Dual Flush Control Mechanism and Toilet Incorporating the Same
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.
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 INVENTIONHabitation 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 INVENTIONIt 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
As is illustrated in
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.
The primary components of the exemplary embodiment of the flush control mechanism is illustrated in
With continued reference to
In
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.
With reference now to
Actuator shaft 30 is best shown in
Float rod 40 is illustrated in greater detail in
Flush arm 34 is illustrated in greater detail in
In assembly, with reference to
The various positions of the flush arm 34 and the float rod 40 of control mechanism 24 may now be appreciated with reference to
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
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
In the full volume flush, illustrated in
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.
Claims
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.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 4, 2005
Publication Date: Oct 20, 2005
Inventor: Seth Bayer (Boulder, CO)
Application Number: 10/907,520