US3587117A - Flush valve - Google Patents

Abstract

A FLUSH VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR WATER COSETS AND THE LIKE INCLUDING AN UPSTANDING COLUMN AND A VALVE PLUG AND WATER RESERVOIR MOUJNTED THEREON. THE LOWER END OF THE VALVE PLUG COOPERATES WITH A VALVE SEAT TO PASS FLUSH WATER WHEN THE PLUG IS RAISED. WHEN THE PLUG IS RASIED, THE WEIGHT OF THE WATER RESERVOIR OF THE ASSEMBLY CAUSES THE PLUG TO PIVOT AND CATCH ON THE COLUMN. AS FLUSH WATER PASSES FROM THE WATER CLOSET TANK, WATER DRAINS FROM THE RESERVOIR ALLOWING THE VALVE PLUG TO PIVOT TO A NROMAL POSITION AND DROP DOWN THEREBY CLOSING THE FLUSH VALVE. SEVERAL EMBODIMENTS OF A FLUSH VALVE ASSEMBLY ARE DISCLOSED, ONE OF WHICH ALLOWS ADJUSTMENT OF THE DRAIN RATE FROM THE WATER RESERVOIR OF THE ASSEMBLY.

Description

United States Patent 3,003,156 l0/l96l Alexander....................

Primary Examiner-Laverne D. Geiger Assistant Examiner-Richard J. Sher Attorney-Lyon & Lyon [72] Inventor IrvlngA.Ward

LosAngeles, Calif. 745,536

[21 Appl. No. [22] Filed July 17, 1968 EL L i lfi fiwlt flfil 2.7

Assignee Modern Faucet Ml g. co.,

Los Angeles;

ABSTRACT: A flush valve assembly for water closets and the an n u like including an upstanding column and a valve plug and 4/55, water reservoir mounted thereon. The lower end of the valve plug cooperates with a valve seat to pass flush water when the [52] U.S.CI..............

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flush valve. Several embodiments of a flush valve assembly are disclosed, one of which allows adjustment of the drain rate from the water reservoir of the assembly.

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66 BY i '4 s A TTOE/VEVS FLUSH VALVE This invention relates to flush valves for water closets and the like, and more particularly to a new flush valve assembly principally for use with one-piece water closets.

Typical water closets include a bowl and a tank communicating with the bowl for holding a supply of water at a sufficient head for flushing the bowl through a drain. A valve assembly is generally provided to supply water for washing the bowl during flushing, refilling the bowl to a suitable level and refilling the tank, as well as some type of flush valve device for supplying the water from the tank to the bowl for flushing. Conventional apparatus of this nature have not been entirely suitable, particularly with the more modern one-piece water closets. With such devices, the length of time the flush valve is open generally is dependent upon the buoyancy thereof, and as the water level in the tank diminishes the flush valve generally closes too soon to accomplish proper emptying of the tank.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new flush valve.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a new flush valve which is not dependent upon buoyancy to control the length of time the same is open.

It is another object of this invention to provide a flush valve which can be controlled as to the length of time it remains open.

Another object of this invention is to provide a flush valve which contains a seat very near the bottom of the tank of a water closet and which includes a built-in overflow.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an improved flush valve for one-piece water closets.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new flush valve for having a large overflow capability.

A further feature of this invention is to provide an improved flush valve which is relatively low in cost and relatively simple to install in a water closet.

Another object of this invention is to provide a flush valve having improved sealing characteristics.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a flush valve which may be readily adjusted as to the time the same remains open, has nonplugging characteristics and is not subject to unreliable operation as a result of minor mineral deposits.

These and other objects and features of this invention will become more apparent through a detailed consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. I is a cross-sectional elevational view of a preferred embodiment of a flush valve assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partially in section, of a strap used in the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a spring clip used in the assembly of FIG. ll;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 1, but illustrates the flush valve in an open or cocked position;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a valve plug of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view ofa column member of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of an element used in the assembly for permitting adjustment of the length of time the flush valve is open;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a toggle used in the assembly for securing the same to a water closet;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative flush valve assembly;

FIG. Ill is a cross-sectional elevational view of the assembly of FIG. I0;

FIG. 12 is a similar cross-sectional view illustrating the flush valve of FIG. 10 in an open position;

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along a line l3-ll3 ofFIG. 11;

FIG. M is a partial cross-sectional view taken along a line M-M ofFIG. Ill; and

FIG. I5 is a partial perspective view of a retaining element for the assembly.

Turning now to the drawings, and first to FIGS. ll through 9, a preferred embodiment ofa flush valve assembly is illustrated mounted within a tank It), only a portion of a wall II and bottom 12 of the tank being illustrated. The flush valve assembly. generally designated 113, includes a column or center post I4 secured to the base I2 of the tank, a hollow valve plug 15 and a cocking reservoir I6. The column M (note FIG. 7) includes a central portion I8 and three radial ribs I9 through 2B. The lower portions of the ribs 119 through 2ll extend outwardly and fit within a valve seat member 22 which rests within a bore 23 in the bottom 12 of the tank 10, and the seat member is sealed by means of a flexible gasket M. An upper flange 25 of the seat member 22 provides a seat for the valve plug 15. A tie rod 27 is coupled by means of a roll pin 28 with a toggle 29 to secure the column 14 to the tank III]. This arrangement allows ready alignment of the valve assembly with the tank. The tie rod 27 extends upwardly through the column I4 and is secured to the upper end thereof by a nut 30. The rib 19 includes a scar or shoulder 32, and a guide 33 is secured to the upper end of the column I4 for purposes which will be described subsequently. An inclined guide surface 34 may be provided at the shoulder 32 as seen in FIG. 7. The column I41 may be formed of a suitable plastic, and the tie rod 27, toggle 29 and nut 30 made of brass. The seat member 22 preferably is made of stainless steel.

The valve plug IS includes a tubular member 36 having an internal guide rib 37 and guide channel 38. The upper end of the guide channel 38 includes a hole 39 therethrough for receiving an end 410 of a spring clip 41. The spring clip 41 includes a portion 32 which engages a rubber strap 43 for coupling the strap to the valve plug 15. The upper end of the strap 43 is coupled with a hook Ml or other suitable member to the trip lever of the water closet. The raised areas on the strap 43 allow for ready adjustment between the trip lever and valve assembly. It will be apparent that movement of the trip lever pulls the strap 33 thereby raising the valve plug 15 to open the flush valve as illustrated in FIG. 5. The lower end of the valve plug IS includes a pair of flanges 46 and 47 which retain a resilient flat plastic or rubber washer 48 which engages the seat 25 of the seat member 22 when the valve plug 15 is in its lower position as illustrated in FIG. I to terminate water flow through the bore 23in the base 12 of the tank 10.

The guide 33 of the column M includes a slot 50 which rides on the guide rib 37 of the valve plug. The guide 33 also includes a finger 51 which rides within the guide channel 38 of the valve plug.

The cocking reservoir I6 is affixed to the side of the valve plug l5 opposite the strap 43, and includes a bore 54 extending through the bottom thereof to provide a drain for the water within the reservoir 16. Briefly, flushing is accomplished by raising the valve plug IS, the same pivoting or tipping as illustrated in FIG. 5 because of the weight of the water within the reservoir 116. A portion of the flange 46 at the lower end of the valve plug I5 engages the shoulder 32 on the rib 19 of the column M thereby cocking the flush valve to an open position. As the water level in the tank 10 recedes, water drains from the cocking reservoir l6 thereby reducing the weight on the side of the valve plug and allowing the same to pivot counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 5 and then drop to the seated or closed position as illustrated in FIG. 1. The guide surface 34 prevents the guide rib 37 of the plug from locking on the side of the shoulder 32. It is to be understood that the shoulder 32 may take other forms, it only being necessary that it present a sufficient surface area to retain the plug 15 in the cocked position until a predetermined amount of water drains from the reservoir 16.

The timing cycle of the flush valve can be adjusted to compensate for water closet variation as a result of production differences, design differences, or the like, by means of a worm member 56 extending through the bore 54 of the cooking reservoir 16. The position of the worm member 56 within the bore 54 controls the flow rate of water through the bore and thus determines the length oftime before which the valve plug [5 will return to its uncocked position. A strap 57 or the like which may be formed of plastic is coupled with the worm member 56 and secured to a finger 58 at the upper end of the tubular member 36 of the valve plug 15. The long end 59 of the spring clip 41 overlies the top ofthe strap 57 and abuts the finger 58 as illustrated in FIG. 2 to retain the strap 57 in positron.

When the flush valve is in the closed position as seen in FIG. 1, a good seal occurs between the relatively thin flat flexible plastic or rubber washer 48 and the seat 25. Because of the flat shape of the washer 48, the most relaxed and most easily deflected form is accomplished thereby assuring an optimum seal between the seat 25 and the valve plug 15 under the slight head of water typically encountered in the tanks of water closets. The tubular member 36 of the valve plug 15 may have a relatively large diameter, for example approximately a 2 inch bore therethrough, to provide a large overflow capacity. This capacity is only slightly restricted by the column 14. Overflow occurs through the top of the tubular member to the bore 23. Large overflow capacity is important in one-piece water closets because of local code requirements.

As noted earlier, when the water closet trip lever is actuated to flush the toilet, the strap 43 which is connected to the side of the valve plug 15 opposite the cocking reservoir 16 lifts the plug thereby tipping the same so that the sear notch or shoulder 32 on the column 14 is engaged by the flange 46 of the plug. The valve plug 15 is held in engagement with the shoulder 32 while flushing of the closet occurs because of the weight of the cocking reservoir 16. The plug is preferably made from plastic having a specific gravity of approximately 1 and, thus, as water in the tank recedes the plug effectively attains weight. The weight of the plug 15, because it is supported on only one narrow sector of its diameter and because a guide pivot point 60 (FIG. 5) is provided between the plug and the column, would cause the plug to fall and close except for the counterbalance effect of the cocking reservoir 16. By controlling the rate at which the cocking reservoir 16 drains, the dropping of the valve plug can be readily controlled. As the plug drops, because of its considerable weight and because the column 14 is provided with three guide ribs, the plug 15 becomes aligned with the column 14 and the washer 48 nicely centers on the valve seat 25 and provides firm contact to effect a good seal.

An alternative embodiment ofa flush valve assembly is illustrated in FIGS. 10 through 15. In this assembly, a column 65 having a plurality, such as four, ribs is secured to the bottom 66 of a water tank 67. The lower end of the column 65 is supported in a flush bore opening 68 by means of a ring member 69 and brackets 70 both coupled with the lower end of the column and secured together by suitable screw fasteners. The ring member 69 is coupled with a resilient valve seat 71, which is encircled by a channel member 72, and has an outwardly flared seat portion 73. A fulcrum ring 74 is coupled with the column 65 and may be retained in any of several positions along the column 65 by means of a cotter pin 76 thereunder. Adjustment of the position of the ring 74 controls the time the flush valve is open. A rib 77 of the column 65 includes a shoulder 78 which functions similar to the shoulder 32 of the column 14 of the assembly illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 9.

A hollow valve plug 80, which may be tubular in shape, is mounted about the column 65. The valve plug 80 includes a lower flange 81 which engages the seat portion 73 of the resilient valve seat 71, and includes an intumed upper flange 82 which engages the shoulder 78 of the column 65. A cocking reservoir 84 is affixed to the valve plug 80, and this reservoir includes a drain hole 85 which allows wuter to drain from the reservoir 84 us the water level in the tank 67 recedes. A guide 87 is affixed to the top of the column 65 and includes an aperture 88 through which a pull cord 89 extends. The lower end of the pull cord is secured at 90 to the valve plug 80,

and the upper end thereof is coupled to the trip lever or the like of the water closet. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. [0 through 15, a cup 92 which is smaller than the reservoir 84 is affixed to the valve plug and is filled with water at all times to provide a counterweight for the flush valve assembly.

When the tank 67 is full, the reservoir 84 and cup 92 also are filled with water. When the cord 89 is pulled, the reservoir 84 is elevated partially above the water level in the tank 67 thereby causing the valve plug 80 to tip and latch with the shoulder 78 as illustrated in FIG. 12. As the water in the tank 67 recedes, water drains from the reservoir 84 through the drain hole thereby reducing the weight of the reservoir 84. This reduction in weight, along with the cup 92 becoming exposed as a result of the receding water level in the tank 67 eventually causes the valve plug 80 to tip to its uncocked position as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. This occurs because of the effective increase in weight of the cup 92 and the decrease in weight of the reservoir 84. The lower end of the valve plug 80 then seals against the valve seat completing the flushing operation. As with the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 9, the column, valve plug, reservoir and cup preferably are formed ofa suitable plastic.

The present embodiments of this invention are to be con sidered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims therefore are intended to be embraced therein.

lclaim:

l. A flush valve for water closets and the like comprising:

stationary column means including an upstanding member adapted to be coupled adjacent, a flush water outlet of a water closet;

valve means positioned about said column means, with said column means extending upwardly into said valve means and said valve means being movable generally axially with respect to said column means, said valve means having a lower end for seating with a valve seat and being open through the length thereof to provide an overflow passage; and

imbalance means coupled with said valve means, said imbalance means upon raising of said valve means with respect to said column means causing said valve means to tip, said column means including means for engaging said valve means and holding the same when said valve means tips.

2. A flush valve as in claim I wherein said lower end of said valve means includes flange means and substantially flat gasket means retained by said flange means, said gasket means normally forming a seal with said valve seat.

3. A flush valve as in claim 1 wherein said imbalance means comprises reservoir means, said reservoir means having an opening therein for allowing fluid to drain therefrom.

4. A flush valve for water closets and the like comprising:

column means adapted to be coupled with a flush water outlet of a water closet, said column means including an upstanding member having a plurality of ribs, one of said ribs including a shoulder thereon;

valve means positioned on said column means, said valve means being hollow and providing an overflow passageway therethrough to said flush water outlet, said valve means having a lower end with sealing means thereon for seating with a valve seat for normally preventing water flow past said valve seat to said flush water outlet;

reservoir means coupled with said valve means for normally retaining fluid for causing said valve means to tip and catch on said shoulder of said column means when said valve means is moved with respect to said column means, said reservoir means having an opening therein for allowing fluid to drain therefrom; and

variable restriction means cooperating with said opening in said reservoir means for controlling the rate of drain of fluid from said reservoir means.

5. A flush valve as in claim 4 wherein said variable restriction means includes a worm member extending through said opening in said reservoir means, said worm member being adjustable with respect to said opening.

6. A flush valve for water closets and the like comprising: column means adapted to be coupled with a flush water outlet of a water closet, said column means including an upstanding member having a plurality of ribs and a fulcrum member; valve means positioned on said column means, said valve means being hollow and providing an overflow passageway therethrough to said flush water outlet, said valve means having a lower end for seating with a valve seat for normally preventing water flow past said water seat to said flush water outlet; first reservoir means coupled with said valve means for normally retaining fluid for causing said valve means to tip and catch on said column means when said valve means is moved with respect to said column means, said reservoir means having a drain opening therein for allowing fluid to drain therefrom; and second reservoir means coupled with said valve means normally retaining fluid for causing said valve means to disengage with said column means as fluid drains from said first reservoir means. 7. A flush valve for water closets and the like comprising: column means including an upstanding member adapted to be coupled adjacent a flush water outlet of a water closet; valve means positioned about said column means and including a substantially tubular member mounted around said column means, said column means including a plurality of ribs for enabling alignment of said valve means thereon, and said valve means having a lower end for seating with a valve seat and being open through the length thereof to provide an overflow passage; and imbalance means coupled with said valve means, said imbalance means upon raising of said valve means with respect to said column means causing said valve means to tip, said column means including means for engaging said valve means and holding the same when said valve means tips. 8. A flush valve as in claim 7 wherein said column means and said valve means have cooperating guide members for guiding said valve means as the same is moved with respect to said column means.

9. A flush valve for water closets and the like comprising: column means including an upstanding member adapted to be coupled adjacent a flush water outlet of a water closet;

valve means positioned about said column means with said column means extending upwardly into said valve means and said valve means being movable generally axially with respect to said column means, said valve means having a lower end for seating'with a valve seat and being open through the length thereof to provide an overflow passage; and

imbalance means coupled with said valve means, said imbalance means comprising reservoir means and said reservoir means having an opening therein for allowing fluid to drain therefrom with said opening being in the form of an elongated bore, and worm means mounted within said bore and adjustable with respect to said bore for controlling the rate of drain of fluid from said reservoir means, said imbalance means upon raising of said valve means with respect to said column means causing said valve means to tip, said column including means for engaging said valve means and holding the same when said valve means tips.

10. A flush valve for water closets and the like comprising:

column means including an upstanding member adapted to be coupled adjacent a flush water outlet of a water closet; substantially tubular valve means positioned about said column means, with said column means extending upwardly into said valve means and said valve means being movable generally axially with respect to said column means, said valve means having a lower end for seating with a valve seat and being open through the length thereof to provide an overflow passage;

imbalance means coupled with said valve means and comprising reservoir means, said reservoir means being mounted on one side of said valve means and having an opening therein for allowing fluid to drain therefrom, said imbalance means upon raising of said valve means with respect to said column means causing said valve means to tip, said column means including means for engaging said valve means and holding the same when said valve means tips; and

second reservoir means mounted on substantially the opposite side of said valve means from said first named reservoir means.

11. In a flush valve for water closets and the like including a tiltable valve plug for controlling the flow of flush water to a flush water outlet, the improvement comprising:

column means including an upstanding member adapted to be coupled adjacent a flush water outlet of a water closet;

said valve plug being mounted substantially coaxially on said column means with said column means extending up wardly into said valve plug and said valve plug being movable generally axially with respect to said column means;

reservoir means coupled with said valve plug for normally retaining a supply of water for causing said valve plug to tilt with respect to said column means upon predetermined movement of said valve plug, said reservoir means including an opening therein; and

variable restriction means cooperating with said opening in said reservoir means for controlling the rate of drain of water from said reservoir means, said variable restriction means including a worm member extending though said opening in said reservoir means, said worm member being adjustable with respect to said opening.

12. A flush valve for water closets and the like comprising:

column means including an upstanding member adapted to be coupled adjacent a flush water outlet of a water closet, said column means including a plurality of rib member;

valve means positioned about said column means, said valve means having a lower end for seating with a valve seat and being open through the length thereof to provide an overflow passage; and

imbalance means coupled with said valve means, said imbalance means comprising reservoir means and said reservoir means having an opening therein for allowing fluid to drain therefrom with said opening being in the form of an elongated bore, and worm means mounted within said bore and adjustable with respect to said bore for controlling the rate of drain of fluid from said reservoir means, said imbalance means upon raising of said valve means with respect to said column means causing said valve means to tip, said column means including a shoulder on one of said ribs for engaging said valve means and holding the same when said valve means tips.

13. A flush valve for water closets and the like comprising:

column means including an upstanding member adapted to be coupled adjacent a flush water outlet of a water closet, said column means including adjustable fulcrum means mounted on said upstanding member;

valve means positioned about said column means, said valve means having a lower end for seating with a valve seat and being open through the length thereof to provide an overflow passage; and

imbalance means coupled with said valve means, said imbalance means comprising reservoir means and said reservoir means having an opening therein for allowing fluid to drain therefrom with said opening being in the form of an elongated bore, and worm means mounted within said bore and adjustable with respect to said bore for controlling the rate of drain of fluid from said reservoir means, said imbalance means upon raising of said valve means with respect to said column means causing said valve means to tip, said column means including means for engaging said valve means and holding the same when said valve means tips.

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