NZ223066A - Dual flush mechanism - Google Patents

Description

223066 Patents Form No. 5 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION "A DUAL FLUSHING MECHANISM Complete After Provisional No. 223066 Filed 23 December 1987 WE, DUX ENGINEERS LIMITED, of 6-8 Laery Street, Lower Hutt, a New Zealand company hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 1 ? 2 3 O 6 6 The present invention relates to a dual flushing mechanism. More particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a dual flushing mechanism for a toilet cistern.

To the present time various types of dual flushing mechanisms have been commercially available but to varying degrees have suffered from the disadvantages of being expensive, complex and/or inefficient.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a dual flushing mechanism which is relatively cheap, simple and effective or to at least provide the public with a useful choice. * .''v Further objects of the present invention will^ \V -8 JAf 1992 become apparent from the following description. ^ According to one aspect of the present invention there is thus provided a dual flushing mechanism for use in a toilet cistern comprising: a valve means consisting of a float which cooperates with an outlet of said cistern to control the passage of water therethrough; a substantially vertical tube secured to said float; a cup having an aperture in the base thereof, said tube passing through the aperture in the cup and said cup being supported by a flange on said tube, said cup being capable of containing water when sealed against said flange; lifting means which, upon actuation, lifts the float and the cup via said tube to open said valve means; tipping means which can selectively be positioned over an edge of said cup to tip said cup when lift^d"^ ^ said lifting means; wherein, said cup fills with water as said cistern fills and wherein, for a half flush, said cup is not tipped, causing the weight of water in said cup to close said valve at a first water level; and wherein, for a full flush, said cup is tipped to allow the water in said cup to escape through a gap between the aperture in the base of said cup and said tube so that said valve means closes at a second water level, lower than said first water level, said weighting means when in said weighted state acting downwardly on said valve means to cause said valve means to close when the liquid level in said reservoir reaches a second level, higher than said first level.

Further aspects of this invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent from the following description given by way of example of a possible embodiment thereof and in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein; Figure 1: Figure 2s Figure 3: Figure 4: Shows a cut-away view of a dual flushing mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention in its closed position. Shows the flushing mechanism of figure 1 being actuated for a full flush.

Shows the flushing mechanism of the present .. , , invention in perspective view. /r i( ■4 Shows an actuating and tipping mechanism ^ according to one embodiment of the presen^i^ invention. &// _ 4 - 223066 o ■u The present invention relates to a dual flushing mechanism which in one embodiment thereof is particularly suitable for use in dual flushing toilet cisterns.

However, it is to be appreciated that the present invention has applications wherever the need to discharge different quantities of liquid arises.

Referring to figure 1 a cut-away view of a dual flushing mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown diagrammatically. Shown in figure 1 are two substantially coaxial hollow tubes lb and lc. Tube lc is seen to have a flared end 2 at one end thereof and to be connected to sleeve la at the other end thereof. Tube lb is seen to be connected to sleeve la at one end thereof and connected to float 3 at the other end thereof. Tubes lb and lc are joined by a sleeve la having a lower flange 5. Tube lc is seen to be provided with a flange 4 located above sleeve la. Truncated conical cup 6 is seen to be retained between flanges 4 and 5. The smallest internal diameter of cup 6 will preferably be significantly larger than the diameter of sleeve la so that there is a gap between the two members allowing cup 6 to tilt about sleeve la; thus allowing fluid to escape through the gap between Cup 6 and sleeve la when the cup is tilted.

Tube lb is free to slide within sleeve 7 of body part8. Float 3 is seen to include a sealing ring 9 capable of sealing against outlet 10. Float 3 and ' y A 1 outlet 10 combine to act as a valve means controlling / 223066 Upon the depression of button 11 linkage 12 is forced to rotate about pivot 13 and thus raise yoke 14. Yoke 14 may suitably be a circular ring having linkages 15 connecting it to linkage 12. The upward motion of linkage 15 forces yoke 14 against the flared end 2 of hollow tube lc and may thus raise float 3 and separate sealing ring 9 from outlet 10 and allow liquid to flow through outlet 10.

Before a flush the liquid level may be somewhere about the level indicated by numeral 16. Upon depression of button 11 linkage 15, and consequently yoke 14 and tubes lb and lc, are raised upwards. This causes sealing ring 9 to separate from outlet 10 and allows liquid to flow out of outlet 10.

As the liquid level lowers liquid is retained in cup 6 and does not escape. As the fluid within cup 6 is initially below the fluid level in the reservoir it adds no weight acting upon the valve means. As the fluid level 16 drops fluid within cup 6 is raised above the fluid level of the reservoir and increasingly contributes to the weight acting downwards upon the valve means.

When the fluid level reaches a level about that indicated by numeral 17 the weight of the plastic components and liquid within cup 6 acting downward upon float 3 becomes great enough to force float 3 downwards and seal sealing ring 9 against outlet 10.. The closing of the valve is gradual as the float 3 lowers onto /V * T\ I ? 2 3 0 6 6 outlet 10 as the weight of fluid within cup 6 acting upon float 3 gradually increases as the water level lowers. Thus a sudden valve closure and consequential shock waves are avoided. Thus a partial flush is achieved. Fluid may then re-enter the system by a standard ballcock arrangement until the liquid reaches the level indicated by numeral 16.

There is seen to be a second button 18 which upon depression pivots rod 19 about pivot 21 to move mass 20 to the left.

Referring now to figure 2 the flushing mechanism of the present invention is shown after both buttons 11 and 18 have been depressed to initiate a full flush.

Upon the depression of button 18 linkage 19 is forced to rotate in a clockwise direction about pivot 21 and thus bring mass 20 into a position above cup 6. At the same time button 11 is depressed causing linkage 12 to rotate clockwise about pivot 13 and thus raise cup 6 through yoke 14, linkage 15 and tube lc.

Once cup 6 is fully raised mass 20 comes to rest on the lip of cup 6 and tips it to a position as shown in figure 2. Cup 6 remains tilted as long as float 3 remains in its open position, i.e. when float 3 is raised up against body 8. While float 3 is raised fluid exits via outlet 10 in the usual way. As the fluid level drops below that of cup 6 the liquid*within cup 6 escapes over the edge of cup 6 and through a gap betweenA < £/^~ v cup 6 and sleeve la.

Liquid then exits via outlet 10 until the mass of the components above the fluid level acting downwards upon the float 3 causes it to seal sealing ring 9 against outlet 10. This will typically occur when the liquid level reaches a level indicated by numeral 23, lower than that indicated by numeral 17 in figure 1.

This is due to the fact that for a full flush there is no mass of water within cup 6 contributing to the downward force on float 3. Once float 3 lowers linkage 19 and mass 20 are free to swing free of cup 6. Cup 6 then returns to its normal position.

In this way by varying the mass acting downwards upon the float different amounts of liquid may be discharged from a cistern or some other container. It should be appreciated that the method of retaining liquid in cup 6 is not the only way of achieving the result of the present invention and that the same result may be obtained by any other suitable means of adding mass to a member acting downwards upon the valve means.

It may be that in other embodiments there is provided a cup which automatically empties and only retains liquid when actuated etc.

The flushing mechanism may suitably be made of rigid plastics material with polystyrene being a preferred material.

The sealing ring 9 will preferably be formed of a softer plastics or rubber material although all that is t really required is material capable of forming a seal V with outlet 10. The mass 20 may preferably be formed (ch?£ a dense material although plastics may also be suitable'^ Referring now to figure 4 an actuating mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The mechanism is seen to include a first member 30 able to pivot about aperture 31 upon depression of button 32 or 33. First member 30 is seen to have a recess 34 adopted to engage with linkage 15 shown in figure 1.

Second member 35 is seen to have a mass 36 at one end thereof and to be able to rotate about aperture 37. Rod 38 is connected to member 39 which may be secured to a part of a cistern. Both members 30 and 35 are free to rotate about rod 38.

Retainers 40 and 41 ensure members 30 and 35 are retained and thus that depression of buttons 32 and 33 causes rotation of members 30 and 35. Upon depression of button 33 member 30 only is rotated and a partial flush may be achieved. When button 32 is depressed both members 30 and 35 may be rotated and a full flush achieved.

It is thus seen that the present invention provides a simple yet effective dual flushing mechanism whereby the discharge of two different volumes of a liquid may be facilitated.

Where in the aforegoing description reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually-set forth. ^ 223066 Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. 223066

Claims (7)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A dual flushing mechanism for use in a toilet cistern comprising: a valve means consisting of a float which cooperates with an outlet of said cistern to control the passage of water therethrough; a substantially vertical tube secured to said float; a cup having an aperture in the base thereof, said tube passing through the aperture in the cup and said cup being supported by a flange on said tube, said cup being capable of containing water when sealed against said flange; ■■/ t lifting means which, upon actuation, lifts the \y» S J float and the cup via said tube to open said valve \ means; tipping means which can selectively be positioned over an edge of said cup to tip said cup when lifted by said lifting means; wherein, said cup fills with water as said cistern fills and wherein, for a half flush, said cup is not tipped, causing the weight of water in said cup to close said valve at a first water level; and wherein, for a full flush, said cup is tipped to allow the water in said cup to escape through a gap between the aperture in the base of said cup and said tube so that said valve means closes at a second water level, lower than said first water level. vr*-, "* o 223066 # - 11 -

2. A dual flushing mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tipping means and said lifting means have an associated tipping button and lifting button respectively, depression of the lifting button causing actuation of the lifting means, depression of the yr "Vv- tipping button causing actuation of both the tipping //<*• means and the lifting means. lM4W9*'/7 V. ..*?/

3. A dual flushing mechanism as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the cup is of a truncated conical shape.

4. A dual flushing mechanism as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the cup is retained between upper and lower flanges secured to the tube.

5. A dual flushing mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein said lifting means includes a pivotal link from said lifting button to said tube such that depression of said lifting button results in the raising of said valve float via said tube.

6. A dual flushing mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein said tipping means includes a pivotal link from said tipping button which selectively swings a weight over an edge of said cup. i I ; -12- 723066

7. A dual flushing mechanism substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Jan/specs/6 63429 DUX ENGINEERS LIMITED By their torneys Baldwin S & Carey