured such that a part thereof with no holes extending therethrough is selectively locatable over the connection member outlet, in order to effectively sealingly close the opening.

5. A toilet flush control assembly according to any preceding claim, in which the assembly includes a marking arrangement to indicate which opening if any is locatable over the connection member outlet.

6. A toilet flush control assembly according to claim 5, in which the marking arrangement includes a number of markings on the closure member which are selectively alignable with a marker on the body.

7. A toilet flush control assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the connection member comprises a rigid projection extending from the body.

8. A toilet flush control assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the connection member extends in a direction away from the body, and the closure member moves in a plane which is transverse to the extension direction of the connection member.

9. A toilet flush control assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the closure member is rotatably mounted with respect to the body.

10. A toilet flush control assembly according to claim 9, wherein the closure member comprises a rotatable disc.

11. A toilet flush control assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the closure member comprise a planar element mounted with respect to the body to be slidable over the proximal end opening.

12. A toilet flush control assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the body includes one or more retaining formations arranged to ensure that the closure member is held captive with respect to the body whilst permitting relative movement.

13. A toilet flush control assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which formations are provided on the outside of the connection member engagable with the sides of a hole in the siphon.

14. A toilet flush control assembly according to claim 13, in which the formations comprise a plurality of resilient ribs or a screw thread.

15. A toilet flush control assembly according to any preceding claim, in which the assembly is configured such that location of the connection member in a hole in the siphon supportingly locates the assembly immediately above the siphon.

16. A toilet flush control assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which a sealing member is provided around the outside of the connection member (for example for engaging against the outside of the siphon around a hole therein).

17. A toilet flush control assembly according to claim 16, in which the sealing member is in the form of an O ring.

18. A toilet flush control assembly according to any preceding claim, in which a sealing member is provided around the proximal end opening of the connection member, to provide a seal against the closure member.

19. A toilet flush control assembly according to claim 18, in which the second sealing member is in the form of an O ring.

20. A toilet cistern incorporating a toilet flush control assembly according to any of the preceding claims.

21. A method of fitting a toilet siphon with a variable flush assembly according to any preceding claim, the method comprising making an opening in the siphon shaped and dimensioned to receive in sealing engagement the connection member and inserting the connection member into the opening such that the distal end opening is positioned internally of the siphon.