US3792497A

US3792497A - Combined vented storage/pressure discharged tank for water closets or urinals

Info

Publication number: US3792497A
Application number: US00276224A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Robbins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-07-28
Filing date: 1972-07-28
Publication date: 1974-02-19
Anticipated expiration: 1991-02-19

Abstract

A combined vented storage and pressure tank is mounted to a urinal or closet bowl and connected to a source of air pressure and water supply. A maually operated valve closes off the tank vent and connects the air pressure line to the interior of the tank. This air pressure forces the water through an inverted U tube into the urinal or bowl. When empty the air line is automatically cut off, the vent opens and the water line partially fills the tank controlled by float assembly, ready for next use. An anti-gurgle tube extends from the tank to the top of the syphon of the bowl and operates just prior to the air closing off. This allows air to enter the conventional syphon and breaks this syphon action thus preventing undesirable gurgling from taking place.

Description

United States Patent [191 Robbins [4 1 Feb. 19, 1974 COMBINED VENTED STORAGE/PRESSURE DISCHARGED TANK FOR WATER CLOSETS OR URINALS [76] Inventor: Robert Ralph Robbins, 62 Thatcher Dr., Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada [22] Filed: July 28, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 276,224

3,720,962 3/1973 Harrah 4/26 Primary Examiner-Henry K. Artis Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Stanley G. Ade

[5 7 ABSTRACT A combined vented storage and pressure tank is mounted to a urinal or closet bowl and connected to a source of air pressure and water supply. A maually operated valve closes off the tank vent and connects the air pressure line to the interior of the tank. This air pressure forces the water through an inverted U tube into the urinal or bowl. When empty the air line is automatically cut off, the vent opens and the water line partially fills the tank controlled by float assembly, ready for next use. An anti-gurgle tube extends from the tank to the top of the syphon of the bowl and operates just prior to the air closing off. This allows air to enter the conventionalsyphon and breaks this syphon action thus preventing undesirable gurgling from taking place.

24 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Lil PAIENTEDFEBJ 9:924

SHEET 1 [IF 4 PATENIE FEB 1 9 I974 SHEET 3- 0F 4 PATENTEDFEBI 91914 I 3 ,792,497

SHEET u 0F 4' BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to pneumatically operated flushing systems adapted for use either with urinals or water closet bowls. v

In present systems, conventional fixtures are flushed by either flush valves or tanks. In the case of urinals,

these tanks are usually elevated and syphon operated while in the case of water closets, they are usually mounted on the bowl directly, with a manually operated closure between the tank and the bowl for release of flushing water.

Conventional flush valves are designed with a small restricted orifice between two chambers which often become plugged with sediment or other foriegn matter normally present in the water and this results in prolonged flushing action thus wasting water and necessitating disassembly for cleaning purposes.

If the water pressure is abnormally low, these valves which require a large volume of water and substantial pressure, have to be activated several times in order that satisfactory flushing may be achieved and if the pressure is low enough, conventional valves are unable to clear the bowl adequately.

The flush tanks for urinals operate continuously whether they are required to or not inasmuch as they flush at regular intervals depending upon the filling rate thus wasting substantial quantities of water.

Toilet flush tanks are normally equipped with removable covers so that unauthorized personnel can readily tamper with the mechanism thereof and although so called tamper proof attachments have been developed, they are not particularly effective due to the relatively light construction which is required in order to avoid breakage of the covers. 7

Furthermore conventional flushing mechanisms for toilet tanks are vulnerable to damage by over exuberant operation of the flushing handle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention overcome s all of these disadvantages bythe provision of a vented storage and pressure tank which may be mounted directly on the urinal or closet bowl and which-operates independent of the to a pre-determined level, means are provided on the float assembly to operate the pneumatic valve assembly so that the air supply may be shut off and the air vent re-opened. The water again rises in the tank to a predetermined level ready for the next cycle.

This construction eliminates the small restricted orifice which is conventional in normal flushing systems and also eliminates the necessity of a relatively high pressure and voluminous water supply in order to flush satisfactorily.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which includes an antigurgling device therein.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which includes a frangible disc type air pressure relief valve therein.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which is simplein construction, economical in manufacture and otherwise well suited to the purpose for which it is designed.

' from consideration of this disclosure and specification,

the present invention consists of the inventive concept which is'comprised, embodied, embraced, or included in the method, process, construction, composition, arrangment or combination of parts, or new use of any of the foregoing, herein exemplified in one or more specific embodiments of such concept.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a transverse section of the tank shown mounted above a urinal. I I

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of FIG. 1 partially sectioned to show the interior thereof.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the mounting of the latch assembly to the valve assembly.

FIG. 4 is a section at right angles to FIG. 1 but re duced in scale therefrom.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation partially schematic and sections showing the lower end of the anti-gurgling device.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but at right angle thereto.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view of the anti-backup portion of the device.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Proceeding therefore to describe the invention in detail, reference character 10 illustrates a tank which is preferably built as a one piece closed unit having a relatively large aperture 11 in the base thereof so that access can be obtained to the interior thereof.- The base of the tank may be secured to the top of the bowl or urinal 12 or 12A by means of bolts 13, a gasket being provided between for sealing purposes. e

A double inverted U tube assembly collectively designated 14 is situated over the aperture 11 and includes the outer upwardly extending legs 15 and the inner downwardly extending legs 16 and it will be noted that the legs 15 terminate very close to the base 17 of the tank whereas the inner legs 16 extend downwardly and communicate with the urinal flushing passage 18 or the bowl flushing passage 19.

A sealed connection 20 extends through the wall 21 of the tank and is connected via a conduit 22, to a source of water supply (not illustrated).

A similar sealed connection 23 also extends through the wall of the tank and a conduit 24 extends to a remotely situated source of compressed air (not illustrated).

A modified float control valve assembly collectively designated is provided and includes a conventional bowl or float 26 situated on the end of a float rod 27 and actuating a conventional water inlet valve assem bly 28. When the float falls below a pre-determined level, the valve 28 opens and water flows through the conduit 22, through the valve assembly and into a filler or water inlet tube 29. As the water level rises within the tank to partially fill same, the float 26 rises and closes off the valve 28 in the usual manner.

The flushing assembly collectively designated 30 comprises an air valve assembly collectively designated 31 and a manually operated control assembly collectively designated 32.

The control assembly includes a disc 33 having a cylindrical bearing portion 34 extending inwardly therefrom, said disc being exteriorly of the tank wall 21A.

A bushing 35 extends through the wall and is secured thereto so that the shouldered portion 34 may move endwise in the direction of double-headed arrow 36, as clearly shown in FIG. 2.

A pair of lock rings 37 and 37A engage within annular grooves on the interior of the bushing 35 in spaced and parallel relationship and they hold a stem guide component 38 therebetween. Also held between the stem guide component 38 and the locking ring 37A is an annular flexible and resilient seal 39.

An actuating stem 40 extends inwardly from the shouldered portion 34 and is guided by the stem guide component 38. This component is provided with a recess 41 and the stem is provided with an annular shoulder 42. A spring 43 surrounds the stem and reacts be tween the guide 38 and the innersurface of the shoulder portion 34 and normally maintains the disc 33 in the outermost position with the shoulder 42 engaging within the annular recess 41 which limits the outward movement of the disc 33.

The shoulder portion 34 is provided with one or more drillings or apertures 44 so that when in the normal position shown in FIG. 2, air is vented from the tank as water enters to partially fill same.

Further apertures 45 are provided in the stern guide component 38 for the same reason. I

The air valve assembly 31 includes a substantially cylindrical body 46 having a hexagonal valve element 47 moveable endwise therein and normally held in the position shown in FIG. 2 by means of a compression spring 48 reacting between the valve element 47 and The valve element 47 includes a projecting portion 55 whichis engaged by a latch head 56 formed on the inner end of stem40 when the disc 33 is manually moved inwardly to actuate the flushing action. As the disc is moved inwardly, the apertures 44 in the shouldered portion 34 engage the resilient and flexible seal 39 thus closing them off and preventing any air from venting outwardly. At the same time the latch head 56 engages the projecting portion 55 and moves the valve clement off of the seat thus permitting air under pressure to communicate with the interior of the tank above the water level.

Means are provided to hold the disc 33 and the associated mechanism in the innermost position during the flushing action, said means taking the form of a latch assembly collectively designated 57. It consists of a bifurcated mounting bracket 58 pivotted on each side of the valve body 46 by means of pivot pins 59. A cross member or link 60 is secured to the bifurcated portion 58'and one end extends towards the wall 21A of the tank and has a latch 61 formed upon the end thereof.

One or more springs 62 react between the bushing 35 and the lower ends 63 of the bifurcated portion normally biasing the latch 61 into contact with the latch head 56. As this latch head moves to contact the extended portion of the valve element, the latch 61 engages behind the head and the springs 62 maintain it in position thus holding the disc and shoulder portion 34 in the innermost position so that the vent apertures 44 remain sealed off.

The rear end 64 of the cross member extends adjacent the rod 27 carrying the float and a second lever 65 is secured to this rod. As the float lowers rod 27 moves downwardly and around its point of pivot 66 thus rotating the second lever 65 until it contains the end 64 of the cross member 60. The weight of the rod and float then rotates the latch assembly around the pivot 59 and disengages the latch 61 from the latch head 56 so that spring 43 returns the disc 33 and shoulder portion 34 to the outermost position thus reopening the vent apertures 44.

This enables air to escape as water flows into the tank to partially refill same ready for the next cycle.

In order to prevent any damage occurring by inadvertently pulling out the disc 33 prior to the flushing ac tion being completed, the pivot pins 59 of the bifurcated members are mounted in slots 67 within the sides of the valve body 46 the spring 62 normally maintaining the pivot pins 59 inthe position shown in FIG. 3.

The air valve assembly is designed to close just prior to the water level reaching the bottom or lowermost ends 68 of the outer U-tubes 15 although the tank will continue to empty due to syphoning action until the water level actually falls below this point.

In order to prevent undesirable gurgling from occurring particularly when the device is used with a water closet 12, an anti-gurgling device is included and takes the form of a U-tube 69 having one end 70 terminated just above the lowermost end 68 of the outer U-t ubes 15 of the discharge assembly 14. The other end of the U-tube 69 extends downwardly to the conventional syphon formation 71 of the toilet bowl 12. This means that as soon as the water level passes below the point 70, but before the gurgling can occur, air passes through the U-tube and breaks the syphon in the water bowl thus preventing the conventional gurgling sounds.

An air relief tube 72 extends upwardly through the center of the U-tube discharge assembly 15, the lower end communicating within the discharge area of the urinal or toilet bowl 12.

The upper end of this tube is covered by a frangible disc 73 held in position by means of a spring clip 74 and designed to rupture if the air pressure within the tank exceeds apre-determined amount whereupon air may exhaust downwardly into the toilet bowl or the urinal thus avoiding any danger of the tank rupturing.

In certain jurisdictions, the conventional downwardly extending filler pipe 29 is not permitted due to the possibility of back up which might occur if the water supply to the tank connection 20 is drained thereby tending to back syphon the contents of the tank into the water supply.

Under these circumstances, an anti-backup assembly is provided and is shown in detail in FIG. 7.

lnstead of the filler tube 29 extending downwardly,- it extends upwardly as at 29A to a union 75 which includes a ball 76 normallyresting upon a seat 77 at the base thereof. As soon as water pressure is applied through the pipe 29A, the ball 76 is lifted off the seat and held against the uppermost seat 78 so that water can then flow into the tank through a horizontal inlet 79 with no danger of backup occurring.

A further pipe 80 extends also from the union 75 and is conveyed to the uppermost point of the downward legs 16 of the U-tube discharge and can act as a means to supply water for the trap of the toilet bowl 12.

In the first embodiment, this water for supplying the trap is supplied by a tube or pipe 81 extending from the valve 128 into the inverted U tube discharge assembly inner legs 16. Tube 81 and its connection to valve 28 are eliminated by the anti-back up assembly.

Various modifications may be constructed or performed within the scope of the inventive concept disclosed. Therefore what has been set forth is intended to illustrate such concept and is not for the purpose of limiting protection to any herein particularly described embodiment thereof.

What l claim as my invention is:

1. In a watercloset or urinal flushing system which includes a combined vented storage and pressure discharge tank, a connection to a source of water supply, and a connection to a source of compressed air; the improvement which is characterized by the combination of a float controlled valve assembly connected to the source of water supply, inverted U-shaped discharge means within the base of the tank and a flushing assembly in said tank, said flushing assembly including an air valve connected to said source of compressed air. a manually operable control extending through the wall of said tank, said: control including normally opened vent means. means to close off said vent means when said control is actuated, means to open said air valve when said control is actuated, and means cooperating between said control and said float controlled valve assembly to hold said air valve open until said tank empties to a predetermined level and to close said air valve and open said vent means when said predetermined level is reached.

2. The device according to claim 1 in which said control includes a bearing bushing through the wall of said tank, a shank portion endwise moveable in said bushing, said vent means. including at least one aperture through said shank connecting between the interior and exterior of said tank, and spring means normally biasing said control outwardly to the vent opened position said means to close off said vent means including a flexible and resilient seal supported'in said bushing, said seal closing off said vent means when said control is in the inward flushing position.

3. The device according to claim 1 in which said air valve assembly includes a body, an end shiftable valve element in said body, a valve seat on said body normally engaged and sealed by one end of said valve body, spring means in said body biasing said valve element onto said seat, said source of compressed air being connected to said body, said control including a stem engageable with said valve element for moving said element out of engagement with said valve seat when in the inward position.

4. The device according to claim 1 in which said means cooperating between said control and said float control valve assembly includes a latch assembly mounted for rocking movement, said latch assembly including a latch on one end thereof, a latch head on the inner end of said manually operated control engageable by said latch when said control is in the actuated or inward position, and spring means normally biasing said latch into engagement with said latch head.

5. The device according to claim 2 in which said means cooperating between said control and said float control valve assembly includes a latch assembly mounted for rocking movement, said latch assembly including a latch on one end thereof, a latch head on the inner end of said manually operated control engageable by said latch when said control is in the actuated or inward position, and spring means normally biasing said latch into engagement with said latch head.

6. The device according to claim 3 in which said means cooperating between said control and said float control valve assembly includes a latch assembly mounted for rocking movement, said latch assembly including a latch on one end thereof, a latch head on the inner end of said manually operated control-engageable by said latch when said control is in the actuated or inward position, and spring means normally biasing said latch into engagement with said latch head.

7. The device according to claim 4 which includes a first lever extending from said latch assembly and a second lever extending from said floatcontrol valve assembly, said second lever engaging said. first l'ever when said 'pre-determined water level is reached thereby rocking said latch assembly out of engagement with said control. I

Y 8. The device according to claim 5 which includes a first lever extending from said latch assembly and a second lever extending from said float control valve assembly, said second lever engaging said first lever a conventional syphon included in said water closet; the improvement which is characterized by the provision of a float control valve assembly connected to the source of water supply, an inverted U-shaped discharge means within the base of said tank and a flushing assembly in said tank, said flushing assembly including an air valve connected to said source of compressed air, a manually operable control extending through the wall of said tank, said control including normally open vent means, means to close off said vent means when said control is actuated, means to open said air valve when said control is actuated, and means cooperating between said control and said float control valve assembly to hold said air valve open until said tank empties to a pre-determined level and to close said air valve and open said vent means when said predetermined level is reached, an anti-gurgling means in said tank, said means including an inverted U-tube having one end extending to the top of said conventional syphon in said water closet, the other end of said tube terminating spaced from the bottom of said tank and just above said pre-determined level whereby compressed air in said tank passes to said conventional syphon and breaks the syphon action therein.

11. The device according to claim 10 in which said control includes a bearing bushing through the wall of said tank, a shank portion endwise moveable in said bushing, said means including at least one aperture through said shank connecting between the interior and exterior of said tank, and spring means normally biasing said control outwardly to the vent opened position said means to close off said vent means including a flexible and resilient seal supported in said bushing, said seal closing off said vent means when said control is in the inward flushing position.

12. The device according to claim 10 in which said air valve assembly includes a body, an end shiftable valve element in said body, a valve seat on said body normally engaged and sealed by one end of said valve body, spring means in said body biasing said valve element onto said seat, said source of compressed air being connected to said body, said control including a stem engageable with said valve element for moving said element out of engagement with said valve seat when in the inward position.

13. The device according to claim 10 in which said means cooperating between said control and said float control valve assembly includes a latch assembly mounted for rocking movement, said latch assembly including a latch on one end thereof, a latch head on the inner end of said manually operated control engageable by said latch when said control is in the actuated or inward position, and spring means normally biasing said latch into engagement with said latch head.

14. The device according to claim 11 in which said means cooperating between said control and said float control valve assembly includes a latch assembly mounted for rocking movement, said latch assembly including a latch on one end thereof, a latch head on the inner end of said manually operated control engageable by said latch when said control is in the actuated or inward position, and spring means normally biasing said latch into engagement with said latch head.

15. The device according to claim 12 in which said means cooperating between said control and said float control valve assembly includes a latch assembly mounted for rocking movement, said latch assembly 16; The device according to claim 13 which includes a first lever extending from said latch assembly and a second lever extending from said float control valve assembly, said second lever engaging said first lever when said pre-determined water level is reached thereby rocking said latch assembly out of engagement with said control.

17. The device according to claim 1 which includes anti-back syphon means associated with said float control valve assembly, said anti-back syphon means including an upwardly extending intake conduit connected to the water discharge connection of said float valve assembly, a ball valve at the upper end of said intake conduit, said ball valve being normally closed, a T-junction above said ball valve, one leg of said T- junction admitting water to said tank, the other leg of said T-junction being connected to said U-shaped discharge means, the admission of water from said water discharge connection opening said ball valve.

18. The device according to claim 10 which includes anti-back syphon means associated with said float control valve assembly, said anti-back syphon means including an upwardly extending intake conduit connected to the water discharge connection of said float valve assembly, a ball valve at the upper end of said intake conduit, said ball valve being normally closed, a T-junction above said ball valve, one leg of said T- junction admitting water to said tank, the other leg of said T-junction being connected to said U-shaped discharge means, the admission of water from said water discharge connection opening said ball valve.

19. A water flushing system for flushing urinals or water closets which include a source of water supply and a source of compressed air; comprising in combination a combined vented storage and pressure discharge tank, automatic means connectable to said source of water supply for partially filling said tank with water to a pre-determined level and manual means adapted to connect to saidsource of compressed air for air pressuriaing said tank to discharge said water into the fixtures to be flushed, and means to depressurize the tank and partially fill said tank after said tank has discharged, ready for manual recommencement of flushing. i

20. The system as defined in claim 1 in which the combined classes of vented storage and pressure discharge tank is converted from one class to they other by manual actuation of a valve that closes a tank vent and opens an air supply to the tank interior when depressed.

21. The device according to claim 1 which includes a safety relief vent in said tank communicating exteriorly thereof, said vent including a frangible disc covering one end of said vent and adapted to rupture if the air pressure in said tank exceeds a pre-determined pressure. g

22. The device according to claim 10 which includes a safety relief vent in said tank communicating exteriorly thereof, said vent including a frangible disc coverpressure. 1 v

24. The device according to claim 20 which includes a safety relief vent in said tank communicating exteriorly thereof, said vent including a frangible disc covering one end of said vent and adapted to rupture if the air pressure in said tank exceeds a pre-determin'ed pressure.

Claims

1. In a water closet or urinal flushing system which includes a combined vented storage and pressure discharge tank, a connection to a source of water supply, and a connection to a source of compressed air; the improvement which is characterized by the combination of a float controlled valve assembly connected to the source of water supply, inverted U-shaped discharge means within the base of the tank and a flushing assembly in said tank, said flushing assembly including an air valve connected to said source of compressed air, a manually operable control extending through the wall of said tank, said control including normally opened vent means, means to close off said vent means when said control is actuated, means to open said air valve when said control is actuated, and means cooperating between said control and said float controlled valve assembly to hold said air valve open until said tank empties to a predetermined level and to close said air valve and open said vent means when said pre-determined level is reached.

2. The device according to claim 1 in which said control includes a bearing bushing through the wall of said tank, a shank portion endwise moveable in said bushing, said vent means including at least one aperture through said shank connecting between the interior and exterior of said tank, and spring means normally biasing said control outwardly to the vent opened position said means to close off said vent means including a flexible and resilient seal supported in said bushing, said seal closing off said vent means when said control is in the inward flushing position.

6. The device according to claim 3 in which said means cooperating between said control and said float control valve assembly includes a latch assembly mounted for rocking movement, said latch assembly including a latch on one end thereof, a latch head on the inner end of said manually operated control engageable by said latch when said control is in the actuated or inward position, and spring means normally biasing said latch into engagement with said latch head.

7. The device according to claim 4 which includes a first lever extending from said latch assembly and a second lever extending from said float control valve assembly, said second lever engaging said first lever when said pre-determined water level is reached thereby rocking said latch assembly out of engagement with said control.

8. The device according to claim 5 which includes a first lever extending from said latch assembly and a second lever extending from said float control valve assembly, said second lever engaging said first lever when said pre-determined water level is reached thereby rocking said latch assembly out of engagement with said control.

9. The device according to claim 6 which includes a first lever extending from said latch assembly and a second lever extending from said float control valve assembly, said second lever engaging said first lever when said pre-determined water level is reached thereby rocking said latch assembly out of engagement with said control.

10. In a water closet system which includes a combined vented storage and pressure discharge tank, a connection to a source of compressed air together with a conventional syphon included in said water closet; the improvement which is characterized by the provision of a float control valve assembly connected to the source of water supply, an inverted U-shaped discharge means within the base of said tank and a flushing assembly in said tank, said flushing assembly including an air valve connected to said source of compressed air, a manually operable control extending through the wall of said tank, said control including normally open vent means, means to close off said vent means when said control is actuated, means to open said air valve when said control is actuated, and means cooperating between said control and said float control valve assembly to hold said air valve open until said tank empties to a pre-determined level and to close said air valve and open said vent means when said pre-determined level is reached, an anti-gurgling means in said tank, said means including an inverted U-tube having one end extending to the top of said conventional syphon in said water closet, the other end of said tube terminating spaced from the bottom of said tank and just above said pre-determined level whereby compressed air in said tank passes to said conventional syphon and breaks the syphon action therein.

11. The device according to claim 10 in which said control includes a bearing bushing through the wall of said tank, a shank portion endwise moveable in said bushing, said vent means including at least one aperture through said shank connecting between the interior and exterior of said tank, and spring means normally biasing said control outwardly to the vent opened position said means to close off said vent means including a flexible and resilient seal supported in said bushing, said seal closing off said vent means when said control is in the inward flushing position.

15. The device according to claim 12 in which said means cooperating between said control and said float control valve assembly includes a latch assembly mounted for rocking movement, said latch assembly including a latch on one end thereof, a latch head on the inner end of said manually operated control engageable by said latch when said control is in the actuated or inward position, and spring means normally biasing said latch into engagement with said latch head.

16. The device according to claim 13 which includes a first lever extending from said latch assembly and a second lever extending from said float control valve assembly, said second lever engaging said first lever when said pre-determined water level is reached thereby rocking said latch assembly out of engagement with said control.

17. The device according to claim 1 which includes anti-back syphon means associated with said float control valve assembly, said anti-back syphon means including an upwardly extending intake conduit connected to the water discharge connection of said float valve assembly, a ball valve at the upper end of said intake conduit, said ball valve being normally closed, a T-junction above said ball valve, one leg of said T-junction admitting water to said tank, the other leg of said T-junction being connected to said U-shaped discharge means, the admission of water from said water discharge connection opening said ball valve.

18. The device according to claim 10 which includes anti-back syphon means associated with said float control valve assembly, said anti-back syphon means including an upwardly extending intake conduit connected to the water discharge connection of said float valve assembly, a ball valve at the upper end of said intake conduit, said ball valve being normally closed, a T-junction above said ball valve, one leg of said T-junction admitting water to said tank, the other leg of said T-junction being connected to said U-shaped discharge means, the admission of water from said water discharge connection opening said ball valve.

19. A water flushing system for flushing urinals or water closets which include a source of water supply and a source of compressed air; comprising in combination a combined vented storage and pressure discharge tank, automatic means connectable to said source of water supply for partially filling said tank with water to a pre-determined level and manual means adapted to connect to said source of compressed air for air pressurizing said tank to discharge said water into the fixtures to be flushed, and means to depressurize the tank and partially fill said tank after said tank has discharged, ready for manual recommencement of flushing.

20. The system as defined in claim 1 in which the combined classes of vented storage and pressure discharge tank is converted from one class to the other by manual actuation of a valve that closes a tank vent and opens an air supply to the tank interior when depressed.

21. The device according to claim 1 which includes a safety relief vent in said tank communicating exteriorly thereof, said vent including a frangible disc covering one end of said vent and adapted to rupture if the air pressure in said tank exceeds a pre-determined pressure.

22. The device according to claim 10 which includes a safety relief vent in said tank communicating exteriorly thereof, said vent including a frangible disc covering one end of said vent and adapted to rupture if the air pressure in said tank exceeds a pre-determined pressure.

23. The device according to claim 19 which includes a safety relief vent in said tank communicating exteriorly thereof, said vent including a frangible disc covering one end of said vent and adapted to rupture if the air pressure in said tank exceeds a pre-determined pressure.

24. The device according to claim 20 which includes a safety relief vent in said tank communicating exteriorly therEof, said vent including a frangible disc covering one end of said vent and adapted to rupture if the air pressure in said tank exceeds a pre-determined pressure.