US2787005A - Flexible refill tube mounting - Google Patents

Description

April 2, 1957 R. H. ZINKIL FLEXIBLE REFILL TUBE MOUNTING Filed Feb. 21, 1955 United States Patent FLEXIBLE REFILL TUBE MOUNTING Roy H. Zinkil, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to Crane Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application February 21, 1955, Serial No. 489,393

2 Claims. (Cl. 4-57 This invention pertains generally to flush tanks for plumbing water closets 01- the like, and more particularly, it concerns means for supporting and mounting a flexible refill tube to an integral overflow channel of the flush tank.

The present invention constitutes a modification of the construction covered in copending application Serial No. 333,444, filed January 27, 1953 now United States Patent No. 2,743,459, granted May 1, 1956.

It is an object of the present invention to provide for securement of the flexible refill tube to the overflow means so as to prevent objectionable self-siphonage of tank water into the latter.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple, quick attachment of the refill tube to the integral overflow for accomplishing the above purpose, the refill tube and connecting means being as easily and conveniently re moved. It is a further object to effect the said simple connection without the use of tools or need of special provisions of any kind in the tank.

It is still another object to provide positive placement of the refill tube relative to the integral overflow in the proper position to also insure effective and eflicient tank performance.

Other objects and advantages Will become more readily apparent upon proceeding with the description read in light of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional assembly view with a water closet flush tank showing a preferred form of the present invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section taken approximately on the line 22 in Fig. 1.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts in the drawing.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 1 generally designates a flush tank for water closet or the like, shown fragmentarily, in which 2 is a supply valve or ball cock connected to the top of the standpipe 3 and in turn connected to the water supply 4 by means of the usual fluid tight connection generally indicated at S.

The said tank is provided with a preferably integral seat portion 3 having an outlet opening or port 9 for discharge of the tank Water therefrom into a water closet (not shown). Suitably attached to the floor of the tank is a flapper type closure member 11 adapted to seat across the top of the seat portion in the closed valve position shown. This member may be attached to the tank by means of a supporting post 12. and the bolt 13 extending through the bottom or base wall of the water closet 14 in close coupled relation as illustrated. The closure member is provided with the usual flexible chain 15 fragmentarily illustrated for actuation of the same by means of the usual valve actuator handle or lever, not shown.

The tank is also provided with an integral vertical overflow channel or outlet means 17 in fluid communication with the lower outlet port 9 at 19.

The present invention comprises generally means ex- "ice tending over the rim or top edge of the overflow channel adapted to receive and support a specially formed retaining or holding element of wire or the like which engages the discharge end of a rubber or other flexible refill tube 21 and in cooperation with the first named means supports or secures the said refill tube in position relative to the overflow channel to insure proper tank operation.

In a preferred form of the invention illustrated in the drawing, the means extending over the edge of the overflow channel comprises a spring clip member 23 constituting an inner straight leg 24, an outer curved leg 25 joined at the top by a flattened portion 26. The curved leg 25 is outwardly turned at the bottom at 27 to facilitate spreading of the inner and outer legs and passage of the -member over the top of the overflow means down into the mounted position shown. The inner straight leg 24 extends down beyond the thickened rim at the top of the overflow means into engagement with the reduced portion therebelow, thereby retaining the clip member securely in mounted relation. At the junction of the top and inner leg of this member in the preferred form is provided a centrally disposed opening 29 of sufficient size for insertion therethrough of a portion of the wire retaining element 31. The latter element comprises upper and lower loop portions 32 and 33, respectively, each having double loop formations forming inner and outer loops 34 and 35 and 36 and 37, respectively. The upper and lower portions are joined by a straight arm section 38. It will be noted that straight outer legs 39 and 40 are provided in the upper and lower portions, said legs extending in close proximity to the opposite sides of the loops, near the top and bottom, respectively, forming in the preferred form upper and lower clamps. The discharge end of the refill tube which, as stated, is preferably constructed of rubber or the like, as shown is received within the outer loop 35 of the upper looped portion, being supported by the bottom of the loop and in this form further being resiliently gripped between the inner and outer legs of the loop to retain the same in the fully inserted position. It should be understood that the outer leg extends within the flexible refill tube a sufficient distance to effect the support and gripping of the tube. If desired, however, the wire element may extend within the refill tube a considerable distance above the looped portion to provide inner rigidity and support for the refill tube above the end portion thereof, or, as illustrated, the same may extend along the entire length of the refill tube for maximum support of the same over the curved portion. The opposite end of the element in this instance is loosely received within the opening 42 of the ballcock 2 through which the water flows for filling of the refill tube. The end of the refill tube 21 is connected to the portion of the ball cock around the opening 42. The loose reception of the wire within this opening provides proper anchorage of this end while at the same time permitting the necessary flexibility to the assembly for purposes of attachment of the refill tube to the overflow tube or channel.

The outer leg of the lower looped portion of the wire element is adapted to be inserted through the aperture of the clip member 23 for assembly of the refill tube in position for tank operation as can be observed from the illustration, particularly Fig. 2. The wire element is limited in its downward movement during attachment or in the course of operation by engagement or contact of the open edge of the opening 29 with the top of the outer loop of the lower portion 33 of the wire element which limitation in turn prevents movement of the discharge end of the refill tube below the position shown in the illustration, which at all times is above the top of the overflow means 17. The latter spacing is of special significance and is one of the principal purposes of the invention.

In the conventional ball cock employing copper tubing for "the refill tube, the same is generally pushed down within the overflow means by the plumber or home W WI- Thi nra tiqe ve r e19a sd r iphQaasea iQa of d a ing 9 tankiwt -throu h h hush tube an refill tube, on intothe overfiow means, wherethe water in the t-ankj ises t asreat 'he s h n t ou l n h efil t b One th ast c i i t d. tw tinues preventing full closure of the supply valve and besides causingsubstantial waste of water often attended y the undesired sound .of running water, results in damage ,to the valve seatlin the form of what is termed wire drawing or erosion in time m aking it impossible to completely {shut off the valve and thus requires replacement of parts. Even where th e lower limit of the refill tube .'extends .only'slightly within the upper opening of overflow channel, thi'ssip'honage action can easily occur by the improper-adjustment of the float rod or if the latter rodbeconies accidentally bent or distorted.

The refill tubestructure and the means of attachment to {the over'fl w of the present invention positively prevents self-snqhonage by positioning the lowermost end of the refill "tube above the top of the overflow when in illustrated clipped position thereon. Fixed positioning is therefore afforded in which the refill tube is prevented fromextendingbelow the top of the overflow tube, thus providing a vertical air gap between the refill tube and the top of the overflow for the prevention of the siphonage action under any condition of tank operation. Thus, it becomes clear that the present invention comprises a simple and effective means of securing the refill tube to the integral overflow inproper position to insure against self siphonage.

It should also be noted that although various provisions can be made, in the preferred form illustrated the refill tube and the wire attachment element are attached to the spring clip member 23 by insertion of the latter element through the relatively small aperture in the top corner of the 'clip member to not only support the wire element and refill tube in the proper position, but also to afford positive securernent of the same in this position and to the overflow channel to prevent detachment or relativemovement therebetween. The refill tube is thus positively positioned on the integral overflow in such a way as to prevent any slippage or removal therefrom and thus disturbthe desired relation of the refill tube to the overflow. Also important in the securernent and positioning of the refill tube isthe gripping action that takes place between the wire element and member 2. When the wire elementvis inserted through the opening in the latter .member, the lower loop 3'7 is spread apart to resiliently'engage the inner leg of the clip member therebetween, the lower straight leg 40 of the wire element extending down between the clip member and inner surface of the ,overflow channel and in turn being tightly pressed against .the inner surface in frictional engagement .by the resilient clip member 23'for relatively immovable ,or fixed positioning of the wire element and clamped refill .tube. It is also significant from a stand point of reduction of water noise that the open end of the refill tube discharges at a point only slightly above the open top of the overflow channel. Preferably, the overflow tube should be disposed so as to direct the flow against the inside surface of the wall of the overflow means forrnore complete assurance of the elimination of water noises.

In assembly of the refill tube according to the present invention, the .spring clip member 23 is simply inserted over the topof the overflow channel preferably on the front side thereof shown in Fig. l and pushed down into abutting contact with the top of the overflow means after which ,the wire element, which has been inserted within the lower end of the refill tube, whether in the form shown extending along the entire length of the refill tube or only a portion thereof, is inserted in the 2,787,005 V c. a

opening of the clip member and pushed down firmly into gripped relation. Thus, a simple means of predetermined positioning and effecting a connection to the overflow channel is provided which does not require the use of any tools or modification of or special provisions in the flush tank. The refill tube may be just as easily detached if desired and the clip member 23 removed.

It should thus be evident that a novel and easily applied .refill tube attachment is provided which positively positionsthe vrefill tube with respect to the overflow means and prevents any change of'objectionable back siphonage.

Inasmuch .as the invention is subject to certain-variations and modifications, it is not desired to limit the same to the form above described and illustrated, but rather by the language of the appended claims liberally construed within the underlying spirit of the invention.

I claim: a

1. lma flush tank for water closets or the like having integral overflow n eans and a supply valve, a flexible refill tube extending from said supply valve, means attac'hing the outlet end of said refill tube to said overflow means for fluid discharge ,thereinto, sa-id attaching means comprisingjaresilient member extending over the upper edgeof said overflow means and engaging the inner andouter surfaces thereof in gripping relation, said resilient member havingan exposed edge portion, an ele ment formed into upwardly and downwardly opening loops disposed so that the upwardly opening loop receives the outlet edge portion of the .refill tube and the downwardly opening loop-receives the exposed edge portion ,of the said ;resilient member, the outlet edge of the refill tube and the top of the exposed edge portionof the said resilient member being abuttable with the inside lower and upper limits of the upwardly and downwardly opening loopsrespectively, thevertical spacing ofthe top of said exposed edge portionof the resilient member relative to the inside abuttable surface of the upwardly opening loop of the resilient element and to the upper edge of said'overflow means being of such values that the outlet edge of the refill tube is at a higher level than the upper edgeof the overflowmeans when the abuttable surface of the downwardly opening loop is in contact with the top of the exposed edge portion of the resilient member. 7

2. In a flush tank for water closets or the like having integral overflow means and a supply valve, a refill tube of flexible material such as rubber extending from said supply valve, means attaching the outlet end of said refill tube to said overflow means for fluid discharge thereinto, said attaching means comprising a resilient memberextending over the upper edge of said overflow meansand engagingthe inner and outer surfaces thereof in frictional gripping relation, said resilient member having an opening therethrough at the juncture of the portionextending over the upper edge of said overflow means and that portion engaging the inner surface of the overflow means, said attaching means including a formed element of resilient material extending within the refill tube through the open discharge end thereof, said formed elementbeingof substantially double S formation and disposed so that the first part of the first S-portion and second-part of the second S-portion receive the'outlet edge portionof the refill tube andredge portion of :the resilient-member beyond the said opening towards thelower end of the portion of the member engaging the inner surface of overflow means respectively within the openings of thesaid double formation, the outlet edgeof the refill'tube and top of the edge portion of the resilient member being abuttable-with the inside of said first part of the first S portion and second part of the second S: p or tion respectively, said element of double S ormation b in form so tha h insi ttable surface of the first part of theyfirst sr p ortion is on a higher level than the inside abuttahle surfaceiof the second .part

of the second S-portion whereby to limit the outlet edge of the refill tube to a predetermined spacing above the top edge of the overflow means, the portion of said element of double S formation below the inside abuttable surface of the second part of the second S-portion and beyond the first part of the second S-portion being insertable through the said opening in the resilient member for the reception of the edge portion of the resilient member Within the second part of the second S-port-ion, the first part of the first S-portion and second part of the second S-portion being adapted to frietionally engage a portion of the wall of the refill tube beyond the outlet edge thereof and the portion of the resilient member References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,183,677 Heath Dec. 19, 1939 2,341,116 Owens Feb. 8, 1944 2,640,502 Powers June 2, 1953

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