CA1330150C - Universal positive shut-off, metered water control system for use with flush toilet tanks - Google Patents
Universal positive shut-off, metered water control system for use with flush toilet tanksInfo
- Publication number
- CA1330150C CA1330150C CA 614236 CA614236A CA1330150C CA 1330150 C CA1330150 C CA 1330150C CA 614236 CA614236 CA 614236 CA 614236 A CA614236 A CA 614236A CA 1330150 C CA1330150 C CA 1330150C
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- water
- flow
- cam
- stopper
- outlet
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Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A device for metering the flow of water into the tank and bowl of any currently known tank toilet and providing a positive shut-off of the flow. When the toilet handle is turned, a linkage rotates a cam to force a stopper from its seat thereby commencing water flow. Water flows through a flow channel to be directed by a flow nozzle past a water wheel imparting a rotation thereto. The water wheel is gearably linked to the cam thereby rotating the cam.
When the cam has rotated to position a cam repeat over the stopper stem, the stopper is reseated by the pressure of the water and water flow ceases. The distribution of flowing water between tank and bowl is controlled by altering the structure of a bowl fill assembly. The bowl fill assembly and a tank fill tube are attached to the outlet by a right angle manifold. The amount of water flow permitted is a function of the number of cam notches and flow nozzle size.
A device for metering the flow of water into the tank and bowl of any currently known tank toilet and providing a positive shut-off of the flow. When the toilet handle is turned, a linkage rotates a cam to force a stopper from its seat thereby commencing water flow. Water flows through a flow channel to be directed by a flow nozzle past a water wheel imparting a rotation thereto. The water wheel is gearably linked to the cam thereby rotating the cam.
When the cam has rotated to position a cam repeat over the stopper stem, the stopper is reseated by the pressure of the water and water flow ceases. The distribution of flowing water between tank and bowl is controlled by altering the structure of a bowl fill assembly. The bowl fill assembly and a tank fill tube are attached to the outlet by a right angle manifold. The amount of water flow permitted is a function of the number of cam notches and flow nozzle size.
Description
I 33 O 1 J () ''' ' ' ' ' 27645-~ ~
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION -The present invention relates to a universal positive shut-off system to control the quantlty of water used to flush tank toilets of the kinds normally found throughout the world.
Tollet systems, as used in the American home, are connected to the potable water supply. The average American home has from one to three of these toilets, each of which uses approximately three and a half gallons, or more, of water per flush. The majority of these toilets operate by means of a flotation device attached to a water flow valve. When the toilet is flushed, a chain connected to the flush handle lifts a stopper opening an outlet in the bottom of the toilet tank.
The water from the tank flows into the toilet bowl raising the j level of water therein. When the water in the toilet bowl ~ -¦ exceeds the height of the bowl drain, water flows from the bowl - ~ -~
by a siphoning effect which suctions out all water and waste in the toilet bowl. During this period of time, the flotation ~ ;
device, that was floating on the water in the tank, drops as the tank water level drops, thereby opening a water inlet 20 valve. When all water has exited the tank, the stopper falls ~
.' closing the open outlet. The water now entering the tank, through the inlet valve, fills the tank. As the water level rises the float rises until the water valve is closed.
.- -, This system is effective, simple and relatively efficient. However, it can also be extremely wasteful. Should ;
~ the stopper that closes the tank outlet wear, or become 3 dlstorted, a leak occurs that allows water to constantly flow lnto the toilet bowl. Should enough water escape the tank, the float drops opening the water lnlet valve to replace the lost 30 tank water. Conversely, the inlet valve is sub~ect to distortion and/or the buildup of minerals, particularly in hard water areas, that interfere with ~ , !, n ~ `~;- . . - . ,- : : . - ~ , . - ~ ~ ~ :. : -, . . ~ - :
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ts efficient operation to the point where it will never completely close. The same result may occur from improper adjustment of the flotation device. In these latter cases, there is a constant flow, however 6mall, of water into the tank. To preclude flooding, an overflow tube in the tank exits the excess water into the toilet bowl. Thus, the level of water in the tank never exceeds the height of the overflow tube, given the current designs, as the amount of water that may be introduced into the tank at any given time is less than the amount of water that the overflow tube permits to escape. However, this continual flow also leads to a waste of water.
Potable wat~ar, or fresh water, and its availability is becoming a significant environmental concern. Changing weather patterns, increased agricultural needs, the cutting of woods and - -forests, and the increasing destruction of water sheds have reduced -;~-~
the quantity of fresh water available. These factoræ, combined with population growth, have created severe strains on the ability of both nature and man to supply the necessary potable water. It -~
is not uncommon to hear about local water rationing during peak water use periods. The problem has become so severe in some areas that legislatures, such as Massachusetts and California, have now legislated the use of toilets using less than the standard 3.5 gallons of water. - -~
This problem has been addressed, principally in the context of toilets used in public facilities that normally do not have ~`
toilet tanks but rather have metered flush valves or other ~-mechanical or electrical shut-off devices in the water line.
However, a fluid operated valve for use with a toilet tank was disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 1,145,791 issued to L. F. Pigott ~ . .
30 on July 6, 1915. The patent discloses a tank inlet valve assembly comprising an impeller screw seated in an inlet housing. The impeller is connected by a shaft to a screw, intermeshing with the screw is a second screw which is connected by a rod to a valve.
The valve closes an outlet port. Attached to the second screw, at ` 35 the side opposite the valve, is a spring that is under tension when , .:
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,e valve is closed. The valve is activated by pulling a flush bandle. The flush handle rotates an arm that supports the rod having the valve on one end and the screw with spring assembly on the other. This rotation disengages the two screw6 allowing the æpring to retract, pulling the second screw, rod and valve assembly ¦ rearwardly to open the outlet port. When the flush handle is released, the rod is pulled back into position by a spring, remeshing the first and second screws. As the valve is opened, fluid exits through the outlet port thereby allowing water to enter through the inlet port, turning the impeller which in turn drives the first screw, now intermeshed with the second screw, until the valve is closed.
U.S. Patent 3,902,201, of Bobo, discloses a plumbing valve for use in flush tanks. The plumbing valve consist6 of an inlet valve that is opened by a link rod when the handle is turned to flush the toilet. The link rod depresses a valve follower and forces the valve, a ball, downwardly thereby compressing an underlying spring.
This allows water to flow through the inlet linkage into a turbine housing containing a turbine wheel. The water flows through the turbine housing to an outlet to the toilet bowl and a second outlet to the tank respectively. The flowing water causes the turbine wheel to rotate. As the turbine wheel rotates, through an .
undisclosed commercial linkage, it causes a cam to rotate. The cam æurface maintains the downward pressure on the valve follower once it begins to rotate. When the cam has completed a rotation, such that a notch contained therein is directly above the valve follower, the valve follower is displaced upwardly by the spring seating the ball in the inlet neck thereby closing the inlet. To enæure, during initial water flow, that the valve follower is unable to reenter the notch in the cam, upon release of the toilet handle and before the cam has begun to rotate, a swing lever drops downwardly and retains the valve follower in a down position. The entire device requires a unique handle assembly precisely configured to the tank in which it is used. As flush tanks have many designs, the exact location of the handle, water inlet and 'è
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~nk outlet must be incorporated into the handle mechanism so that the many working pieces of that mechanism may perform the$r proper functions. Further, the disclosed 16:1 ratio of water exiting the turbine housing to the tank and bowl respectively limlts the use of the device to toilets reguiring very little water to maintain the flush action to evacuate the waste and clean the bowl.
U.S. Patents No. 1,552,261; 1,809,440 and 4,624,444, of Belcher, Elder and Johnson respectively, disclose metered flush valves that eliminate the need for a tank and are normally found in public facilities. The patent of Belcher, No. 1,552,261, di6closes a metering device consisting of a valve that opens into the water flow and is closed by a combination of a spring and water pressure. When the flush handle is turned, a mechanical linkage -~
: forces the valve open and locks it open by means of a ratchet.
Water then flows through an impeller. The impeller is linked, by a ~eries of gears, to a bar mechanism that is raised by the rotating impeller. The bar strikes the retaining ratchet tooth thereby disengaging it and allowinq the valve to close.
U.S. Patent No. 1,809,440, of Elder, also discloses a valve ,-for controlling the flow of water by turning off the water after a predetermined time or a given amount of water has passed. When the flush handle is rotated, paired inlet valves are opened to ` ; -permit the water to flow. The flowing water strikes a turbine wheel. The turbine wheel is connected by a series of gears to a spiral gear that moves an arm to cause the rotation of the valves to a closed position. The patent of Johnson No. 4,624,444, is ` representative of shut-offs for flush toilets used in commercial -establishments having pressurized lines.
Water control meters are also known for use in controlling watering devices. U.S. Patents No. 4,280,530, of Yi, and 4,708,264, of Brunninga, are devices of this type. The device of Yi is placed in the water line for dispensing water to sprinklers or agricultural irrigation systems. Water enters through an inlet - -into an impeller chamber. The speed of rotation of the impeller is controlled by speed adjusting means, which is essentially a ~ , .
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rictional contact. The water flows from the impeller chamber into a second chamber containing the outlet valve. The outlet valve i5 1 set on one of three preset positions. Thus, the flowing water ¦ causes the impeller to rotate and an attached pinion gear initiates ¦ 5 a gear train that terminates in a crescent gear. The crescent gear acts as a timing gear linked to the outlet valve and as it rotates, it slowly closes the valve to stop the flow of water. Patent No.
4,708,264, the device of Brunninga, al60 di6closes a timed water ~eter for a hose or sprinkling sy6tem. The outlet valve is set to a predetermined open position and water flowing through the system rotates an impeller which is linked through a series of planetary gears to rotate the valve control assembly. The valve control assembly rotates until released, at which time it permits the valve to be closed.
; 15 An electronic water controller is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,633,905 of Wang. As water flows over a water wheel, magnetic sensors within the wheel cross a relay thereby inputting the flow rate into a microprocessor. On the basis of the flow rate and the amount of water to be dispensed, the microprocessor computes the time that the outlet valve should be open. The outlet valve is opened by rotating a cam which in turn raises a post attached to the outlet valve. The outlet valve remains open until the calculated flow time has been achieved at which time the motor rotates the cam to a point where the post is allowed to fall and the valve closed. The valve itself is forced into a closed position by a spring.
Another device for measuring a precise amount of water is that of Johns, U.S. Patent No. 1,407,752. This is an in line measuring device that uses a combination of gearing and pressure differential associated with a piston to control the flow of water.
U.S. Patent No. 4,335,852, of Chow, discloses another device ~ for controlling the flow of fluid. The device consists of a flow -~ inlet having a valve placed therein. The valve has an associated stem that is positioned to ride on a cam. The device is pre-set ~` 35 for a given amount of flow. The water flows by an impeller which " `
1 330 1 50 f -s connected by means of intermeshing gears to an eccentric shaft that drives a pawl and rachet, the rachet being attached to a cam.
The rachet rotates the cam until such time as the 6tem can be pushed back into the 6tem notch. In addition to relying on water pressure to close the valve, a spring i6 placed between the ferrule cup, in the inlet, and a 6tud in the center of the valve as6embly.
The sealing mean6 is an O-ring, around the valve, that i6 slightly larger than the opening for the inlet valve.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ~;
According to the in6tant invention a toilet flushing sy6tem i6 provided to pr,eci6ely control the amount of water permitted to enter the tank of a toilet, or water closet, during each flush cycle and prevent furt~er entry of water into the tank after the flush cycle has been completed. The positive shut-off, metered water control sy6tem, which may be used in most, if not all, ~ exi~ting toilet tanks, comprises a stopper fitted to interrupt and ~
; 6hut off the flow of water from the 60urce into the tank, a channel ~ ~-~ leading from the inlet, in which the stopper is positioned, to a ;~
r' ~ ~ vaned water wheel assembly and thence to an outlet tube such that, 20 during water flow, the water wheel is caused to rotate. A worm gear, attached to the water wheel and rotating therewith, drivingly engages a spur gear that is part of a vertical intermediate gear assembly having a second worm gear on the lower end thereof. The worm gear of the intermediate gear assembly engages a spur gear of ~ -25 a ratchet gear which is seated in a ratchet/cam assembly. The ratchet/cam assembly controls the positioning of the stopper in either an open or a closed position. `~
When the toilet handle is turned, an actuating arm engages a ratchet, mounted on the ratchet/cam assembly, to rotate the cam 30 approximately one-eighth of a complete rotation, without rotating ~;~
the ratchet gear or any of the linked gear train to the water wheel. Thus, should a problem occur during the flush cycle, the ratchet/cam assembly can be rotated through a complete rotation, by turning the handle, to allow the inlet valve to close. During ~ . .
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. . 1 330 1 50 le initi~l rotation of the ratchet/cam assembly, the cam forces the stopper stem, which had been seated in a notch in the cam, in a downward direction thereby opening the inlet valve. Water flows ¦ around the ~topper, through the inlet valve, up the channel and past the water wheel cauging it to rotate. As the water wheel rotates, the intermeshing gears tranglate the rotary motion of the water wheel into a rotation of the cam. Upon a complete rotation of the cam, the notch again aligns with the stopper stem and pressure of the water entering the tank pushes the stopper upward thus closing the inlet valve. Upon closing of the inlet valve, the flow of water ceases with the water pressure keeping the inlet closed.
., BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS -The present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the invention ta~en in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference -numerals refer to like parts and in which~
Figure 1 is a plan side view of a type conventional toilet, with the tank partially cut away to reveal its interior, 20 incorporating the positive shut-off, metered water control system;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the principal portion of the toilet tank of Figure 1 with the lid removed;
Figure 3 is a view along line I-I of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a cut away side view of the water control assembly;
Figure 5 is a view of the water control assembly along line II-II of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a view along line III-III of Figure 4;
Figure 7 is a view along line IV-IV of Figure 4;
Figure 8 is a view along line V-V as indicated in Figure 4;
Figure 9 is a side elevational view of the bowl fill manifold; ~---Figure 10 is a bottom plan view of the bowl fill manifold;
Figure 11 is a cut away view of one section of the housing assembly;
~, ~ 8 . .
-~ ~" 27645-8 Figure 12 is a cut away vlew of the second section of .~ ,.-the housing assembly;
Figure 13 is a bottom plan view of the base portion :
of Flgure 12;
Figure 14 is a plan view of the water wheel; :~
Figure 15 is a plan view of the cam portion of the ratchet/cam assembly; and Figure 16 is a cut away view along line A-A of Flgure 15. -~
Figure 17 is a side elevation of ratchet gear 70.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS . ~
Figure 1 shows a type conventional toilet as found in .- ~ -;. ~
the home fitted with a water control assembly 30. In the conventional home toilet, a ball cock assembly comprising a float arm and ball is mounted at the upper end of a water tube for closing an inlet valve via a mechanical linkage when the ~.
tank is filled to a predetermined level. In the present `~
invention thls assembly, to include the inlet valve and float arm and ball, i8 removed and replaced with a positlve shut-off, metered water control system, whlch may be placed above or : .-~
:~ below the water line of a filled tank. -The lllustrated toilet consists of a toilet bowl and pedestal 3 with a tank 5 mounted, either as part of or ~
removably, over the rear extension of toilet bowl and pedestal 3. Water is introduced by means of water line 7, which is .
connected by known means to inlet fitting 41 of water control assembly 30. In tank toilets, the water escapes, or is allowed ~
to exlt tank 5, by means of an overflow tube 17 or through tank ~ ` -outlet 18 which is normally closed by flapper valve 21. When water from overflow tube 17 or tank outlet 18 is introduced . ~ :
into toilet bowl 4, the level of water in bowl 4 is raised -~ ` -.
, 9 , ~ ~ , , .
1 330 1 ~0 :: 27645-8 untll it exceeds the "S" shaped trap 20 of waste outlet 19 causlng the water to flow from bowl 4 by siphoning action.
Water, and waste products, will continue to exit bowl 4 as long as sufficient water enters bowl 4 through bowl inlet 9 to maintain the seal permitting vacuum pumping or siphoning action of the bowl contents.
Figures 4-8 are illustratlons of control assembly 30 of the '' '~' ' .' '' ' -y ~. ' ., .
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- ositive shut-off, metered water control system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention and Figures 10-17 are detailed illustrations of specific components. Although the preferred embodiment is intended to permit the entry of 3.5 gallons of water into the system, modifications will be noted in the description that may be made to control assembly 30 to provide a range of permissible flows between one half and six gallons of water. Housing 31 i8 preferably molded in at least two sections, sections 31A and 31B as shown in Figures 11 and 12, of a plastic compound that may be sealed along, as shown in Figure 5, junction 39, a portion of which being partially defined by flanges 37 and 38, by means of sonic welding. Sealing of the housing is necessary to meet the plumbing requirements for "anti-siphoning" when the control assembly is mounted below the tank water line. The composition used for housing 31 may be either transparent or opaque. In the preferred embodiment housing 31 is transparent.
Handle 13 is connected to lever arm 11. Attached to lever arm 11 are flapper valve link 23 and start arm link 36. When handle 13 is turned counterclockwise, or in a downward direction, lever arm 11 is raised to lift, through linkages 23 and 36, flapper valve 21 and start arm 34 respectively.
Attached at the bottom of housing 31 is inlet fitting 41.
Inlet fitting 41 is a standard sized fitting, as currently used with flush tanks, to provide a sealable mount 29 at the bottom of the tank and for attachment of water line 7 by known means. The annular dimension of inlet 40 is slightly smaller at the top than at the bottom and matches the opening into housing 31. Positioned ~ust below the point of constriction in inlet 40 is air cushion 42.
Air cushion 42, comprising a foam composition or a hollow collar filled with air or compressible fluid, is permanently affixed to the inner surface of inlet fitting 41. Air cushion 42 retains -~ stopper 50 in housing 31, should water pressure be lost in water ~s~ line 7, and provides a means for absorbing a portion of the shock, " known as "water hammer," that results when the flow of water stops ~ 35 at the end of the flush cycle. Inlet 40 further narrows, at inlet .
f'` ,_ pening 43, in the lower portion of housing 31 to become flow channel 44. Flow channel 44 directs the flow of water from inlet opening 43 to chamber 46. Entry into chamber 46 is by means of angled inlet 45. Angled inlet 45 is inclined at angle 49 of 52 from vertical. The width of angled inlet 45, in the preferred embodiment, i8 approximately .175 inches. Varying the width, by widening or narrowing, of angled inlet 45 during the molding process increases or decreases, respectively, the quantity of water flowing through the sy6tem in one flush cycle. Outlet 48, atop chamber 46, permits the water to exit the housing.
Mounted, by means of axle 91 seated in recesses 92 and 99 in walls 88 of housing 31, is water wheel assembly 90. Axle 91 is slidably received in a passageway that defines the longitudinal center axis of water wheel assembly 90. At one end of axle 91, mounted in recess 99, is ear 98 which maintains the position of water wheel asseDbly 90 on axle 91.
Water wheel 96, part of water wheel assembly 90, is centered -and freely rotatable within chamber 46. Twelve vanes ~7 extend from water wheel 96. As shown in Figure 14, vanes 9~ have smooth flowing surfaces with defined edges 58 and 59 created by gap 95 in `~ circular chamber 93. The angularity and chamber combination of vanes 97 amplifies the effect of the flowing water on water wheel 96 to produce rotation over a great range of water pressures. Gap 95, from chamber 93, subtends an arc of approximately 90.
Extending from water wheel 96, along the longitudinal axis of rotation, is the remainder of water wheel assembly 90 having ¦ centered therein worm gear 94. Mounted transverse to the longitudinal axis of rotation of water wheel assembly 90 is intermediate gear 80. Intermediate gear 80 is rotatably mounted within housing 31 by means of mounting ears 81 and 82. Mounting -`! ears 81 and 82 are seated in recesses 83 and 85 in walls 88 of housing 31. At the upper end of intermediate gear 80 is spur gear 84. Spur gear 84 is intermeshes with worm gear 94 of wheel `~ assembly 90. At the lower end of intermediate gear 80 is worm gear -~ 35 86.
~, 11 1 330 1 50~
Extending transverse to intermediate gear 80 and lying directly below and parallel to the longitudinal axis of rotation of water wheel assembly 90 i6 ratchet gear 70. Ratchet gear 70 is supported by means of mounting ear 71, mounted in recess 89 in wall 88 of housing 31, and rib gear 73. Rib gear 73 i8 slidably received in ratchet gear housing 62 of ratchet/cam assembly 60.
Ratchet gear stub 74 is slidably received in stub receptacle 63 of ratchet/cam assembly 60 so that ratchet/cam assembly 60 rotates with ratchet gear 70 when rotation of the assembled gear train is initiated by flowing water rotating water wheel 96. Attached to ratchet gear 70 is spur gear 72 that intermeshes with worm gear 86 of intermediate gear 80 to complete the gear train. Ratchet/cam -~
¦ assembly 60 is rotatably mounted in housing 31 ~uch that its outer ~, surface, containing ratchet teeth 61, may be engaged by pawl 35 of start arm 34. Pawl 35 is seated between ratchet teeth 61 and retention ring 69. However, when pawl 35 engages ratchet teeth 61 to rotate ratchet/cam assembly, rib gear 73 is not engaged and stub receptacle 63 rotates freely around ratchet gear 6tub 74. Seal 65, between cam assembly lip 66 and housing 31, prevents tank water from entering into the interior of housing 31.
As partially indicated in Figure 4, ëach rotatable part, i.e., water wheel assembly 90, intermediate gear 80, ratchet gear 70, and cam assembly 60, are supported by walls 88, either exterior or h~
¦ interior, that define chambers 87 for receiving the rotatable -parts. Chamber 46 for water wheel 96 being another such chamber.
The open interior allows water to flow through the interior of housing 31 and particulates contained therein to bypass the loosely fitted engaging gear parts. Between flush cycles, the particulates settle in the chambers until the next flush cycle at which time they will be forced through the assembly and out into the tank or bowl.
~` Attached to outlet extension 47 is main tube 100. Attached `~ at the top of main tube 100 is right elbow manifold 101. Input extension 108 of right elbow manifold 101, attached to the upper end of main tube 100, has an inner diameter of 0.375 inch. Elbow `" 12 ,, "
1 330 1 50 ~ --.anifold 101 ~as extending downwardly and parallel to its connection to main tube 100, tank extension 107 having an inside diameter of 0.438 inch. The external dimensions of extensions 107 and 108 are the same. Tank fill tube 102 is attached to tank extension 107. Attached, by means of bowl extension 109, at the end of right elbow manifold 101 opposite to the connection to tank fill tube 102 and at right angles thereto, i8 overflow or bowl fill tube 103 of bowl fill assembly 106. Bowl extension 109 has an inner diameter of 0.375 inch. Input extension 108 has thicker walls than both tank extension 107 and bowl extension 109.
The free end of bowl fill assembly 106 i6 inserted in overflow tube 17. Bowl fill assembly 106 comprises bowl fill tube 103 and optional flow control inserts 104 and 105.
Tubes 100 and 102 are plastic tubes having an interior diameter of approximately one half inch. Bowl fill tube 103 has an interior diameter of three-eighths inch and flow control inserts :
104 and 105 have interior diameters of one-quarter inch and three-~ixteenths inches respectively. Flow control inserts 104 an~ 105 are retained in bowl fill tube assembly 106, when used, by frictional contact between their outer surface and the inner surface of the tube in which they are inserted.
;~ When bowl fill tube assembly 106 comprises all three components 103, 104 and 105, one half gallon of water, of the 3.5 I gallohs of water flow permitted by the preferred embodiment, feeds directly into the toilet bowl. When bowl fill assembly 106 :
;~ consists only of bowl fill tube 103 and flow control insert 104, one gallon enters the toilet bowl, and when only bowl fill tube 103 is used, one and a half gallons of water is fed directly into the toilet bowl. This allows the positive shut-off, metered water control system to be adjusted for varying configurations of toilet bowls and "S" traps to ensure the proper bowl filing takes place.
Seated within inlet 40 of housing 31 is stopper 50. Stopper base 51 is of slightly smaller cross-section than is the upper portion of inlet 40. Attached to the bottom of stopper base 51 are four positioning arms 57, each arm offset at a 90 angle from ~3 ., :
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(~. f ~jacent arms for centrally positioning stopper 50 in the upper portion of inlet 40. Near the top of stopper base 51 is notch 52 containing O-ring seal 53. Stopper stem 54 extends upwardly, from stopper base 51, into flow channel 44 and thence through an opening -in wall 88 of housing 31 to engage the surface of cam 56.
¦ Cam 56, in the preferred embodiment of a three and a half I gallon water system, has one cam repeat 68. Cam repeat 68 is a ¦ smooth flowing series of interconnected arcs, with the highest ¦ point, the notch, arc 67. When stopper end 55 is against the surface of arc 67, as shown in Figure 7, there is no flow of water into the tank. Leading into arc 67 is small arc 76. The less than vertical surface slope between arc 76 and arc 67 of cam repeat 68 prevents an abrupt closure of stopper 50 to further reduce "water hammer." However, the closing is not 60 gradual that it reduces the pressure of flowing water to the point where turbine water wheel 96 is no longer made to rotate. The surface of arc 78, flowing from arc 67, permits a smooth and gradual opening of stopper 50 upon initiation of the flush cycle. Arcs 67 and 78 are ~ centered on a circle having a half inch radius and arc 76 is based y 20 upon a circle having a radius of one-eighth inch. ~-~ To operate the system, handle 13 is depressed to lift lever ;~ arm 11. Lever arm 11, by means of flapper valve link 23, lifts ~lapper valve 21 to open tank outlet 18. Water flows from tank 5 until such time as the water level drops below the underside of 25 flapper valve 21. At that point, flapper valve 21 falls, closing tank outlet 18 and tank 5 begins to refill. Simultaneous with the lifting of flapper valve 21, lever arm 11, through start arm link 36, lifts start arm 34. Pawl 35, of start arm 34, engages a tooth .~
61 of the ratchet that is an integral part of ratchet/cam assembly 30 60. Pawl 35 remains engaged, during the depression of handle 13, to tooth 61 to turn ratchet/cam assembly 60 through approximately one-eighth of a complete rotation. The mating of ratchet gear 70 to cam assembly 60, as shown in Figure 7, permits ratchet/cam assembly 60 to rotate without rotating ratchet gear 70 and the 35 remaining intermeshing gears during the initial one eighth rotation ;~ 14 ~, ; 1 330 1 50 : F ratchet/cam assembly 60. The rotatable mating of ratchet/cam assembly 60 to ratchet gear 70 permit6, ~hould a problem develop during the water flow cycle 6uch a6 the toilet becoming stopped up or a similar occurrence, ratchet/cam a66embly 60 to be rotated independently, by means of the linkage between handle 13 and start arm 34, until stem top 55 of stopper 50 is reseated against the surface of arc 67 of cam repeat 68 thereby shutting off the flow of water.
Ratchet gear 70 has rib gear 73 engagingly received in ratchet gear housing 62 by ribs 64 such that ribs 64 pass over the teeth of rib gear 73 during the rotation of ratchet/cam asseDbly 60, by pawl 35, and are ~ngaged by the teeth of rib gear 73 once water begins to flow. As ratchet/cam assembly 60 rotates, notch surface 77 of cam repeat 68 is rotated across 6tem top 55 of stopper S0 forcing stopper S0 downwardly and breaking the seal between O-ring ~eal 53 and inlet opening 43 to permit water to flow into flow channel 44. Water, now flowing through flow channel 44, is ~ deflected by flow nozzle 45 to strike vanes 97 of water wheel 96 : causing water wheel 96 to rotate, the water wheel rotation to cam rotation ratio being 784:1. The water flows around the outer surface of chamber 46 and out outlet 48 into main tube 100. In ~ right elbow manifold 101, the water is diverted into tank fill tube ;~ 102 and bowl fill assembly 106. The ratio of water directed to the . bowl and that directed to the tank is determined by bowl fill assembly 106. When bowl fill assembly 106 consists of bowl fill ` tube 103 and flow control inserts 104 and 105, one half gallon, as indicated above, of the three and a half gallons of water permitted to flow through the system, will be directed to the bowl and three gallons directed to the tank for a six to one ratio. When bowl fill assembly 106 consists of bowl fill tube 103 and flow control insert 104, the ratio is five to two and when bowl fill assembly 106 consists only of bowl fill tube 103, the ratio is four to three.
As water wheel 96 rotates in a clockwise direction, so too ~ :
.~ 35 does associated worm gear 94 which intermeshes with spur gear 84 `:-` 15 ~, ~
intermediate gear 80. The rotation of intermediate gear 80, via worm gear 86 and intermeshing spur gear 72 of ratchet gear 70, is transferred to ratchet/cam assembly 60 by mean~ of the engagement of the teeth of rib gear 73 of ratchet gear 70 and ribs 64 of ratchet/cam assembly 60. Thus, ratchet/cam assembly 60 continues its rotation until notch arc 67 of cam repeat 68 again is positioned directly above stem top 55. At that point, the pressure of the flowing water striking the underside of stopper base 51 forces stopper 50 upwardly so that stem top 55 again rests proximate to or against notch arc 67 of cam repeat 68 with the result that inlet opening 43 is sealed and water flow ceases.
In the embodiment disclosed, the gear ratio of 784:1 and the size of the opening of flow nozzle 45 combine to provide a water flow through the system of three and a half gallons. Placing a second cam repeat 68, offset 180- from notch surface 77 in ratchet/cam assembly 60, produces a flow control meter for one and three quarters gallons. By adjusting the size of flow nozzle 45, during the molding of housing 31, lessor or greater amounts of flow can be provided. Additional cam repeats 68 can be placed in cam 66 to create other metered flows in response to legislative reguirements or toilet design considerations. Thus a positive shut off, metered water control system for one half to six gallons of !
water flow may be produced using the inventive concept.
Construction of the internal parts, that is, the stopper 50, 25 water wheel assembly 90, intermediate gear 80, rachet gear 70, and ratchet/cam assembly 60, and right elbow manifold 101 may be by injection molding using appropriate compositions. The start arm 34 would normally be made of a stainless steel, for durability, and would be the only metal part within the device. Plastic tubing, 30 of the necessary rigidity and dimensions, is used for tubes 100, 102 and 103 and flow control inserts 104 and 105.
The drawings of Figures 4 through 9, although not strictly to scale, are a close approximation to portray the necessary relationships.
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~ 1 330 1 50 Although 60me embodiment6 of the invention have been de6cribed above by way of example only, and preferred techniques of manufacture have been enumerated, lt will be under6tood by those skilled in the field that modification6 or other technigues may be made to the digclosed embodiment without departing from the 6cope of the invention which i6 defined by the appended claims.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION -The present invention relates to a universal positive shut-off system to control the quantlty of water used to flush tank toilets of the kinds normally found throughout the world.
Tollet systems, as used in the American home, are connected to the potable water supply. The average American home has from one to three of these toilets, each of which uses approximately three and a half gallons, or more, of water per flush. The majority of these toilets operate by means of a flotation device attached to a water flow valve. When the toilet is flushed, a chain connected to the flush handle lifts a stopper opening an outlet in the bottom of the toilet tank.
The water from the tank flows into the toilet bowl raising the j level of water therein. When the water in the toilet bowl ~ -¦ exceeds the height of the bowl drain, water flows from the bowl - ~ -~
by a siphoning effect which suctions out all water and waste in the toilet bowl. During this period of time, the flotation ~ ;
device, that was floating on the water in the tank, drops as the tank water level drops, thereby opening a water inlet 20 valve. When all water has exited the tank, the stopper falls ~
.' closing the open outlet. The water now entering the tank, through the inlet valve, fills the tank. As the water level rises the float rises until the water valve is closed.
.- -, This system is effective, simple and relatively efficient. However, it can also be extremely wasteful. Should ;
~ the stopper that closes the tank outlet wear, or become 3 dlstorted, a leak occurs that allows water to constantly flow lnto the toilet bowl. Should enough water escape the tank, the float drops opening the water lnlet valve to replace the lost 30 tank water. Conversely, the inlet valve is sub~ect to distortion and/or the buildup of minerals, particularly in hard water areas, that interfere with ~ , !, n ~ `~;- . . - . ,- : : . - ~ , . - ~ ~ ~ :. : -, . . ~ - :
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ts efficient operation to the point where it will never completely close. The same result may occur from improper adjustment of the flotation device. In these latter cases, there is a constant flow, however 6mall, of water into the tank. To preclude flooding, an overflow tube in the tank exits the excess water into the toilet bowl. Thus, the level of water in the tank never exceeds the height of the overflow tube, given the current designs, as the amount of water that may be introduced into the tank at any given time is less than the amount of water that the overflow tube permits to escape. However, this continual flow also leads to a waste of water.
Potable wat~ar, or fresh water, and its availability is becoming a significant environmental concern. Changing weather patterns, increased agricultural needs, the cutting of woods and - -forests, and the increasing destruction of water sheds have reduced -;~-~
the quantity of fresh water available. These factoræ, combined with population growth, have created severe strains on the ability of both nature and man to supply the necessary potable water. It -~
is not uncommon to hear about local water rationing during peak water use periods. The problem has become so severe in some areas that legislatures, such as Massachusetts and California, have now legislated the use of toilets using less than the standard 3.5 gallons of water. - -~
This problem has been addressed, principally in the context of toilets used in public facilities that normally do not have ~`
toilet tanks but rather have metered flush valves or other ~-mechanical or electrical shut-off devices in the water line.
However, a fluid operated valve for use with a toilet tank was disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 1,145,791 issued to L. F. Pigott ~ . .
30 on July 6, 1915. The patent discloses a tank inlet valve assembly comprising an impeller screw seated in an inlet housing. The impeller is connected by a shaft to a screw, intermeshing with the screw is a second screw which is connected by a rod to a valve.
The valve closes an outlet port. Attached to the second screw, at ` 35 the side opposite the valve, is a spring that is under tension when , .:
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,e valve is closed. The valve is activated by pulling a flush bandle. The flush handle rotates an arm that supports the rod having the valve on one end and the screw with spring assembly on the other. This rotation disengages the two screw6 allowing the æpring to retract, pulling the second screw, rod and valve assembly ¦ rearwardly to open the outlet port. When the flush handle is released, the rod is pulled back into position by a spring, remeshing the first and second screws. As the valve is opened, fluid exits through the outlet port thereby allowing water to enter through the inlet port, turning the impeller which in turn drives the first screw, now intermeshed with the second screw, until the valve is closed.
U.S. Patent 3,902,201, of Bobo, discloses a plumbing valve for use in flush tanks. The plumbing valve consist6 of an inlet valve that is opened by a link rod when the handle is turned to flush the toilet. The link rod depresses a valve follower and forces the valve, a ball, downwardly thereby compressing an underlying spring.
This allows water to flow through the inlet linkage into a turbine housing containing a turbine wheel. The water flows through the turbine housing to an outlet to the toilet bowl and a second outlet to the tank respectively. The flowing water causes the turbine wheel to rotate. As the turbine wheel rotates, through an .
undisclosed commercial linkage, it causes a cam to rotate. The cam æurface maintains the downward pressure on the valve follower once it begins to rotate. When the cam has completed a rotation, such that a notch contained therein is directly above the valve follower, the valve follower is displaced upwardly by the spring seating the ball in the inlet neck thereby closing the inlet. To enæure, during initial water flow, that the valve follower is unable to reenter the notch in the cam, upon release of the toilet handle and before the cam has begun to rotate, a swing lever drops downwardly and retains the valve follower in a down position. The entire device requires a unique handle assembly precisely configured to the tank in which it is used. As flush tanks have many designs, the exact location of the handle, water inlet and 'è
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~nk outlet must be incorporated into the handle mechanism so that the many working pieces of that mechanism may perform the$r proper functions. Further, the disclosed 16:1 ratio of water exiting the turbine housing to the tank and bowl respectively limlts the use of the device to toilets reguiring very little water to maintain the flush action to evacuate the waste and clean the bowl.
U.S. Patents No. 1,552,261; 1,809,440 and 4,624,444, of Belcher, Elder and Johnson respectively, disclose metered flush valves that eliminate the need for a tank and are normally found in public facilities. The patent of Belcher, No. 1,552,261, di6closes a metering device consisting of a valve that opens into the water flow and is closed by a combination of a spring and water pressure. When the flush handle is turned, a mechanical linkage -~
: forces the valve open and locks it open by means of a ratchet.
Water then flows through an impeller. The impeller is linked, by a ~eries of gears, to a bar mechanism that is raised by the rotating impeller. The bar strikes the retaining ratchet tooth thereby disengaging it and allowinq the valve to close.
U.S. Patent No. 1,809,440, of Elder, also discloses a valve ,-for controlling the flow of water by turning off the water after a predetermined time or a given amount of water has passed. When the flush handle is rotated, paired inlet valves are opened to ` ; -permit the water to flow. The flowing water strikes a turbine wheel. The turbine wheel is connected by a series of gears to a spiral gear that moves an arm to cause the rotation of the valves to a closed position. The patent of Johnson No. 4,624,444, is ` representative of shut-offs for flush toilets used in commercial -establishments having pressurized lines.
Water control meters are also known for use in controlling watering devices. U.S. Patents No. 4,280,530, of Yi, and 4,708,264, of Brunninga, are devices of this type. The device of Yi is placed in the water line for dispensing water to sprinklers or agricultural irrigation systems. Water enters through an inlet - -into an impeller chamber. The speed of rotation of the impeller is controlled by speed adjusting means, which is essentially a ~ , .
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rictional contact. The water flows from the impeller chamber into a second chamber containing the outlet valve. The outlet valve i5 1 set on one of three preset positions. Thus, the flowing water ¦ causes the impeller to rotate and an attached pinion gear initiates ¦ 5 a gear train that terminates in a crescent gear. The crescent gear acts as a timing gear linked to the outlet valve and as it rotates, it slowly closes the valve to stop the flow of water. Patent No.
4,708,264, the device of Brunninga, al60 di6closes a timed water ~eter for a hose or sprinkling sy6tem. The outlet valve is set to a predetermined open position and water flowing through the system rotates an impeller which is linked through a series of planetary gears to rotate the valve control assembly. The valve control assembly rotates until released, at which time it permits the valve to be closed.
; 15 An electronic water controller is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,633,905 of Wang. As water flows over a water wheel, magnetic sensors within the wheel cross a relay thereby inputting the flow rate into a microprocessor. On the basis of the flow rate and the amount of water to be dispensed, the microprocessor computes the time that the outlet valve should be open. The outlet valve is opened by rotating a cam which in turn raises a post attached to the outlet valve. The outlet valve remains open until the calculated flow time has been achieved at which time the motor rotates the cam to a point where the post is allowed to fall and the valve closed. The valve itself is forced into a closed position by a spring.
Another device for measuring a precise amount of water is that of Johns, U.S. Patent No. 1,407,752. This is an in line measuring device that uses a combination of gearing and pressure differential associated with a piston to control the flow of water.
U.S. Patent No. 4,335,852, of Chow, discloses another device ~ for controlling the flow of fluid. The device consists of a flow -~ inlet having a valve placed therein. The valve has an associated stem that is positioned to ride on a cam. The device is pre-set ~` 35 for a given amount of flow. The water flows by an impeller which " `
1 330 1 50 f -s connected by means of intermeshing gears to an eccentric shaft that drives a pawl and rachet, the rachet being attached to a cam.
The rachet rotates the cam until such time as the 6tem can be pushed back into the 6tem notch. In addition to relying on water pressure to close the valve, a spring i6 placed between the ferrule cup, in the inlet, and a 6tud in the center of the valve as6embly.
The sealing mean6 is an O-ring, around the valve, that i6 slightly larger than the opening for the inlet valve.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ~;
According to the in6tant invention a toilet flushing sy6tem i6 provided to pr,eci6ely control the amount of water permitted to enter the tank of a toilet, or water closet, during each flush cycle and prevent furt~er entry of water into the tank after the flush cycle has been completed. The positive shut-off, metered water control sy6tem, which may be used in most, if not all, ~ exi~ting toilet tanks, comprises a stopper fitted to interrupt and ~
; 6hut off the flow of water from the 60urce into the tank, a channel ~ ~-~ leading from the inlet, in which the stopper is positioned, to a ;~
r' ~ ~ vaned water wheel assembly and thence to an outlet tube such that, 20 during water flow, the water wheel is caused to rotate. A worm gear, attached to the water wheel and rotating therewith, drivingly engages a spur gear that is part of a vertical intermediate gear assembly having a second worm gear on the lower end thereof. The worm gear of the intermediate gear assembly engages a spur gear of ~ -25 a ratchet gear which is seated in a ratchet/cam assembly. The ratchet/cam assembly controls the positioning of the stopper in either an open or a closed position. `~
When the toilet handle is turned, an actuating arm engages a ratchet, mounted on the ratchet/cam assembly, to rotate the cam 30 approximately one-eighth of a complete rotation, without rotating ~;~
the ratchet gear or any of the linked gear train to the water wheel. Thus, should a problem occur during the flush cycle, the ratchet/cam assembly can be rotated through a complete rotation, by turning the handle, to allow the inlet valve to close. During ~ . .
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. . 1 330 1 50 le initi~l rotation of the ratchet/cam assembly, the cam forces the stopper stem, which had been seated in a notch in the cam, in a downward direction thereby opening the inlet valve. Water flows ¦ around the ~topper, through the inlet valve, up the channel and past the water wheel cauging it to rotate. As the water wheel rotates, the intermeshing gears tranglate the rotary motion of the water wheel into a rotation of the cam. Upon a complete rotation of the cam, the notch again aligns with the stopper stem and pressure of the water entering the tank pushes the stopper upward thus closing the inlet valve. Upon closing of the inlet valve, the flow of water ceases with the water pressure keeping the inlet closed.
., BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS -The present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the invention ta~en in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference -numerals refer to like parts and in which~
Figure 1 is a plan side view of a type conventional toilet, with the tank partially cut away to reveal its interior, 20 incorporating the positive shut-off, metered water control system;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the principal portion of the toilet tank of Figure 1 with the lid removed;
Figure 3 is a view along line I-I of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a cut away side view of the water control assembly;
Figure 5 is a view of the water control assembly along line II-II of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a view along line III-III of Figure 4;
Figure 7 is a view along line IV-IV of Figure 4;
Figure 8 is a view along line V-V as indicated in Figure 4;
Figure 9 is a side elevational view of the bowl fill manifold; ~---Figure 10 is a bottom plan view of the bowl fill manifold;
Figure 11 is a cut away view of one section of the housing assembly;
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-~ ~" 27645-8 Figure 12 is a cut away vlew of the second section of .~ ,.-the housing assembly;
Figure 13 is a bottom plan view of the base portion :
of Flgure 12;
Figure 14 is a plan view of the water wheel; :~
Figure 15 is a plan view of the cam portion of the ratchet/cam assembly; and Figure 16 is a cut away view along line A-A of Flgure 15. -~
Figure 17 is a side elevation of ratchet gear 70.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS . ~
Figure 1 shows a type conventional toilet as found in .- ~ -;. ~
the home fitted with a water control assembly 30. In the conventional home toilet, a ball cock assembly comprising a float arm and ball is mounted at the upper end of a water tube for closing an inlet valve via a mechanical linkage when the ~.
tank is filled to a predetermined level. In the present `~
invention thls assembly, to include the inlet valve and float arm and ball, i8 removed and replaced with a positlve shut-off, metered water control system, whlch may be placed above or : .-~
:~ below the water line of a filled tank. -The lllustrated toilet consists of a toilet bowl and pedestal 3 with a tank 5 mounted, either as part of or ~
removably, over the rear extension of toilet bowl and pedestal 3. Water is introduced by means of water line 7, which is .
connected by known means to inlet fitting 41 of water control assembly 30. In tank toilets, the water escapes, or is allowed ~
to exlt tank 5, by means of an overflow tube 17 or through tank ~ ` -outlet 18 which is normally closed by flapper valve 21. When water from overflow tube 17 or tank outlet 18 is introduced . ~ :
into toilet bowl 4, the level of water in bowl 4 is raised -~ ` -.
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1 330 1 ~0 :: 27645-8 untll it exceeds the "S" shaped trap 20 of waste outlet 19 causlng the water to flow from bowl 4 by siphoning action.
Water, and waste products, will continue to exit bowl 4 as long as sufficient water enters bowl 4 through bowl inlet 9 to maintain the seal permitting vacuum pumping or siphoning action of the bowl contents.
Figures 4-8 are illustratlons of control assembly 30 of the '' '~' ' .' '' ' -y ~. ' ., .
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- ositive shut-off, metered water control system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention and Figures 10-17 are detailed illustrations of specific components. Although the preferred embodiment is intended to permit the entry of 3.5 gallons of water into the system, modifications will be noted in the description that may be made to control assembly 30 to provide a range of permissible flows between one half and six gallons of water. Housing 31 i8 preferably molded in at least two sections, sections 31A and 31B as shown in Figures 11 and 12, of a plastic compound that may be sealed along, as shown in Figure 5, junction 39, a portion of which being partially defined by flanges 37 and 38, by means of sonic welding. Sealing of the housing is necessary to meet the plumbing requirements for "anti-siphoning" when the control assembly is mounted below the tank water line. The composition used for housing 31 may be either transparent or opaque. In the preferred embodiment housing 31 is transparent.
Handle 13 is connected to lever arm 11. Attached to lever arm 11 are flapper valve link 23 and start arm link 36. When handle 13 is turned counterclockwise, or in a downward direction, lever arm 11 is raised to lift, through linkages 23 and 36, flapper valve 21 and start arm 34 respectively.
Attached at the bottom of housing 31 is inlet fitting 41.
Inlet fitting 41 is a standard sized fitting, as currently used with flush tanks, to provide a sealable mount 29 at the bottom of the tank and for attachment of water line 7 by known means. The annular dimension of inlet 40 is slightly smaller at the top than at the bottom and matches the opening into housing 31. Positioned ~ust below the point of constriction in inlet 40 is air cushion 42.
Air cushion 42, comprising a foam composition or a hollow collar filled with air or compressible fluid, is permanently affixed to the inner surface of inlet fitting 41. Air cushion 42 retains -~ stopper 50 in housing 31, should water pressure be lost in water ~s~ line 7, and provides a means for absorbing a portion of the shock, " known as "water hammer," that results when the flow of water stops ~ 35 at the end of the flush cycle. Inlet 40 further narrows, at inlet .
f'` ,_ pening 43, in the lower portion of housing 31 to become flow channel 44. Flow channel 44 directs the flow of water from inlet opening 43 to chamber 46. Entry into chamber 46 is by means of angled inlet 45. Angled inlet 45 is inclined at angle 49 of 52 from vertical. The width of angled inlet 45, in the preferred embodiment, i8 approximately .175 inches. Varying the width, by widening or narrowing, of angled inlet 45 during the molding process increases or decreases, respectively, the quantity of water flowing through the sy6tem in one flush cycle. Outlet 48, atop chamber 46, permits the water to exit the housing.
Mounted, by means of axle 91 seated in recesses 92 and 99 in walls 88 of housing 31, is water wheel assembly 90. Axle 91 is slidably received in a passageway that defines the longitudinal center axis of water wheel assembly 90. At one end of axle 91, mounted in recess 99, is ear 98 which maintains the position of water wheel asseDbly 90 on axle 91.
Water wheel 96, part of water wheel assembly 90, is centered -and freely rotatable within chamber 46. Twelve vanes ~7 extend from water wheel 96. As shown in Figure 14, vanes 9~ have smooth flowing surfaces with defined edges 58 and 59 created by gap 95 in `~ circular chamber 93. The angularity and chamber combination of vanes 97 amplifies the effect of the flowing water on water wheel 96 to produce rotation over a great range of water pressures. Gap 95, from chamber 93, subtends an arc of approximately 90.
Extending from water wheel 96, along the longitudinal axis of rotation, is the remainder of water wheel assembly 90 having ¦ centered therein worm gear 94. Mounted transverse to the longitudinal axis of rotation of water wheel assembly 90 is intermediate gear 80. Intermediate gear 80 is rotatably mounted within housing 31 by means of mounting ears 81 and 82. Mounting -`! ears 81 and 82 are seated in recesses 83 and 85 in walls 88 of housing 31. At the upper end of intermediate gear 80 is spur gear 84. Spur gear 84 is intermeshes with worm gear 94 of wheel `~ assembly 90. At the lower end of intermediate gear 80 is worm gear -~ 35 86.
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Extending transverse to intermediate gear 80 and lying directly below and parallel to the longitudinal axis of rotation of water wheel assembly 90 i6 ratchet gear 70. Ratchet gear 70 is supported by means of mounting ear 71, mounted in recess 89 in wall 88 of housing 31, and rib gear 73. Rib gear 73 i8 slidably received in ratchet gear housing 62 of ratchet/cam assembly 60.
Ratchet gear stub 74 is slidably received in stub receptacle 63 of ratchet/cam assembly 60 so that ratchet/cam assembly 60 rotates with ratchet gear 70 when rotation of the assembled gear train is initiated by flowing water rotating water wheel 96. Attached to ratchet gear 70 is spur gear 72 that intermeshes with worm gear 86 of intermediate gear 80 to complete the gear train. Ratchet/cam -~
¦ assembly 60 is rotatably mounted in housing 31 ~uch that its outer ~, surface, containing ratchet teeth 61, may be engaged by pawl 35 of start arm 34. Pawl 35 is seated between ratchet teeth 61 and retention ring 69. However, when pawl 35 engages ratchet teeth 61 to rotate ratchet/cam assembly, rib gear 73 is not engaged and stub receptacle 63 rotates freely around ratchet gear 6tub 74. Seal 65, between cam assembly lip 66 and housing 31, prevents tank water from entering into the interior of housing 31.
As partially indicated in Figure 4, ëach rotatable part, i.e., water wheel assembly 90, intermediate gear 80, ratchet gear 70, and cam assembly 60, are supported by walls 88, either exterior or h~
¦ interior, that define chambers 87 for receiving the rotatable -parts. Chamber 46 for water wheel 96 being another such chamber.
The open interior allows water to flow through the interior of housing 31 and particulates contained therein to bypass the loosely fitted engaging gear parts. Between flush cycles, the particulates settle in the chambers until the next flush cycle at which time they will be forced through the assembly and out into the tank or bowl.
~` Attached to outlet extension 47 is main tube 100. Attached `~ at the top of main tube 100 is right elbow manifold 101. Input extension 108 of right elbow manifold 101, attached to the upper end of main tube 100, has an inner diameter of 0.375 inch. Elbow `" 12 ,, "
1 330 1 50 ~ --.anifold 101 ~as extending downwardly and parallel to its connection to main tube 100, tank extension 107 having an inside diameter of 0.438 inch. The external dimensions of extensions 107 and 108 are the same. Tank fill tube 102 is attached to tank extension 107. Attached, by means of bowl extension 109, at the end of right elbow manifold 101 opposite to the connection to tank fill tube 102 and at right angles thereto, i8 overflow or bowl fill tube 103 of bowl fill assembly 106. Bowl extension 109 has an inner diameter of 0.375 inch. Input extension 108 has thicker walls than both tank extension 107 and bowl extension 109.
The free end of bowl fill assembly 106 i6 inserted in overflow tube 17. Bowl fill assembly 106 comprises bowl fill tube 103 and optional flow control inserts 104 and 105.
Tubes 100 and 102 are plastic tubes having an interior diameter of approximately one half inch. Bowl fill tube 103 has an interior diameter of three-eighths inch and flow control inserts :
104 and 105 have interior diameters of one-quarter inch and three-~ixteenths inches respectively. Flow control inserts 104 an~ 105 are retained in bowl fill tube assembly 106, when used, by frictional contact between their outer surface and the inner surface of the tube in which they are inserted.
;~ When bowl fill tube assembly 106 comprises all three components 103, 104 and 105, one half gallon of water, of the 3.5 I gallohs of water flow permitted by the preferred embodiment, feeds directly into the toilet bowl. When bowl fill assembly 106 :
;~ consists only of bowl fill tube 103 and flow control insert 104, one gallon enters the toilet bowl, and when only bowl fill tube 103 is used, one and a half gallons of water is fed directly into the toilet bowl. This allows the positive shut-off, metered water control system to be adjusted for varying configurations of toilet bowls and "S" traps to ensure the proper bowl filing takes place.
Seated within inlet 40 of housing 31 is stopper 50. Stopper base 51 is of slightly smaller cross-section than is the upper portion of inlet 40. Attached to the bottom of stopper base 51 are four positioning arms 57, each arm offset at a 90 angle from ~3 ., :
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(~. f ~jacent arms for centrally positioning stopper 50 in the upper portion of inlet 40. Near the top of stopper base 51 is notch 52 containing O-ring seal 53. Stopper stem 54 extends upwardly, from stopper base 51, into flow channel 44 and thence through an opening -in wall 88 of housing 31 to engage the surface of cam 56.
¦ Cam 56, in the preferred embodiment of a three and a half I gallon water system, has one cam repeat 68. Cam repeat 68 is a ¦ smooth flowing series of interconnected arcs, with the highest ¦ point, the notch, arc 67. When stopper end 55 is against the surface of arc 67, as shown in Figure 7, there is no flow of water into the tank. Leading into arc 67 is small arc 76. The less than vertical surface slope between arc 76 and arc 67 of cam repeat 68 prevents an abrupt closure of stopper 50 to further reduce "water hammer." However, the closing is not 60 gradual that it reduces the pressure of flowing water to the point where turbine water wheel 96 is no longer made to rotate. The surface of arc 78, flowing from arc 67, permits a smooth and gradual opening of stopper 50 upon initiation of the flush cycle. Arcs 67 and 78 are ~ centered on a circle having a half inch radius and arc 76 is based y 20 upon a circle having a radius of one-eighth inch. ~-~ To operate the system, handle 13 is depressed to lift lever ;~ arm 11. Lever arm 11, by means of flapper valve link 23, lifts ~lapper valve 21 to open tank outlet 18. Water flows from tank 5 until such time as the water level drops below the underside of 25 flapper valve 21. At that point, flapper valve 21 falls, closing tank outlet 18 and tank 5 begins to refill. Simultaneous with the lifting of flapper valve 21, lever arm 11, through start arm link 36, lifts start arm 34. Pawl 35, of start arm 34, engages a tooth .~
61 of the ratchet that is an integral part of ratchet/cam assembly 30 60. Pawl 35 remains engaged, during the depression of handle 13, to tooth 61 to turn ratchet/cam assembly 60 through approximately one-eighth of a complete rotation. The mating of ratchet gear 70 to cam assembly 60, as shown in Figure 7, permits ratchet/cam assembly 60 to rotate without rotating ratchet gear 70 and the 35 remaining intermeshing gears during the initial one eighth rotation ;~ 14 ~, ; 1 330 1 50 : F ratchet/cam assembly 60. The rotatable mating of ratchet/cam assembly 60 to ratchet gear 70 permit6, ~hould a problem develop during the water flow cycle 6uch a6 the toilet becoming stopped up or a similar occurrence, ratchet/cam a66embly 60 to be rotated independently, by means of the linkage between handle 13 and start arm 34, until stem top 55 of stopper 50 is reseated against the surface of arc 67 of cam repeat 68 thereby shutting off the flow of water.
Ratchet gear 70 has rib gear 73 engagingly received in ratchet gear housing 62 by ribs 64 such that ribs 64 pass over the teeth of rib gear 73 during the rotation of ratchet/cam asseDbly 60, by pawl 35, and are ~ngaged by the teeth of rib gear 73 once water begins to flow. As ratchet/cam assembly 60 rotates, notch surface 77 of cam repeat 68 is rotated across 6tem top 55 of stopper S0 forcing stopper S0 downwardly and breaking the seal between O-ring ~eal 53 and inlet opening 43 to permit water to flow into flow channel 44. Water, now flowing through flow channel 44, is ~ deflected by flow nozzle 45 to strike vanes 97 of water wheel 96 : causing water wheel 96 to rotate, the water wheel rotation to cam rotation ratio being 784:1. The water flows around the outer surface of chamber 46 and out outlet 48 into main tube 100. In ~ right elbow manifold 101, the water is diverted into tank fill tube ;~ 102 and bowl fill assembly 106. The ratio of water directed to the . bowl and that directed to the tank is determined by bowl fill assembly 106. When bowl fill assembly 106 consists of bowl fill ` tube 103 and flow control inserts 104 and 105, one half gallon, as indicated above, of the three and a half gallons of water permitted to flow through the system, will be directed to the bowl and three gallons directed to the tank for a six to one ratio. When bowl fill assembly 106 consists of bowl fill tube 103 and flow control insert 104, the ratio is five to two and when bowl fill assembly 106 consists only of bowl fill tube 103, the ratio is four to three.
As water wheel 96 rotates in a clockwise direction, so too ~ :
.~ 35 does associated worm gear 94 which intermeshes with spur gear 84 `:-` 15 ~, ~
intermediate gear 80. The rotation of intermediate gear 80, via worm gear 86 and intermeshing spur gear 72 of ratchet gear 70, is transferred to ratchet/cam assembly 60 by mean~ of the engagement of the teeth of rib gear 73 of ratchet gear 70 and ribs 64 of ratchet/cam assembly 60. Thus, ratchet/cam assembly 60 continues its rotation until notch arc 67 of cam repeat 68 again is positioned directly above stem top 55. At that point, the pressure of the flowing water striking the underside of stopper base 51 forces stopper 50 upwardly so that stem top 55 again rests proximate to or against notch arc 67 of cam repeat 68 with the result that inlet opening 43 is sealed and water flow ceases.
In the embodiment disclosed, the gear ratio of 784:1 and the size of the opening of flow nozzle 45 combine to provide a water flow through the system of three and a half gallons. Placing a second cam repeat 68, offset 180- from notch surface 77 in ratchet/cam assembly 60, produces a flow control meter for one and three quarters gallons. By adjusting the size of flow nozzle 45, during the molding of housing 31, lessor or greater amounts of flow can be provided. Additional cam repeats 68 can be placed in cam 66 to create other metered flows in response to legislative reguirements or toilet design considerations. Thus a positive shut off, metered water control system for one half to six gallons of !
water flow may be produced using the inventive concept.
Construction of the internal parts, that is, the stopper 50, 25 water wheel assembly 90, intermediate gear 80, rachet gear 70, and ratchet/cam assembly 60, and right elbow manifold 101 may be by injection molding using appropriate compositions. The start arm 34 would normally be made of a stainless steel, for durability, and would be the only metal part within the device. Plastic tubing, 30 of the necessary rigidity and dimensions, is used for tubes 100, 102 and 103 and flow control inserts 104 and 105.
The drawings of Figures 4 through 9, although not strictly to scale, are a close approximation to portray the necessary relationships.
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~ 1 330 1 50 Although 60me embodiment6 of the invention have been de6cribed above by way of example only, and preferred techniques of manufacture have been enumerated, lt will be under6tood by those skilled in the field that modification6 or other technigues may be made to the digclosed embodiment without departing from the 6cope of the invention which i6 defined by the appended claims.
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Claims (28)
1. A positive shut-off, metered water control system for flush toilet tanks comprising:
a housing assembly, said housing assembly sealed so as to be capable of mounting below the water line in the toilet tank;
an inlet fitting means attached to said housing assembly for mounting said control system in the flush tank and providing a connection to a source of water under pressure;
an outlet on said housing assembly;
means for directing the flow of water into the toilet tank removably attached to said outlet;
stopper means mounted between said inlet fitting means and said outlet for movement between sealed and open positions for shutting off or permitting water flow;
flow channel means within said housing assembly for directing the flow of water when said stopper means is in an open position;
start means for placing said metered water control into operation;
an impeller rotatably mounted in a cavity portion of said flow channel means in said housing assembly between said inlet fitting means and said outlet;
cam means for controlling said positions of said stopper means, said cam means being linked to said start means;
linkage means for transferring the rotation of said impeller into a rotation of said cam means; and disengagement means for permitting said cam means to be rotated by the linked said start means without imparting rotation to said linkage means and said impeller.
a housing assembly, said housing assembly sealed so as to be capable of mounting below the water line in the toilet tank;
an inlet fitting means attached to said housing assembly for mounting said control system in the flush tank and providing a connection to a source of water under pressure;
an outlet on said housing assembly;
means for directing the flow of water into the toilet tank removably attached to said outlet;
stopper means mounted between said inlet fitting means and said outlet for movement between sealed and open positions for shutting off or permitting water flow;
flow channel means within said housing assembly for directing the flow of water when said stopper means is in an open position;
start means for placing said metered water control into operation;
an impeller rotatably mounted in a cavity portion of said flow channel means in said housing assembly between said inlet fitting means and said outlet;
cam means for controlling said positions of said stopper means, said cam means being linked to said start means;
linkage means for transferring the rotation of said impeller into a rotation of said cam means; and disengagement means for permitting said cam means to be rotated by the linked said start means without imparting rotation to said linkage means and said impeller.
2. A positive shut-off, metered water control system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said start means further comprises, a handle;
a flexible connection means attached at one end to said handle;
a start arm, said start arm having an extended section and a pawl, attached at one end of said extended section is the end of said connection means opposite said end attached to said handle, said pawl extends transverse to said extended section opposite its attachment to said connection means to engage said cam means.
a flexible connection means attached at one end to said handle;
a start arm, said start arm having an extended section and a pawl, attached at one end of said extended section is the end of said connection means opposite said end attached to said handle, said pawl extends transverse to said extended section opposite its attachment to said connection means to engage said cam means.
3. A positive shut-off, metered water control system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said housing assembly is molded from at least two sections of a plastic material that are joined and sealed by sonic welding.
4. A positive shut-off, metered water control system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stopper means, impeller, cam means and linkage means are injection molded.
5. A positive shut-off, metered water control system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said linkage means further comprises:
a first worm gear rigidly attached to said impeller, said worm gear lying along and centered on the axis of rotation of said impellers an intermediate gear, said intermediate gear being transverse to said axis of rotation of said impeller and having a spur gear at its upper aspect and a second worm gear at its lower aspect, said spur gear rotatably meshed with said first worm gear;
and a ratchet gear, said ratchet gear lying below and parallel to said axis of rotation of said impeller and having a spur gear on a forward aspect, said spur gear rotatably meshed with said second worm gear and a rearward aspect mated by said disengagement means to said cam means.
a first worm gear rigidly attached to said impeller, said worm gear lying along and centered on the axis of rotation of said impellers an intermediate gear, said intermediate gear being transverse to said axis of rotation of said impeller and having a spur gear at its upper aspect and a second worm gear at its lower aspect, said spur gear rotatably meshed with said first worm gear;
and a ratchet gear, said ratchet gear lying below and parallel to said axis of rotation of said impeller and having a spur gear on a forward aspect, said spur gear rotatably meshed with said second worm gear and a rearward aspect mated by said disengagement means to said cam means.
6. A positive shut-off, metered water control system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flow channel means contains a direction flow nozzle leading to said cavity portion of said flow channel means.
7. A positive shut-off, metered water control system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said direction flow nozzle has an adjustable opening.
8. A positive shut-off, metered water control system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cam means comprises only one cam notch.
9. A positive shut-off, metered water control system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cam means comprises at least two cam notches.
10. A positive shut-off, metered water control system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stopper means is positively engaged to said cam means by water pressure.
11. A positive shut-off, metered water control system as claimed in claim 10 further comprising retention means for retaining said stopper means seated in said housing when water pressure is lost.
12. A positive shut-off, metered water control system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means for dividing and directing the flow of water from said outlet into the toilet tank and the toilet's bowl.
13. A device for controlling the flow of water into a tank toilet, as found in the home, comprising:
a housing, said housing having an inlet and an outlet, defining a flow channel between said inlet and said outlet and capable of mounting below the water line of the tank toilet;
a stopper positioned in said inlet for sealing said inlet;
a start means for displacing said stopper and breaking said seal permitting water to flow;
a cylindrical chamber in said flow channel between said inlet and said outlet;
means rotatably mounted in said cylindrical chamber for transferring the pressurized flow of water into a mechanical rotation;
means for rotatably linking said rotatably mounted means and said start means;
anti-siphoning means for preventing water in the tank toilet from exiting through said inlet should water pressure be lost, said anti-siphoning means attached to said outlet;
means for disengaging said start means from said means for rotatably linking said means rotatably mounted in said cylindrical chamber during the displacement of said stopper;
and means for reseating said stopper to stop water flow.
a housing, said housing having an inlet and an outlet, defining a flow channel between said inlet and said outlet and capable of mounting below the water line of the tank toilet;
a stopper positioned in said inlet for sealing said inlet;
a start means for displacing said stopper and breaking said seal permitting water to flow;
a cylindrical chamber in said flow channel between said inlet and said outlet;
means rotatably mounted in said cylindrical chamber for transferring the pressurized flow of water into a mechanical rotation;
means for rotatably linking said rotatably mounted means and said start means;
anti-siphoning means for preventing water in the tank toilet from exiting through said inlet should water pressure be lost, said anti-siphoning means attached to said outlet;
means for disengaging said start means from said means for rotatably linking said means rotatably mounted in said cylindrical chamber during the displacement of said stopper;
and means for reseating said stopper to stop water flow.
14. A device for controlling the flow of water as claimed in claim 13 further comprising retention means for retaining said stopper in said inlet.
15. A device for controlling the flow of water as claimed in claim 13 wherein said anti-siphoning means distributes the flowing water between the toilet's tank and bowl.
16. A device for controlling water flow for use in toilet tanks comprising:
a housing, said housing mounted to the bottom of the toilet tank below the water line and having an inlet, an outlet and a flow channel therebetween;
a cylindrical chamber in said flow channel;
a water wheel assembly, said water wheel assembly having a water wheel rotatably mounted in said cylindrical chamber;
a gear centered on said water wheel's rotary axis and attached thereto;
a rotatably mounted start mechanism;
an initiation mechanism, said initiation mechanism engaging said start mechanism to initiate rotation of same;
a cam, said cam having at least one recessed portion rigidly attached to said start mechanism;
a stopper, said stopper seated in said inlet and having a stem in contact with the surface of said cam;
an intermediate gear linking said water wheel assembly and said ratchet gear; and an anti-siphon assembly removably attached to said outlet, said anti-siphon assembly comprising means for distributing the water flow between the toilet's tank and bowl.
a housing, said housing mounted to the bottom of the toilet tank below the water line and having an inlet, an outlet and a flow channel therebetween;
a cylindrical chamber in said flow channel;
a water wheel assembly, said water wheel assembly having a water wheel rotatably mounted in said cylindrical chamber;
a gear centered on said water wheel's rotary axis and attached thereto;
a rotatably mounted start mechanism;
an initiation mechanism, said initiation mechanism engaging said start mechanism to initiate rotation of same;
a cam, said cam having at least one recessed portion rigidly attached to said start mechanism;
a stopper, said stopper seated in said inlet and having a stem in contact with the surface of said cam;
an intermediate gear linking said water wheel assembly and said ratchet gear; and an anti-siphon assembly removably attached to said outlet, said anti-siphon assembly comprising means for distributing the water flow between the toilet's tank and bowl.
17. A device as claimed in claim 16 further comprising a flow control nozzle in said flow channel at the entrance to said cylindrical chamber.
18. A device as claimed in claim 17 wherein said flow control nozzle is adjustable.
19. A positive shut-off, metered water control system for flush toilet tanks comprising:
a housing assembly;
an inlet means attached to said housing assembly for mounting said control in the flush tank and providing a connection to a source of water under pressure;
an outlet on said housing assembly;
flow control means for alterably directing the flow of water between the toilet tank and the toilet bowl, said flow control means removably attached to said outlet;
stopper means mounted in an upper portion of said inlet means, said stopper means capable of movement between sealed and open positions for shutting off or permitting water flow;
an air cushion, said air cushion affixed in said inlet means below said stopper means;
flow channel means within said housing assembly for directing the flow of water when said stopper means is in an open position.
start means for placing said metered water control system into operation;
an impeller rotatably mounted in a cavity portion of said flow channel means in said housing assembly between said inlet fitting means and said outlet;
cam means for controlling said positions of said stopper means, said cam means being linked to said start means;
and linkage means for transferring the rotation of said impeller into a rotation of said cam means;
an input tube, said input tube removably attached at its lower end to said outlet on said housing assembly;
a manifold, said manifold having three extensions, a first extension attached to an upper end of said input tube, said first extension in the center of said manifold; a second extension, said second extension to one side of and extending parallel to said first extension; a third extension at a right angle to said first and second extensions;
a master tube, said master tube attached to said third extension;
a first step down means for reducing the flow of water to a toilet bowl, said first step down means slidably and removably received in the end of said master tube opposite said attachment to said third extension; and a second step down means for further reducing the flow of water to a toilet bowl, said second step down means slidably and removably received in said first step down means.
a housing assembly;
an inlet means attached to said housing assembly for mounting said control in the flush tank and providing a connection to a source of water under pressure;
an outlet on said housing assembly;
flow control means for alterably directing the flow of water between the toilet tank and the toilet bowl, said flow control means removably attached to said outlet;
stopper means mounted in an upper portion of said inlet means, said stopper means capable of movement between sealed and open positions for shutting off or permitting water flow;
an air cushion, said air cushion affixed in said inlet means below said stopper means;
flow channel means within said housing assembly for directing the flow of water when said stopper means is in an open position.
start means for placing said metered water control system into operation;
an impeller rotatably mounted in a cavity portion of said flow channel means in said housing assembly between said inlet fitting means and said outlet;
cam means for controlling said positions of said stopper means, said cam means being linked to said start means;
and linkage means for transferring the rotation of said impeller into a rotation of said cam means;
an input tube, said input tube removably attached at its lower end to said outlet on said housing assembly;
a manifold, said manifold having three extensions, a first extension attached to an upper end of said input tube, said first extension in the center of said manifold; a second extension, said second extension to one side of and extending parallel to said first extension; a third extension at a right angle to said first and second extensions;
a master tube, said master tube attached to said third extension;
a first step down means for reducing the flow of water to a toilet bowl, said first step down means slidably and removably received in the end of said master tube opposite said attachment to said third extension; and a second step down means for further reducing the flow of water to a toilet bowl, said second step down means slidably and removably received in said first step down means.
20. A positive shut-off, metered water control system as claimed in claim 19 wherein said linkage means allows said cam means to be rotated by said start means without transferring the rotation to said impeller.
21. A positive shut-off, metered water control system as claimed in claim 19 wherein said linkage means further comprises:
a first worm gear rigidly attached to said impeller, said worm gear lying along and centered on the axis of rotation of said impeller;
an intermediate gear, said intermediate gear being transverse to said axis of rotation of said impeller and having a spur gear at its upper aspect and a second worm gear at its lower aspect, said spur gear rotatbly meshed with said first worm gear; and a ratchet gear, said ratchet gear lying below and parallel to said rotary axis of said impeller and having a spur gear on a forward aspect, said spur gear rotatably meshed with said second worm gear, and a rearward aspect mated to said cam means, said mated rearward aspect permitting rotation of said impeller to be transferred to said cam means but transfer of rotation of said cam means by said start means to said impeller is precluded.
a first worm gear rigidly attached to said impeller, said worm gear lying along and centered on the axis of rotation of said impeller;
an intermediate gear, said intermediate gear being transverse to said axis of rotation of said impeller and having a spur gear at its upper aspect and a second worm gear at its lower aspect, said spur gear rotatbly meshed with said first worm gear; and a ratchet gear, said ratchet gear lying below and parallel to said rotary axis of said impeller and having a spur gear on a forward aspect, said spur gear rotatably meshed with said second worm gear, and a rearward aspect mated to said cam means, said mated rearward aspect permitting rotation of said impeller to be transferred to said cam means but transfer of rotation of said cam means by said start means to said impeller is precluded.
22. A positive shut-off, metered water control system as claimed in claim 19 wherein said stopper means is positively engaged to said cam means by water pressure.
23. A positive shut-off, metered water control system as claimed in claim 19 wherein said housing assembly is molded from a plastic material amenable to sonic welding and said stopper means, impeller, cam means, linkage means, and manifold are injection molded.
24. A water flow control system for use with flush toilet tanks, said control system comprising:
a housing, said housing formed of at least two sections;
an inlet into said housing, said inlet providing means for mounting said control system in a toilet tank and for attachment to a water source;
an outlet from said housing;
a water flow channel between said inlet and said outlet;
a turbine chamber, said turbine chamber a part of said water flow channel;
a turbine wheel, said turbine wheel rotatably mounted in said turbine chamber;
a stopper, said stopper movably seated in said inlet;
an air cushion means for retaining said stopper in said housing when water pressure is lost and for reducing "water hammer";
a ratchet/cam means for starting a flush cycle;
a stem of said stopper engagingly received by a cam of said ratchet/cam means;
a start arm, said start arm having a pawl for engag-ing a ratchet of said ratchet/cam means; and a linkage means between said turbine wheel and said ratchet/cam means for transferring the rotation of said turbine wheel into a rotation of said ratchet/cam means wherein said ratchet/cam means can be cycled by said pawl's repeated engagement of said ratchet of said ratchet/cam means without engagement of said linkage and transfer of rotation to said turbine wheel thereby providing a positive means for shutting off the flow of water.
a housing, said housing formed of at least two sections;
an inlet into said housing, said inlet providing means for mounting said control system in a toilet tank and for attachment to a water source;
an outlet from said housing;
a water flow channel between said inlet and said outlet;
a turbine chamber, said turbine chamber a part of said water flow channel;
a turbine wheel, said turbine wheel rotatably mounted in said turbine chamber;
a stopper, said stopper movably seated in said inlet;
an air cushion means for retaining said stopper in said housing when water pressure is lost and for reducing "water hammer";
a ratchet/cam means for starting a flush cycle;
a stem of said stopper engagingly received by a cam of said ratchet/cam means;
a start arm, said start arm having a pawl for engag-ing a ratchet of said ratchet/cam means; and a linkage means between said turbine wheel and said ratchet/cam means for transferring the rotation of said turbine wheel into a rotation of said ratchet/cam means wherein said ratchet/cam means can be cycled by said pawl's repeated engagement of said ratchet of said ratchet/cam means without engagement of said linkage and transfer of rotation to said turbine wheel thereby providing a positive means for shutting off the flow of water.
25. A water flow control system as claimed in claim 24 further comprising a flow distribution means for dividing the flow of water between a feed to the flush toilet's bowl and the toilet tank, said flow distribution means removably attached to said outlet.
26. A water flow control system for use with flush toilet tanks comprising:
a housing;
an inlet to said housing;
an outlet from said housing;
a flow channel between said inlet and said outlet;
a rotatable water wheel mounted in a wheel chamber in said flow channel;
a housing;
an inlet to said housing;
an outlet from said housing;
a flow channel between said inlet and said outlet;
a rotatable water wheel mounted in a wheel chamber in said flow channel;
27 a stopper slidably received in said inlet;
a start means for forcing said stopper into an open position thereby allowing water to flow; and a linkage means between said water wheel and said start means wherein said start means and said linkage means are disengagingly connected such that rotation of said start means is not imparted to said linkage means but rotation of said water wheel is imparted by said linkage means to said start means;
a flow distribution means for dividing the flow of water between a feed to the flush toilet's bowl and the toilet tank, said flow distribution means removably attached to said outlet;
an outlet tube, said outlet tube removably attached at one end to said outlet;
a manifold, said manifold having three extensions and being removably attached by a first of said three extensions to the end of said outlet tube opposite said outlet;
a tank fill tube, said tank fill tube removably attached to a second of said three extensions;
a bowl fill assembly removably attached to a third of said three extensions;
a bowl fill tube, said bowl fill tube providing the removable attachment to said third of three extensions;
a first flow control insert slidably and removably received in an end of said bowl fill tube opposite said attachment to said third of said three extensions and retained in said end by friction; and a second flow control insert slidably and removably received in an end of said first flow control insert and retained therein by friction.
a start means for forcing said stopper into an open position thereby allowing water to flow; and a linkage means between said water wheel and said start means wherein said start means and said linkage means are disengagingly connected such that rotation of said start means is not imparted to said linkage means but rotation of said water wheel is imparted by said linkage means to said start means;
a flow distribution means for dividing the flow of water between a feed to the flush toilet's bowl and the toilet tank, said flow distribution means removably attached to said outlet;
an outlet tube, said outlet tube removably attached at one end to said outlet;
a manifold, said manifold having three extensions and being removably attached by a first of said three extensions to the end of said outlet tube opposite said outlet;
a tank fill tube, said tank fill tube removably attached to a second of said three extensions;
a bowl fill assembly removably attached to a third of said three extensions;
a bowl fill tube, said bowl fill tube providing the removable attachment to said third of three extensions;
a first flow control insert slidably and removably received in an end of said bowl fill tube opposite said attachment to said third of said three extensions and retained in said end by friction; and a second flow control insert slidably and removably received in an end of said first flow control insert and retained therein by friction.
28
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US07/298,029 US4916762A (en) | 1989-01-18 | 1989-01-18 | Positive shut-off, metered water control system for flush tanks |
| US07/298,029 | 1989-01-18 | ||
| US31412389A | 1989-02-23 | 1989-02-23 | |
| US07/314,123 | 1989-02-23 | ||
| US07/404,516 US5134729A (en) | 1989-01-18 | 1989-09-08 | Universal positive shut off, metered water control system for use with flush toilet tanks |
| US07/404516 | 1989-09-14 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1330150C true CA1330150C (en) | 1994-06-14 |
Family
ID=27404530
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 614236 Expired - Fee Related CA1330150C (en) | 1989-01-18 | 1989-09-28 | Universal positive shut-off, metered water control system for use with flush toilet tanks |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1330150C (en) |
-
1989
- 1989-09-28 CA CA 614236 patent/CA1330150C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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