U.S. patent application number 10/907520 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-20 for dual flush control mechanism and toilet incorporating the same.
Invention is credited to Bayer, Seth.
Application Number | 20050229298 10/907520 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46304269 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050229298 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bayer, Seth |
October 20, 2005 |
Dual Flush Control Mechanism and Toilet Incorporating the Same
Abstract
A toilet flush control has a base member that secures to the
toilet tank and supports an actuator shaft for rotational movement
about a first axis. A flush arm is mounted to the base member for
pivotal movement about a second axis that is spaced from the first
axis and connects to the flapper. A float rod has a first end
supported on the shaft whereby movement of the shaft in a first
rotational direction pivots the float arm from a first float rod
position to a second float rod position, and an end of the float
arm is configured to engage the flush arm to move the flush arm to
an intermediate position. A cam element is disposed on the shaft
whereby, when the shaft is rotated in another rotational direction,
the cam moves the flush arm from a first to a second flush arm
position.
Inventors: |
Bayer, Seth; (Boulder,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TIMOTHY J MARTIN, PC
9250 W 5TH AVENUE
SUITE 200
LAKEWOOD
CO
80226
US
|
Family ID: |
46304269 |
Appl. No.: |
10/907520 |
Filed: |
April 4, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10907520 |
Apr 4, 2005 |
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10658903 |
Sep 10, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/325 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03D 5/09 20130101; E03D
1/142 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/325 |
International
Class: |
E03D 001/14; E03D
003/12 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A flush control mechanism adapted to mount in a toilet reservoir
tank that has a tank side wall and a flapper that is operative in a
closed state to prevent dispensing of water in said tank yet
movable to an open state thereby to dispense water from said tank
and into a toilet bowl, comprising: (A) a base member adapted to
secure to the side wall of said tank; (B) an actuator shaft
supported by said base member for rotational movement about a first
axis; (C) a flush arm pivotally mounted at a flush arm first end
portion to said base member for pivotal movement about a second
axis that is spaced-apart from the first axis, said flush arm
pivotable between a first flush arm position to a second flush arm
position through an intermediate flush arm position, said flush arm
including a flush arm second end portion adapted to connect to the
flapper; (D) a float rod including a float rod first end portion
supported on said shaft whereby rotational movement of said shaft
in a first rotational direction pivots said float rod from a first
float rod position to a second float rod position, said float rod
including a float rod second end portion opposite said float rod
first end portion that is configured to engage said flush arm when
said float rod moves from the first float rod position to the
second float rod position thereby to move said flush arm from the
first flush arm position to the intermediate flush arm position;
and (E) at least one cam element secured to said shaft and
operative to act on the flush arm second end portion when said
shaft is rotated in second rotational direction opposite the first
rotational direction thereby to move said flush arm from the first
flush arm position to the second flush arm position.
2. A flush control mechanism according to claim 1 including a limit
stop operative to prevent movement of said float rod past the
second float rod position.
3. A flush control mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said
limit stop includes a stop block disposed on said base member.
4. A flush control mechanism according to claim 1 including a
pintle disposed on said base member to define the second axis, said
first flush arm end portion pivotally mounted to said pintle.
5. A flush control mechanism according to claim 1 including a
manually operable flush handle adapted to mount on said shaft and
operative upon selective manipulation to rotate said shaft in the
first and second rotational directions.
6. A flush control mechanism according to claim 1 including a float
secured to said float rod.
7. A flush control mechanism according to claim 6 including an
elongated float stem having a proximal end secured to said float
rod second end portion and a distal end supporting said float at a
selected position relative to said second float rod end.
8. A flush control mechanism according to claim 7 wherein the
selected position of said float relative to said float rod second
end portion is adjustable.
9. A flush control mechanism according to claim 7 wherein the
proximal end of said float stem is secured by a bracket disposed on
said float rod second end portion.
10. A flush control mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said
float rod second end portion includes a finger extending therefrom
that engages said flush arm second end portion when said float rod
moves from the first float rod position to the second float rod
position thereby to move said flush arm from the first flush arm
position to the intermediate flush arm position.
11. A flush control mechanism according to claim 1 including a
catch disposed on said float rod second end portion.
12. A flush control mechanism according to claim 11 wherein said
catch includes a spring-biased trip lever.
13. A flush control mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said
flush arm has a slot formed in the flush arm second end portion and
including a pin slideably received in the slot, said pin adapted to
connect to the flapper.
14. A flush control mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said
shaft is a hollow cylinder including a side wall having a pair of
opposed slots each extending partially around the circumference
thereof, said float rod first end portion rotatably journaled on
said shaft and including a radial pin extending through the
slots.
15. A flush control mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said
flush arm includes a pair of spaced-apart, generally parallel flush
arm sections with a generally open region therebetween, said float
arm second end portion being interposed between said flush arm
sections.
16. A flush control mechanism according to claim 15 including a
pair of said cam elements secured to said shaft, each said cam
element operative to act on a respective flush arm section when
said shaft is rotated in the second rotational direction.
17. A flush control mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said
flush arm first end portion has a cam surface formed thereon, said
cam operative to engage the cam surface when said shaft is rotated
in second rotational direction.
18. A flush control mechanism adapted to mount in a toilet
reservoir tank that has a tank side wall and a flapper that is
operative in a closed state to prevent dispensing of water in said
tank yet movable to an open state thereby to dispense water from
said tank and into a toilet bowl, comprising: (A) a base member
adapted to secure to the side wall of said tank; (B) an actuator
shaft supported by said base member for rotational movement about a
first axis; (C) a pintle disposed on said base member in
spaced-apart, substantially parallel relation to said shaft to
define a second axis that is substantially parallel to the first
axis; (D) a flush arm pivotally including a flush arm first end
portion pivotally mounted on said pintle for pivotal movement about
the second axis, said flush arm pivotable between a first flush arm
position to a second flush arm position through an intermediate
flush arm position, said flush arm including a flush arm second end
portion adapted to connect to the flapper; (E) a float rod
including a float rod first end portion supported on said shaft
whereby rotational movement of said shaft in a first rotational
direction pivots said float rod from a first float rod position to
a second float rod position, said float rod including a float rod
second end portion opposite said first float rod end portion that
is configured to engage said flush arm when said float rod moves
from the first float rod position to the second float rod position
thereby to move said flush arm from the first flush arm position to
the intermediate flush arm position; (F) a float secured to said
float rod; and (G) at least one cam element secured to said shaft
and operative to act on the flush arm second end portion when said
shaft is rotated in second rotational direction opposite the first
rotational direction thereby to move said flush arm from the first
flush arm position to the second flush arm position.
19. A flush control mechanism according to claim 18 including a
manually operable flush handle adapted to mount on said shaft and
operative upon selective manipulation to rotate said shaft in the
first and second rotational directions.
20. A flush control mechanism according to claim 18 wherein said
float rod second end portion includes a finger extending therefrom
that engages said second flush arm end portion when said float rod
moves from the first float rod position to the second float rod
position thereby to move said flush arm from the first flush arm
position to the intermediate flush arm position.
21. A flush control mechanism according to claim 18 including a
catch disposed on said float rod second end portion.
22. A flush control mechanism according to claim 18 wherein said
flush arm has a slot formed in the flush arm second end portion and
including a pin slideably received in the slot, said pin adapted to
connect to the flapper.
23. A flush control mechanism according to claim 18 wherein said
flush arm first end portion has a cam surface formed thereon, said
cam operative to engage the cam surface when said shaft is rotated
in second rotational direction.
24. A flush control mechanism according to claim 18 including a
limit stop disposed on said base member and operative to prevent
movement of said float rod past the second float rod position.
25. In a toilet including a bowl, a reservoir tank having a tank
interior in fluid communication with said bowl by way of a tank
discharge opening, and a flapper which is operative in a closed
state to close the discharge opening thereby to prevent dispensing
of water said tank yet which is movable to an open state thereby to
dispense water from said tank into said bowl, and wherein said tank
has a side wall, the improvement comprising a flush control
mechanism including a base member secured to the side wall on the
interior of said tank, an actuator shaft rotatably supported by
said base member for rotation about a first axis and projecting
both exteriorly and interiorly of said tank, a handle disposed on
an exterior portion of said shaft, a flush arm pivotally mounted at
a flush arm first end portion to said base member for pivotal
movement about a second axis that is spaced-apart from the first
pivot axis, said flush arm pivotable between a first flush arm
position to a second flush arm position through an intermediate
flush arm position, said flush control arm including a flush arm
second end portion connected to said flapper, a float rod including
a float rod first end portion supported on an interior portion of
said shaft whereby rotational movement of said shaft in a first
rotational direction pivots said float rod from a first float rod
position to a second float rod position, said float rod including a
float rod second end portion opposite said float rod first end
portion that is configured to engage said flush arm when said float
rod moves from the first float rod position to the second float rod
position thereby to move said flush arm from the first flush arm
position to the intermediate flush arm position and thus move said
flapper toward the open position, and at least one cam element
secured to said shaft and operative to act on the second flush arm
end portion when said shaft is rotated in second rotational
direction opposite the first rotational direction thereby to move
said flush arm from the first flush arm position to the second
flush arm position and thus move said flapper toward the open
position.
26. The improvement according to claim 25 including a pintle
disposed on said base member to define the second axis, said float
rod first end portion pivotally mounted to said pintle.
27. The improvement according to claim 25 including a float secured
to said float rod.
28. The improvement according to claim 25 including a catch
disposed on said float rod second end portion.
29. The improvement according to claim 25 wherein said flush arm
has a slot formed in the flush arm second end portion and including
a pin slideably received in the slot, said pin adapted to connect
to the flapper.
30. The improvement according to claim 25 wherein said flush arm
first end portion has a cam surface formed thereon, said cam
operative to engage the cam surface when said shaft is rotated in
second rotational direction.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention broadly concerns flush mechanisms and
toilets which incorporate such flush mechanisms in order to control
water discharge from a toilet tank reservoir through a toilet bowl.
More particularly, the present invention is directed to a dual
flush control mechanism which provides the capability of both a low
volume and a high volume flush at the same flow rate.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Habitation of an area by human population has always been
dependent upon the availability of a clean source of fresh water.
Thus, cities typically have both elaborate fresh water distribution
systems and wastewater collection and treatment facilities. Rural
areas, on the other hand, typically rely on fresh water wells as a
water source and septic tanks for the collection and dispersal of
wastewater. In either case, the availability of clean water is a
precious commodity. This can either result from excessive demand on
a water source or the vary scarcity of water in more arid climates.
Therefore, the conservation of water resources has become
increasingly important in modern times.
[0003] The average American uses about 42 gallons of water per day
for domestic living. Of this consumption, more water is used for
toilet flushing than for any other domestic water application. As
is known, a conventional toilet includes a toilet bowl for the
collection of human waste, either as solid matter (i.e., fecal
waste) or as liquid waste (i.e., urine) and a reservoir or tank
that stores water for use in flushing the contents of the toilet
bowl. This flush tank is therefore in fluid communication with the
toilet bowl through a discharge port. A flapper or other valve
closes this discharge port, but it may be opened to permit water to
flow out of the reservoir and through the toilet bowl. It is well
known that a larger water volume capacity is necessary to flush
solid matter than the volume necessary to sufficiently flush liquid
waste. Nonetheless, the flow rate should be maintained to complete
a flush of either solid or liquid waste materials.
[0004] As a result of these competing needs, toilets are generally
set so as to provide a high volume, high velocity flush in order to
ensure that solid waste is properly disposed. Since the majority of
flushes are used for flushing only liquid waste. this practice
results in the waste of an excessive amount of water during normal
use over a period of time. Indeed, more water is used, and
therefore wasted, for toilet flushing than for any other domestic
water application.
[0005] In response to this problem, dual flush toilets have been
developed to allow the user the choice of selecting between a large
volume flush to dispose of solid waste and a smaller volume flush
to dispose of liquid waste. One such example is shown in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,041,452 issued Mar. 28, 2000 to Hsiao, et al. In the water
saving toilet described in Hsiao, et al, two separate discharge
ports are provided with an upper most opening establishing a low
volume flush and a lower most opening establishing a high volume
flush. Each opening has an independent chain and flapper. Rotation
of the handle in one direction opens one of the flappers while
counter rotation opens the other.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,279 issued Nov. 21, 1989 to Harney
discloses a dual flush mechanism that is operated by two separate
flush handles. Operation of one flush handle allows the flush valve
to move into a full open position for a full volume flush.
Operation of the other handle is restricted so that the flush
valve-actuating arm only partially raises thus allowing for a lower
volume flush.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,960 issued May 4, 1993 to Hooshley, et
al. teaches a dual flush toilet control mechanism utilizing a
multi-lobed cam. Rotation of the flush handle in one direction
partially raises the flush control arm whereas rotation in an
opposite direction fully raises the flow control arm. In this
manner, either a full volume or a partial volume flush is
achieved.
[0008] Despite the existence of these different functions to
accomplish full and partial volume flushes, there remain
disadvantages of the existing structures. For example, some of the
structures are relatively difficult to retrofit on to existing
toilets so that a user may be required to replace a substantial
portion of the toilet assembly. Other devices only partially open
the flush control valve or flapper resulting in a reduction of
discharge flow velocity for the partial flush. By retarding the
discharge velocity, an incomplete flush may result when employing
the device in a low volume mode. Other dual mode flush control
mechanisms have been found to be excessively complicated and thus
expensive to manufacture.
[0009] Accordingly, there is a need for improved dual mode flush
control mechanisms, and toilet incorporating such mechanisms, that
are relatively inexpensive to manufacture and may be supplied as
both original equipment and as retrofit structures. There is
further a need for dual mode flush control mechanisms which
discharge different volumes of water from a toilet tank reservoir
while maintaining the discharge velocity. The present invention is
directed to meeting these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new
and useful flush control mechanism and toilet incorporating such
flush control mechanism that allows a user to select between large
volume flushes and low volume flushes.
[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
flush control mechanism and a toilet containing such a mechanism,
wherein the water discharge velocity from the reservoir tank of a
toilet is substantially the same in both a high volume flush mode
and low volume flush mode.
[0012] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a new and useful flush control mechanism, and toilet incorporating
such mechanism, which may be supplied as original equipment or that
can be conveniently retrofitted onto existing toilets.
[0013] According to the present invention, then, a flush control
mechanism is provided as well as an improvement to a toilet. The
flush control mechanism is adapted to mount against the sidewall of
a toilet reservoir tank in the interior thereof so as to control
the flapper that acts as a valve to selectively close and open the
discharge opening of the tank so as to prevent and allow dispensing
of water through the toilet bowl in order to accomplish a
flush.
[0014] Broadly, the flush control mechanism includes a base member
that is adapted to secure to the sidewall of the tank. An actuator
shaft is supported by the base member for rotational movement about
a first axis. A flush arm is pivotally mounted at a flush arm first
end portion to the base member for pivotal movement about a second
axis that is spaced apart from the first axis. The flush arm is
thus pivotable between a first flush arm position to a second flush
arm position through an intermediate flush arm position. The flush
arm includes a flush arm second end portion that is adapted to
connect to the flapper. A float rod is then provided and includes a
float rod first end portion supported on the actuator shaft whereby
rotational movement of the shaft in a first rotational direction
pivots the float rod from a first float rod position to a second
float rod position. The float rod includes a float rod second end
portion opposite the float rod first end portion that is configured
to engage the flush arm when the float rod moves from the first
float rod position to the second float rod position thereby to move
the flush arm from the first flush arm position to the intermediate
flush arm position. At least one cam element is secured to the
actuator shaft and is operative to act upon the flush arm second
end portion when the shaft is rotated in a second rotational
direction opposite the first rotational direction thereby to move
the flush arm from the first flush arm position to the second flush
arm position.
[0015] In the exemplary embodiment, a limit stop is provided that
is operative to prevent movement of the float rod past the second
float rod position. This limit stop may include a stop block
disposed on the base member. Moreover, in order to rotate the
actuator shaft in the first and second rotational directions, the
shaft may extend through the sidewall of the reservoir tank, and a
manually operable flush handle is mounted on the shaft exteriorly
of the tank. The flush arm first end portion may be pivotally
mounted to a pintle that is disposed in the base member with the
pintle defining the second axis.
[0016] A float may be secured to the float rod. Here, a float stem
may have a proximal end secured to the second float rod end portion
and a distal end supporting a float at a selected position relative
to the second float rod end. This position may be adjustable. For
example, the proximal end of the float stem may be secured by an
adjustable bracket disposed on the second float rod end.
[0017] To enable the engagement of the float rod with the flush
arm, the float rod second end portion of the exemplary embodiment
includes a finger extending therefrom that engages the second flush
arm end portion. A catch may also be provided on the second float
rod end portion to help position the flush arm. This catch may be a
spring-biased trip lever. Moreover, the flush arm can have a slot
formed in the flush arm second end portion. A pin is then slideably
received in the slot with this pin adapted to connect to a tether
and thus to the flapper.
[0018] The actuator shaft, in the exemplary embodiment, is a hollow
tubular cylinder that includes a sidewall having a pair of opposed
slots each extending partially around the circumference thereof.
The first float rod end portion is then rotatably journaled on the
shaft, and a radial pin mounts to the first float rod end portion
and extends through the slots. The flush arm may include a pair of
spaced-apart, generally parallel flush arm sections that generally
open a region therebetween. The float arm second end portion is
then interposed between the flush arm sections. Here, also, a pair
of cam elements may be provided, if desired, on the actuator shaft.
Each cam element is then operative to act on a respective flush arm
section when the shaft is rotated in the second rotational
direction. In any event, the flush arm first end portion has a cam
surface formed thereon, and the cam is operative to engage the cam
surface when the actuator shaft is rotated in the second rotational
direction.
[0019] These and other objects of the present invention will become
more readily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the
following detailed description of the exemplary embodiment of the
present invention when taken together with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet according to the
prior art;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a front view in elevation of the flush control
mechanism according to the exemplary embodiment of the present
invention shown mounted on the interior of a tank sidewall of the
toilet reservoir tank of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken about lines 3-3 of
FIG. 2;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a front view in elevation of the base member shown
in FIGS. 2 and 3;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the base member of FIG. 4;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the actuator shaft of the flush
control mechanism of FIGS. 2 and 3;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a front view in elevation of the actuator shaft of
FIG. 6;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken about lines 8-8 of
FIG. 6;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a front view in elevation of the float rod of the
flush control mechanism of FIGS. 2 and 3 with the fastening pin
shown exploded therefrom;
[0029] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the float rod of FIG. 9;
[0030] FIG. 11 is a front view in elevation of the flush arm of the
flush control mechanism of FIGS. 2 and 3;
[0031] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the flush arm of FIG. 11;
[0032] FIG. 13 is a front view in elevation of the flush control
mechanism of the present invention showing the float rod in a
second float rod position thereby moving the flush arm to the
intermediate flush arm position;
[0033] FIG. 14 is a front plan view showing the rotation of the
actuator shaft in a second rotational direction that has resulted
in movement of the flush arm to the second flush arm position with
the float rod in the second float rod position;
[0034] FIG. 15(a) illustrates the flush control mechanism of the
present invention with the flush arm in a first flush arm position
and with the float rod in a first float rod position;
[0035] FIG. 15(b) shows rotation of the actuator shaft resulting in
movement of the float rod to the second float rod position thereby
causing movement of the flush arm to the intermediate flush arm
position; and
[0036] FIG. 15(c) is a front view in elevation showing rotation of
the actuator shaft in an opposite rotational direction resulting in
movement of the flush arm to a second flush arm position and with
the float rod in the second float rod position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0037] The present invention is broadly directed to a flush control
mechanism for a toilet as well as a toilet incorporating such a
flush control mechanism. The flush control mechanism is adapted to
mount in the toilet reservoir tank and is operative to provide two
flush modes, namely, a low volume flush for evacuation of liquid
waste from the toilet bowl and a high volume flush for the
evacuation of solid waste from the toilet bowl. In either case,
however, the water flow rate is maintained for either the low or
high volume flush. With the structure of the exemplary embodiment
of the present invention, moreover, the low flush volume discharge
may be adjusted by the flush control mechanism. As is understood,
the amount of water discharged for high volume flush may be
adjusted with the traditional float and valve assembly of the
toilet.
[0038] As is illustrated in FIG. 1, a standard toilet 10 includes a
toilet bowl 12 provided with a pivoting seat 13 and a pivoting
cover 14 that with bowl 12 supported by a support surface 16. Bowl
12 supports a reservoir tank 18 having a tank lid 19. Reservoir
tank 18 is adapted to hold water so that the contents of bowl 12
may be flushed into a suitable waste line. To this end, a water
intake line 20 is provided with a typical shutoff valve 22 to
supply water to the inlet of reservoir tank 18. Reservoir tank 18
has a discharge outlet communicating with the toilet bowl 12.
[0039] As is well known, the amount of water, that is the level of
water, in the interior of reservoir tank 18 is controlled by an
inlet tube, a ball-cock assembly and a float ball. Accordingly,
this structure is not shown in the figures. Rather, the present
invention is directed to an improved flush control mechanism that
controls the volume discharge of water from the reservoir tank
through the toilet bowl to accomplish either a low volume flush or
a high volume flush.
[0040] The primary components of the exemplary embodiment of the
flush control mechanism is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Here, it
may be seen that flush control mechanism 24 according to the
exemplary embodiment includes a base member 26 that is adapted to
secure to the front section of the sidewall 28 interiorly of
reservoir tank 18. An actuator shaft 30 is supported by base member
26 for rotational movement about a first axis that is generally
perpendicular to sidewall 28. A pintle 32 extends perpendicularly
from base member 26 to define a second axis that is spaced apart
and generally parallel to the rotational axis of actuator shaft
30.
[0041] With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 32, a flush arm 34
includes a flush arm first end portion that is pivotally mounted to
base member 26, and, specifically, is rotatably journaled on pintle
32, for pivotal movement about this second axis. Flush arm 34 has a
flush arm second end portion 38 that is adapted to connect to the
tank ball or flapper of the reservoir tank 18, as described more
thoroughly below. A float rod 40 includes a float rod first end
portion 42 that is supported on actuator shaft 30 and has a float
rod second end portion 44 that is opposite float rod first end
portion 42 with float rod second end portion being configured to
engage the flush arm, again as described below.
[0042] In FIG. 2 it may be seen that float rod second end portion
44 includes a float 46 supported at a distal end of a float stem 48
that is adjustably mounted to float rod second end portion by means
of a bracket 50 that received a proximal end portion of float stem
48 with the proximal end being locked into a selected position by
means of a screw 52. This permits adjustment of the location of
float 46. Float rod second end portion also includes a finger 54
that is sized and oriented to engage a barrel or pin 56 located in
a slot 58 in flush arm second end portion. Moreover, a catch 60 is
also located on float arm second end portion to selectably engage
pin 56, as described more thoroughly below.
[0043] At least one cam element 62 is secured to actuator shaft 30
and is operative to act on flush arm second end portion 36 so as to
pivot flush arm 34 about pintle 32 in a manner also as described
more thoroughly below. A handle 64 is secured to actuator shaft 30
at a location exteriorly of reservoir tank 18 so as to allow manual
operation of flush control mechanism 24.
[0044] With reference now to FIGS. 4 and 5, it may be seen that
base member 26 includes a rectangularly shaped base plate 70 that
includes a square shaped opening 72 located therein to receive
actuator shaft 30. Pintle 32 is in the form of a solid cylindrical
rod which projects perpendicularly to the plane of base plate 70 in
spaced relation to opening 72. An extension arm 74 projects
laterally of base plate 70 and supports a limit stop block 76 which
limits the rotational movement of float rod 40, as described
below.
[0045] Actuator shaft 30 is best shown in FIGS. 6-8 wherein it may
be seen that actuator shaft 30 includes a hollow cylinder or tube
78 having a sidewall that is provided with a pair of slots 80
diametrically opposed to one another. Cam elements 62 are to
affixed to tube 78 on either side of slots 80. Tube 78 is sized so
that it may mount through square opening 72 in base plate 70 of
base member 26 and may freely rotate therein. Tube 78 has a first
tube end portion 82 that extends through sidewall 28 of reservoir
tank 18 so that handle 64 may be connected thereto. Second end
portion 84 is located interiorly of reservoir tank 18 and supports
flush arm 34.
[0046] Float rod 40 is illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 9 and
10. Here, it may be seen that float rod 40 includes a linear
central section 86 with the float rod first and second end portions
42 and 44 being on opposite ends of central section 86. Float rod
first end portion 42 has a centrally located circular opening 88
sized to receive tube 78 of actuator shaft 30. When assembled,
float rod first end portion 42 is located between cam elements 62.
A bore 90 intersects opening 88 and is sized to receive a fastening
pin 92 when assembled with fastening pin 92 extending through slots
80 in tube 78. As noted above, float rod second end portion 44
mounts bracket 50 to receive float stem 48 that mounts float 46.
Float rod second end portion 44 forms a distal head that includes
finger 54 that creates a ledge 94 to engage pin 56. Catch 60,
identified above, includes a trip lever 66 and a spring 68 (FIG. 2)
that are respectively received in cutouts 96 and 98 formed in float
rod second end portion 44.
[0047] Flush arm 34 is illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 11
and 12. Here, it may be seen that flush arm 34 is formed by a pair
of spaced apart, generally parallel flush arm sections 100 that are
identical to one another and are held in spaced apart, generally
parallel relation to one another by means of spacers 102 and 104.
Flush arm sections 100 include first end portion 37 that define
flush arm first end portion 36. Each of these end portions 37
provide a cam surface 106 that interacts with a respective cam
element 62, as described below. Accordingly, it should be
understood that spacers 102 and 104 position flush arm sections 100
a distance apart from one another that is the same as the distance
between cam elements 62 on actuator shaft 30. Moreover, flush arm
34 has a region 108 between sections 100 that is sized to receive
central section 86 of plate rod 40 therebetween. As noted, flush
arm second end portion 38 forms a slot 58 defined by rectangular
openings 110 which are opposed to one another to receive pin 56 for
sliding movement therein. Spacer 102 includes a bore 112 to
accommodate pintle 32.
[0048] In assembly, with reference to FIGS. 2-12, it may be
appreciated that float rod first end portion 42 is secured to
actuator shaft 30 between cam elements 62 by fastening pin 92 so
that it is located between cam elements 62 which are in turn,
rigidly affixed to actuator shaft 30. First end portion 82 of tube
78 is inserted through opening 72 of base plate 70, and base plate
70 is secured to sidewall 28 of the reservoir tank. Handle 64 is
mounted onto the exterior end of first end portion 82. Flush arm 34
is mounted to pintle 32 with float rod second end portion 44 and
central section 86 received through the region 108 between flush
arm sections 100, as is shown in FIG. 2. Cams 62 are thus
positioned to act on cam surfaces 106. Finally, a resilient spring
114, which controls the discharge valve flapper, is secured to pin
56. As used herein, "flapper" refers to any valve structure that
operates to selectively close the discharge opening.
[0049] The various positions of the flush arm 34 and the float rod
40 of control mechanism 24 may now be appreciated with reference to
FIGS. 2, 13 and 14. Here, it may be seen that rotational movement
of actuator shaft 30 in a clockwise direction in FIG. 2 (which
corresponds to counterclockwise rotation of handle 64 when viewed
exteriorly of reservoir tank 18) acts to move float rod 40 from a
first float rod position shown in FIG. 2 to a second float rod
position shown in FIG. 13 with this movement being limited by limit
stop block 76. Here, fastening pin 92 is engaged by the edges of
slots 80 in tube 78 so that rotation of tube 78 advances float rod
40 between the first and second float rod positions. When this
occurs, ledge 94 of finger 54 engages pin 56 thereby advancing
flush arm 34 from a first flush arm position shown in FIG. 2 to an
intermediate flush arm position shown in FIG. 13. This will result
in a low volume flush as described more thoroughly below.
[0050] On the other hand, rotation of actuator shaft 30 in the
opposite rotational direction causes cams 62 to act on cam surfaces
106 to pivot flush arm 34 from the first flush arm position shown
in FIG. 2 to the second flush arm position shown in FIG. 14 through
the intermediate flush arm position. This movement also advances
float rod 40 from the first float rod position shown in FIG. 2 to
the second float rod position shown in FIG. 14. Here, however,
flush arm second end portion 38 is advanced upwardly on float rod
second end portion 44 such that pin 56 is latched by trip lever 66.
Again, when float rod moves to the second float rod position, float
rod 40 abuts limit stop block 76 thereby preventing advancement of
float rod 40 past this limit stop.
[0051] With reference now to FIGS. 15(a)-15(c) it may be seen how
two different volumetric flushes may be achieved at a common flow
rate. In FIG. 15(a), reservoir tank 18 is filled with water to
water level "L". Float 46 is submerged beneath water level "L".
Here, flush arm 34 is in the first flush arm position and float rod
40 is in the first float rod position. In FIG. 15(b), actuator
shaft 30 has been rotated clockwise to move float rod 40 to the
second float rod position. Finger 54 engages pin 56 so as to lift
flapper 116 by way of tether 114 so that discharge opening 118 is
opened thereby allowing water in reservoir tank 18 to discharge
into the toilet bowl to accomplish a low volume flush. A low volume
flush results, since, as the water level in reservoir tank 18
drops, float 46 will likewise drop thereby allowing float rod 40 to
move back toward the first float rod position and flush arm 34 to
move from the intermediate flush arm position (shown in FIG. 15(b))
back to the first float rod position. Since a reseating of flapper
116 and discharge opening 118 is controlled by the height of pin 56
above the bottom of reservoir tank 18, flapper 116 can reseat
before the full volume of water is discharged from reservoir 18.
However during throughout the duration of this low volume flush,
discharge opening 118 is "full open" such that this low volume
flush will be accomplished at a water flow rate determined by the
size of opening 118.
[0052] In the full volume flush, illustrated in FIG. 15(c),
actuator shaft 30 is rotated in an opposite rotational direction
such that cam elements 62 cause flush arm 34 to completely advance
to the flush arm 34 to the second flush arm position. Here, pin 56
is latched by catch at an elevation above finger 54. Flapper 116
again is disengaged from discharge opening 118 and a full volume
flush begins at a flow rate that is the same as the low volume
flush. As the water level descends, float 46 will descend allowing
float rod 40 to pivot from the second float rod position shown in
FIG. 15 (c) toward the first float arm position shown in FIG.
15(a). However, since pin 56 is latched by catch 60, flapper 116 is
held open for a longer period of time allowing the water to
substantially discharge from reservoir tank 18. When float rod 40
reaches an angular position close to the first float rod position,
pin 56 will fall off of trip lever 66 of catch 60 to allow flapper
116 to reseat in discharge opening 118. Slot 58 is thus positioned
and oriented corresponding to the configuration and positioning of
trip lever 66 to accomplish this movement.
[0053] Accordingly, the present invention has been described with
some degree of particularity directed to the exemplary embodiments
of the present invention. It should be appreciated, though, that
the present invention is defined by the following claims construed
in light of the prior art so that modifications or changes may be
made to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention without
departing from the inventive concepts contained herein.
* * * * *