EP3530823A1 - Water flushing mechanism with a system for locking a traction rod in position - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a flushing mechanism for mounting on a tank (1) of toilet water, comprising:
a hollow body (20) intended to be fixed on a lid (10) of the tank;
at least one push button (2);
- A frame (3) comprising means for closing (30) a hole (11) of water passage formed in a bottom (12) of the tank;
- A transmission mechanism (4) between the one or more push buttons and the closure means, comprising a pull rod (42) coupled to the closure means, and a lever inverter system housed in the hollow body;
- Locking means (7) in height of the pull rod relative to the hollow body.

Description

The field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of sanitary equipment.

More specifically, the invention relates to a flushing mechanism intended to be mounted on a toilet water tank, of the type comprising means for actuating the flushing mechanism in the form of at least one pushbutton.

In the field of the invention, it is known to provide flushing mechanisms comprising a frame mounted in the toilet water tank. The frame comprises a means for closing an orifice formed in a bottom of the tank and through which the water of the tank can be evacuated. The closure means is connected by a transmission mechanism to actuating means accessible from outside the tank by a user.

According to a rather old approach, these actuating means may be constituted by a pull tab, that is to say by a gripping means at the end of a rod intended to be pulled upwards to cause the evacuation water from the tank. Thus, clearly, by moving the pull tab up, it also causes an upward movement of the sealing means of the flush and, conversely, by releasing the pull tab, the latter, and the shutter means move. downwards until the closure means resumes its closed position of the orifice formed in the bottom of the tank.

According to a more recent approach, however, which is already widely used, the actuating means consist of a push button (or two push buttons, one to release a "big hunt" and the other to release a "small hunt" ) Presented on an upper wall (in practice the lid) of the tank, so that the user must push the push button inwardly of the tank to cause a flush. Of course, in this case, it is necessary to implement a system that reverses the stroke of the push button at the closure means, so that a downward movement of the push button or buttons result in a upward movement of the shutter means, while an upward movement of the push button or buttons results in a downward movement of the shutter means.

To achieve this, a lever-operated reversing system is mounted inside the tank, this lever being pivotally mounted about an axis carried either by the frame of the flush mechanism mounted inside the tank, or by the tank wall itself or the lid. One end of the lever is connected by a connecting rod to the push button, while the other end of the lever (opposite the first end relative to the pivot axis) is connected to the closure means.

Such a mechanism gives overall satisfaction and is relatively reliable.

To install a push-button type flushing mechanism as described above, the tank lid is removed and the flushing mechanism frame is installed inside the tank. The connecting rod mentioned above, extending from one end of the lever inverter system, is thus presented above the frame of the flush mechanism waiting to be coupled to the push button.

The hollow body which houses the push button and inside which the push button is mounted is movable, is arranged and fixed on the tank lid, then the lid is attached to the tank while the installer makes sure to coincide the position of the connecting rod with the push button.

It should be noted that, in general, the flush mechanism in question is proposed by the manufacturer in a single model that can be adapted to the different tank sizes with regard to its dimensions. In contrast, the tanks can in turn vary substantially in shape and size, especially in height.

Thus, in some cases, the space available in height inside the tank is less than the height of the frame of the flush mechanism mounted in the accumulated reservoir at the height of the lever inverter system and the height of the connecting rod. It is then not possible to come to rest the lid on the tank since the connecting rod protrudes from the upper rim of the tank.

Conventionally in this type of situation, the installer adjusts the height of the connecting rod by adapting it.

However, a current trend is to want to significantly reduce the height of some tanks.

However, with the push button flush mechanisms as described above, it is not possible to reduce the height of the tank below a a certain limit, the latter being fixed by the height of the frame of the cumulative flush mechanism at the height of the lever inverter system.

In any case, the volume of water to be discharged determines the height of the entire flush mechanism mounted inside the tank, and the designer of the flush mechanism can not intervene on the height of the frame of the mechanism. The only possibility for the designer of this type of mechanism is to work on reducing the height above the frame mounted at the bottom of the tank.

To reduce the remaining height, it has been proposed to integrate the lever reversing system in the hollow body in which the push button is mounted.

Such a flush mechanism is described in the patent document published under the number FR3031527 .

• un corps creux fixé sur un couvercle du réservoir ;
• un bouton poussoir monté mobile dans le corps creux entre une position de repos et au moins une position appuyée ;
• un bâti monté à l'intérieur du réservoir et comprenant un moyen d'obturation mobile entre une position d'obturation et une position de libération d'un orifice de passage d'eau ménagée dans un fond du réservoir ;
• un mécanisme de transmission entre le bouton poussoir et le moyen d'obturation, comprenant :
  • une tige de traction couplée au moyen d'obturation, la tige de traction s'étendant au travers d'un passage inférieur du corps creux et étant mobile en hauteur par rapport au corps creux ;
  • un système inverseur à levier logé dans le corps creux, le système inverseur à levier comprenant un levier mobile en rotation autour d'un axe permettant d'inverser le déplacement en hauteur du ou des boutons poussoirs par rapport à celui de la tige de traction.

This mechanism includes:

• a hollow body attached to a tank lid;
• a pushbutton mounted movably in the hollow body between a rest position and at least one supported position;
• a frame mounted inside the tank and comprising a shutter means movable between a closed position and a release position of a water passage orifice formed in a bottom of the tank;
• a transmission mechanism between the push button and the closure means, comprising:
  • a pull rod coupled to the closure means, the pull rod extending through a lower passage of the hollow body and being movable in height relative to the hollow body;
  • a toggle lever system housed in the hollow body, the lever inverter system comprising a lever movable in rotation about an axis for reversing the height displacement of the push button or buttons relative to that of the pull rod.

Such a flushing mechanism can be manufactured and always delivered with a pull rod between the lever inverter system and the closure means, the installer having to adapt the height of the pull rod. However, the installer, has a greater margin of maneuver vis-à-vis a tank of significantly reduced height, because of the integration of the lever inverter system in the hollow body.

• de rendre opérant le blocage de la tige de traction, dans un premier temps, en réalisant une action sur le bouton poussoir pour le mettre dans une configuration particulière ;
• de réaliser l'opération d'installation ;
• de déverrouiller la tige de traction, dans un dernier temps, en réalisant une action sur le bouton poussoir de manière à le sortir de sa configuration particulière.

This mechanism also comprises locking means in height of the pull rod relative to the hollow body, for locking or unlocking the position of the pull rod relative to the hollow body housing the push button. These locking means can take different forms and allow the installer:

• to make operating the locking of the pull rod, at first, by performing an action on the push button to put it in a particular configuration;
• to perform the installation operation;
• to unlock the pull rod, in a last time, by performing an action on the push button so as to remove it from its particular configuration.

Thanks to the locking means in height, the installer will be able to set the height of the height of the pull rod relative to the hollow body, this time the installation of the lid on the tank. The ability to freeze the position of the pull rod relative to the hollow body allows the coupling of the pull rod to the shutter mechanism present in the tank (conversely, if the pull rod is free in translation, it goes back as one tries to couple it to the internal mechanism).

This mechanism has a design simplifying the height adjustment of the rod coupling the push button to the shutter means.

However, the installer must remember to lock the height position of the rod while coupling it to the internal mechanism. It must of course also think to unlock the position of the pull rod to allow the use of the flush when an action on the push button, otherwise it is blocked together with the pull rod .

This becomes all the more tedious if the installer must take it several times to perfectly adjust the height of the pull rod relative to the mechanism inside the tank.

The invention particularly aims to overcome this drawback of the prior art.

More specifically, the invention aims to provide a push button type flushing mechanism that is even easier and faster to install than is allowed by the prior art.

In this sense, the invention aims to provide such a mechanism that does not force the installer to intervene on the locking / unlocking of the pull rod during installation and commissioning of the flushing mechanism. 'water.

The invention also aims to provide such a flushing mechanism whose feeling of the user is not affected by the improvement of the mechanism.

• un corps creux destiné à être fixé sur un couvercle du réservoir
• au moins un bouton poussoir monté mobile en hauteur dans le corps creux entre une position de repos et au moins une position appuyée ;
• un bâti destiné à être monté à l'intérieur du réservoir et comprenant un moyen d'obturation mobile entre une position d'obturation et une position de libération d'un orifice de passage d'eau ménagée dans un fond du réservoir ;
• un mécanisme de transmission entre le ou les boutons poussoirs et le moyen d'obturation, comprenant :
  • une tige de traction couplée au moyen d'obturation, la tige de traction s'étendant au travers d'un passage inférieur du corps creux et étant mobile en hauteur selon un axe de translation T par rapport au corps creux ;
  • un système inverseur à levier logé dans le corps creux, le système inverseur à levier comprenant un levier mobile en rotation autour d'un axe de rotation R permettant d'inverser le déplacement en hauteur du ou des boutons poussoirs par rapport à celui de la tige de traction ;
• des moyens de blocage en hauteur de la tige de traction par rapport au corps creux,

caractérisé en ce que le levier occupe une position de blocage en hauteur de la tige de traction dans la position de repos du ou des boutons poussoirs, le ou les boutons poussoirs étant couplés au levier pour entraîner la rotation du levier et, lors d'un actionnement du ou des boutons poussoir, le libérer de sa position de blocage, le levier présentant une roue dentée centrée sur l'axe de rotation R, la roue dentée étant engrenée sur une crémaillère portée par le ou l'un des boutons poussoirs.These objectives, as well as others which will appear later, are achieved thanks to the invention which relates to a flushing mechanism intended to be mounted on a toilet water tank, comprising:

• a hollow body intended to be fixed on a lid of the tank
• at least one push button mounted movably in height in the hollow body between a rest position and at least one supported position;
• a frame intended to be mounted inside the tank and comprising a shut-off means movable between a closed position and a release position of a water passage orifice formed in a bottom of the tank;
• a transmission mechanism between the one or more pushbuttons and the closure means, comprising:
  • a pull rod coupled to the closure means, the pull rod extending through a lower passage of the hollow body and being movable in height along a translation axis T relative to the hollow body;
  • a toggle lever system housed in the hollow body, the lever inverter system comprising a lever movable in rotation about an axis of rotation R to reverse the height displacement of the push button or buttons relative to that of the rod traction;
• locking means in height of the traction rod relative to the hollow body,

characterized in that the lever occupies a locking position in height of the pull rod in the rest position of the push button (s), the button or buttons pushers being coupled to the lever to cause rotation of the lever and, upon actuation of the pushbutton or buttons, release it from its locking position, the lever having a gear wheel centered on the axis of rotation R, the gear wheel being geared on a rack carried by the or one of the push buttons.

In other words, the lever of the lever inverter system is also part of the locking means in height of the pull rod relative to the hollow body.

By "locking in height", it is understood that the translation from bottom to top and from top to bottom of the pull rod is blocked.

Thanks to the mechanism according to the invention, the installer does not have to perform any particular action to lock or unlock the pull rod from its position when the push button or buttons are in the rest position.

Indeed, the locking height of the pull rod is realized when the push button or buttons are in the rest position. In this position, the lever assumes its locking position of the height of the pull rod. The pull rod, blocked in height, then simplifies the installation of the flush mechanism.

This locking height of the pull rod is automatically achieved during the conventional operation of the flush mechanism and thus also during assembly.

Compared to a mechanism according to the prior art comprising a lever inverter system housed in the hollow body, for the mechanism according to the invention, when the push button or buttons are in a rest position, the pull rod protrudes from the body hollow, and a thrust exerted on the pull rod towards the hollow body can not fit the pull rod in the hollow body. Only actuation of the push button or buttons can effectively unlock the pull rod and cause it to rise inside the hollow body.

Thus, when the pull rod is locked in a lowered position, the introduction of the push button on the tank makes it possible to achieve at the same time the adjustment by making the pulling rod penetrate to the adjusted depth to cooperate properly with the shutter means. An example of installation and automatic adjustment of the flush mechanism is described in more detail later.

The mechanical link gear / rack efficiently ensures the coupling of the push button or buttons to the lever, and the lever drive during the descent or ascent of the push button or buttons.

This design also has a small footprint while having a small number of parts and being easy to assemble.

According to a preferred characteristic, the flushing mechanism comprises means for returning the one or more push buttons in its or their rest positions.

These biasing means of the push button or buttons in its or their rest positions also exert a lever return function in its locking position in height of the pull rod. Thus, the locking of the pull rod remains operative during the entire installation operation of the mechanism, or becomes operative again automatically if the installer inadvertently actuates one of the push buttons. Of course, after the installation of the mechanism, the recall of the pushbutton or buttons in its or their rest positions is used only in the context of the conventional operation of the flush mechanism.

• la tige de traction présente une rainure ;
• le levier présente un pion excentré de l'axe de rotation R, le pion s'étendant parallèlement à l'axe de rotation R et étant inséré et susceptible de coulisser dans la rainure.

According to a preferred embodiment:

• the pull rod has a groove;
• the lever has an eccentric pin of the axis of rotation R, the pin extending parallel to the axis of rotation R and being inserted and slidable in the groove.

The cooperation of the groove with the pawn makes it possible to have a feeling of degressive effort (more important at the beginning and less and less afterwards) when one presses on the push button or buttons.

The groove may be designed to increase the force on the closure means to lift it from its closed position (a position in which the water in the reservoir exerts a significant force tending to maintain the sealing means. shutter in its low shutter position).

In other words, the pin and the groove make it possible to transform the curved path of the pin (rotation of the lever) into a rectilinear trajectory for the pull rod. The shape of the groove (straight groove, curve, inclined ...), then allows to change the distance traveled by the pull rod for an identical degree of rotation of the lever, according to the angular position of the lever.

• une position haute dans la position appuyée du ou des boutons poussoirs ;
• une position basse dans la position de repos du ou des boutons poussoirs, le levier étant susceptible de pivoter à partir de la position basse vers la position haute selon un premier sens de rotation tandis que le levier est amené en butée dans un second sens de rotation inverse du premier sens de rotation,

et le levier dans la position de blocage est incliné par rapport à l'axe de translation T selon le second sens de rotation.Preferably, the lever is movable between:

• a high position in the supported position of the push button or buttons;
• a low position in the rest position of the pushbutton or buttons, the lever being able to pivot from the low position to the high position in a first direction of rotation while the lever is brought to a stop in a second direction of rotation inverse of the first direction of rotation,

and the lever in the locking position is inclined with respect to the translation axis T in the second direction of rotation.

The low position of the lever then also corresponds to the blocking position.

Locking in height of the pull rod is allowed thanks to the design of the transmission mechanism. Indeed, in the locking position (or low position) of the lever, a rise of the pull rod in the hollow body is blocked by the lever.

This blockage results from the position of the lever which is then abutted in the second direction of rotation, a force exerted on the pull rod towards the hollow body making the pull rod rest on the lever and pressing the lever on its stop in the second direction of rotation.

• permet de faire remonter le levier vers sa position haute en le faisant pivoter selon le premier sens de rotation, dans le cas où le levier n'était pas dans sa position de blocage ;
• ne permet pas de faire remonter le levier vers sa position haute si le levier est dans sa position de blocage, du fait que la tige de traction appuie alors sur le levier de façon à ce qu'il ait tendance à pivoter selon le second sens de rotation, et non selon le premier sens de rotation.

In other words, the application of a force on the pull rod towards the hollow body:

• allows to raise the lever to its upper position by rotating in the first direction of rotation, in the case where the lever was not in its locking position;
• does not allow to raise the lever to its upper position if the lever is in its locking position, because the pulling rod then presses the lever so that it tends to rotate in the second direction of rotation, not in the first direction of rotation.

According to a preferred feature, the groove has a lower track with a recess in which the pin is housed in the rest position of the push button or buttons.

In this case, the recess is part or even constitutes blocking means. This setback strengthens the lever's ability to stay in the position of blocking. Only one actuation of the pushbutton (s) makes it possible to pivot the lever so as to dislodge the pin from the recess.

According to another preferred feature, the pin has a complementary flat of the groove in the locking position of the lever.

The flat part is also part of the blocking means. It optimizes the contact between the surface of the groove in contact with the pin when the lever is in the locking position. This flat part makes it possible to distribute and center the forces exerted on the lever which is in the blocking position when the pulling rod exerts a pressure towards the hollow body (for example during the installation of the flush mechanism according to the invention). The flat part thus helps to stabilize the lever in its blocking position.

• une butée de blocage s'étendant dans un plan perpendiculaire à l'axe de translation T de la tige de traction ;
• un logement complémentaire de la butée de blocage,

l'un du levier ou du corps creux présentant la butée de blocage, l'autre du levier ou du corps creux présentant le logement, la butée de blocage et le logement coopérant ensemble dans la position de repos du ou des boutons poussoirs pour bloquer en hauteur de la tige de traction.According to a preferred embodiment, the blocking means comprise:

• a locking stop extending in a plane perpendicular to the translation axis T of the pull rod;
• a housing complementary to the blocking stop,

one of the lever or the hollow body having the locking stop, the other of the lever or hollow body having the housing, the locking stop and the housing cooperating together in the rest position of the push button or buttons to lock in height of the pull rod.

This locking stop and this complementary housing induce or increase the capacity of the lever to lock in position the pull rod.

Indeed, a force applied to the traction rod while the lever is in its locking position produces a plane support connection between the locking abutment and one of the surface of the housing which is adapted to prevent or at least greatly limit the ability of the lever to rotate around its axis of rotation.

Advantageously, the groove extends perpendicularly to the translation axis T of the pull rod.

The realization of the groove is thus simplified.

In addition, the design of the groove facilitates the lifting of the sealing means.

Indeed, the stroke of the pawn describes an arc and does not go up or down from the same height depending on whether the lever is approaching a horizontal position or a vertical position.

• la figure 1 est une vue d'ensemble en coupe d'un réservoir de toilette équipé d'un mécanisme de chasse d'eau à bouton poussoir selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue éclatée du bouton poussoir, du corps creux et du mécanisme de transmission ;
• les figures 3a, 3b et 3c sont des vues en coupe illustrant le mécanisme de transmission selon respectivement, le cas où les boutons poussoirs sont dans une position de repos, le cas où les boutons poussoirs sont partiellement enfoncés, et le cas où les boutons poussoirs sont complètement enfoncés ;
• les figures 4a, 4b et 4c sont des vues en coupe selon un angle de vue opposé à celui des figures 3a, 3b et 3c
• les figures 5a et 5b sont des vues en coupe selon deux angles de vue opposés du mécanisme de transmission selon un deuxième mode de réalisation ;
• la figure 6 est une vue en coupe du mécanisme de transmission selon un premier mode de réalisation correspondant à celui des figures 3a, 3b et 3c ;
• la figure 7 est une vue en coupe du mécanisme de transmission selon un troisième mode de réalisation ;
• la figure 8 est une vue en coupe du mécanisme de transmission selon un quatrième mode de réalisation ;
• la figure 9 est une vue en coupe du mécanisme de transmission selon un quatrième mode de réalisation ;
• les figures 10, 11 et 12 sont des vues en coupe et en perspective selon des angles de vue différents du mécanisme de transmission selon le quatrième mode de réalisation.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of illustrative and nonlimiting examples, and the appended drawings among which:

• the figure 1 is an overall sectional view of a toilet tank equipped with a push button flush mechanism according to the invention;
• the figure 2 is an exploded view of the push button, the hollow body and the transmission mechanism;
• the Figures 3a, 3b and 3c are sectional views illustrating the transmission mechanism according to respectively, the case where the push buttons are in a rest position, the case where the push buttons are partially depressed, and the case where the push buttons are fully depressed;
• the Figures 4a, 4b and 4c are sectional views from an angle opposite to that of the Figures 3a, 3b and 3c
• the Figures 5a and 5b are sectional views according to two opposite view angles of the transmission mechanism according to a second embodiment;
• the figure 6 is a sectional view of the transmission mechanism according to a first embodiment corresponding to that of the Figures 3a, 3b and 3c ;
• the figure 7 is a sectional view of the transmission mechanism according to a third embodiment;
• the figure 8 is a sectional view of the transmission mechanism according to a fourth embodiment;
• the figure 9 is a sectional view of the transmission mechanism according to a fourth embodiment;
• the figures 10 , 11 and 12 are views in section and in perspective according to different angles of view of the transmission mechanism according to the fourth embodiment.

• un bouton poussoir 2 et notamment deux boutons poussoirs dont l'un correspond à une « grande chasse » et l'autre à une « petite chasse », destinés à être présentés sur le couvercle 10 lui-même prévu pour venir reposer sur le rebord supérieur 100 du réservoir pour refermer celui-ci, les boutons poussoirs étant mobiles de haut en bas et inversement ;
• un bâti 3 destiné à être monté à l'intérieur du réservoir et comprenant un moyen d'obturation 30 mobile entre une position basse d'obturation, dans laquelle il obture l'orifice 11 de passage d'eau ménagé dans un fond 12 du réservoir, à la base de celui-ci, et une position haute de libération de l'orifice 11 de passage d'eau (autorisant ainsi la libération d'une petite ou d'une grande chasse d'eau en direction de la cuvette des toilettes) ;
• un mécanisme de transmission 4 entre les boutons poussoirs 2 et le moyen d'obturation 30, comprenant notamment un système inverseur à levier 40, conçu pour inverser le déplacement en hauteur des boutons poussoir par rapport au déplacement en hauteur du moyen d'obturation 30.

With reference to the figure 1 , a flushing mechanism according to the invention is intended to be mounted on a tank 1 of toilet water and comprises:

• a push button 2 and in particular two push buttons, one of which corresponds to a "big hunt" and the other to a "small hunt", intended to be presented on the lid 10 itself intended to come to rest on the upper rim 100 of the tank to close it, the push buttons being movable up and down and vice versa;
• a frame 3 intended to be mounted inside the tank and comprising a closing means 30 movable between a low shutter position, in which it closes the orifice 11 of water passage formed in a bottom 12 of the tank at the base thereof, and a high position of release of the orifice 11 of water passage (thus allowing the release of a small or a large flush towards the toilet bowl );
• a transmission mechanism 4 between the push buttons 2 and the closure means 30, comprising in particular a lever inverter system 40, designed to reverse the height displacement of the push buttons relative to the height displacement of the closure means 30.

The lever inverter system is thus designated in that it makes it possible to transform a movement from top to bottom of the push buttons (corresponding in practice to pressing on the push button or buttons) in a movement from the bottom to the top of the pushbutton. shutter (causing a flush of water) and, conversely, to transform a movement from top to bottom of the shutter means in a movement from bottom to top of the push button or buttons. This therefore corresponds to a conventional use of the push buttons of the flushing mechanisms according to which when the user presses the push button, it generates a flush (the shutter means passing in the up position) while, when the closure means resumes its closed position of the water passage of the tank, so being in the down position, its downward movement causes a rise of the pushbutton or buttons in the waiting position.

• un flotteur, éventuellement réglable, destiné à stopper l'écoulement d'eau à l'intérieur du réservoir ;
• un système de surverse ;
• un culot à montage rapide ;

Furthermore, it is noted that the frame (or body) of the flush mechanism, present inside the tank, may have different constituent and functional parts known from the prior art, namely:

• a float, optionally adjustable, for stopping the flow of water inside the tank;
• an overflow system;
• a quick-mounting base;

With reference to figures 1 and 2 , the flushing mechanism according to the invention comprises a hollow body 20.

The push buttons 2 are mounted in the hollow body 20, inside which they are movable up and down and vice versa, this hollow body being designed to be secured to the tank lid. This attachment of the hollow body to the tank cover can be obtained by any appropriate means, in particular by means of a nut system.

The push buttons 2 are movably mounted in height in the hollow body 20 between a rest position and at least one supported position.

As will be detailed later, one of the push buttons 2 carries a rack 200.

With reference to figures 1 and 2 , the flush mechanism also comprises return means 5 push buttons in their rest positions. These return means are springs 50.

As shown on the figures 2 , 4a, 4b and 4c , the hollow body 20 has a lower passage 21. This lower passage is located at a bottom of the hollow body. The underpass is more precisely centered on the bottom of the hollow body and has a circular section.

As illustrated by figure 1 , the transmission mechanism 4 also comprises a pull rod 42 intended to be coupled to the closing means 30. This pulling rod is intended to pull the closure means to move it upwards and to release the passage opening. water in the bottom of the tank.

The pull rod 42 extends through the lower passage 21 of the hollow body 20. It is movable in height along a translation axis T relative to the hollow body.

• une position abaissée (figure 1, figure 4a ou figure 6), et
• une position remontée (figure 4c) à l'intérieur du corps creux 20.

As illustrated by figure 1 the pull rod 42 is in particular movable between:

• a lowered position ( figure 1 , figure 4a or figure 6 ), and
• a raised position ( figure 4c ) inside the hollow body 20.

More specifically, as represented on the Figures 2 to 12 , the pull rod 42 comprises a head 421 housed inside the hollow body 20, and a rod 422 extending from the head 421. With reference to the Figures 3a to 4c , the pull rod is movable along a translation axis T, the rod 422 being slidably designed through the lower passage 21 of the hollow body.

In the lowered position, the head 421 of the pull rod 42 abuts against the bottom of the hollow body 20.

The pull rod 42 also has a groove 420. This groove 420 is located on the head 421 of the pull rod 42 and is intended to form a pivot-sliding connection with the inverter system as detailed below.

The groove 420 extends perpendicularly to the translation axis T of the pull rod 42.

With reference to Figures 4a to 12 groove 420 has a lower track 4201 and an upper track 4202.

As explained above and according to the Figures 2 to 12 , the lever inverter system 40 is housed inside the hollow body 20. This inverter system is coupled to the push buttons 2 and the pull rod 42 so as to be able to reverse the movement achieved by the push buttons with respect to that made by the pull rod 42 and consequently to that produced by the closing means 30.

The inverter system 40 comprises for this purpose a lever 41 movable in rotation about an axis of rotation R.

The lever 41 has a toothed wheel 410 centered on the axis of rotation R. This toothed wheel 410 is engaged on the rack 200 carried by one of the push buttons 2.

In this way, a depression of the push button 2 causes a rotation (or pivoting) of the lever 41 around the axis of rotation R.

The lever 41 also has a pin 411 eccentric from the axis of rotation R. This pin 411 extends parallel to the axis of rotation R. The pin 411 has a cylindrical shape complementary to the groove 420, the pin of the lever being inserted in the groove and being slidable in the groove. The pin and the groove thus form a pivot-sliding connection. The pin 411 is in particular presented by an arm 412 of the lever which extends from the toothed wheel 410.

According to the principle of the invention, the lever occupies a locking position in height of the pull rod in the rest position of the push button or buttons, or the push buttons being coupled to the lever to cause the rotation of the lever and, upon actuation of the push button or buttons, release it from its blocking position.

Indeed, the flushing mechanism also comprises locking means 7 in height of the pull rod relative to the hollow body. These locking means and the locking position of the lever allow locking the pull rod 42 in its lowered position.

With reference to the figure 1 , the flushing mechanism advantageously comprises coupling means 6 of the pull rod 42 with the closure means 30 by contacting.

• des crans 60 présentés par la tige 422 de la tige de traction 42, la tige 422 présentant en l'occurrence des crans régulièrement espacés, et
• un fourreau cranté 61, complémentaire de la tige 422, et présenté par le moyen d'obturation 30.

These coupling means are in particular:

• notches 60 presented by the rod 422 of the pull rod 42, the rod 422 having in this case evenly spaced notches, and
• a notched sheath 61, complementary to the rod 422, and presented by the closure means 30.

The notched sheath is designed to allow the insertion of the rod 422 in an insertion direction and to maintain the captive rod of the notched sheath during pulling of the pull rod in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion. In this way, the pull rod can lift the closure means.

As illustrated by figure 1 , the pull rod 42 has a rod 422 long enough to be able to adjust the coupling height of the pull rod 42 with the closure means 30. This adjustment is made during the progressive insertion of the rod 422 of the pull rod 42 through the notched sheath 61. Once the hollow body is assembled on the lid of the tank and the lid is in position on the tank, then the rod has been inserted until the right depth to allow the operation of the mechanism.

More specifically, following the previously described setting of the height of the pull rod relative to the sealing means, then the closure means is in the lower position of closure when the pull rod is in the lowered position and the one or more push buttons are in the rest position.

Thanks to the design of the mechanism according to the invention, the installation can be easily performed by the installer.

• de la réalisation du réglage de la hauteur de cette tige de traction, ou
• lors de la mise en place du corps creux sur le couvercle (le couvercle reposant sur le réservoir), ou lors de la mise en place du couvercle sur le réservoir (le corps creux étant préalablement installé sur le couvercle), la tige de traction s'accouplant alors à la bonne hauteur avec le moyen d'obturation.

Indeed, thanks to the fact that the pull rod of the mechanism according to the invention is always in a lowered position as soon as the push button or buttons are in the rest position, the installer does not have to perform any particular action. for ensure that the pull rod assumes its lowered position, or remains in its lowered position when:

• of achieving the adjustment of the height of this traction rod, or
• when placing the hollow body on the lid (the lid resting on the tank), or when placing the lid on the tank (the hollow body being previously installed on the lid), the pull rod s then mating at the right height with the sealing means.

As explained above, this installation of the flush mechanism according to the invention is facilitated by the lever which assumes a locking position in height of the pull rod when the push button or buttons are in their rest positions.

• une position basse dans la position de repos du ou des boutons poussoirs 2 (figures 3a et 4a) ;
• une position haute dans la position appuyée du ou des boutons poussoirs 2 (figures 3c et 4b).

The lever 41 is more precisely mobile between:

• a low position in the rest position of the pushbutton (s) 2 ( Figures 3a and 4a );
• a high position in the pressed position of the pushbutton (s) 2 ( Figures 3c and 4b ).

The lever 41 can indeed rotate from the low position to the high position in a first direction of rotation, and from the high position to the low position in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation.

From the low position of the lever 41, the lever is brought into abutment in the second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation.

The low position of the lever thus corresponds to its locking position in height of the pull rod.

The operation of the lever inverter system and the pivot-slip connection are illustrated by the Figures 3a to 4c .

As can be seen in these figures, a depression of the push buttons 2 causes the lowering of the rack 200, the rotation of the lever 41 about its axis of rotation R from its locking position (or low position) up to its high position, and thus the raising of the pull rod 42 from its lowered position to its raised position.

According to this embodiment, a determined angular displacement does not cause a translation over the same distance depending on whether the lever 41 is close to its low position (lever 41 facing towards the bottom of the hollow body 20) or to near an intermediate position in which the arm 412 of the lever 41 is parallel to the groove 420 (or perpendicular to the translation axis T of the pull rod).

The locking means 7 in height of the rod can be made in different ways.

According to the embodiment illustrated by the Figures 5a and 5b in its locking position the lever 41 is inclined relative to the translation axis T in the second direction of rotation.

This inclination, as well as complementarily the return means 5 (illustrated on the figure 2 ) which hold the push buttons 2 in their rest position (and the maintenance of the lever 41 in its locking position), cause a rise of the pull rod 42 is pressed on the lever 41 by pushing it in the second direction of rotation. In its blocking position, the lever 41 is nevertheless brought into abutment in the second direction of rotation, thus the raising of the pulling rod 42 is blocked by the lever 41 which can not pivot in the second direction of rotation. rotation.

In other words, as illustrated by the figure 5a , the lever 41 is inclined relative to the translation axis T in the second direction of rotation. The lever is also brought into abutment in the second direction of rotation. This implies that the lever 41, pivoting in the second direction of rotation from its upper position to reach its locking position, must exceed an equilibrium position (or intermediate position).

This equilibrium position (or intermediate position) corresponds to a state of the lever in which a rise of the pull rod 42 is likely to rotate in the second direction of rotation or in the first direction of rotation.

According to the present embodiment, this intermediate position corresponds to the position reached by the lever 41 when it is parallel to the translation axis T of the pull rod 42. Exceeding this equilibrium position causes a lift pull rod 42 pushes on the lever so as to rotate it in the second direction of rotation.

When actuating a push button, the arm 412 of the lever 41 must return to the intermediate position (in which it is aligned with the translation axis T of the pull rod) and then continue to pivot in the first direction of rotation.

As illustrated by Figures 6 to 10 and in common with these various embodiments, the lever 41 has a locking position in which the arm 412 of the lever 41 is parallel to the translation axis T of the pull rod 42.

The lever 41 is then in a state in which a rise of the pull rod 42 is able to rotate it in the second direction of rotation or in the first direction of rotation. However, the lever is directly in abutment in the second direction of rotation, the pin being end of stroke inside the groove.

The locking means 7 rotating, complementary to the locking position of the lever 41, however, allow to stabilize the lever in its blocking position in height of the pull rod 42.

• une butée de blocage 70 s'étendant dans un plan perpendiculaire à l'axe de translation T de la tige de traction ;
• un logement 71 complémentaire de la butée de blocage 70 ;

le corps creux 20 présentant la butée de blocage 70, et le levier 41 présentant le logement, la butée de blocage et le logement coopérant ensemble dans la position de repos du ou des boutons poussoirs pour bloquer en hauteur de la tige de traction.With reference to the embodiment illustrated by the figure 6 the locking means 7 comprise:

• a blocking stop 70 extending in a plane perpendicular to the translation axis T of the traction rod;
• a housing 71 complementary to the stopper 70;

the hollow body 20 having the locking stop 70, and the lever 41 having the housing, the locking stop and the housing cooperating together in the rest position of the push button or buttons to lock the height of the pull rod.

When the push buttons 2 are in the rest position, the lever 41 is positioned so that a rise of the pull rod 42 is blocked by the lever thanks to its blocking position and the cooperation of the stopper 70 with the dwelling 71.

More specifically, a support on the lever 41 along the translation axis T, coming from the pull rod 42, reinforces the cooperation of the stop block 70 with the housing 71 by creating a flat support connection adapted to stabilize the lever in its blocking position and to prevent the rotation of the lever 41 about the axis of rotation R, in the first direction of rotation.

In other words, the blocking stop 70 is an outgrowth of the hollow body which is housed in a cavity presented by the lever 41, the cooperation of the protuberance with the cavity preventing any translation of the lever along the translation axis T. of the pull rod.

This embodiment of the locking means also makes it possible not to impact the use of the push button when releasing a flush. Indeed, the user does not feel any additional resistance during the actuation push button other than that resulting from the presence of the return means and the water in the tank. There is no resistance resulting from the fact that the lever is caused to leave its blocking position.

According to another embodiment illustrated by the figure 7 , the pin 411 has a flat portion 413 complementary to the groove 420 in the rest position of the pushbutton (s) 2.

This flat 413 makes it possible to have a plane support connection between the flat portion 413 of the lever 41 and the lower track 4201 of the groove 420, when the lever 41 is in its rest position.

According to this embodiment, the flat part 413 and at least the portion of the lower track 4201 intended to be in contact with the flat part are in planes perpendicular to the translation axis T of the pull rod 42.

This design of the flat part makes it possible to stabilize the lever 41 in its blocking position when a force is exerted on the pull rod 42 so as to make it go up in the hollow body 20.

The flat and the portion of the lower track may also be oriented so as to cause a rotation of the lever in the second direction of rotation in the case where the lever is in its rest position and where a force is exerted on the pull rod to tend to make it go up in the hollow body. In this case, being in the rest position the lever can not rotate more in the second direction of rotation and locks in height the pull rod.

According to yet another embodiment illustrated by the figure 8 , the lower track 4201 of the groove 420 has a recess 4200 in which the pin 411 of the lever 41 is housed in the rest position of the pushbutton or buttons 2.

This recess 4200 creates a game allowing a tiny rise of the pull rod 42 while the lever 41 is in the locking position, allowing the pin 411 to be housed in the recess 4200.

The pull rod is thus locked in height and can not go back into the hollow body under the sole effect of a force applied to the pull rod while the lever is in the locking position.

More specifically, in the case where a force is exerted on the pull rod 42 to tend to raise it in the hollow body 20, the pull rod then slightly up and the pin 411 of the lever 41 (which is in its position of blocking) comes housing in the recess 4200. In this situation, the cooperation of the pin with the recess stabilizes the lever in its locking position because a rotation in the first direction of rotation is limited by the step formed by the recess 4200 relative to to the lower track 4201. To be able to turn in the first direction of rotation, the pawn must then be released from the recess and cross the step. This recess thus participates in stabilizing the lever in its locking position when a force is applied to the pull rod.

With reference to the fourth embodiment illustrated by the Figures 9 to 12 , the locking means 7 comprise a locking stop 70 located directly above the pin 411 of the lever 41, along the translation axis T of the pull rod 42, in the rest position of the pushbutton (s) 2.

With reference to figures 9 and 12 , in this embodiment the stopper 70 is more precisely formed by a rib 201 presented by the hollow body 20.

The rib extends longitudinally along the translation axis T of the pull rod 42.

This rib 201 has a shoulder 202 located directly above or in contact with the pin 411 of the lever 41 in the rest position of the pushbutton (s) 2.

The shoulder makes it possible to create a bearing surface on which the pin 411 of the lever 41 bears in the event that a force is applied from the pull rod along the translation axis T towards the hollow body, while the push buttons 2 are in the rest position. By being presented by the rib 201, the bearing surface created by the shoulder 202 distributes on the hollow body the stresses exerted by the pin during the occurrence of such an event.

Of course the shoulder and the bearing surface are designed (shape, orientation, ...) so as to maintain the lever in its blocking position when the push button is in the rest position and if a force likely to go up the pull rod in the hollow body is exerted on said rod.

This shoulder also has dimensions such that it completely overhangs the pin along the translation axis T, when the push button is in the rest position.

Due to the shape and size of the locking stop, this embodiment has the advantage of preventing inadvertent unlocking of the locking means in height during the installation of the push button.

This embodiment also has the advantage of being particularly robust, and in particular more robust than the embodiment illustrated by FIG. figure 6 .

Indeed, if a force as described above is exerted on the traction rod, then the stresses are exerted mainly on the rib 201 and thus on the hollow body 20, and not on the axis of rotation of the lever 41.

These different embodiments of the locking means can be combined with each other, partially or completely. Of course, certain features of these different embodiments may need to be adapted to the combination performed.

For example, the groove may have a recess and the pin may have a flat part complementary to the recess.

Claims (8)

Flushing mechanism for mounting on a toilet water tank (1), comprising: a hollow body (20) intended to be fixed on a lid (10) of the tank; - At least one push button (2) mounted movable in height in the hollow body between a rest position and at least one supported position; - A frame (3) intended to be mounted inside the tank and comprising a closing means (30) movable between a closed position and a release position of a hole (11) for water passage arranged in a bottom (12) of the tank; a transmission mechanism (4) between the pushbutton (s) and the shutter means, comprising: a pull rod (42) coupled to the closure means, the pull rod extending through a lower passage (21) of the hollow body and being movable in height along a translation axis T relative to the body; hollow; - A lever inverter system housed in the hollow body, the lever inverter system comprising a lever (41) rotatable about an axis of rotation R to reverse the height displacement of the push button or buttons relative to that of the pull rod; - locking means (7) in height of the pull rod relative to the hollow body, characterized in that the lever occupies a locking position in height of the pull rod in the rest position of the push button or buttons, the push button or buttons being coupled to the lever to cause the rotation of the lever and, in a actuation of the pushbutton or buttons, release it from its blocking position, the lever (41) having a toothed wheel (410) centered on the axis of rotation R, the toothed wheel being engaged on a rack (200) carried by the or one of the pushbuttons (2). Flushing mechanism according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises return means (5) of the push button or buttons (2) in its or their rest positions. Flushing mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that : - the pull rod (42) has a groove (420); - The lever (41) has a pin (411) eccentric from the axis of rotation R, the pin extending parallel to the axis of rotation R and being inserted and slidable in the groove. Flushing mechanism according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the lever (41) is movable between: - A high position in the position of the push button or buttons (2); a low position in the rest position of the push button or buttons, the lever being able to pivot from the low position to the high position in a first direction of rotation while the lever is brought to a stop in a second direction of reverse rotation of the first direction of rotation, and in that the lever in the locking position is inclined with respect to the translation axis T in the second direction of rotation. Flushing mechanism according to any one of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the groove (420) has a lower track (4201) with a recess (4200) in which the pin (411) is housed in the rest position of the pushbutton or buttons (2). Flushing mechanism according to any one of claims 3 to 5 characterized in that the pin (411) has a flat (413) complementary to the groove (420) in the locking position of the lever (41). Flushing mechanism according to one of Claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the blocking means (7) comprise: a blocking stop (70) extending in a plane perpendicular to the translation axis T of the traction rod (42); a housing (71) complementary to the blocking stop, one of the lever (41) or hollow body (20) having the locking stop, the other of the lever or the hollow body having the housing, the locking stop and the housing cooperating together in the rest position of or push buttons (2) for locking the height of the pull rod. Flushing mechanism according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the groove (420) extends perpendicularly to the translation axis T of the pull rod (42).

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