US1534877A

US1534877A - Flushing apparatus

Info

Publication number: US1534877A
Application number: US604113A
Authority: US
Inventors: Simmons Leo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1922-11-29
Filing date: 1922-11-29
Publication date: 1925-04-21
Anticipated expiration: 1942-04-21

Description

L. SIMMONS FLUSHING APPARATUS April 21,1925.

Fi'led Nov. 29, 1922 WEF ' gnvenoz eol'fn/nwn/Q aan?,

attorno.

Patented Apr. 21, i925.

UNITED lSTATES LEO SIMMONS, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT 0F COLUMBIA.

FLUSHING AEPARATUS.

Application filed November 29, 1922. Serial No. 604,113.

To all whom, t may concern.'

Be it known that I, Lne SiMMoNs, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of lV-ashington, District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to Flushing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain improve ments in flushing apparatus; and the objects and nature of the invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art in the light of the following explanations of the accompanying drawings that illustrate what I now believe to be the preferred mechanical expressions or embodimentsof my invention from among other constructions, and arrangements within the spirit and scope thereof.

A Referring to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof z Fig. l shows flushing apparatus embodying various features of my invention in vertical section'7 certain parts being shown partially in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a detail section on the line 2f-2, Fig. 1.

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are detail views.

In the drawings, I show a water supply pipe l supplying water under head or pressure to the flushing apparatus, and flushing water connection 2 leading to the toilet or other device to be ilushed, from the flushing apparatus. l

The apparatus embodies a shell or casing that provides an upper pressure or water supply chamber o, a lower 'flushing water discharge chamber o and a vertical passage or discharge port o from the bottom of chamber c to top or chamber I), and controlled andnorn'ially closed by a lift valve mechanism.

In the particular example illustrated, the shell or casing comprises a lower hollow section 3 and an upper hollow section 4. The uppersection 4 is, in this example, approximately in the form of a T union or coupling that is longitudinally threaded both internally and externally at its open upper end, and contracted at its lower end to provide washer seat t, the discharge passage o, depending threaded nipple 4b, and annular exterior downwardly facing shoulder Ll In this example, said section 4t, is also formed with a lateral supply water inlet between its upper and lower ends, that extends through radial exterior neck 4 internally threaded to receive the water supply pipe l. This neck a is profe ably angularly formed exteriorly to receive a wrench.

The casing section in this example is formed with a tapped vertical top opening that receives the nipple 4b so that the two sections are coupled together by a screw threaded connection. By this sectional casing arrangement, the upper section l can be rotated on a vertical axis with respect to section 3 to cause the neck ad to project in any desired direction from such vertical axis to accommodate various installation conditions (see dotted lines Fig. l) particularly with respect to relative positions of water supply and discharge connections, although I do not wish to so limit all features of my invention.

In the example illustrated, the otherwise open top end of the shell of section 4, is closed by a flanged internally threaded cap 5 that covers and eXte-riorly fitsthe upper end of the section and is removably coupled thereto by the screw threaded connection between the exterior of the section and interior of the cap flange. This cap5 usually carries a packing washer that `tits the top edge of section t to provide a. water tight joint. This cap 5 is exteriorly formed with an upwardly projecting boss 5q providing an exterior wrench-receiving portion that terminates in a central vertical threaded post or stem 5b. The cap 5 and its boss 5h1 are not usually exteriorly finished and plated but are left in the rough so as not to be easily damaged bythe application thereto of wrenches and other tools in the hands of mechanics. This cap is applied and removed to gain access to the interior of the casing for the adjustment and replacement of parts, and mechanics usually mar and damage polished and plated surfaces by the application of tools thereto, 'I hence proferably leave the exterior surface of the cap unfinished, and cover the' same by suitable exposed ornamental linishing means that can be easily removed without the use of tools to permit access to the cap which requires a tool for removal and application. I show for this purpose, an ornamental e1;- teriorly-iinished, thin metal cover cap 6 formed to drop down over and cover the cap 5 and exteriorly fit down around the cap flange. This cap has a central vertical top opening through which the threaded post 5b projects `upwardly. Iii v'this instance, the ornamental cover cap `(5 is removably held in place on cap 5 by round metal lhead or disk 7 having a central threaded socket receiving the upper end ot' post 5b and removably screwing thereonto to lock and release the cover cap. This disk 7 is Vpreterably formed at its peripheral edgewith Aan Aannular 4groove receiving rubbery or other cushioning ring 8 'to be contacted by the closet seat cover. In other words, the-disk 7 and its ring 8 constitute al bumper `for the seat cover while the -disk also serves as means loi normallyholding or locking tlie'removable ornamental cover cap over tli-e unfinished :cap 5. The. bumper presents .an annularcuShiOningbOdy, hence a cushioning stop for the seat cover 'is provided what ever theadjustment of theniit-forn'iing disk 7 or of the casing section fl with respect to section 3. 'When `it is .necessary for 'the .mechanic to gain access to the interior of the casing, he can unscrew the'nut-,foriniirg- 4bumpei disk 7 and remove the ornamental or iinishing cover 6 `withoutthe'useof surface marring tools. The cap .having the un'nislied` surfaceI is thus uncovered sol that the mechanic can applyhiswrench thereto VThe main flushing' valv-e9, and the pressure relief or auxiliary valve Ll() are Varranged `and vertically movable within the iupper or water supply chamber a of the Jcasing,`and are controlled in their-vertical Vmovements by avvertical lift rod llliaviiig longitudinal upward continuation 11.-@ 'loosely 'fitting and vertically movable in 'the vcrtical guide socket dinithe cap 5. rlhe seat `for valve 9 is formed'by an annular washer .l2 of leather or other suitable durable cushioningmaterial, seated on the ledge or Vseat #la at. lower end'oit casing section et and snugly htted within said section. This washerl 19, is'removably held clamped down on its seatiby a vertically-slidable washer retaining device or spider consisting` of a `vertically movable ring lffitting down on the top surface of the ivaslieifaiid 'within the iiinersurface of the casing `section `and having spaced i vertical wings #13- fitting' the inner surface of the casingfsectioinnnd yengaged at their top edges by a ringnut- 1l screwed into the upper end of the easing section. The spider T13- 133, can be held against rotation within the casing section, by a rib 13b, slidable vertically in a` yvertical groove5c in the casing wall. The ring nut is notched toreceive a tool forrotating the same to remove the vnut and for rotating the saine to force down the spider to clamp the washer. The nut and spider can be removed trom the casingsection to permit removal 'and replacement of `the washer. VThis arrangement permits i adjustment of v`the washer from the upper end of thevcasing` through rotation of ring" nut let, which is' readily 4accessible iwhen ycap 5 is removed. Also, the washer' and its securing means are thereby rendered easy of assembly within the casing.

In the example shown, the main valve 9 is in the form oitl a truncated cone formed of a block of metal or other suitable inaterial, formed with a central vertical bore or pressure relief passage 9a through which .the lift rod ll extendsand `in -which it is .pendent movement of the auxiliary valve as the upper end of the cap or spider 9 overhangs the upper end oii valve l() to lorin a stop limiting the relative vertical movement ofvalve l0, andwhereby the valvel Slis lifted by valve l0. The spideror cap V9c is con stantly open to free passage oiiwater from chamber cinto/the interior olA the spider 'for flow through relief ,passage 9a when that passage is open. The spider isprefcrably interiorlylarge with `respect to valve 10, so that ivalve 9 is more or less looselyhung on and freeto swing laterally with respect to valve l0 improperly seating'.

Various means can be provided terniaiiually operating theliftfrod ll to elevate the relief valve `l0 to start `the llow o'l water through the main valve 9, and then toelevate the main valve by the engagement ol' valve lOwith the top or spider 9C to start the liullliushing-tloiin For iustance,in this example, I show, a rotary or oscillatory stem 16 extending` transversely through `the casing and having'exterior lateral or radial operating handlelT, aiidwithin the casing having laterallilitingai'i1ror`i1iger i8 yat its freeend in operativelitting engagement `with that portion o'ttlie lifting rodivit-liiii the chamber bt'ormed by casing section 3.

In the example illustrated, the'lower portion 3 ofthe casing isextended lateinlly to uprovide an offset outlettor `the flushing water chamberb, and this outlet `fromsadepending vdischarge neck `or mouth 3 it'oi'nicd to be coupled to thetlushing `water oll'take The lower portion 3 of the casingr is formed with an interioi'ly screw threaded 4opening` `alined with :the longitudinal `aves of the lii't rod ll and ol' the valves). l0, `andfthis opening receivesthe upper end of a1 depending cylindrical dash pot cupor cylinder 19, screw threaded atiits` upper end to screw finto' said 'opening andthus form a Vdownwardly continuation ot the casing.

iii

ving operation.

were?? vided with a dash pot piston 20, that works vertically in said cup to control the closing movements of thel valves 9, 10, and hence predetermine the approximate volume or` quantity of water discharged at each flush- The piston is formed to rise freely with the lifting rod when that rod is elevated by manipulation of handle 17, and to slowly descend under the pressure of the water and the weight of the parts then carJ ried by the piston.

The piston head loosely lits in the cup, but is equipped with a flexible cup washer 21 having its flexible annular depending skirt formed to expand and prevent upward How of water within the cup past the piston, as usual. However, the lower end of the piston head within the skirt of the washer, is contracted or reduced in diameter to permit such inward contraction of the lower end of the skirt, when the piston is located at the upper end of the cup, as to cause downward flow of water past the piston into the cup, and to facilitate this operation of quickly filling the cup with water when the valves are raised and before they start on their closing strokes, I show the upper end of the cup interior slightly enlarged by an outward flare or bevel 19, seein particular Fig. 3, showing the piston approximately at its limit of upward movement.

The object, is to assure the complete lilling of the cup with water, before the piston starts on its downward movement and the valves start on theiir closing movements.

lThe instant the piston starts down, the cup washer 21 expands against the inner surface of the cup against upward passage of water from the cup past the piston, thereby exerting more or less pressure on the water in the cup. Hence an outlet for the water from the cup must be provided and the speed of the descend of the piston can be controlled by controlling the flow of water from the cup. For instance, l provide a water discharge and inlet channel or duct- 23 arranged longitudinally of and within the wall of the cup, leading from the interior of the lower end of the cup and at its upper end 253D, opening through the top edge of the cup into the flushing water chamber o of the casing. The lower end of this duct 23 opens into the lower end of the cup through the medium of radial port 23, and an adjustable tapered end set screw or pointed valve screw 24 is provided for varying the discharge capacity of this port 23a.

The set screw 24 is longitudinally adjustable in a tapped hole formed radially through the wall of the cup opposite and alined with the radial port 2.. The head of the set screw 2a is accessible at the exterior of the casing and cup and is formed to receive a screw driver or other implement by which the set screw can be rotated to increase or diminish the capacity of discharge port 232L and the flow of water therethrough.

By this means, the rate of flow of water from the cup can be easily and accurately adjusted to suit various conditions and to control the quantity of water discharged at each flushing operation. tions, the quantity of water discharged at a flushing operation, is determined by the length of time it takes the valves to close from completely' opened positions. How-- ever, water pressure and other conditions vary at different locations, and even from time to time in the same installation. These various conditions can be taken care of by the single simple adjustment screw 24, from the exterior of the casing, without the necesity of gaining access to interior parts.

It is obvious that when the piston 20 is drawn upwardly by the valve opening movement, water will be drawn into the cup through the duct 23 and port 23a, possibly 'f sufficient water to fill the cup, and if this occurs, the beveled end 19a and contractile washer skirt 21, are unnecessary, but these last named features assure the quick filling of the cup on the completion of the upward stroke of the piston, under all conditions.

If so desired, the duct 23 can be formed by a longitudinal groove cast or otherwise formed in the inner surface of the casting forming the cup, and the duct and port. formation and the beveled upper end formation of the cup, can be completed by the insertion of a cup lining tube 25 to cover the groove and form the duct and to provide the port 23?.

Material advantages are gained by the reversal of liow of water under pressure from time to time through channel Q3 and port 23a, as the channel and port are thereby rendered self cleaning. If foreign matter tends to clog the port or channel, the forced water flow in opposite direct-ions removes the obstruction.

In the example shown, the stem or spindle 16 extends transversely through the casing to one side of the lift rod 11, and the side walls of the casing are formed with opposite alined hollow bosses 16"', forming bearings for said stern 1G. (lne of theseY bosses is closed against water leakage by a :ap 27 containing a packing washer compressed against the outer edge of the bearing` boss, as the stem 16 terminates within the last named bearing boss. However, the stem extends to the exterior of the opposite bearingboss to receive the handle 17. This bearing boss is e-Xteriorly threaded to receive a threaded cap, or packing nut or gland 28, containing suitable packing 29 compressed around the stem and against the edge of the Under like condi- Ell , boss. .Great difficulty has been experienced Y in Vpreventing leakagealong tl1e,stem yand ,through the packing nut 28,.,while yavoiding so muelilfriction on the stemas tofvresist free rotation or movement thereof. Ifv thepgland was tightened su'liciently to :prevent Water leakage, the stemy was gripped too tightly by the packingand thestem was not-'free to rotate.

VI have mostz effectively overcome this difficulty by forming an annular small smoothfaced groove 3() ,aroundtheiportion of the `.stem orhandle shaft 16 thatis surrounded by the packing. This `groove is located within thepackingnutatthe exterior of the bearing boss, andl` find that the packing eX- pands into the groovei and i tightly.A seals i the outerzend of the bosslgainst leakage yet leaves the `stem 4vfree to rotate orA oscillate without excessive friction or restraint.

Itis ,evident-,that various changes,imodii cations,and departures mig-htbe` resorted to without departing from the spiritand scope of my invention andhenoel do notyvishVv to limit myself to the,exactdisclosure-hereof.

l. Flushing v,apparatus comprising a casing embodyingqan yupper pressure chamber, alower flushing water chamber rhaving a lateral jfiushing ,water outlet, a flushing water port Afrom the fpressure chamberto said lower chamber; flushing valve mechanism controlling said port and embodying aimain lift valve .in the pressurechamber having a pressure relief passage, a relief Avalve for closing and openingsaid relief passage,said valves-being closed solely by gravity and water pressure, ,allift stem operatively connected Ewith said valves to Control the closing movements thereof, land,pro wided withoperatngzmeans for lifting said valves in succession `against gravity and waterpressure; the lower end of said stem provided with a piston having an annular depending contractile cup washer; a dash pot cup alinedwith said stemand receiving ,said piston and arranged at thellower end of the flushing water ,r chamberthe upper end. ofsaid cup being open into saidchamber below said late al Outlet, the upper end ofsaid cup being formed to permit quick filling of the cup when the piston is yapproximately at its limit vof upward movement, said cup having a. radial port at its lower endand a duct leading therefromito `the upper edge of said cup and open adjacent tosaid flushing water outlet, and a normally stationary valvescrew for controlling the `capacity of said radialport, said screw .adjustable-from theexterior of the easingrsaid pistonnand cup constructed and arranged to control the closing movement of ,said valves solelyfby the outlowthrough saidiradial port, the walls of the cup ybelow ,its upperlendvheing otherwise imperforate.

-llushing apparatus comprising main L,and f relief I flushing valves, ,a casing provida fliushing water passage, a lift stem for saidV valves, a piston, carried by said stem for controlling the closing movement of the valves,val dash pot cup .receiving said `pis- `tonand carried by said casingand vat its upperend open to saidpassage, said cup provided .with `a longitudinal water duet open tonsaid passage at its upper end at `the top edge of said cup and at its lower end :having a port opening into the' lower end of the cup,a normally fixed member adjustable from the exterior of the casing for controlling the capaeityof said port, said piston andthe cup beingvrelatively formed to perlnitvflowof water past the piston during nascent of the piston and to prevent Water `leakage except throughsaid port and'duct .during descent of the piston, said piston and the upper endy portion ofthe cup being relatively formed to permit quick inflow of water under the piston when approxi- 'mately at its limit of upward movement.

3. vFlushing apparatus comprising a` casing providing a pressure water chamber having a. bottom port, a 'lushingwater chamber below said port, and ailash pot cup alined with said port andy at its upper end open to said-iushing water chamber-and otherwise closed except-for a radial perforation Vatthe lower end of the cup, a lift stem arranged in said chambers and extending through said port and provided with a` piston fitted insaid cup, main and relief Hushing valves carried andcontrolledby sad stem and controlling said port7 the wall of said cup-formed with a longitudinal groove opening througlrthe top edge ofthe cup and extending` to the lower end portion thereof, said provided .with an inner "suri'ace-forniing lining sleeve covering said `groove to form a duet and at the lower end portion of said duet formed ,with said perforation opening into the duct formed with said perforation opening into the duct, and a normally fixed screw adjustable from the exterior of the cupand controlling the eapae'ty of said perforation. i

le. Iii-flushing apparatus, a casing liiaving a flushing water passage with an annular falve seat` formed by an annular compressible washer, a conical main lift valve normally fitting down within the center opening of said washer and seated thereon closing said' Cil lil

independent vertical movement of said auxiliary valve and by which the auxiliary valve lifts the main valve, said member' being constantly open for flow of water therethrough and normally out of contact with the auxiliary valve.

5. Flushing aplniratns comprising a casing providing a top pressure water chamber, a bottom flushing water passage, and a bottom vertical flushing water port from the pressure chamber surrounded by an annular washer supporting ledge, an annular compressible washer fitting the bottom of the pressure chamber and seated on said ledge and overhanging said port, a valve lift stem in said chambers and extending through said port, main flushing and pressure relief lift valves controlling said port and controlled in their vertcal movements by said stem, means for lifting said stem to open said valves, means controlling the descent of said stem and the closing movement of said valves, the main ushing valve being of conical formation and normally fittng down within said washer, said casing having a removable top closure for said pressure chamber, the upper portion of the casing being internally screw threaded, a vertically slidable removable ring in the casing for compressing said washer against said ledge and provided with spaced upright arms, and a removable ring nut fitting said screw threads and engaging the upper ends of said arms.

6. Flushing apparatus comprisng a casing providing a pressure water chamber with an outlet port and a flushing water passage, gravity and water pressure seated lift valves controlling said port and embodying a main flushing valve and a relief valve, a stem for lifting said valves and controlling the gravity and water pressure closing movement thereof, means controlling the descent of said stein, a freely turnable rock shaft mounted in the casing and operatively connected to said stem to lift the same and said valves and provided with an exterior operating handle, said casing providing a bearing for said shaft having a projecting exteriorly threaded nipple, said shaft having an annular smooth-surface groove at the outer end portion of said nipple, a threaded cap `surrounding said shaft beyond and screwing on said nipple, and packing within the cap and surrounding the shaft and expanded into said groove to seal the same against outward leakage along the shaft without binding the shaft against free rotation under the weight of the valves and stem. l

7 Flushing apparatus comprising a casing providing a top water pressure chamber and a flushing water passage, flushing valve means in said Chamber and controlling the flow of water therefrom, operating and controlling means therefor, a top end removable closure for said casing where by access can be gained to said chamber and the valve means theren, said closure having an exterior wrench face and a central thread ed upwardly projecting stem, a removable thin ornamental exterior slip cover normally covering said closure and having a central top opening receiving said stem, and a re movable linger disk forming a clamping nut normally screwed onto said stem to secure said cover, said disk formed with an annular cushioning rim to form a closet seat bumper.

Signed at l/Vashington, D. C., this 27th day of November, 1922.

LEO SIMMONS.