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
  • E03D1/30—Valves for high or low level cisterns; Their arrangement ; Flushing mechanisms in the cistern, optionally with provisions for a pre-or a post- flushing and for cutting off the flushing mechanism in case of leakage
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
  • E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
  • E03D5/00—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system
  • E03D5/02—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system operated mechanically or hydraulically (or pneumatically) also details such as push buttons, levers and pull-card therefor
  • E03D5/026—Devices preventing overflow or locks inhibiting the use of the flushing system ; Devices preventing sucking-up of sealing and flushing water

Definitions

• This invention relates to cisterns, of the kind comprising vessels which are adapted to be repeatedly filled with liquid to a predetermined high level, and then caused to discharge by the action of a human operator or automatic mechanism. It relates especially to cisterns for water closets and in particular, but not exclusively, to the kind of cistern described in Patent Specification GB-B-2205595.
• the discharge of water closets throughout the world accounts for huge quantities of water, and it is the common aim of water authorities in this country and elsewhere to promote the design and use of WC cisterns that flush efficiently and hygienically, but use the minimum amount of water in doing so.
• the present invention arises from appreciating the need for a device which prevents premature flushing more effectively, is less subject to the impairment of system efficiency just mentioned, and is both more robust, less capable of abuse, and applicable to a wide range of cisterns.
• the invention is defined by the claims, the contents of which are to be read as included within the disclosure of this specification, and includes devices as described with reference to the accompanying simplified and diagrammatic drawings.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment
• Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of parts of another embodiment, in two different positions
• Figure 4 is a section through part of a third embodiment
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment
• Figure 6 is a simplified section through certain parts shown in Figure 5.
• the syphon conduit 1, vent tube 2 and air tube 3 function similarly to the corresponding items referenced 10, 25 and 29 in GB-B-2205595, and squeeze bulb 4 is connected to air tube 3 and functions similarly to item 32 of the previous specification.
• squeeze bulb 4 is now fixed within the cistern, close to parts 1-3, instead of outside where it could be grasped and so used - and possibly abused - by an operator.
• An operator now initiates a discharge of the cistern by turning a handle 5, located outside the cistern. This handle is connected by way of a flexible cable 6, mounted within a tubular casing 7, to a piston 8 working within a cylinder 9.
• a gate 10 is pivoted at 11 to the fixed structure 12 of the cistern, and carries a float 13. Alternatively these parts could easily be rearranged, if desired, so that the pivot 11 was mounted on structure integral with or fixed to the structure of the syphon conduit 1, rather than the structure of the cistern.
• Figure 2 shows float 13 and arm 17 in the raised position they will occupy when valve 18 is shut and the cistern is full enough to deliver an effective flush, so that gate 10 is raised too allowing pistons 14 and 15 to contact. Adjacent mechanical components within the linkage between handle 5 and bulb 4 are therefore uninterrupted.
• Figure 3 shows arm 17 in the lower position it occupies when the cistern water level and the float 13 have fallen, and gate 10 prevents contact between pistons 14 and 15 and so interrupts and disables the linkage.
• downstream end of the mechanical linkage shown in Figures 2 and 3 could be attached to a bell valve or other conventional flush-initiating device, as shown for instance associated with an alternative linkage in Figures 5 and 6, instead of co-operating with a squeeze bulb in the manner more appropriate for the particular kind of cistern shown in Figure 1 and described in more detail in Specification GB-B-2205595.
• valve 18 will be open and admitting water to re-fill the cistern.
• valve 18 and cylinders 14a and 15a were all mounted on the surface of the structure of syphon conduit 1, or even were moulded or otherwise formed integrally with that conduit.
• pistons 14 and 15, as shown in Figures 2 and 3 are mounted within a common cylinder 20, mounted with its axis 21 horizontal, and formed with small holes 22 and 23 in its side wall 24.
• the cylinder 20 may again be mounted on the structure of syphon conduit 1 and should be in such a location that the upper hole 22 lies just below the water level when the cistern is full enough to deliver an effective flush.
• Cylinder 20 will then be full of water, and when piston 14 is operated by handle 5, the force exerted by 14 is transmitted to 15 by the water between them, because the water is substantially incompressible and cannot escape from the cylinder so as to leave gas-filled voids behind. That force is then transmitted to the bulb 4 or other flush initiating device by the cable 16. However when a flush begins and the cistern water level falls, first hole 22 and then hole 23 become open to atmosphere, and the water within cylinder 20 drains out by way of hole 23. If handle 5 is now turned, so moving the piston 14, the air within the cylinder exits readily through holes 22 and 23 as 14 advances, and no substantial force is transferred to piston 15.
• FIG. 5 and 6 The further embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 5 and 6 includes a traditional heavy syphon piston (or "bell") 30 movable within a bell housing 31.
• a piston shaft 32 makes a pivoted connection at 33 to a first member 34 of the linkage (indicated generally at 35) connecting the piston to the operating handle 5.
• a second linkage member 36 which slides telescopically within the first member 34, is pivoted at 37 to a lever 38, which is in turn connected to the handle 5 (not shown in Figure 5 or 6) by a square-section rod 39 or similar conventional means.
• a latch 40 is pivoted to member 34 at 41 and carries a float 42. As Figure 6 shows best, latch 40 also presents a catch 43, and member 36 is formed with a co-operating notch 44.
• line 46 indicates the full cistern water level. If the cistern is full, float 42 is well below the water surface, thus holding catch 43 and notch 44 firmly engaged. High water level 46 should be chosen so that when handle 5 starts to turn to raise piston 30 fully, and so initiate a flush, float 42 will still be below the water level. Once the flush begins, and handle 5 is still held turned, the water level will fall and leave the float in air, but the considerable weight of the piston will ensure that catch 43 and notch 44 remain engaged by friction, thus maintaining linkage members 34 and 36 in their operative relationship.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
• Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=10706718

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (1)

Family Cites Families (7)

• 1991
  • 1991-12-23 GB GB919127236A patent/GB9127236D0/en active Pending
• 1992
  • 1992-12-18 EP EP93900305A patent/EP0620883A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1992-12-18 WO PCT/GB1992/002354 patent/WO1993013274A1/en not_active Ceased
• 1994
  • 1994-05-06 GB GB9409080A patent/GB2275936B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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