EP3530823B1 - Water flushing mechanism with a system for locking a traction rod in position - Google Patents

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 water tank of the toilet. The frame comprises means for closing an orifice formed in a bottom of the tank and through which the water from the tank can be discharged. The closure means is connected by a transmission mechanism to actuation means accessible from outside the tank by a user.

According to a fairly old approach, these actuating means can 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 evacuation water from the tank. Thus, clearly, by moving the zipper upwards, one also causes an upward displacement of the means for shutting off the flush and, conversely, by releasing the zipper, this one, as well as the shutter means move downwards until the closure means returns to its position for closing the orifice provided in the bottom of the tank.

According to a more recent but already widely used approach, the actuating means are constituted by a push button (or by two push buttons, one to release a "big game" and the other to release a "small game" ») Presented on an upper wall (in practice the cover) of the tank, so that the user must push the push button towards the inside of the tank to cause a flush. Of course, in this case, it is necessary to implement a system which reverses the travel of the push button at the level of the shutter means, so that a downward movement of the push button (s) results in a upward movement of the shutter means, while an upward movement of the push button (s) results in a downward movement of the shutter means.

To obtain this, a lever reverser system is mounted inside the tank, this lever being pivotally mounted about an axis carried either by the frame of the flushing mechanism mounted inside the tank, or by the wall of the tank itself or the cover. 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 with respect to the pivot axis) is connected to the closure means.

Such a mechanism gives overall satisfaction and is relatively reliable.

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

The hollow body which houses the push button and inside which the push button is movably mounted, is arranged and fixed on the tank cover, then the cover 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, generally, the flushing mechanism in question is proposed by the manufacturer in a single model adaptable to the different sizes of tank concerning its dimensions. On the other hand, the reservoirs can vary appreciably in shape and in dimensions, in particular in height.

Thus, in certain cases, the space available in height inside the tank is less than the height of the flushing mechanism frame mounted in the tank, cumulative with the height of the lever reverser system and with the height of the connecting rod. There is then no possibility of coming to rest the cover on the tank since the connecting rod protrudes from the upper rim of the tank.

Conventionally in this kind 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 certain tanks.

However, with the push button flushing mechanisms as described above, it is not possible to reduce the height of the tank below a certain limit, this being fixed by the height of the casing of the flushing mechanism cumulated with the height of the lever reverser system.

In any event, the volume of water to be removed determines the height of the entire flushing mechanism mounted inside the tank, and the designer of the flushing mechanism cannot therefore intervene on the height of the mechanism frame. 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 decrease the remaining height, it has been proposed to integrate the lever reversing system into the hollow body in which the push button is mounted.

Such a flushing 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 fixed on a cover of the tank;
• a push button mounted movable in the hollow body between a rest position and at least one pressed position;
• a frame mounted inside the tank and comprising a shutter means movable between a shutter position and a position for releasing a water passage orifice formed in a bottom of the tank;
• a transmission mechanism between the push button and the shutter means, comprising:
  • a traction rod coupled to the closure means, the traction rod extending through a lower passage of the hollow body and being movable in height relative to the hollow body;
  • a lever reverser system housed in the hollow body, the lever reverser system comprising a lever movable in rotation about an axis making it possible to reverse the height movement of the push button (s) relative to that of the pull rod.

Such a flushing mechanism can be manufactured and always delivered with a pull rod between the lever reverser system and the shutter means, the installer being responsible for adjusting the height of this pull rod. However, the installer has more room to maneuver vis-à-vis a tank significantly reduced in height, due to the integration of the lever reversing 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 means for blocking the height of the pull rod relative to the hollow body, making it possible to lock or unlock the position of the pull rod relative to the hollow body housing the push button. These blocking means can take different forms and allow the installer:

• to make the locking of the pull rod operative, firstly, by performing an action on the push button to put it in a particular configuration;
• carry out the installation operation;
• to unlock the draw rod, as a last step, by performing an action on the push button so as to remove it from its particular configuration.

Thanks to the height locking means, the installer will be able to freeze the position of the pull rod relative to the hollow body in height, this while the cover is installed on the tank. The ability to freeze the position of the pull rod relative to the hollow body makes it possible to couple the pull rod to the closure mechanism present in the tank (conversely, if the pull rod is free in translation, it goes up as we try to couple it to the internal mechanism).

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

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 of unlocking the position of the pull rod to allow the use of the flush during an action on the push button, otherwise it is blocked together with the pull rod .

This becomes all the more tedious if the installer has to go through it several times to perfectly adjust the height of the pull rod relative to the mechanism internal to the tank.

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

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

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

The invention also aims to provide such a flushing mechanism whose user feeling is not impacted 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,
• le levier occupant 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 poussoirs, le libérer de sa position de blocage, le mécanisme de chasse d'eau caractérisé en ce que le levier présente 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 subsequently, 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 tank cover
• at least one push button mounted movable in height in the hollow body between a rest position and at least one pressed position;
• a frame intended to be mounted inside the tank and comprising a shutter means movable between a shutter position and a position for releasing a water passage orifice formed in a bottom of the tank;
• a transmission mechanism between the push button (s) and the shutter means, comprising:
  • a traction rod coupled to the closure means, the traction 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 lever reverser system housed in the hollow body, the lever reverser system comprising a lever movable in rotation about an axis of rotation R making it possible to reverse the displacement in height of the push button (s) relative to that of the rod traction;
• means for blocking the height of the traction rod relative to the hollow body,
• the lever occupying a locking position in height of the pull rod in the rest position of the push button (s), the button (s) pushers being coupled to the lever to cause the lever to rotate and, when the push button or buttons are actuated, release it from its blocking position, the flushing mechanism characterized in that the lever has a centered toothed wheel on the axis of rotation R, the toothed wheel being meshed on a rack carried by the or one of the push buttons.

In other words, the lever of the lever reverser system also forms part of the means for blocking the height of the pull rod relative to the hollow body.

By “blocking in height”, it is understood that the translation from bottom to top and from top to bottom of the traction rod is blocked.

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

In fact, the blocking in height of the traction rod takes place as soon as the push button or buttons are in the rest position. In this position, the lever assumes its position of blocking the height of the draw rod. The draw rod, locked in height, then simplifies the installation of the flushing mechanism.

This locking in height of the pull rod is carried out automatically during the conventional operation of the flushing mechanism and thus also during assembly.

Compared to a mechanism according to the prior art comprising a lever reversing 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 traction rod protrudes from the body hollow, and a push exerted on the pull rod in the direction of the hollow body cannot bring the pull rod into the hollow body. Only an actuation of the push button (s) can effectively unlock the pull rod and cause it to go back up inside the hollow body.

Thus, when the draw rod is blocked in a lowered position, the positioning of the push button on the reservoir makes it possible at the same time to adjust by making the draw rod penetrate to the adjusted depth to cooperate properly with the obturation means. An example of installation and automatic adjustment of the flushing mechanism is described in more detail below.

The mechanical gear wheel / rack link effectively ensures the coupling of the push button (s) to the lever, as well as the drive of the lever during the descent or ascent of the push button (s).

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 push button or buttons to its or their rest positions.

These return means of the push button (s) in its rest position (s) also exert a function of returning the lever to its locking position in height of the traction rod. Thus, the locking of the pull rod remains operative during the entire installation operation of the mechanism, or becomes automatically operative again if the installer inadvertently actuates one of the push buttons. Of course, after the installation of the mechanism, the recall of the push button or buttons in its or their rest positions is used only in the context of the conventional operation of the flushing 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 capable of sliding in the groove.

The cooperation of the groove with the pin allows a feeling of decreasing effort (more important at the start and less and less thereafter) when pressing the push button (s).

The groove can be designed so as to increase the force exerted on the closure means to lift it from its closure position (position in which the water present in the reservoir exerts a significant force tending to maintain the means d shutter in its lower 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 straight path for the traction rod. The shape of the groove (straight groove, curved, inclined, etc.) then makes it possible to modify the distance traveled by the draw 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 pressed position of the push button or buttons;
• 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 into abutment in a second direction of rotation opposite of the first direction of rotation,

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

The lower position of the lever then also corresponds to the locking position.

The locking of the draw rod in height is allowed thanks to the design of the transmission mechanism. In fact, in the blocking position (or low position) of the lever, a rise of the traction rod in the hollow body is blocked by the lever.

This blocking results from the position of the lever which is then in abutment in the second direction of rotation, a force being exerted on the traction rod in the direction of the hollow body making the traction 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 the lever to be raised to its high position by rotating it in the first direction of rotation, in the case where the lever was not in its locked position;
• does not allow the lever to go back to its high position if the lever is in its locked position, because the pull rod then presses on the lever so that it tends to pivot in the second direction of rotation, not according to the first direction of rotation.

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

In this case, the step is part of, or even constitutes, blocking means. This recess reinforces the ability of the lever to remain in the position of blocking. Only an actuation of the push button (s) makes it possible to pivot the lever so as to dislodge the pin from the offset.

According to another preferred characteristic, 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 locked position. This flat allows to distribute and center the forces exerted on the lever which is in the locked position when the pull rod exerts a pressure towards the hollow body (for example during the installation of the flushing mechanism according to the invention). The flat part thus helps to stabilize the lever in its locked 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 blocking stop extending in a plane perpendicular to the translation axis T of the traction rod;
• a complementary housing for the locking stop,

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

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

Indeed, a force applied to the pull rod while the lever is in its locking position produces a plane support connection between the locking stop and one of the housing surfaces 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 perpendicular to the translation axis T of the traction rod.

The production of the groove is thus simplified.

In addition, the design of the groove makes it easier to lift the closure means.

Indeed, the stroke of the pin describes an arc of a circle and does not go up or down by the same height depending on whether the lever approaches 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 characteristics 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 of the appended drawings among which:

• the figure 1 is an overall sectional view of a toilet tank equipped with a push button flushing 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 of view opposite to that of Figures 3a, 3b and 3c
• the Figures 5a and 5b are sectional views from two opposite viewing 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 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 sectional and perspective views from different view angles 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 "large flush" and the other to a "small flush", intended to be presented on the cover 10 itself intended to come to rest on the upper edge 100 of the tank to close it, the push buttons being movable from top to bottom and vice versa;
• a frame 3 intended to be mounted inside the tank and comprising a shutter 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 of it, and a high position for releasing the orifice 11 for the passage of water (thus authorizing the release of a small or large flush in the direction of the toilet bowl );
• a transmission mechanism 4 between the pushbuttons 2 and the shutter means 30, comprising in particular a lever reverser system 40, designed to reverse the height movement of the push buttons relative to the height movement of the shutter means 30.

The lever reversing 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 (s)) in a movement from bottom to top of the means d 'obturation (resulting in flushing) and, conversely, transforming a movement from top to bottom of the shutter means into 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 high position) while, when the shutter means returns to its shutter position of the orifice for the passage of water from the reservoir, therefore being in the low position, its movement downward causes the push-button or push-buttons to go back up to the standby 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 flushing mechanism, present inside the tank, may have different constituent and functional parts known from the prior art, namely:

• a float, possibly adjustable, intended to stop the flow of water inside the tank;
• an overflow system;
• a quick-mount 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 from top to bottom and vice versa, this hollow body being designed to be secured to the cover of the tank. This fixing of the hollow body to the cover of the tank can be obtained by any suitable means, in particular using a nut system.

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

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

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

As shown in 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 lower passage 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 shutter means 30. This pull rod is intended to pull the shutter means to move it in height and free the passage orifice d water in the bottom of the tank.

The traction rod 42 extends through the lower passage 21 of the hollow body 20. It is movable in height along an axis of translation 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 traction 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 shown in the figures 2 to 12 , the traction rod 42 comprises a head 421 housed inside the hollow body 20, and a rod 422 extending from the head 421. With reference to figures 3a to 4c , the pull rod is movable along a translation axis T, the rod 422 being designed to slide through the lower passage 21 of the hollow body.

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

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

The groove 420 extends perpendicular to the translation axis T of the traction rod 42.

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

As previously explained and according to figures 2 to 12 , the lever reversing system 40 is housed inside the hollow body 20. This reversing system is coupled to the push buttons 2 and to the pull rod 42 so as to be able to reverse the movement produced by the push buttons relative to that produced by the traction rod 42 and consequently to that produced by the closure means 30.

The reversing system 40 for this purpose comprises 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 meshed with the rack 200 carried by one of the push buttons 2.

In this way, pressing the push button 2 causes the lever 41 to rotate (or pivot) around the axis of rotation R.

The lever 41 also has a pin 411 offset 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 capable of sliding 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 position for blocking the 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 lever to rotate. and, when the push button or buttons are actuated, 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 blocking means and the blocking position of the lever make it possible to block 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 traction rod 42, the rod 422 in this case having regularly 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 a direction of insertion and to keep the captive rod of the notched sheath during the pulling of the traction rod in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion. In this way, the pull rod makes it possible to raise the closure means.

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

More specifically, following the previously described adjustment of the height of the pull rod relative to the shutter means, then the shutter means is in the low shutter position 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 carried out easily 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.

In fact, thanks to the fact that the traction 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, then the installer does not have to perform any particular action. for make sure that the draw rod assumes its lowered position, or remains in its lowered position when:

• carrying out the adjustment of the height of this traction rod, or
• during the installation of the hollow body on the cover (the cover resting on the tank), or during the installation of the cover on the tank (the hollow body being previously installed on the cover), the traction rod s then coupling at the right height with the sealing means.

As explained above, this installation of the flushing 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 movable between:

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

The lever 41 can in fact pivot 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 position for locking the height of the draw rod.

The operation of the lever reverser system and the pivot-slide connection are illustrated by figures 3a to 4c .

As can be seen in these figures, pressing the push buttons 2 causes the rack 200 to lower, the lever 41 to rotate about its axis of rotation R from its locked position (or low position) to its high position, and thus the ascent 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 oriented towards the bottom of the hollow body 20) or at proximity of an intermediate position in which the arm 412 of the lever 41 is parallel to the groove 420 (or perpendicular to the axis of translation T of the traction rod).

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

According to the embodiment illustrated by 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 keep the push buttons 2 in their rest position (and keeping the lever 41 in its locking position), cause a rise in the pull rod 42 to press the lever 41 by pushing it in the second direction of rotation. In its blocking position, the lever 41 is however brought into abutment in the second direction of rotation, this is how the ascent of the traction rod 42 is blocked by the lever 41 which cannot pivot in the second direction of rotation.

In other words, as illustrated by the figure 5a , the lever 41 is inclined relative to the axis of translation 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 high position to reach its blocking position, must exceed an equilibrium position (or intermediate position).

This equilibrium position (or intermediate position) corresponds to a state of the lever in which an ascent of the traction rod 42 is capable of making it pivot according to the second direction of rotation or according to 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 traction rod 42. Exceeding this equilibrium position means that a rise of the pull rod 42 pushes on the lever so as to rotate it in the second direction of rotation.

When a push button is actuated, 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) then continue to pivot in the first direction of rotation.

As illustrated by figures 6 to 10 and in common with these different 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 traction rod 42.

The lever 41 is then in a state in which a rise in the traction rod 42 is capable of making it pivot 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 at the end of its travel inside the groove.

The locking means 7 in rotation, complementary to the locking position of the lever 41, however make it possible to stabilize the lever in its locking position in height of the traction 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 locking stop 70 extending in a plane perpendicular to the translation axis T of the traction rod;
• a housing 71 complementary to the locking stop 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 for locking the height of the pull rod.

When the push buttons 2 are in the rest position, the lever 41 is positioned in such a way that an ascent of the pull rod 42 is blocked by the lever thanks to its blocking position and to the cooperation of the blocking stop 70 with housing 71.

More specifically, pressing the lever 41 along the translation axis T, coming from the traction rod 42, strengthens the cooperation of the locking stop 70 with the housing 71 by creating a plane support link adapted to stabilize the lever in its locked position and to prevent the lever 41 from driving in rotation 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 coming to be housed in a cavity presented by the lever 41, the cooperation of the outgrowth 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 actuation the push button other than that resulting from the presence of the return means and the water located in the tank. There is no resistance resulting from the fact that the lever is caused to leave its locked position.

According to another embodiment illustrated by the figure 7 , the pin 411 has a flat 413 complementary to the groove 420 in the rest position of the push button or buttons 2.

This flat 413 makes it possible to have a plane support connection between the flat 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 413 and at least the portion of the lower track 4201 intended to be in contact with the flat are in planes perpendicular to the axis of translation T of the traction rod 42.

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

The flat and the portion of the lower track can also be oriented so as to cause a rotation of the lever according to 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 bring it back into the hollow body. In this case, by being in the rest position, the lever cannot pivot more in the second direction of rotation and blocks the pull rod in height.

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 push button or buttons 2.

This recess 4200 creates a clearance allowing a tiny rise in the draw 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 cannot go back up in the hollow body under the sole effect of a force applied to the pull rod while the lever is in the locked position.

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

With reference to the fourth embodiment illustrated by the Figures 9 to 12 , the blocking means 7 comprise a blocking stop 70 located directly above the pin 411 of the lever 41, along the axis of translation T of the pull rod 42, in the rest position of the push button or buttons 2.

With reference to figures 9 and 12 , in this embodiment, the locking stop 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 traction 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 push button or buttons 2.

The shoulder makes it possible to create a bearing surface on which the pin 411 of the lever 41 is in support in the event that a force is applied from the traction rod along the translation axis T, in the direction of 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 makes it possible to distribute over 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, etc.) so as to maintain the lever in its blocking position when the push button is in the rest position and if a force capable of causing it to rise 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.

Thanks to the shape and size of the locking stop, this embodiment has the advantage of preventing untimely unlocking of the height locking means 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 the 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 one another, partially or completely. Of course, certain characteristics of these different embodiments may need to be adapted to the combination produced.

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

Claims (8)

1. Flushing mechanism intended to be mounted on a toilet 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 height adjustable in the hollow body between an idle position and at least one pressed position;

   - a frame (3) intended to be mounted inside the tank and comprising a sealing means (30) mobile between a sealing position and a releasing position of an orifice (11) for the passage of water arranged in a bottom (12) of the tank;

   - a transmission mechanism (4) between the push-button or push-buttons and the sealing means, comprising:

   - a traction rod (42) coupled to the sealing means, the traction rod extending through a lower passage (21) of the hollow body and being mobile in height along a translation axis T with respect to the hollow body;

   - a shuttle lever system housed in the hollow body, the shuttle lever system comprising a lever (41) mobile in rotation about an axis of rotation R making it possible to invert the displacement in height of the push-button or push-buttons with respect to that of the traction rod;

   - means for blocking (7) in height the traction rod with respect to the hollow body,

   - the lever (41) occupying a blocking position in height of the traction rod (42) in the idle position of the push-button or push-buttons (2), the push-button or push-buttons being coupled to the lever (41) in order to drive the rotation of the lever and, during an actuating of the push-button or push-buttons (2), release it from its blocking position, the flushing mechanism characterised in that the lever (41) has a toothed wheel (410) centred on the axis of rotation R, the toothed wheel being meshed on a rack (200) carried by the or one of the push-buttons (2).
2. Flushing mechanism according to the preceding claim, characterised in that it comprises return means (5) of the push-button or push-buttons (2) in its or their idle positions.
3. Flushing mechanism according to any preceding claim, characterised in that:

   - the traction rod (42) has a groove (420);

   - the lever (41) has a peg (411) offset from the axis of rotation R, the peg extending parallel to the axis of rotation R and being inserted and able to slide in the groove.
4. Flushing mechanism according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the lever (41) is mobile between:

   - a high position in the pressed position of the push-button or push-buttons (2);

   - a low position in the idle position of the push-button or push-buttons, the lever being able to pivot from the low position to the high position according to a first direction of rotation while the lever is brought into abutment in a second direction of rotation opposite the first direction of rotation,

   and in that the lever in the blocking position is inclined with respect to the translation axis T according to the second direction of rotation.
5. Flushing mechanism according to any of claims 3 and 4, characterised in that the groove (420) has a lower track (4201) with an offset (4200) in which the peg (411) is housed in the idle position of the push-button or push-buttons (2).
6. Flushing mechanism according to any of claims 3 to 5 characterised in that the peg (411) has a flat spot (413) that is complementary with the groove (420) in the blocking position of the lever (41).
7. Flushing mechanism according to any of claims 3 to 6, characterised in that the means for blocking (7) comprise:

   - a blocking abutment (70) extending in a plane perpendicular to the translation axis T of the traction rod (42);

   - a housing (71) that is complementary with the blocking abutment,

   one of the lever (41) or of the hollow body (20) having the blocking abutment, the other of the lever or of the hollow body having the housing, the blocking abutment and the housing cooperating together in the idle position of the push-button or push-buttons (2) in order to block in height the traction rod.
8. Flushing mechanism according to any of claims 3 to 7, characterised in that the groove (420) extends perpendicularly to the translation axis T of the traction rod (42).

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