GB2393973A

GB2393973A - Syphon

Info

Publication number: GB2393973A
Application number: GB0220682A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Stuart Lee
Original assignee: Polypipe Building Products Ltd
Current assignee: Polypipe Building Products Ltd
Priority date: 2002-09-05
Filing date: 2002-09-05
Publication date: 2004-04-14
Also published as: GB0220682D0

Abstract

A syphon for discharging liquid from a container, comprising means for providing relative movement between the syphon and container, whereby in use a syphonic action is initiated and liquid is discharged from the container. Preferably, the container is the cistern of a water closet and the syphon is an inverted U-shape having a downwardly open up-leg 4 and a downwardly open downleg 5. Actuation of the syphon is by means of a push-button arrangement 3.

Description

1 2393973

WATER CLOSETS

The invention relates to water closets and like containers, and particularly to the discharge of water thereinto from a cistern therefor.

Syphons are known for discharging water in a cistern to flush say a W.C.

Usually in such syphons, a volume of water is pulled up inside a syphon using a membrane within the syphon. This generally requires a considerable force to initiate a syphonic action, usually using a lever system. This is a relatively complicated, and expensive system, and can take up valuable space.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to seek to mitigate these disadvantages. According to the invention there is provided a syphon for discharging liquid from a container, comprising means for providing relative movement between the syphon and container, whereby in use a syphonic action is initiated and liquid is discharged from the container.

Suitably, the container may be stationary and the syphon may be shifted bodily relative thereto by the means. This provides for a relatively simple apparatus which is also relatively simple to install and operate.

The means may be manually actuable means, particularly a push-button means. This provides for a relatively simple actuation.

The syphon may include a collapsible element for permitting bodily shifting of the syphon. This again is a relatively simple construction, particularly when the collapsible element may comprise a collapsible sleeve forming part of the down-leg of the syphon.

The construction allows for shifting of the siphon between a non-syphonic action and a position in which syphonic action is initiated.

The collapsible sleeve comprises an extension of the down-leg of the syphon.

There may be biasing means normally acting to shift the syphon to a non-

syphonic position. This provides for ease of actuation, and a cut-off for the syphonic action.

The biasing means may comprise a coil spring, which is preferably housed interiorly of the extension. This provides for a compact, neat, construction.

The syphon may be made in one piece and the extension may be formed integrally with the down-leg of the syphon.

It will be understood that the invention extends to a syphon as hereinbefore defined, in combination with a container for liquid.

The container may comprise a W.C. cistern and the means may be secured in a base of the cistern for discharge of liquid, usually water.

A syphon embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic side-elevational view of a syphon according to the invention; and Fig. 2 is schematic view from above of part of the syphon of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a syphon 1 for discharging liquid from a container (not shown) comprising means 2, 3 for providing relative movement between the syphon 1 and container, whereby in use a syphonic action is initiated and liquid is discharged from the container.

In the embodiment shown, the container is a cistern for a water closet or the like, and the syphon 1 is mounted in the cistern.

The syphon 1 is a generally inverted "U"-shape, having a downwardly open rising limb or leg 4 and a downwardly open falling or discharge limb or leg 5.

The falling limb 5 has the means 2 in the form of a resilient sleeve 6 or bellows which is connected to a lower, in use, externally threaded pipe part 7 for connection by screw-engagement in the base of the cistern and extending therethrough to provide a flush into the W.C. The whole syphon 1 is shiftable bodily downwardly relative to the cistern by virtue of the means 3 in the form of a push-button device 8 mounted atop the syphon 7 and protruding through a top or lid of the cistern for ease of access.

There is a biasing means in the form of a spring 9 which encircles a shaft 10 protruding downwardly from a push button 11 and which acts to return the push button 11 to an initial or undepressed condition in which syphonic action is not initiated. Internally of the down limb 5 there is means in the form of a spring which acts normally to bias the whole syphon 1 to the inoperative, i.e. non-syphonic or non-bodily shifted, position.

In use, the syphon 1 is mounted in the base of the cistern via the threaded pipe connector 7 as described above. The cistern contains water to a desired level.

The open end of the rising leg or limb 4 of the siphon is above the level of

water in the cistern. The push button 1 1 protrudes through the lid of the cistern. In order to discharge water from the cistern to flush the W. C., the push-button 11 is depressed manually from externally of the cistern against the pressure of the spring 9. This depresses the shaft 10, which, being connected to the syphon 1 or in contact therewith, shifts the whole syphon 1 bodily downwardly so that the open end of the limb 4 enters the water and extends below the water level. As the water rises in the limb 4, the atmospheric pressure falls in the rising limb to below atmospheric, so that external atmospheric pressure triggers a self- syphonic action and water passes up the leg 4, through a connector 12 between the rising and falling limbs 4, 5 (up and down legs) and is discharged through the threaded connector 7 to the W.C., which is flushed.

The bellows 6 allows for this bodily shifting movement relative to the cistern.

When the push-button 11 is released, it returns to its initial position under pressure of the spring 9, and the biasing means shifts the syphon bodily upwardly to the initial, unsyphonic position, so that the lower end of the limb 4 is clear of the water again, and syphonic and hence flushing action, ceases.

It will be understood that modifications are possible. Thus the limbs 4, 5, connector 12 and extension 6 may be integrally formed in one piece as by moulding from plastic. Also, the extension 6 may be inherently resilient so

that on release of the button 11 it automatically returns the syphon 1 to the initial, non-flushing, position, thereby avoiding the need for a separate return means such as the spring. Also, the push-button 11 may be released immediately after actuation, rather than being held down for a flushing action.

Further, a dual flush may be provided for, by either a two button 11 arrangement or a double depression of a single button 11.

Further, in all embodiments, the limb 4 may act as an overflow should the water level in the cistern rise for any reason.

Claims

1. A syphon for discharging liquid from a container, comprising means for providing relative movement between the syphon and container, whereby in use a syphonic action is initiated and liquid is discharged from the container.

2. A syphon according to Claim 1, the container being stationary and

the syphon being shiftable bodily relative thereto by the means.

3. A syphon according to Claim 2, the means being manually actuable means.

4. A syphon according to Claim 3, the means being a push-button means.

5. A syphon according to any of Claims 2 to 4, including a collapsible element for permitting bodily shifting of the syphon.

6. A syphon according to Claim 5, the collapsible element comprising a collapsible sleeve forming part of the down-leg of the syphon.

7. A syphon according to Claim 6, the collapsible sleeve comprising an extension of the down-leg of the syphon.

8. A syphon according to Claim 6 or Claim 7, comprising biasing means normally acting to shift the syphon to a non-syphonic position.

9. A syphon according to Claim 8, the biasing means comprising a coil spring.

10. A syphon according to Claim 9, the coil spring being housed interiorly of the extension.

11. A syphon according to any of Claims 1 to 7, made in one piece, the extension being formed integrally with the down leg of the syphon.

12. A syphon for discharging liquid from a container thereof, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A syphon according to any preceding claim, in combination with a container for liquid.

14. A syphon according to Claim 13, the container comprising a W.C.

cistern and the means being secured in a base of the cistern for discharge of liquid.