US3816856A

US3816856A - Flushing apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3816856A
Application number: US00356474A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Braswell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-05-02
Filing date: 1973-05-02
Publication date: 1974-06-18
Anticipated expiration: 1991-06-18

Abstract

A flushing apparatus particularly for plumbing fixtures embodies one main moving part which is adapted alternately to receive ballast water for closing a main flush valve and to become a float to assist in the opening of the flush valve after release of the ballast water. The main flush valve is directly attached to the one main moving part. Manual force may be utilized to implement the opening of the flush valve without complete reliance on flotation, and existing conventional tank handles and levers may be utilized. The main flush valve may also be closed manually to effect partial flushing for the sake of saving water.

Description

a United States Patent 1 1 3,816,856 Braswell June 18, 1974 FLUSHING APPARATUS Primary Examiner-John W. Huckert Assistant ExaminerMilton S. Gerstein [76] Inventor 5 3 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-B. P. Fishburne, Jr.

[2] 1 Appl' NW 356,474 A flushing apparatus particularly for plumbing fixtures embodies one main moving part which is adapted ali52 u.s. CI 4/58, 4/41, 4/56 ternately to receive ballast water for Closing min |s1 Int. Cl E03d 1/34 flush valve and to become a float to assist in the p 53 Field f Search 4/58, 3 41 7 56, ing of the flush valve after release of the ballast water. The main flush valve is directly attached to the one 5 References cu main moving part. Manual force may be utilized to im plement the Opening 0f the flush Valve COmplete reliance on flotation, and existing conventional 3 g g ffg tank handles and levers may be utilized. The main flush valve may also be closed manually to effect partial flushing for the sake of saving water.

412%;5 Drawin FEEL 1 FLUSHING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an improvement on the flushing apparatus disclosed in prior US. Pat. No. 3,705,428, issued Dec. 12, 1972 to James W. Braswell. In general, the objectives of the invention correspond to those set forth in the above-mentioned patent. Additionally, the present invention is considerably simpler in construction and even more reliable, efficient and positive in its operation than the device in the mentioned prior patent. More particularly, several parts required for the successful operation of the prior patented device have been eliminated in the present invention without loss of efficiency and actually contributing to an improved mode of operation. Notably, the flexible tubing employed in conjunction with the counterweighted manual handle in the prior patent has been eliminated and replaced by a more simplified manual lever which is operated by light finger pressure on a conventionally located tank flushing handle. The present invention is therefore more easily adapted to existing conventional flush tanks. It is also extremely suitable for the newly designed smaller type flush tanks which are coming into wide usage in connection with efforts to economize on the use of water. The entire apparatus embodying the present invention is installable on, or removable from, the usual tank without the necessity for separating the tank from the fixture;

In comparison to the mentioned prior patented device, the means for retarding the rise and fall of the main moving member is more positive in operation and more reliable, as will be fully explained. Probably the most important improvement over the prior art is the fact that the main moving member is not totally dependent on buoyancy for rising to open the flush valve, and may be manually assisted with only light finger pressure on the tank handle, which pressure is merely a small force in addition to the buoyancy force required to overcome the pressure tending to maintain the flush valve seated.

In the present invention, the main moving member in the apparatus is provided with unique means to induce rotation of the member around its vertical axis during rising so that each time the flush valve is reseated, it will contact the valve seat in a different position, thus keeping the valve seat clean and smooth. Additional features and advantages of the improved apparatus will be apparent during the course of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of the application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES FIG. I is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a flush tank equipped with the improved flushing apparatus embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged central vertical section through the apparatus taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a similar section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals designate like parts, the numeral designates a flush tank having a depressed or recessed bottom wall central portion 11 to facilitate complete tank drainage on each flushing cycle. The numeral 12 designates a screw-threaded insert permanently attached to the tank bottom wall or cast integrally therewith, if preferred. This insert receives an externally screw-threaded fitting 13 having a top annular horizontal flange 14 disposed in the recessed portion of the tank bottom wall. A com pressible water sealing gasket 15 is interposed between the flange 14 and the recessed face of the bottom wall, as shown.

Plural circumferentially spaced :flns or spacers 16 are attached fixedly to the fitting 13 and to a concentrically arranged centrally located vertical tube 17 which extends from a point immediately below the fitting 13 to a point above the maximum water level in the flush tank 10. The tube 17 is held rigidly in the upright position and concentrically with the Water outlet opening in the bottom of the flush tank at all times.

Formed integrally with the tube 17 at an elevation considerably above the tank bottom wall is an enlarged open top cup extension 18 concentrically surrounding the tube 17 and having a horizontal bottom wall 19 joined thereto. This cup extension forms a part of the stationary component of the apparatus fixed to the tank bottom wall. The cup extension 18 forms an annular chamber 20 capable of holding water up to the level 21 where the water will overflow the brim of the cup extension.

At its upper end, the tube 17 has a series of vertically spaced diametrical openings 22 for the selective reception of a bolt or pin 23, by means of which a sleeve 24 may be adjustably mounted at the desired height on the exterior of the tube 17 near its top end. This sleeve 24 serves as a positive stop element to limit the upward movement of the single main moving component 25 of the flushing apparatus, now to be described.

The main moving component or unit 25 comprises an interior vertical sleeve 26 which closely surrounds the stationary tube 17 in sliding and vertically guided relationship therewith. The upper extension 27 of sleeve 26 is somewhat thickened to abut an enlarged lower flange 28 on stop sleeve 24 when the moving unit 25 reaches the upper limit of its travel, as indicated by broken lines in FIG. 2. The concentrically arranged sleeve extension 27 and surrounding wall 29 of moving sleeve unit 25 form an upper annular chamber 30 for make-up water whose operation will be described. The chamber 30 is open at the top, as indicated.

The movable unit 25 carries an integral enlarged lower sleeve portion 31 joined to the portion 29 by a horizontal wall 32, and which wall has two or more orifices 33 communicating with the bottom of makeup chamber 30. The enlarged sleeve extension 31 provides the necessary volume for flotation of the movable unit 25 and the necessary space for the stationary cup 18 disposed concentrically within it. The unit 25 further comprises an intermediate sleeve 34 dependingly secured to the wall 32 and arranged concentrically with the sleeve 26 and with the exterior extension 31. The intermediate sleeve 34 and the sleeve 26 have their lower ends terminating at the same elevation. The intermediate sleeve 34 forms an inverted cup-like chamber with sleeve 26, open at the bottom, such chamber being previously indicated at 20. The

elements

26 and 34 of movable unit 25 are capable of free vertical movement upwardly or downwardly inside of cup extension 18, the latter being spaced from sleeve 34 and from the exterior sleeve extension 31.

The extension 31 is provided near its vertical center with preferably four oblique propulsion vanes 35 whose purpose is to induce rotation of the moving unit 25 during the raising thereof to assure a clean seating of the main flush valve on each flushing cycle.

The lower extremity of sleeve extension 31 contains an annular groove 36 receiving the upper bead 37 of a flexible annular skirt-like neoprene valve element 38. The bead 37 of this valve element preferably engages the groove 36 under considerable tension. The lower tapering edge portion 39 of the flexible flush valve element contacts the smooth horizontal face of flange 14 which serves as a valve seat surrounding the flushing water outlet of the tank.

The upper extremity of the unit 25 carries a pair of spaced annular flanges 40 which receive between them the bifurcated arms 41 of a lever assembly 42, FIG. 1, connected with and operated by a conventionally located flushing handle 43 on the outside of the tank 10. The extremities of the arms 41 are rounded as shown at 44 in FIG. 1 to minimize frictional contact with the flanges 40 which they engage. Light finger pressure on the handle 43 is transmitted through the lever assembly 42 to assist in raising the movable unit 25, as will be further discussed in connection with the operation of the apparatus.

The tank is equipped with the usual water filling device 45 and make-up water tube 46 which delivers water into the open top of the sleeve 29. The numeral 47 indicates the high limit of movement of the unit 25 as depicted in broken lines. The numeral 48 shows the normal water level in the flush tank 10 and the numeral 49 shows the water level when overflowing into the top of the movable unit 25.

OPERATION Assuming the tank 10 to be filled with water to the normal level 48, manual pressure is applied downwardly on handle 43 to elevate the movable unit 25 which raises the flexible valve element 38 from the seat 14. The manual pressure required is slight because the unit 25 is submerged and buoyant. The actual pressure required on the handle 43 is the small difference in force between the buoyancy of the unit 25 and the pressure of the water acting to maintain the valve element 38 seated.

As the unit 25 rises sufficiently to unseat the valve element 38, the movable unit will rise freely to its high limit 47 established by abutment of the

parts

27 and 28. As the unit 25 rises, air is drawn into the lower chamber through the orifices 33 causing a gradual lifting of the assembly. During this rising movement, the angled vanes 35 react against the water in the tank to cause rotation of the unit on its vertical axis for the purpose already specified. The water from the tank 10 flows through the bottom outlet of the tank to the fixture below to accomplish flushing of the latter.

As the waterlevel in the tank recedes, the filling device 45 discharges water into the tank and also through the tube 46 into the top of the unit 25 and into annular chamber 30. As the water level falls in the tank 10, the unit 25 tends to fall by gravity but is held momentarily in suspension by air and water trapped in the lower chamber 28. Trapped air rising against the water in chamber and water being forced to spill over the upper rim of cup 18 provides the time delay action necessary for the complete emptying of the tank 10. This constitutes a major feature of the present invention which contributes to a very efficient mode of operation. Additionally, air trapped in the water-filled chamber 20 provides buoyancy for the entire movable unit 25. Additional force to lower the unit 25 is provided by the weight of the water as it increases in the upper chamber 30. The unit 25 descends gradually vertically as the tank 10 is emptied and no water acts on the vanes 35 at this time. The valve element 38 will come into contact with the seat 14 in a different circumferential position at every seating.

After the flushing valve is seated and the tank 10 is refilling with water, make-up water flows through orifices 33 and over the upper lip of cup extension 18 to the fixture below to re-establish the trap seal. The apparatus is then conditioned for the next flushing cycle when required.

A further feature of the invention which should be mentioned is that the flush valve may be manually closed at will to save water. A slight downward pressure on the movable unit 25 exerted through thelever 42 will effect closing of the flush valve at any desired time.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A flushing apparatus comprising a tank having a bottom discharge opening, a fixed vertical supporting and guiding member within the tank extending above said bottom discharge opening and being substantially concentrically arranged with respect to the discharge opening, a top opening enlarged cup-like member fixedly secured to said supporting and guiding member in surrounding relation thereto and being spaced above said discharge opening, a vertically movable unit, said unit comprising an interior sleeve closely surrounding said supporting and guiding member and being openended and being vertically movable upwardly and downwardly along said member, adjustable stop means near the top of said supporting and guiding member engageable with said sleeve to positively limit the upward travel of said unit, a pair of substantially concentrically arranged depending sleeve extensions on said unit outwardly of said sleeve, the innermost of said extensions projecting downwardly inside of said cup-like member and the exterior sleeve extension disposed outwardly of the cup-like member and being longer than said innermost extension and projecting below the bottom of the cup-like member, a horizontal wall on said unit joining said sleeve with said pair of depending sleeve extensions, said horizontal wall having orifices formed therethrough between said sleeve and the innermost sleeve extension, there being an annular water ballast chamber on said unit directly above said wall and being in communication with said orifices, a flexible annular valve element carried by the lower end of said exterior sleeve extension, a seat for said valve element surrounding said bottom discharge opening and engaged by the valve element when said unit is in a downward position, and manually operable means including a handle on said tank connected with said vertically movable unit to assist in raising the unit to unseat said valve element.

2. The structure of claim 1, and angled vane elements on said vertically movable unit reacting against water in said tank during the elevation of said unit to cause rotation of said unit on its vertical axis.

3. The structure of claim 2, and said vane elements being on said exterior sleeve extension.

4. The structure of claim I, and said interior sleeve including an upper extension above saidhorizontal wall and forming the interior wall of said water ballast chamber, said adjustable stop means comprising a sleeve on said fixed vertical supporting and guiding member having a lower end for abutment with said upper extension.

5. The structure of claim 4, and said supporting and guiding member having plural vertically spaced openings near its top end, and crosspin means on said adjustable stop means selectively engageable with one of said openings to lock the adjustable stop means at a selected elevation on said supporting and guiding member.

6. The structure of claim 1, and said manually operable means additionally comprising a lever connected with said handle, a bifurcated extension on said lever, and a pair of spaced exterior flanges on said vertically movable unit near the top thereof receiving said bifurcated extension slidably therebetween.

7. The structure of claim 1, and said tank having a depressed bottom wall portion adjacent said discharge opening, and said seat for said valve element located on said depressed bottom wall portion below the top face of the remainder of the tank bottom wall.

8. The structure of claim l, and a screw-threaded fitting means on the bottom wall of said tank, and radiating supporting and spacer elements extending between the supporting and guiding member and the fitting means and connected to both and holding the supporting and guiding member upright and substantially concentric with said bottom discharge opening.

9. The structure of claim 1, and said flexible annular valve element being a downwardly tapering skirt-like element having a thickened bead at its upper end, said exterior sleeve extension having an external groove for said bead, and said bead snugly seated in said groove under tension.

10. In a flushing apparatus adapted for mounting in a tank having a bottom discharge opening, an upstanding guiding and supporting member adapted to be fixedly secured adjacent to said discharge opening and extending thereabove, a cup-like element secured to said member intermediate the ends of the member in surrounding relation to the member and being open at the top and having a bottom wall joined to the member, said cup-like element forming around said member an annular chamber for water, a vertically movable unit, said unit comprising an interior sleeve telescoped slidably over said member and freely movable upwardly or downwardly relative to the member, an adjustable stop means secured to the top of said member and adapted to abut the top of said sleeve to limit the upward travel of said unit, said unit additionally comprising a horizontal wall joined to said sleeve between the ends of the sleeve, an intermediate sleeve portion on said unit outwardly of said sleeve and being substantially concentric with said sleeve and joined to said wall and extending above and below the wall, said intermediate sleeve portion below the wall projecting inside of said cup-like element in spaced relation to the side wall of the cup-like element and being movable upwardly or downwardly relative to the cup-like element, an exterior sleeve por tion on said unit joined to said wall and disposed outwardly of the cup-like element and surrounding the latter, said exterior sleeve portion extending for a substantial distance below the bottom of said sleeve and said intermediate sleeve portion, a flexible annular valve element secured to the bottom of the exterior sleeve portion and adapted for contact with a valve seat at the bottom of a tank surrounding said discharge opening, said intermediate sleeve portion above said wall and the corresponding portion of said sleeve forming with said wall an annular ballast and make-up water chamber above said wall, said wall being apertured between said sleeve and intermediate sleeve portion to place said last-named chamber in communication with said first-named chamber formed by said cup-like element, and manually operable means connected with said unit to assist in raising the unit for unseating said valve element, said unit being buoyant and having its buoyancy increased by the emptying of said ballast and make-up water chamber, said unit tending to move downwardly by gravity and having its downward movement assisted by water in said ballast and make-up water chamber, said downward movement of said unit being retarded during the flushing cycle by the entrapment of air and water in said first-named chamber below said wall formed by said cup-like element.

11. The structure of claim 10, and vane projections V on said unit inducing rotation of the unit on its upright axis during upward movement of the unit.

Claims

1. A flushing apparatus comprising a tank having a bottom discharge opening, a fixed vertical supporting and guiding member within the tank extending above said bottom discharge opening and being substantially concentrically arranged with respect to the discharge opening, a top opening enlarged cup-like member fixedly secured to said supporting and guiding member in surrounding relation thereto and being spaced above said discharge opening, a vertically movable unit, said unit comprising an interior sleeve closely surrounding said supporting and guiding member and being open-ended and being vertically movable upwardly and downwardly along said member, adjustable stop means near the top of said supporting and guiding member engageable with said sleeve to positively limit the upward travel of said unit, a pair of substantially concentrically arranged depending sleeve extensions on said unit outwardly of said sleeve, the innermost of said extensions projecting downwardly inside of said cup-like member and the exterior sleeve extension disposed outwardly of the cuplike member and being longer than said innermost extension and projecting below the bottom of the cup-like member, a horizontal wall on said unit joining said sleeve with said pair of depending sleeve extensions, said horizontal wall having orifices formed therethrough between said sleeve and the innermost sleeve extension, there being an annular water ballast chamber on said unit directly above said wall and being in communication with said orifices, a flexible annular valve element carried by the lower end of said exterior sleeve extension, a seat for said valve element surrounding said bottom discharge opening and engaged by the valve element when said unit is in a downward position, and manually operable means including a handle on said tank connected with said vertically movable unit to assist in raising the unit to unseat said valve element.

4. The structure of claim 1, and said interior sleeve including an upper extension above said horizontal wall and forming the interior wall of said water ballast chamber, said adjustable stop means comprising a sleeve on said fixed vertical supporting and guiding member having a lower end for abutment with said upper extension.

8. The structure of claim 1, and a screw-threaded fitting means on the bottom wall of said tank, and radiating supporting and spacer elements extending between the supporting and guiding member and the fitting means and connected to both and holding the supporting and guiding member upright and substantially concentric with said bottom discharge opening.

10. In a flushing apparatus adapted for mounting in a tank having a bottom discharge opening, an upstanding guiding and supporting member adapted to be fixedly secured adjacent to said discharge opening and extending thereabove, a cup-like element secured to said member intermediate the ends of the member in surrounding relation to the member and being open at the top and having a bottom wall joined to the member, said cup-like element forming around said member an annular chamber for water, a vertically movable unit, said unit comprising an interior sleeve telescoped slidably over said member and freely movable upwardly or downwardly relative to the member, an adjustable stop means secured to the top of said member and adapted to abut the top of said sleeve to limit the upward travel of said unit, said unit additionally comprising a horizontal wall joined to said sleeve between the ends of the sleeve, an intermediate sleeve portion on said unit outwardly of said sleeve and being substantially concentric with said sleeve and joined to said wall and extending above and below the wall, said intermediate sleeve portion below the wall projecting inside of said cup-like element in spaced relation to the side wall of the cup-like element and being movable upwardly or downwardly relative to the cup-like element, an exterior sleeve portion on said unit joined to said wall and disposed outwardly of the cup-like element and surrounding the latter, said exterior sleeve portion extending for a substantial distance below the bottom of said sleeve and said intermediate sleeve portion, a flexible annular valve element secured to the bottom of the exterior sleeve portion and adapted for contact with a valve seat at the bottom of a tank surrounding said discharge opening, said intermediate sleeve portion above said wall and the corresponding portion of said sleeve forming with said wall an annular ballast and make-up water chamber above said wall, said wall being apertured between said sleeve and intermediate sleeve portion to place said last-named chamber in communication with said first-named chamber formed by said cup-like element, and manually operable means connected with said unit to assist in raising the unit for unseating said valve element, said unit being buoyant and having its buoyancy increased by the emptying of said ballast and make-up water chamber, said unit tending to move downwardly by gravity and having its downward movement assisted by water in said ballast and make-up water chamber, said downward movement of said unit being retarded during the flushing cycle by the entrapment of air and water in said first-named chamber below said wall formed by said cup-like element.

11. The structure of claim 10, and vane projections on said unit inducing rotation of the unit on its upright axis during upward movement of the unit.