Including Articulated Rigid Linkage Patents (Class 4/413)
  • Patent number: 11391028
    Abstract: A flush valve assembly for use in sanitaryware, such as a toilet or urinal. A flush valve assembly may have a flush valve body that is separate from a central seating body part. A central seating body part may be attached to a flush valve body with a mounting key. Once coupled, a flush valve body and central seating body part may be permanently connected. A flush valve assembly may also include a flush valve lever assembly. A flush valve lever assembly may include a bonnet nut for securing the flush valve lever assembly to a flush valve body. A flush valve lever assembly may include an actuator pin guide having a seal for sealing between the flush valve lever assembly and a flush valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Pitsch, Marin Marinov
  • Patent number: 9032561
    Abstract: A lever control mechanism of a drain valve of a toilet tank has a lever assembly assembled in the wall of the toilet tank and a lever linked to the revolving shaft of the lever assembly. The lever assembly is connected to a deviator, which is disposed with a drive arm; the drive arm is connected to the revolving shaft. The deviator is disposed with a joint portion and at least a leading hole to limit the lever revolving vertically. One end of the lever is run through the leading hole to rotationally connect to the joint portion; the drive arm is revolved by the driving of the revolving shaft to drive the lever revolved in the fan shaped vertical surface limited formed by the joint portion and the leading hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: R&T (Xiamen) PLUMBING TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Meijuan Chen, Xingdong Wang, Bing Wang
  • Patent number: 8839466
    Abstract: An actuation device (1) for a discharge fitting of a flushing device that comprises a full flush lever (2) for initiating a full flush action, and a partial flush lever (3) for initiating a partial flush action. The full flush lever (2) can be moved from a neutral position to a full flush position, and the partial flush lever (3) can be moved from a neutral position into a partial flush position. The actuation device (1) has a motor (4), with an output element (5) that engages the full flush lever (2), or the partial flush lever (3), and provide a movement of the driven lever. The flush levers (2,3) are connected via a coupling element (6) such that the movement of the flush lever (2, 3) driven by the output element (5) can be transferred onto the other flush lever (3, 2) uncoupled from the output element (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Geberit International AG
    Inventor: Rolf Kosarnig
  • Patent number: 8800070
    Abstract: A flush toilet is configured to permit user control of a flush cycle time and corresponding water usage. The toilet includes a bowl and a tank in fluid communication with the bowl. A flush handle assembly may be carried by the tank and may have a flush handle and a lever arm coupled thereto. In addition, there may be a flapper valve in the tank, and a rigid, adjustable-length, flapper control rod coupled between the lever arm and the flapper valve. Operation of the flush handle in a first direction may open the flapper valve, and operation of the flush handle in a second direction may close the flapper valve. This permits user control of the flush cycle time and corresponding water usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Boyce Hornberger
  • Publication number: 20130291296
    Abstract: An actuation device (1) for a discharge fitting of a flushing device that comprises a full flush lever (2) for initiating a full flush action, and a partial flush lever (3) for initiating a partial flush action. The full flush lever (2) can be moved from a neutral position to a full flush position, and the partial flush lever (3) can be moved from a neutral position into a partial flush position. The actuation device (1) has a motor (4), with an output element (5) that engages the full flush lever (2), or the partial flush lever (3), and provide a movement of the driven lever. The flush levers (2,3) are connected via a coupling element (6) such that the movement of the flush lever (2, 3) driven by the output element (5) can be transferred onto the other flush lever (3, 2) uncoupled from the output element (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventor: Rolf KOSARNIG
  • Patent number: 8424126
    Abstract: A controllable toilet flushing apparatus comprises an activating handle mechanism configured in a hollow housing assembly positioned under a toilet tank to be placed directly or indirectly over a toilet bowl; a hollow housing assembly where the activating handle mechanism and an outlet funnel are configured from within is manufactured to work with a mating sealed toilet tank or an open-top toilet tank; the activating handle mechanism comprises a horizontal shaft loaded with at least one torsion spring, a lift arm positioned under the outlet valve opening is attached to the horizontal shaft at the pivotal end and the other end can be attached to the outlet valve cap, at least one activating handle attached to the horizontal shaft end thereof to activate a flush by forcing the outlet valve cap lifted upwardly which allows water from the toilet tank to be discharged into the toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventor: Trung T Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7966676
    Abstract: The present invention provides a toilet bowl flushing water tank device which can largely open a discharge valve element instantaneously and, at the same time, can ensure a relatively large space in the vicinity of a discharge valve device thus enhancing a discharge capacity with a small power. A push button mounted on a tank lid body of a flushing water tank body is arranged at a position offset to one side from a position where a discharge opening is formed, a leverage device is constituted of a lever which is interlockingly connected to the discharge valve element and a pedestal which pivotally supports a middle portion of the lever. The pedestal pivotally supports a middle portion of the lever at a position closer to a push button side than the discharge valve device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichiro Ueno, Eiji Fukuzawa, Haruki Matsuda, Yukihiro Muroya
  • Publication number: 20090007324
    Abstract: The system for opening and/or closing an inlet valve (10) and/or an outlet valve (30) of a liquid container (24), particularly for water toilets, water tanks or the like, comprises an inlet tube (16) with an inlet valve (10) in the upper portion of the container (24) and an outlet tube (20) with an outlet valve (30) in the bottom portion (25) of the container (24), both valves (10, 30) being provided with a valve body. It is characterized by the use of a bistabile inlet valve (10) having a lag-free opening and closing characteristic without any intermediate opening position of the valve body (14; 38,46), the closing stroke of the valve body being assisted by the flow of the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: ABERTAX RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT LTD.
    Inventors: Joseph Pule, Joseph Cilia, George Schembri, Werner Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7140050
    Abstract: An automatic flushing actuator that mounts to an overflow pipe in a tank style toilet includes a proximity sensor, a housing enclosing a motor mount and gear assembly, and a rotatably mounted lever on top of the housing. A clamp is adapted to be affixed to the side of the housing and secure the actuator to the overflow pipe. When installing the actuator, the clamp is affixed to the overflow pipe before the housing is mounted onto the clamp. The clamp allows the housing to be removably mounted or locked in position on the clamp. The lever coupled to the top of the housing is rotated to a desired position, and a chain is connected to a handle of the toilet opens the flush valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Technical Concepts, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Muderlak
  • Patent number: 6804843
    Abstract: A flush tank includes a water entrance to receive water from a water reservoir, a water outlet for discharging the water and controlled by a valve member, and a water inlet disposed in the upper portion to receive waste water from waste water suppliers. A valve device is attached to the lower portion of the tank member, to control and to allow little water to flow into the tank member via the water entrance. Another valve device is attached to the upper portion of the tank member, to control and to allow the waste water to flow into and to fill the tank member via the water inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Inventor: Sheng Fu Hung
  • Patent number: 6041452
    Abstract: A toilet water tank is provided with a water discharging seat which is in turn provided in the top thereof with an upright tube, a high water discharging port and a low water discharging port. The high and the low water discharging ports are movably covered with a cover respectively. The cover is fastened with the upright tube which is provided with a guide wheel member. A flush handle is located outside the toilet water tank such that the flush handle is connected with a control rod extending to the water discharging seat for locating two chains between the two covers and the control rods. The chains are located by the clamps such that the chains can be installed or replaced with ease and speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventors: Chien-Liang Hsiao, Pang-Yen Tsai
  • Patent number: 6032303
    Abstract: A toilet bowl overflow prevention device is provided including a rigid interconnect member having a top end adapted for being pivotally connected to a knob assembly of a toilet assembly. The interconnect member is adapted for forcing a flush valve of the toilet assembly into sealed abutment with a drain aperture of the toilet assembly when the knob assembly is rotated in a direction opposite of that associated with removing the flush valve from engagement with the drain aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventor: Daniel R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5873136
    Abstract: A two flush modality toilet composed of a bowl, a tank connected with the bowl wherein the tank is connected to a water supply, a conventional flush modality for flushing solid waste from the bowl, and a urinal flush modality for flushing liquid only waste from the bowl, wherein the urinal flush modality includes: a bowl valve in the form of a pop-up stopper, pop-up seat and pivot ball assembly at the low point of the bowl; a bowl valve control for selecting between open and closed states of the bowl valve, a passageway for directing liquid waste from the bowl into the sanitary drain; and an auxiliary flush control for supplying a limited quantity of flush water from the tank into the bowl to provide restoration of the trap water in the bowl after a urinal flush modality liquid drainage of the bowl has occurred. A foot pedal selectively operates the bowl valve, wherein when in an open state all the liquid in the bowl is drained. Upon release of the foot pedal, the bowl valve is returned to the closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventor: Calvin T. Geeham
  • Patent number: 4956880
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the actuation of the valve of a flush tank: a movable vertical tube (8) carries a valve (7). A linking rod (9) controls the movement of the tube, a lever (12) operates the linking rod, a member (16) operates a rod (15), which in turn controls the lever (12). The rod (15) is connected to the lever (12) and to the operating member (16), the operating member having two positions, one being the opening position (26), and the other one being the closing position (27), and the passage of the member from one to the other one of these positions, controlled by the user, bring about the correlative passage of the valve (7) from one (26") to the other one (27") of the positions and inversely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Siamp Cedap S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Bailet
  • Patent number: 4660232
    Abstract: A toilet flush valve having a tank ball and rod, with a pair of guide arms mounted on the overflow pipe. The guide arms are spaced apart vertically a distance greater than half the length of the tank ball rod. The upper guide arm is located a fraction of an inch below the top end of the rod; and has a hole through which the rod passes. The hole is only slightly larger in diameter than the rod, so that the latter slides freely through the guide arm, but without appreciable side play. The lower guide is spaced above the tank ball a distance sufficient to allow the tank ball to rise clear of the outlet seat, and has a hole with diameter approximately 2 to 2.5 times the diameter of the rod, so that the latter has sufficient side clearance to allow the ball to center itself on its seat. A knob is attached to the rod between the guide arms closely adjacent the lower guide arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Inventor: Ejnar Sorensen
  • Patent number: 4571753
    Abstract: The valve piece of a toilet-tank discharge valve is moved into its open position by the release activation of an associated activating mechanism. It usually remains in this position until the flushing process is complete and the drops back into the closed position. The valve piece can also be moved back into its closed position ahead of time by discontinuance activation. The activating mechanism has a shift mechanism that can be reversed in its operating direction by a change of state in the toilet tank associated with release activation in such a way that discontinuance activation can result from renewed activation of one and the same activating mechanism in the same direction as during release activation. The device is convenient to operate and provides a wide range of possible ways of designing the operating element from the aspect of appearance. Simple remote operating devices can also be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Assignee: Georg Rost & Sohne Armaturenfabrik GmbH & Co Kg
    Inventor: Reiner Strangfeld
  • Patent number: 4566140
    Abstract: A sanitary pan flush cistern which includes structure to permit full-flush or partial flush as required. The cistern is a conventional lidded container housing usual outlet valve on a valve-rod, a press-button in the lid to open the valve and a float-controlled water admission valve. It also houses a pot which in turn houses the outlet valve, and has a normally open doorway furnished with a lid. Linkage connects both the lid and the valve-rod to the press-button so that when the latter is pressed the valve is opened and a full flush passes the outlet valve from the pot and from the outer vessel by way of the normally-open door. When the press-button is lifted the outlet valve opens as before but the door is closed so that the flush is limited to the content of the pot. In accordance with the invention the linkage is length adjustable and the press-button preferably non-rotatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: James Hardie Industries Limited
    Inventor: Neil R. Musgrove
  • Patent number: 4527296
    Abstract: A sanitary pan flush cistern which includes structure to permit full-flush or partial flush as required. The cistern is a conventional lidded container housing usual outlet valve on a valve-rod, a press-button in the lid to open the valve and a float-controlled water admission valve. It also houses a pot which in turn houses the outlet valve, and has a normally open doorway furnished with a lid. Linkage connects both the lid and the valve-rod to the press-button so that when the latter is pressed the valve is opened and a full flush passes the outlet valve from the pot and from the outer vessel by way of the normally-open door. When the press-button is lifted the outlet valve opens as before but the door is closed so that the flush is limited to the content of the pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Assignee: James Hardie Industries Limited
    Inventor: Neil R. Musgrove
  • Patent number: 4433445
    Abstract: A half-flush mechanism for a commode. The half-flush mechansim allows user control of the amount of water used in flushing the commode. Activation of the mechanism entails pushing of a button located in an otherwise conventional flush handle. The mechanism is always in the full flush mode and returns to the full flush mode until again activated by the pushing of the half-flush button. The half-flush mechanism is adaptable to a variety of commode designs and may be adjusted by the user to release varying amounts of water during the half-flush mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1984
    Inventors: George R. Morris, John A. Frient
  • Patent number: 4338690
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic mechanism for flush and raising a toilet seat which permits the seat to be raised automatically to a vertical, non-use position and the wash water to automatically flush the urinal after the occupancy of the toilet seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1982
    Inventors: Jung H. Hsieh, Jung K. Hsieh
  • Patent number: 4240168
    Abstract: An improved combination commode construction including a water closet common to a plurality of commodes, a plurality of separate commode control assemblies on the water closet, each of which assemblies is associated with a respective commode and is actuatable for effecting flushing of the commode with which it is associated, and flushing apparatus to control the amount of flush water used in the flushing of each commode, the flushing apparatus including a refill water construction for providing refill water to the water closet and the commodes, the flushing apparatus also including a refill control assembly responsive to actuations of each of the separate commode control assemblies for directing and supplying refill water from the refill water construction to the respective commode with which the actuated separate commode control assembly is associated, the refill control assembly being further responsive to actuations of the separate commode control assemblies to inhibit supply of refill water to commodes no
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1980
    Inventor: James I. Duke
  • Patent number: 4240167
    Abstract: A flush valve control apparatus for selectively closing, at the option of the operator, the flush valve of a flush toilet is disclosed. The apparatus includes a control member which is located such that it can selectively push against the flush valve which opens and closes the outlet pipe of a flush toilet. The control member which is normally in a non-control relationship with the flush valve is attached by a hinge to the standpipe such that it may be rotated downwardly until it contacts the top portion of the valve. A rod is pivotally attached to the control member at one end and slidably attached to a line at its second end. The link is attached to the handle of a trip lever, such as is normally found in conventional toilets. On forcing the trip lever downward by rotating the handle in a direction opposite to that for flushing, the link slides along the rod until it meets a stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1980
    Inventor: Elbert G. Gilliland
  • Patent number: 4141092
    Abstract: A dual-actuating flush device for selectively allowing a partial or a full quantity of water to be discharged from the toilet-water tank into the associated toilet bowl; wherein the tank includes independent partial and full flush valve mechanisms to provide conservation of water, each flush valve being arranged at a different water level within the tank, and operably connected to the dual-actuating device which comprises a handle that is operated only in a downward movement for both the partial and the full flush. For a partial flush, which operates the upper level valve, the handle is moved downwardly in a normal manner, with a limited stroke. To provide for a full flush, the handle is pushed inwardly and downwardly, allowing a selective pin to travel in a large elongated groove, thereby extending the downward stroke of the handle, and thus operating the second and lower disposed flush valve, allowing a larger quantity of water to be drained therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1979
    Inventor: Ian R. Jones