EP1491690A1 - Flush tank drain valve control device - Google Patents
Flush tank drain valve control device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1491690A1 EP1491690A1 EP20040102958 EP04102958A EP1491690A1 EP 1491690 A1 EP1491690 A1 EP 1491690A1 EP 20040102958 EP20040102958 EP 20040102958 EP 04102958 A EP04102958 A EP 04102958A EP 1491690 A1 EP1491690 A1 EP 1491690A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- button
- frame
- seats
- plate
- pneumatic
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
-
- 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
- E03D5/028—Pusher plates and actuating mechanisms for built-in cisterns
-
- 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
- E03D5/024—Operated hydraulically or pneumatically
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Mechanically-Actuated Valves (AREA)
Abstract
The device (1) has a supporting structure (2) supporting a rocking button (3) and a pneumatic assembly (4). The structure has a frame (5) that supports the assembly, and a plate fixed to the button. The structure comprises reversible fastening unit for fixing the plate removably to the frame. The fastening unit comprises teeth projecting from a rear surface to engage respective seats formed in the frame.
Description
- The present invention relates to a device, in particular a pneumatic device, for controlling a flush tank drain valve.
- Generally speaking, a flush tank drain valve comprises a movable member fitted with a shutter which cooperates with a fluidtight seat; and, to drain the water from the tank, the movable member is raised by means of a pneumatic system connected to a user-operated pneumatic control device.
- In the case of walled-in or recessed tanks, the pneumatic control device generally comprises a supporting structure fixed to the wall and having a button for operating a lever mechanism which cooperates with a piston sliding inside a chamber to produce an air pulse; and the air pulse is fed to the pneumatic system which raises the shutter to drain the water from the tank.
- In known control devices, the mechanism connecting the button to the piston comprises numerous interconnected component parts, and is therefore relatively complex and expensive to produce and assemble. Moreover, the presence of lever mechanisms may impair operation and/or reliability of the device as a whole.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide a flush tank drain valve control device which is extremely straightforward to produce and assemble, while at the same time providing for maximum efficiency and reliability.
- According to the present invention, there is provided a device for controlling the drain valve of a flush tank, and comprising a supporting structure fitted with at least one button cooperating with an actuator of a pneumatic assembly to generate an air pulse; the device being characterized in that said button is a rocking button which cooperates with and exerts thrust directly on said actuator.
- The control device according to the invention is therefore extremely straightforward and cheap and easy to produce and assemble, while at the same time providing for maximum efficiency and reliability.
- An important aspect of the invention is that the supporting structure comprises a frame supporting the pneumatic assembly; and a plate fixable removably to the frame and supporting the button. And the frame is designed to selectively support one or more pneumatic assemblies.
- Control devices can thus be produced cheaply and easily for both single-drain valves (i.e. permitting full drainage of the tank only) and dual-function drain valves (i.e. selectively enabling full or partial drainage of the tank) by simply changing a small number of component parts of the control device to switch from one version to the other.
- Known solutions, on the other hand require a specially designed control device for each application (single-drain or dual-function drain valves), or at least comprise numerous component parts specially designed for one version or the other, with only a very few parts being common to both.
- A number of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 shows a schematic exploded view in perspective of a first embodiment of a flush tank drain valve control device in accordance with the invention;
- Figure 2 shows a lateral section, with parts removed for clarity, of the Figure 1 device assembled;
- Figure 3 shows a view in perspective of a first component part of the Figure 1 device;
- Figure 4 shows a view in perspective of a second component part of the Figure 1 device;
- Figure 5 shows a schematic exploded view in perspective of a second embodiment of the invention.
-
Number 1 in Figures 1 and 2 indicates as a whole a pneumatic device for controlling a flush tank drain valve, in particular a pneumatic drain valve (known and not shown for the sake of simplicity), which, as is known, is opened by a pneumatic actuating system acting on a movable member of the valve. In the Figure 1 version,device 1 provides for activating one operating mode of the drain valve (full drainage), so the drain valve associated withdevice 1 is a single-drain valve. -
Device 1 comprises a supportingstructure 2 supporting abutton 3 and apneumatic assembly 4.Structure 2 comprises aframe 5 supportingpneumatic assembly 4; and aplate 6 fixable removably to frame 5 and supportingbutton 3. - With reference in particular to Figures 2 and 3,
frame 5 comprises a substantially rectangularperipheral border 7 defining anopening 8; and acentral portion 9 bridging opening 8 between two opposite sides ofborder 7. Andborder 7 hasholes 10 for the insertion of screws by which to fixframe 5 to a wall (e.g. the front wall of the cavity in which the flush tank is housed). -
Portion 9 comprises aplate 11 set back with respect toborder 7 and connected toborder 7 by twoend arms 12; andplate 11 supports three substantiallycylindrical seats 13 bounded by respectivelateral wall portions 14 projecting perpendicularly fromplate 11. More specifically, acentral seat 13a and twolateral seats 13b, 13c, located on opposite sides ofcentral seat 13a, are provided;seats 13 are arranged substantially side by side and overlap laterally onplate 11; and eachseat 13 comprises aback wall 15, through which a central throughhole 16 is formed, and two diametrically opposite retainingseats 17 formed, for example, inlateral wall portions 14 or inback wall 15. - With reference in particular to Figures 2 and 4,
plate 6 comprises aplate 18, and aperipheral edge 19 substantially perpendicular toplate 18; andplate 18 has afront surface 21, arear surface 22, and anoblong window 23 formed throughplate 18 and bounded by acollar 24 projecting fromrear surface 22. -
Structure 2 also comprises reversible fastening means of any known type forfixing plate 6 removably toframe 5. For example, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the fastening means compriseteeth 26 projecting fromrear surface 22 to engagerespective seats 27 formed inframe 5; andframe 5 supportselastic members 28, e.g. flexible tongues, which cooperate withperipheral edge 19 ofplate 6 to permit engagement ofrespective seats 27 byteeth 26. - In the Figure 1 version,
frame 5 supports onepneumatic assembly 4 housed inside oneseat 13, in particular insidecentral seat 13a. - With reference to Figures 1 and 2,
pneumatic assembly 4 comprises acasing 30 and anactuator 31;casing 30 is cup-shaped, and comprises a cylindricalinner chamber 32 bounded by alateral wall 33 and by aback wall 34;actuator 31 comprises aslide 35 housed and sliding insidechamber 32;slide 35 comprises atubular rod 36 extending axially from adisk 37 fitted to anelastomeric sealing ring 38 which cooperates in sliding manner withlateral wall 33;slide 35 slides axially insidechamber 32 in opposition to aspring 39 interposed betweendisk 37 andback wall 34; androd 36 is fitted throughhole 16 inseat 13a, and has anend head 40 on the opposite side todisk 37. -
Back wall 34 has anoutlet hole 41 engaged by aconduit 42 which is connected in known manner (not shown) to the pneumatic actuating system (known and not shown) of the drain valve; andcasing 30 has retainingteeth 43 which cooperate with retainingseats 17 to fixcasing 30 toseat 13a, and thereforepneumatic assembly 4 toframe 5. -
Pneumatic assembly 4 may be provided with anoptional relief valve 45. In which case,slide 35 has an innercylindrical channel 46 housing apin 47 which slides in opposition tospring 39; andpin 47 has, at one axial end, ashutter 48 loaded byspring 39 and cooperating withdisk 37 or sealingring 38 toclose channel 46, and, at the opposite axial end, anend portion 49 projecting axially fromhead 40. -
Button 3 is a rocking button hinged toplate 6 and housed insidewindow 23, and comprises a user-operatedoblong base portion 52 substantially the same shape as and housed insidewindow 23; alongitudinal rod 53 parallel tobase portion 52; and abrace 54 connectingrod 53 tobase portion 52.Rod 53 comprisescylindrical pin portions 55; and reinforcing ribbedportions 56 betweenpin portions 55. - With reference to Figures 2 and 4,
plate 6 has a number ofsupports 57 aligned to supportbutton 3 in rotary manner. More specifically, four supports 57 project fromrear surface 22 and haverespective rotation seats 58 for click-in insertion ofrespective pin portions 55. - In actual use,
button 3contacts actuator 31 directly to cooperate with and exert thrust directly onactuator 31, in particular onhead 40, and, ifrelief valve 45 is provided, on theend portion 49 ofpin 47. When the user pressesbutton 3, which is hinged toplate 6 bypin portions 55 inserted insiderotation seats 58, rotation ofbutton 3 causesslide 35 to slide insidechamber 32 and produce an air pulse which is fed alongconduit 42 to the pneumatic actuating system to open the drain valve. - The Figure 5 embodiment, in which details similar to or identical with those already described are indicated using the same reference numbers, shows a two-button control device 1a for selectively activating full or partial drainage; so the drain valve associated with device 1a in this case is a dual-function valve.
- Device 1a comprises supporting
structure 2 as described above; two identicalpneumatic assemblies 4 identical with that ofdevice 1 described above; and tworocking buttons plate 6 and housed side by side insidewindow 23. - Each
button base portion 52 housed insidewindow 23; alongitudinal rod 53 parallel tobase portion 52; abrace 54 connectingrod 53 tobase portion 52; and twocylindrical pin portions 55 at respective opposite axial ends ofrod 53 to engagerotation seats 58. - In other words, device 1a comprises the same component parts as
device 1 described above, except that thesingle button 3 is replaced by twobuttons pneumatic assemblies 4 are inserted insiderespective seats 13b and 13c. -
Frame 5, in fact, is designed to selectively support one or morepneumatic assemblies 4, and in particular has a number ofseats 13 to selectively house one or morepneumatic assemblies 4 insiderespective seats 13; andplate 6 also has supports 57 for supporting for rotation onebutton 3 or two side byside buttons - In actual use,
buttons actuators 31 of respectivepneumatic assemblies 4; and the drain valve is activated for full or partial drainage by theuser pressing button
Claims (12)
- A device (1, 1a) for controlling the drain valve of a flush tank, and comprising a supporting structure (2) fitted with at least one button (3) cooperating with an actuator (31) of a pneumatic assembly (4) to generate an air pulse; the device being characterized in that said button (3) is a rocking button which cooperates with and exerts thrust directly on said actuator (31).
- A device as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that said actuator (31) comprises a slide (35) having an end head (40) projecting axially from the pneumatic assembly (4); the button (3) cooperating with and exerting thrust directly on said head (40).
- A device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the supporting structure (2) comprises a frame (5) supporting the pneumatic assembly (4); and a plate (6) fixable removably to the frame (5) and supporting the button (3).
- A device as claimed in Claim 3, characterized in that the button (3) is hinged to the plate (6) and housed inside a window (23) formed though the plate (6).
- A device as claimed in Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the frame (5) is designed to selectively support one or more pneumatic assemblies (4).
- A device as claimed in one of Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the frame (5) comprises a number of seats (13) to selectively house one or more pneumatic assemblies (4) inside respective seats (13).
- A device as claimed in Claim 6, characterized in that the frame (5) comprises three seats (13).
- A device as claimed in Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the seats (13) are substantially side by side.
- A device as claimed in one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the seats (13) are substantially cylindrical, and overlap laterally.
- A device as claimed in one of Claims 6 to 9, characterized in that each seat (13) comprises a hole (16) formed through a back wall (15) of the seat (13) to house an actuator (31).
- A device as claimed in one of Claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the plate (6) has supports (57) for supporting for rotation a single button (3) or a pair of side by side buttons (3a, 3b).
- A device as claimed in Claim 11, characterized in that said supports (57) are aligned, and have respective rotation seats (58) for click-in insertion of respective pin portions (55) carried by said single button (3) or by respective ends of each button in said pair of buttons (3a, 3b).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT001323A ITMI20031323A1 (en) | 2003-06-27 | 2003-06-27 | CONTROL DEVICE OF THE DISCHARGE VALVE OF A RINSE BOX. |
ITMI20031323 | 2003-06-27 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1491690A1 true EP1491690A1 (en) | 2004-12-29 |
Family
ID=30131319
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP20040102958 Withdrawn EP1491690A1 (en) | 2003-06-27 | 2004-06-25 | Flush tank drain valve control device |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1491690A1 (en) |
IT (1) | ITMI20031323A1 (en) |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE202006012664U1 (en) * | 2006-08-17 | 2007-12-27 | Viega Gmbh & Co. Kg | Actuating device for a urinal flush-mounted or concealed toilet cistern |
EP2169126A1 (en) * | 2008-09-29 | 2010-03-31 | Geberit International AG | Pneumatic activation device |
ITMI20090339A1 (en) * | 2009-03-06 | 2010-09-07 | Valsir Spa | ASSEMBLY PLATE / CONTROLLING BOARD OF A RINSING CASSETTE |
EP2476808A1 (en) * | 2011-01-14 | 2012-07-18 | Geberit International AG | Actuation device for a cistern |
DE202012002875U1 (en) * | 2012-02-28 | 2013-06-06 | Kai Rettschlag | Universal installation, conversion and. Repair kit for concealed cisterns |
EP2672029A1 (en) | 2012-06-08 | 2013-12-11 | Geberit International AG | Actuator device for a drain valve in a bathroom cistern |
EP2672030A1 (en) | 2012-06-08 | 2013-12-11 | Geberit International AG | Actuator device for a drain valve for a sanitary bathroom cistern |
EP3192931A1 (en) * | 2016-01-13 | 2017-07-19 | Geberit International AG | Actuating unit |
ITUA20163286A1 (en) * | 2016-04-20 | 2017-10-20 | Franco Tavarone | PNEUMATIC CARTRIDGE MECHANISM, FOR REPLACEMENT DRIVE SYSTEMS OF WASHING SYSTEMS, REPAIR AND IMPROVE PERFORMANCE. |
DE102017123886A1 (en) * | 2017-10-13 | 2019-04-18 | Tece Gmbh | Operation button for toilet flushing |
RU2771679C1 (en) * | 2021-08-04 | 2022-05-11 | Виорел Алексеевич Саенко | The built-in assembly of the flush button of the toilet installation |
EP4095328A1 (en) * | 2021-05-25 | 2022-11-30 | Kohler (China) Investment Co. Ltd. | Pushing force converting mechanism and concealed water tank |
US11927006B2 (en) | 2021-05-25 | 2024-03-12 | Kohler (China) Investment Co., Ltd. | Pushing force converting mechanism and concealed water tank |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4304015A (en) * | 1979-06-05 | 1981-12-08 | Geberit Ag | Pneumatic actuating device for a toilet flush valve |
US4791857A (en) * | 1987-09-17 | 1988-12-20 | Farmer Frederick M | Air valve push button adapter |
EP0924353A2 (en) * | 1997-12-15 | 1999-06-23 | Geberit Technik Ag | Device for the pneumatic actuation of a flushing cistern |
-
2003
- 2003-06-27 IT IT001323A patent/ITMI20031323A1/en unknown
-
2004
- 2004-06-25 EP EP20040102958 patent/EP1491690A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4304015A (en) * | 1979-06-05 | 1981-12-08 | Geberit Ag | Pneumatic actuating device for a toilet flush valve |
US4791857A (en) * | 1987-09-17 | 1988-12-20 | Farmer Frederick M | Air valve push button adapter |
EP0924353A2 (en) * | 1997-12-15 | 1999-06-23 | Geberit Technik Ag | Device for the pneumatic actuation of a flushing cistern |
Cited By (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE202006012664U1 (en) * | 2006-08-17 | 2007-12-27 | Viega Gmbh & Co. Kg | Actuating device for a urinal flush-mounted or concealed toilet cistern |
EP1889978A2 (en) | 2006-08-17 | 2008-02-20 | Viega GmbH & Co. KG | Actuator device for a urinal mounted flush with the wall or a WC tank mounted flush with the wall |
EP1889978A3 (en) * | 2006-08-17 | 2009-07-22 | Viega GmbH & Co. KG | Actuator device for a urinal mounted flush with the wall or a WC tank mounted flush with the wall |
EP2169126A1 (en) * | 2008-09-29 | 2010-03-31 | Geberit International AG | Pneumatic activation device |
ITMI20090339A1 (en) * | 2009-03-06 | 2010-09-07 | Valsir Spa | ASSEMBLY PLATE / CONTROLLING BOARD OF A RINSING CASSETTE |
EP2226436A1 (en) * | 2009-03-06 | 2010-09-08 | VALSIR S.p.A. | A flushing tank operating plate/counterplate assembly |
EP2476808A1 (en) * | 2011-01-14 | 2012-07-18 | Geberit International AG | Actuation device for a cistern |
DE202012002875U1 (en) * | 2012-02-28 | 2013-06-06 | Kai Rettschlag | Universal installation, conversion and. Repair kit for concealed cisterns |
EP2672029A1 (en) | 2012-06-08 | 2013-12-11 | Geberit International AG | Actuator device for a drain valve in a bathroom cistern |
EP2672030A1 (en) | 2012-06-08 | 2013-12-11 | Geberit International AG | Actuator device for a drain valve for a sanitary bathroom cistern |
EP3192931A1 (en) * | 2016-01-13 | 2017-07-19 | Geberit International AG | Actuating unit |
ITUA20163286A1 (en) * | 2016-04-20 | 2017-10-20 | Franco Tavarone | PNEUMATIC CARTRIDGE MECHANISM, FOR REPLACEMENT DRIVE SYSTEMS OF WASHING SYSTEMS, REPAIR AND IMPROVE PERFORMANCE. |
DE102017123886A1 (en) * | 2017-10-13 | 2019-04-18 | Tece Gmbh | Operation button for toilet flushing |
EP4095328A1 (en) * | 2021-05-25 | 2022-11-30 | Kohler (China) Investment Co. Ltd. | Pushing force converting mechanism and concealed water tank |
US11927006B2 (en) | 2021-05-25 | 2024-03-12 | Kohler (China) Investment Co., Ltd. | Pushing force converting mechanism and concealed water tank |
RU2771679C1 (en) * | 2021-08-04 | 2022-05-11 | Виорел Алексеевич Саенко | The built-in assembly of the flush button of the toilet installation |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ITMI20031323A1 (en) | 2004-12-28 |
ITMI20031323A0 (en) | 2003-06-27 |
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