GB2454222A

GB2454222A - Flush Control Assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2454222A
Application number: GB0721456A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Adam Todd; Carl Richard Cotton; Terrence Armstrong
Original assignee: PHS GROUP PLC
Current assignee: PHS GROUP PLC
Priority date: 2007-11-01
Filing date: 2007-11-01
Publication date: 2009-05-06
Anticipated expiration: 2027-11-01
Also published as: GB2454222B; EP2220300A1; GB0721456D0; WO2009056846A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a toilet flush control assembly 10 connected to an upper part of a siphon (56 figure 7) of a toilet so as to connect the interior of the siphon to atmosphere via the assembly 10 to provide a variable flush facility. The assembly comprises a body (22 figure 4) and a hollow connection (12 figure 2) in the form of a short hollow pipe extending from the body (22 figure 4). The body comprises a base section (24 figure 4) with side walls (26 figure 6). A closure member (40 figure 4) in the form of a disc is rotatably mounted to the body (22 figure 4) so as to be movable with respect to an end opening of the connection member (12 figure 2). The closure member (40 figure 4) comprises one or more differently sized openings (50 figure 4) which align with the end opening of the connection projection (12 figure 2) as the closure member (40 figure 4) is rotated. The amount of water used during a flush cycle may be reduced by selecting one of the larger sized openings (50 figure 4), which allows a greater amount of air to enter the siphon (56 figure 7) during a flush cycle.

Description

Toilet Flush Control This invention concerns a toilet flush control assembly, and also a toilet cistern incorporating such an assembly.

A consideration of the amount of water usage is becoming increasingly important for a number of reasons. One area where water usage can be quite high is in toilets. In many instances, existing toilets use a flush with a relatively large volume of water, and it may be desirable to decrease the volume of water which is being flushed. It is generally not desirable to provide over complicated arrangements on a toilet, and particularly toilets which may be in a public location whether as a public convenience, or in a hotel, school or other institution.

According to the present invention there is provided a toilet flush control assembly, the assembly including a body, a hollow connection member extending from the body, the connection member having an inlet end which is sealingly the extendable into an upper part of the siphon of a toilet so as to connect the interior of the siphon with the body, the connection member also having an outlet end, a closure member being provided movably mounted on the body so as to sealingly close the outlet end of the connection member, the closure member having an opening therethrough which is selectively movable over the connection member outlet to provide a connection between the siphon interior and the atmosphere.

A plurality of openings of different sizes may be provided through the closure member such that a required one of the openings is selectively locatable over the connection member outlet. The closure member is preferably configured such that a part thereof with no holes extending therethrough is also selectively locatable over the connection member outlet.

The assembly may include a marking arrangement to indicate which opening if any is locatable over the connection member outlet. The marking arrangement may include a number of markings on the closure member which are selectively alignable with a marker on the body.

The closure member may be rotatably mounted on the body.

Formations may be provided on the outside of the connection member engagable with the sides of a hole in the siphon. The formations may comprise a plurality of resilient ribs.

The assembly may be configured such that location of the connection member in a hole in the siphon may supportingly locate the assembly immediately above the siphon.

A first sealing member may be provided around the outside of the connection member engagable against the outside of the siphon around a hole therein. The first sealing member may be in the form of an 0 ring.

A second sealing member may be provided around the inlet end of the connection member, engagable against the closure member. The second sealing member may be in the form of an 0 ring.

The invention also provides a toilet cistern incorporating a toilet flush control assembly according to any of the preceding eight paragraphs.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a toilet flush control assembly according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the line AA -AA of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side view of the assembly of Fig. 1; Fig.4 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly of Fig. 1; Figs. 5 and 6 are perspective views respectively from above and below of the assembly of Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a perspective view from above of the assembly of Fig. 1 located in a toilet cistern.

The drawings show a toilet flush assembly 10 which can be mounted on an upper part of a toilet siphon 56 by drilling a hole thereinto. The assembly 10 comprises a connection member 12 in the form of a short length of rigid hollow pipe of a size to fit in the hole in the siphon in a friction fit. The connection member 12 has a lower outlet end 14 and an upper inlet end 16.

Resilient ribs 18 are provided on the outside of the connection member 12, and an 0 ring 20 is provided around an upper part thereof.

The inlet end 16 connects with a body 22. The body 22 has a planar base section 24 with four equispaced arcuate side wall portions 26 which all lie on a circle coaxial with the base section 24. Inwardly facing lips 28 are provided at an upper end of each of the portions 26.

Two of the side wall portions 26 are interconnected by an outwardly curved side wall 30 which has an inwardly facing pointer 32 directed at the centre of the base section 24. Around the inlet end 16 on the base section 24 a circular upstanding wall 34 is provided. A part circular further wall 36 is also provided which extends for approximately two thirds of the circumference of a larger circle which is coaxial with the wall 34. An 0 ring seal 38 is located between the walls 34, 36.

The assembly 10 also includes a closure member 40 which is in the form of a disc 42 with a central finger 44 which rotatingly locates in a hole 46 surrounded by an annular wall 48 in the centre of the base section 24.

Six equispaced zones 50 are provided on the upper face of the disc 42. Each of the zones 50 comprises a number between 0 and 5. Zone 0 is solid, and each of the zones 1 to 5 has a through hole 52 selectively alignable in use with the inlet end 16, with the holes 52 increasing in size from zone 1 to zone 5. The closure member 40 is rotatable relative to the body 12 by virtue of the finger 44 rotatably engaging in the hole 46. The lips 28 are engagable above the closure member 40 to retain the same on the body 20. A plurality of indents 54 are provided on the underside of the outer edge of the disc 42 to facilitate rotation thereof.

Fig. 7 shows the assembly 10 mounted on a siphon 56 located within a cistern 58.

In use, a hole of an appropriate size is drilled into the top of a siphon, and the outlet end 14 of the connection member 12 is located therein forming a seal thereagainst. The closure member 40 can be rotated relative to the body 22 until a required zone 50 is adjacent the pointer 32. Each of the zones 1 to 5 allows a certain amount of air to enter the siphon during a flush cycle which reduces the amount of water being used in a flush. The larger holes 52 as provided at zones 4 and 5 provide for a greater water reduction.

If zone 0 is adjacent the pointer 32 there is no opening into the siphon such that substantially all of the water in the cistern will be flushed away. In practice, tests relative to the different zones 50 would identify the appropriate zone choice for a particular situation.

There is thus described a toilet flush control assembly which readily permits the amount of water used in a flush to be adjusted. The assembly is intended only for occasional adjustment. The assembly is locatable in the toilet cistern and is therefore not visible and hence prone to vandalism or unauthorised adjustment. The assembly is of relatively straightforward construction and should therefore provide long term relatively maintenance free operation. The assembly can readily be retro fitted in a number of different applications.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, the closure member may be a different size, and a different number or range of zones could be provided.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A toilet flush control assembly, the assembly including a body, a hollow connection member extending from the body, the connection member having an inlet end which is sealingly extendable into an upper part of the siphon of a toilet so as to connect the interior of the siphon with the body, the connection member also having an outlet end, a closure member being provided movably mounted on the body so as to sealingly close the outlet end of the connection member, the closure member having an opening therethrough which is selectively movable over the connection member outlet to provide a connection between the siphon interior and the atmosphere.

2. A toilet flush control assembly according to claim 1, in which a plurality of openings of different sizes are provided through the closure member such that a required one of the openings is selectively locatable over the connection member outlet.

3. A toilet flush control assembly according to claims 1 or 2, in which the closure member is configured such that a part thereof with no holes extending therethrough is selectively locatable over the connection member outlet.

4. A toilet flush control assembly according to claim 3 when dependent on claim 2, in which the assembly includes a marking arrangement to indicate which opening if any is locatable over the connection member outlet.

5. A toilet flush control assembly according to claim 4, in which the marking arrangement includes a number of markings on the closure member which are selectively alignable with a marker on the body.

6. A toilet flush control assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the closure member is rotatably mounted on the body.

7. A toilet flush control assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which formations are provided on the outside of the connection member engagable with the sides of a hole in the siphon.

8. A toilet flush control assembly according to claim 7, in which the formations comprise a plurality of resilient ribs.

9. A toilet flush control assembly according to claims 7 or 8, in which the assembly is configured such that location of the connection member in a hole in the siphon supportingly locates the assembly immediately above the siphon.

10. A toilet flush control assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which a first sealing member is provided around the outside of the connection member engagable against the outside of the siphon around a hole therein.

11. A toilet flush control assembly according to claim 10, in which the first sealing member is in the form of an 0 ring.

12. A toilet flush control assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which a second sealing member is provided around the inlet end of the connection member, engagable against the closure member.

13. A toilet flush control assembly according to claim 12, in which the second sealing member is in the form of an 0 ring.

14. A toilet cistern incorporating a toilet flush control assembly according to any of the preceding claims.

15. A toilet flush control assembly substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. A toilet cistern substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

17. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.