US3224013A

US3224013A - Siphonic flush commode

Info

Publication number: US3224013A
Application number: US352832A
Authority: US
Inventors: Elton H Tubbs
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-03-18
Filing date: 1964-03-18
Publication date: 1965-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 1982-12-21

Description

Dec. 21, 1965 E. H. TUBBS SIPHONIC FLUSH COMMODE Filed March 18, 1964 H. TUBES IN V EN TOR.

ELTON United States Patent 3,224,013 SIPHONIC FLUSH COMMODE Elton H. Tubbs, 162 N. Portage St, Westlield, NY. Filed Mar. 18, 1964, Ser. No. 352,832 12 iilaims. (U1. 4-69) This invention relates to a force flush arrangement and more particularly to a tankless force flush arrangement for toilet bowls.

Known facilities of this art utilize many means and arrangements for flushing toilet bowls including siphoning and anti-siphoning devices, double traps and the like. All of these arrangements use several gallons of water for each flushing operation depending on the tank sizes and flushing designs. A most common tank and flush arrangement requires approximately four gallons per flush. Another presently popular model which is touted as being silent requires about seven gallons per flush. Moreover, all of the known gravity flush arrangements are subject to various types of stoppage as a result of lost diapers, toys etc. and thereby require expensive maintenance. Similarly, the tanks of the equipments, when filled with cold water tend to sweat and stain floors, rugs etc.

I have discovered that a force flush arrangement operable without using a tank system besides being much quieter, requires only about one gallon of water per flush and assures flushing without stoppages of the type normally suffered by gravity flush systems. Such operation not only saves substantial cycle time, but also results in a 75% water conservation compared to the four gallon model and an 86% conservation compared to the popular seven gallon model. With the present population explosion and the forseeable water shortage problem, such a conservation of water is presently needed and in the near future may even be requisite by mandate. Also, the omission of a tank substantially reduces shipping and handling costs as well as providing additional space for use as storage and allowing substantial reduction of waste, dead space and particularly space which is difiicult to keep clean.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel and reliable force flush arrangement.

A further object is to provide a force flush arrangement which will reliably empty a toilet bowl without use of several times the capacity thereof to assure sanitary cleaning.

In accordance with one embodiment of my invention a conventional toilet bowl arrangement is provided with a water trap in the lower portion thereof with no tank system being provided for the flushing thereof. Directly downstream of the water trap is provided a usual conduit means except for the fact that it is provided with an aperture through which a downward projecting spray jet may be directed. The nozzle for this spray jet is especially designed to provide a substantially continuous conical water sheath which at the base of the cone thereof engages the entire periphery of the conduit. At the lower end of this conduit is provided a second water trap which cooperates with the water sheath provided by the nozzle to allow escape of air bubbles when the sheath is operative to thereby establish a vacuum in the conduit and thus facilitate flushing of the bowl. Although a second water trap is often used in prior art toilet bowl designs, the one of the present invention is not conventional in that a minimum water trap level is established by a horizontal, downwardly projecting surface to provide a substantial region through which air bubbles may rapidly escape because of the pressure differential established by the high speed conical sheath.

The subject matter which is regarded as my invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. The invention, however, as to its organization and operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational, sectional view of one embodiment of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the nozzle shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detail view of the partial section taken along line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is another embodiment of the details shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of valve operations especially suitable for use with my invention.

Referring now to the drawing, wherein like numbers refer to similar parts, in FIG. 1, I have shown a relatively conventional toilet bowl 10 formed of cast ceramic or the like and forming a part of a water trap containing trapped water 11 at a level established by a raised knee 12 of a drainage conduit 13. At the lower extremity of the drainage conduit 13 is provided a second water trap region 14 with the maximum level thereof being established by a raised knee 15 in an exhaust conduit 16. As is required in most, if not all housing codes, the piping (not shown) leading from the exhaust conduit 16 includes an air vent to the atmosphere, usually extending through the roof of the house.

As shown in FIG. 1 the flush operation of the toilet bowl 10 is being initiated by a conical spray 20 having a substantially continuous sheath surface and being estab lished by a nozzle arrangement 21. The nozzle 21 receives water from a conventional piping system indicated at 22 Whenever a valve 23 is opened.

A similar valve 24 is operable to provide water for cleanup of the toilet bowl 10 for timed venting purposes, wash down and filling through a plurality of canted nozzles 26. The nozzles are arranged at about 45 slant to provide cyclonic water flow within the bowl 10. Each nozzle 26 is designed to provide a conical spray 28 which will tend to entrap dust and contaminates of the air in the bowl 10. As explained in greater detail below, the flushing of the trapped water 11 is accomplished by means other than the water supplied by the valve 24. In fact, the valve 24 need not be opened until flushing is initiated. Such operation is a distinct departure from the more common toilets in use today. The conventional arrangements dump water into the bowl for a substantial time to thus initiate flushing as a function of the relative water levels. The present invention is concerned with the relative pressures, not water levels.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, the nozzle 21 is provided with a core member 3%) adjustable by screwing thereof into the nozzle frame 32 to provide the conical sheath 20. The setting of the core 39 should be similar to the adjustments attainable by a hose nozzle to obtain such a spray configuration for the particular water pressure hereinafter referred to as tap pressure of the piping system 22.

As is readily apparent from the analogous hose nozzle sheath spray, the length of the spray in sheath form is quite limited depending upon water pressure and flow rate. Therefore, the nozzle 21 is preferably adjusted so that the sheath is continuous until all of its outer surface reaches the inner surface of the drainage conduit 13. However, adjustments to obtain substantially this operation of the sheath will provide substantially similar vacuum characteristics. On the other hand, the use of a simple stream of water as obtained from most water taps and orifices will not suffice.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, the operation of the conical spray 20 toward the trapped water forces escape of a plurality of air bubbles as indicated at 36 because of the wide and level configuration of a downward projecting knee 38 on the second water trap region 14. Such utilization of the lower trap region 14 results in the establishing of a vacuum (a pressure differential) of the order of five inches of water within the drainage conduit 13 to rapidly flush the toilet bowl 10. A vacuum of this order is established during time periods of the order of three seconds or less to initiate flushing action. The continued operation of the spray nozzle 21 then forces by tap pressure a much more rapid flushing operation. I have found that such utilization of the nozzle 21 requires less than a quart of water. Three quarts of water under pressure as applied by the nozzles 26 will easily finish the clean up of the bowl and the removal of noxious contaminants of the bowl atmosphere.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of my invention wherein a downward projecting knee 38 is cylindrical rather than flat, and is so placed that air bubbles escape around the entire rim thereof to increase even further the rapidity of the vacuum forming operation discussed above. Of at least some assistance to the initial escape of bubbles is the fact that the conical spray 20 establishes a very rapid flow of water along the lower end of the surface of conduit 13 so that bubbles are formed at the knee 38' rather than at the center of the conduit opening.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a preferred switching arrangement for the

valves

23 and 24 is indicated wherein a double through delayed open switch arrangement 40 is provided with an actuating push button 41 which drives the switch mechanism downward against the bias of a spring 42 and establishes an operating position for a pneumatic return speed limit device 43. The switch arm 44 itself is provided with contacts 46 that engage the

contact surfaces

48 and 49 when the switch mechanism is in the depressed position. As the switch contact is established it energizes a solenoid 50 of the valve 23 to thus flush the bowl and energizes a solenoid 52 of the valve 24 to thus utilize the cleanup nozzles 26. In the event it is desired to fiush the bowl several times without cleanup as may be under certain conditions, a separate, simple push switch 54 may be employed. Similarly, if it is desired to provide additional cleanup, solenoid 52 may be activated by a simple push switch 55.

Obviously, more complex or simpler valve operating means may be used depending upon the acuteness of the water shortage problem of a particular area in which my invention is being used. For instance, it is often preferred that the fill-up by use of valve 24 be extended slightly beyond the flush (valve 23) operation. For this purpose, contact 48 is extended beyond contact 49. A prerinse of several seconds may be obtained by having a similar downward extension of the contact 48.

While I have shown and described several embodiments of my invention, slight variations thereof may occur to those skilled in this art. I intend, therefore, to have all modifications which properly fall within the scope of my invention to be covered by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a toilet bowl, a siphon forming outlet, comprising:

a water trap means for maintaining water in the bowl;

a generally circular, relatively large diameter conduit communicating with said water trap means to receive fluids from the bowl during flushing thereof;

a rim flushing means for washing down and refilling the bowl;

a nozzle in said conduit downstream of said trap for directing a conical sheath of water into said conduit in a direction away from said trap means, said nozzle being adjustable to provide a substantially continuous sheath surface whereby air pressure within the sheath becomes substantially greater than that between the sheath and said trap means, both the bowl and said conduit being at substantially atmospheric pressure whereby a pressure differential developed by the sheath flushes the bowl; and

valve means for supplying water to said nozzle at full tap pressure whereby the pressure differential is substantial.

2. A siphon forming outlet in accordance with claim 1 wherein the conduit leads to a second water trap means which allows passage of air bubbles therethrough during the flow of water through said nozzle to enhance formation of the pressure differential.

3. In combination with a toilet bowl, a siphon flushing means, comprising:

a first water trap means for maintaining water in the bowl;

a generally circular, relatively large diameter conduit communicating with said first water trap means and leading generally downward therefrom to receive fluids thereof;

a second water trap means for maintaining water in the lower end of said conduit; and

a nozzle located in said conduit to direct a conical sheath of water into said conduit in a direction toward said second trap means, said nozzle being adjustable to provide a substantially continuous sheath surface from said nozzle to the inner surface of said conduit whereby air pressure within the sheath becomes substantially greater than that between the sheath and said first trap means, both said first and said second trap means communicating with the atmosphere to have therein during standby conditions water surfaces substantially at atmospheric pressure whereby the pressure differential developed by the sheath causes air bubbles to pass through said second trap means to develop a substantial pressure differential in said conduit and thereby flushes the bowl.

4. A siphon flushing means as in claim 3 having a downwardly extending knee in said second trap means providing a substantially level surface under which air bubbles may pass to deplete the supply of air in said conduit at a rapid rate.

5. A siphon flushing means as in claim 4 wherein said knee is annular with its inner surface open to said conduit and its outer surface open to an exhaust conduit.

6. In combination with a toilet bowl, a siphon flushing means, comprising:

a first water trap means for maintaining water in the bowl;

a second water trap means for sealing the lower end of said conduit;

a nozzle located in said conduit to direct a conical sheath of water into said conduit in a direction toward the said second trap means, said nozzle being adjustable to provide a substantially continuous sheath surface from said nozzle toward the inner surface of said conduit whereby the rapid motion of the sheath entraps air molecules so that air pressure within the sheath becomes substantially greater than that between the sheath and the said first trap means, both said first and said second trap means communicating with the atmosphere to have therein water surfaces substantially at atmospheric pressure whereby the pressure differential developed by the sheath causes air bubbles to pass through said second trap means to develop a substantial pressure reduction in said conduit adjacent to said first trap means and thereby flushes the bowl;

other nozzles arranged to supply water over the inner surface of the bowl to rinse such surface and to fill the flushed bowl;

valve means to supply water to said nozzle and said other nozzles selectively; and

valve operator means arranged to operate said valves sequentially.

7. A siphon flushing means as in claim 5 wherein said valve operator means is operable to cause the water to flow first to said nozzle and said other nozzles and later to said other nozzles exclusively.

8. In combination with a toilet bowl, a siphon-forming outlet, comprising:

a first water trap means for maintaining water in the bowl;

a second water trap means for maintaining water in the lower end of said conduit;

a nozzle located in the upper portion of said conduit to direct a conical sheath of water downwardly into said conduit toward said second trap means, said nozzle being adjustable to provide a substantially continuous sheath surface whereby air is entrapped within the cone of the sheath to cause air bubbles to pass through said second trap means to develop a substantial pressure differential in said conduit and thereby flush the bowl, said second water trap means being provided with a horizontal downwardly projecting knee portion to provide a substantial region for escape of entrapped air; and

means for rinsing the bowl and refilling it after the siphon has been effective to initiate flushing thereof.

9. A siphon forming outlet as in claim 8 having;

separate valve means for supplying water to said nozzle and said rinsing means respectively; and

valve control means for operating said separate valve means during different time periods.

10. A siphon forming outlet as in claim 8 wherein said rinsing means comprises a plurality of nozzles annularly spaced around the bowl and providing thereto downward directed conical spray patterns at about 45 degrees from vertical.

11. In combination with a toilet bowl:

a first water trap for maintaining water in the bowl;

a generally circular, relatively large diameter conduit communicating with the bowl and leading generally downward therefrom to receive fluids thereof;

a second water trap associated with the lower end of said conduit;

a nozzle located in the upper part of said conduit to direct a conical sheath of water downwardly into said conduit toward said second trap, said nozzle being adjustable to provide a substantially continuous sheath surface which impinges upon the inner surface of said conduit whereby air is entrapped within the cone and air bubbles pass into said second trap around the surface thereof;

a horizontal, downwardly projecting knee portion within said second trap to provide a substantial region for escape of entrapped air to develop a substantial pressure differential in said conduit and thereby flush the bowl as a result of water flow through said nozzle; and

a plurality of nozzles annularly spaced around the bowl and providing thereto downwardly directed conical spray patterns at about 45 degrees from vertical for rinsing the bowl, refilling the bowl and removing contaminants from the atmosphere of the bowl.

12. A siphon-forming outlet as in claim 11 having:

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 287,225 10/1883 Buchan 473 476,867 6/1892 Boyle 4-71 534,689 2/1895 Hamilton 475 1,119,812 12/1914 Deignan et al 473 1,142,092 6/1915 Haas 473 1,973,349 9/1934 Kause 473 FOREIGN PATENTS 624,668 8/1961 Canada.

LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner,

Claims

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A TOILET BOWL, A SIPHON FORMING OUTLET, COMPRISING: A WATER TRAP MEANS FOR MAINTAING WATER IN THE BOWL; A GENERALLY CIRCULAR, RELATIVELY LARGE DIAMETER CONDUIT COMMUNICATING WITH SAID WATER TRAP MEANS TO RECEIVE FLUIDS FROM THE BOWL DURING FLUSHING THEREOF; A RIM FLUSHING MEANS FOR WASHING DOWN AND REFILLING THE BOWL; A NOZZLE IN SAID CONDUIT DOWNSTREAM OF SAID TRAP FOR DIRECTING A CONICAL SHEATH OF WATER INTO SAID CONDUIT IN A DIRECTION AWAY FROM SAID TRAP MEANS, SAID NOZZLE BEING ADJUSTABLE TO PROVIDE A SUBSTANTIALLY CONTINUOUS SHEATH SURFACE WHEREBY ARE PRESSURE WITHIN THE SHEATH BECOMES SUBSTANTIALLY GREATER THAN THAT BETWEEN THE SHEATH AND SAID TRAP MEANS, BOTH THE BOWL AND SAID CONDUIT BEING AT SUBSTANTIALY ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE WBEREBY A PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEVELOPED BY THE SHEATH FLUSHES THE BOWL; AND VALVE MEANS FOR SUPPLYING WATER TO SAID NOZZLE AT FULL TAP PRESSURE WHEREBY THE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL IS SUBSTANTIAL.