GB2300430A

GB2300430A - Dual flush conversion apparatus for attachment to a cistern water flushing system

Info

Publication number: GB2300430A
Application number: GB9609246A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Dowley Beattie
Original assignee: DFCU Pty Ltd
Current assignee: DFCU Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1995-05-04
Filing date: 1996-05-02
Publication date: 1996-11-06
Anticipated expiration: 2016-05-02
Also published as: AUPN277095A0; GB9609246D0; GB2300430B

Abstract

A dual flush conversion apparatus (10) for attachment to a water flushing system for a cistern comprising a valve chamber (12) having a movable valve member (26) located therein, first and second air inlets (14 and 16), an air outlet (18) and an actuating means (20) to control movement of the valve member (26) within the valve chamber (12), whereby the valve member (26) can move within the valve chamber (12) between a first position in which air is able to enter the valve chamber (12) from the first air inlet (14) and to pass to the air outlet (18) and a second position in which air is able to pass only from the second air inlet (16) to the valve chamber (12) and air outlet (18).

Description

THIS INVENTION relates to a dual flush conversion apparatus for the water flushing devices of cisterns.

More specifically the dual flush conversion apparatus of the present invention relates to a device which is able to convert an existing flushing system which delivers a single quantity of water to a twin, multiple or dual flushing system which delivers variable or reduced quantities of water.

The invention is particularly useful for flushing systems which utilise the syphonic discharge of water. The syphonic flushing system utilises syphon members or air inlets wherein the discharge of water from the cistern ceases when the water level in the cistern drops below the level of the syphon member, thereby allowing air to enter the flushing system and stopping the syphonic discharge of water.

The invention has been devised in order to conserve the use of water especially in countries where water is scarce and in situations where it is preferable to use a reduced quantity of water due to limitations imposed by sewer capacity for example.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a dual flush conversion apparatus for attachment to a water flushing system for a cistern comprising a valve chamber having a movable valve member located therein, first and second air inlets, an air outlet and an actuating means to controi movement of the valve member within the valve chamber, whereby the valve member can move within the valve chamber between a first position in which air is able to enter the valve chamber from the first air inlet and to pass to the air outlet and a second position in which air is able to pass only from the second air inlet to the valve chamber and air outlet.

Preferably, the water flushing system comprises a syphon member having a syphonic flow passage and operating by way of syphonic action. The air outlet of the present invention is preferably able to be attached to the syphon member in fluid communication therewith whereby air entering the syphon member from the air outlet disrupts and stops syphonic flow of fluid therein.

The dual flush conversion apparatus of the present invention is preferably attachable to the syphon member such that the float chamber and first and second air inlets are at least partially submerged below an uppermost water level in the cistern and in which the first and second air inlets project differing distances below the uppermost water level. Accordingly, variable volumes of water may be discharged from the cistern depending upon which of the air inlets is in fluid communication with the syphon member.

Preferably, the valve member is normally retained by the actuating member in a position within the valve chamber allowing the first air inlet, being the air inlet projecting the shortest distance below the uppermost water level, fluid communication with the valve chamber air outlet until actuation of the actuating member by a user causes movement of the valve member to block the first air inlet thereby allowing water from the cistern to discharge past the level of the first air inlet and to stop only once air from the second air inlet passes into the valve chamber, the air outlet and in turn into the syphon member.

Still preferably, the valve member returns to its position of retention by the retaining means upon ceasing of the syphonic flow in the syphon member.

Preferably the first air inlet is located at a position in relation to the cistern such that approximately one-third to two-thirds of the volume of water in the cistern is discharged when the valve is open.

Preferably the second air inlet is located at a position in relation to the cistern such that approximately two-thirds to all of the volume of water in the cistern is discharged when the valve is closed.

The present invention further provides a water flushing system for a cistern comprising a syphon member and a dual flush conversion apparatus as noted above.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to one embodiment thereof and the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a dual flush conversion apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of the apparatus in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 showing the actuating means thereof in an actuated state releasing the valve member thereby blocking the first air inlet (the air outlet is not shown in this Figure to enable a better view of the valve member); Figure 4 is a top plan view of a cross member of the apparatus of the present invention; Figure 5 is a lower perspective view of the cross member of Figure 4; Figure 6 is an upper perspective view of the cross member of Figure 4;; and Figure 7 is an upper perspective of the apparatus of the present invention in position on the syphon member of a water flushing system.

In Figures 1 to 3 there is shown a dual flush conversion apparatus 10 for attachment to a water flushing system for a cistern (not shown) comprising a generally cylindrical valve chamber 12, first and second air inlets, 14 and 16 respectively, an air outlet 18 (best seen in Figure 2) and an actuating means 20.

The valve chamber 12 has a lower end 22 and an upper end 24. A valve member 26 is located within the valve chamber 12 and is dimensioned such that it can move from one end thereof to the other freely. The valve member 26 has end portions 28 of a greater diameter than an intermediate portion 30 provided therebetween. As such, the valve member 26 generally appears much as does a cotton reel.

The upper end 24 of the valve chamber 12 is received in a central circular recess 32 in a cross member 34, best seen in Figures 4 to 6. The cross member 34 comprises two pairs of opposed arms 36 and 38, and 40 and 42 respectively, radiating from about the circular recess 32.

The arm 36 has an aperture 44 provided therein to receive and locate the actuating means 20. The actuating means 20 comprises an elongate member 46 that passes through the aperture 44. The member 46 is retained in that position by way of a biasing flange 48 contacting an underside of the arm 36 and a button 50. The button 50 is fitted to an upper end 52 of the elongate member 46 and retains a flexibly resilient biasing means, for example a spring 54 located about the member 46, against a seat 56 therefor provided in the aperture 44.

The spring 54 acts to bias the elongate member 46 upwardly thereby causing the flange 48 to abut the underside of the arm 36.

A lower end 58 of the elongate member 46 has provided thereat a locating flange 60 projecting from the member 46 in a direction substantially opposed to the biasing flange 48. The locating flange 60 has a seat portion 62, a notch 64 and an angled engaging face 66. The seat portion 62 and notch 64 of the locating flange 60 are received through a slot 68 provided in the lower end 22 of the valve chamber 12. The lowermost end portion 28 of the valve member 26 is able to seat on the seat portion 62 and be received in part within the notch 64.

The slot 68 has a transverse slit 70 extending thereacross having -a sloping lower engaging face 72 provided therein and against which the engaging face 66 of the flange 60 locates. The engaging face 66 has provided thereon a retaining means 74 able to project through the slot 68 above the lowermost end portion 28 thereby retaining the valve member 26 in that position whilst the actuating means 20 is not actuated. Upon actuation or depression of the button 50 by a user (not shown) the engaging face 66 of the flange 60 slides over the engaging face 72 of the transverse slit 70 causing the retaining means 74 to move away from the valve member 26 thereby releasing the end portion 28 thereof. Such an action will allow the valve member 26 to float and/or otherwise be moved upwardiy in the valve chamber 12, as can be seen in Figure 3.

The arm 38 has provided therein a passage 76 of a generally L-shape. The first air inlet 14 comprises a tube 78 extending downwardly from the arm 38 and in fluid communication with the passage 76 therein, as shown in Figures 1 to 3.

The tube 78 extends downwardly to a level above the level of the lower end 22 of the valve chamber 12. The passage 76 opens into the recess 32 and consequently into the valve chamber 12 at a side 80 thereof, as can be best seen in Figures 5 and 6.

The recess 32 has an upper central aperture 82 whereby when the valve member 26 is positioned in the lower end 22 of the valve chamber 22 there is fluid communication possible from the passage 76 to the aperture 82 and in turn to the air outlet 18. When the valve member 26 is in position within the upper end 24 of the valve chamber 22 the aperture 82 is blocked and therefore air cannot pass from the first air inlet 14 to the air outlet 18, as can be seen in Figure 3.

The upper central aperture 82 of the valve chamber 12 opens into a passage 84 in the cross member 34 extending from the arm 40 to the air outlet 18 in the arm 42. A tube 86 forming the second air inlet 16 is provided in fluid communication with the passage 84 and extending downwardly from the arm 40 of the cross member 34 to a lower level than that of the tube 78 of the first air inlet 14. Air is able to pass from the tube 86 through the passage 84 to the air outlet 18. The passage 84 is formed within the cross member 34 but has been shown as open in Figures 5 and 6 for ease of explanation.

In Figure 7 there is shown the dual flush conversion apparatus 10 in position on a syphon member 88 of a water flushing system 90. An aperture is drilled by a fitter (not shown) of the apparatus 10 to the system 90 whereby the air outlet 18 is received in that aperture and is in fluid communication with the interior of the syphon member 88. A further aperture must be provided in a cover (not shown) of the cistern utilising the water flushing system 90. The aperture is provided in the cover to allow fitting of a further actuating means or button (not shown) that functions to in turn depress the button 50 of the actuating means 20 upon its actuation by the user. Alternatively, it is envisaged that the button 50 could be arranged to be directly actuable by a user.

In use, after fitting of the dual flush conversion apparatus 10 to the water flushing system 90 as described above the water level in the cistern of the water flushing system 90 is then filled to an uppermost level. The dual flush conversion apparatus 10 will be in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2 wherein the valve member 26 is held at its lowermost position in the valve chamber 12 by the seat portion 62 and retaining means 74 of the flange 60. This position is referred to as the non-actuated position of the actuating means 20 as the spring 54 is not compressed. The uppermost level of the water in the cistern will be at some point above the lower end of the tube 78 of the first air inlet 14.

With the actuating means 20 in the non-actuated position shown in Figures 1 and 2 a user causing the water flushing system 90 to flush will receive a lesser volume of water in that flushing action than would normally be the case with the same water flushing system 90 without the dual flush conversion apparatus 10 fitted thereto. As the flushing action takes place the water level in the system will drop until it reaches the lower end of the tube 78 of the first air inlet 14. At this point air is drawn through the first air inlet 14, through the passage 76 and into the upper end 24 of the valve chamber 12 and still further in turn through the aperture 82, the passage 84 and subsequently through the air outlet 18 thereby causing the syphonic flow to be interrupted and consequently ceasing the flushing action.

If a user wishes to discharge an increased or "full" flush of water from the cistern the user will operate the button provided in the cover of the cistern which in turn actuates the button 50 of the actuating means 20, as noted hereinabove. The actuation of the actuation means 20 causes the retaining means 74 of the flange 60 to disengage the lower end portion 28 of the valve member 26 thereby allowing the valve member 26 to float at a position intermediate the ends 22 and 24 of the valve chamber 12. The valve member 26 will float at a level approximate the uppermost level of the water in the cistern prior to flushing.

Once the flushing action commences the syphonic flow in the syphon member 88 causes a suction to be transferred through the passage 84 and the aperture 82 into the valve chamber 12 thereby lifting the valve member 26 to the upper end 24 of the valve chamber 12 and in turn closing the passage 76 and the aperture 82, as is shown in Figure 3. As such, air cannot enter the valve chamber 12 by way of the tube 78 of the first air inlet 14 as the passage 76 is blocked by the valve member 26. Consequently, the water level in the cistern will continue to drop below the lower end of the tube 78 until it reaches the lower end of the tube 86 forming the second air inlet 16.As the water level in the cistern drops below the lower end of the tube 86 air is drawn therethrough and in turn through the passage 84, through the air outlet 18 and into the syphon member 88 thereby interrupting the syphonic action therein and causing cessation of the flushing action.

Upon cessation of the flushing action in a "full" flush the valve member 26 is no longer held in the upper end 24 of the valve chamber 12 by the syphon or suction action and as such is able to drop to the lower end 22 of the valve chamber 12. The falling action of the valve member 26 is sufficient to re-engage the retaining means 74 of the flange 60 of the actuating means 20 with the lower end portion 28 of the valve member 26. As such, the valve member 26 again assumes the position shown in Figures 1 and 2. The biasing flange 48 of the actuating means 20 provides a biasing of the elongate member 46 towards the valve chamber 12 such that engagement of the valve member 26 is effected efficiently. In addition, the retaining means 74 is proportioned having a bevelled upper surface, as can be seen in Figures 1 to 3 such that upon a valve member 26 falling the length of the valve chamber the retaining means 74 is pushed outwardly to allow the lower end portion 28 thereof to pass whereafter the biasing means 48 of the actuating means 20 ensures the retaining means 74 engages the lower end portion 28 thereof again.

It is envisaged that the valve member 26 may be provided with some additional weighting to ensure its correct positioning upon cessation of a "full" flush such that it would fall to the lower end 22 of the valve chamber 12 with greater force.

It is further envisaged that the generally cylindrical nature of each of the valve chamber 12, the tubes 78 and 86 and the valve member 26 may be substituted for a different profile as long as that profile did not interfere with the general operation of the dual flush conversion apparatus 10. For example, the valve member 26 must conform to the inner surface of the valve chamber 12 to ensure correct functioning of the dual flush conversion apparatus 10 as described hereinabove.

The spring 54 acting on the button 50 ensures that the actuating means 20 returns to its non-actuated position immediately after depression or actuation by a user.

It is envisaged that the dual flush conversion apparatus 10 of the present invention may be formed from plastics material although it is to be understood that such should not limit the scope of the present invention. Further, it should be understood that the cross member 34 may be provided in shapes or forms differing from that described hereinabove whilst still preserving the function described.

Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A dual flush conversion apparatus for attachment to a water flushing system for a cistern comprising a valve chamber having a movable valve member located therein, first and second air inlets, an air outlet and an actuating means to control movement of the valve member within the valve chamber, whereby the valve member can move within the valve chamber between a first position in which air is able to enter the valve chamber from the first air inlet and to pass to the air outlet and a second position in which air is able to pass only from the second air inlet to the valve chamber and air outlet.

2. A dual flush conversion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water flushing system comprises a syphon member having a syphonic flow passage and operating by way of syphonic action.

3. A dual flush conversion apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air outlet is able to be attached to the syphon member in fluid communication therewith whereby air entering the syphon member from the air outlet disrupts and stops syphonic flow of fluid therein.

4. A dual flush conversion apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the dual flush conversion apparatus is attachable to the syphon member such that the float chamber and first and second air inlets are at least partially submerged below an uppermost water level in the cistern and in which the first and second air inlets project differing distances below the uppermost water level.

5. A dual flush conversion apparatus according to claim 4, wherein variab!e volumes of water may be discharged from the cistern depending upon which of the air inlets is in fluid communication with the syphon member.

6. A dual flush conversion apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the valve member is normally retained by the actuating member in a position within the valve chamber allowing the first air inlet, being the air inlet projecting the shortest distance below the uppermost water level, fluid communication with the valve chamber air outlet until actuation of the actuating member by a user causes movement of the valve member to block the first air inlet thereby allowing water from the cistern to discharge past the level of the first air inlet and to stop only once air from the second air inlet passes into the valve chamber, the air outlet and in turn into the syphon member.

7. A dual flush conversion apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the valve member returns to its position of retention by the retaining means upon ceasing of the syphonic flow in the syphon member.

8. A dual flush conversion apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the first air inlet is located at a position in relation to the cistern such that approximately one-third to two-thirds of the volume of water in the cistern is discharged when the valve is open.

9. A dual flush conversion apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the second air inlet is located at a position in relation to the cistern such that approximately two-thirds to all of the volume of water in the cistern is discharged when the valve is closed.

10. A dual flush conversion apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating means comprises in part an elongate member having a locating flange located thereon and being able to positively locate the valve member in the first position.

11.A dual flush conversion apparatus according to claim 10, wherein upon actuation of the actuating means the locating flange is caused to disengage the valve member.

12. A dual flush conversion apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the valve chamber is provided with a slot therein through which the locating flange of the actuating may project to engage the valve member.

13. A dual flush conversion apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the slot of the valve chamber further has provided thereon a transverse slit having a sloping lower engaging face such that upon actuation of the actuating means the locating flange thereof is moved away from the valve member and is caused to disengage same.

14. A dual flush conversion apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the valve member is provided in a shape to compliment the valve chamber and has at least a portion thereof of a greater diameter than the remainder whereby the locating flange of the actuating means may positively engage the valve member.

15. A water flushing system for a cistern comprising a syphon member and a dual flush conversion apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims.

16. A dual flush conversion apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 7.

17. A water flushing system for a cistern substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 7.