WO2006056782A1

WO2006056782A1 - Toilet flushing apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2006056782A1
Application number: PCT/GB2005/004514
Authority: WO
Inventors: Clorindo Diaz-Perez
Original assignee: Clorindo Diaz-Perez
Priority date: 2004-11-25
Filing date: 2005-11-23
Publication date: 2006-06-01
Also published as: GB0523807D0; GB2421252A; GB2421252B; GB0425953D0

Abstract

The combination of flushing apparatus and a cistern having an outlet (2), the apparatus comprising a valve (1) for closing the outlet (2) and float means (3, 4) to operate the valve, operation of said float means being controlled by the buoyancy of the float means (3, 4) in said cistern and by one or more operating mechanisms (A, B, C, D, E) to provide one or more of the following functions: a long flush; a short flush; a delayed flush; override of a delayed flush setting characterised in that at least one of said operating mechanisms (A, B, C, D, E) is located internally of a buoyancy chamber (4r, 4c) of said float means (3, 4).

Description

TOILET FLUSHING APPARATUS

DESCRIPTION

Technical Field

This invention relates to toilet flushing apparatus and is particularly concerned with such apparatus in combination with a cistern and of the kind having a flush delay capability and dual flush capability whereby either a long flush or a short flush can be selected.

Background Art

Toilet flushing apparatus of this kind is known, for example, from International Patent Publication WO-01/25552 (PCT/GBOO/03822, priority GB99933642.4 of 6 October 1999). This said kind of toilet flushing apparatus is provided in combination with a cistern having an outlet and comprises a valve for closing the outlet, the valve having a seat and a sealing member movable onto and off the seat, an actuating float constrained to move substantially vertically in the cistern and connected with the sealing member so that the buoyancy of the float acts to press the sealing member onto the seat, means for holding the float against its buoyancy, and an actuation mechanism for releasing the float thereby to open the valve . Embodiments of the said kind of toilet flushing apparatus can provide for "delayed flush" which means that the flushing apparatus can be set for flush action while the cistern is empty or not yet full, and then will discharge automatically when the cistern fills to a predetermined level. Such embodiments also provide a capability for "overriding flush action" which means that the "delayed flush" operation can be overridden to avoid flush action while the toilet pan (w.c) is in use.

With toilet flushing apparatus of the said kind there is a possibility for breakage while in transit or during installation, and for malfunctions to occur which may be caused by corrosive or other elements of the water. Summary of the Invention

It is therefore considred desirable to provide an improved flushing apparatus of the said kind in which such possibilities are obviated or at least reduced.

Towards this end, one aspect of this invention provides, in combination, flushing apparatus and a cistern having an outlet, the apparatus comprising a valve for closing the outlet and float means to operate the valve, operation of said float means being controlled by the buoyancy of the float means in said cistern and by one or more operating mechanisms to provide one or more of the following functions: • a long flush;

• a short flush;

• a delayed flush;

• override of a delayed flush setting characterised in that at least one of said operating mechanisms is located internally of a buoyancy chamber of said float means.

Embodiments of the invention can thus provide toilet flushing apparatus of the said kind wherein elements of latching means and operation control mechanisms for the apparatus are incorporated within a trapped air chamber.

Preferably said float means comprises a primary float and a secondary float, said buoyancy chamber containing said at least one operating mechanism being provided within the primary float, and parts of said at least one operating mechanism being mounted on the secondary float.

Advantageously at least one of said floats is floodable to a pre-determined depth with water from the cistern to increase the weight of the float or floats.

Preferably the floodable float or floats is/are provided with vertically spaced apertures any one or more of which can be opened to permit ingress of water to the level of the or the most upward aperture. Alternatively or additionally the floodable float or floats is/are provided with an L- shaped inlet pipe, the angular position of which determines the level of water in the float or floats.

Preferably at least one of said floats is provided with means to adjust its vertical extent

According to another aspect of this invention there is provided flushing apparatus for use with a cistern to provide a combination according to said one aspect of this invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

Figure IA is a schematic cross-sectional view through toilet flushing apparatus, according to this invention, in a cistern, showing the valve closed such that no flush action occurs;

Figure IB shows one of the apparatus control mechanisms of the toilet flushing apparatus shown in Fig IA;

Figure 2 is a partial side view of part of a primary float and with a buoyant and floodable reservoir above it, and illustrates a modified arrangement of providing variable flooded levels for the reservoir to that shown in Fig IA;

Figure 3 shows a flush selection and control mechanism of the apparatus of Fig IA;

Figures 4A and 4B show parts of mechanisms for effecting the dual flush, short flush, and long flush of the apparatus of Fig IA; and Figure 5 shows a modified arrangement of the mechanism shown in Figs IA and IB.

Description of Illustrated Embodiment

Referring to the drawings, flushing apparatus according to the present invention is shown (Fig IA) mounted in a cistern, and the force to lift open an outlet valve 1, 2 is provided by the buoyancy of a set of floats 3, 4. Float 3 has a generally cylindrical form of circular outer perimeter and has a central tubular wall 3b that extends upwardly past the top wall 3t of the float 3. This wall 3b is slidably mounted around the lower depending part of tubular wall 4t extending centrally through the top wall of float 4. Both the lower and upwardly protruding parts of tubular wall 4t serve to guide float 4 such as to be freely movable slidably on a vertical hollow overflow and valve actuating tube 10. The tube 10 carries at its lower end a valve sealing ring 1 in an annular holder

9 and a valve seat is located around the cistern's outlet pipe.

Float 4 is also generally cylidrical but has a generally rectangular or square outer perimeter. In the arrangement of Fig IA, float 4 has a water inlet provided by an L- shaped tube 5t which has its horizontal lower limb mounted swivellably at the bottom of a vertical wall 4b of the float 4. By swivelling L-shaped tube 5t, the level of the water inlet mouth 5a of tube 5t can be varied to vary the level of reservoir water provided in, and partially flooding, the float 4 and thus can serve to vary the buoyancy of float 4. By setting the angular position of tube 5t, the water level in the cistern is effectively set — as is further explained below.

The set of floats, comprising a primary float 4 and a secondary float 3 of the toilet flushing apparatus of Fig 1, provide a combination of trapped air chambers 4c, 3d and 4e formed by inverted cup-like bodies. Chamber 4c houses the apparatus latching and control mechanisms A and B. This ensures that the mechanisms are protected from possible malfunctions which may be caused by corrosive or other elements of the water or by possible breakages which may occur while the apparatus is in transit or while the apparatus is being installed. Chamber 4c acts to prevent secondary float 3 from being subjected to the full weight and pressures generated by the volume of water of a full cistern. This facilitates or eases the dislodgment of the seal 1 from the seat 2 which is the action that requires the most lifting force. During flush action when primary float 4 has returned from the high position 4f to the lower position (the position shown in full), the trapped air within chamber 4c compresses. Because the body of float 3 is to a large extent within chamber 4c of float 4, such compressed air tends to expel the secondary float 3 causing it to drop from the high, valve open position 3c to the lower, valve closed position (the position shown in full). Such action will occur even if primary float 3 may still be fully submerged and well below the water level.

Primary float 4 is a two-part inverted generally cup-like cylindrical container composed of a lower part 4a and an upper part 4b. Lower part 4a has a closed top end wall and an open bottom. The top end wall supports reservoir 4r and is integral with an inner and through-going vertical tube 4t. The reservoir 4r provides buoyancy when empty or serves as a weight when flooded. The reservoir 4r has vertical walls and (as already explained) an L-shaped tube 5t is rotatably fitted by its horizontal limb through one of the walls for flooding the reservoir 4r. The upper part of 4b of primary float 4 has a generally closed top-end wall and an open bottom end. The top end wall is integral with an inner and through-going vertical tube 4d that is slidingly fitted around the upper portion of tube 4t. The primary float's upper part 4b can be selectively moved vertically upward to a pre-set height so that the reservoir 4r fills with water (through rotary tube 5t) to a level in accordance with the position of the lower-end 41 of the float's upper part 4b, the level to which reservoir remains flooded being determined by the position of the open upper end or mouth 5a of the rotatably positioned L-shaped tube 5t. Thus the chamber or reservoir 4r functions as a buoyancy chamber or as a weight whereby the apparatus can function hi cisterns of different configuration and where different specific volumes of water are to be discharged (irrespective of the volume of water contained in the cistern).

In a modified arrangement, the rotatable tube 5t is omitted and, instead, a plurality of holes, with associated removable closure members, is provided in a vertical array in one of the reservoir walls, see Fig 2, so that the reservoir 4r can be flooded to different pre-set levels by selectively exposing a pre-set number of the holes.

The secondary float 3 is also an inverted cylindrical cup-like container having a closed top-end wall integral with an inner and through-going vertical tube 3b to provide the float 3 as a generally annular chamber 3d. A set of openings 3a adjacent the lower mouth of float 3 allows chamber 3d and tube 3b to partially flood. Water within tube 3b acts to form an air-lock so that no air can escape upward through the centre tube 4t. The lower end of the secondary float 3 attaches to the seal holder 9 which supports the overflow tube 10 of the apparatus.

The primary float's extendable upper part 4b functions such that if the apparatus is fitted into cisterns having high water levels, such part 4b can be extended so that the end wall would be just below the water level rather than deeply below that level. This is so that any loss of buoyancy will be minimum. It is known that the weight of the volume of water directed onto the valve seal increases if it is subject to greater volumes and levels of water, and that the buoyancy of floats decreases as the trapped air within a float chamber compresses further if it is deeply submerged. By providing the floodable extension of upper part 4b to the float 4 ensures that the reservoir 4r can fill with water and thus increase in weight and force primary float 4 to return from the high position 4f to the lower position (position shown in full) even if the float's lower part 4a may still be fully submerged and well below the water line.

Fig IA shows the operating mechanism A located within primary float 4 and prior to activation (no action shown). The operating mechanism A comprises a supporting frame 14, pivot arm 15, primary lever 16 and vertical slot 14a of which one wall provides an undercut or ledge 14b. Arm 15 has a lateral projection 15b; primary lever

16 pivotally supports arm 15; pin 16a —projecting laterally form primary lever 16 — fits slidingly through a slot 17a in a secondary lever 17. One end of secondary lever

17 pivots at lug 18 of a bracket attached to the float 3. The other end of secondary lever 17 is constrained to move substantially in sliding rocking motion by the limb 19a of a bifurcated end of a bracket 19 which extends downwardly and around the bottom edge of the secondary float 4 to be snap-attached, clipped or otherwise fastened to the secondary float at 19b.

In operation: clockwise rotation of arm 15 disengages projection 15b from the undercut or ledge 14b thereby releasing primary float 4 and allowing it, in rising freely, to engage detent 10a and so lift tube 10 to open the outlet valve 1,2 for flush action. The coupling of actuating floats 3 and 4 via secondary latching lever 17 ensures that the weight of such floats acts to reset the mechanism at the end of flush action, as shown at A.

In Fig IB broken lines show the operating mechanism when the valve is open and the actuating floats 3, 4 are at the high or raised positions. The solid lines show the position of bracket 19 when primary float 4 has returned to adopt a pre-flush action position and when the secondary float 3 remains at the raised or high valve-open position. It is from this raised or high position that float 3 can drop to end flush action and reset such mechanism in readiness for holding the actuating float 4 against its buoyancy.

The main chassis for the apparatus is an upright support in the form of a reservoir 11 which has a bottom end wall 11a, inner and outer walls lib and lie, windows Hd in the outer wall lie, and a metering valve 13 for regulating the reservoir outflow rate.

The lower end of reservoir 11 is snap-fitted onto the apparatus base 12. The primary float 4 fits slidingly within wall lie, the overflow tube 10 being slidingly surrounded by tube 4t which, in turn, is partly slidingly surrounded by tube 3b. The secondary float 3 is thus slidingly surrounded by the inner wall lib of reservoir 11. This arrangement thus ensures that trapped air within chamber 4c (of float 4) cannot escape, and that such air compresses when secondary float 3 is at the high or raised position 3c (corresponding to valve open) and that when the primary float 4 has returned from the high or raised position 4f to the lower pre-flush position, such compressed air acts to expel secondary float 3 from within chamber 4c for ending flush action, even though it may be below the water line and fully submerged.

As mentioned above, Fig 2 of the accompanying drawings shows an alternative or an additional feature whereby the reservoir 4r can also be filled, and be maintained filled, through a plurality of holes 4h vertically spaced apart and located in one of the reservoir walls. In this arrangement, during flush action, water can drain out of the reservoir through the plurality of holes, but this has little or no effect on the function of the reservoir as a weight because during flush action the cistern drains off fast and any amount drained off the reservoir would be insignificant in comparison.

Fig 3 of the accompanying drawings shows the flush selection mechanisms which comprise a frame 20, a lever 23 pivoted to frame 20 by pivot 23a, a primary latch 24 pivoted to frame 20 by pivot 24a, and secondary latch 25 and a catch 26. The frame 20 and associated latches fit into chamber 4c of float 4 in the region 4c indicated by the arrow E in Fig IA. A set of links (not shown) connected to the free ends 22, 22a and 22b of the latches 24,25 and catch 26 pass through window 1 Ie and its stopper 1 If (see Fig 1) and from there onwards through the cistern walls and/or the cistern cover (not shown). Lever 23, which pivots at 23a, engages one end of a U-bend structure U (see also Fig IA). Primary latch 24, which pivots at 24a and connects to link 22, has a lateral projection 24b and engages the secondary latch 25 at 25c. Latch 25, which connects to link 22a, synchronises with primary latch 24 such that rotation of latch 25 also rotates latch 24. Catch 26 has a projecting ledge 26a which sits on the top end tip of primary latch 24.

Operation can proceed as follows:

For effecting 'short flush' —and with the cistern filled with water —actuation of latch

24 actuates lever 23 thereby releasing U-bend U (i.e. permitting it to rise) and thus setting free the initiation float 7 which rises and, via rod 8 and U-bend U causes rotation of arm 15 to effect release of float 4 thereby setting it free to rise and effect opening of the valve.

For effecting 'long flush' —and with the cistern filled with water —actuation of latch

25 actuates lever 23 and actuates latch 27, the lever 23 for releasing the U-bend U (as for 'short flush' actuation) and the latch 27 for clearing the path for the projection 4p and thus permitting float 4 to rise higher. For effecting 'delayed flush' —with the cistern empty or not (yet) full —actuation of either the short or long flush activating levers 24 or 25 effects release of lever 23 from the path of the U-bend structure U and thus ensures that flush action (either short flush or long flush depending on whether lever 24 or 25 was activated) will occur when the cistern becomes fully filled and the initiating float 7 rises. This 'delayed flush' setting can be over-ridden by actuation of catch 26 such that the mechanism is reset and no flush action occurs.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing and from Fig 3 that, in operation, activation of link 22 upsets latch 24 and moves it and lever 23 angularly clockwise thereby moving lever 23 out of the vertical path to be traversed by the U-Bend U and also permitting catch 26 to drop so that ledge 26a retains latch 24 at the rotated position. This position is retained until an upwardly directed projection 4p on float 4 engages the lower end 22b of catch 26 as float 4 rises. Activation of link 22a upsets latch 24 and 25 and moves them angularly clockwise thereby moving lever 23 out of the vertical path to be traversed by the U-bend U and also permitting catch 26 to drop further so that ledge 26a retains both latches 24 and 25. This condition is retained until the lower end 22b of catch 26 is engaged by the upwardly directed projection 4p as the primary float 4 rises. Activation of link end 22b will disengage catch 26 from any of the activated latches so that no flush action occurs. It is to be understood that actuation of the activation latches sets free the initiating float 7(see Fig 1) permitting it to rise and in consequence to allow primary float 4 to rise freely whereby the rising of float 7 lifts rod 8 which in turn lifts U-bend U and in consequence sets free the actuating floats 3,4 of the apparatus allowing them them to rise and open the valve 1,2.

Figure 4A of the accompanying drawings shows an operating mechanism D which provides the short flush arrangement within chamber 4c (Fig IA). In this arrangement a latch 30 pivots at 30a on a support attached to float 3. The latch has a projection 30b, a relatively light end 30c and a relatively heavy end 30d. The relatively heavy end 30d tends to rotate latch 30 anti-clockwise so that a projection 30b on the support engages at 3 Ia on a catch 31 to hold the outlet valve open. This open condition is held operative until latch 30 is engaged at 30c by the primary float 4 falling to adopt pre- flush position. Thus the duration of the short flush is determined by the rate that primary float 4 is set to fall by the weight of the flooded reservoir 4r.

Figure 4B of the accompanying drawings shows an operating mechanism E which provides the long flush arrangement within chamber 4c. In this arrangement a latch 32 pivots at 32a on a lug 33 fixed to the float 3. The latch 32 has a lateral projection 32b and is provided with a relatively heavy end 32c and a long projecting limb 32c terminating in a relatively light end 32d. In operation of this long flush arrangement, primary float 4 is permitted to rise further so that projection 32b engages catch 34 at

34a which otherwise remains neutral until displaced (or knocked off) catch 34 by the weight of a relatively small (or tiny) float 35 that is linked to relatively light end 32d by a rod 35a. The buoyancy of float 35 is relatively weak but sufficient to be buoyant so that, during flush action, as the level of the water within the reservoir drops, the weight of float 35 is transmitted via the leverage of the relatively light end 32d to release latch 32 from the latched position, the countering weight of relatively heavy end 32c is relatively weak and, although sufficient for rotating latch 32, it is insufficient for slowing down or inhibiting rising of the primary float 4. The duration of the long flush is thus determined by the rate that float 35 is set to fall and this is achieved by regulating reservoir 11 outflow via control valve 13.

Optionally, and as shown in Fig IA, float 4 may be composed of two superimposed structures of generally inverted-cup-like form that are relatively slidable along the upper part of tube 4t. These upper and lower float structures are fixed to one another, selectively, in any one of a plurality of positions to provide a variable volumetric capacity for the two structure combination that consitutes float 4. This arrangement provides for size adjustability of the float 4 and allows for easy "tuning" of the apparatus to cisterns of different shapes and capacities.

The modification shown in Fig 5 of the accompanying drawings provides an alternative mechanism to that shown at A and B Figs IA and IB. This modification has a lever 15 which pivots at 15a and catches a swivelling catch 40 at an undercut notch at 15b. Swivelling catch 40 pivots at 40a and has a laterally projecting pin 40b that extends through a sloping groove or slot 40 provided in a vertically sliding bracket 41a. The bracket 41a has a laterally projecting pin 41b extending through a hole in a lever 17. The lever 17 has bifurcated ends encompassing pins that are provided, at one end, on a support fixed to float 3 and, at the other end, to a modified U-shaped structure 19c attached to the bottom of float 4 (in like manner to U-shaped structure 19 of Fig 1). In operation, actuating float 4 forces pin 40b to slide away from the vertical position (the position shown) to follow the path indicated by the arcuate arrow, thereby clearing the path for bracket 41a to rise. The position of the pivot pin 40a vertically above the projecting pin 40b is such as to dampen the upward lifting energy of the floats effected by pivot pin 40a. Thus disengagement of lever 15 from catch 40 can be a relatively easy 'feather light' operation.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that preferred embodiments of the present invention can provide an advanced flushing system which, although revolutionary in the field, is of ergonomic and aesthetic design comprising, in combination, a cistern (not shown) and a flushing apparatus, such apparatus

1. operating by the energy generated by a combination of actuating floats 3 and 4, float 4 being of fixed size or, as preferred, provided with an upper portion 4b that is mounted adjustably, e.g. as by a peg or clip (not shown) on the upper portion 4b entering into a selected one of a plurality of vertically aligned recesses in an exterior wall of the lower portion, to provide for vertical extension of the two-part float (4,4r) and carrying aloft a buoyant and floodable reservoir 4r having floodable means,

2. comprising means 5t to maintain flooded such reservoir to a pre-set and desirable level, the combination of actuating floats having compressible trapped air chambers with means for compressing and for decompressing such trapped air, 3. comprising control means for overriding the combined action generated by such set of actuating floats, and 4. comprising means for protecting the apparatus control from being subject to corrosive elements of the water in the cistern, for protecting a member float from being subjected to the full weight and pressures generated by the volume of water and for expelling such member float to fall from the raised or high valve open position to the lowered valve closed position which ends flush action.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the illustrated embodiments of the invention have operational characteristics which include the following:

1. If the water in the cistern is very low then the float 4 is in its lowermost position and the float-actuated valve seal holder 9 is in its lowermost position (Fig IA). However, if the water in the cistern is high, then the float 4 is raised and the reservoir 4r within it becomes filled with water via tube 5t and/or holes 4h and urges float 3 downwards — float 3 sliding with respect to the innermost overflow tube 10.

2. As the float 7 (located externally of the upper part of float 4) rises, it engages a top abutment on a rod 8 — that passes through a central tube 7a within float 7 — and raises that rod 8. The lower end of rod 8 is adjustably connected to the base of U-bend structure U such that upwards movement of rod 8 pulls the U- bend structure U upwards with it. The U-bend structure U, which has a laterally-directed extension, then engages the projecting free end of locking lever 15 and tries to release it (i.e. disengage it from its locked condition). Locking lever 15 is initially held locked by the notch or undercut ledge 14b such that the vertical lever 16 holds, in generally horizontal condition, the laterally directed lever 17 that projects into the yoke of bifurcation 19a of part 19 (see Fig IB).

3. The upper float 4, with its upper part 4b and the reservoir 4r above it, and the lower float 3 all move upwards in unison when the apparatus is operated to flush the cistern. By providing the upper float 4 with its upper part 4b adjustably settable in position with respect to one another, the overall buoyancy of the two-part float 4,4r can be set to avoid a loss of buoyancy if the cistern dimensions are such that the two-part float 4,4r would otherwise be too deep below the water level in the cistern.

4. From Fig 3 (which shows an operating mechanism located within the float 4 in the zone referenced E in Fig IA) it will be apparent that a leftwards pull on the link-attached end 22 of latch 24 will move latch 24 and its pin 24b angularly clockwise and thereby move stop lever 23 angularly clockwise thereby to permit the U-bend structure U to rise. This determines and controls the "short flush" operation (e.g no more than 4 litres, preferably 3 litres).

If the link-attached end 22a of lever 25 is pulled leftwards, lever 25 will move angularly clockwise (on the same pivot axis as 24a) and engage upwardly projecting portion 24c of limb 24.

As limb 25 moves angularly clockwise a depending extension 25e of lever 25 engages the upper end of a joggle lever 27 which moves angularly anti- clockwise such that its tapered lower end 27t moves out of the path of projection 4p of float 4 as the latter rises. Float 4 can thus rise further than when joggle lever 27 is in the position shown in Fig 3 in which position is limits rising of the float 4 and serves determine the volume of water dischargeable during a "short flush". Thus the lever 25 provides a determination and control for the "long flush" operation (e.g. a maximum of

6 litres).

Lever or catch 26 has an extendion 26a that rests on top of lever 24 such that clockwise rotation of lever 24 permits the catch 26 to hold the lever 24 at its clockwise rotated position. Likewise, if lever 25 is moved angularly clockwise it also moves lever 24 clockwise —and lever 27 anticlockwise — andall three will likewise be held in their respective rotated postions by the rotated catch 26. This holding action remains until released by counter rotation of catch 26 either by projection 4p of a rising float 4 or by actuating the link that is attached to end 22b of catch 26being pulled leftwards to move catch 26 angularly clockwise thereby permitting either the set lever 24 to return from its activated "short flush" position and become reset to its rest position or permitting the set levers 25, 24 and 27 to return from their activated "long flush" positions to their rest positions. Thus, if an individual wishes to use the W. C. whilst the cistern is being filled and the apparatus has been set for "delayed flush", this "delayed flush" setting or arrangement can be overridden by actuating the link attached to end 22b of lever 26 to release the latch from levers 24 and 25 —whichever one has been set for "delayed flush" —thus ensuring that no flush action occurs while the W. C. is being used.

5. The body 31 (Fig 4A) is attached to wall lib of the main exterior carcass-like structure 11 and has a notch 31a that can be engaged by a pin 30b provided on a support secured to the top of float 3. When the floats 3,4 rise in unison, pin 30b rises until it engages into notch 31a to hold the valve seat 2 in its open condition. As the cistern empties, the float 4 descends until it engages the lateral extension 30c of lever 30 that is pivoted at 30a. This results in clockwise angular movement of lever 30 and a resultant sideways pushing of pin 30b out of and off the ledge 31a. This action is associated with "short flush" operation.

For "long flush" operation, it is the mechanism E of Fig 4B that is operative. This is similar to the mechanism D of Fig 4A but the longer lever 32e is not actuable by the fall of float 4. Instead it is actuated (as explained above) by falling of the small float 35.

6. The alternative mechanism of Fig 5 has a lever 15 pivoted at one end 15a and moved upwards (i.e. clockwise) when actuated in response to upward movement of float 4. Lever 15 has a notch 15b engaged by a cut-out in the top of a catch 40 that is pivoted at 40a and is provided with a pin 40b projecting into an inclined slot or groove 41 in a vertically slidable bracket 41a. The bracket 41a has a pin 41b projecting into a transverse limb or lever 17. The latter has one end (the left-hand end when viewed as shown) bifurcated and pivotably mounted by that bifurcation on a pin that is fast with the lower float

3 so as to be movable therewith. The other end of transverse limb or lever 17 is also bifurcated and is pivotably mounted by that bifurcation on a pin projecting from a limb 19c attached (in similar fashion to that limb 19 of Fig 1) to the vertical wall of float 4. In use, the rising of float 4 pushes part 19c upwards trying to raise the bifurcated right-hand end of lever 17 but this is restrained by the interlock provided by engagement of notch 15b by the top of catch 40.

Other modifications and embodiments of the invention, which will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art, are to be deemed within the ambit and scope of the invention, and the particular embodiment(s) hereinbefore described may be varied in construction and detail, e.g. interchanging (where appropriate or desired) different features of each, without departing from the scope of the patent monopoly hereby sought.

Claims

1. The combination of flushing apparatus and a cistern having an outlet (2), the apparatus comprising a valve (1) for closing the outlet (2) and float means (3,4) to operate the valve, operation of said float means being controlled by the buoyancy of the float means (3,4) in said cistern and by one or more operating mechanisms (A, B, C, D, E) to provide one or more of the following functions:

- a long flush;

- a short flush; - a delayed flush;

- override of a delayed flush setting characterised in that at least one of said operating mechanisms (A, B, C, D, E) is located internally of a buoyancy chamber (3d, 4c) of said float means (3, 4).

2. A combination as claimed in Claim 1 characterised in that said float means (3,

4) comprises a primary float (4) and a secondary float (3), in that said buoyancy chamber (4c) containing said one operating mechanism is provided within the primary float (4), and in that parts of said at least one operating mechanism (A, B, C, D, E) are mounted on the secondary float (3).

3. A combination according to Claim 2 characterised in that at least one of said floats (3, 4) is floodable to a pre-determined depth with water from the cistern to increase the weight of the float or floats (3, 4).

4. A combination according to Claim 3 characterised in that the floodable float or floats (3, 4) is/are provided with vertically spaced apertures any one or more of which can be opened to permit ingress of water to the level of the or the most upward aperture.

5. A combination according to Claim 3 or Claim 4 characterised in that the floodable float or floats (3, 4) is/are provided with an L-shaped inlet pipe (5t) the angular position of which determines the level of water in the float or floats (3, 4).

6. A combination according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that at least one of said floats is provided with means to adjust its vertical extent and hence its buoyancy.

7. Flushing apparatus for use with a cistern to provide a combination as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims.