GB2092197A - Cistern siphon units - Google Patents

Abstract

A siphon unit has a releasable connection (20) disposed between the outlet connector (18) and the initiating section 14 for permitting removal of the section (14) from a cistern without removing the outlet connector. The section 14 is additionally mounted on the connector 18 by a spigot and socket connection 28. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Siphon units This invention relates to siphon units.

According to the invention, there is provided a siphon unit for a cistern, the unit having a siphon comprising an initiating section, initiating means in the initiating section for inducing water to flow through the siphon to initiate siphoning, an outlet connector for connecting the unit in an opening in a cistern, and a releasable connection between the outlet connector and the initiating section for permitting removal of the initiating section from a cistern without removing the outlet connector.

With conventional siphoning units, it is normal to have to remove the outlet connector in order to remove the siphon unit. As the outlet connector is in the bottom of the cistern, water trapped in the bottom of the cistern tends to flow out of the cistern and over the floor when this is done. In addition, access to the outlet connector is often difficult, particularly when the cistern is boxed in or walled in, even though access to the top of the cistern is normally possible. Yet, another problem is that outlet connectors form part of sealed plumbing connections, when installed, and are then difficult to undo because specialised tools are often needed. Thus, even when a minor part of the unit fails, it may be necessary to call in a plumber to repair it because of the problems with the outlet connector removal and installation, even though the repairs would otherwise be simple.

The unit of the invention can eliminate these problems because removal of the initiating section is possible without removing the outlet connector, provided that access to the interior of the cistern is possible.

The removable connection in the unit of the invention may include one or more connectors for enabling the releasable connection to be broken by dislodging or turning one part of the connection with respect to another.

The siphon unit may be of any type in which the releasable connection would be of advantage.

However, it is particularly suited for use with siphon units having a U-shaped section with an up-pipe, a down-pipe, and an enlarged initiating section connected to the up-pipe at the opposite end of the siphon to the outlet connector. The initiating means will then be in the enlarged initiating section.

The initiating means may comprise a movable element which forces water to flow from the initiating section and through the U-shaped section when the element is raised but which allows water to flow past itself and through the siphon once the element is released. For this purpose, the element may be a flexible diaphragm resting on a suitable actuating member so that it can be raised with the actuating member when the actuating member is raised. The actuating member may have any suitable shape to raise and properly support the diaphragm for the purpose of initiating siphoning while allowing water to flow past the member and the diaphragm at other times. The actuating member may be connected to an upright shaft which is slidably and suitably sealingly received within a hole in the upper part of the initiating section.This shaft can be connected to a lifting arm of the cistern which can raise the actuating member and thus the diaphragm, for operating the unit.

The releasable connection may be provided in the up-pipe to enable the initiating section to be removed for repair or replacement. Locating means may then be provided for connecting the up-pipe and the down-pipe at locations along their lengths for holding the pipes against significant undesirable movement with respect to one another. The locating means may be of any releasable co-operating or mating type to locate and position the up-pipe with respect to the down-pipe.

The releasable connection should be substantially fluid tight and for this purpose a suitable seal may be included in the releasable connection. In addition, the releasable connection may be arranged to be located above the regulated water level in a cistern in which the unit is mounted to prevent flow of water from the cistern when the releasable connection is broken.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a schematic cross-section through a siphon unit according to the invention; Figure 2 is an under plan view of the unit of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a detail through part of the connection unit; and Figure 4 is a three-dimensional drawing showing locating means of the unit.

Referring now to the drawing in more detail, a siphon unit 10 for a cistern comprises a siphon 1 2 with an initiating section 14, initiating means 1 6 for inducing water to flow through the siphon to initiate siphoning, and an outlet connector 1 8 for connecting the unit in an opening in a cistern (not shown). The unit also includes'a releasable connection 20 between the outlet connector 18 and the initiating section 14 for permitting removal of the initiating section 14 from a cistern, without removing the outlet connector 1 8.

The siphon 1 2 comprises a suitable inverted, generally U-shaped section having a vertical uppipe 22 and a vertical down-pipe 24 which are closed at the top by a cover section 26. The upper parts of the pipes 22 and 24 are connected together by a web 30. The initiating section 14 of the unit is provided at the lower end portion 25 of the down-pipe 22.

The portion 25 is detachably and sealably connected by the connector 20 to and communicates with an upper part of the vertical up-pipe 22.

As shown in the drawing, the initiating section 14 of the unit comprises a downwardly open cylindrical cup-like element having a centrally located boss 32 in its upper end wall 34. The initiating means 1 6 comprises a closure element in the form of a diaphragm 36, and an actuating member 38. The actuating member 38 is suspended from a shaft 30 received slidingly within a bore in the boss 32 and prevented from falling through the boss by brass ring 35. The member 38 is provided with radially extending spokes 43 connected to a central hub 45 and a peripheral ring 47 to provide passages through the member 38.

A counter buoyancy weight 42 is co-axially located on the shaft 40. The weight 42 rests on the diaphragm 36 and thereby maintains it in an operable position on top of the actuating member 38. The weight 42 is held in place by a co-axial rubber ring 44.

The diaphragm 36 is formed of a flexible plastics material and, when the shaft 40 is raised, the diaphragm is supported by and raised with the member 38 so that it forces the contents of the upper space 48 of the initiating section 14 through the siphon 12. Thus, when the unit is fixed within a cistern, this action can initiate siphoning. When the member 38 moves downwardly under the action of a weight 42, water can flow through the passages between the spokes of the member 38 and deflect the diaphragm 36 to fill the upper space 48 of initiating section 14 of the unit.

The outlet connector 1 8 at the outlet end of the down-pipe 24 comprises a tubular externally threaded spigot 50 having an annular flange 52 at its upper end. A pair of washers 54 are located about the spigot 50 and, in use, can be sealingly located one on each side of the bottom wall of a cistern when the spigot 50 passes through a hole in the cistern. A nut 56 is screwed onto the spigot 50 and can be used to secure the connector 18 in a hole in the bottom of the cistern so that the cistern encircles the spigot 50, and the washers 54 sealingly engage opposite surfaces of the cistern, the flange 52 and the nut 56. A reinforcing web 46 serves to support the flange 52 against distortion.

The connector 20 shown in Figures 1 and 4 comprises a partly threaded terminal nut 58 having a flange for engaging a peripheral rim 66 which is integral with the upper end of the portion 25 of the up-pipe, and an externally threaded portion 60 at the lower end of the upper part of the up-pipe 22. The nut has hand-grip formations 59 equally spaced about its periphery. A peripheral seal 62 in the form of an O-ring is accommodated in a recess 64. The recess 64 is formed in the upper end of the portion 25 of the up-pipe opposite to a contact surface 65.

Locating means 28 are shown in Figures 1 and 3. Each locating means 28 comprises a vertically extending spigot 67 integral with a horizontal base 70 and a co-operating socket 68 located in a horizontal plate 72. The base 70 and the plate 72 are transverse to and integral with the up-pipe or initiating section and the down-pipe respectively.

The spigot 67 and the socket 68 are of a noncircular shape so that when the spigot is engageably accommodated in the socket 68 and the nut 58 is screwed into place on the threaded portion 60 of the up-pipe, the initiating section 14 is securely located and positioned with respect to the outlet connector. The spigot 67 is arranged in such a manner that it penetratingly engages the socket 68 from the bottom.

In use, the siphon unit is secured in a cistern by means of the outlet connector 1 8, and the initiating section 14 is held in position by screwing the terminal nut 50 onto the threaded portion 60 so that the flange of the nut 58 engages the peripheral rim 66 and draws the parts of the uppipe together, compressing the seal 62. By tightening the nut 58, the initiating section 14 is securely and sealingly connected in position.

It will be appreciated that the arrangement shown allows the connector 1 8 to be secured permanently in a cistern while allowing the initiating section 14 of the siphon unit 10 to be removed, as necessary, to replace the diaphragm 36, for example, as it wears. It is not necessary to call a plumber to remove or install the connector 20.

In the above-described example, as will be appreciated, the up-pipe is so connected to the down-pipe as to inhibit relative movement of these pipes, the up-pipe connected to the initiating section including the releasable connection and locating means. The outlet connector for passing through the hole in a cistern is integral with part of the siphon.

The invention is to be understood to include also the combination of the siphon unit with a cistern. Part of the siphon advantageously provides a flow path through the outlet connector when the initiating section is removed, the flow path opening into the cistern at a level above the regulated water level of the cistern.

Claims (8)

1. A siphon unit for a cistern, the unit having a siphon comprising an initiating section, initiating means in the initiating section for inducing water to flow through the siphon to initiate siphoning, an outlet connector for connecting the unit in an opening in a cistern, and a releasabie connection between the outlet connector and the initiating section for permitting removal of the initiating section from a cistern without removing the outlet connector.

2. A siphon unit according to Claim 1 , wherein the siphon has a down-pipe and an up-pipe, the up-pipe being connected to the down-pipe to inhibit relative movement of these pipes.

3. A siphon unit according to Claim 2, wherein the up-pipe is connected to the initiating section and includes the releasable connection.

4. A siphon unit according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the down-pipe and the up-pipe are connected by releasable locating means.

5. A siphon unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the outlet connector has a spigot for passing through a hole in a cistern, the spigot being integral with part of the siphon.

6. A cistern including a siphon unit according to any preceding claim.

7. A cistern according to Claim 6, wherein part of the siphon provides a flow path through the outlet connector when the initiating section is removed, the flow path opening into the cistern at a level above the regulated water level of the cistern.

8. A siphon unit substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.