EP3832039A1

EP3832039A1 - Flush mechanism for a toilet tank with axial and vertical blocking

Info

Publication number: EP3832039A1
Application number: EP19383088.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Pablo FOMINAYA GONZÁLEZ
Original assignee: Fominaya SA
Current assignee: Fominaya SA
Priority date: 2019-12-05
Filing date: 2019-12-05
Publication date: 2021-06-09
Also published as: MX2020013200A; MA51925A1; CN112922105A; MA51925B1

Abstract

A flush mechanism for a toilet tank with axial and vertical blocking which comprises an elongated part fitted inside a centred hole that passes through a top base (4a) of an actuating bridge (4) of the discharger (5), in which the position of said elongated part can be adjusted in its axial direction, and where the elongated part (1) is associated with a push mechanism, which once activated moves the actuating bridge (4) of the discharger (5) downwards through the elongated part (1), and it comprises first means for axial blocking (3, 8), and it is characterised in that it also comprises blocking means (10, 20) for the actuating bridge (4), in such a manner that the negative movement of the actuating bridge (4) in the Z axis is blocked.

Description

Technical field

This invention refers to a flush mechanism for a toilet tank with both axial and vertical blocking, the purpose of which is to block and improve the adjustment of the flush mechanism of a tank, both in height and in its axial blocking position.

Previous state of the art

In the state of the art, one of the most important actions in the installation of a toilet tank flush mechanism is the height adjustment, in order to adapt it to the size of said tank, and that the range of the activation ensures that it works properly. In this sense, document WO2017/098067 describes a device for the height adjustment of a tank flush mechanism, comprising an elongated part fitted inside a central hollow that passes through an upper base of the main body of the flush mechanism, where the position of said elongated part can be adjusted in its axial direction, and the elongated part is associated with a part of a push mechanism that, when activated, moves the main body of the flush mechanism through the elongated part.
The central hollow of the main body of the discharger comprises a through-conduit limited by two facing extensions that start at the higher base of the main body, while the upper base of the main body also passes through the through-conduit. The two facing extensions are fitted inside a circular through hole formed into a clamping part coupled around these facing extensions that form a neck structure, where the exterior sides of the facing extensions are in contact with the contour of the through hole of the clamping part, which has rotational mobility around the facing extensions.
The two facing extensions have opposite inner portions that face the opposite portions of the elongated part; where, in the blocking position of the elongated part, the clamping part deforms the facing extensions, producing the axial retention of the elongated part through the inner portions that are in opposition to the two facing extensions, and where, in the release position, the clamping part does not deform the facing extensions and the elongated part enjoys axial mobility.
While this document describes a practical solution for the height adjustment of the discharger, it does not tackle the problem of the movement of the whole mechanism during its installation, given that it may suffer undesired vertical movements during said installation.
On the other hand, the state of the art also includes document EP3382114A1 , which describes a perfected device for the assembly of a tank discharger, which can act on an elongated element ending in a disc-shaped part, which can in turn connect an outer push-button to the flush mechanism of the tank which is inside the actual tank, and which is essentially characterised in that it comprises a first mechanism for the height adjustment of the elongated part, and a second mechanism for the vertical blocking of the movement of the flush mechanism. The first adjustment mechanism comprises a horizontal plate that slides horizontally, fitted with two rods that are also horizontal, parallel and protruding and have an indentation on their lateral surface. Additionally, the first adjustment mechanism also comprises four parts that work as vertical pillars, in between which the elongated part is axially inserted, while all four parts are arranged between the two horizontal rods that are in contact with their corresponding indentations. Finally, the second vertical blocking mechanism incorporates a cantilevered section, designed to be grasped.
In this last case it is clearly observed how the so-called first and second mechanisms are difficult to execute mechanically, and do not guarantee that the flush mechanism is fully secured in both positions.

Explanation of the invention

It is an object of this invention to provide a flush mechanism for a toilet tank with axial and vertical blocking that blocks and fixes in a specific position all the elements of the mechanism while at the same time making it possible to adjust it in height, especially when the height is being adjusted during the installation of the flush mechanism in the tank, or during the transportation and storage of the flush mechanism prior to its installation. This objective is achieved with the characteristics of the mechanism set forth in claim 1. Additional technical characteristics of the mechanism in claim 1 are noted in the dependent claims.
Therefore, and specifically, the mechanism of the invention comprises an elongated part fitted inside a central hollow that passes through the upper base of the actuating bridge of the discharger, where the position of said elongated part can be adjusted in its axial direction, and where the elongated part is associated to a part of a push-button mechanism, which once activated moves the actuating bridge of the discharger downwards through the elongated part, and which comprises first axial blocking means, and which is characterised in that it also comprises blocking means for the actuating bridge, in such a manner that it prevents the negative movement of the actuating bridge on the Z axis.
The blocking means of the actuating bridge, in turn, comprise two practical embodiments. The first practical embodiment comprises a blocking part that is essentially configured as a U-shaped part, which can be horizontally inserted into an overflow opening, thereby preventing the movement of all the parts of the device. In this case, none of the parts of the flush mechanism can move. Collaterally, the actuating bridge would also be prevented from moving while the height of the discharger is being adjusted.
In a second practical embodiment of the blocking means of the actuating bridge, this invention describes a blocking part that is essentially configured as a U-shaped part whose ends, in turn, are bifurcated and can be inserted into wedges in the discharger. In this case, only the actuating bridge would be blocked, but not the overflow. In any case, it would make it easier to block the mechanism while the height of the discharger is being adjusted. The blocking also prevents the wedges from becoming disassembled or lost during their transportation or installation, as will be explained in greater detail below.
Throughout the description and the claims, the word "comprises" and its variations are not intended to exclude other technical characteristics, additives, components or steps. For those skilled in the art, other objects, advantages and characteristics of the invention shall derive partly from the invention itself and partly from putting the invention into practice. The following examples and drawings are presented by way of illustration and are not intended to limit this invention. The invention also covers all possible combinations of specific and preferred embodiments mentioned herein.

Brief description of the drawings

A brief description follows below of a series of drawings that help to better understand the invention, and that are expressly related to an embodiment of said invention, which is illustrated as a non-limiting example of the invention.

FIG.1 shows a view of the flush mechanism of a toilet tank with axial and vertical blocking which is the object of this invention, in a first practical embodiment thereof; it also shows the detail figures FIG.1A, which shows the vertical blocking area and FIG.1B, which isolates the first vertical blocking means (10).
FIG.2 shows a view of the flush mechanism of a toilet tank with axial and vertical blocking which is the object of this invention, in a first practical embodiment thereof: it also shows the detail figures FIG.2A, which shows the vertical blocking area and FIG.2B, which isolates the second vertical blocking means (20).

The following numerical references have been used in the attached figures:

1.- Elongated part
3.- Facing extensions
4.- Actioning bridge
4a.- Upper base
5.- Discharger
8.- Clamping part
9.- Through hole
10.- Blocking part in the first practical embodiment
20.- Blocking part in the second practical embodiment
41.- Overflow in the first practical embodiment
101.- "H"-shaped area of blocking part 10.
102.- Base of blocking part 10
103.- Arm of blocking part 10
104.- Arm of blocking part 10
103a.- Arm end 103
104a.- Arm end 104
α.- Angle of inclination of ends 103a and 104a
X.- Horizontal axis between ends 103a and 104a
105.- Inner space between arms 103 and 104
21.- Wedges of discharger 5 in the second practical embodiment
201.- Grip area of blocking part 20
201a.- Longitudinal elements in relief of grip area 201
202.- Arm of blocking part 20
203.- Arm of blocking part 20
204.- Inner semi-circular surface
203a.- Outer tab of arm 203
202a.- Outer tab of arm 202
203b.- Inner tab of arm 203
202b.- Inner tab of arm 202
205a.- Space between tabs 202a and 202b
205b.- Space between tabs 203a and 203b
206a.- Semi-circular stop
206b.- Semi-circular stop
202c.- Inner stop
203c.- Inner stop

Explanation of a detailed embodiment of the invention and examples

Considering the numbered scheme used in the attached figures, the flush mechanism for a toilet tank with axial and vertical blocking, in the two practical embodiments thereof, comprises an elongated part (1) that can be adjusted in height and is fitted inside a through-conduit limited by two facing extensions (3) that makes up a structure configured to: (a) allow the elongated part (1) to pass through; and (b) prevent the elongated part (1) from passing through while in the blocked position, throttling the passage of said elongated part (1). The facing extensions (3) start from an upper base (4a) of an actuating bridge (4) that is part of a discharger (5) of a tank (not shown in the attached figures), while the upper base (4a) of the actuating bridge (4) also passes through the through-conduit.
The two facing extensions (3) are also configured to allow the attachment or connection of a clamping part (8), that has a through-hole (9) into which the exterior sides of the two facing extensions (3) are fitted. Said clamping part (8) is also axially retained between the upper base (4a) of the actuating bridge (4) and the outer surface of the two facing extensions (3). However, the inner surface of said facing extensions (3) are in contact with the elongated part (1). The clamping part (8) is precisely configured so that: (a) in an open position, it allows the elongated part (1) to move freely through its through-hole (9); and (b) in a blocked position, and by turning said clamping part (8), it throttles the facing extensions (3) against the elongated part (1) preventing it from moving.
Also, the described axial blocking means, made up of the facing extensions (3) and the pushing part (8), according to this invention, should be complemented with a vertical blocking achieved through blocking means (10, 20) of the actuating bridge (4), so that the negative movement of the actuating bridge (4) in the Z axis is prevented, and all the elements of the mechanism are set in a specific position that makes it possible to adjust it in height, especially when it is being adjusted during its installation, or during its transportation and previous storage.
Figure 1 shows a first practical embodiment of the blocking means of the actuating bridge. These blocking means comprise a blocking part (10) that is essentially configured as a U- shaped part, which can be horizontally inserted into an overflow opening (41), preventing the movement of all the parts of the mechanism, which is best seen in FIG.1A.
FIG.1B shows with greater detail the blocking part (10) of the first practical embodiment. This part comprises two differentiated areas or regions. The first region is the grip or handle that allows it to be inserted or extracted. This first region is shaped as an "H" (101), that is laying horizontally over a base (102) from which two arms (103, 104) emanate, and their ends (103a, 104a) are facing each other and inclined in a specific angle (α), with respect to a horizontal axis (X), delimiting an inner space (105) which is substantially circular and with an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the overflow (41), to make it possible to perfectly fit it between the blocking part (10) and the mentioned overflow (41), which is an integral part of the actuating bridge (4).
This structure presents a series of advantages. On one hand, by preventing the parts that make up the actuating bridge (4) from moving, the nipples of the overflow (41) - which is routed by these nipples through guides - are prevented from leaving their housing, thereby allowing the overflow (41) to work properly. This generally happens during transportation or installation, as the entire mechanism is not in its usual position, and as the parts are loose they can fall out of place. If the overflow (41) leaves its guides, this may entail different risk factors, such as leaks in the mechanism or it becoming blocked and therefore not closing the tank correctly, with the loss of water that this would entail.
FIG.2 shows a second practical embodiment of the blocking means of the actuating bridge (4), which comprise a blocking part (20) which is essentially configured as a U-shaped part whose ends bifurcate in turn and can be inserted into wedges (21) of the actuating bridge (4), as can be better observed in FIG.2A.
On the other hand, FIG.2B shows with greater detail the blocking part (20) of the second practical embodiment. This blocking part (20) comprises a grip area (201) that facilitates the insertion and extraction of the blocking part (20) with respect to the wedges (21) of the discharger (5), which are independent from the actuating bridge (4). For that purpose, it also has longitudinal elements in relief (201a) that facilitate the task for the operator. Two arms (202, 203) emerge from this grip area (201), forming a "U" that frames a substantially semi-circular inner surface (204). On the other hand, each arm (202, 203) is bifurcated at its ends through tabs (203a, 203b, 202a, 202b) which emerge from the arms (202, 203), forming a right angle. The tabs (203a,203b, 202a,202b), on each side of each arm (202,203) form a space (205a, 205b) that is configured to be perfectly inserted into the wedges (21) of the discharger (5) and which in turn are independent from the actuating bridge (4), for which they also have semi-circular stops (206a, 206b) on the inner side of the outer tab (202a, 203a) and second inner stops (202c and 203c), in relief in the area where the inner tabs (202b, 203b) and their corresponding arms (202,203) meet. Thanks to this structure, the tabs (21) will be prevented from becoming disassembled or lost during transportation or installation, as they are located in the gap immediately following the coupling between the actuating bridge (4) and the wedges (21) of the discharger (5).

Claims

A flush mechanism for a toilet tank with axial and vertical blocking which comprises an elongated part fitted inside a centred hole that passes through the top base (4a) of an actuating bridge (4) of the discharger (5), in which the position of said elongated part can be adjusted in its axial direction, and the elongated part (1) is associated with a push mechanism, which once activated moves the actuating bridge (4) of the discharger (5) downwards through the elongated part (1), and it comprises first means for axial blocking (3, 8), and it is characterised in that it comprises blocking means (10, 20) for the actuating bridge (4), in such a manner that the negative movement of the actuating bridge (4) in the Z axis is blocked.
The device in accordance with claim 1, where a blocking means of the actuating bridge (4) comprises a blocking part (10) which is essentially configured as a U-shaped part and which can be inserted horizontally into an overflow opening, thereby preventing the movement of all the parts of the device.
The device in accordance with claim 2, where the blocking part (10) of the actuating bridge (4) comprises a first region, the grip or handle, configured to allow its insertion or extraction and shaped as an "H" (101), lying horizontally on a base (102) from which two arms (103, 104) emerge, whose ends (103a, 104a) are facing each other and inclined at a specific angle (α) with respect to a horizontal axis (X), creating an inner space (105) which is substantially circular and has an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the overflow (41), configured in such a way that it perfectly fits between the blocking part (10) and the mentioned overflow (41), which is an integral part of the actuating bridge (4).
The device in accordance with claim 1, where a blocking means of the actuating bridge (4) comprises a blocking part (20) which is essentially configured as a U-shaped part whose ends are in turn bifurcated and can be inserted into some wedges (21) of the discharger (5).
The device in accordance with claim 4, where the blocking part (20) comprises a grip area (201) that facilitates the insertion and extraction of the blocking part (20) with respect to the wedges (21) of the discharger (5); and where two arms (202, 203) emerge from this grip area (201), forming a "U" that frames a substantially semi-circular inner surface (204).
The device in accordance with claim 5, where the grip area (201) comprises longitudinal elements in relief (201a), transversally laid out with respect to the actuating bridge (4).
The device in accordance with claim 5 or 6, where each arm (202, 203) is bifurcated at its ends through tabs (202a, 202b, 203a, 203b) that emerge from the arms (202,203) forming a right angle; and where the tabs (203a,203b, 202a,202b), at each end of each arm (202,203) form a space (205a, 205b) configured to be inserted perfectly into the wedges (21) of the discharger (5).
The device in accordance with any of claims 5 to 7, where the blocking part (20) comprises first stops with a semi-circular shape (206a, 206b) on the inner side of the outer tab (202a, 203a) and second inner stops (202c y 203c), in relief in the area where the inner tabs (202b, 203b) and their corresponding arms (202,203) meet.