U.S. patent application number 12/247585 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-08 for toilet flushing system.
Invention is credited to WILLIAM DAVID STEADMAN.
Application Number | 20100083434 12/247585 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42074592 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100083434 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
STEADMAN; WILLIAM DAVID |
April 8, 2010 |
TOILET FLUSHING SYSTEM
Abstract
A toilet flushing system is provided for both high and low
volume flush control. The toilet flushing system comprises a
control assembly having an actuator, first link, second link, and
swivel member that provide high volume flush control by selectively
opening a closure member rotatably attached to the housing. The
rotation of a lever mobilizes the actuator such that the first
link, swivel member, second link, and closure member are rotated
from a closed position to a high volume flush position.
Inventors: |
STEADMAN; WILLIAM DAVID;
(Port Saint Lucie, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TAROLLI, SUNDHEIM, COVELL & TUMMINO L.L.P.
1300 EAST NINTH STREET, SUITE 1700
CLEVEVLAND
OH
44114
US
|
Family ID: |
42074592 |
Appl. No.: |
12/247585 |
Filed: |
October 8, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/324 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03D 1/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/324 |
International
Class: |
E03D 1/14 20060101
E03D001/14 |
Claims
1. A toilet flushing system for providing both high and low volume
flush control, the toilet flushing system comprising: a lever
rotatable to a first position for a low volume flush and rotatable
to a second position for a high volume flush; a central assembly
comprising a housing locatable in a toilet cistern selectively
enclosing a flush valve for sealing an exit aperture, the flush
valve is selectively opened for dispensing water during both the
high and low volume flushes through the exit aperture; and a
control assembly comprising an actuator, first link, second link,
and swivel member that provide high volume flush control by
selectively opening a closure member rotatably attached to said
housing, the rotation of the lever to said second position
mobilizes said actuator such that said first link, swivel member,
second link, and closure member are rotated from a closed position
to a high volume flush position.
2. The toilet flushing system of claim 1 wherein said rotation of
said lever provides translational movement of said actuator
resulting in rotational movement of said first link, swivel member,
second link, and closure member, the amount of rotational movement
in said first link differing from said rotational movement of said
second link.
3. The toilet flushing system of claim 1 wherein said first link
and said second link provide total support of said swivel
member.
4. The toilet flushing system of claim 1 wherein said swivel member
comprises a first link opening for receiving an end portion of said
first link and a second link opening for receiving an end portion
of said second link, wherein said first link opening is positioned
on said swivel member opposite said second link opening.
5. The toilet flushing system of claim 1 wherein said swivel member
is constructed of nylon and cylindrically shaped wherein a first
link opening is positioned on said swivel member diametrically
opposite a second link opening.
6. The toilet flushing system of claim 1 wherein said swivel member
provides independent degrees of rotation of said first link and
said second link as said closure member is rotated from a closed
position to a high volume flush position.
7. The toilet flushing system of claim 6 wherein said independent
degrees of rotation of said first link ranges between 0 degrees in
the closed position to 110 degrees in the high volume flush
position and independent degrees of rotation of said second link
ranges between 0 degrees in the closed position to 30 degrees in
the high volume flush condition.
8. A toilet flushing system for providing both high and low volume
flush control, the toilet flushing system comprising: a lever
rotatable to a first position for a low volume flush and rotatable
to a second position for a high volume flush; a central assembly
comprising a housing locatable in a toilet cistern selectively
enclosing a flush valve for sealing an exit aperture, the flush
valve selectively opened for dispensing water during both the high
and low volume flushes through the exit aperture; and a control
assembly comprising an actuator, first link, second link, and
swivel member that provide high volume flush control by selectively
opening a closure member rotatably attached to said housing, said
swivel member being totally supported by said first and second
links via a first link opening in the swivel member for receiving
an end portion of said first link and a second link opening in the
swivel member for receiving an end portion of said second link,
wherein said first link opening is positioned in said swivel member
opposite said second link opening, the rotation of said lever
provides translational movement of said actuator resulting in
rotational movement of said first link, swivel member, second link,
and closure member, the amount of rotational movement in said first
link being greater than said rotational movement of said second
link to allow for opening of the closure member for a high volume
flush.
9. The toilet flushing system of claim 8 wherein said swivel member
is constructed of nylon and cylindrically shaped wherein a first
link opening is positioned on said swivel member diametrically
opposite a second link opening.
10. The toilet flushing system of claim 8 wherein said swivel
member provides independent degrees of rotation of said first link
and said second link as said closure member is rotated from a
closed position to a high volume flush position.
11. The toilet flushing system of claim 8 wherein said first link
further comprises a first crank attached to said actuator and a
second crank attached to said swivel member, the second crank being
larger than said first crank to allow for a wide and quick opening
of the closure member with the housing during a high volume
flush.
12. The toilet flushing system of claim 8 wherein said first link
opening and said second link opening are axially offset about said
swivel member.
13. The toilet flushing system of claim 12 wherein said first link
opening and said second link opening are diametrically opposed.
14. The toilet flushing system of claim 8 wherein said swivel
member comprises a first end attached said first link and a second
end attached to a second link and a pivotal axis located between
said first and second ends such that said swivel member rotates
about said pivotal axis as the lever is rotated to a high volume
flush condition.
15. A toilet flushing system for providing both high and low volume
flush control, the toilet flushing system comprising: a lever
rotatable to a first position for a low volume flush and rotatable
to a second position for a high volume flush; a central assembly
comprising a housing locatable in a toilet cistern selectively
enclosing a flush valve for sealing an exit aperture, the flush
valve selectively opened for dispensing water during both the high
and low volume flushes through the exit aperture; and a control
assembly comprising an actuator, first link, second link, and
swivel member that provide high volume flush control by selectively
opening a closure member rotatably attached to said housing, said
swivel member supported by said first and second links via a first
link opening for receiving an end portion of said first link and a
second link opening for receiving an end portion of said second
link, said first and second link openings being axially offset
about the swivel member; the rotation of said lever provides
translational movement of said actuator resulting in rotational
movement of said first link, swivel member, second link, and
closure member, the amount of rotational movement in said first
link being greater than said rotational movement of said second
link to allow for opening of the closure member for a high volume
flush.
16. The toilet flushing arrangement of claim 15 wherein said swivel
member further comprises a plurality of first and second link
openings for accommodating various toilet cistern sizes and
configurations.
17. The toilet flushing arrangement of claim 15 wherein said swivel
member provides independent degrees of rotation of said first link
and said second link as said closure member is rotated from a
closed position to a high volume flush position.
18. The toilet flushing system of claim 17 wherein said independent
degrees of rotation of said first link ranges between 0 degrees in
the closed position to 110 degrees in the high volume flush
position and independent degrees of rotation of said second link
ranges between 0 degrees in the closed position to 30 degrees in
the high volume flush condition.
19. The toilet flushing system of claim 15 wherein said first link
and said second link provide total support of said swivel
member.
20. The toilet flushing system of claim 15 wherein said swivel
member is constructed of nylon and cylindrically shaped wherein
said first link opening is positioned on said swivel member
diametrically opposite said second link opening.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a toilet flushing system
constructed to economically dispense fluids and/or waste for a
given situation.
BACKGROUND
[0002] With conventional flushing toilets, a significant amount of
water is used with each flush that after certain uses is not wholly
required and is thus wasteful of water. Dual flushing arrangements
provide for low volume and high volume flushes, but these are
generally of relatively complex configurations. Furthermore, such
arrangements usually cannot be retrofitted, and therefore if dual
flushing is required, new flushing systems are needed for each
toilet at a location.
SUMMARY
[0003] One embodiment of the present disclosure features a toilet
flushing system for providing both high and low volume flush
control. The toilet flushing system comprises a lever rotatable to
a first position for a low volume flush and rotatable to a second
position for a high volume flush. The system further comprises a
central assembly having a housing locatable in a toilet cistern
selectively enclosing a flush valve for sealing an exit aperture.
The flush valve is selectively opened for dispensing water during
both the high and low volume flushes through the exit aperture. The
system also comprises a control assembly having an actuator, first
link, second link, and swivel member that provide high volume flush
control by selectively opening a closure member rotatably attached
to the housing. The rotation of the lever to the second position
mobilizes the actuator such that the first link, swivel member,
second link, and closure member are rotated from a closed position
to a high volume flush position.
[0004] Another embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a
toilet flushing system for providing both high and low volume flush
control. The toilet flushing system comprises a lever rotatable to
a first position for a low volume flush and rotatable to a second
position for a high volume flush. The system further comprises a
central assembly having a housing locatable in a toilet cistern
selectively enclosing a flush valve for sealing an exit aperture.
The flush valve is selectively opened for dispensing water during
both the high and low volume flushes through the exit aperture. The
system also comprises a control assembly comprising an actuator,
first link, second link, and swivel member that provide high volume
flush control by selectively opening a closure member rotatably
attached to the housing. The swivel member is totally supported by
the first and second links via a first link opening in the swivel
member for receiving an end portion of the first link and a second
link opening in the swivel member for receiving an end portion of
the second link. The first link opening is positioned in the swivel
member opposite the second link opening. The rotation of the lever
provides translational movement of the actuator resulting in
rotational movement of the first link, swivel member, second link,
and closure member. The amount of rotational movement in the first
link is greater than the rotational movement of the second link to
allow for opening of the closure member for a high volume
flush.
[0005] A further embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a
toilet flushing system for providing both high and low volume flush
control. The toilet flushing system includes a lever rotatable to a
first position for a low volume flush and rotatable to a second
position for a high volume flush and a central assembly comprising
a housing locatable in a toilet cistern selectively enclosing a
flush valve for sealing an exit aperture in the cistern. The flush
valve is selectively opened for dispensing water during both the
high and low volume flushes through the exit aperture. The system
further comprises a control assembly having an actuator, first
link, second link, and swivel member that provide high volume flush
control by selectively opening a closure member that is rotatably
attached to the housing. The swivel member supported by the first
and second links via a first link opening in the swivel member for
receiving an end portion of the first link and a second link
opening in the swivel member for receiving an end portion of the
second link. The first and second link openings are axially offset
about the swivel member. The rotation of the lever provides
translational movement of the actuator resulting in rotational
movement of the first link, swivel member, second link, and closure
member. The amount of rotational movement in the first link is
greater than the rotational movement of the second link to allow
for opening of the closure member for a high volume flush.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the
present disclosure will become apparent to one skilled in the art
to which the present disclosure relates upon consideration of the
following description of the invention with reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals, unless
otherwise described refer to like parts throughout the drawings and
in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic cutaway view of a toilet flushing
system constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a partial assembly view of a toilet flushing
system constructed in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1, the
toilet flushing system illustrated in a closed position;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a partial assembly view of a toilet flushing
system constructed in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1, the
toilet flushing system illustrated in a low volume flush position,
allowing for a low volume flush;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a partial assembly view of a toilet flushing
system constructed in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1, the
toilet flushing system is illustrated in a open position, allowing
for a high volume flush;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a part of the
system of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic plan view of part of the system of
FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatical cross-sectional view through part
of the system of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatical front view of the system of FIG.
1;
[0015] FIGS. 9-11 are diagrammatic perspective views of components
of a control system of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a swivel member constructed
in accordance with another example embodiment of the present
disclosure; and
[0017] FIG. 13 is a plan view of components of a control system of
the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The present disclosure relates to a toilet flushing system
constructed to economically dispense fluids and/or waste for a
given situation. In particular, the present disclosure provides a
flexible assembly adaptable to various size tanks and flushing
arrangements. The system of the present disclosure further provides
enhanced kinematic mobility in the components comprising the
system. While other high and low flush systems exist, (including
applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 7,219,375 issued May 22, 2007 issued to
Steadman which incorporated herein by reference in its entirety),
the flushing system of the present disclosure is economically
manufactured and assembled and provides improved mobility during
the high volume flush operations and flexibility for adapting to
the number of different tanks manufactured.
[0019] Conventional toilet systems include a handle mounted on the
tank used to lift a flapper valve to release the water located into
the tank during a flushing operation. By turning the handle, an arm
attached to a handle shaft and to the flapper valve via a chain is
raised enough to allow the tank to flush. The length of the arm
produces an arc length much greater than the distance in which the
handle and shaft are rotated in order to accomplish a low-volume
flush. This same challenge exists where a system of linkages
requires a long pull to enable a high volume flush in opening a
door or gate through the same flapper valve while not inhibiting
the flow of water exiting from the tank during the rotation.
[0020] The present disclosure enables a fast, full-tank, high
volume flush that requires lever to be rotated slightly further
than what is required for a low volume flush, which in turn takes
the small amount of shaft rotation in a lever an converts it into a
much greater rotation of a large door or gate an amount wide enough
and rotates it fast enough not to restrict the flow of the
remaining water in the tank. Stated another way, the control system
and assembly of the present disclosure takes very little rotation
in a toilet handle or lever and converts to a much larger angle and
faster rotation of a door, controlling a high volume flush.
[0021] The present disclosure achieves this fast and wide rotation
through a double crank shaped swiveling rod arrangement that
includes a small crank end on a first link connected to the lever
via a sliding strip and a larger bottom crank end connected via
other means discussed in more detail below. This allows the door or
gate to open enough and fast enough with the actuation of the lever
to give a high-volume flush to substantially all the water
remaining in the tank.
[0022] Referring now to the figures and in particular FIG. 1 is a
toilet 10 that includes a tank or cistern 12 and flushing system
14. The flushing system 14 comprises a flush valve 16 operated by a
lever 18 that causes pivotal movement of a bar 20, which connects
the flush valve 16 to a chain or tether 22. In use, the cistern 12
in which the flushing system 10 is located automatically fills
through a refill tube 24 to a required height. This required height
can be adjusted through a knob 26. Filling takes place into an
overflow pipe 28 that can receive water in the event that excess
water is supplied into the cistern 12.
[0023] In order to achieve a low volume flush in the flushing
system 10, the lever 18 is pushed downwardly causing pivotal
movement about a fixture 30 (see FIGS. 2-4 and 9) through its pivot
arm 32 that passes through an aperture 34 of the tank and fixture.
By rotating the lever 18, the bar 20 is raised to a first position
via a cam assembly 36 (see FIG. 10) that is connected to the pivot
arm 32 located on the inside of the cistern 12, causing the flush
valve 16 to operate to achieve a low volume flush without causing
movement to linkages in a control assembly 100 associated with the
high volume flush. In FIG. 10, the bar 20 is positioned through a
rounded opening 21 in a pivot plate 23 that is welded (W) to the
bar. The pivot plate 23 is rotatably secured to the fixture 30 by a
fastener 25, such as a rivet or screw and provides for pivotal
movement or rotation of the bar 20. The fixture 30 includes a
recess 27 that allows for the rotation of the bar 20 and pivot
plate 23 as the cam assembly 36 raises the bar to the first
position for a low volume flush.
[0024] In use, if only a low volume flush is required, the lever 18
is pressed downwardly until any particular resistance is felt. This
causes flushing in a conventional manner with the cam assembly 36
having a cam 38 engaging against the bar 20 lifting the tether 22
and hence flush valve 16, thereby causing water to be flushed into
the toilet 10 as illustrated in FIG. 3 when transitioning from the
closed position of FIG. 2 to the low volume flush position of FIG.
3. The water flushed is however only the volume within a housing 50
and the volume of water spaced above the top of the housing, i.e.
the water between the lines 44 and 46 in FIG. 8.
[0025] The cam assembly 36 includes the cam 38 connected to the
pivot arm 32 and further includes a first lobe 40 and a second lobe
42. The low volume flush (or first position) is achieved as the
first lobe 40 of the cam 38 contacts the bar 20 between position
"A" to position "B", as illustrated in FIG. 10. While the bar 20 is
raised in the first position, the tether 22 raises the flush valve
16, allowing a low volume flush of the volume of water located in
and above the housing 50 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 8. Following
flushing, the flush valve 16 will automatically reclose and the
cistern 12 will be refilled through the refill tube 24. There are
of course other conventional types of flushing systems,
incorporating for instance a floating ball valve or other type of
floating valves which cause the cistern to stop filling when a
required water level therein is detected.
[0026] Referring again to the figures and in particular FIGS. 1-4,
the flushing system 10 further comprises the housing 50 surrounding
the flush valve 16 that allows the water located therein and above
the housing to exit during a low volume flush achieved by the
pivoting of the lever 18 and raising the flush valve 16 via raising
tether 22, as described above. The housing 50 includes an open top
52 and an exit opening 54 located in a base 56 through which
flushing water can pass. In the isometric views of FIGS. 5 and 6,
the housing 50 has a generally circular front section 58 extending
from a smaller generally circular rear section 60. These shapes are
chosen so as to not cover and thus permit free access to, the
conventional mounting holes 62 (see FIG. 1) for the cistern 12,
however, the cistern can be configured to any shape or geometry
without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed
invention.
[0027] A large flush opening 70 is provided in the housing 50
between the front section 58 and rear section 60. The large flush
opening 70 is sealed by a closure member 72, forming a gate that is
pivotally mounted by a hinge 74 attached to the outside of the
housing 50 and passing through a slot 76 located in the closure
member. The closure member 72 is biased to a closed position by a
biasing member 78 such as a spring that attaches to several
adjustment apertures 80 located in the housing 50. The closure
member 72 further comprises a web 82 integral to an outside surface
84 of the closure member that provides strength during an opening
and closing operation.
[0028] A control assembly 100 is provided for selective opening of
the closure member 72 as follows. The control assembly 100 when
operated allows for a high volume flush control of the cistern 12
that includes not just the water in and above the housing 50, (low
volume flush) but substantially all the water located in the
cistern. The control assembly 100 connects to the lever 18 to the
closure member 72. The control assembly 100 is attached to the
cistern 12 and housing 50 through horizontal and vertical fixtures
102, 104, respectively. The fixtures 102, 104 are made from plastic
or metal and include adjustment slots 106 that provide flexibility
between varying size tanks 12 and locations of housings 50 and are
attached through conventional fasteners 108 known by those skilled
in the art, such as screws and rivets. The slots 106 allow for
movement and adjustment of the control assembly 100 along "X" and
"Y" directions.
[0029] Illustrated in FIG. 2 is an assembly view of the control
assembly 100 assuming a closed position of the closure member 72.
Connecting the closure member 72 to the lever 18 is a slide
actuator 110 slidably connected to a first link 112 that is
pivotally connected to a second link 114. The slide actuator 110
includes first and second slots 116, 118, respectively that allow
for adjustment in various size cisterns 12. The first slot 116 is
adjustably connected for pivotal rotation by a fastener 108 to the
second lobe 42 of cam 38. The adjustment provided by the first slot
116 and second slot 118 further accommodate the engagement of the
second slot with a first elbow portion 120 of the first link 112 at
a first end 122 of the second slot during a high volume flush. The
first end 122 of the second slot 118 does not travel far enough
during a low volume flush to engage the first elbow, therefore the
closure member 72 is remains closed during low volume flushing
operations. The actuator 110 is constructed from steel flat stock,
but could be equally made from aluminum or plastic without
departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. The
actuator 110 includes an aperture 111 at an end opposite the first
slot 116 that connects to a spring 113 that is attached to
horizontal fixture 102. The spring 113 biases the actuator 110 to a
low flush or closed position of the closure member 72.
[0030] As the lever 18 is rotated the cam 38 shifts from a closed
position of FIG. 2 to (a low flush) position of FIG. 3 to (an open
high volume flush) position of FIG. 4 as rotation of the cam 38
about pivot arm 32 occurs. The rotation of the cam 38 beyond the
low volume position and on to a high volume position causes both
rotation and translation in the slide actuator 110 relative to a
first elbow portion 120, allowing the first end 122 of slot 118 to
engage the elbow portion causing rotation of the first link 112 in
the direction of arrow "A" FIG. 4. The rotation of the first link
112 results in the rotation of a second elbow portion 124 from the
closed position of FIG. 2 and 3 to the open position of FIG. 4,
further indicated by the direction of the arrows A and B in FIG. 4.
The first link 112 is rotatably connected about a link support
member 126 having a pivotal opening 128 through which the
cylindrical construction of a mid section 130 the first link
rotates during the movement of the lever 18 to the high flush
condition of FIG. 4.
[0031] The first link 112 further comprises an action end 132
extending from the first elbow portion 120 and a reaction end 134
extending from the second elbow portion 124. The reaction end 134
extends through a swivel member 140. The swivel member 140 is
cylindrically shaped having a hollow section 142. The reaction end
134 passes through a lower end 147 of the swivel member 140 through
its hollow section 142 and out an upper end 149. Such connection
allows for enhanced mobility and security between the swivel member
140 and the first link 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the
swivel member 140 is made from a polymeric material, such as nylon.
However, the swivel member 140 could be made from other materials
such as metal, fibrous, or ceramic having a low coefficient of
friction without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed
invention. The swivel member 140 pivotally connects the first link
112 to the second link 114, allowing independent pivotal movement
therebetween.
[0032] The second link 114 comprises a coupler end 144, a
midsection 146 having a first elbow 148 and second elbow 150, and a
closure end 152. Both the first and second links, 112, 114,
respectively are cylindrical stock made from approximately 1/8 to
3/16 diameter aluminum or steel. The coupler end 144 is pivotally
connected into the swivel member 140. The coupler end 144 passes
through the upper end 149 of the swivel member 140 through its
hollow section 142 and out the lower end 147. Such connection
provides enhanced security and mobility between the swivel member
140 and second link 114. Rotating the first link 112 from the
closed position of FIGS. 2 and 3 to the open position of FIG. 4
results in the rotation of the swivel member 140 and second link
114 as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 4.
[0033] The reaction end 134 and coupler end 144 form a slip fit
pivotal connection with the swivel member 140. The configuration of
the second elbow portion 124 of the first link 112 supports the
swivel member 140 from its lower end 147, while the first elbow
portion 148 of the second link 114 counter balances the swivel
member from its upper end 149. The construction and location of the
swivel member 140 between first and second links 112, 114 provides
for the ease in movement and quick reaction in the opening and
closing of the closure member 72 through the rotation of the lever
18 for a high volume flush. The low coefficient of friction in the
swivel member 140 allows the reaction end 134 and coupler end 144
to independently rotate with respect to the rotation of the swivel
member 140 as well force the rotation of the swivel member during
rotation of the first and second links, 112, 114, respectively.
[0034] The closure end 152 of the second link 114 is attached
through an aperture 154 in the closure member 72. The closure
member 72 is strengthened by the web 82 that extends the length of
the closure and is adjacent the aperture 154. The second elbow
portion 150 provides a hook around the closure member 72 and
rotates the closure member from a closed position of FIG. 2 and 3
to the open position of FIG. 4 indicated by the arrows (A and B)
upon operation of the control assembly 100 when the lever 18 is
rotated for the high volume flush.
[0035] During operation when a higher volume of flush is desired,
the lever 18 is rotated beyond the location for a low volume flush.
This causes further rotation of the cam assembly 36, and more
specifically the cam 38 from FIG. 2 and 3 (a closed position) to an
open position in FIG. 4, further illustrated in the detail drawing
of FIGS. 10 and 11, as the cam 38 rotates from points A to B. As a
result of the cam's rotation, a connecting arm 39 passes through
the first slot 116 and held to the slide actuator 110 through a
fastener 108.
[0036] Movement of the slide actuator 110 forces the first link 112
to rotate to the open position of FIG. 4. The rotation of first
link 112 results in the rotation of swivel member 140 from the
closed position of FIGS. 2 and 3 to the open position of FIG. 4.
During the rotation of the swivel member 140, the reaction end 134
and coupler end 144 rotate within swivel member, allowing for
smooth and quick transitioning of the closure member 72 from the
closed position of FIGS. 2 and 3 to the open position of FIG. 4 and
vice versa. As a result, a high volume flush is achieved as
substantially all the water above the line 156 (FIG. 8) which is
level with the bottom of the tank 12, will flush, irrespective of
whether this water is in the housing 50 or outside thereof.
[0037] In one example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12, the swivel
member 140 includes several openings 160 for selectively receiving
the coupler end 144 and reaction end 134 of first and second links,
112, 114, respectively. The several openings 160 allow for
additional adjustment in varying size tanks 12. The construct of
the swivel member 140 allows its length to be cut for sizing based
on the selection of the openings 160 for the coupler end 144 and
reaction end 134 for the particular size and location within the
tank 12.
[0038] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatical cross-sectional view through part
of the system of FIG. 1. Whilst in FIG. 7, the flush valve 16 is
shown as a single unit with the housing 50, the arrangement can
readily be retrofitted to an existing toilet flushing system with a
housing having any number of geometrical configurations.
[0039] FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded assembly view of the
attachment of the lever 18 to the slide actuator 110, which
operates the first link 112 of the control system 100. The pivot
arm 32 of the lever 18 passes through an opening 29 located in a
spacer 31. The spacer 31 includes a round bearing surface 31A and a
square fitting 31B. The bearing surface 31A of the spacer allows
rotational movement of the in lever 18 and pivot arm 32 about the
opening 29. The spacer 31 is secured to the fixture 30 by a
press-fit connection within a square aperture 34 located within the
fixture and tank 12. In an alternative example embodiment, the
square aperture 34 is a square press-fit in only the tank 12 or
fixture 30. The pivot arm 32 is secured to the first lobe 40 in a
receiving aperture 41 in cam 38.
[0040] In yet an alternative example embodiment, the pivot arm 32
includes a plurality of flats that allow for select positioning in
the cam 38 relative to the location of the lever 18 about the tank
12. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 9 at least a portion of
the pivot arm 32 is hexagonally shaped, allowing for adjustments in
60 degree increments for the lever 18 as its being installed into
the tank 12 or fixture 30. The corresponding opening in the
receiving aperture 41 is hexagonally shaped to receive the
hexagonal pivot arm 32 in the illustrated example embodiment of
FIG. 9. The geometrical shape of the pivot arm 32 that includes a
plurality of flats also prevents slippage of the pivotal arm 32
within the receiving aperture 41.
[0041] Illustrated in FIG. 13 is a plan view of components of the
control system 100. In particular, the first and second links, 112,
114 are shown pivotally attached to the swivel member 140. FIG. 13
illustrates axis A-A defining a portion of second link 114 and axis
B-B defining the remaining portion of the second link. The first
link 112 is defined by an entire axis C-C. Angle .theta. is formed
between the closure end 152 of the second link 114 its midsection
146 as illustrated by angle .theta. between axis A-A and B-B. Angle
.theta. during operation is between two (2) and ten (10) degrees,
and provides improved mobility during the opening of the closure 72
in a high flush operation.
[0042] What have been described above are examples of the present
invention. It is, of course, not possible to describe every
conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes
of describing the present invention, but one of ordinary skill in
the art will recognize that many further combinations and
permutations of the present invention are possible. Accordingly,
the present invention is intended to embrace all such alterations,
modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope
of the appended claims.
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