EP0578892A1 - Flushing device allowing the delivery of different, predetermined quantities of water - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a flushing device allowing the delivery, at the user's choice, of different, predetermined quantities of water. In this device, the draining of the water from the tank (1) is effected by a single valve (25, 26), the movable head (25) of which is integral with a support (21). The operating member (9) includes several elements (11, 12) acting on the same control rod (13) so as to cause the translation of the movable valve head (25). The support (21) is fitted with retaining means (32, 33) arranged opposite mutually independent blocking systems (34, 35). The presence of water generates on one and/or the other of the blocking systems (34, 35) a thrust which tends to bring about the cooperation of at least one blocking system (34, 35) with the retaining means (32, 33) associated therewith, in order to maintain the valve (25) in the open position. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a flushing device for delivering, at the user's choice, a volume of water chosen from a plurality of predetermined volumes of water.

We know that the water consumption corresponding to the use of toilet flushing devices is very high and generates a volume of wastewater often very much in excess of the amount of water that was just necessary to ensure a satisfactory cleaning of the toilet bowl associated with flushing. Indeed, in conventional type devices, each request for flushing by the user causes the entire contents of the flushing tank to be spilled, this tank being dimensioned so that, in the most difficult cases , the water flow is sufficient to ensure the evacuation of organic matter contained in the bowl of these toilets. It is quite clear that such an amount of water is considerably in excess, when the bowl contains only liquid products.

In order to save water and reduce water treatment costs by reducing the volume of wastewater, we have already proposed flushing devices arranged so that the user has the choice between the delivery of two predetermined volumes of water to the toilet bowl. However, the devices proposed to date to allow what can be called a "double flush" have always provided for the use of two flush valves (see, for example, the French utility certificate 2,372,937 and French patent 2,423,594: a first consequence of this fact is that the devices proposed cannot be easily adapted on pre-existing "single flush"devices; but, in addition, the obligation to use two valves instead of one, leads to an increase in the cost price of the flushing device. It has also been proposed, in French patent 2,420,612, to have the two flush valves coaxially, to reduce the size of the assembly; one or other of the valves is operated by the same control button according to the force of the traction applied to this control button by the user.

For the purpose of simplification, and with a view to improving the adaptability of the double flush devices on existing tanks, French patent 2,473,586 has proposed a device which also comprises two valves, the first valve being a valve of the state of the art disposed at the base of a vertical tube and the second valve being constituted by a cover which closes the upper part of the aforementioned tube. In conventional flushing devices, the tube in question is an overflow tube, which allows the evacuation of the water contained in the tank as soon as a maximum level is reached; the establishment of a cover on this tube obviously eliminates the function of evacuation of the overflow which was provided for said tube in the prior devices. The operating member comprises an axial rod which operates the lower valve and a sleeve surrounding said rod which operates the cover; when the sleeve is pulled, the water located above the cover flows through the axial tube; when the rod is pulled, the assembly of the axial tube and its cover is raised which allows the complete emptying of the tank by the lower valve. This device has, in addition to the drawback due to the presence of the second valve, the disadvantage of eliminating the overflow function of the axial tube; it is certainly planned to restore this function by vertical lights made in the sheath associated with the cover; but such lights do not have a sufficient passage section to ensure the function of overflow with safety.

The object of the present invention is to provide a flushing device capable of ensuring, at the choice of the user, the delivery of a plurality of predetermined volumes of water. The originality of this "multi-flush" system comes from the fact that it uses only one valve, like the "single-flush" devices of the state of the art and that it is therefore easily adaptable to "single flush" devices, which equip the tanks currently installed. In addition, the fact of avoiding the presence of an additional valve is a favorable element for the cost price of the device. In the device according to the invention, the axial tube associated with the valve retains its function of discharging the overflow. According to the invention, to produce a "multi-flush" device, the opening of the single valve of the device is maintained up to a determined level of water in the tank, the choice of this level being defined by the element maneuver on which the user acted to trigger the flush. In other words, the choice of flush volume is not defined by the choice of a valve positioned appropriately in the tank but is defined by maintaining the opening of the single valve until the water level has reached the desired height. It should be noted that, if it is desired to be able to choose between more than two flush volumes, the devices of the prior art required the use of as many valves as there were flush volumes to be implemented while the device according to the invention makes it possible to achieve such a distribution by keeping a single valve and by simply associating with said valve as many blocking systems as is desired for different flush volumes.

The present invention therefore has as its object a flushing device for delivering, at the user's choice, different predetermined volumes of water, this device comprising, in a tank equipped with a water inlet , a flush valve disposed at the lower part of said tank and associated with an actuating member actuable in the upper part of said tank, said valve comprising, on the one hand, a movable head secured to a support which ensures its displacement and, on the other hand, a seat secured to the lower part of the tank, said operating member comprising several elements that can be actuated independently of one another; according to the invention, each element of the operating member is capable of cooperating with the support of the movable head of the valve to cause the translation of said movable head relative to the valve seat, said support being provided with n retaining means arranged opposite n blocking systems actuated independently of one another, n denoting an integer greater than 1, the presence of water in the reservoir generating, on one and / or the other n blocking systems, depending on the level of water in the tank, a thrust tending to ensure the cooperation of at least one blocking system with the retaining means associated with it, in order to maintain in the open position of the valve, the support of the movable head of said valve, when the latter has been brought there by one of the elements of the operating member, the substantially complete flushing of the water out of the tank, causing the suppression of cooperation of all blocking systems with their associated retaining means to allow closing of the valve by gravity.

Provision may be made for the support retaining means to be projections carried externally by said support. Advantageously, each blocking system comprises a boss which moves relative to the support according to the level of water in the tank, the boss coming to cooperate with the projection, which is associated with it, under the action of a thrust of Archimedes due to the presence of water in the tank and deviating by gravity from said projection when the said thrust disappears; each blocking system may consist of a lever articulated on a shaft fixed relative to the reservoir, said lever carrying on one side of the shaft a float and on the other the boss; the branch of the lever, which carries the float, is preferably arranged to allow adjustment of the position of said float on said branch, for example by being provided with a rack while the float is secured to a pawl cooperating with said rack. Advantageously, each projection has the shape of a sawtooth, one side of which constitutes a ramp forming an acute angle with the mean line of the support of the valve head, the apex of said angle being on the side opposite to that where the valve head, and the other side of which is substantially perpendicular to said mean line of the support to constitute the support of the retaining means on the associated blocking system.

According to an advantageous alternative embodiment, the other side of the sawtooth is inclined so that the bearing force on this side on the articulated lever of the locking system generates, on said lever, a moment of rotation tending to unlock the locking system.

Each element of the operating member can be a pusher capable of being moved in translation by an action of the user, the plungers having different strokes and the retaining means being offset with respect to each other by substantially corresponding distances. to the differences in stroke of the pushers, taking account of the reports of movement transmission to the support, all the elements of the operating member acting on the same control rod; the control rod preferably causes, by a lever, an upward translation of the support of the valve head, when the pusher is moved downwards by the user; the return of a pusher to its initial position, when the action of the user disappears, is carried out under the action of at least one spring disposed inside the fixed part of the operating member.

In a preferred embodiment, the support of the valve head is a tube open at its two ends, the valve being formed annularly around said tube, said tube ensuring the evacuation from the reservoir of a possible overflow.

The device according to the invention is particularly usable for carrying out "double flushing", that is to say in the case where n is equal to two. In this case, the two levers, which constitute the blocking system, are advantageously arranged side by side in two substantially parallel planes and they can be articulated on the same shaft carried by a plate secured to the valve seat; the bosses each have a cylindrical profile, the generators of which are parallel to the axis of said shaft, the contact between each boss and its associated projection being effected substantially along a generatrix of the boss; the plane normal to the profile of the boss on the contact generator may contain the axis of the shaft articulation of the levers; the plate may include, in its central zone, a sheath in which the support for the valve head slides, the sheath being provided with an opening in its side wall for the free movement of the projections of the support; a stop integral with the valve seat can be provided for each lever placed in the release position relative to the projections.

To better understand the object of the invention, we will now describe, by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example, an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawing.

• la figure 1 représente, en élévation, un réservoir de chasse d'eau comportant un dispositif selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 représente, partiellement en coupe et partiellement en élévation, le dispositif de chasse d'eau, qui se trouve dans le réservoir de la figure 1, lorsque ledit réservoir est rempli ;
• la figure 3 représente, en perspective, les deux leviers qui constituent les systèmes de blocage du clapet du dispositif de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 représente, en élévation, le dispositif de la figure 2, lorsque l'utilisateur vient d'appuyer sur le poussoir de l'organe de manoeuvre qui commande la vidange complète du réservoir ;
• la figure 5 représente le dispositif de la figure 4 lorsque le réservoir s'est complètement vidé;
• la figure 6 représente une vue selon VI-VI de la figure 5 ;
• la figure 7 représente, en perspective, une vue de détail des saillies et bossages du dispositif selon l'invention dans la position où ils se trouvent sur la figure 4;
• la figure 8 représente le dispositif de la figure 2 après que l'utilisateur ait appuyé sur le poussoir qui, correspond à la vidange d'une partie seulement du réservoir;
• la figure 9 représente, en perspective et en détail, les saillies et bossages du dispositif selon l'invention dans la position où ils se trouvent sur la figure 8 ;
• la figure 10 représente le dispositif de la figure 8 lorsque la vidange partielle du réservoir a été effectuée et que le clapet s'est refermé ;
• la figure 11 représente, en perspective partielle, le clapet du dispositif et les leviers constituant les systèmes de blocage.
• la figure 12, enfin, est un schéma d'une variante de réalisation des saillies en dents de scie.

On this drawing :

• Figure 1 shows, in elevation, a flush tank comprising a device according to the invention;
• Figure 2 shows, partially in section and partially in elevation, the flushing device, which is located in the tank of Figure 1, when said tank is filled;
• Figure 3 shows, in perspective, the two levers which constitute the valve blocking systems of the device of Figure 2;
• FIG. 4 represents, in elevation, the device of FIG. 2, when the user has just pressed on the pusher of the operating member which controls the complete emptying of the tank;
• Figure 5 shows the device of Figure 4 when the tank is completely emptied;
• Figure 6 shows a view along VI-VI of Figure 5;
• 7 shows, in perspective, a detailed view of the projections and bosses of the device according to the invention in the position where they are in Figure 4;
• Figure 8 shows the device of the Figure 2 after the user has pressed the button which corresponds to the emptying of only part of the tank;
• Figure 9 shows, in perspective and in detail, the projections and bosses of the device according to the invention in the position where they are in Figure 8;
• FIG. 10 represents the device of FIG. 8 when the partial emptying of the tank has been carried out and the valve has closed;
• FIG. 11 represents, in partial perspective, the valve of the device and the levers constituting the blocking systems.
• Figure 12, finally, is a diagram of an alternative embodiment of the sawtooth projections.

Referring to the drawing, it can be seen that the toilet flush tank has been designated by 1 and the cover 2 with which this tank is fitted. The reservoir 1 is supplied with water by a pipe 3; the water supply is controlled by a tap 4 associated with a float 5 to maintain a constant level in the tank. The tank 1 feeds by a valve designated by 6 as a whole a pipe 7, which is connected to a toilet bowl 8. The operation of the flushing tank is carried out by means of an operating member 9 disposed above the cover 2, substantially on the axis of the valve 6.

The operating member 9 comprises a fixed part 10 and two movable pushers 11 and 12 capable of sliding relative to the fixed part 10. Each pushbutton 11 and 12 has approximately the shape of a half-cylinder, the assembly of the two pushers constituting substantially a cylinder of circular section. Inside each pusher 11 and 12 is a skirt in the form of a half-cylinder 11 a and 12 a respectively, these two skirts penetrating into suitable housings 10 a and 10 b respectively, formed in the fixed part 10. The length of the skirt 11 a is greater than the length of the skirt 12 a so that the depression of the pusher 11 inside the fixed part 10 is carried out on a shorter stroke than the pushing of the push-button 12 in the same fixed part 10. Each of the push-buttons 11 and 12 is supported by its central zone 11b , 12b respectively on a control rod 13 arranged according to the axis of the actuator 9. Each of the pushers 11, 12 is subjected to the action of a return spring 11 a, 12 a respectively housed inside the fixed portion 10 of the body operation 9, said springs pushing the pushers upwards. The control rod 13 is capable of moving in translation inside a sleeve 14, on which the fixed part 10 is screwed; the sleeve 14 is carried, at its other end, by a connecting piece 15 crossed by the rod 13. The connecting piece 15 has in its side wall an opening bordered by two wings 16 between which is an arm 17. The arm 17 is articulated between the wings 16 by means of an axis 18 carried by said wings. The arm 17 supports, by simple support, by one of its ends, the base of the rod 13; it is connected, by its other end, to a rod 19 the axis 18 is disposed between the two aforementioned ends. The rod 19 has one of its ends curved to be hung on the arm 17 while the other end is curved to be hung on a lug 20 secured to an overflow tube 21. The connecting piece 15 is fixed, by its base 15 a , to the head end piece 24 of a fixing rod 23. The fixing rod 23 is arranged along the axis of the overflow tube 21.

The overflow tube 21 has, in its part upper, a slightly conical shape, and in its lower part, a cylindrical shape. The lower part of the overflow tube 21 is secured to an annular valve head 25 which cooperates with an annular valve seat 26. The central zone defined by the seat 26 constitutes the inlet of a pipe 27 which passes through the bottom of the reservoir and is connected to the pipe 7. The pipe 27 contains a centering ring 27 a whose radial centering arms 27 b support a socket 27 c in which is fixed the base of the fixing rod 23. The seat 26 and the pipe 27 are integral with an annular base, which is fixed with the interposition of a seal 28 on the bottom of the tank 1. The base carries two diametrically opposed brackets 29, on the upper part of which a plate 30 engages The plate 30 constitutes an arm arranged diametrically between the two brackets 29, said arm comprising in its central zone a sleeve 31, which is crossed by the lower part of the overflow tube 21. The sleeve 3 1 is open on a part of its side wall to allow free passage to two sawtooth projections 32 and 33 formed on its outer wall. Guiding and orientation of the tube of overflow 21 into the sheath 31 are provided by two ribs 31a carried by the sleeve in vis-à-vis the opening of the sheath for the passage of the projections 32, 33 and three ribs 21 a carried by the tube 21, one of which slides between the ribs 31 a . The projections 32 and 33 are identical: each consists of a ramp 32 a and 33 a respectively forming an acute angle with the axis of the tube 21, the apex of this angle being on the side of the cover 2; these two ramps are connected to the wall of the tube 21 by sides 32 b , 33 b respectively, which are substantially perpendicular to the axis of the tube 21.

The plate 30 carries two parallel levers 34 and 35, which are articulated around the same shaft 36 carried by the plate 30. The levers 34 and 35 are identical: they comprise a branch formed by a rectilinear flat 34 a , 35 a respectively and a branch 34 b , 35 b , very short compared to the previous one and forming an acute angle with it; the branches 34 b and 35 b are terminated by bosses 37 and 38 respectively. The bosses 37 and 38 have a cylindrical profile; their axis is parallel to the shaft 36; they are capable, by pivoting of the levers 34 and 35 around the shaft 36, to come into abutment against the wall of the tube 21 in which case the dishes 34 a and 35 a have their mean lines parallel to the axis of the tube 21; the levers 34, 35 each have a lug 34 c , 35 c bearing against a stop 30 a secured to the plate 30 when the dishes 34 a and 35 a have their mean lines parallel to the axis of the tube 21. Depending on whether the tube 21 is more or less pulled upwards by the rod 19, the bosses 37 and 38 can occupy different positions relative to the saw teeth 32 and 33. The saw tooth 32 is parallel to the saw tooth 33 but it is offset downward relative to the latter by a length corresponding to the difference in travel between the pushers 11 and 12 taking into account the transmission ratio constituted by the lever 17.

In the rest state shown in Figure 2, we see that the two bosses 37 and 38 are both in abutment against the wall of the tube 21 above the two saw teeth 32 and 33; if the pusher 12 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 4, the two bosses 37 and 38 are also in abutment against the wall of the tube 21 but both below the two saw teeth 32 and 33, the sawtooth 32 being supported on the boss 37; if at on the contrary, the pusher 11 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 8, the boss 37 is supported on the ramp 32 a and the boss 38 is pressed against the wall of the tube 21, the sawtooth 33 pressing on said boss 38 (see figure 9). The contact between, on the one hand, the sides 32 b and 33 b of the saw teeth 32 and 33 respectively and, on the other hand, the bosses 37 and 38 takes place along a generatrix of said bosses; provision can be made for the plane normal to the profile of the boss along this generatrix to pass through the axis of the articulation shaft 36 so that the pivoting of a lever 34 or 35 is possible without lifting the tube 21 when the corresponding sawtooth 32 or 33 is supported on the associated boss 37 or 38.

The plates 34 a and 35 have levers 34 and 35 each carry a float 39 and 40 respectively. Each of the dishes carries, on one of its edges, a notch constituting a rack and each float is associated with a pawl 39 a , 40 a respectively, which cooperates with the teeth of the rack of the corresponding dish, so that the position of the float along the dish can be adjusted at will. The float 39 associated with the lever 34 is disposed at the very bottom of the dish 34 a , in the vicinity of the shaft 36; the float 40 is disposed at a higher level, said level determining, as will be explained below, the importance of partial hunting to be carried out. It is understood that the floats 39 and 40 can be made in any way, including by using a bell open downwards.

The operation of the device which has just been described, is detailed hereinafter: the device in the rest condition shown in Figure 2. In this state, the two plates 34a and 35a have their average lines parallel to the axis of the tube 21; both bosses 37 and 38 are supported on the wall of the tube 21 above the saw teeth 32 and 33; valve 25-26 is closed. The level of water in the tank 1 is that which is defined by the constant level tap 4.

If the user presses the plunger 12 of the operating member, it causes the maximum descent of the rod 13 and, via the lever 17 and the rod 19, the maximum rise of the tube 21 (see FIG. 4 ). In this position, the valve 25, 26 is wide open; during the rise of the tube 21 the two bosses 37, 38 have slipped on the ramps 32 a , 32 b respectively and have come back against the wall of the tube 21 below the saw teeth 32, 33. When the user releases his support on the pusher 11, the sawtooth 32 comes to rest vertically on the boss 37; the two levers 34 and 35 are held in the initial position due to the Archimedes thrust which is exerted respectively on the floats 39 and 40; consequently, the support of the sawtooth 32 on the boss 37 cannot cause the lever 34 to tilt and the overflow tube 21 remains in contact with the boss 37. When the water level comes down of the float 40, the lever 35 swings under the action of the weight of the float which has no consequence for the tube 21 since the latter is in abutment on the boss 37 only. When the water level reaches the lower part of the float 39, the lever 34 swings which removes the support of the sawtooth 32 and causes, by gravity, the fall of the tube 21 and the closing of the valve 25-26 . It can therefore be seen that pressing on the pusher 12 has resulted in a total emptying of the container 1.

Of course when the tank 1 is emptied and the valve 25-26 is closed, the valve 4 allows filling it and returning to the initial position as shown in FIG. 2.

If the user presses the push-button 11, it causes the rod 13 to sink in with a reduced amplitude compared to the previous case and, consequently, by means of the arm 17 and the rod 19, a lifting of the tube 21 of an amplitude lower than that of the previous maneuver. In this case, the boss 38 comes to be positioned below the saw tooth 33 but the boss 37 remains in abutment on the ramp 32 a of the saw tooth 32. When the user releases his support on the pusher 11, the tube 21 bears on the boss 38 by the face 33 b of the sawtooth 33; the position of the lever 35 is maintained, despite the support exerted on the boss 38, due to the buoyancy, which is exerted on the float 44. The lifting of the overflow tube 21 caused the opening of the valve 25-26 so that the tank is emptied but, when the water level reaches the lower part of the float 40, which is shown in FIG. 10, the lever 35 swings under the action of the weight of the float 40, this tilting being made possible despite the support of the sawtooth 33 due to the particular shape given to the profile of the boss 38. The tube 21 is no longer maintained falls by gravity and the valve 25-26 closes. During this movement of the tube 21, the boss 37 has slid along the ramp 32 a and returned to bear against the wall of the tube 21. It is therefore seen that the support of the user on the pusher 11 resulted in a partial emptying of the tank 1 up to the level of the lower part of the float 40.

It can be seen that the device which has just been described makes it possible to obtain a "double flush" depending on whether the user presses the plunger 11 or 12 of the operating member 9; support on the pusher 12 causes a large volume flush with complete emptying of the tank 1; pressing the pusher 11 causes a small volume flush with partial emptying of the tank to a level defined by the positioning of the float 40 on the dish 35 a . This “double flush” device can be implemented in an installed flush tank since it is sufficient, on the same piece forming a valve seat 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 already fixed to the bottom of the tank 1, to put in place a new plate 30 carrying levers 34 and 35 associated with a tube 21 and an operating member 9, all of these parts constituting a transformation kit; the flush tank 1 and the seat part, which is integral therewith, therefore does not have to be modified.

It is understood that the embodiment described above is in no way limiting and may give rise to any desirable modifications, without departing from the scope of the invention; in particular, stops may be provided on the plate 30 to limit the movement of the levers 34, 35 when the bosses 37 and 38 move away from the wall of the support 21.

FIG. 12 illustrates an advantageous alternative embodiment of the sawtooth projections 132, 133 provided on the wall of the tube 121.

As in the case of FIG. 9, one side of each saw tooth constitutes a ramp 132 a , 133 a , forming an acute angle with the mean line of the support 121 of the valve head, the apex of this angle being on the side opposite to where the valve head is located.

On the other hand, the other side 132 b , 133 b of the sawtooth (that is to say the lower side) is inclined, relative to the middle line of the support 121, so that the bearing force , on this side on the associated articulated lever 134, 135 of the blocking generates, on said lever, a moment of rotation tending to unlock the blocking system.

Practically, it can be considered that the bearing force, F133 for example the sawtooth 133, is perpendicular to side 133 b. Unlocking is obtained by rotation, in the clockwise direction according to the example considered, of the lever 135 around the axis 136 located below. The inclination of the side 133 b is such that the F133 force passes above the axis 136 at a distance h (or lever); thus, the support of the sawtooth 133 on the lever 135 creates a moment of rotation urging this lever 135 in the clockwise direction, that is to say in the unlocking direction. This allows the system to function properly as soon as the float associated with the lever is no longer subjected to the thrust of the water.

It can be noted that the release path of the lever 135, when it rotates clockwise, is constituted by an arc of a circle C. The inclination of the side 133 b , defined previously, is such that this side 133 b is reading at an angle e with respect to the tangent T to the path C, at the sawtooth / lever support point. It can thus be seen that by turning clockwise, the lever 135 does not have to push up the sawtooth 133, which facilitates unlocking.

Of course, similar remarks apply to the sawtooth 132 and to the lever 134, also articulated around the axis 136.

Claims (15)

Flushing device making it possible to deliver, at the user's choice, different predetermined volumes of water, this device comprising, in a tank (1) equipped with a water inlet (4), a flushing valve disposed at the bottom of said tank (1) and associated with an actuating member (9) actuable at the top of said tank (1), said valve comprising, on the one hand, a movable head (25) secured to a support (21) which ensures the displacement thereof and, on the other hand, a seat (26) integral with the lower part of the tank (1), said operating member (9) comprising several elements (11, 12) which can be independently actuated one on the other, characterized in that each element (11, 12) of the operating member (9) is capable of cooperating with the support (21) of the movable head (25) of the valve, to cause the translation of said movable head (25) relative to the valve seat (26), said support (21) being provided with n retaining means eu (32, 33) arranged opposite n blocking systems (34, 35) actuated independently of one another, n denoting an integer greater than 1, the presence of water in the tank ( 1) generating on one and / or the other of the n blocking systems, depending on the level of the water in the tank (1), a thrust tending to ensure the cooperation of at least one blocking system (34 , 35) with the retaining means (32, 33) associated therewith, in order to hold the support (21) of the movable head (25) of said valve in the open position of the valve, when the latter has been brought there. by one of the elements (11, 12) of the operating member (9), the substantially complete flushing of the water out of the tank (1) resulting in the elimination of cooperation from all the blocking systems (34, 35 ) with their associated retaining means (32, 33) for allow closing of the valve by gravity. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for retaining the support (21) are projections (32, 33) carried externally by said support (21). Device according to claim 2, characterized in that each blocking system (34, 35) comprises a boss (37, 38), which moves relative to the support (21) according to the level of the water in the tank ( 1), the boss (37, 38) coming to cooperate with the projection (32, 33), which is associated therewith, under the action of an Archimedes thrust due to the presence of water in the tank (1 ) and moving away by gravity from said projection (32, 33) when said thrust disappears. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that each blocking system consists of a lever (34, 35) articulated on a shaft (36) fixed relative to the tank (1), said lever bearing on one side of the shaft (36), a float (39, 40) and on the other, the boss (37, 38). Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the branch (34 a , 35 a ) of the lever (34, 35), which carries the float (39, 40), is arranged to allow adjustment of the position of said float ( 39, 40) on said branch (34a, 35a). Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the branch (34 a , 35 a ) of the lever (34, 35), which carries the float (39, 40), is provided with a rack, the float (39, 40) being integral with a pawl (39 a, 40 a) cooperating with said rack. Device according to one of Claims 2 to 6, characterized in that each projection has the shape of a sawtooth (32, 33), one side of which forms a ramp (32 a , 33 a ) forming an acute angle with the middle line of the support (21) of the valve head (25), the apex of said angle being on the side opposite to that on which the valve head (25) is located, and the other side of which is substantially perpendicular to the medium line of the support (21) to constitute the support of the retaining means (32, 33) on the associated locking system (34, 35). Device according to one of Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that each projection has the form of a saw tooth (132, 133), one side of which forms a ramp (132 a , 133 a ) forming an acute angle with the middle line of the support (121) of the valve head, the apex of said angle being on the side opposite that on which the valve head is located, and the other side (132 b , 133 b ) of which is inclined in such a way that the bearing force on this side (132 b , 133 b ) on the articulated lever (134, 135) of the blocking system generates, on said lever, a moment of rotation tending to unlock the blocking system. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each element of the operating member (9) is a pusher (11, 12) capable of being moved in translation by an action of the user, the pushers (11, 12) having different strokes and the retaining means (32, 33) being offset from one another by distances corresponding to the differences in stroke of the pushers taking account of the transmission of movement ratios to the support (21 ), all the elements of the operating member (9) acting on the same control rod (13). Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the control rod (13) causes, by a lever (17), an upward translation of the support (21) of the valve head (25), when the pusher ( 11, 12) is moved down by the user. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the support (21) of the valve head (25) is a tube open at its two ends, the valve is arranged annularly around said tube (21), said tube (21) ensuring the evacuation from the tank (1) of any overflow. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that n is equal to two. Device according to claims 4 and 12 taken simultaneously, characterized in that the two levers (34, 35), which constitute the locking systems, are arranged side by side in two substantially parallel planes. Device according to claims 7 and 13 taken simultaneously, characterized in that the two levers (34, 35), which constitute the locking systems, are articulated on the same shaft (36) carried by a plate (30) secured to the seat (26) of a valve and that the bosses (37, 38) each have a cylindrical profile, the generators of which are parallel to the shaft (36), the contact between each boss (37, 38) and its projection (32, 33 ) associated taking place substantially along a generatrix of the boss (37, 38). Device according to Claims 11 and 14 taken simultaneously, characterized in that the plate (30) comprises, in its central zone, a sheath (31), in which the support (21) of the valve head (25) slides, the sleeve (31) being provided with an opening in its side wall for the free movement of the projections (32, 33) of the support (21), a stop integral with the valve seat being able to be provided for each lever (34, 35) .

Images