GB2143553A

GB2143553A - Dual flush cistern conversion

Info

Publication number: GB2143553A
Application number: GB08330486A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Cummings
Original assignee: Caroma Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Caroma Industries Ltd
Priority date: 1983-05-30
Filing date: 1983-11-15
Publication date: 1985-02-13
Also published as: GB2143553B; GB8330486D0

Abstract

In order to convert a single- flush valve-discharge cistern to dual flush without alteration to the cistern body, an open-topped box 5 is inserted in the cistern to form a partial-flush compartment around the discharge valve, the box having a base aperture 6 which accommodates the vertically- movable discharge valve and a side opening closed by a hinged flap 9 linked to the cistern flushing mechanism. Upon flushing of the cistern a full flush occurs when the flap 9 is open but when said flap is in its closed position a reduced or partial flush occurs. The specification discloses (Figs. 2-6) a valve discharge cistern incorporating the box of Fig. 1 and provided with a first full-flush push- button mechanism which operates only the flushing valve and leaves the opening free; and a second partial flush push-button mechanism which operates the flushing valve and closes the flap across the opening. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Dual flushing compartment This invention relates to a variable volume flushing cistern and in particular it relates to a variable volume flushing valve type in which a selection can be made of the amount of water discharged during a flush.

It is already known to provide cisterns in which either a low volume or a high volume discharge is possible by selection and these usually have been of the type in which either part of the cistern or the whole of the cistern can be discharged during a flush.

This has for instance been achieved by operating the discharge valve to seal when a certain selected level of water is reached, or it has been attained by use of compartments which vary in volume. In other prior art, such as U.S. Patent No. 4,143,430, a two com partment cistern is used having a release flap which operates in accordance with how far the operating lever is pulled down.

In apparatus of this type it is desirable to achieve the variable flush in a simple manner and one which is reliable in operation to ensure correct flushing of the toilet pan.

An object of the present invention is to provided a simple and effective variable volume flushing valve which can be installed in existing cistern bodies without alterations to the cistern body.

In Line broad form the invention comprises a flushing box having a base, an open top and a flap hingedly connected to the box and associated with an opening in a wall of said box, whereby when said box is installed in a cistern having a flushing valve, the flushing valve is located within the box, such that when said flap is in its open position the opening is unobscured and upon flushing of the cistern a full flush occurs, and when said flap is in its closed position the entrance is closed and upon flushing of the cistern a reduced flush occurs.

In another broad form the invention comprises a dual flushing mechanism comprising: a flushing box having a base, an open top and a flap hingedly connected to said box and associated- with an opening in a wall of said box; a flushing valve located within the box with its outlet pipe extending through the base of said flushing box: a full flush mechanism which operates only the flushing valve and leaves the opening free; and a partial flush mechanism which operates the flushing valve and closes the flap across the opening.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates the box arrangement according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a view of one embodiment of a cistern with the front wall removed showing the position of the flushing valve, flap and respective operating means, of one embodi ment of the present invention, during a small volume flush; Figure 3 is a similar view to Figure 2 but showing the position of the flushing valve, flap and operating means during the large volume flush; Figure 4 is an exploded view of the operating means of Figures 2 and 3; and Figure 5 and 6 illustrate another embodi ment of the present invention.

The valve arrangement is placed into a cistern body in place of the existing valve arrangement. The cistern body 1 has an outlet member 2, upon which rests the flushing valve. The flushing valve can be of any suitable construction, however it is shown as a flat disc fitted to a hollow operating stem 4 which forms the cistern overflow. An open topped flushing box 5 (as shown in Figure 1) surrounds the valve 3 and extends upwardly towards the top of the cistern. This flushing box, an embodiment of which is illustrated in Figure 1, comprises an opening 6 located in the base 57 thereof for connection to the valve seat by any suitable means such as by a nut on the threaded outer surface of the flush pipe connection/outlet 6. The box 5 contains a flap 9 which when in its closed position effectively isolates the flushing valve 3 from the exterior of the box arrangement 5.

The flushing valve 3 in operation is retractable into a recess 7 in a guide 8. The recess 7 and guide 8 are supported from the support of the valve seat 1 3.

Turning now to the operation mechanism for a large volume, as shown in Figure 3 and as shown in detail in Figure 4 there are two projections 1 7 extending from the hollow operating stem 4. A button 18, extending through the lid 1 2 operates the flushing valve 3.

The button 1 8 when depressed, depresses the member 1 9 which has two extensions 20 hingedly attached to two arms 21 of a first rotatable member 22. The member 1 9 thereby causes the first rotatable member to rotate. A projection 23 of the first member 22 abuts against a projection 24 on a second rotatable member 25 causing the second member 25 to rotate. The member 25 has two arms 26, extending therefrom, which have pivotably connected thereto a connecting member 27 which has two slots 28 located remote from the arms 26, into which the two projections 1 7 engage.

Therefore upon rotation of member 25 the connecting member 27 raises the operating stem 4 and opens the flushing valve 3. The flap 9 remains in its open position and the water from the total cistern body flows through the outlet 6. As there is a substantial flow of water through the passage 29 the flap 9 remains in its open position. When pressure on the button 1 8 is released the rotatable member 22 amd the button are returned to their original positions by action of a spring member 30, while the valve 3 is held in the recess 7 by the flow of water through the outlet 6. This spring member 30 can be of any suitable material or construction. Upon cessation of the flow of water the valve 3 which was held in the recess 7 by the flow of water through the outlet 6 falls closing the outlet 6.

To flush only the smaller volume the button 31 is depressed, as shown in Figure 2. On being depressed the button 31 depresses member 32 which has two arms 33 extending therefrom. The arms 33 being pivotally connected to arms 34 of a third rotatable member 35 such that the rotatable member 35 rotates when the button 31 is depressed. The projection 36 on the rotatable member 35 abuts against a projection 37 on the rotatable member 25 thereby rotating the rotatable member 35 and raising the flushing valve 7.

Also pivotable attached to one of the arms 34 is an elongated member 14 which bears against a projection 1 5 on the flap. The projection 1 5 can extend into the box 5 or can be located as shown in Figure 1 whereby the projection 1 5 extends external of the box 5 and the arm 14 extends through a hole 46 in the recessed wall 47.

Upon rotation of the third rotatable member 35 the elongated member 14 bears upon the projection 1 5 forcing the flap 9 to abut against the wall 1 6 to isolate the flushing valve 3 from the exterior of the box arrangment 5. Therefore there is a simultaneous closing of the flap and opening of the flushing valve 3 such that only the volume of water from the box 5 and the water above the top edge 1 6 of the box 5 in the cistern flows through the outlet 6. The pressure of water external of the box arrangement maintains the flap 9 in its closed position until the box 5 refills with water to equalise the pressure across the flap such that the weight of the projection 38 returns the flap 9 to its fully open position. To facilitate refilling of the box, holes 48 and 49 are located in the flap or box walls.A spring member 40 against one of the arms 34 biases the rotatable member 35 and consequently the button to their original postions.

As can be seen in Figure 2 and Figure 3 operation of either button does not move the other button. When the rotatable member 25 is rotated its projections 37 and 24 do not engage the respective projection of the first or third rotatable member whichever is not being rotated.

A further embodiment of the control buttons is shown in Figures 5 and 6 whereby the operating mechanism is identical with the previous embodiment except for the construction of the buttons and their connection to the respective pairs of arms 34 and 21.

The operating buttons 39 and 40 each bear upon a respective member 41, which is connected to the member 41 having arms 43 which are pivotally connected to the arms 34.

The member 42 is telescopically connected to the respective member 41a and 41b by any suitable means such as a ratchet 44 and slip 45 arrangement; so that the total length of the connected members 42 and 41 (a or b) is adjustable to suit the particular cistern. Each button 39 and 40 having a spring 48 to return the buttons to their original position.

The invention therefore provides a means of converting an existing single flush cistern to a dual flush cistern without alteration to the cistern body.

Claims

1. A flushing box having a base, an open top and a flap hingedly connected to the box and associated with an opening in a wall of said box whereby when said box is installed in a cistern having a flushing valve, the flushing valve is located within the box, such that when said flap is in its open position the opening is unobscured and upon flushing of the cistern a full flush occurs, and when said flap is in its closed position the entrance is closed and the cistern is flushed a reduced flush occurs.

2. A flushing box according to claim 1 wherein said box has an opening located in its base, and said flushing valve comprises an outlet pipe having an external thread which passes through said opening in the said base, with the flushing valve held against said base by means of a nut on the external thread of said pipe.

3. A Flushing box according to any one of the preceeding claims wherein said flap is hingedly connected to the base, or the wall of said box adjacent said base, such that the flap swings upwardly to close said opening in said wall.

4. A dual flushing mechanism comprising: a flushing box having a base, an open top and a flap hingedly connected to said box and associated with an opening in a wall of said box; a flushing valve located within the box with its outlet pipe extending through the base of said flushing box; a full flush mechanism which operates only the flushing valve and leaves the opening free; and a partial flush mechanism which operates the flushing valve and closes the flap across the opening.

5. A dual flushing mechanism according to claim 4 wherein said flap is hingedly connected to the base, or the wall of said box adjacent the base, such that the flap swings upwardly to close said opening.

6. A dual flushing mechanism according to claim 4 or 5 wherein said outlet pipe has a threaded exterior, said flushing valve is held in position in said box by means of a nut on the threaded exterior of said outlet pipe.

7. A flushing box according to clains 1, 2 or 3 wherein said flap and or box has holes therethrough to facilitate refilling of the box.

8. A dual flushing mechanism according to claims 4, 5 or 6 wherein said flap or box has holes therethrough to facilitate refilling of the box.

9. A flushing box substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. A dual flushing mechanism substantially as- hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.