CA2094233A1 - Water saving device for a flush toilet - Google Patents
Water saving device for a flush toiletInfo
- Publication number
- CA2094233A1 CA2094233A1 CA002094233A CA2094233A CA2094233A1 CA 2094233 A1 CA2094233 A1 CA 2094233A1 CA 002094233 A CA002094233 A CA 002094233A CA 2094233 A CA2094233 A CA 2094233A CA 2094233 A1 CA2094233 A1 CA 2094233A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- flapper valve
- rod
- arm
- lift arm
- water
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
- E03D1/00—Water flushing devices with cisterns ; Setting up a range of flushing devices or water-closets; Combinations of several flushing devices
- E03D1/02—High-level flushing systems
- E03D1/14—Cisterns discharging variable quantities of water also cisterns with bell siphons in combination with flushing valves
- E03D1/142—Cisterns discharging variable quantities of water also cisterns with bell siphons in combination with flushing valves in cisterns with flushing valves
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A20/00—Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use
- Y02A20/40—Protecting water resources
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A water saving device for a flush toilet having a water tank and a buoyant type flapper valve that in a closed position covers an outlet opening in the bottom of the water tank. The device comprises a modified lift arm directly connected at one end to a flushing handle to be pivoted thereby, with a second portion of the arm being positioned generally above the flapper valve. In place of the usual chain, a rod is provided, connected at its lower end to the flapper valve and at its upper end to the free end of the arm. Movement of the handle in one direction, initiating a flush cycle, will pivot the lift arm and, through the rod, raise the flapper valve to an open position to permit discharge of water from the tank. Movement of the handle in the opposite direction will pivot the lift arm causing downward movement of the rod forcing the flapper valve into the closed position; this can be done before the normal flush cycle is complete, thus saving water. The water saving device offers full control over the volume of water spent in a flush cycle.
A water saving device for a flush toilet having a water tank and a buoyant type flapper valve that in a closed position covers an outlet opening in the bottom of the water tank. The device comprises a modified lift arm directly connected at one end to a flushing handle to be pivoted thereby, with a second portion of the arm being positioned generally above the flapper valve. In place of the usual chain, a rod is provided, connected at its lower end to the flapper valve and at its upper end to the free end of the arm. Movement of the handle in one direction, initiating a flush cycle, will pivot the lift arm and, through the rod, raise the flapper valve to an open position to permit discharge of water from the tank. Movement of the handle in the opposite direction will pivot the lift arm causing downward movement of the rod forcing the flapper valve into the closed position; this can be done before the normal flush cycle is complete, thus saving water. The water saving device offers full control over the volume of water spent in a flush cycle.
Description
2~94233 WATER SAVING DEVICE FOR FLUSH TOILET
This invention relates to a water saving device for flush toilets and in particu1ar to a f1ushing device providing full contro1 over the volume oE water discharged from the toilet water tank in a Elush cycle. ~
A conventional flush toilet includes a water tank having ~;
a capacity typically between 3.5 and 7 yallons of water and -~
discharges substantia11y the entire vo1ume of water duriny a flush cycle. Although in most instances significantly le~ss amounts oE
water would be sufficient for evacuatillg the toilet bowl, larger volumes are utilized in order to provide a grea~er hydraulic he~d pressure in the water tank to start the fluslling action, creating ~ -~
a "siphon efEect" in the toilet bowl facilitating emptying thereof. Attempts at conservat;on which reduce the level of water in the toilet tank, such as with the device of United States patent 4,868,933 issued on September 26, 1989, have not been ~ ~
entirely satisfactory for this reason. ~-Other approaches for reducing the amount oE water used in a flush cycle provide flushing contro1 mechanisms whereby the user ~selects between predetermined sett;ngs. United State~s patent 4,88l,279 issued on November 21, 1989 teaches a dual f]ush mechani~sm which includes two handles Eor eEEectillcJ either a Eull or partial E1ush. United States patent 4,428,084 issued on January 31, 1984 discloses a flush control device which comprises a hydraulic control assembly having four time settinys Eor controlling the Elush cycle durati~n. These selective flushillg 2 0 ~ ~ 2 3 3 75155-l mechanisms, however, are complicated in construction and may be too costly for the ordinary user.
ThereEore, it is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved water saving device for flush toilets that overcomes the above-mentioned deficiencies.
In accordance wlth the broadest aspect of the invention, there is provided a water saving device for a flush toilet which includes a water tank with a bottom having an outlet opening therein, a Elapper valve that has a closed position covering the outlet opening, and a flush handle to be pivotally mounted on tlle water tank, the device comprising: a lift arm directly connected at one end to the handle to be pivoted thereby, the arm having a free end to be positioned generally above the flapper valve; a rod having an upper end and a lower end; first means for flexibly connecting the lower end of the rod to the flapper valve; and second means Eor flexibly connecting the upper end of the rod to the free end of the arm, such that in use pivotal movement of the flush handle in one direction, initiating a flush cycle, pivots the liEt arm and, through the rod, raises the flapper valve to an open position to permit discharge of water from the tank, the open position being maintained by buoyancy means operatively associated with the Elapper valve while the buoyancy means remains submerged by the water within the tank, and pivotal movement of the handle in the opposite direction acting through the lift arm to cause downward movement of the rod thus restoring the flapper valve into its closed position.
~ 2~4233 The water savlng device in accordance with the present invention is oE simple construction, thereby decreasing its cost, .
and may be Eitted to various types of f].ush toilet.s. It ofEers ~ :
ful1 control over the volume of water discharged in a Elush cycle by providing an improvement in respect of a flushing mechanism capable of eEEecting both manual opening and closing of the ~ ....... ;
flapper valve. The chain commonly used to link a 1iEt arm to the flapper valve has been replaced with a rod, and the traditional ~::
straight liEt arm is modified to accommodate a larger range of rotation about the pivot axis where the Elush handle is coupled to the LiEt arm.
PreEerred embodiments of the water saving device in ~.
accordance with the invention will be described in greater detail with reEerence to the accompanying d~awings, in which:
Figure l is a front elevational view in section of a .
flush toilet water tank with a conventional Elushin~ mechanism;
Figure lA is a sectional view of the flush handle mounting taken on the line lA-lA of Figure l;
Figure lB is a sectional view o.E the flush handle mounting taken on the line lB-lB of Figure lA;
Fiyure 2 is a parti.al Eront elevational view in section oE a Elush toilet water tank Wit}l a water saving device flushing mechanism installed therein;
Figure 3 is a partial plan view oE the water tank with the water saving devicei and ~--` 2~4~33 75155-l Flgure 4 i~s a partial plan view of a water tank having a diEEerent internal organization than that oE Figure 2, with the water saving device installed there.
Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a typical water tank 10 of a flush toilet. Conventiona] components provided within the tank lO for controlling water intake include a water inlet pipe 14 terminating at an inlet valve l6 operated by an arm 18 and float 20 combination. Centrally located at the bottom of the water tank lO is an outlet opening 22 and an overflow pipe 24 is disposed laterally of the outlet opening 22, to the left as seen in Figure 1.
The conventional flush control mechanism includes the usual flapper valve 26 pivotally mounted to the overflow pipe 24 Eor covering the outlet opening 22. The flapper valve 26 is formed oE a disc portion 28, an integral float bowl 30 llaving an open lower end 31 and a pair of integral mount;ng arms 32. At the front end of the Elapper valve 26, the upper side of disc portion 28 is furnished with a lug 34 having an eye 36. Mounting arms 32 extend at the re~r end of the Elapper valve 26, outwardly from the ~n disc portion 28 in parallel Eashion and each has a mounting aperture 38 formed adjacent its free end. ~ pair oE pins 39 extending radially outwardly Erom the overElow pipe 24 pass through apertures 38 engag;!lg the mounting arms 32 of flapper valve 26 and thereby effec~ g a pivotal connection. The flappe~-valve 26 is ~ypi~31y ~anufact~re~ oE r~bbe~ or sim- ~ar rèsIlient material. ~;
.,~
:1 -` 2~94233 The conventional flushing mechanism Eurther includes on :.
the exterior of the Eront wall 40 of the water tank 10, a flush :
handle 42 having a cylindrical shaEt 44 which extends through a :~
support member 46 and is pivotal within the support member 46. ::
Figure l~ shows the support member 46 consisting of a cam 48 integrally attached to a hollow tubular bushing 50 which is fitted through the hole normally provided in the front wall 40 of water tank 10. The bushing 50 has a threaded portion upon which a nut 52 is mounted and tightened into engagement with the Eront wall 40. The cam 48 of the support member 46 is adapted to fit within a cavity 54 defined by a fl.ange 56 surrounding the periphery oE
the Elush handle 42. Fixedly connected to the cylindrical shaFt 44 inside the tank 10 is a substantially horizontal, straight liEt arm 58. The lift arm 58 is held suspended at the vertical level (shown in Figure 1) by the flange 5G extending along the lower periphery 60 of the flush handle 42 abutting the bottom edge 62 of the cam 48, thereby preventing further downward movement of the lift arm 58.
As is illustrated in Figure 1, the Eree end 63 oE the lift arm 58 has a chain 64 connected to the eye 36 oF the flapper valve lug 34. The flush handle 42, cylindrical sha:Et 44, llFt arm 58, chain 64 and flapper valve 26 act in combination to cE~ect a Elush cycle, wherein rotation oE the handle 42 and its shaft 44 pivots t11e Eree end 63 oE the lift arm 58 upwards and, through the chain 64, lifts the flapper valve 26 to a partially opened position 66, thereby initiating discharge of the water stored in .
20~233 75155-l the tank 10 through the outlet opening 22 into the toilet bowl.
The range of ro~ation of the handle 40 is restricted by the Elange 56 (Figure 1~) along the upper periphery 68 oE the flush handle 42 contacting the top edge 70 of the cam 48, thus terminatillg upwal-d movement of the liEt arm 58. Once the flapper valve 26 is manually raised Erom the outlet opening 22 into the partially opened position 66, the float bowl 30 provides a buoyant eect, whereby the flapper valve 26 rises furtller to a fully opened position 72 which is maintained during the discharge oE water while the Elapper valve 26 rernains submerged by water in the tank 10. When the water tank lO has substantially emptied, the flapper valve 26, no longer being submerged, Ealls under its own weight into the closed position. The water tank lO is then refilled through the water intake valve 16.
It should be understood that in the conventional flush cycle, the free end 63 of the lift arm 58 pivots within the narrow range shown in Figure 1 Eor the sole purpose of lifting the Elapper valve 26 Erom the closed position to the partially opened position 66. The buoyancy of the float bowl 30 then moves the Elapper valve 26 to and retains it in the Eully opened position 72 independently of the position oE the flush handle 42 and lift arm 58 combination because of the flexible connection, chain 6~
between liEt arm 58 and flapper valve 26. Therefore, the handle 42 can be released aEter initiating the Elush cycle, Ereeing tile liEt arm 58 to pivot do-~nward under its own weight without having - any effect on the duration of the flush cycle.
20~4233 75155-l In Figure 2, the water saving device flushiny mechanism is illustrated consisting of a modified lift arm 80. tn the preferred embodiment, lift arm 80 is generally con~igured a.s two portions, a first portion 82 fixedly attached at one end to the :~:
shaft 44 extendiny from the flush handle 42, and at its other end pivotally connected by a fastener 86, such as a nut and bolt or screw, to a second portion 84. The second portion 84 has a ~ree end 88 positioned generally above the ~lapper valve 26. The liFt arm 80 has been modified essentially to lower the lever at which the free end 88 oE the arm 80 is positioned above the ~lapper valve 26, as compared to conventional :li.ft arm 58. A clip 90 is provided on the second portion 84 of the lift arm 80. The clip 90 is slidably mounted and may be fixed at any position along the length of the second portion 84.
A rod 92 is connected at an upper end by a short section of chain 94, such as a bead chain, to the clip 90 and at its lower end by another short section of bead chain 96 to the eye 36 of lug 34 on the flapper valve 26. The bead chains 94, 96 represent flexible connecting means which provid.e a small amount oE play between the ends of the rod 92 and the li~t arm 80 and Elapper valve 26 respectively. A chain length of approximately .75 inches is usually sufficient.
For the particular configurat.ion of the water tank lO
shown in Figures 2 and 3, an adapter member lO0 is provided :
mounted around overflow pipe 24. The adapter member lO0 consists of an annular body 102 (Figure 3) de~ining a collar and a pair o~
75155-l trunnions 104 extending rad;ally outwardly from the collar body 102. The trunnions 104 pass through the apertures 3~ thereby pivotally engaging mounting arms 32 oE Elapper valve 26. The use of the adapter member 100 Eacilitates retrofitting the water saving device including the flapper valve 26 in various types o~
water tanks of flush toilets. However, there are other known rneans for pivotally mounting the flapper valve 26 within water tank lO. For example, as is the case in Figure 1, pins may be provided directly on the overflow pipe or upstandiny arms at the bottom of the water tank may be used.
The float bowl 30 of the Elapper val~e 26 has a diameter slightly less than that of the outlet opening 22 and acts as a guide facilitating proper restoration of the flapper valve 26 from an open position to seal the outlet opening 22.
The flush handle 42 may include a weighted piece 106 -embedded at its tip, for assisting pivoting of the handle 42 when initiating a flush cycle, as well as helping to maintain the ;
~lapper valve 26 in an open position during the flush cycle. The cam 48 (Figure lB) of the support member 46 is modified by relieving an amount from its top edge 70, thereby permitting the Elush handle 42 to be rotated through a larger range.
A flush cycle is initiated in the usual manner by applying downward pressure on the handle 42 so as to pivot the lift aem 80 upwards. The rod 92 being connected to the clip 90 is thereby raised and lifts the flapper valve 26 into a fully opened position above the outlet opening 22 after which the buoyancy of 2~94233 the float bowl 30 maintains the valve 26 in that ~ully opened position when the handle 42 is released. To accommodate this range of movement, as noted above, the Eree end 88 oE the lift arm 80 is at a lower location so that it may be swung upwards through a range suEficient to Eully open the valve 26. The top edge 70 of the cam 48 may be relieved to allow the flush handle 42 to be rotated through the range needed to achieve sufEicient upward swing of the lift arm 80.
Once the flapper valve 26 is in the fully opened position, the flush handle 42 when released will remain in its downward pivoted orientation. Water flows to evacuate the tollet bowl until the water tank 10 has substantially emptied, at which time the Elapper 26 is no longer submerged and buoyant and pivots into the closed positioned sealing the outlet opening 22, at the same time returning the flush handle 42 to its initial orientation. The water tank 10 is then refilled in the known manner.
Moreover, the water saving device Elushing mechanism provides the option to the user of terminating the flushing cycle upon deciding that a su~ficient amount oE water has been discharged to evacuate the toilet bowl. By manually counter rotating the Elush handle 42, the lift arm 80 acting through the rod 92 Eorces the flapper valve 26 into the closed position, covering the outlet opening 22 with water still present in the tank 10. Thus the user has full control over the amount of water utilized in the flush cycle.
f 209~233 75155-l The rod 92 actiny from above the flapper valve 26 transEers the force applied to ~otate the Elush handle 42 to the Elapper valve 26, to either :Lift or lower it, depending on the direction of rotation of the handle 42. Figures 2 and 3 show the optimal orientatlon of the rod 92 in relation to its respective connection points w~th the lift arm 80 and flapper valve 26. To facilitate the transEer of force and reliable operation of this flushing device, it is preferred that the rod 92 be angled between EiEteen and thirty degrees to the vertical so that its upper end, connected to the clip 90, lies with respect to the ~lapper valve 26 rearwardly in relation to where il:s lower end ;.s connected to lug 34 of the flapper valve 26. Ideall.y, the rod 92 should be suspended such that its upper end is located at a position between boundaries defined by respective vertical planes containing the ~ -~
mounting arms 32 of the flapper valve 26. The second portion 84 . ` .
of liEt arm 80 can be pivoted at the Eastener 86, and the clip 90 can be slid along the length o:E the second portion 84 in order to achieve the desired tilt and direction oE the rod 92.
However, in some water tanks, depending on the orientation of the flapper valve 26, it may not be possible to position the rod 92 at a fifteen to thirty degree tilt or suspend the rod 92 such that its upper end is ~ocated at a position between boundaries defined by respective vertical planes containing the mounting arms 32, so that force applied through the rod 92 to lower the flapper valve 26 may tend to cause latcral movement or twisting of the flapper valve 26 about its mounting 2~9~3~
arms 32. Lateral movement or shifting may ~sufEiciently displace the Elapper valve 26 from its alignment with the outlet opening 22 and the valve 26 can not be properly returned to seal the outlet opening 22, resulting in non reliable operation. Therefore, in order to inhibit latera] movement, reinforcing sleeves 108 are provided on the mounting arms 32 of the Elapper valve 26, making the arms more rigid and thereby decreasing the tendency for the flapper valve 26 to shift laterally or twist. Each sleeve 108, being generally U-shaped in cross section and made oE a thin resilient metal, is slipped over a respective mounting arm 32 and its side walls are squeezed together so as to snugly hold the arm 32.
Illustrated in Figure 4 is another configuration of a -water tank for a different type of flush toilet. This is a representation of a typical American Standard (Trademark) flushing system, wherein the overflow pipe is ofEset from the outlet opening 22 towards the rear wall llO of the water tank lO and the lift arm 80 is shown extending towards the rear wall llO of the tank. By pivoting the second portion 84 of liEt arm 80 at fastener ~6, the free end 88 of the liEt arm 80 can be placed in the desired position above the Elapper valve 26. The clip 60 can be slid to an optimal point along ~hc scconc~ portion 84 oE the liEt arm 80, so that the upper end oE the rod 92 is rearward of its connection to lug 34 at the ~ nt oE the flapper valve 2-to the extent p~ le~ ir~ e wi~h the outward ex~ension of the mounting arms 32. Thus the adjustability of the water saving -2~9~233 75155-l device allows it to be readily retrofitted to many types of flush toilet~s.
In variant embodiments, the lift arm can be a sub.stantially straight arm rather than con~isting of two portions, but it must be directed somewhat downward from the pivotal connection to the flush handle, so as to have its free end sus~ended at a suitably low level to provide a swin~ range capable oE lifting the flapper valve from a closed position to a fully opened position.
The rod 92 may be telescopically extendible for -retroEi.tting the water saving device in diEferent types oE flush ~.
toilets whose water tanks may have heights which vary between 8 and lO inches. The extendability of the rod 92 in conjunction I with the slldable clip 90 and means for setti.ng the angle at which ! the lift arm 80 horizontally extends readily adapts the water saving device to accommodate many water tank confi~urations.
Alternatively, the first portion 82 of the liEt arm 80 may inc].ude means Eor adjusting it.s vertical length, such as by formlng the first portion 82 with two sections (not shown) which are telescopically extendible, in order to Eit dif:Eerent si7es oE
water tanks. Also, a number oE throuyh holes along the length of the second portion 84 of the l;Et arm 80 can be utili7ed instead oE the slidable clip 90.
In a further variant embodiment oE the water saving device, a weighted float may be secured to the rod at a selected position along its length. In operation, a flush cycle is `3 !
^ ~9~233 75155-l initiated by pivoting the handle downward which raises the f]apper valve, and water Elows Erom the tank into the toilet bowl through the outlet openlng. The buoyancy oE the float maintains the -~
Elapper valve in the opened position and therefore it is not necessary Eor the flapper valve to have any buoyancy characteristic oE its own.
As water flows Erom the tank, the water level drops and the Eloat lowers. Eventually the water level will reach a point where the float is no longer Eully submerged and moves downward with the level of water, restoring the Elapper valve to the closed position. The level of water at which the float begins its descent is varied by adjusting the position of the float along the length oE the rod.
This invention relates to a water saving device for flush toilets and in particu1ar to a f1ushing device providing full contro1 over the volume oE water discharged from the toilet water tank in a Elush cycle. ~
A conventional flush toilet includes a water tank having ~;
a capacity typically between 3.5 and 7 yallons of water and -~
discharges substantia11y the entire vo1ume of water duriny a flush cycle. Although in most instances significantly le~ss amounts oE
water would be sufficient for evacuatillg the toilet bowl, larger volumes are utilized in order to provide a grea~er hydraulic he~d pressure in the water tank to start the fluslling action, creating ~ -~
a "siphon efEect" in the toilet bowl facilitating emptying thereof. Attempts at conservat;on which reduce the level of water in the toilet tank, such as with the device of United States patent 4,868,933 issued on September 26, 1989, have not been ~ ~
entirely satisfactory for this reason. ~-Other approaches for reducing the amount oE water used in a flush cycle provide flushing contro1 mechanisms whereby the user ~selects between predetermined sett;ngs. United State~s patent 4,88l,279 issued on November 21, 1989 teaches a dual f]ush mechani~sm which includes two handles Eor eEEectillcJ either a Eull or partial E1ush. United States patent 4,428,084 issued on January 31, 1984 discloses a flush control device which comprises a hydraulic control assembly having four time settinys Eor controlling the Elush cycle durati~n. These selective flushillg 2 0 ~ ~ 2 3 3 75155-l mechanisms, however, are complicated in construction and may be too costly for the ordinary user.
ThereEore, it is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved water saving device for flush toilets that overcomes the above-mentioned deficiencies.
In accordance wlth the broadest aspect of the invention, there is provided a water saving device for a flush toilet which includes a water tank with a bottom having an outlet opening therein, a Elapper valve that has a closed position covering the outlet opening, and a flush handle to be pivotally mounted on tlle water tank, the device comprising: a lift arm directly connected at one end to the handle to be pivoted thereby, the arm having a free end to be positioned generally above the flapper valve; a rod having an upper end and a lower end; first means for flexibly connecting the lower end of the rod to the flapper valve; and second means Eor flexibly connecting the upper end of the rod to the free end of the arm, such that in use pivotal movement of the flush handle in one direction, initiating a flush cycle, pivots the liEt arm and, through the rod, raises the flapper valve to an open position to permit discharge of water from the tank, the open position being maintained by buoyancy means operatively associated with the Elapper valve while the buoyancy means remains submerged by the water within the tank, and pivotal movement of the handle in the opposite direction acting through the lift arm to cause downward movement of the rod thus restoring the flapper valve into its closed position.
~ 2~4233 The water savlng device in accordance with the present invention is oE simple construction, thereby decreasing its cost, .
and may be Eitted to various types of f].ush toilet.s. It ofEers ~ :
ful1 control over the volume of water discharged in a Elush cycle by providing an improvement in respect of a flushing mechanism capable of eEEecting both manual opening and closing of the ~ ....... ;
flapper valve. The chain commonly used to link a 1iEt arm to the flapper valve has been replaced with a rod, and the traditional ~::
straight liEt arm is modified to accommodate a larger range of rotation about the pivot axis where the Elush handle is coupled to the LiEt arm.
PreEerred embodiments of the water saving device in ~.
accordance with the invention will be described in greater detail with reEerence to the accompanying d~awings, in which:
Figure l is a front elevational view in section of a .
flush toilet water tank with a conventional Elushin~ mechanism;
Figure lA is a sectional view of the flush handle mounting taken on the line lA-lA of Figure l;
Figure lB is a sectional view o.E the flush handle mounting taken on the line lB-lB of Figure lA;
Fiyure 2 is a parti.al Eront elevational view in section oE a Elush toilet water tank Wit}l a water saving device flushing mechanism installed therein;
Figure 3 is a partial plan view oE the water tank with the water saving devicei and ~--` 2~4~33 75155-l Flgure 4 i~s a partial plan view of a water tank having a diEEerent internal organization than that oE Figure 2, with the water saving device installed there.
Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a typical water tank 10 of a flush toilet. Conventiona] components provided within the tank lO for controlling water intake include a water inlet pipe 14 terminating at an inlet valve l6 operated by an arm 18 and float 20 combination. Centrally located at the bottom of the water tank lO is an outlet opening 22 and an overflow pipe 24 is disposed laterally of the outlet opening 22, to the left as seen in Figure 1.
The conventional flush control mechanism includes the usual flapper valve 26 pivotally mounted to the overflow pipe 24 Eor covering the outlet opening 22. The flapper valve 26 is formed oE a disc portion 28, an integral float bowl 30 llaving an open lower end 31 and a pair of integral mount;ng arms 32. At the front end of the Elapper valve 26, the upper side of disc portion 28 is furnished with a lug 34 having an eye 36. Mounting arms 32 extend at the re~r end of the Elapper valve 26, outwardly from the ~n disc portion 28 in parallel Eashion and each has a mounting aperture 38 formed adjacent its free end. ~ pair oE pins 39 extending radially outwardly Erom the overElow pipe 24 pass through apertures 38 engag;!lg the mounting arms 32 of flapper valve 26 and thereby effec~ g a pivotal connection. The flappe~-valve 26 is ~ypi~31y ~anufact~re~ oE r~bbe~ or sim- ~ar rèsIlient material. ~;
.,~
:1 -` 2~94233 The conventional flushing mechanism Eurther includes on :.
the exterior of the Eront wall 40 of the water tank 10, a flush :
handle 42 having a cylindrical shaEt 44 which extends through a :~
support member 46 and is pivotal within the support member 46. ::
Figure l~ shows the support member 46 consisting of a cam 48 integrally attached to a hollow tubular bushing 50 which is fitted through the hole normally provided in the front wall 40 of water tank 10. The bushing 50 has a threaded portion upon which a nut 52 is mounted and tightened into engagement with the Eront wall 40. The cam 48 of the support member 46 is adapted to fit within a cavity 54 defined by a fl.ange 56 surrounding the periphery oE
the Elush handle 42. Fixedly connected to the cylindrical shaFt 44 inside the tank 10 is a substantially horizontal, straight liEt arm 58. The lift arm 58 is held suspended at the vertical level (shown in Figure 1) by the flange 5G extending along the lower periphery 60 of the flush handle 42 abutting the bottom edge 62 of the cam 48, thereby preventing further downward movement of the lift arm 58.
As is illustrated in Figure 1, the Eree end 63 oE the lift arm 58 has a chain 64 connected to the eye 36 oF the flapper valve lug 34. The flush handle 42, cylindrical sha:Et 44, llFt arm 58, chain 64 and flapper valve 26 act in combination to cE~ect a Elush cycle, wherein rotation oE the handle 42 and its shaft 44 pivots t11e Eree end 63 oE the lift arm 58 upwards and, through the chain 64, lifts the flapper valve 26 to a partially opened position 66, thereby initiating discharge of the water stored in .
20~233 75155-l the tank 10 through the outlet opening 22 into the toilet bowl.
The range of ro~ation of the handle 40 is restricted by the Elange 56 (Figure 1~) along the upper periphery 68 oE the flush handle 42 contacting the top edge 70 of the cam 48, thus terminatillg upwal-d movement of the liEt arm 58. Once the flapper valve 26 is manually raised Erom the outlet opening 22 into the partially opened position 66, the float bowl 30 provides a buoyant eect, whereby the flapper valve 26 rises furtller to a fully opened position 72 which is maintained during the discharge oE water while the Elapper valve 26 rernains submerged by water in the tank 10. When the water tank lO has substantially emptied, the flapper valve 26, no longer being submerged, Ealls under its own weight into the closed position. The water tank lO is then refilled through the water intake valve 16.
It should be understood that in the conventional flush cycle, the free end 63 of the lift arm 58 pivots within the narrow range shown in Figure 1 Eor the sole purpose of lifting the Elapper valve 26 Erom the closed position to the partially opened position 66. The buoyancy of the float bowl 30 then moves the Elapper valve 26 to and retains it in the Eully opened position 72 independently of the position oE the flush handle 42 and lift arm 58 combination because of the flexible connection, chain 6~
between liEt arm 58 and flapper valve 26. Therefore, the handle 42 can be released aEter initiating the Elush cycle, Ereeing tile liEt arm 58 to pivot do-~nward under its own weight without having - any effect on the duration of the flush cycle.
20~4233 75155-l In Figure 2, the water saving device flushiny mechanism is illustrated consisting of a modified lift arm 80. tn the preferred embodiment, lift arm 80 is generally con~igured a.s two portions, a first portion 82 fixedly attached at one end to the :~:
shaft 44 extendiny from the flush handle 42, and at its other end pivotally connected by a fastener 86, such as a nut and bolt or screw, to a second portion 84. The second portion 84 has a ~ree end 88 positioned generally above the ~lapper valve 26. The liFt arm 80 has been modified essentially to lower the lever at which the free end 88 oE the arm 80 is positioned above the ~lapper valve 26, as compared to conventional :li.ft arm 58. A clip 90 is provided on the second portion 84 of the lift arm 80. The clip 90 is slidably mounted and may be fixed at any position along the length of the second portion 84.
A rod 92 is connected at an upper end by a short section of chain 94, such as a bead chain, to the clip 90 and at its lower end by another short section of bead chain 96 to the eye 36 of lug 34 on the flapper valve 26. The bead chains 94, 96 represent flexible connecting means which provid.e a small amount oE play between the ends of the rod 92 and the li~t arm 80 and Elapper valve 26 respectively. A chain length of approximately .75 inches is usually sufficient.
For the particular configurat.ion of the water tank lO
shown in Figures 2 and 3, an adapter member lO0 is provided :
mounted around overflow pipe 24. The adapter member lO0 consists of an annular body 102 (Figure 3) de~ining a collar and a pair o~
75155-l trunnions 104 extending rad;ally outwardly from the collar body 102. The trunnions 104 pass through the apertures 3~ thereby pivotally engaging mounting arms 32 oE Elapper valve 26. The use of the adapter member 100 Eacilitates retrofitting the water saving device including the flapper valve 26 in various types o~
water tanks of flush toilets. However, there are other known rneans for pivotally mounting the flapper valve 26 within water tank lO. For example, as is the case in Figure 1, pins may be provided directly on the overflow pipe or upstandiny arms at the bottom of the water tank may be used.
The float bowl 30 of the Elapper val~e 26 has a diameter slightly less than that of the outlet opening 22 and acts as a guide facilitating proper restoration of the flapper valve 26 from an open position to seal the outlet opening 22.
The flush handle 42 may include a weighted piece 106 -embedded at its tip, for assisting pivoting of the handle 42 when initiating a flush cycle, as well as helping to maintain the ;
~lapper valve 26 in an open position during the flush cycle. The cam 48 (Figure lB) of the support member 46 is modified by relieving an amount from its top edge 70, thereby permitting the Elush handle 42 to be rotated through a larger range.
A flush cycle is initiated in the usual manner by applying downward pressure on the handle 42 so as to pivot the lift aem 80 upwards. The rod 92 being connected to the clip 90 is thereby raised and lifts the flapper valve 26 into a fully opened position above the outlet opening 22 after which the buoyancy of 2~94233 the float bowl 30 maintains the valve 26 in that ~ully opened position when the handle 42 is released. To accommodate this range of movement, as noted above, the Eree end 88 oE the lift arm 80 is at a lower location so that it may be swung upwards through a range suEficient to Eully open the valve 26. The top edge 70 of the cam 48 may be relieved to allow the flush handle 42 to be rotated through the range needed to achieve sufEicient upward swing of the lift arm 80.
Once the flapper valve 26 is in the fully opened position, the flush handle 42 when released will remain in its downward pivoted orientation. Water flows to evacuate the tollet bowl until the water tank 10 has substantially emptied, at which time the Elapper 26 is no longer submerged and buoyant and pivots into the closed positioned sealing the outlet opening 22, at the same time returning the flush handle 42 to its initial orientation. The water tank 10 is then refilled in the known manner.
Moreover, the water saving device Elushing mechanism provides the option to the user of terminating the flushing cycle upon deciding that a su~ficient amount oE water has been discharged to evacuate the toilet bowl. By manually counter rotating the Elush handle 42, the lift arm 80 acting through the rod 92 Eorces the flapper valve 26 into the closed position, covering the outlet opening 22 with water still present in the tank 10. Thus the user has full control over the amount of water utilized in the flush cycle.
f 209~233 75155-l The rod 92 actiny from above the flapper valve 26 transEers the force applied to ~otate the Elush handle 42 to the Elapper valve 26, to either :Lift or lower it, depending on the direction of rotation of the handle 42. Figures 2 and 3 show the optimal orientatlon of the rod 92 in relation to its respective connection points w~th the lift arm 80 and flapper valve 26. To facilitate the transEer of force and reliable operation of this flushing device, it is preferred that the rod 92 be angled between EiEteen and thirty degrees to the vertical so that its upper end, connected to the clip 90, lies with respect to the ~lapper valve 26 rearwardly in relation to where il:s lower end ;.s connected to lug 34 of the flapper valve 26. Ideall.y, the rod 92 should be suspended such that its upper end is located at a position between boundaries defined by respective vertical planes containing the ~ -~
mounting arms 32 of the flapper valve 26. The second portion 84 . ` .
of liEt arm 80 can be pivoted at the Eastener 86, and the clip 90 can be slid along the length o:E the second portion 84 in order to achieve the desired tilt and direction oE the rod 92.
However, in some water tanks, depending on the orientation of the flapper valve 26, it may not be possible to position the rod 92 at a fifteen to thirty degree tilt or suspend the rod 92 such that its upper end is ~ocated at a position between boundaries defined by respective vertical planes containing the mounting arms 32, so that force applied through the rod 92 to lower the flapper valve 26 may tend to cause latcral movement or twisting of the flapper valve 26 about its mounting 2~9~3~
arms 32. Lateral movement or shifting may ~sufEiciently displace the Elapper valve 26 from its alignment with the outlet opening 22 and the valve 26 can not be properly returned to seal the outlet opening 22, resulting in non reliable operation. Therefore, in order to inhibit latera] movement, reinforcing sleeves 108 are provided on the mounting arms 32 of the Elapper valve 26, making the arms more rigid and thereby decreasing the tendency for the flapper valve 26 to shift laterally or twist. Each sleeve 108, being generally U-shaped in cross section and made oE a thin resilient metal, is slipped over a respective mounting arm 32 and its side walls are squeezed together so as to snugly hold the arm 32.
Illustrated in Figure 4 is another configuration of a -water tank for a different type of flush toilet. This is a representation of a typical American Standard (Trademark) flushing system, wherein the overflow pipe is ofEset from the outlet opening 22 towards the rear wall llO of the water tank lO and the lift arm 80 is shown extending towards the rear wall llO of the tank. By pivoting the second portion 84 of liEt arm 80 at fastener ~6, the free end 88 of the liEt arm 80 can be placed in the desired position above the Elapper valve 26. The clip 60 can be slid to an optimal point along ~hc scconc~ portion 84 oE the liEt arm 80, so that the upper end oE the rod 92 is rearward of its connection to lug 34 at the ~ nt oE the flapper valve 2-to the extent p~ le~ ir~ e wi~h the outward ex~ension of the mounting arms 32. Thus the adjustability of the water saving -2~9~233 75155-l device allows it to be readily retrofitted to many types of flush toilet~s.
In variant embodiments, the lift arm can be a sub.stantially straight arm rather than con~isting of two portions, but it must be directed somewhat downward from the pivotal connection to the flush handle, so as to have its free end sus~ended at a suitably low level to provide a swin~ range capable oE lifting the flapper valve from a closed position to a fully opened position.
The rod 92 may be telescopically extendible for -retroEi.tting the water saving device in diEferent types oE flush ~.
toilets whose water tanks may have heights which vary between 8 and lO inches. The extendability of the rod 92 in conjunction I with the slldable clip 90 and means for setti.ng the angle at which ! the lift arm 80 horizontally extends readily adapts the water saving device to accommodate many water tank confi~urations.
Alternatively, the first portion 82 of the liEt arm 80 may inc].ude means Eor adjusting it.s vertical length, such as by formlng the first portion 82 with two sections (not shown) which are telescopically extendible, in order to Eit dif:Eerent si7es oE
water tanks. Also, a number oE throuyh holes along the length of the second portion 84 of the l;Et arm 80 can be utili7ed instead oE the slidable clip 90.
In a further variant embodiment oE the water saving device, a weighted float may be secured to the rod at a selected position along its length. In operation, a flush cycle is `3 !
^ ~9~233 75155-l initiated by pivoting the handle downward which raises the f]apper valve, and water Elows Erom the tank into the toilet bowl through the outlet openlng. The buoyancy oE the float maintains the -~
Elapper valve in the opened position and therefore it is not necessary Eor the flapper valve to have any buoyancy characteristic oE its own.
As water flows Erom the tank, the water level drops and the Eloat lowers. Eventually the water level will reach a point where the float is no longer Eully submerged and moves downward with the level of water, restoring the Elapper valve to the closed position. The level of water at which the float begins its descent is varied by adjusting the position of the float along the length oE the rod.
Claims (24)
1. A water saving device for a flush toilet which includes a water tank with a bottom having an outlet opening therein, a flapper valve that has a closed position covering the outlet opening, and a flush handle to be pivotally mounted on the water tank, the device comprising:
a lift arm directly connected at one end to the handle to be pivoted thereby, the arm having a free end to be positioned generally above the flapper valve;
a rod having an upper end and a lower end;
first means for flexibly connecting the lower end of the rod to the flapper valve; and second means for flexibly connecting the upper end of the rod to the free end of the arm, such that in use pivotal movement of the flush handle in one direction, initiating a flush cycle, pivots the lift arm and, through the rod, raises the flapper valve to an open position to permit discharge of water from the tank, the open position being maintained by buoyancy means operatively associated with the flapper valve while the buoyancy means remains submerged by the water within the tank, and pivotal movement of the handle in the opposite direction acting through the lift arm to cause downward movement of the rod thus restoring the flapper valve into its closed position.
a lift arm directly connected at one end to the handle to be pivoted thereby, the arm having a free end to be positioned generally above the flapper valve;
a rod having an upper end and a lower end;
first means for flexibly connecting the lower end of the rod to the flapper valve; and second means for flexibly connecting the upper end of the rod to the free end of the arm, such that in use pivotal movement of the flush handle in one direction, initiating a flush cycle, pivots the lift arm and, through the rod, raises the flapper valve to an open position to permit discharge of water from the tank, the open position being maintained by buoyancy means operatively associated with the flapper valve while the buoyancy means remains submerged by the water within the tank, and pivotal movement of the handle in the opposite direction acting through the lift arm to cause downward movement of the rod thus restoring the flapper valve into its closed position.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lift arm is configured such that in use the free end thereof is positioned below the pivot mounting of the flush handle by an amount sufficient to permit pivoting of the flush handle through a range sufficient to manually raise the flapper valve to the fully open position.
3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lift arm consists of a first portion attached to the flush handle and a second portion that includes the free end of the arm and that is adjustably connected to said first portion.
4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the flapper valve has a front end at which the lower end of the rod is connected and a rear end from which arms extend for pivotal mounting of the flapper valve, and wherein the upper end of the rod where connected to the second portion of the lift arm is positioned rearward of where the lower end of the rod is connected to the flapper valve, defining an angle of tilt of the rod with respect to the vertical.
5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the angle of tilt of the rod, with the flapper valve in the closed position, is between about fifteen and thirty degrees.
6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the rod is of adjustable length.
7. A device as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein the lift arm further includes means for adjusting the location where the second connecting means is attached to the lift arm.
8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the adjusting means consists of a clip mounted on the second portion of the lift arm and slidable along the length of the arm.
9. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the adjusting means consists of a plurality of through holes formed in the second portion of the lift arm.
10. A device as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the first and second connecting means comprise chains.
11. A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the chains are bead chains of .75 inches in length.
12. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lift arm further includes adjustment means for adjusting the location of the free end of the lift arm horizontally.
13. A device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the lift arm consists of two portions and a releasable fastener pivotally connecting said two portions.
14. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12 or 13, wherein the flapper valve includes buoyancy means.
15. A device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the flapper valve consists of a disc portion, an integral float bowl as the buoyancy means and a pair of integral mounting arms.
16. A device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the flapper valve is formed of resilient rubber material.
17. A device as claimed in claim 16, wherein each mounting arm includes reinforcing means for increasing the stiffness of the arm.
18. A device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the reinforcing means consist of a sleeve that can be fitted over and snugly hold the mounting arm.
19. A device as claimed in claim 15, 16, 17 or 18, further including an adapter member for mounting on the overflow pipe for pivotally connecting the flapper valve thereto.
20. A device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the adapter member consists of a body defining a collar and a pair of trunnions extending radially outward from the body.
21. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the flush handle includes a weighted piece.
22. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the rod is provided with a weighted float to maintain the flapper valve in the open position in the flush cycle.
23. A device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the weighted float can be mounted at any desired position along the rod.
24. A device as claimed in claim 3, further including means for varying the vertical displacement of said second portion of the lift arm with respect to said flush handle.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002094233A CA2094233A1 (en) | 1993-04-16 | 1993-04-16 | Water saving device for a flush toilet |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002094233A CA2094233A1 (en) | 1993-04-16 | 1993-04-16 | Water saving device for a flush toilet |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2094233A1 true CA2094233A1 (en) | 1994-10-17 |
Family
ID=4151483
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002094233A Abandoned CA2094233A1 (en) | 1993-04-16 | 1993-04-16 | Water saving device for a flush toilet |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2094233A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN108532736A (en) * | 2018-04-28 | 2018-09-14 | 上海同晟环保科技有限公司 | A kind of automatic sewage discharging device and its automatic pollution discharge method |
-
1993
- 1993-04-16 CA CA002094233A patent/CA2094233A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN108532736A (en) * | 2018-04-28 | 2018-09-14 | 上海同晟环保科技有限公司 | A kind of automatic sewage discharging device and its automatic pollution discharge method |
| CN108532736B (en) * | 2018-04-28 | 2024-01-30 | 上海同晟环保科技有限公司 | Automatic sewage disposal device and automatic sewage disposal method thereof |
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