US3780384A - Automatic toilet flushing system - Google Patents

Automatic toilet flushing system Download PDF

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US3780384A
US3780384A US3780384DA US3780384A US 3780384 A US3780384 A US 3780384A US 3780384D A US3780384D A US 3780384DA US 3780384 A US3780384 A US 3780384A
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valve
seat
flush
valve member
cylinder
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G Rivelle
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D5/00—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system
    • E03D5/02—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system operated mechanically or hydraulically (or pneumatically) also details such as push buttons, levers and pull-card therefor
    • E03D5/04—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system operated mechanically or hydraulically (or pneumatically) also details such as push buttons, levers and pull-card therefor directly by the seat or cover combined with devices for opening and closing shutters in the bowl outlet and/or with devices for raising and lowering seat or cover; Raising or lowering seat and/or cover by flushing or by the flushing mechanism
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D1/00—Water flushing devices with cisterns ; Setting up a range of flushing devices or water-closets; Combinations of several flushing devices
    • E03D1/30—Valves for high or low level cisterns; Their arrangement ; Flushing mechanisms in the cistern, optionally with provisions for a pre-or a post- flushing and for cutting off the flushing mechanism in case of leakage
    • E03D1/36—Associated working of inlet and outlet valves
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
    • Y10T137/8593—Systems
    • Y10T137/86493—Multi-way valve unit
    • Y10T137/86574—Supply and exhaust
    • Y10T137/8667—Reciprocating valve
    • Y10T137/86694—Piston valve
    • Y10T137/8671—With annular passage [e.g., spool]

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT An automatic flushing system for a toilet having a bowl mounting a hinged seat and a flush tank containing a flush valve which is raised from closed position to open position to flush the toilet and returns to closed position at the end of the flush cycle.
  • the flushing system has a water pressure actuated flush valve operator to be mounted in the toilet flush tank and operatively connected to the flush valve, and seat actuated valve means for providing a regulated flow of water to the operator for opening the flush valve and then releasing the valve for closure in response to application of a downward to and removal of the force from the toilet seat.
  • Thetoilet may also be flushed by hand, if desired.
  • the improved automatic toilet flushing system of this invention is designed for use on tank type toilets having a toilet bowl mounting a hinged seat and cover, and a flush tank containing a float controlled water inlet valve and a drain or flush valve.
  • the flush valve is operated by a handle on the tank. Turning and release of this handle raises the flush valve to open position to permit draining of water from the tank into the bowl to flush the bowl.
  • the resultant lowering of the water level in the tank allows the flush valve to reclose and the float of the float controlled inlet valve to drop and thereby open the valve to refill the tank with water.
  • the flushing system has a water pressure actuated flush valve operator to be mounted in the flush tank and a toilet seat actuated valve to be mounted on the toilet bowl for controlling water flow to the valve operator.
  • the valve operator includes a cylinder containing a piston with a rod having means for connection to the flush valve. When water under pressure is supplied to the operator from the seat actuated valve, the piston raises to open the flush valve. When the flow of water to the flush valve is cut off, the flush valve is released to reclose in the usual way.
  • the operator piston may also be connected to the manual flush mechanism to permit manual flushing of the toilet by the flush handle, if desired.
  • the seat actuated valve has an inlet for connection to a supply of water under pressure, such as the toilet water supply, and control and timing valve members for controlling water flow from the valve inlet through the valve outlet to the flush valve operator.
  • the control valve member is operatively connected to the valve seat which is spring loaded so that a downward force on the seat depresses the latter.
  • the seat is biased to its normal slightly elevated position when the force is removed.
  • depression of the toilet seat by the applied force causes movement of the control and timing valve members from their normal positions to second positions.
  • This action conditions the seat actuated valve to supply a regulated flow of water to the flush valve operator when the force on the seat is removed. Removal of the force effects return of the valve members to their normal positions in such a way that water flow occurs through the seat actuated valve to the flush valve operator to open the flush valve.
  • This water flow is controlled by the timing valve whose rate of return to normal position to stop water flow to the valve operator is regulated to retain the flush valve open for the interval of time required for proper flushing. Return of the timing valve at its normal position cuts off the flow of water to the flush valve operator to permit reclosing of the flush valve.
  • a feature of the invention resides in the ability of the flushing system to be easily installed on conventional manually flushed tank type toilets.
  • the invention provides novel toilet seat hinges which adapt the system to such installation.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a toilet equipped with a present antomatic flushing system
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged section through a seat actuated valve and seat hinge of the flushing system
  • FIG. 3 is a section through a flush valve operator of I the flushing system
  • FIG. 4 is a section through a dummy seat hinge used in the flushing system
  • FIGS. 5-7 illustrate the flush cycle of the flushing system
  • FIG. 8 illustrates a modified toilet flushing system according to the invention.
  • FIGS. 1-7 there is illustrated a conventional tank type toilet l0 equipped with an automatic toilet flushing system 12 according to the invention. Since the toilet is conventional, it need not be described in elaborate detail. Suffice it to say that the toilet has a front bowl 14 mounting a hinged seat 16 and cover 18 and a rear flush tank 20 containing a float controlled inlet valve (not shown) and a drain or flush valve 22.
  • the flush valve has a hollow resilient valve ball 24 which, in closed position, rests on a valve seat 26 at the bottom of the tank 20, about a drain passage 28 communicating the tank to the toilet bowl 14.
  • the flush valve 22 is connected to a lever 30 attached to a flush handle 32.
  • R0- tation of this handle in one direction followed by release of the handle elevates the flush valve to open position to permit water to drain from the tank 20 into the toilet bowl 14 to flush the latter.
  • the resultant dropping of the water level in the tank permits the flush valve to return to its closed position and opens the float controlled inlet valve to refill the tank with water.
  • the present toilet flushing system 12 includes a water pressure actuated flush valve operator 34 in the flush tank 20 and a seat actuated valve 36 for controlling water flow to the valve operator.
  • the valve operator 34 includes a cylinder 38 with a bracket 40 for attaching the cylinder in an upright position to the overflow pipe 42 of the existing toilet.
  • Movable in cylinder 38 is a piston 44 having a rod 46 which extends slidably through guides in the cylinder ends.
  • the lower end of the piston rod is attached by a chain 48 to the flush valve 22.
  • the upper rod end is attached by a chain 50 to the manual flush lever 30.
  • cylinder 38 In the lower end of cylinder 38 is an inlet 52 to the cylinder below the piston 44.
  • a drain passage 54 opens to the inlet 52 and through the lower end of the cylinder.
  • a valve ball 56 in the inlet is movable to the right in FIG. 3 to block the drain passage when water under pressure is supplied to the inlet as described later.
  • the lower surface of the passage slopes downwardly to the left so that the ball rolls toward the left to open the drain passage, when the supply of water to the cylinder is cut off.
  • In the upper end of the cylinder 38 are overflow ports 58 through which water may flow from the cylinder into the flush tank when the piston 44 is at the upper end of the cylinder.
  • the piston has a loose fit in the cylinder providing an annular water flow space 60 between the piston and cylinder.
  • the seat actuated valve 36 is a spool valve including a generally tubular valve barrel 62 containing an axial valve bore 64.
  • the upper end of the bore opens through the upper end of the barrel 62 through a guide 66 having a lower reduced portion 68 and an upper threaded portion 70.
  • the lower end of the barrel bore 64 is enlarged to form a shoulder 72 and is closed by a threaded plug 74 with an upper projecting stop 76.
  • a vent passage 78 communicates the upper end of bore 64 to atmosphere. Adjacent the upper end of the bore is an inlet 80 which opens to the bore and is connected by a water line 82 to the toilet water supply pipe 84. Adjacent the lower end of the bore is a water outlet 86 which is connected through a water line 87 to the inlet 52 of the flush valve operator 34.
  • the toilet seat 16 and cover 18 are pivotally mounted on the bowl 14 by novel hinges 88. These hinges will be described presently. Suffice it to say at this point that the hinge in FIG. 2 provides a mount for the seat actuated valve 36. To this end the hinge has a threaded sleeve 90 which extends downwardly through a hole 92 in the rear projecting portion of the toilet bowl 14 and is threaded in the threaded opening 70 of the valve barrel 62. A jam nut 94 is threaded on the tube to firmly clamp the parts in position. A bracket 96 clamped between the toilet bowl and jam nut has depending arms 98 attached by screws 100 to the barrel to lock the latter against turning.
  • Port 115 permits air to bleed into and from the spring chamber 114a as the valve spools 102, 106 undergo relative movement toward and away from one another during operation of the flushing system in the manner hereinafter described. Accordingly, port 115 prevents the creation of an air pressure or a partial vacuum within the spring chamber during such relative valve spool movement.
  • valve spools 102, 106 The positions of the valve spools 102, 106 shown in FIG. 2 are referred to herein as their normal positions. In these normal positions the control valve member 102 is located at the upper end of the valve barrel bore 64, and the shoulder 112 of the timing valve member 106 seats upwardly against the barrel shoulder 72.
  • the valve inlet 80 communicates to the chamber 116 below the timing valve member through the central valve recess 104 and a passage 118 containing an adjustable needle valve 121.
  • valve spools 102, 106 are movable downwardly from their normal positions of FIG. 2 to their second positions of FIG. 6. In these positions, the valve inlet is blocked by the control valve 102, and the valve outlet 86 communicates with the passage 118 through passages 120 and the central valve recess 104 and through the timing valve recess 108 and a passage 122.
  • Upper projecting stop 76 on plug 74 and spring loaded ball detents 123 engagable within a groove 123a in the timing valve spool 106 are provided for releasably latching the timing valve spool in its second position.
  • the illustrated hinge has a mounting base 124 rigidly joined to the upper end of the threaded sleeve 90 and seating against the upper surface of the toilet bowl. Rising from the base are spaced arms or flanges 126. One end of a second hinge arm 128 is disposed between and attached by a pivot 130 to the flanges. A spring leaf 132 secured at one end to the base 124 and seating at its other end against a fixed stop 133 in the hinge of FIG. 2 and an adjustment screw 134 in the opposite hinge (FIG. 4) on the hinge arm 128 urges the latter arm upward against a stop 136 extending between the hinge flanges 126.
  • the hinge in FIG. 4 is attached to the toilet bowl 14 by a threaded stud 90a which extends through a hole 92 in the bowl and mounts a jam nut 94.
  • a rod 138 Extending slidably through the threaded sleeve 90 of i the hinge 88 in FIG. 2 is a rod 138.
  • the upper end of this rod is threaded in a stud 140 rotatably attached to the hinge arm 128 between its ends.
  • the lower end of the rod has an enlarged head 142 below the lower end of the sleeve which seats against the upper end of a stem 144 extending upwardly from the upper end of the control valve spool 102 through the upper valve barrel bore 68. Swinging of the hinge arm 128 about its pivot 130 in FIG. 2 thus moves the rod 138 axially in the sleeve 90 which provides a guide bushing for the rod.
  • the pivot 130 is provided with sufficient lateral clearance to prevent binding of the rod in the bushing 90 during swinging of the hinge arm. It is evident from FIG. 2, that downward or counterclockwise swinging of the hinge arm 128 moves the rod 138 downwardly against the control valve spool 102 to move the latter and thereby the timing valve spool 106 downwardly from their normal positions of FIG. 2 to their second positions of FIG. 6. Upward or clockwise swinging of the hinge arm releases the spools for return to their normal positions.
  • a shaft 146 Extending between and fixed at its ends to the forward or free ends of the hinge arms 128 is a shaft 146. Hinge plates 148 and 150 attached to toilet seat 16 and cover 18, respectively, are pivotally mounted on this shaft. Shaft 146 thus supports the seat and cover for swinging between their open and closed positions.
  • the hinge springs 132 retain the hinge arms 128 in their upper positions of FIGS. 2 and 4, against the hinge stops 136. In these arm positions, the rear edge of the toilet seat 16 is retained in a slightly elevated position out of contact with the upper rim of the toilet bowl 14, as shown in FIG. 2. Water entering the inlet 80 of the seat actuated valve 36 flows through the control valve spool recess 104 and passage 113 into the pressure chamber 116 below the timing valve spool 106 and urges the latter and thereby the control valve spool up wardly to their normal positions of FIG. 2.
  • the timing valve spool 106 blocks water flow from the valve inlet 80 to the valve outlet 86 and hence also to the flush valve operator 34 in the flush tank 20.
  • the valve operator then assumes its condition of FIG. 3 wherein the flush valve 22 is closed.
  • the flush tank is filled with water, and the tank inlet valve (not shown) is closed.
  • timing valve spool 106 is initially retained in its upper normal position by the water pressure in the pressure chamber 116, and the control valve spool 102 moves downwardly relative to the timing valve spool.
  • the control valve spool arrives at its lower position, the pressure chamber is placed in communication with the valve outlet 86.
  • the downward spring force on the timing valve spool then forces the latter downwardly, thereby displacing water from the chamber to the flush valve operator 34.
  • the pressure and volume of this displaced water are relatively low, and the water entering the operator merely leaks through the flow space 60 about the operator piston 44 without raising the piston and thereby opening the flush valve 22.
  • the seat actuated valve 36 remains in its armed condition until the toilet user removes his weight from the seat 16.
  • the hinge springs 132 return the hinge arms 128 to their stops 136, thereby elevating the rear edge of the toilet seat and raising the valve rod 138.
  • This action releases the control valve spool 102 for return to its upper normal position under the force of the compressed valve spring 114, as shown in FIG. 7.
  • the timing valve spool 106 remains latched in its lower position by the ball detents 123. Return of the control valve spool to its normal position reestablishes communication between the valve inlet 80 and the valve passage 118. As shown in FIG.
  • the timing valve spool 106 Upon expiration of this period, the timing valve spool 106 arrives at its upper normal position to cut off water flow to the flush valve operator 34.
  • the seat actuated valve 36 is now in the initial condition of FIG. 2 in readiness for the next flushing cycle.
  • the valve ball 56 in the flush valve operator cylinder 38 rolls to the left in FIG. 3 to open the cylinder drain port 54 and thereby permit water to drain from the cylinder.
  • This action and the flow space 60 about the operator piston 44 permits the piston and flush valve 22 to descend under the action of gravity and reclose the flush tank drain opening 28.
  • the currently open flush tank inlet valve now refills the flush tank 20 with water to complete the automatic flush cycle.
  • the hinge 88 at the side of the toilet opposite the valve 36 has a spring adjustment screw 134. This screw is adjusted to equalize the spring forces on the two hinges. It will be evident that the valve 34 and hinges 88 may be mounted at either side of the toilet bowl 14. As noted earlier, the flush valve 22 may be operated manually by the flush valve handle 32 on the flush tank 20.
  • the modified toilet flushing system of FIG. 8 is identical to that of FIGS. 1-7 except for the seat actuated valve 36a.
  • the valve body 62a is a block containing two parallel bores 64a closed at their ends by threaded plugs 74a.
  • a control valve spool 102a is slidable in the left-hand bore and has a recess 104a and a stern 144a which projects upwardly through a bore in the adjacent upper plug. Stern 144a seats against a valve actuating rod 138a pivotally attached to the spring loaded arm 128 of the adjacent seat hinge 88.
  • a spring 114a Acting between the lower end of the control valve spool 102a and the adjacent lower valve bore plug 74a is a spring 114a which urges the spool upwardly to its normal position of FIG. 8.
  • the lower plug has a vent passage 78a to atmosphere.
  • a timing valve spool 106a Slidable in the right-hand valve bore 64a is a timing valve spool 106a having a recess 108a.
  • This valve spool has a shoulder 112a which seats against a shoulder 72a about the lower end of the bore when the spool occupies its normal position of FIG. 8.
  • a spring 1 14a acting between the upper valve bore plug 74a and the valve spool urges the latter downwardly in its bore 64a.
  • the upper plug has a vent passage 78a to atmosphere.
  • Valve body 62a has an inlet a for connection to a supply of water under pressure and an outlet 86a connected to the flush valve operator 34 in the toilet flush tank.
  • Inlet 80a opens to the left-hand control valve spool bore 64a.
  • the outlet 86a opens to the righthand timing valve spool bore.
  • the two bores are interconnected by passages 118a, 120a, 122a. Passage 118a opens to the pressure chamber 116a at the lower end of the timing valve spool 106a through a restriction 1 18b.
  • the control valve spool 102a When the toilet is unoccupied, the control valve spool 102a occupies its illustrated normal position. Water then flows from the inlet 80a through the spool recess 104a and passage 118a into the pressure chamber 1160 to urge the timing valve spool 106a upwardly to its normal position shown.
  • the control valve spool 102a When a person sits on the toilet seat, the control valve spool 102a is depressed to its lower position wherein the inlet 80a is blocked and passages 118a, 120a communicate through the spool recess 104a.
  • the timing valve spool spring 1140 then urges the timing valve spool 106a downwardly to its lower position, thereby displacing water from the chamber 116a to the flush valve operator 34 without opening the flush valve.
  • the control valve spool 102a When the user removes his weight from the seat, the control valve spool 102a is returned to normal position by its spring 114a. Water then flows from the inlet 80a, through the spool recess 104a, passages 118a, 122a, the timing valve spool recess 108a, and the valve outlet 86a to the flush valve operator 34 to open the flush valve. Water also flows through the restriction ll8b in passage 118a into the chamber 116a to return the timing valve spool 106a to normal position. The restriction controls the rate of return of the timing valve spool to permit draining of the flush tank. The flush valve then recloses and the flush tank refills, as before.
  • An automatic flushing system for a toilet having a bowl mounting a hinged seat and a flush tank containing a flush valve which is raised from closed position to open position to flush the toilet and returns to closed position at the end of the flush cycle, said flushing system comprising:
  • a water pressure actuated flush valve operator for raising said flush valve to open position when said operator is supplied with water under pressure and permitting return of said flush valve to closed position when the water to said operator is cut off
  • valve means for controlling water flow to said valve operator including an inlet for connection to a supply of water under pressure, an outlet connected to said valve operator, passage means communicating said inlet and outlet, a control valve member and a timing valve member movable between normal positions wherein said control valve member permits water flow through said passage means and said timing valve blocks water flow through said passage means and second positions wherein said control valve blocks water flow through said passage means and said timing valve permits water flow through said passage means, and means for operating said valve members between said normal and second positions in response to application of a downward force to and subsequent removal of the force from said seat to effect an automatic flushing cycle involving initial movement of said valve members from said normal positions to said second positions when said force is applied to said seat and return of said valve members to normal position when said force is removed from said seat in a manner such that return of said timing valve member is retarded to provide a regulated flow of water to said valve operator for timed opening of said flush valve.
  • valve members are spool valves. 4.
  • said valve member operating means comprises spring means for biasing said seat to a slightly elevated position when said force is removed from said seat, whereby said force depresses said seat, attachment means for connection to said seat for moving said control valve member from its normal position to its second position in response to depression of said seat by said force, a pressure chamber exposed to one end of said timing valve member and communicating with said passage means to receive water under pressure from said inlet past said control valve member when in normal position for urging said timing valve member back to normal position when said force is removed from said seat, a spring acting between said valve members for urging said timing valve member to its second position and urging said control valve member to its normal position, and passage means communicating said pressure chamber to said valve outlet past said control valve member when said control valve member occupies its second position.
  • An automatic flushing system according to claim 4 including:
  • valve means for adjustably regulating water flow rate into said pressure chamber to regulate the rate of return of said timing valve member from its second position to its normal position by the water pressure in said chamber.
  • said attachment means comprises a hinge including a first arm for attachment to said bowl, a second arm pivoted at one end on said first arm and having pivot means at its other end for pivotal connection to said seat in such a way that depression of said seat by said force pivots said second arm in one direction, a rod pivotally attached to said second arm and engaging said control member for moving said control valve member from its normal position to its second position upon pivoting of said arm in said one direction, and said spring acts between said hinge arms for urging said second arm in the opposite direction.
  • said flush valve operator comprises a cylinder, means for mounting said cylinder in an upright position in said flush tank, a piston movable in said cylinder having a rod for connection to said flush valve for opening said flush valve upon upward movement of said piston in said cylinder, and inlet means communicating said cylinder below said piston to said valve outlet.
  • An automatic flushing system including:
  • said flushing cycle may overflow into said tank said cylinder has a lower drain port through which when said piston is at the upper limit of its travel water may drain from said cylinder into said tank in said cylinder. at the end of said automatic flushing cycle to per- 9.
  • An automatic flushing system according to claim mit return of said flush valve to closed position, and i 7 wherein: valve means for blocking said drain port when said cylinder has a lower drain port through which 10 water is supplied to said cylinder to elevate said piswater may drain from said cylinder into said tank ton. at the end of said automatic flushing cycle to per- 12.
  • An automatic flushing system mit return of said flush valve to closed position, and 1 1 including: valve means for blocking said drain port when valve means for adjustably regulating water flow rate water is supplied to said cylinder to elevate said pis- 5 into said pressure chamber to regulate the rate of ton. return of said timing valve member from its second 10.
  • An automatic flushing system according to claim position to its normal position by the water pres- 7 wherein: sure in said chamber.
  • said toilet includes a manual flush mechanism, and 13.
  • An automatic flushing system according to claim said piston rod includes means for connection to said 12 wherein:
  • said toilet includes a manual flush mechanism
  • said piston rod includes means for connection to said mechanism, whereby said toilet may be flushed by hand independently of said automatic flushing system.
  • a seat actuated valve for an automatic flushing system for a toilet having a bowl mounting a hinged seat and a flush tank containing a flush valve and a water pressure actuated flush valve operator which raises the flush valve to open position to flush the toilet when water under pressure is supplied to the operator and releases the flush valve for movement to closed position when water flow to the actuator is cut off, said seat actuated valve comprising:
  • said valve member operating means comprises spring means for biasing said seat to a slightly elevated position when said force is removed from said seat, whereby said force depresses said seat, attachment means for connection to said seat for moving said control valve member from its normal position to its second position in response to depression of said seat by said force, a pressure chamber exposed to one end of said timing valve member and communicating with said passage means to receive water an inlet for connection to a supply of water under under pressure from said inlet past said control pressure, valve member when in normal position for urging an outlet for connection to said valve operator, said timing valve member back to normal position passage means communicating said inlet and outlet, when said force is removed from said seat, a spring a control valve member and a timing valve member acting between said valve members for urging said movable between normal positions wherein said timing valve member to its second position and control valve member permits water flow through urging said control valve member to its normal posaid passage means and said timing valve blocks sition, and passage means communicating said water flow through said passage means and second pressure chamber to said valve outlet past said conpositions
  • a second means for operating said valve members between arm pivoted at one end on said first arm and having said normal and second positions in response to appivot means at its other end for pivotal connection plication of a downward force to and subsequent to said seat in such a way that depression of said removal of the force from said seat to effect an auseat by said force pivots said second arm in one ditomatic flushing cycle involving initial movement rection, a rod pivotally attached to said second arm of said valve members from said normal positions and engaging said control member for moving said to said second positions when said first is applied control valve member from its normal position to to said seat and return of said valve members to its second position upon pivoting of said arm in said normal position when said force is removed from one direction, and said spring acts between said said seat in a manner such that return of said timing hinge arms for urging said second arm in the oppovalve member is retarded to provide a regulated site direction, flow of water to said valve operator for timed opensaid flush valve operator comprises a cylinder, means for operating said valve members between arm pivoted at
  • a seat actuated valve according to claim 14 insaid flush tank, a piston movable in said cylinder eluding: having a rod for connection to said flush valve for means for regulating the rate of return movement of opening said flush valve upon upward movement of said timing valve member to normal position. said piston in said cylinder, and inlet means com- 16.
  • a seat actuated valve according to claim 14 municating said cylinder below said piston to said wherein:
  • valve outlet, an overflow port at the upper end of said valve members are spool valves.
  • valve member operating means comprises spring valve means for adjustably regulating water flow rate means for biasing said seat to a slightly elevated pointo said pressure chamber to regulate the rate of sition when said force is removed from said seat, return of said timing valve member from its second whereby said force depresses said seat, attachment position to its normal position by the water presmeans for connection to said seat for moving said sure in said chamber. control valve member from its normal position to 19.
  • a seat actuated valve its second position in response to depression of said wherein: seat by said force, a pressure chamber exposed to said attachment means comprises a hinge including one end of said timing valve member and commua first arm for attachment to said bowl, a second nicating with said passage means to receive water arm pivoted at one end on said first arm and having under pressure from said inlet past said control pivot means at its other end for pivotal connection valve member when in normal position for urging to said seat in such a way that depression of said said timing valve member back to normal position seat by said force pivots said second arm in one diwhen said force is removed from said seat, a spring rection, a rod pivotally attached to said second arm acting between said valve members for urging said and engaging said control member for moving said timing valve member to its second position and control valve member from its normal position to urging said control valve member to its normal poits second position upon pivoting of said arm in said sition, and passage means communicating said 20 one direction, and pressure chamber to said valve outlet past said consaid spring acts between said

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
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Abstract

An automatic flushing system for a toilet having a bowl mounting a hinged seat and a flush tank containing a flush valve which is raised from closed position to open position to flush the toilet and returns to closed position at the end of the flush cycle. The flushing system has a water pressure actuated flush valve operator to be mounted in the toilet flush tank and operatively connected to the flush valve, and seat actuated valve means for providing a regulated flow of water to the operator for opening the flush valve and then releasing the valve for closure in response to application of a downward to and removal of the force from the toilet seat. The toilet may also be flushed by hand, if desired.

Description

1451 Dec.25, 1973 AUTOMATIC TOILET F LUSHING SYSTEM [76] Inventor: George R. Rivelle, 1123 Venton St.,
San Dimas, Calif. 91773 22 Filed: Jan. 17, 1972 21] Appl. No.: 218,216
[52] U.S. C1. 4/41, 4/59, 4/67 R,
137/625.69 [51] Int. Cl E03d 1/36, E03d 5/04 [58] Field of Search 4/53, 54, 56,59,
4/63, 64, 65, 67 R, 67 A, 82, 125, 126, 130, 240, 249, 250, l, 41, 100; 137/628, 625.69
Primary Examiner.lohn W. Huckert Assistant Examiner-Stuart S. Levy AttorneyBoniard I. Brown [57] ABSTRACT An automatic flushing system for a toilet having a bowl mounting a hinged seat and a flush tank containing a flush valve which is raised from closed position to open position to flush the toilet and returns to closed position at the end of the flush cycle. The flushing system has a water pressure actuated flush valve operator to be mounted in the toilet flush tank and operatively connected to the flush valve, and seat actuated valve means for providing a regulated flow of water to the operator for opening the flush valve and then releasing the valve for closure in response to application of a downward to and removal of the force from the toilet seat. Thetoilet may also be flushed by hand, if desired.
19 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures SHEET 1 BF 3 Zara. 1. w /0 32 1 AUTOMATIC TOILET FLUSHING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to toilets and more particularly to a novel automatic toilet flushing system which is activated by application of a downward force to and removal of the force from the toilet seat.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art A variety of automatic toilet flushing systems have been devised. Examples of such systems are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,048,867 and 3,364,502.
These and other prior art flushing systems suffer from certain disadvantages which this invention overcomes. Foremost among these disadvantages are complexity, high cost, and incapability of installation on existing toilets equipped with manual flushing systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The improved automatic toilet flushing system of this invention is designed for use on tank type toilets having a toilet bowl mounting a hinged seat and cover, and a flush tank containing a float controlled water inlet valve and a drain or flush valve. The flush valve is operated by a handle on the tank. Turning and release of this handle raises the flush valve to open position to permit draining of water from the tank into the bowl to flush the bowl. The resultant lowering of the water level in the tank allows the flush valve to reclose and the float of the float controlled inlet valve to drop and thereby open the valve to refill the tank with water.
The flushing system has a water pressure actuated flush valve operator to be mounted in the flush tank and a toilet seat actuated valve to be mounted on the toilet bowl for controlling water flow to the valve operator. The valve operator includes a cylinder containing a piston with a rod having means for connection to the flush valve. When water under pressure is supplied to the operator from the seat actuated valve, the piston raises to open the flush valve. When the flow of water to the flush valve is cut off, the flush valve is released to reclose in the usual way. The operator piston may also be connected to the manual flush mechanism to permit manual flushing of the toilet by the flush handle, if desired.
The seat actuated valve has an inlet for connection to a supply of water under pressure, such as the toilet water supply, and control and timing valve members for controlling water flow from the valve inlet through the valve outlet to the flush valve operator. The control valve member is operatively connected to the valve seat which is spring loaded so that a downward force on the seat depresses the latter. The seat is biased to its normal slightly elevated position when the force is removed.
Depression of the toilet seat by the applied force causes movement of the control and timing valve members from their normal positions to second positions. This action conditions the seat actuated valve to supply a regulated flow of water to the flush valve operator when the force on the seat is removed. Removal of the force effects return of the valve members to their normal positions in such a way that water flow occurs through the seat actuated valve to the flush valve operator to open the flush valve. This water flow is controlled by the timing valve whose rate of return to normal position to stop water flow to the valve operator is regulated to retain the flush valve open for the interval of time required for proper flushing. Return of the timing valve at its normal position cuts off the flow of water to the flush valve operator to permit reclosing of the flush valve.
A feature of the invention resides in the ability of the flushing system to be easily installed on conventional manually flushed tank type toilets. The invention provides novel toilet seat hinges which adapt the system to such installation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a toilet equipped with a present antomatic flushing system;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged section through a seat actuated valve and seat hinge of the flushing system;
FIG. 3 is a section through a flush valve operator of I the flushing system;
FIG. 4 is a section through a dummy seat hinge used in the flushing system;
FIGS. 5-7 illustrate the flush cycle of the flushing system; and
FIG. 8 illustrates a modified toilet flushing system according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIGS. 1-7 there is illustrated a conventional tank type toilet l0 equipped with an automatic toilet flushing system 12 according to the invention. Since the toilet is conventional, it need not be described in elaborate detail. Suffice it to say that the toilet has a front bowl 14 mounting a hinged seat 16 and cover 18 and a rear flush tank 20 containing a float controlled inlet valve (not shown) and a drain or flush valve 22. The flush valve has a hollow resilient valve ball 24 which, in closed position, rests on a valve seat 26 at the bottom of the tank 20, about a drain passage 28 communicating the tank to the toilet bowl 14.
In the conventional toilet, the flush valve 22 is connected to a lever 30 attached to a flush handle 32. R0- tation of this handle in one direction followed by release of the handle elevates the flush valve to open position to permit water to drain from the tank 20 into the toilet bowl 14 to flush the latter. The resultant dropping of the water level in the tank permits the flush valve to return to its closed position and opens the float controlled inlet valve to refill the tank with water.
The present toilet flushing system 12 includes a water pressure actuated flush valve operator 34 in the flush tank 20 and a seat actuated valve 36 for controlling water flow to the valve operator. Turning to FIG. 3, the valve operator 34 includes a cylinder 38 with a bracket 40 for attaching the cylinder in an upright position to the overflow pipe 42 of the existing toilet. Movable in cylinder 38 is a piston 44 having a rod 46 which extends slidably through guides in the cylinder ends. The lower end of the piston rod is attached by a chain 48 to the flush valve 22. The upper rod end is attached by a chain 50 to the manual flush lever 30.
In the lower end of cylinder 38 is an inlet 52 to the cylinder below the piston 44. A drain passage 54 opens to the inlet 52 and through the lower end of the cylinder. A valve ball 56 in the inlet is movable to the right in FIG. 3 to block the drain passage when water under pressure is supplied to the inlet as described later. As shown, the lower surface of the passage slopes downwardly to the left so that the ball rolls toward the left to open the drain passage, when the supply of water to the cylinder is cut off. In the upper end of the cylinder 38 are overflow ports 58 through which water may flow from the cylinder into the flush tank when the piston 44 is at the upper end of the cylinder. For reasons to be explained presently, the piston has a loose fit in the cylinder providing an annular water flow space 60 between the piston and cylinder.
Turning to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the seat actuated valve 36 is a spool valve including a generally tubular valve barrel 62 containing an axial valve bore 64. The upper end of the bore opens through the upper end of the barrel 62 through a guide 66 having a lower reduced portion 68 and an upper threaded portion 70. The lower end of the barrel bore 64 is enlarged to form a shoulder 72 and is closed by a threaded plug 74 with an upper projecting stop 76.
A vent passage 78 communicates the upper end of bore 64 to atmosphere. Adjacent the upper end of the bore is an inlet 80 which opens to the bore and is connected by a water line 82 to the toilet water supply pipe 84. Adjacent the lower end of the bore is a water outlet 86 which is connected through a water line 87 to the inlet 52 of the flush valve operator 34.
According to the invention, the toilet seat 16 and cover 18 are pivotally mounted on the bowl 14 by novel hinges 88. These hinges will be described presently. Suffice it to say at this point that the hinge in FIG. 2 provides a mount for the seat actuated valve 36. To this end the hinge has a threaded sleeve 90 which extends downwardly through a hole 92 in the rear projecting portion of the toilet bowl 14 and is threaded in the threaded opening 70 of the valve barrel 62. A jam nut 94 is threaded on the tube to firmly clamp the parts in position. A bracket 96 clamped between the toilet bowl and jam nut has depending arms 98 attached by screws 100 to the barrel to lock the latter against turning.
Slidable in the upper end of the valve barrel bore 64 is a control valve member or spool 12 having a central circumferential recess 104. The upper and lower spool lands are sealed to the barrel 62 by suitable seal rings. Slidable in the lower end of the bore is a timing valve member or spool 106 having an upper circumferential recess 108 and a lower enlarged end 110 below and providing a shoulder 112 for engaging the lower barrel shoulder 72. The spool lands are sealed to the barrel by suitable seal rings. A compression spring 114 is positioned within a chamber 114a between the valve spools 102, 106. Valve barrel 62 contains a port 115 which vents the valve spring chamber 114a to atmosphere. Port 115 permits air to bleed into and from the spring chamber 114a as the valve spools 102, 106 undergo relative movement toward and away from one another during operation of the flushing system in the manner hereinafter described. Accordingly, port 115 prevents the creation of an air pressure or a partial vacuum within the spring chamber during such relative valve spool movement.
The positions of the valve spools 102, 106 shown in FIG. 2 are referred to herein as their normal positions. In these normal positions the control valve member 102 is located at the upper end of the valve barrel bore 64, and the shoulder 112 of the timing valve member 106 seats upwardly against the barrel shoulder 72. The valve inlet 80 communicates to the chamber 116 below the timing valve member through the central valve recess 104 and a passage 118 containing an adjustable needle valve 121.
As will be explained presently, the valve spools 102, 106 are movable downwardly from their normal positions of FIG. 2 to their second positions of FIG. 6. In these positions, the valve inlet is blocked by the control valve 102, and the valve outlet 86 communicates with the passage 118 through passages 120 and the central valve recess 104 and through the timing valve recess 108 and a passage 122. Upper projecting stop 76 on plug 74 and spring loaded ball detents 123 engagable within a groove 123a in the timing valve spool 106 are provided for releasably latching the timing valve spool in its second position.
Returning now to the hinges 88, the latter are identi cal except for certain minor differences to be noted presently. The illustrated hinge has a mounting base 124 rigidly joined to the upper end of the threaded sleeve 90 and seating against the upper surface of the toilet bowl. Rising from the base are spaced arms or flanges 126. One end of a second hinge arm 128 is disposed between and attached by a pivot 130 to the flanges. A spring leaf 132 secured at one end to the base 124 and seating at its other end against a fixed stop 133 in the hinge of FIG. 2 and an adjustment screw 134 in the opposite hinge (FIG. 4) on the hinge arm 128 urges the latter arm upward against a stop 136 extending between the hinge flanges 126. The hinge in FIG. 4 is attached to the toilet bowl 14 by a threaded stud 90a which extends through a hole 92 in the bowl and mounts a jam nut 94.
Extending slidably through the threaded sleeve 90 of i the hinge 88 in FIG. 2 is a rod 138. The upper end of this rod is threaded in a stud 140 rotatably attached to the hinge arm 128 between its ends. The lower end of the rod has an enlarged head 142 below the lower end of the sleeve which seats against the upper end of a stem 144 extending upwardly from the upper end of the control valve spool 102 through the upper valve barrel bore 68. Swinging of the hinge arm 128 about its pivot 130 in FIG. 2 thus moves the rod 138 axially in the sleeve 90 which provides a guide bushing for the rod. The pivot 130 is provided with sufficient lateral clearance to prevent binding of the rod in the bushing 90 during swinging of the hinge arm. It is evident from FIG. 2, that downward or counterclockwise swinging of the hinge arm 128 moves the rod 138 downwardly against the control valve spool 102 to move the latter and thereby the timing valve spool 106 downwardly from their normal positions of FIG. 2 to their second positions of FIG. 6. Upward or clockwise swinging of the hinge arm releases the spools for return to their normal positions.
Extending between and fixed at its ends to the forward or free ends of the hinge arms 128 is a shaft 146. Hinge plates 148 and 150 attached to toilet seat 16 and cover 18, respectively, are pivotally mounted on this shaft. Shaft 146 thus supports the seat and cover for swinging between their open and closed positions.
The operation of the automatic flushing system 12 will now be described. When the toilet 10 is not in use, the hinge springs 132 retain the hinge arms 128 in their upper positions of FIGS. 2 and 4, against the hinge stops 136. In these arm positions, the rear edge of the toilet seat 16 is retained in a slightly elevated position out of contact with the upper rim of the toilet bowl 14, as shown in FIG. 2. Water entering the inlet 80 of the seat actuated valve 36 flows through the control valve spool recess 104 and passage 113 into the pressure chamber 116 below the timing valve spool 106 and urges the latter and thereby the control valve spool up wardly to their normal positions of FIG. 2. In these normal valve spool positions, the timing valve spool 106 blocks water flow from the valve inlet 80 to the valve outlet 86 and hence also to the flush valve operator 34 in the flush tank 20. The valve operator then assumes its condition of FIG. 3 wherein the flush valve 22 is closed. The flush tank is filled with water, and the tank inlet valve (not shown) is closed.
When a person sits on the toilet seat 16, he exerts a downward force on the seat which depresses the rear edge of the seat into contact with the upper rim of the toilet bowl 14. This depression of the seat swings the hinge arms 128 downwardly and moves the valve rod 138 downwardly against the control valve spool 102. The control valve spool is thereby forced downwardly to its second or lower position and, in turn, exerts a downward force on the timing valve spool 106 through the valve spring 114 which forces the timing valve spool downwardly to its second or lower position, all as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The seat actuated valve is now effectively armed or conditioned to flush the toilet when the user removes his weight from the toilet seat.
It is significant to note here that during the above described action, the timing valve spool 106 is initially retained in its upper normal position by the water pressure in the pressure chamber 116, and the control valve spool 102 moves downwardly relative to the timing valve spool. When the control valve spool arrives at its lower position, the pressure chamber is placed in communication with the valve outlet 86. The downward spring force on the timing valve spool then forces the latter downwardly, thereby displacing water from the chamber to the flush valve operator 34. The pressure and volume of this displaced water are relatively low, and the water entering the operator merely leaks through the flow space 60 about the operator piston 44 without raising the piston and thereby opening the flush valve 22.
The seat actuated valve 36 remains in its armed condition until the toilet user removes his weight from the seat 16. When this weight is removed, the hinge springs 132 return the hinge arms 128 to their stops 136, thereby elevating the rear edge of the toilet seat and raising the valve rod 138. This action releases the control valve spool 102 for return to its upper normal position under the force of the compressed valve spring 114, as shown in FIG. 7. The timing valve spool 106 remains latched in its lower position by the ball detents 123. Return of the control valve spool to its normal position reestablishes communication between the valve inlet 80 and the valve passage 118. As shown in FIG. 7, water flow now occurs from the valve inelt 80, through the passage 118, passage 122, the timing valve spool recess 108, and the valve outlet 86 to the flush valve operator 34. The resultant water flow to the operator moves the valve ball 56 to closed position in the drain passage 54 and occurs with sufficient pressure and volume to raise the operator piston 44 and thereby open the flush valve 22. When the piston reaches the upper limit of its travel in the cylinder 38, additional incoming water from the seat actuated valve 36 flows out through the cylinder ports 58 into the flush tank 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the upper end wall of the cylinder extends out over the ports and is tapered to form deflectors 152 for deflecting the emerging water downwardly toward the bottom of the tank. Opening of the flush valve 22 draws the water from the flush tank 20 to the toilet bowl 14 to flush the bowl.
During the above flushing action, water flow also o'ccurs from the valve inlet 80, through the control valve recess 104, passage 118, and needle valve 120 into the pressure chamber 1.16 below the currently latched timing valve spool 106. The timing valve spool is thereby returned upwardly to its normal position at a rate determined by the setting of the needle valve which controls the rate of water inflow to the pressure chamber. Accordingly, water flow to the flush valve operator 34 to retain open the flush valve 22 continues for an interval of time determined by the needle valve setting. This setting is adjusted to retain the flush valve open for the period of time required to drain the flush tank 20.
Upon expiration of this period, the timing valve spool 106 arrives at its upper normal position to cut off water flow to the flush valve operator 34. The seat actuated valve 36 is now in the initial condition of FIG. 2 in readiness for the next flushing cycle. When the water flow to the flush valve operator 34 is thus cut off, the valve ball 56 in the flush valve operator cylinder 38 rolls to the left in FIG. 3 to open the cylinder drain port 54 and thereby permit water to drain from the cylinder. This action and the flow space 60 about the operator piston 44 permits the piston and flush valve 22 to descend under the action of gravity and reclose the flush tank drain opening 28. The currently open flush tank inlet valve now refills the flush tank 20 with water to complete the automatic flush cycle.
It will be recalled that the hinge 88 at the side of the toilet opposite the valve 36 has a spring adjustment screw 134. This screw is adjusted to equalize the spring forces on the two hinges. It will be evident that the valve 34 and hinges 88 may be mounted at either side of the toilet bowl 14. As noted earlier, the flush valve 22 may be operated manually by the flush valve handle 32 on the flush tank 20.
The modified toilet flushing system of FIG. 8 is identical to that of FIGS. 1-7 except for the seat actuated valve 36a. In this case, the valve body 62a is a block containing two paralel bores 64a closed at their ends by threaded plugs 74a. A control valve spool 102a is slidable in the left-hand bore and has a recess 104a and a stern 144a which projects upwardly through a bore in the adjacent upper plug. Stern 144a seats against a valve actuating rod 138a pivotally attached to the spring loaded arm 128 of the adjacent seat hinge 88. Acting between the lower end of the control valve spool 102a and the adjacent lower valve bore plug 74a is a spring 114a which urges the spool upwardly to its normal position of FIG. 8. The lower plug has a vent passage 78a to atmosphere.
Slidable in the right-hand valve bore 64a is a timing valve spool 106a having a recess 108a. This valve spool has a shoulder 112a which seats against a shoulder 72a about the lower end of the bore when the spool occupies its normal position of FIG. 8. A spring 1 14a acting between the upper valve bore plug 74a and the valve spool urges the latter downwardly in its bore 64a. The upper plug has a vent passage 78a to atmosphere.
Valve body 62a has an inlet a for connection to a supply of water under pressure and an outlet 86a connected to the flush valve operator 34 in the toilet flush tank. Inlet 80a opens to the left-hand control valve spool bore 64a. The outlet 86a opens to the righthand timing valve spool bore. The two bores are interconnected by passages 118a, 120a, 122a. Passage 118a opens to the pressure chamber 116a at the lower end of the timing valve spool 106a through a restriction 1 18b.
When the toilet is unoccupied, the control valve spool 102a occupies its illustrated normal position. Water then flows from the inlet 80a through the spool recess 104a and passage 118a into the pressure chamber 1160 to urge the timing valve spool 106a upwardly to its normal position shown. When a person sits on the toilet seat, the control valve spool 102a is depressed to its lower position wherein the inlet 80a is blocked and passages 118a, 120a communicate through the spool recess 104a. The timing valve spool spring 1140 then urges the timing valve spool 106a downwardly to its lower position, thereby displacing water from the chamber 116a to the flush valve operator 34 without opening the flush valve.
When the user removes his weight from the seat, the control valve spool 102a is returned to normal position by its spring 114a. Water then flows from the inlet 80a, through the spool recess 104a, passages 118a, 122a, the timing valve spool recess 108a, and the valve outlet 86a to the flush valve operator 34 to open the flush valve. Water also flows through the restriction ll8b in passage 118a into the chamber 116a to return the timing valve spool 106a to normal position. The restriction controls the rate of return of the timing valve spool to permit draining of the flush tank. The flush valve then recloses and the flush tank refills, as before.
What is claimed as new in support of Letters Patent 1. An automatic flushing system for a toilet having a bowl mounting a hinged seat and a flush tank containing a flush valve which is raised from closed position to open position to flush the toilet and returns to closed position at the end of the flush cycle, said flushing system comprising:
a water pressure actuated flush valve operator for raising said flush valve to open position when said operator is supplied with water under pressure and permitting return of said flush valve to closed position when the water to said operator is cut off, and
seat actuated valve means for controlling water flow to said valve operator including an inlet for connection to a supply of water under pressure, an outlet connected to said valve operator, passage means communicating said inlet and outlet, a control valve member and a timing valve member movable between normal positions wherein said control valve member permits water flow through said passage means and said timing valve blocks water flow through said passage means and second positions wherein said control valve blocks water flow through said passage means and said timing valve permits water flow through said passage means, and means for operating said valve members between said normal and second positions in response to application of a downward force to and subsequent removal of the force from said seat to effect an automatic flushing cycle involving initial movement of said valve members from said normal positions to said second positions when said force is applied to said seat and return of said valve members to normal position when said force is removed from said seat in a manner such that return of said timing valve member is retarded to provide a regulated flow of water to said valve operator for timed opening of said flush valve. 2. An automatic flushing system according to claim 1 including:
means for regulating the rate of return movement of said timing valve member to normal position. 3. An automatic flushing system according to claim 1 wherein:
said valve members are spool valves. 4. An automatic flushing system according to claim 1 wherein:
said valve member operating means comprises spring means for biasing said seat to a slightly elevated position when said force is removed from said seat, whereby said force depresses said seat, attachment means for connection to said seat for moving said control valve member from its normal position to its second position in response to depression of said seat by said force, a pressure chamber exposed to one end of said timing valve member and communicating with said passage means to receive water under pressure from said inlet past said control valve member when in normal position for urging said timing valve member back to normal position when said force is removed from said seat, a spring acting between said valve members for urging said timing valve member to its second position and urging said control valve member to its normal position, and passage means communicating said pressure chamber to said valve outlet past said control valve member when said control valve member occupies its second position. 5. An automatic flushing system according to claim 4 including:
valve means for adjustably regulating water flow rate into said pressure chamber to regulate the rate of return of said timing valve member from its second position to its normal position by the water pressure in said chamber. 6. An automatic flushing system according to claim 4 wherein:
said attachment means comprises a hinge including a first arm for attachment to said bowl, a second arm pivoted at one end on said first arm and having pivot means at its other end for pivotal connection to said seat in such a way that depression of said seat by said force pivots said second arm in one direction, a rod pivotally attached to said second arm and engaging said control member for moving said control valve member from its normal position to its second position upon pivoting of said arm in said one direction, and said spring acts between said hinge arms for urging said second arm in the opposite direction. 7. An automatic flushing system according to claim 1 wherein:
said flush valve operator comprises a cylinder, means for mounting said cylinder in an upright position in said flush tank, a piston movable in said cylinder having a rod for connection to said flush valve for opening said flush valve upon upward movement of said piston in said cylinder, and inlet means communicating said cylinder below said piston to said valve outlet.
8. An automatic flushing system according to claim 7 including:
an overflow port at the upper end of the cylinder through which water entering the cylinder during mechanism, whereby said toilet may be flushed by hand independently of said automatic flushing systern.
the cylinder through which water entering the cylinder during said flushing cycle may overflow into said tank when said piston is at the upper limit of its travel in said cylinder, and
said flushing cycle may overflow into said tank said cylinder has a lower drain port through which when said piston is at the upper limit of its travel water may drain from said cylinder into said tank in said cylinder. at the end of said automatic flushing cycle to per- 9. An automatic flushing system according to claim mit return of said flush valve to closed position, and i 7 wherein: valve means for blocking said drain port when said cylinder has a lower drain port through which 10 water is supplied to said cylinder to elevate said piswater may drain from said cylinder into said tank ton. at the end of said automatic flushing cycle to per- 12. An automatic flushing system according to claim mit return of said flush valve to closed position, and 1 1 including: valve means for blocking said drain port when valve means for adjustably regulating water flow rate water is supplied to said cylinder to elevate said pis- 5 into said pressure chamber to regulate the rate of ton. return of said timing valve member from its second 10. An automatic flushing system according to claim position to its normal position by the water pres- 7 wherein: sure in said chamber.
said toilet includes a manual flush mechanism, and 13. An automatic flushing system according to claim said piston rod includes means for connection to said 12 wherein:
said toilet includes a manual flush mechanism, and said piston rod includes means for connection to said mechanism, whereby said toilet may be flushed by hand independently of said automatic flushing system.
14. A seat actuated valve for an automatic flushing system for a toilet having a bowl mounting a hinged seat and a flush tank containing a flush valve and a water pressure actuated flush valve operator which raises the flush valve to open position to flush the toilet when water under pressure is supplied to the operator and releases the flush valve for movement to closed position when water flow to the actuator is cut off, said seat actuated valve comprising:
1 1. An automatic flushing system according to claim 1 wherein:
said valve member operating means comprises spring means for biasing said seat to a slightly elevated position when said force is removed from said seat, whereby said force depresses said seat, attachment means for connection to said seat for moving said control valve member from its normal position to its second position in response to depression of said seat by said force, a pressure chamber exposed to one end of said timing valve member and communicating with said passage means to receive water an inlet for connection to a supply of water under under pressure from said inlet past said control pressure, valve member when in normal position for urging an outlet for connection to said valve operator, said timing valve member back to normal position passage means communicating said inlet and outlet, when said force is removed from said seat, a spring a control valve member and a timing valve member acting between said valve members for urging said movable between normal positions wherein said timing valve member to its second position and control valve member permits water flow through urging said control valve member to its normal posaid passage means and said timing valve blocks sition, and passage means communicating said water flow through said passage means and second pressure chamber to said valve outlet past said conpositions wherein said control valve blocks water trol valve member when said control valve member flow through said passage means and said timing occupies its second position, valve permits water flow through said passage said attachment means comprises a hinge including means, and
a first arm for attachment to said bowl, a second means for operating said valve members between arm pivoted at one end on said first arm and having said normal and second positions in response to appivot means at its other end for pivotal connection plication of a downward force to and subsequent to said seat in such a way that depression of said removal of the force from said seat to effect an auseat by said force pivots said second arm in one ditomatic flushing cycle involving initial movement rection, a rod pivotally attached to said second arm of said valve members from said normal positions and engaging said control member for moving said to said second positions when said first is applied control valve member from its normal position to to said seat and return of said valve members to its second position upon pivoting of said arm in said normal position when said force is removed from one direction, and said spring acts between said said seat in a manner such that return of said timing hinge arms for urging said second arm in the oppovalve member is retarded to provide a regulated site direction, flow of water to said valve operator for timed opensaid flush valve operator comprises a cylinder, means ing of said flush valve.
for mounting said cylinder in an upright position in 15. A seat actuated valve according to claim 14 insaid flush tank, a piston movable in said cylinder eluding: having a rod for connection to said flush valve for means for regulating the rate of return movement of opening said flush valve upon upward movement of said timing valve member to normal position. said piston in said cylinder, and inlet means com- 16. A seat actuated valve according to claim 14 municating said cylinder below said piston to said wherein:
valve outlet, an overflow port at the upper end of said valve members are spool valves.
3,780,384 11 12 17. A seat actuated valve according to claim 14 18. A seat actuated valve according to claim 17 inwherein: eluding:
said valve member operating means comprises spring valve means for adjustably regulating water flow rate means for biasing said seat to a slightly elevated pointo said pressure chamber to regulate the rate of sition when said force is removed from said seat, return of said timing valve member from its second whereby said force depresses said seat, attachment position to its normal position by the water presmeans for connection to said seat for moving said sure in said chamber. control valve member from its normal position to 19. A seat actuated valve according to claim 17 its second position in response to depression of said wherein: seat by said force, a pressure chamber exposed to said attachment means comprises a hinge including one end of said timing valve member and commua first arm for attachment to said bowl, a second nicating with said passage means to receive water arm pivoted at one end on said first arm and having under pressure from said inlet past said control pivot means at its other end for pivotal connection valve member when in normal position for urging to said seat in such a way that depression of said said timing valve member back to normal position seat by said force pivots said second arm in one diwhen said force is removed from said seat, a spring rection, a rod pivotally attached to said second arm acting between said valve members for urging said and engaging said control member for moving said timing valve member to its second position and control valve member from its normal position to urging said control valve member to its normal poits second position upon pivoting of said arm in said sition, and passage means communicating said 20 one direction, and pressure chamber to said valve outlet past said consaid spring acts between said hinge arms for urging trol valve member when said control valve member said second arm in the opposite direction. occupies its second position.

Claims (19)

1. An automatic flushing system for a toilet having a bowl mounting a hinged seat and a flush tank containing a flush valve which is raised from closed position to open position to flush the toilet and returns to closed position at the end of the flush cycle, said flushing system comprising: a water pressure actuated flush valve operator for raising said flush valve to open position when said operator is supplied with water under pressure and permitting return of said flush valve to closed position when the water to said operator is cut off, and seat actuated valve means for controlling water flow to said valve operator including an inlet for connection to a supply of water under pressure, an outlet connected to said valve operator, passage means communicating said inlet and outlet, a control valve member and a timing valve member movable between normal positions wherein said control valve member permits water flow through said passage means and said timing valve blocks water flow through said passage means and second positions wherein said control valve blocks water flow through said passage means and said timing valve permits water flow through said passage means, and means for operating said valve members between said normal and second positions in response to application of a downward force to and subsequent removal of the force from said seat to effect an automatic flushing cycle involving initial movement of said valve members from said normal positions to said second positions when said force is applied to said seat and return of said valve members to normal position when said force is removed from said seat in a manner such that return of said timing valve member is retarded to provide a regulated flow of water to said valve operator for timed opening of said flush valve.
2. An automatic flushing system according to claim 1 including: means for regulating the rate of return movement of said timing valve member to normal position.
3. An automatic flushing system according to claim 1 wherein: said valve members are spool valves.
4. An automatic flushing system according to claim 1 wherein: said valve member operating means comprises spring means for biasing said seat to a slightly elevated position when said force is removed from said seat, whereby said force depresses said seat, attachment means for connection to said seat for moving said control valve member from its normal position to its second position in response to depression of said seat by said force, a pressure chamber exposed to one end of said timing valve member and communicating with said passage means to receive water under pressure from said inlet past said control valve member when in normal position for urging said timing valve member back to normal position when said force is removed from said seat, a spring acting between said valve members for urging said timing valve member to its second position and urging said control valve member to its normal position, and passage means communicating said pressure chamber to said valve outlet past said control valve member when said control valve member occupies its second position.
5. An automatic flushing system according to claim 4 including: valve means for adjustably regulating water flow rate into said pressure chamber to regulate the rate of return of said timing valve member from its second position to its normal position by the water pressure in said chamber.
6. An automatic flushing system according to claim 4 wherein: said attachment means comprises a hinge including a first arm for attachment to said bowl, a second arm pIvoted at one end on said first arm and having pivot means at its other end for pivotal connection to said seat in such a way that depression of said seat by said force pivots said second arm in one direction, a rod pivotally attached to said second arm and engaging said control member for moving said control valve member from its normal position to its second position upon pivoting of said arm in said one direction, and said spring acts between said hinge arms for urging said second arm in the opposite direction.
7. An automatic flushing system according to claim 1 wherein: said flush valve operator comprises a cylinder, means for mounting said cylinder in an upright position in said flush tank, a piston movable in said cylinder having a rod for connection to said flush valve for opening said flush valve upon upward movement of said piston in said cylinder, and inlet means communicating said cylinder below said piston to said valve outlet.
8. An automatic flushing system according to claim 7 including: an overflow port at the upper end of the cylinder through which water entering the cylinder during said flushing cycle may overflow into said tank when said piston is at the upper limit of its travel in said cylinder.
9. An automatic flushing system according to claim 7 wherein: said cylinder has a lower drain port through which water may drain from said cylinder into said tank at the end of said automatic flushing cycle to permit return of said flush valve to closed position, and valve means for blocking said drain port when water is supplied to said cylinder to elevate said piston.
10. An automatic flushing system according to claim 7 wherein: said toilet includes a manual flush mechanism, and said piston rod includes means for connection to said mechanism, whereby said toilet may be flushed by hand independently of said automatic flushing system.
11. An automatic flushing system according to claim 1 wherein: said valve member operating means comprises spring means for biasing said seat to a slightly elevated position when said force is removed from said seat, whereby said force depresses said seat, attachment means for connection to said seat for moving said control valve member from its normal position to its second position in response to depression of said seat by said force, a pressure chamber exposed to one end of said timing valve member and communicating with said passage means to receive water under pressure from said inlet past said control valve member when in normal position for urging said timing valve member back to normal position when said force is removed from said seat, a spring acting between said valve members for urging said timing valve member to its second position and urging said control valve member to its normal position, and passage means communicating said pressure chamber to said valve outlet past said control valve member when said control valve member occupies its second position, said attachment means comprises a hinge including a first arm for attachment to said bowl, a second arm pivoted at one end on said first arm and having pivot means at its other end for pivotal connection to said seat in such a way that depression of said seat by said force pivots said second arm in one direction, a rod pivotally attached to said second arm and engaging said control member for moving said control valve member from its normal position to its second position upon pivoting of said arm in said one direction, and said spring acts between said hinge arms for urging said second arm in the opposite direction, said flush valve operator comprises a cylinder, means for mounting said cylinder in an upright position in said flush tank, a piston movable in said cylinder having a rod for connection to said flush valve for opening said flush valve upon upward movement of said piston in said cylinder, and inlet means communicating said cylinder below said piston to said valve outlet, an overflow port aT the upper end of the cylinder through which water entering the cylinder during said flushing cycle may overflow into said tank when said piston is at the upper limit of its travel in said cylinder, and said cylinder has a lower drain port through which water may drain from said cylinder into said tank at the end of said automatic flushing cycle to permit return of said flush valve to closed position, and valve means for blocking said drain port when water is supplied to said cylinder to elevate said piston.
12. An automatic flushing system according to claim 11 including: valve means for adjustably regulating water flow rate into said pressure chamber to regulate the rate of return of said timing valve member from its second position to its normal position by the water pressure in said chamber.
13. An automatic flushing system according to claim 12 wherein: said toilet includes a manual flush mechanism, and said piston rod includes means for connection to said mechanism, whereby said toilet may be flushed by hand independently of said automatic flushing system.
14. A seat actuated valve for an automatic flushing system for a toilet having a bowl mounting a hinged seat and a flush tank containing a flush valve and a water pressure actuated flush valve operator which raises the flush valve to open position to flush the toilet when water under pressure is supplied to the operator and releases the flush valve for movement to closed position when water flow to the actuator is cut off, said seat actuated valve comprising: an inlet for connection to a supply of water under pressure, an outlet for connection to said valve operator, passage means communicating said inlet and outlet, a control valve member and a timing valve member movable between normal positions wherein said control valve member permits water flow through said passage means and said timing valve blocks water flow through said passage means and second positions wherein said control valve blocks water flow through said passage means and said timing valve permits water flow through said passage means, and means for operating said valve members between said normal and second positions in response to application of a downward force to and subsequent removal of the force from said seat to effect an automatic flushing cycle involving initial movement of said valve members from said normal positions to said second positions when said first is applied to said seat and return of said valve members to normal position when said force is removed from said seat in a manner such that return of said timing valve member is retarded to provide a regulated flow of water to said valve operator for timed opening of said flush valve.
15. A seat actuated valve according to claim 14 including: means for regulating the rate of return movement of said timing valve member to normal position.
16. A seat actuated valve according to claim 14 wherein: said valve members are spool valves.
17. A seat actuated valve according to claim 14 wherein: said valve member operating means comprises spring means for biasing said seat to a slightly elevated position when said force is removed from said seat, whereby said force depresses said seat, attachment means for connection to said seat for moving said control valve member from its normal position to its second position in response to depression of said seat by said force, a pressure chamber exposed to one end of said timing valve member and communicating with said passage means to receive water under pressure from said inlet past said control valve member when in normal position for urging said timing valve member back to normal position when said force is removed from said seat, a spring acting between said valve members for urging said timing valve member to its second position and urging said control valve member to its normal position, and passage means communicating said pressure chamber to said valve outlet past Said control valve member when said control valve member occupies its second position.
18. A seat actuated valve according to claim 17 including: valve means for adjustably regulating water flow rate into said pressure chamber to regulate the rate of return of said timing valve member from its second position to its normal position by the water pressure in said chamber.
19. A seat actuated valve according to claim 17 wherein: said attachment means comprises a hinge including a first arm for attachment to said bowl, a second arm pivoted at one end on said first arm and having pivot means at its other end for pivotal connection to said seat in such a way that depression of said seat by said force pivots said second arm in one direction, a rod pivotally attached to said second arm and engaging said control member for moving said control valve member from its normal position to its second position upon pivoting of said arm in said one direction, and said spring acts between said hinge arms for urging said second arm in the opposite direction.
US3780384D 1972-01-17 1972-01-17 Automatic toilet flushing system Expired - Lifetime US3780384A (en)

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Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3900903A (en) * 1973-07-31 1975-08-26 Conceptual Engineering Associa Valve mechanism and flushing system incorporating the same
US4193145A (en) * 1978-06-29 1980-03-18 Garon Processing Co. Toilet flushing valve mechanism
US4333184A (en) * 1980-03-21 1982-06-08 Hsian Wang Multi-function closet stool
US4756031A (en) * 1986-11-13 1988-07-12 Barrett John T Automatic toilet flushing system
US4890339A (en) * 1988-07-20 1990-01-02 Clark William C Splash suppressor
US5349703A (en) * 1993-10-05 1994-09-27 Mocilnikar Gabriel C Toilet lid for flushing a toilet
US5488744A (en) * 1994-08-18 1996-02-06 Paananen; Paul A. Automatic toilet seat actuator
US5771502A (en) * 1996-07-05 1998-06-30 O'grady; James J. Flush lever assembly that prevents flushing of the toilet unless the seat and lid are in a lowered position
US5884342A (en) * 1996-07-18 1999-03-23 Maake; Roger W. Toilet seat and lid hinge
US6279176B1 (en) 2000-07-14 2001-08-28 1:7 Water Solutions, Inc. Low water toilet
US7793363B1 (en) * 2008-06-20 2010-09-14 Meike Donald L Flushing mechanism for toilet
CN101845845A (en) * 2009-03-23 2010-09-29 塞莱克微电子概念公司 The double flow flushing system that has magnet valves
US20100325785A1 (en) * 2008-06-20 2010-12-30 Donald Lewis Meike Automatically flushing toilet
US20110095054A1 (en) * 2009-10-22 2011-04-28 Graham Hughes Plunger
US20120160876A1 (en) * 2010-12-23 2012-06-28 Richard Brummitt Dispenser
US20120160875A1 (en) * 2010-12-23 2012-06-28 Richard Brummitt Valve and dispenser using the valve
US8528793B2 (en) 2010-12-23 2013-09-10 P. C. Cox Limited Actuator
EP2607716A3 (en) * 2011-12-19 2014-10-15 Defond Components Limited Fluid-operated actuator assembly
US8870093B2 (en) 2010-12-23 2014-10-28 P.C. Cox Limited Dispenser
US20160160486A1 (en) * 2013-07-25 2016-06-09 Dong Hwa SHIN Washer for automatically washing toilet without power

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US2587901A (en) * 1950-08-04 1952-03-04 Robinson Eugene Valve mounting and operating means for toilets
US2760204A (en) * 1955-07-26 1956-08-28 Marvin A Joanis Flush tank control system
US2795237A (en) * 1953-09-22 1957-06-11 Jr Elbert A Corbin Float valve
US3364502A (en) * 1965-10-23 1968-01-23 Leslie J. Fyans Toilet
US3406721A (en) * 1965-09-30 1968-10-22 Bell Aerospace Corp Spool seizure output bypass valve

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US1048867A (en) * 1911-07-28 1912-12-31 Thomas F Payne Flushing-valve.
US2587901A (en) * 1950-08-04 1952-03-04 Robinson Eugene Valve mounting and operating means for toilets
US2795237A (en) * 1953-09-22 1957-06-11 Jr Elbert A Corbin Float valve
US2760204A (en) * 1955-07-26 1956-08-28 Marvin A Joanis Flush tank control system
US3406721A (en) * 1965-09-30 1968-10-22 Bell Aerospace Corp Spool seizure output bypass valve
US3364502A (en) * 1965-10-23 1968-01-23 Leslie J. Fyans Toilet

Cited By (27)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3900903A (en) * 1973-07-31 1975-08-26 Conceptual Engineering Associa Valve mechanism and flushing system incorporating the same
US4193145A (en) * 1978-06-29 1980-03-18 Garon Processing Co. Toilet flushing valve mechanism
US4333184A (en) * 1980-03-21 1982-06-08 Hsian Wang Multi-function closet stool
US4756031A (en) * 1986-11-13 1988-07-12 Barrett John T Automatic toilet flushing system
US4890339A (en) * 1988-07-20 1990-01-02 Clark William C Splash suppressor
US5349703A (en) * 1993-10-05 1994-09-27 Mocilnikar Gabriel C Toilet lid for flushing a toilet
US5488744A (en) * 1994-08-18 1996-02-06 Paananen; Paul A. Automatic toilet seat actuator
US5771502A (en) * 1996-07-05 1998-06-30 O'grady; James J. Flush lever assembly that prevents flushing of the toilet unless the seat and lid are in a lowered position
US5884342A (en) * 1996-07-18 1999-03-23 Maake; Roger W. Toilet seat and lid hinge
US6279176B1 (en) 2000-07-14 2001-08-28 1:7 Water Solutions, Inc. Low water toilet
US20100325785A1 (en) * 2008-06-20 2010-12-30 Donald Lewis Meike Automatically flushing toilet
US7793363B1 (en) * 2008-06-20 2010-09-14 Meike Donald L Flushing mechanism for toilet
US7913327B2 (en) 2008-06-20 2011-03-29 Donald Lewis Meike Automatically flushing toilet
CN101845845B (en) * 2009-03-23 2014-10-01 塞莱克微电子概念公司 Double flow flushing system with magnetic valve
CN101845845A (en) * 2009-03-23 2010-09-29 塞莱克微电子概念公司 The double flow flushing system that has magnet valves
US8499977B2 (en) 2009-10-22 2013-08-06 P. C. Cox Limited Plunger
US20110095054A1 (en) * 2009-10-22 2011-04-28 Graham Hughes Plunger
US8607824B2 (en) * 2010-12-23 2013-12-17 P.C. Cox Limited Valve and dispenser using the valve
US8528793B2 (en) 2010-12-23 2013-09-10 P. C. Cox Limited Actuator
US20120160875A1 (en) * 2010-12-23 2012-06-28 Richard Brummitt Valve and dispenser using the valve
US8616415B2 (en) * 2010-12-23 2013-12-31 P.C. Cox Limited Dispenser
US20120160876A1 (en) * 2010-12-23 2012-06-28 Richard Brummitt Dispenser
US8870093B2 (en) 2010-12-23 2014-10-28 P.C. Cox Limited Dispenser
EP2607716A3 (en) * 2011-12-19 2014-10-15 Defond Components Limited Fluid-operated actuator assembly
US9228334B2 (en) 2011-12-19 2016-01-05 Defond Components Limited Liquid-operated actuator assembly, particularly for a flush toilet, and flush toilet incorporating the assembly
US20160160486A1 (en) * 2013-07-25 2016-06-09 Dong Hwa SHIN Washer for automatically washing toilet without power
US10030375B2 (en) * 2013-07-25 2018-07-24 Dong Hwa SHIN Washer for automatically washing toilet without power

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