GB2327687A

GB2327687A - Variable-flush facility for siphon-discharge flushing cistern

Info

Publication number: GB2327687A
Application number: GB9813124A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Stewart Mckenzie; David Stewart Mckenzie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-06-18
Filing date: 1998-06-18
Publication date: 1999-02-03
Also published as: GB9813124D0; GB9712708D0

Abstract

A toilet syphon 1 has a valve 5 and conduit 7 allowing entry of air into the syphon from outside the cistern, so that the flush can be terminated by activating (or deactivating) the valve during the flush.

Description

"Toilet Syphon" This invention relates to a toilet syphon for use in a toilet cistern.

The volume of water used when a toilet is flushed is very large. Generally, the amount of water used in a flush of a toilet cannot be varied and this results in water wastage as the whole cistern is completely emptied with each flush.

In accordance with the present invention, a toilet syphon comprises a valve coupled to the syphon by a conduit and control means for opening and closing the valve, the valve permitting air to enter the syphon via the conduit when in the open configuration.

Most preferably, the conduit is coupled to a point on the syphon above the inlet of the syphon ( eg near to the top of the syphon) so that air passing through the valve and conduit enters the syphon above the water level of the cistern.

Preferably, the control means is in the form of button, such as a push button, optionally mounted on the valve.

Preferably, the valve allows air into the syphon when opened in order to stop the flow of water through the syphon.

The valve may have a biasing means to ensure that it remains closed except during activation of the control means. The biasing means may be in the form of a spring.

Alternatively, the valve may be open when the control means is not activated. Hence, a user would be required to operate the control means to close the valve prior to activating the syphon to flush a toilet.

Preferably, the valve is interchangeable so that it can be replaced or permanently closed.

An example of a toilet syphon in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a toilet cistern including the toilet syphon; and Fig. 2 is a plan of a syphon water inlet of the toilet syphon shown in Fig 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is provided a toilet syphon 1 inside a toilet cistern 20 (see Fig. 1). The toilet syphon 1 has an inlet 2 and outlet 3, and the outlet 3 leads into a toilet bowl (not shown). A conduit in the form of a plastic tube 7 is inserted into an aperture 4 in the wall of the syphon 1. The aperture 4 is situated at or near the top of the syphon 1. The plastic tube has a valve mechanism 5 attached to its other end with an operating button 6. The valve mechanism 5 is mounted on the cistern 20 in Fig. 1 but may be located in any convenient location. A toilet handle 15 is coupled via an operating rod 17 to a backing plate 12 and flexible sheet 11 (see Fig. 2) which form the syphon inlet 2.

In use, the toilet when ready to be flushed has a cistern 20 full of water. The valve 5 is closed to prevent air entering the syphon 1 through the tube 7 to allow an initial flow of water through the syphon 1.

Water is only able to flow into the syphon inlet 2 thereby maintaining water in one side 13 of the syphon 1 before the flow of water is started. When the toilet is flushed by depression of a handle 15 or pulling of a chain, the backing plate 12 and flexible sheet 11 are lifted by means of the operating rod 17 connected to the handle 15. This causes the water in the side 13 to be forced around the bend of the syphon 1. As water flows down into the toilet bowl, water is drawn from the cistern into the syphon 1 through the one way syphon inlet 2. The syphon inlet 2 allows water in as the water flows through the rigid holed backing 12 and pushes the flexible sheet 11 into the syphon 1, allowing water past. However, no water can escape out of the syphon 1 through the syphon inlet 2 as the flexible sheet 11 is forced against the rigid backing 12.

Once flow through the syphon 1 has started it will continue as long as the water level in the cistern is above the syphon inlet 2. If a short flush is required the button 6 may be pressed to open the valve mechanism 5 to permit air to enter the tube 7 and pass into the syphon 1 through the aperture 4.

As the aperture 4 is above the water level in the cistern 20, air enters the syphon 1 through the aperture 4 and breaks the flow of water through the syphon 1 thereby stopping the flush. A biassing spring (not shown) returns the button 6 when it is released to close the valve mechanism 5. The toilet cistern 20 then refills with water to replace the water used in the flush.

The invention has the advantage that if necessary less water can be used to flush the toilet. If a shorter flush is selected, less water is needed to refill the cistern 20. There is also the advantage that the toilet can be flushed successively without waiting for the cistern to refill.

In an alternative example, the valve 5 can be normally open and closed by pressing the button 6. Hence, it would be necessary to press button 6 and maintain the button pressed to start the flush. The flush will then stop either when the cistern empties or the button 6 is released.

A further advantage of the invention is that the tube 7, valve 5 and button 6 may be retro-fitted to an existing syphon by drilling the aperture 4 in the syphon 1 and pushing the tube 7 into the aperture 4.

Alternatively, the tube 7 may be connected to the aperture 4 by a threaded or other connection.

Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1 A toilet syphon comprising a valve coupled to the syphon by a conduit and control means for opening and closing the valve, the valve permitting air to enter the syphon via the conduit when in the open configuration.

2 A syphon as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conduit is coupled to a point on the syphon above the inlet of the syphon.

3 A syphon as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein air passing through the valve and conduit enters the syphon above the water level of the cistern.

4 A syphon as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 and 3 wherein the conduit is coupled to the syphon at or near to the top of the syphon.

5 A syphon as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the control means is in the form of button.

6 A syphon as claimed in claim 5, wherein the control means is mounted on the valve.

7 A syphon as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the valve allows air into the syphon when opened in order to stop the flow of water through the syphon.

8 A syphon as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the valve has a biasing means to bias it to the closed configuration except during activation of the control means.

9 A syphon as claimed in claim 8, wherein the biasing means comprises a spring.

10 A syphon as claimed in any one of claims 1-7, wherein the valve is closed by the control means when the control means is activated.

11 A syphon as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the valve is replaceable.

12 A toilet having a syphon as claimed in any preceding claim.

13 A toilet syphon as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14 A toilet as hereinbefore described.