WO1991012381A1

WO1991012381A1 - Dual valve toilet flushing apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1991012381A1
Application number: PCT/US1991/000704
Authority: WO
Inventors: James G. Balding
Original assignee: Gym-N-I, Corp.
Priority date: 1990-02-09
Filing date: 1991-02-01
Publication date: 1991-08-22
Also published as: AU7307091A

Abstract

A toilet flushing mechanism (10) for use inside a toilet tank (12), having an exit port (14) and a rotatable flush lever (16). The toilet flushing mechanism (10) includes a central riser (18) having a first outlet port (20) at the top of the central riser (18) and a minor riser (23) spaced vertically apart from the first outlet port (20) and extending out from the central riser (18) near the bottom of the central riser (18). A second outlet port (22) is located on the top of the minor riser (23). A first arm (30) attaches to the flush handle (16) and to a first stopper (26) via a first chain (36). A first linkage arm (32a) and a second linkage arm (32b) are pivotally coupled together and the second linkage arm (32b) is pivotably coupled to the central riser (18) at pivot point (34). The first linkage arm (32a) attaches to the first arm (30) at a joint (31) and a second stopper (28) attaches to the second linkage arm (32b), via a second chain (38).

Description

DUA VALVE TOILET FLUSHING APPARATUS

Technical Field

The present invention is directed to a toilet flushing apparatus for selecting the volume of flushing liquid to be evacuated from a toilet tank.

Background of the Invention

Dual valve assemblies for varying the volume of water that is evacuated from a toilet tank are well known in the art. Such systems permit a user to select the amount of water to be released during a flush cycle, thereby permitting the user to conserve on the amount of water normally released when the toilet is flushed.

The following patents are representative of such two valve systems: U.S. Patent No. 4,042,982 ('982), "Flush Toilet Water Conservation Valve Assembly," issued August 23, 1977 to Contreras and herein incorporated by reference; U.S. Patent No. 4,096,591 (-591), "Dual Flush Valve" issued June 27, 1978 to Awis and herein incorporated by reference; and U.S. Patent No. 4,173,801 ('801), "Apparatus For Flushing Toilets" issued November 13, 1979 to Bresnyan and herein incorporated by reference.

The '591 reference is directed to a dual flush valve system having an upper and lower valve, each having a valve covering associated therewith. The valve coverings are opened and closed by a trip mechanism connected to a handle lever. The trip mechanism responds to the handle being rotated in the counterclockwise and clockwise directions to remove or replace a valve covering in response to the direction of force.

Each of the '591 valves are independent elements and each covers a portion of the exit port through which the flushing water is released. Since the two valves are independent of one another, they occupy a substantial area inside the toilet tank.

The trip mechanism which controls the opening of each valve covering separately consists of a three part arm. The first arm is horizontally arranged and has a U-shaped end. Its opposite end is pivotally mounted to the second arm, via a pin on an overflow tube. The third arm is linear and has one end attached to the flush handle lever and the opposite end is attached to a chain which, in turn, is attached to the upper valve covering. The opposite end of the second arm is also attached to a chain, which, in turn is attached to the lower valve covering. The third arm is slidably cradled in the U-shaped end of the first arm such that when the handle lever is rotated counterclockwise, the third arm slides downward and when the handle is rotated clockwise, it slides upward. When the flush handle is raised in a clockwise direction, the third arm slides up through the cradle and if the handle is rotated far enough, the upper valve covering lifts off the upper valve. When the handle is pushed down in a counterclockwise direction far enough, the third arm slides down through the cradle and exerts enough force on the first arm to cause the second arm to raise up, thereby lifting the lower valve covering off of the lower valve. Hence, the trip mechanism operates like a "see-saw." The '982 reference is also directed to a two valve toilet flushing system having an upper and lower valve with each having a valve covering located on a central riser. The first valve is located on the top of the central riser in direct alignment with the exit port while the second valve is located on top of a secondary riser. The secondary riser has a long body. Thus the water exiting through the secondary riser has to travel the length of the secondary riser before merging with the central riser. The radius of the first valve and of the second valves appear to be about equal to the radius of the exit port.

The trip mechanism of the -982 reference pivotally attaches to the flush handle and controls the opening and closing of the valve coverings. The trip mechanism is a two part, L-shaped member having a short arm connected to the lower valve covering, via a chain, and a lonfcj" arm connected to the upper valve covering, via a chain. When the handle is rotated clockwise, the short arm is raised up in a clockwise direction and the lower valve covering is pulled off the lower valve; when the handle is rotated counterclockwise, the long arm rotates down counterclockwise and the upper valve covering is lifted off the upper valve.

The '801 reference also shows a dual valve toilet flushing system having a central riser and a secondary riser attached to the side of the central riser. The first and second valves are both located on top of its respective riser. The opening and closing of each of the valves is controlled by raising and lowering a stopper each attached to the base of a stopper rod.

The trip mechanism used is a 4 part mechanism having an actuating lever vertically attached to the exterior flush handle; a first and a second horizontally mounted support arm which slidably holds a stopper rod; and a linkage arm. The first and second support arms are mounted to an overflow tube. The linkage arm slidably connects the first support arm and the stopper rods to the actuating lever. The first support arm is hinged and has an aperture through which the actuating arm slides through, in response to the flush handle being rotated in either the clockwise or counterclockwise directions. When the flush handle is rotated clockwise, the actuating arm is lowered through the aperture and causes the linkage arm to pivot and rotate up in the clockwise direction thereby raising the first valve stopper rod and stopper. Similarly, when the flush handle is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the actuating level is raised in a counterclockwise direction causing the linkage arm to raise up thereby raising the second valve stopper rod and stopper.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a dual outlet port toilet flushing mechanism which permits the user to select, by turning the flush handle in either the clockwise or counterclockwise directions, the amount of flushing liquid that will be released into a conventional toilet bowl. The present invention is especially suited for retrofitting existing toilets. The toilet flushing mechanism has a central riser that is sized to fit into a toilet tank exit port which connects the toilet tank to the toilet bowl.

The central riser has a first outlet port and a second outlet port vertically spaced apart from one another. The central riser is located on the top side of the central riser and the second outlet port is also located on the top side of a minor riser. The minor riser is positioned near to the base of the central riser so that it is close to the exit port. The length of the minor riser is minimal so that the flush liquid travels a minimum distance from the mouth of the second outlet port to the mouth of the exit port and so that substantially all of the water in the tank can exit when the second outlet port is unblocked. The first outlet port is removably blocked by a first stopper and the second outlet port is removably blocked by a second stopper both of which are controlled by a stopper control mechanism.

The stopper control mechanism includes a first arm which attaches to the flush handle at one end and to the first stopper, via a chain*, on the opposite end; a first linkage arm and second linkage arm. The first and second linkage arms are coupled together at an articulating joint, and the second linkage arm is pivotally coupled to the central riser at a pivot point located in between the first and the second outlet ports. The first linkage arm attaches to the first arm via an actuating joint and the second linkage arm attaches to the second stopper via a chain.

When the flush handle is rotated in a clockwise direction, the second stopper lifts off of the second outlet port and the flush liquid in the tank flows out through the open port and exits the toilet tank through the exit port. When the flush handle is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the first stopper lifts off of the first outlet port and the flush liquid flows out of the first outlet port through the central riser and is expelled through the exit port at the base of the central riser.

An adjustable overflow tube, which permits the height of the overflow tube to be adjusted, may be connected to the central riser.

Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a compact, dual-outlet port toilet flushing mechanism for use inside a conventional toilet tank to provide a means for selecting the amount of flushing liquid to be released from the toilet tank during a flush cycle. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a compact, dual-outlet port toilet flushing mechanism which is easily retrofittable into an existing toilet.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a compact valve stopper control mechanism which pivotally attaches to a central riser, is responsive to the direction in which the flush handle is rotated, and which controls the opening and closing of the outlet ports in response to the direction of rotation. A further object of the present invention is to provide a dual port toilet flushing mechanism where the first and the second outlet ports are arranged on a central riser such that the flushing liquid flows out of the outlet port rapidly and directly into the exit port.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dual-outlet port toilet flushing mechanism where the flushing liquids's pressure, from the mouth of the outlet port to the mouth of the exit port, is maximal.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable overflow tube which permits the height of the overflow tube inside the toilet tank to be adjusted to accommodate for toilet tanks of varying heights and which permits the overflow water level inside the tank to be adjusted.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dual outlet port toilet flushing mechanism wherein the lower outlet port is located on a central riser such that substantially all of the flushing liquid in the tank exits the toilet tank through the second outlet port when the lower outlet port is selected as the outlet port.

These, and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be made clear or will become apparent during the course of the following description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is.a side plan view of a dual valve toilet flush system of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the dual valve toilet flush system illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side plan view similar to Figure 1 showing one adjustable overflow tube of the present invention; and

Figure 4 is a side plan view of an alternate adjustable overflow tube of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a toilet flushing apparatus 10, for use in a toilet tank 12 having an exit port 14 and a rotatable flush handle 16 on the exterior of the toilet tank is illustrated. The toilet flushing apparatus 10 includes a central riser 18 which can be mounted in the exit port 14 located at the bottom of the tank 12. The central riser 18 has a first outlet port 20 and a second outlet port 22 spaced vertically apart from the first outlet port. An adjustable overflow tube 24 may also be connected to the central riser 18.

The first outlet port 20 is removably covered by a first stopper 26 and the second outlet port 22 is removably covered by a second stopper 28. The first stopper 26 may be a conventional flapper stopper and may be conventionally mounted to the overflow tube 24 for sealing first outlet port 20. For example, a pair of first studs 27 can be provided which extend out on each side of the outlet port 20 so that a pair of oppositely disposed apertures on the first stopper 26 fit over the first studs 27 so that the first stopper 26 pivots about the first studs 27. Alternatively, the overflow tube 24 can be sized to accommodate the mounting ring that is typically provided with the conventional flapper stoppers. In the preferred embodiment, when the overflow tube 24 employed is adjustable, the mounting ring can be mounted on the separable, upper overflow tube 24a. The second stopper 28 may be mounted about a pair of second studs 29 similar to the first stopper 26. The studs 27, 29 may be molded as a part of the central riser 18. In the preferred embodiment, the studs 27, 29 protrude out about 3/8", and have a diameter of about 1/8". When an outlet port 20, 22 is opened, the flushing liquid 40 inside the tank 12 (which may be water) is evacuated through the opened outlet port 20, 22 and flows out to the exit port 14. The flushing liquid 40 is replenished in the tank 12, via conventional means well known to those skilled in the art, after each time the flushing liquid level drops below a certain level.

In the preferred embodiment, the flush handle 16 is rotatable in the clockwise and counterclockwise direction. When the flush handle 16 is in its stationary or nominal position, both the first and the second outlet ports 20, 22 remain covered or blocked by the first and the second stoppers 26, 28, respectively. An outlet port 20, 22 is "opened" when its associated stopper 26, 28 no longer covers its respective outlet port 20, 22. The opening and closing of the outlet ports 20, 22 is controlled by a stopper control mechanism which controls the raising and lowering of the first and second stoppers 26, 28 in response to the rotation of the flush handle 16. The stopper control mechanism includes a first arm 30, a first linkage arm 32a, a second linkage arm 32b which is pivotably coupled to first linkage arm 32a at point 42, and a joint 31 which pivotably couples the first arm 30 and the first linkage arm 32a. Further, second linkage arm 32b is pivotably mounted to the control riser 18 at pivot point 34.

The first arm 30 is attached to the flush handle 16 at one end and extends in a horizontal direction to attach to the first stopper 26, via a first chain 36, at its opposite end. The first linkage arm 32a and the second linkage arm 32b each have a pivoting aperture (not illustrated) at one of its ends so that the arms 32a, 32b can be pivotally coupled together about the point 42. The linkage arm 32 attaches to the first arm 30 at joint 31 located about midway on the first arm 30.

In the preferred embodiment, the first linkage arm 32a extends vertically downward from the first arm 30. The second linkage arm 32b is positioned to be angled several degrees from horizontal, for example 20 to 50°. The second linkage arm 32b is coupled to the second stopper 28 via a second chain 38 at its opposite end. The stopper control mechanism supports the flush handle 16 in a nominal position. The chain 36, 38 lengths determine the handle's nominal position. As such, in the preferred embodiment, a separate handle positioning structure is not needed.

The pivot point 34 is located on the central riser 18 between the first and second outlet ports 20, 22 and protrudes therefrom. In the preferred embodiment, the pivot point 34 protrudes out about 3/8" and is a stud about 1/8" wide. Hence, the second linkage arm 32b has a pivoting aperture slightly larger than 1/8" to permit the stud 34 to pass through. The second linkage arm 32b is held in place around the pivot point 34 by conventional means such as a press fit cap 52 which snaps or friction fits over the pivot point 34.

The first outlet port 20 is located on top of the central riser 18 directly above the exit port 14 so that when the first outlet port 20 is opened, and the flushing liquid 40 is evacuated through the first outlet port 20, the liquid 40 flows out in a substantially vertical direction and directly as possible into the exit port 14. In the preferred embodiment the first outlet port 20 is positioned directly above the exit port 14 to maximize the flush pressure during evacuation. The direct path maximizes the fluid pressure as the water is travelling out to the exit port 14.

Similarly, in the preferred embodiment, the body of the minor riser 23 is as short as necessary to provide a structure to mount the second outlet port 22 as close as possible to the bottom of the central riser 18, near the exit port 14 and also at an angle which provides a direct path from the mouth of the second port to the mouth of the exit port 14.

In addition, the second outlet port 22 is mounted such that a direct, substantially vertical line 62 can be drawn from the top to the bottom of the minor riser 23 and directly into the mouth of the exit port 14. When fluid is exiting the second outlet port 22, the maximum fluid force 62 is a vertical path commencing at the upper edge of the second outlet port 22 and ending inside the exit port 14. The maximum force path 62 inherently sets up a barrier which directs the lower velocity parts of the fluid flow entering the second outlet port 22 to also flow downward into the exit port 14. Hence, in the preferred embodiment, the second outlet port 22 is positioned such that the fluid 40 exiting the second outlet port 22 does not flow backwards and up into the central riser 18.

The second outlet port 22 is located close to the exit port 14 in order to reduce the distance that the liquid 40 has to travel, from the mouth of second outlet port 22 and down the central riser 18 to the exit port 14, and also so that substantially all of the flushing liquid 40 in the tank 12 is discharged through the second outlet port 20 when the port 20 is opened. Locating the second outlet port 20 close to the exit port 14 also reduces the occurrence of fluid back flow up the central riser 18 which may unseat the first stopper 26. In addition, the length of the minor riser 23 is selected to be minimal so that the path length that the flush liquid 40 has to travel from the mouth of second outlet port 22 to the body of central riser 18 is minimal.

In the preferred embodiment, the second outlet port 22 is also located on top of the minor riser 23 and the minor riser 23 extends out from the central riser 18 at about a 45° angle to provide a direct, linear path for the water to flow to directly enter the exit port 14. However, the angle may be varied, based upon the length o£ the minor riser 23, location of the minor riser 23 on the central riser 18, or the location of the second outlet port 22, is such that when the second outlet port 22 is opened, the flush liquid 40 travels in a direct, linear path into the exit port 14, thereby maximizing the pressure flow of the flush liquid 40 from the outlet port 22 to the exit port 14. However, the more horizontal that the second stopper 28 is mounted, the easier it is to seat the stopper 28 and the greater the volume of flush liquid 40 that can be evacuated.

To further maximize the flow pressure of the flush liquid 40 during evacuation, the diameters of the central riser 18, the first outlet port 20, and the second outlet port 22 are each selected to be about equal to, or greater than, the diameter of the exit port 14. The dual flush apparatus 10 may be retrofittable into a conventional toilet tank 12 or be a component part in a new toilet. Hence, in the preferred embodiment, the dimensions of the apparatus' 10 are such that it conforms to industry standards. The central riser 18 has a pair of shoulders 54 at its base which, in the preferred embodiment, extend out 5/8" to accommodate an inner rubber washer 56 located between the shoulder 54 and the exit port 14 to form a seal between the shoulders 54 and the exit port 14 inside of the tank 12. Similarly, an outer rubber washer 58, located at the exterior of the exit port 14 to form a seal between the exit port 14 outside of the tank 12 and exit pipe 15. The exit pipe 15 is the portion of the central riser 18 beneath the shoulders 54 which fits into the exit port 14 at the base of the toilet tank 12. In the preferred embodiment, the exit pipe 15 is threaded and an inner diameter of (ID) of 2 inches and a height of ~.\ inches. The washers 56, 58 are held in place, to form a waterproof seal, by tightening a conventional locknut 60 on the threaded exit pipe 15 after the outside washer 58 has been placed between the exterior of the tank 12.

In the preferred embodiment, the body of the central riser 18 has a 2%" outer diameter (O.D.), is 5 ⁿ high, and has walls 1/16" thick. The outer diameter of the first outlet port 20 and of the second outlet port 22 are 2 " . Hence, the first stopper 26 and second stopper 28 have a 2 ⁿ O.D.

The stoppers 26, 28 may be conventional stoppers if the apparatus 10 is being retrofitted into a conventional toilet tank 12, the single stopper in the toilet tank may be used as the first stopper 26. The apparatus 10 may be fabricated out of any suitable plumbing material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, H.D.P.E., or materials exhibiting similar properties and characteristics.

In the preferred embodiment, the first stopper 26 is responsive to the rotation of the flush handle 16 in the counterclockwise direction. When the handle 16 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the first arm 30 rotates in a counter clockwise direction, raising chain 36 and separating stopper 26 from outlet port 20. At the same time, the first linkage arm 32a moves upward in a vertical direction and second linkage arm ^*32b rotates clockwise. Second stopper 28 remains seated on second outlet port 22.

The second stopper 28 is responsive to the rotation of the flush handle 16 in a clockwise direction. When the flush handle 16 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the first linkage arm 32a pivots about joint 31 and moves downward thereby causing the second linkage arm 32b to pivot about the pivot point 34 and to raise up, thereby lifting off the second stopper 28 from the second outlet port 22.

The toilet flushing mechanism 10 may also be designed such that the first stopper 26 is responsive to the handle 16 being rotated in a clockwise direction and the second stopper 28 is responsive to the handle 16 being rotated in a counterclockwise direction. Referring to Figure 3, the toilet flushing apparatus 10 also has an adjustable overflow tube 24 which extends vertically up above the top of the central riser 18. The adjustable overflow tube 24 permits the height of the tube to be adjusted so that the apparatus 10 may be used in toilet tanks of different heights. In the preferred embodiment, the overflow tube 24 is comprised of two parts: a threaded separable upper overflow tube 24a and a corresponding threaded lower overflow tube 24b. The lower overflow tube 24b may be an integral part of the central riser 18.

The inner diameter of the upper overflow tube 24a is equal to the outer diameter of the lower overflow tube 24b. The height of the overflow tube 24 is controlled by the amount that the two tubes 24a, 24b are screwed together. However, the minimum height that the overflow tube 24 can be adjusted is dependent upon the distance between the top of the lower tube 24b and the point at which lower tube 24b joins central riser 18. In the preferred embodiment, the upper overflow tube 24a is a standard threaded PVC pipe that fits a PVC threaded collar. In addition, the preferred diameter of the overflow tube 24 is 1" O.D.

Referring to Figure 4, an alternate overflow tube 124 is illustrated. The alternate overflow tube 124 is friction fit tube which is also comprised of two parts: an upper friction tube 124a and a lower friction tube 124b. The tubes 124a, 124b are non-threaded; rather they are held together by two O-rings 126, mounted around the lower friction tube 124b, and separated and surrounded by a shoulders 128 formed around the perimeter of the lower friction tube 124b. The shoulders 128 holds the O-rings 126 in place. The outer diameter of the lower friction tube 124b is smaller than the inner diameter of the upper friction tube 124a. Hence, the tubes 124a, 124b are "friction fitted" together by pressing the upper friction tube 124a over the O-rings 126 and shoulder 128 on the lower, friction tube 124b. In the preferred apparatus, the outer diameter of the lower friction tube 124b is approximately 1-1/16" and the inner diameter of the upper friction tube 124a is approximately 1-3/16". The above arrangement forms a leak proof seal which prevents the flushing liquid 40 from leaking out.

To adjust the height of the overflow tube 124, the two tubes 124a, 124b are pulled apart or pushed together. In the preferred embodiment, the overflow tube 124 is also made out of standard PVC piping and the distance between the O-rings 126 is about ⁿ . The separation distance 64 between the lower overflow tube 24b and the central riser 18 is at least 3/4" to provide enough clearance between the edge of the first stopper 26 and the edge of the upper overflow tube 24a.

Having thus described the invention, it is recognized that those skilled in the art may make various modifications or additions to the preferred embodiment chosen to illustrate the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present contribution to the art. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the protection sought and to be afforded hereby should be deemed to extend to the subject matter claimed and all equivalents thereof within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A toilet flushing mechanism for use in a toilet tank having an exit port and a means for providing a flushing liquid into the tank, the toilet flushing mechanism comprising: a central riser having a first outlet port and a second outlet port spaced vertically apart from the first outlet port wherein the central riser has a top side, a bottom side and a main body; a flush lever mounted for rotation on the toilet tank and having an arm portion which is rotatable to at least a first position and a second position; first means for blocking the first outlet port and second means for blocking the second outlet port; and linkage means responsive to the rotation of the arm portion of the flush lever for controlling the first and the second means for blocking, the linkage means having a first linkage member coupled to the first means for blocking and a second linkage member coupled to the second means for blocking, the first linkage member having a substantially vertical first rigid section which is coupled at one end to the arm portion of the flush lever and a second rigid section which is coupled at one end to the first rigid section for articulation therewith, and which is pivotally coupled to the central riser at a point between the first and second outlet ports such that when the flush lever is in the first position the first outlet port is opened and when the flush lever is in the second position, the second outlet port is opened.

2. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein: the flushing liquid is evacuated through the exit port and the exit port has a diameter associated therewith; the first outlet port has a first diameter associated therewith and the second outlet port has a second diameter associated therewith, wherein the first and the second diameters are about the same as or greater than the diameter of the exit port and wherein the flushing liquid may be evacuated through the first outlet port when the flush lever is in the first position and the flushing liquid may be evacuated through the second outlet port when the flush lever is in the second position; the first outlet port is located on the central riser such that when the flushing liquid is evacuated through the first outlet port, the flushing liquid flows substantially vertically and directly into the exit port; and the second outlet port is located on the central riser substantially vertically such that when the flushing liquid is evacuated through the second outlet port, the flushing liquid flows directly into the exit port.

3. The apparatus of Claims l or 2, further comprising: a minor riser spaced vertically apart from the first outlet port and having the second outlet port.

4. The apparatus of Claim 3, wherein the minor riser has a minimal length associated therewith and is mounted on the central riser at an angle such that when the flushing liquid flows through the second outlet port, the flushing liquid flows substantially directly and linearly to the exit port.

5. The apparatus of Claim 4, wherein the second outlet port is located at the top of the minor riser.

6. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the first outlet port is positioned substantially parallel to the exit port.

7. The apparatus of Claim 6, wherein the first outlet port is located on the top side of the central riser.

8. The apparatus of Claim 2, wherein the location of the second outlet port is selected so that when the flushing liquid is evacuated through the second outlet port, substantially all of the flushing liquid in the toilet tank is evacuated.

9. The apparatus of Claims 1 or 2, further comprising: means coupled to the central riser for providing an adjustable overflow tube for adjusting the height of the overflow tube.

10. The apparatus of Claim 2, wherein: the central riser has a diameter associated therewith, the riser diameter being about the same or greater than the exit port diameter.

11. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the flush lever has a nominal position and: the first position of the flush lever is in a counterclockwise direction from the nominal position and the second position is in a clockwise direction from the nominal position; the first means for blocking is responsive to rotation of the flush lever in the counterclockwise direction; and the second means for blocking is responsive to rotation of the flush lever in the clockwise direction.

12. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the flush lever has a nominal position and: the first position of the flush lever is in a clockwise direction from the nominal position and the second position is in a counterclockwise direction from the nominal position; the first means for blocking is responsive to rotation of the flush lever in the clockwise direction; and the second means for blocking is responsive to rotation of the flush lever in the counterclockwise direction.

13. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein: the linkage means supports the flush lever in a nominal position.

14. The apparatus of Claim 9, wherein: the overflow tube is comprised of an upper overflow tube and a lower overflow tube coupled to the central riser, and wherein the upper overflow tube is separable from the lower overflow tube.

15. The apparatus of Claim 14, wherein: the upper overflow tube is friction-fitted to the lower overflow tube.

16. The apparatus of Claim 14, wherein: the lower overflow tube is threaded on its exterior surface and the upper overflow tube is threaded on its interior surface such that the upper overflow tube screws onto the lower overflow tube.