US2892611A - Valve actuating mechanism - Google Patents

Description

June 30, 1959 Filed June 3, 1958 J. BIRKMAIER VALVE ACTUATING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 30, 1959 B|RKMA|ER 2,892,611

VALVE ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed June 3, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent This application is a continuation in part of my copending application Serial No. 649,821 filed April 1, 1957, entitled Flush Valve Construction, now abandoned.

This invention relates generally to the plumbing art, and more particularly to an improved valve actuating mechanism for use in conjunction with water closets, flush tanks, and the like.

In the prior art, such constructions have included a valve operated by a float disposed within the tank, and a second valve which is manually operated, which is opened during the flushing cycle. The last-mentioned valve is normally of a floating type, the same rising to the surface of the water disposed within the tank when dislodged from a 'valve seat, and falling with the surface of the water within the tank as the tank is emptied to again seat itself at the completion of a flushing operation. Such constructions have suifered from a number of disadvantages, in that owing to the large number of brass and copper parts employed, the manufacturing cost of the same is high. Moreover, due to the use of rubber ball valves, deterioration causes frequent repair and accompanying inconvenience. Further, even the brass and copper parts employed are subject to corrosion, particularly where the local water supply contains a large amount of corrosioninducing impurities.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention to provide improved valve actuating mechanism in which the above-mentioned disadvantages have been substantially eliminated.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of improved valve actuating mechanism in which substantially all of the exposed and operating parts are composed of molded or cast synthetic resin, thereby assuring a complete absence of corrosion, and an accompanying rela tively long troublefree useful life.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of improved valve actuating mechanism in which the manufacturing cost, as compared with prior art constructions, may "be of a reasonably low order, thereby permitting consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of structure possessed of the above enumerated advantages which may be readily and conveniently installed by those skilled in the art, using tools and techniques known in the art.

These objects as well as other incidental ends and advantages will become more clearly apparent during the course of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

On the drawings, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Figure l is a plan view of an embodiment of the invention.

,;Figure 2 is a side elevational view, partially in section.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view as seen from the plane 33 on Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an exploded view in perspective showingthe valve actuating means which comprises a part of the embodiment.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view, partlyin elevation, showing the valve elementin assembled condition and in a first operative position.

Figure 6 is a similar sectional view, partly in elevation, but showing a second operative position thereof.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view as seen from p the plane 7-7 on Figure 6.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, comprises broadly: a float element 12, a float valve element 13, a flush valve element 14, a flush valve cage element 15, a flush valve seat element 16, and an overflow pipe element17. All of the above-mentioned elements are preferably formed en-' tirely from synthetic resinous material, as for example, polystyrene, polyethylene, Plexiglas, and the like.

The float element includes a float member 18 adjustably mounted upon a shaft member 19. The float member 18' is generally tubular in configuration, including an upper wall 20, a lower wall 21, an outer cylindrical side wall 22, and an inner cylindrical side wall 23. The member 18 may be molded or cast in as many parts as desired, and integrated to form a hermetically sealed chamber between the above-mentioned walls. 1

The shaft member 19, best seen on Figure 2, is preferably cylindrical, including an upper end 24, and a lower end 25 having joint means 26 adapted to engage a clevis portion on a horizontal arm 29. Extending throughout the length of the shaft member 19, between the upper and lower ends 24 and 25, are a plurality of annular grooves 27 in which a pair of resilient retainer members 28 may be selectively engageable. As may be seen on Figure 2, by engaging a retainer member 28, both above and below the float member 18, the position of the float member with respect to the shaft member may be fixed at a desired level.

The float valve element 13 is preferably mounted upon the overflow pipe element 17, and includes a horizontally disposed supporting member 30. Positioned upon the upper surface of the supporting member 30 are a pair of valve retaining members 31 and 32 bordering a substantially circular vertically disposed orifice 33. A vertically disposed support portion 34 extends downwardly from the plane of the member 30.

The valve casing or housing 35 includes a substantiallyvertically disposed cylindrical wall, 36, the lower end 37 of which is provided with arcuate flanges 38 and 38 (see Figure 4) which permit the casing 35 to be quickly attached and detached from the horizontally disposed support member 30 for servicing. For mounting and dismounting, it is necessary only to manually rotate the casing through a quarter turn wherein the flanges 38 and 38' are clear of engagement with the retaining members 31 and 32, following which the casing 35 may be lifted directly upward to disclose all of the working parts which may require servicing.

The casing 35 also includes a top wall member 39 having a centrally disposed orifice 40, which is connected to an inlet pipe 41. The inner surfaceof the top wall 42 forms a valve seat against which a piston-type valve member 43 may be urged by the rising of the float element 12.

The cylindrical side surface of the valve member 43 may be provided with a gasket or packing 45 to prevent leak age thereby, the lower portion of the member 43 being connected to an operating link 103.

Disposed below the supportmember 30, and pivotally mounted on the member 34 is a substantially horizontally:

, 3 disposed '1ever'membe r'47. Pin means 48 engages with a clevis type joint 49 (see Figure 4) and permits pivotal reciprocation about an axis through the same. At the lefthand portion 50 of the member 47 is a cleyis type joint including a pair of large orifices 51 and 52 in which there are positioned for rotation a pair of circular plates 53'and 54. The plates are provided with orifices 55 and 56, respectively, and support therein a pin 57. The pin 57 also passes through an opening 58 in the end 59 of the-lever member 29. The plates 53 and 54 are provided with eccentrically disposed bores 90 and 91, respectively, and a corresponding bore 92 is provided in the end 59, the three bores being engaged by a pin 93. Positioned within the opening 33 are a pair of fixed anchor members 94 and 95, having pin means 94' and 95', respectively. The pin means 94' and 95 are engaged by bores 96 and 97 in-pivotally mounted members 98 and 99, respectively. At the lower ends of the members 98 and 99 are bores 100 and 101, respectively, which are also engaged by the pin 93. Pivotally mounted in a recess 102 in the lever member 47 is a vertically disposed link 103 maintained in'position by a pin 104. The upper end 105 of the link 103 engages a clevis joint 106 on the valve member 43, and is supported by a pin 107.

From a consideration of Figures 4 to 7, inclusive, it will be apparent that as the float element rises and falls under the action of water within the tank, motion is transmitted through the arm 29 to result in a vertical recipro cation of the valve member 43. The motion involved includes apivoting of the arm 29 about an axis through the pin 93. The pin 93, extending through the lever member 47, describes in turn orbital motion about the pin 57, and the lever member 47 pivots about an axis through the pin 48. As the pin means 94' and 95' are fixed with respect to the member 30, during the above motion, the members 98 and 99 will pivot about the same under motion imparted by the pin 51, which also passes therethrough. Member 103, which is loosely connected to the lever member 47 will execute motion having a substantially vertically disposed component resulting in the movement of the member 53 to open or close the opening 40.

The flush valve element 14 is preferably formed from a soft resilient plastic material, such as polyethylene, vinyl copolymer, or the like. It includes a cylindrical portion 61 having a top wall 62, an upper cylindrical bead 63, a cylindrical side wall 64, and a lower cylindrical head 65. Extending downwardly from the lower cylindrical bead 65 is a conical wall 66 and a bottom wall 67. An

unseating member 68, including a handle portion 69, connectable to a flushing knob or lever (not shown) is slidably disposed within a guide member 71, vertical movement of the portions 69 serving to move the horizontally disposed member 70 to unseat the valve element 14 during the flushing portion of the operative cycle.

The flush valve cage element is of a relatively rigid synthetic resinous material, as for example, styrene or Plexiglas, and includes a top wall member 75, an upper side wall member 76, a lower side wall member 77, a plurality of guide rod members 78, and a socket member 19 adapted to engage the upper portion of the overflow pipe element 17.

The valve seat element 16 is preferably formed in one or two molded pieces, and includes an outer cylindrical wall 82 engageable with the lower side wall members 77 or. the flush valve cage element 15, and a valve seat 83. The valve seat 83 includes an outer surface 64, an inner contactsurface 85, anda rabbet portion 88 to permit accurate fitting of the parts during assembly.

The overflow pipe element 17 is of arcuate cross-section, to permit the same to occupy considerably less space within the flush tank( not shown) and is integrated with the flush valve cage element 15 so that the inwardly disposed surfaces "thereof may cooperate with the guide rodrrnembers-73 in controllingthe movement of the flush valve element 14. It. includes an outer curvilinear wall 190, an inner curvilinear wall 181 and a pair of planar side members 192 and 193, the members 190-193, inclusive, forming a top opening 194 into which overflow water may spill. This water flows through a lower opening 195 disposed below the valve seat 83 in the direction indicated by the arrow 196 on Figure 2. A threaded flange member 197, which is preferably formed of bronze or brass, is engageable with the lower portions of the overflow pipe element 17, and the valve seat element 16, and preferably comprises the only metallic part of the entire device 10. The flange member 197 is engageable with the bottom wall 198 of the tank or closet (not shown) and may be threadedly engaged with standard plumbing fixtures in a well-known manner.

Owing to the fact that only the cylindrical beads 63 and contact the guide rods and inner surface of the overflow pipe element 17 during operation, it is necessary only to unseat the valve element 14 to a slight degreeto cause the same to rise immediately to the upper portion of the cage element 15, and consequently the degree of efiort involved will be of a relatively low order. The horizontal member engages the lower head 65, and merely raises the same a small fraction of an inch to permit a quantity of water to flow past the valve element 14, wherein the seal is broken and the valve element automatically flows to the upper surface of the water disposed within the tank. Owing to the substantially complete absence of metallic parts, no corrosion inhibits the movement of the flush valve or the float valve, and a long, trouble-free service is assured.

It may thus be seen that I have invented novel and highly useful improvements in flush valve construction for 'use in conjunction with flush tanks for water closets. Owing to the fact that substantially all of the component parts of the device may be molded from low cost plastic dies, both tooling costs and cost of unit production may be of a reasonably low order. Owing to the substantial total absence of metallic parts, corrosion and malfunctioning due to the same is kept at a minimum, thereby permitting the device to function over long periods of time without servicing. Since the parts which are formed of synthetic resins are not subject to heat during use, a wide variety of materials may be employed in the construction of the device, depending upon considerations of cost, ease of molding, and similar considerations.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the exact details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

I claim:

1. A float valve for use in conjunction with a closet or flush tank comprising: a relatively fixed support, a first lever member pivotally associated with said fixed support at a first end thereof, and having a second end thereof capable of arcuate motion with respect to said first end; a second lever member having a principal axis, and having a first end to which actuating motion is transmitted and a second end having a cylindrically shaped member, the principal axis of which extends perpendicular to the principal axis of said second lever memher; said first lever member having a cylindrical open ing in which said cylindrically shaped member is disposed; a third pivotally mounted member having a first relatively fixed end and a second end capable of arcuate motion with respect to its first end; pin means interconnecting said first, second and third members at the second end of each, said pin means being -eccentrieally disposed with respect to and having an axis substantially parallel to said principal axis of said cylindrically shaped member; and a valve operating rod associated with said-first lever member.

2. In a float valve, for use in conjunction with a closet or toilet flush tank, a relatively fixed stipport'Q'fir'st-l ier member pivotally associated with said support at a first end thereof, and having a second end thereof having a first opening therein, capable of arcuate motion with respect to said first end; a second lever member having a principal axis generally parallel to that of said first lever member, and having a first end, to which actuating motion is transmitted and a second end having a second opening therein alignable with said first opening, a circular plate rotationally disposed within said first opening and having a centrally disposed third opening therein and an eccentrically disposed fourth opening, pin means interconnecting said second and third openings to provide relative pivotal movement between said first and second lever members; said second lever member having a fifth opening therein, the axis of which is spaced and parallel with respect to said first and second openings, a third member having a first end thereof which is arranged for pivotal movement with respect to said fixed support, and having a second end having a sixth opening therein, the axis of which is ali-gnable with respect to said fourth opening in said circular plate and said fifth opening in said second lever member, pin means interconnecting fourth, fifth and sixth openings, for relative pivotal movement between said second lever member and said third member, and means interconnected with said first lever member and operated by movement thereof for opening and closing said valve.

3. In a float valve, for use in conjunction with a closet or toilet flush tank, a relatively fixed support, a first lever member pivotally associated with said support at a first end thereof, and having a second end thereof having a first opening therein, capable of arcuate motion with respect to said first end; a second lever member having a principal axis generally parallel to that of said first lever member, and having a first end, to which actuating motion is applied, and a second end having a second opening therein alignable with said first opening, a circular plate rotationally disposed within said first opening and having a centrally disposed third opening therein and an eccentrically disposed fourth opening, pin means interconnecting said second and third openings to provide relative pivotal movement between said first and second lever members; said second lever member having a fifth opening therein, the axis of which is spaced and parallel with respect to said first and second openings, a third member having a first end thereof which is arranged for pivotal movement with respect to said fixed support, and having a second end having a sixth opening therein, the axis of which is alignable with respect to said fourth opening in said circular plate and said fifth opening in said second lever member, pin means interconnecting fourth, fifth and sixth openings, for relative pivotal movement between said second lever member and said third member, and piston means interconnected with said first lever member and operated by movement thereof for opening and closing said valve.

4. In a float valve, for use in conjunction with a closet or toilet flush tank, a relatively fixed support having a substantially vertically disposed opening therein, a first lever member pivotally associated with respect to said support at a first end thereof, said first end being in spaced relation with respect to the axis of said opening in said support, and having a second end thereof lying in the area of said opening in said fixed support and having a first opening therein, capable of arcuate motion with respect to said first end; a second lever member having a principal axis generally parallel to that of said first lever member, and having a first end, to which actuating motion is applied, and a Second end having a second opening therein alignable with said first Opening, a circular plate rotationally disposed within said first opening and having a centrally disposed third opening therein and an eccentrically disposed fourth opening, pin means interconnecting said second and third openings to provide relative pivotal movement between said first and second lever members; said second lever member having a fifth opening therein, the axis of which is spaced and parallel with respect to said first and second openings, a third member having a first end thereof which is arranged for pivotal movement with respect to said fixed support, and having a second end having a sixth opening therein, the axis of which is alignable with respect to said fourth opening in said circular plate and said fifth opening in said second lever member, pin means interconnecting fourth, fifth and sixth openings, for relative pivotal movement between said second lever member and said third member, and means interconnected with said first lever member and operated by movement thereof for opening and closing the valve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,035,663 Utley Aug. 13, 1912 1,525,247 Leiss Feb. 3, 1925 2,097,020 Cornelius Oct. 26, 1937

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