US2258453A

US2258453A - Water closet

Info

Publication number: US2258453A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clarence H Johnson
Original assignee: Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1938-12-08
Filing date: 1939-08-12
Publication date: 1941-10-07
Anticipated expiration: 1958-10-07
Also published as: GB651836A

Description

c. H. JoHNsoN' 2,258,453

' WATER CLOSET Filed Aug. 12. 1939 5 sheets-sheet 1 Oct.- 7, 1941. c, H. JQHNSQN 2,258,453

WATER CLOSET Filed Aug. l2, `1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 wenn! l 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 7, 1941. c. H. JoHNsoN 2,258,453`

WATER cLosvET Filed Aug. l2, 1939 135 'y Eu/anion 2f-r. Z/ CZQP/QROQEJO/zson Oct. 7, 1941.- C, H, JQHNSQN 2,258,453

WATER CLOSET Filed Aug. l2, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Oct. 7, 1941 .UNIT-ED STATES PATENT optics WATER oLosE'r Clarence H. Johnson, Chicago, Il l., `assigner to Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application August 12, 1939, ASerial No. 289,848

(Cl. i-,85)

14 Claims.

This invention relates to water closets for rail- Way cars Aand has for its `primary object the provision of a lightweight closet structure and operating mechanism.

The invention involves the use of an upper dumping pan and a bottom closure member with operating mechanism therefor designed `to effect full closing of .the bottom closure member before initiating the vdumping action of vthe upper pan and the return' movements of such members in reverse sequence, whereby the initial opening movement of the bottom closure member is delayed -until the upper dumping pan is restored to fully closed, normal position.

The invention also contemplates the restoration of the flushing mechanism for the Water closet to its normal non-flushing condition in the event that the upper pan is prevented from returning to normal, closed position, or the bottom closure member either to normally open or closed position, or both members aected simultaneously by an obstruction in the closet, thereby to prevent draining of the water supply tank.

The principal object .of the invention is to provide a compact operating `mechanism requiring less space for its full range of action and having lost motion mechanism between the -upper pan andthe bottom closure member adapted to afford sequential operation of such members in the order desired without the use of weights and having other `.lost motion means normally supporting the -upper pan in closed position but adapted to afford full opening of such pan. Y

Specifically, "the invention contemplates the `provision of torsional spring devices adapted, one pf'them, normally to maintain the upper pan in closed position andthe other to permit opening the upper pan after the bottom closure member lhas lbeen actuated and providing, respectively, `lost motion means whereby the operation'of the upper pan might be obstructed `without adversely af- -fecting the mechanism and lost motion means `adapted to absorb the continued movement of the mechanism necessary 'to dump the upper pan.

The invention has for its further and im- `portant object the provision of a water closet yfor railway cars preferably constructed of lightweight stainless steel, orA other suitable non-cor,- roding metal, pressed or drawn to the required -shapes and suitably welded.

'Ilhe `foregoing and other and more specific Iobjects of the rinvention are attained by the mechanism :illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

`in whichating mechanism with parts broken away better to show the flushing valve operating arrange,- ment;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the hopper with vthe operating mechanism in normal position with the upper pan closed and the bottom closure, member open;

Fig. -3 is a similar View o f the hopper with the mechanism ,operated to a point where both the upper pan and the bottom closure member are disposed in fully closed position;

Fig. 4 is still another side elevational View of the hpllper with the `meclianlsrn further operated to its iinal extreme position of ,movement with the upper pan in the fully open or Adumping porsi-` tion and the bottom closure member still ful'ly closed and from which position the parts then assume the position illustrated in Fig. 2, in which position the lower chamber is vpermitted ,to empty;

Fig, 5 is a vertical sectional View through the .center of the hopper taken on the line 5--5 of Fig, 1 with the operating parts in normal position and illustrating the hopper Iconstruction-g Fig. 6 is a vertical, transverse sectional view .through the Acenter of the lhopper, taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 2, with the parts -in `normal posi tion and yfurther illustrating the hopper'construction;

Fig. 7 Ais enlarged, `fragmentary, sectional view of the upper pan shaft mounting fand mecha.. nism and the bottom closure member mounting;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view through the upper pan shaft vtalien on the line 8 8 of Fig. '7 and showing the spiral `spring arrangement for providing .a lost motion `connection .between the .upper p an and the bottom closure member;

Fig. v9 Vis a sectional View through thev upper pan shaft taken -on the line 9-f-,9 of Fig. :'I` and showing the spiral springarrangement for urging w lthe upper pan-toward closed position;

Fig.v 10 is a detaiLperspective view of Ythe `member on the upper `pan shaft `for co-operating with the lost motion mechanism;

Figs-1l and 12 lare detail, perspective views el Vthe `parts o f the lost motion mechanism which house the spiral spring.;

Fis. `i3 is a fragmentary, .broken-away, .prspective View of the'upper pan and bottom `closure jmember with the operating mechanism;

Fig. 14 is a similar view-of .a modified formolf the invention in which a spiral spring arrangement is also used ,on the bottom closure member shaft; `and 1 Figs. v15 and 1-6 are detail Aside-elevational .and

cross-sectional views, respectively, of the modified arrangement.

In the drawings, I represents a water closet constructed in accordance with the invention and including the base member II having outwardly extending bottom flange I2 which may be reinforced, if desired, by ring member |13 to prevent distortion thereof when secured to uneven supporting surfaces. The base tapers upwardly, as at I4, to a point intermediate the height of the water closet where it is provided with a vertically disposed flange I5 continuous about the perimeter and having a horizontal top surface. A chute member I1 is disposed within the base member II and secured at the position of the vertical flange I5 by welding. The chute is tapered downwardly to a bottom opening and is provided with a recess I8 in the rearmost wall for a purpose hereinafter to appear. The flange I5, with the top edge of the chute I1, provides a throat into which housing member I6 is received and adapted to be secured by weldingone series of continuous spot welds securing the three thicknesses of metal comprising the flange I5, the chute I1 and the housing member I6. Above the point of attachment to the flange I5 and the chute member, the rear wall I9 of the member I6 extends substantially vertically, while the respective side walls flare outwardly above that point, and the front wall 2i is also ared, to a substantially greater degree, to provide an extended front. The side walls 2i! are each provided with a recess 22 having a horizontally disposed top surface perforated at 23 for a purpose hereinafter to be described. housing member I6 is provided with an outwardly extending flange 24 continuous about the upper edge and disposed on a horizontal plane to provide a seat. The housing member I6 and the base member I I, together with the chute I1, allv integrally secured together, comprise the stand portion of the water closet. The base and chute members are each of them formed from a single, integral piece of metal drawn to the desired shape, but the housing member is developed from a single blank of metal, of the desired contour, having a vertically disposed, interlocking, welded seam in the rear wall and pressed to the required shape.

The horizontal seat afforded by the top ange 24 on the housing member I6 is embraced by a sealing gasket 25 which may be of rubber, if desired, or any other suitable material. Seated upon this gasket is the bowl 26 of the water closet having the horizontally disposed shelf portion 21 complemental to and supported from the seat afforded on the stand. The bowl is provided with an extended front corresponding to that of the stand and, from the shelf portion 21 inside the stand, tapers down to a discharge opening emptying into the chute I1. From the shelf 21 upwardly, the bowl extends vertically a short distance, as at 28, and then is provided with an outwardly extending flange 23 for attachment thereto of the rim 3B by welding. The rim is provided with the elongated opening 3| having curved edges, as at 32, and is provided with an overhanging portion 33 at the rear for the support of mechanism presently to be described. rThe rim is provided with a rolled edge 34 afforded by rolling the metal about a wire filler 0r core. The rim is pressed to the desired shape, while the bowl proper 26 is drawn to the contour required to provide proper draining surfaces. At opposite sides, in positions complementing the At the top, the

recesses 22 in the respective side walls of the stand, the bowl is provided with fabricated projections 35 secured to the sides of the bowl by welding and having threaded portions adapted to receive removable stud bolts 36 entered through the openings 23 in the top surface of the recess 22 securely to retain the bowl 26 in proper sealing relation to the stand.

Flushing mechanism 45 is provided for the water closet and is supported wholly from the bowl and rim structure, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 5. A supporting bracket 4S is secured to the overhanging rim structure 33 by means of bolts 41 and is formed with depending flanges 48 disposed at opposite sides to provide spaced bearings for the reception of the hollow operating shaft 49. An operating lever 50 is pressed onto one end of the shaft 49 and secured by a pin 39 and bears against one side of one of the depending flanges 48, thereby to prevent displacement of the shaft with respect to the flange in one direction. A bifurcated actuating cam 5I is securely anchored on the operating shaft at the opposite side of the depending ange referred to by means of set screw 52 and serves to prevent movement of the shaft in the opposite direction, whereby axial displacement thereof is positively prevented. The bifurcated jaws of the cam 5I are adapted to engage the ball-shaped end 53 of bell-crank lever 54 which is pivoted on integral stud 55 depending from the underside of the supporting bracket 46 and the bifurcated arm 56 of which engages the operating plunger 51 of the flushing valve 58 to change the rotary motion of the cam 5I into a horizontal thrust on the valve plunger when the operating lever 5B is actuated. The free end of the plunger 51 nds bearing in a flanged bracket member 59 secured to the flushing valve 58 by means of cap screws taking the studs 6I] integral therewith. The bifurcated arm 56 of the bell-crank 54 engages bearing block 6I on the plunger 51 in order to actuate that member.

The ushing valve 58 is mounted from ange 63 depending from the rear of the supporting bracket 46 by means of securing nuts taking integral studs 64 on the valve body. The valve is connected to a Source of water supply, at 65, and communicates with the interior of the closet bowl 26 by means of an intervening T-shaped member 66 secured to the bowl at 61 and to which the flushing valve is connected at 68. The T member 66 is provided with one spout 69 adapted to direct iushing water into the area of the rim of the bowl on the shelf 21 and another spout 10 adapted to direct water in the same direction into the bowl 26, whereby an effective whirling action of the water is set up thoroughly to ush the closet. A tray 1I, supported at its free end from one of the studs 64 by means of the securing nut, extends beneath the flushing valve 58 to collect any moisture dripping therefrom and drains into the closet stand as at 12. The flushing mechanism is actuated coincidentally with the operation of operating mechanism for the upper dumping pan and bottom closure member, as hereinafter described, by means of treadle 14 fulcrumed intermediate its ends at 4I on fulcrum bracket 13-here shown as supported directly from the floor independently of the closet stand, but which, if desired, may be incorporated with the bottom flange reinforcing ring I3 as an integral portion thereof.

One end of the treadle 14 is pivotally connected at 42 with a strut 44 which, in turn, is

sessies pivotal-ly connectedat -4'3 to the Iiushing mechanism operating lever 450, whereby, upon depression of the foot-engaging portion of the treadle, causing-an upward thrust on` the strut 44, the shaft `09 will be rotated to cause the cam 5| to actuat'e the bell-crank f52|, thereby to press the plunger 51 `of the flushing valve and flush the closet. The location of the fulcrum 13 with respect to the ratio of the length of the lever 14 upon opposite sides thereof, together with the height ofthe fulcrum above the floor, will, of course, determine the leng-th 'of travel ofthe operating parts;and `bodily shifting of the lf-ulcrum and treadle lever' fore and aft, thereby increasing the angle of the strut v44, will determine the range of operational1 in accordance with requirements of the various flushing valves differing slightly in dimension and operation. YA resilient bumper l"4U is disposed on the underside of the treadle at the foot-engaging portion to prevent metallic contact with lthe noor or supporting surface and serves as a limit of movement for the operating mechanism. The treaclle mechanism is used as a -g-auge in initially installing the arrangement. When it is desired to locate `the fulcrum bra'cket`13, the strut '44 is secured to the valve yoperating lever `50 by the connection 43 andthe treadle v14 then pivoted about the 'fulcrum 13 to a position with the bumper 43 Acontacting lthe fioor. The bracket 13, with the lever 10, is then shifted to a -position where lthe maximum range `of operation of the particular iiushingvalve 'is obtained, and secured. By disconnecting the drip tray 12| and the connection 43, it will be seen that the entire flushing mechanism can 'be removed with the bowl 26, from which it is wholly'supported,V without disturbing any of the other mechanism. Y

An upper dumping pan 15"is provided which, in 1the normal position, is adapted to seal the discharge opening 80 from the closet `bowl 2B; and `a bottom closure member 85 is provided which, in its closed position, is adapted to seal the bottom drain opening Y90 from the `chute I1. The upper pan is insulated, as at 15, the insulation 4being enclosed 'by outer shell 11. The dumping pan 15 `is actuatedby ymeans (of the hollow upper shaft `8| to 'which the pan is anchored by means 'of attaching bracket 1'8 through the medium of *set screws 19. The shaft y8| `is pivotally carried in spaced bearing members i02 and `03 disposed adjacent opposite ends thereof and separate from but fixedly secured in therespective side walls y2|) Yof the closet stand immediately above the njoinder of the base |l| with the chute `I1 :and if" 'housing member I6 by means of similar nuts 84 clamping the side walls between similar shoulders '86, on the respective bearings, and the nuts. The

'bearing'83 is provided with an outwardlydisposed Vvchored tothe shaft 8| by means of set `screw 95 'for rotation therewith, The tension on the: spring 88 may readily'be adjusted merely by winding up the spring by means of the member 93 to the desired degree before setting the screw 95. The amount of spring tension necessary is determined solely by the force required to counter- 'balance 'thedump'ing fpan 15 in closed position. "Thus, it will be seen 'that VLsince the bearing 8.3

ofwhioh the spring seat 81 isan integral part is rigidly xed the spring `|30 will exert a force on the member 93 tending to rotate the shaft 8|; and by the direction of the coils of the spring, it will be noted that this force is exerted to rotate the shaft in a direction to urge the dumping Apan towards fully closed position against limit stop 9B where it is normally maintained.

Disc Washer 91, seated against collar 98 on the bearing 83, Aenc'loses the inner side of the spring 88 yand cooperates with the disk `93 and flange 9-2`to constitute a housing for the spring. VThe bottom closure member is -provided Lwith spaced stub shafts 1|02 offset from the plane of such member, whereby the axis of operation is disposed above the oor lline and the lbottom member therebenea-th `and by means Vof which the member is pivotally mounted in spaced, similar bearing members |03 `separate from but xedly secured lin the respective side Walls of the base member by means of similar nuts |04 clamping such `side walls between shoulders |05, on the respective bearings, and the nuts. A counterweight |06 is securely anchored'to the outer end of Vone of the -stub `shafts |02 `by means lof set screw |01 in a position `tending to urge the bottom closure member toward open position `where it lis normally held. A resilient bumper |08 is disposed on the underside of the counterweight to 4deaden the -sound of operation and comes in contact with bottom flange `|'2 of the base to limit -the opening movement of 'the member 85. While the side walls of the housing I5 Vand 'the base Yin which the shafts 85| and |02,` respectively, vare mounted, 4are disposed `atan angle to such shafts, it will be noted, asbest shown in 'Fig "1, that such walls are provided Awith parallel portions at right angles to the axes 'of the respective shafts for attachment of the shaftbearing members 8-2, 03 and |03.

The operating ymechanism 4for the dumping pan '15 and the bottom closuremember-85 is designed for sequential operation Vof those members and coincidentally 'with 'the flushing operation, with the bottom closure Amember rst coming fully closedagainst 'the chute opening 90 before the dumping pan begins 'to move away from its seat againsts'top95 to expose the discharge opening 80. The bottom closurememberi85 is operated directly 'from the treadle 14 through mechanism including the strut 44 and separately from the dumping pan 15. A slotted lever |20 is securely ranchored 'on the outer end of Aone of the bottom .closure member stub shafts 4|02 by means of a set screw 12| and provides an arm by means of which the :bottom A'closure member may be actuated. A slot r|22 is provided in the lever which is 'adaptedf'to receive a projecting lug |23 on an operatinglever |24 `and provides'a means of compensating for the relative movement between vthe two members as they traverse their respective arcuate paths about "their axes. While the slot |22, as shown, is udisposed in the lever |20 and 'the lug |23 on the lever |24, itwill be understood that such arrangement'might be reversed with the .slot |22 in the lever |24 and the lug |23 disposed on the lever |20 without impairing the function or operation of the mechanism. Or, if desired, the slot |22 might be dispensed with altogetheriand a direct pivotal connection bevtweenrtl'ie*lever |24 and lug |23 substituted with a telescopic .connection l provided ,in the lever Y|24 -inthearcuate movement. 1

The lever A|24 is an assembly comprisedV of an operating disc |25 and the lever and are both mounted on a sleeve |26 and provided with an intervening torsional spring |21 anchored at opposite ends to each and acting therebetween to cause such members to operate in unison to actuate the slotted lever |20 to close the bottom closure member 85, The lever 24 is provided with a hollow cylindrical portion |28 of which the lever is an integral part and havingv a hub |29 for mounting upon the sleeve |26. The torsional spring |21 is disposed within the hollow cylindrical portion 28 and anchored at its outer end to the perimeter thereof by means of rebent ange |3| engageable through slot |30. The operating disc |25 is provided with a hub |32 seated on the sleeve |26 and extending within the hollow cylindrical portion |28 and to which the inner end of the torsional spring |21 is anchored by means of flange |34 entered within slot |33. The operating disc 25 is provided with an integral, laterally extending lug |35 projecting into the path of movement of the lever |24 and against which such lever bears under the influence of spring |21. The lever |24, operating disc |25 and spring |21 may be assembled on the sleeve |26 as a unit prior to mounting upon the shaft 8|, and the spring may be adjusted to any desired degree of tension merely by relative rotation of the opposing parts in a direction to wind up the spring and thereby to cause the lever |24, in operation, to move in unison with the operating disc |25 to actuate the bottom closure member 85,. The adjustment is maintained by the engagement of the lever |24 with the lug |35. The sleeve |28 is mounted upon the shaft 8 I, freely, for relative rotation with respect thereto; and the lever |24 and the disc |25 are mounted upon the sleeve for relative rotation therebetween, whereby the whole mechanism is disposed in floating relation to the shaft 8| which merely acts as the axis for the pivotal operation thereof. The lever mechanism |24 and |25, with the spring |21 and including the sleeve |28, is held in assembled relation upon the shaft 8| by means of a collar member |44 having an annular flange |45 embracing the outer hub portion |46 oi the disc |25 and anchored on the outer end of the shaft 8| by means of set screw |42, The mechanism is confined between the collar |44 and the collar 85 on the wshaft bearing 82, wherebythe lever |24 operates in a plane for co-operation with the bottom closure member operating arm |20 by means of the projecting lug |23.

The disc |25 is operated by the treadle 14 and for this purpose is provided with an integral, laterally projecting lug |36 by means of which the disc is rotated through a connecting link |31 extending between the lug |36, to which it issecured by Washer |38 and fastening means |39, and the connection 43 to the ilushing mechkanism operating lever 50 which is operated directly by the strut 44 from the treadle 14, whereby the link |31 provides a means of operating the disc |25 coincidentally with the flushing mechanism upon depression of the treadle 14. The connecting link, where it associates with the lug |36 on` the disc |25, is provided with a slot |43 for a purpose hereinafter to appear. Thus, it will be seen that upon actuation of the treadle the initial movement causes the bottom closure member 85 immediately to assume its fully closed position in sealing relation to the opening 90 from the chute |1. The immediate response of the bottom closure member to the flushing action occurs prior to any movement whatever of the upper dumping pan 15 and is necessary to preyent the possibility of a draft from the opening 90 through the discharge opening 80 as would occur if the upper pan opened before or during the raising movement of the bottom closure member; and, during this initial movement, the lever |24 and disc |25 move in unison as though they were a single integral member. The disc |25 is designed also to operate the dumping pan 15 and, for this purpose, is provided with a laterally extending stud |40 engageable, after the bottom closure member 85 has reached its sealing position with respect to opening 00 and upon continued movement of the operating parts, with a crank arm |4| formed integrally with the collar |44 anchored to the shaft 8| by means of set screw |42, thereby to rotate that shaft and dump the pan 15 which empties into the chute |1 as the pan enters the recess I8 provided in the rear wall of the chute for that purpose.

During the continued movement of the operating parts necessary to operate the dumping pan after the bottom closure member 85 reaches its final position, the operating lever |24 for the bottom closure member remains fixed in the final position of movement to close the member 85, while the operating disc |25 continues to rotate relatively with 'respect to the cylindrical portion |28 under the influence of the connection |31 to the operating mechanism and against the increasing tension of the torsional spring |21 as the lug |35 moves away from the lever |24, at which time the spring is wound more tightly during such relative rotation of the parts and, upon release of the operating pressure, unwinds to the point where the lug |35 again contacts the lever |24.

The sequential operation of the mechanism in its various progressive positions assumed during the iiushing period is best depicted in Figs, 2, 3 and 4. In Fig. 2, all of the parts, including the iiushing mechanism, are shown in their normal position of rest with the dumping pan 15 closed and the bottom closure member 85 open. The lever |24 is seated against the lug |35 and the stud |40 is spaced from the crank arm |4|. When it is desired to flush the closet, it is necessary merely to step upon the treadle 14 which pivots about the fulcrum 13 to exert an upward thrust on the strut 44 and thereby actuate the lever 50 to operate the ilushing valve 58 by means of the cam 5| and bell-crank 56. The pan 15 and member 35 are operated by the treadle 14 and strut 44 coincidentally with the operation of the flushing mechanism by reason of the connection 43 between the strut 44 and the link |31 at the lever 50. Therefore, the same upward thrust of the strut 44 causes the connecting link |31 to rotate the lever disc |25 in a direction whereby the lever |24 exerts a force on the crank arm |20 by means of the slot and lug |22 and |23, respectively, to move the member 85 into sealing relation with opening 90 as shown in Fig. 3. During this initial movement, the pan 15 has not moved from its closed position in sealing relation with the discharge opening but the stud |40, on the disc |25, has approached the crank arm |4| on the dump pan shaft 8| to a position lwhere contact is made immediately after the member reaches closed position. As shown in Fig, 3, it will be seen that both the dump pan 15 and bottom closure member 85 are in fully closed position, while contact with the crank arm |4| has not yet been made by the stud |40; but

, Contact between the lever |24 and lug |35 is maintained during the initial movement by spring: |21 up tothat point in the operation when the: member 85 contacts the ychute I1, thus acting rigidly to close the bottom closure member, and when thatpoint is reached the lug- |35 moves away from lever |24 as the stud |40 contacts the crank arm |-4| to dump the pan 15 upon continued rotation of ythe disc |25, thus acting ii'exibly to afford the continued movement to open the dump pan. During such continued rotation, the lever |24 remains in its final position of movement in. closing the member 85, while the spring |21 `compensates for the relative rotation between the parts |24 and |25; and the tension thereon'is' gradually increased as the disc turns thecran'k arm |4| by means of the stud |40 to rotate the shaft 8| and thereby dump the pan 1.5-, as shown; in Figa-1. The final dumping position of the pan 15 is. illustrated in Fig. 4, at which time the pan enters recess; |8 in the rear wall of chu-te' |1 while the bottom closure member 85 remainsA in sealing relation to chute opening 90. lin this iigure, it will be noted that. the lever |24 is still in its iinal position of movement, while the disc |25 has rotated toits flnalpositionwith the lug |35 spaced from the lever |24 and the stud |40 bearing against thel crank. arm |4| in `the final position of that member withy the spring |21 wound up to its Vgreatesi'.cl.egree of tension under normal conditions, Treadle 14 has moved to' its extreme" position withy the bumper 40 bearing against the floor, and the flushing mechanism has attained' its full flushing forcesending water through the nozzles 69 and '|70 into the bowl 26 toibe drained through `discharge opening 80 4intcr the chute' chamber |-1, after which all of the operating parts are restored to their normal position in directly reversev sequence with the Apan 15` first closing completely before the bottom closurel member 85 is opened to releasev the contents from they chute |1 through opening 9U, at which time the'parts have again assumed the position shown in Fig. 2".

, While the dumping .operation of the pan- 15 andtlie initial operation ofthe bottom closure member |l"takes place coincidentally with the operation of the iiushing mechanism, the release of each mechanism is accomplished independentl'y ,of the other; and the speed with which the ,flushing mechanism returns to non-flushing condition -is 4not dependent upon or affected by the 4timerequired for the dump pan and bottom clo- `'suremernber operating parts to ,return to normal "position after the pressurehas been released from treadle 114. By means of slot |43 in the link |31 at'the connection to lug |36 on theI disc |25 in combination with the iioating type mounting of the' lever disc |25, the flushing mecha- 4nism `is adapted to return to non-flushing condition even though the operating parts for the pan and member 85 might, for some reason, 4be prevented from returning to their normal-position of rest` whereby continuous operation of the flushing valve and consequent draining of 4the water supply tank (not shown) is prevented. It. will be seenthat by. reason of the floating connectionl of the disc. |25, that member, after `having been operated'to its extreme position of `mover-nent todump the pan T5, will .return at least to a. position Where the lug will bear against lever |24 under the iniiuence of spring |21; and in the event4 that the member 85 for some reason is prevented from opening, that position will be as shown in Fig. 3` with thelever |24 prevented from returning fully to its normal position of rest-by the crank arm |20. kWith the disc |25 having reached this position, the flushing mechanism then may return to fully released, non-flushing. position by reason ofthe slotted engagement |43 of the connecting link |31 with ther lug |36 on the disc. Even though both the bottom closure member 85` and the dump pan 15 be` prevented from returning .to their respective normal positions-i, e., the member 05 prevented from opening and the pan 15 prevented from closing, the iiushing mechanismwill be released as above described. By having the floating type mounting. of the lever and disc mech.- anism |24 and |25 and the loose connectionbetween the stud. and crank. arm |4|, the dump pan 15 may remain in. any position, because of an obstruction, without affecting the return of the flushing mechanism to Areleased position. The pan 15 may be pressed open with a hose or the like. for cleaning purposes, against the resistance offered by spring 88,` without operating either the bottomclosure member 85 or the iiushing mechanism; and, likewise, the bottom closure member 85 maybe swungr through its complete arc of travel without affecting either the pan 15 or the flushing mechanism. bottom closure member 85 should become obstructed and fail to close, the compensating action of spring |21 will still permit` dumping of the pan 15 and operation, of the iiushing mechanism. In the modified type of arrangement illustrated in` Figs. 14, 15 and 16, the mechanism, in so far as the opera-tion of the dumping pan 15is concerned, isexactly the same as that heretofore described :and therefore will require no further description; .but the counterbalancing of the bottom closureV member85 is accomplished byv means o-f a torsional. spring without the use of weigh-ts., That end of the one stub shaft |02 upon which the counterweight |06 was mounted is now disposed flush with the end of bearing |03 and provided with a` slotted cap scr'ew |55 threaded into ther end of the shaft and having a nished head to the diameter of the bearing |03. At the opposite side of the base `on the other stub shaft |02, a combined crank arm and spring housing member is substituted for the crank arm |20 of the previously described embodiment. `The crank arm is provided with a slot- |51- for cooperation with the .lugv |23 on the actuating lever |24 and is anchored to the stub 'shaft |02 by means of set screw |2| entered through hub |58, The crankarm is provided with an integral, cylindrical spring housing |59 containing a torsional spring |60 anchored at its outer extremity to the perimeter of the housing by means of rebent flange |6| entered in slot |62. The spring |60 is coiled. about iixedy bearing member |63 for the stubshaft |02, which is secured in the base like bearing |03, by means of similar nuts |04 and is anchored thereto, at its inner end, by means of flange |64 entered in groove |65.

By the direction of the spring coils, it will be .noted4 that the spring |60 exerts a force between the iiXed bearing |63 and the spring housing |59 tending to rotate the crank arm |56 and the shaft |02 in a direction to open the bottom clo- In the event the sure member 85, and a stop |66, integral with the housing |59 and adapted to bear on the base flange I2, is provided to limit the opening movement. A similar integral stop |61 is disposed on the diametrically opposite side of the housing |59 in order to permitl use of the member in reverse with mechanism on the opposite side of the closet stand without change in the casting. Contact with the chute I1 by the member 85 serves as a positive stop to prevent further movement of the member |59. 'I'he sole function of the spring |50, normally, is to open the bottom closure member 85; but it of course oifers additional compensating action, supplementing the spring |21, in the event the bottom closure member 85 fails to operate. The spring housing |59 is closed at the side adjacent to the base by means of a washer |68 seated against collar |69 onthebearing |63. In operation, the spring |60 is maintained under less tension than the spring |21, whereby the resistance offered thereby to the closing of the member 85 may be overcome without causing the lug l 35 to break Contact with the lever |24 before the stop |61 strikes the base ange |2 as the mechanism is actuated. The arrangement functions in exactly the same sequence as that previously described, with bottom member 85 closing first-the spring |60 being wound to a greater degree of tension in accomplishing this; then the spring |21 is wound to a greater degree of tension as the pan is dumped and in reverse sequence as the mechanism is released.

The parts of the operating mechanism are designed for use, in either right or left hand mechanisms-thus eliminating the need for extra castings; and it will be seen that by the mere reversal of the lug |36 on plate |25 all of the parts may be reversed and used either right or left for assembly on either side of the closet stand. In actual practice, the disk is made with two of the lugs |36, one disposed upon each side of the vertical line which passes through the center of the stop the lug |40 and the central opening forming the bearing therefor, whereby the member may be reversed for use on either side of the stand by merely turning it around. It is to be noted that while the springs 88 and |21 are wound up simultaneously in the operation of thek pan 15, they do not act in opposition one to the other but operate separately--each performing its own function independently of the other, but the springs |21 and |60 do function in opposition in that spring |60 resists closing of the member 85, with the spring |21 necessarily overcoming the spring |60 as the lever |24 moves the crank arm |56 to a position closing member 85 without the contact between lug |35 and lever |24 being broken until the stop |61 strikes base flange I2. Y

From the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been provided a lightweight water closet construction with a lightweight operating mechanism in which all unnecessary weights have been eliminated and in which compensating action is provided for all possible conditions adversely affecting the operation of the mechanism, whereby the flushing mechanism is rendered operative at all times.

l What is claimed is:

1. In a water closet including a bowl having a discharge opening and a supporting stand having a, drain opening with a dump pan and a closure member for the discharge and drain openings, respectively, and each having an operating shaft; means for operating said dump pan and closure member, including a lever assembly floatingly mounted on the pan operating shaft, said assembly comprising relatively movable members connected by a spring, and means on the closure member shaft co-operating with the lever.

2. In a water closet including a bowl having a discharge opening and a supporting stand having a drain opening with a dump pan and a closure member for the discharge and drain openings, respectively, and each having an operating shaft; means for operating said dump pan and closure member, including a lever assembly mounted on the pan operating shaft, said assembly comprising a lever arm and an actuating member each mounted for movement relative to said operating shaft and to the other, and means on the closure member shaft co-operating with said lever arm.

3. In a water closet including a bowl having a discharge opening and a supporting stand having a drain opening with a dump pan and a closure member for the discharge and drain openings, respectively, and each having an operating shaft; means for operating said dump pan and closure member, including a lever assembly mounted on the pan operating shaft, said assembly comprising a lever arm and an actuating member each mounted for movement relative to said operating shaft and to the other, a torsional spring connecting said lever arm and actuating member and resisting relative movement thereof, and means on said closure member shaft cooperating with said lever arm.

4. In a water closet including a bowl having a discharge opening and a supporting stand having a drain opening with a dump pan and a closure member for the discharge and drain openings, respectively, and each having an operating shaft; means for operating said dump pan and closure member, including a lever assembly mounted on the pan operating shaft, said assembly comprising a lever arm and an actuating member each mounted for movement relative to said operating shaft and to the other, a spring connecting said lever arm and actuating member and resisting relative movement thereof, and means on said closure member shaft co-operating with said lever arm.

5. In a water closet including a bowl having a discharge opening and a supporting stand having a drain opening with a dump pan and a closure member for the discharge and drain openings, respectively, and each having an operating shaft; means for operating said dump pan and closure member, including a lever assembly mounted on the pan operating shaft, said assembly comprising a lever arm and an actuating member each mounted for movement relative to said operating shaft and to the other, a torsional spring connecting said lever arm and actuating member and resisting relative movement thereof, a crank arm on the pan operating shaft, means on said actuating member engageable with said crank arm, and means on the closure member shaft engageable with said lever arm.

6. In a Water closetl including a bowl having a discharge opening and a supporting stand having a drain opening with a dump pan and a closure member for the discharge and drain openings, respectively, and each having an operating shaft; means for operating said dump pan and closure member, including a lever assembly mounted on the pan operating shaft. said assembly comprising a lever arm and an actuating member each mounted for movement relative to said operating shaft and to the other, a torsional spring connecting said lever arm and actuating member and resisting. relative movement thereof, stop means on the actuating member engageable with the lever arm, a crank arm on the pan operating shaft, means on said actuating member engageable with said crank arm, and means on the closure member shaft engageable with said lever arm.

7. In a water closet including a bowl having a discharge opening and a supporting stand having a drain opening with a dump pan and a closure member for the discharge and drain openings, respectively, and each having an operating shaft; flushing mechanism, means for operating said dump pan and closure member, including a lever assembly mounted on the pan operating shaft, said assembly comprising a lever arm and an actuating member each mounted for movement relative to said operating shaft and to the other, a torsional spring connecting said lever arm and actuating member and resisting relative movement thereof, stop means on the actuating member engageable with the lever arm, a crank arm on the pan operating shaft, means on said actuating member engageable with said crank arm, means on the closure member shaft engageable with said lever arm, a lost motion connection between the actuating member and said flushing mechanism, and means for actuating said flushing mechanism simultaneously with the operation of said dump pan and closure member.

8. In a water closet including a bowl having a discharge opening and a supporting stand having a drain opening with a dump pan and a closure member for the discharge and drain openings, respectively, and each having an operating shaft; counterbalancing means for the closure member, a torsional spring anchored to the supporting stand and connected to the dump pan operating shaft to balance said dump pan, means for operating the dump pan and closure member including `a lever assembly mounted on the pan operating shaft, said assembly comprising a lever arm and an actuating member each mounted for movement relative to said operating shaft and to the other, a torsional spring connecting said lever arm and actuating member and resisting relative movement thereof, stop means on the actuating member engageable with the lever arm, a crank arm on the pan operating shaft, means on said actuating member engageable with said crank arm, and means on the closure member shaft engageable with said lever arm.

9. In a water closet including a bowl having a discharge opening and a supporting stand having a drain opening with a dump pan and a closure member for the discharge and drain openings, respectively, and each having an operating shaft; counterbalancing means for the dump pan, a torsional spring anchored to the supporting stand and` connected to the closure member operating shaft for balancing that member, means for operating the dump pan and closure member `including a lever assembly mounted on the pan operating shaft, said assembly comprising a lever arm and an actuating member each mounted for movement relative to said operating shaft and to the other, a torsional spring connecting said lever arm and yactuating member and resisting relative movement thereof, stop means on the actuating member engageable with the lever arm,

a crank arm on the pan operating shaft, means on said actuating member engageable with said crank arm, and means on the closure member shaft engageable with said lever arm.

10. In a water closet including a bowl having a discharge opening and a supporting stand having a drain opening, a dump pan for the discharge opening having an operating shaft, a closure member for the drain opening having an operating shaft, a torsional spring coiled around the operating shaft for the closure member having one end anchored with respect to the supporting stand and having its other end anchored with respect to the last-named shaft for counterbalancing said closure member, a housing enclosing said spring, mechanism connecting the shafts for sequential rotation thereof, and means for actuating said mechanism.

i1. In a water closet having stationary members comprising a bowl and a supporting stand provided respectively with an upper opening and a lower opening a closure member for each opening and an operating shaft mounting each closure member, a torsional spring coiled around one of said shafts having one end anchored with respect to one of said stationary members and its other end anchored relatively to said lastnam-ed shaft for counterbalancing the closure member mounted by said shaft, a housing enclosing said spring, mechanism connecting the shafts for sequential rotation thereof, and means for actuating said mechanism.

12. In a water closet having a supporting stand and -a bowl and having upper and lower openings, a dump pan for the upper opening and a closure member for the lower opening, upper and lower operating shafts for the dump pan and closure member, respectively, operatively mounted in the supporting stand, means for operating said shafts to actuate the dump pan and closure member comprising an assembly oatingly mounted on the upper shaft and having a lever, a crank fixedly mounted on the lower shaft, said lever cooperating with said crank to actuate. the closure member prior to the dump pan, a crank fiXedly mounted on the upper shaft cooper-ating with the assembly to actuate the dump pan, and means for actuating said assembly.

13. In a water closet having an upper dump pan and a lower closure member, upper and lower operating shafts for the dump pan and the closure member respectively, means for operating said shafts to actuate the dump pan and closure member comprising an assembly floatingly mounted on one of the shafts and havingr a lever, a crank xedly mounted on the other shaft for operation thereof and cooperating with the lever, and a crank xedly mounted on said one shaft cooperating with said assembly, and means for actuating said assembly.

14. In a water closet including a bowl having a discharge opening and a supporting stand having a drain opening, a dump pan for the discharge opening having an operating shaft, a flat spiral torsional spring coiled around said shaft for counterbalancing said pan, anchorage means for said spring fixed with relation to the supporting stand and ext-ending adjacent to said shaft, a housing xed on said shaft and enclosing said spring, the end of the radially innermost coil of the spring being anchored to said means and the end of the radially outermost coil of the spring being anchored to said housing, and means for actuating said pan.

CLARENCE H. J OHNSQN