Patent Application
20060053542
The present invention relates to toilet outflow valve systems. More particularly, the invention provides toilet outflow valve assemblies with improved adjustability.
In the past, most toilets manufactured in the U.S. discharged approximately 3-5 gallons of water per flush. More recently, however, concerns with water conservation, combined with federal law requiring new toilets to have a maximum discharge volume of 1.6 gallons per flush, have led to the development of new water-conserving toilet systems and various devices for reducing the water consumption of older toilets.
One example of a device used to increase the efficiency of older toilets is a dual flush-volume toilet tank outflow valve assembly. Dual flush valve assemblies utilize separate flush valves that discharge different amounts of water for flushing solid and liquid waste. In one type of dual flush-volume valve assembly, a high-volume flush valve is positioned near the bottom of the toilet tank to pass a higher volume of water for flushing solid waste, and a low-volume flush valve is positioned higher in the toilet tank for passing a lower volume of water for flushing liquid waste. Thus, a user may select a high-volume flush when clogging presents a problem, and otherwise use a low-volume flush.
An alternative device to reduce the water consumption of older toilets, without requiring the conversion to a dual flush valve arrangement, is to modify volume of water passed by the flush valve during each flush cycle. This can pose a problem, however, as toilet outflow valve assemblies provide little, if any, adjustment of the amount of water to be drained from the toilet tank as it is flushed. Moreover, the volume of water that a particular toilet outflow valve assembly will pass is dependent upon the shape of the toilet tank. As an example, when using an outflow valve assembly of a selected height, more water will be discharged from a taller tank than from a shorter tank. This may cause problems with flushing, as an inadequate amount of water to flush waste from the toilet bowl may be discharged if the maximum water level in the toilet tank is insufficient. Conversely, if the height of an outflow valve assembly were selected higher than required to provide an adequate amount of water to flush waste from the toilet bowl, then water would effectively be wasted during each flush cycle.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a modular outflow valve assembly for a toilet tank comprising a base for attachment to the toilet tank, the base having an opening configured to pass water out of the toilet tank, an elongate guide attached to the base and adapted to extend longitudinally upward from the base, the guide having a tube stop piece adjustably secured thereto at an upper end thereof, and an outflow tube assembly having a hollow interior and adapted to be installed over the guide so that the guide extends through the hollow interior of the outflow tube assembly and the outflow tube assembly extends upwardly from the base and the hollow interior of the outflow tube structure is in fluid communication with the opening in the base, said outflow tube assembly being slidably and upwardly coupled to said guide, said outflow tube assembly being separable from the base and configured to pass a selected amount of water from the toilet tank when separated from the base, the outflow tube assembly including a lower outflow tube section, a lighter-than-water segment that surrounds the lower outflow tube section, and an upper outflow tube section extending upward from the lower outflow tube and adjustably coupled and fixed to said lower outflow tube section.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a toilet assembly comprising a toilet bowl, a toilet tank having an outflow opening coupled to the toilet bowl, and a toilet tank outflow valve assembly installed in the toilet tank, the outflow valve assembly comprising a base installed in the toilet tank outflow opening and attached to the toilet tank, the base having an opening configured to pass water out of the toilet tank, an elongate guide extending upward from the base and having an upper end, a stop piece attached to the guide at the upper end thereof and adjustable in height relative to the base, and an outflow tube assembly extending upward from the base and in fluid communication with the outflow opening, wherein the guide extends through the outflow tube assembly and the outflow tube assembly is slidable lengthwise of the guide and the stop piece limits upward movement of the outflow tube assembly relative to the guide, said outflow tube assembly being separable from the base and configured to pass a selected amount of water from the toilet tank when separated from the base, and wherein the outflow tube assembly defines an overflow passage such that in the event that water fills the tank up to the upper end of the outflow tube assembly water overflows from the tank through the overflow passage and passes to the toilet bowl, and the outflow tube assembly is of a height such that the volume of the toilet tank above the base and below the upper end of the outflow tube assembly limits flush volume so as to comply with regulations governing flush volume.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a toilet assembly comprising a toilet bowl, a toilet tank having an outflow opening coupled to the toilet bowl, a toilet tank outflow valve assembly installed in the toilet tank, the outflow valve assembly comprising a base installed in the toilet tank outflow opening and attached to the toilet tank, the base having an opening configured to pass water out of the toilet tank, an elongate guide extending upward from the base and having an upper end, a stop piece attached to the guide at the upper end thereof and adjustable in height relative to the base, and an outflow tube assembly extending upward from the base and in fluid communication with the outflow opening, wherein the guide extends through the outflow tube assembly and the outflow tube assembly is slidable lengthwise of the guide and the stop piece limits upward movement of the outflow tube assembly relative to the guide, said outflow tube assembly being separable from the base and configured to pass a selected amount of water from the toilet tank when separated from the base, and a handle assembly mounted to the toilet tank and coupled to the outflow tube assembly for lifting the outflow tube assembly to separate the outflow tube assembly from the base, wherein the handle assembly is operable interchangeably with either a dual volume outflow tube assembly or a single volume outflow tube assembly.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a modular dual flush-volume outflow valve assembly for a toilet tank comprising a base for attachment to the toilet tank, the base having an opening configured to pass water out of the toilet tank, an elongate guide attached to the base and adapted to extend longitudinally upward from the base, the guide having a tube stop piece adjustably secured thereto at an upper end thereof, a dual volume outflow tube assembly having a hollow interior and adapted to be installed over the guide so that the guide extends through the hollow interior of the dual volume outflow tube assembly and the dual volume outflow tube assembly extends upwardly from the base, said dual volume outflow tube assembly being slidably and upwardly coupled to said guide, said dual volume outflow tube assembly comprising a lower outflow tube structure having a lower end and an upper end, and a lighter-than-water segment that surrounds the lower end of the lower outflow tube structure, the lower outflow tube structure being separable from the base and configured to pass a first larger amount of water from the toilet tank when separated from the base, and the dual volume outflow tube assembly further comprising an upper valve structure including an overflow tube having a lower end and an upper end and extending upward from the lower outflow tube structure and a lighter-than-water segment that surrounds the lower end of the overflow tube and defines at least one drain hole in communication with said hollow interior, the upper valve structure being movable upward along the guide independently of the lower outflow tube structure and being separable from the lower outflow tube structure and configured to pass a second smaller amount of water from the toilet tank when separated from the lower outflow tube.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of modifying a toilet tank outflow valve assembly installed in a toilet tank having an outflow opening that is coupled to a toilet bowl, the outflow valve assembly comprising a base installed in the toilet tank outflow opening and attached to the toilet tank, the base having an opening configured to pass water out of the toilet tank, an elongate guide extending upward from the base and having an upper end, a stop piece attached to the guide at the upper end thereof and adjustable in height relative to the base, and a first outflow tube assembly extending upward from the base and in fluid communication with the outflow opening, wherein the guide extends through the first outflow tube assembly and the first outflow tube assembly is slidable lengthwise of the guide and the stop piece limits upward movement of the first outflow tube assembly relative to the guide, wherein the method comprises removing the first outflow tube assembly and replacing the first outflow tube assembly with a second outflow tube assembly so that the second outflow tube assembly extends upward from the base and is in fluid communication with the outflow opening and the guide extends through the second outflow tube assembly and the second outflow tube assembly is slidable lengthwise of the guide and the stop piece limits upward movement of the second outflow tube assembly relative to the guide, wherein one of the first and second outflow tube assemblies is a single volume outflow tube assembly and the other of the first and second outflow tube assemblies is a dual volume outflow tube assembly, wherein the single volume outflow tube assembly comprises an outflow tube having a lower end segment, and a lighter-than-water segment that surrounds the lower end segment of the outflow tube, wherein the dual volume outflow tube assembly comprises a lower outflow tube structure having a lower end and an upper end, and a lighter-than-water segment that surrounds the lower end of the lower outflow tube structure, and the dual volume outflow tube assembly further comprises an upper valve structure including an overflow tube having a lower end and an upper end and extending upward from the lower outflow tube structure and a lighter-than-water segment that surrounds the lower end of the overflow tube and defines at least one drain hole in communication with the outflow tube, the upper valve structure being movable upward along the guide independently of the lower outflow tube structure, whereby when the single volume outflow tube assembly is fitted to the guide, the single volume outflow tube assembly is separable from the base to pass a selected volume of water from the toilet tank to the bowl, and when the dual volume outflow tube assembly is fitted to the guide the lower outflow tube structure is separable from the base to pass a first larger volume of water from the toilet tank to the bowl and the upper valve structure is upwardly separable from the lower outflow tube structure to pass a second smaller volume of water from the toilet tank to the bowl by way of the lower outflow tube structure.
Some embodiments provide an outflow valve assembly for a toilet tank, wherein the valve assembly comprises a base including an opening for passing water out of the toilet tank, a valve portion including a lower outflow tube section extending upwardly from the base and having a hollow interior, and also including a flush valve for discharging water from the toilet tank when opened, and an upper overflow tube adjustably coupled to and extending vertically upward from the lower outflow tube section. In some embodiments, the flush valve is formed by a surface of the lower outflow tube section resting against a surface of the base.
For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which
Various embodiments of the present invention provide modular single or dual flush-volume toilet tank outflow valve assemblies that may be easily converted between single and dual flush-volume configurations. Furthermore, various embodiments of the dual flush-volume configurations offer improved adjustability and flush performance compared to known dual valve assemblies.
A first embodiment of a modular valve assembly according to the present invention is shown generally at 10 in
A lower outflow tube section 16 extends upwardly from base 14, and a high volume flush valve 18 is positioned on the lower outflow tube section adjacent the bottom of the interior of toilet tank 12. High volume flush valve 18 is configured to empty essentially all water from toilet tank 12 when opened to provide a higher volume flush for flushing solid wastes. An upper outflow tube section 20 is slidably coupled to lower outflow tube section 16, and a low volume flush valve 22 is positioned on the upper outflow tube section. Low volume flush valve 22 is configured to empty toilet tank 12 only partially, thus providing a water-saving, smaller volume flush. It will be appreciated that modular valve assembly 10 may be easily converted to a single-volume flush valve system by replacing upper outflow tube section 20 with an overflow tube section, as described in more detail below in reference to
The slidable connection of lower outflow tube section 16 to upper outflow tube section 20 allows the height of low volume flush valve 22 to be adjusted relative to the height of high volume flush valve 18. This allows the volume of water discharged by low volume flush valve 22 to be adjusted for toilet tanks of different sizes, permitting the volume of water discharged by the low volume flush valve to be quickly and easily adjusted over a wide range of volumes. This wide range of adjustability allows valve system 10 to be used in essentially any new or existing gravity flush toilet system. Modular valve assembly 10 also includes an overflow tube section 24, which also may be adjustable in height to provide infinitesimal control of the low-volume flush. As described in more detail below, overflow tube section 24 may be connected directly to lower outflow tube section 16 to form a single flush-volume valve system with an adjustable overflow tube height if desired.
Lower outflow tube section 16 is connected to base 14, and includes a hollow upright portion 48 to which upper outflow tube section 20 is coupled. Upright portion 48 supports upper outflow tube section 20 above base 14, and also channels water discharged through low volume flush valve 22 through toilet tank outflow hole 43. Upright portion 48 may have any suitable configuration. For example, upright portion 48 may have a bend that offsets upper outflow tube section 20 relative to base 14. In the depicted embodiment, however, upright portion 48 extends directly above base 14, such that the hollow interior of upright portion 48 is positioned directly above and in line with the opening in base 14. In this configuration, water discharged through low volume flush valve 22 can pass straight down through lower outflow tube section 16 without any horizontal deflection, and thus may increase the continuous maximum water volume and velocity of the flush.
Lower outflow tube section 16 also includes a lower side tube 50 extending away from upright portion 48, which connects high volume flush valve 18 to upright portion 48. Lower side tube 50 may have any suitable configuration, and may be positioned at any desired location on lower outflow tube section 16. In the depicted embodiment, lower side tube 50 is oriented generally parallel to toilet tank bottom 40, and is positioned directly adjacent the toilet tank bottom. This places the lower edge of the lip 52 of high-volume valve 18 very close to the bottom of toilet tank, and thus permits essentially all of the water to drain from the tank when the high volume flush valve is opened. While high volume flush valve is connected to upright portion 48 with lower side tube 50 in the depicted embodiment, it will be appreciated that high volume flush valve may also be attached directly to the side of upright portion 48, without the use of lower side tube 50.
When water is discharged from toilet tank 12 via low volume flush valve 22, it is possible that some water may flow into lower side tube 50. To direct water discharged through low volume flush valve 22 away from the opening of lower side tube 50, valve system 10 may include a water flow diverter disposed in the interior of lower outflow tube section 16. This water flow diverter may have any suitable design. In the depicted embodiment, the water flow diverter takes the form of a plate 54 attached with a hinge to the joint between lower side tube 50 and upright portion 48, within the hollow interior of lower outflow tube section 16. In the absence of water flowing through lower side tube 50, plate 54 hangs downward across the opening to lower side tube 50, as shown in solid lines in
In contrast, when water is flushed through high volume flush valve 18, plate 54 is pushed away from the high volume flush valve by the water, as shown in dashed lines in
High volume flush valve 18 is configured to cover the end of lower side tube 50 to control the discharge of water through the lower side tube. High volume flush valve 18 is thus positioned at the free end of lower side tube 50, and is pivotally anchored to a pair of arms 57 located on upright portion 48. In the depicted embodiment, high volume flush valve 18 is a flapper valve, but may also be any other suitable type of valve. High volume flush valve 18 may include a seal extension 56 that extends past lower lip 52 of the high volume flush valve when the high volume flush valve is in the closed position, shown in solid lines in
The construction of the slidable joint between lower outflow tube section 16 and upper outflow tube section 20 is shown in
In addition to elongate neck 58, upper outflow tube section also includes an upper side tube 62 and the aforementioned overflow tube 24. Upper side tube 62 connects low volume flush valve 22 to upright portion 48, and provides a path for water to flow from low volume flush valve 22 into elongate neck 58. Upper side tube 62 may have any suitable configuration, and may be located in any desired position on upper outflow tube section 16. In the depicted embodiment, lower side tube 62 extends diagonally upward from elongate neck 58. Low volume flush valve 22 is positioned at the upper end of upper side tube 62, and is pivotally attached to a pair of arms 66 located on overflow tube 24. In the depicted embodiment, low volume flush valve 22 is a flapper valve, but it may also be any other suitable type of valve.
When upper outflow tube section 20 is raised or lowered relative to lower outflow tube section 16, the height of overflow tube 24 also changes. To compensate for this, or to permit the maximum water level of the toilet to be adjusted, overflow tube 24 may have an adjustable height. In the depicted embodiment, overflow tube 24 has a slidable adjustment mechanism, although other mechanisms may be used. A sliding adjustment mechanism is preferable, as it allows the height of overflow tube 24 to be quickly adjusted to any desired height within a range of possible heights. In the depicted embodiment, overflow tube 24 is formed from an upper overflow tube section 68 that fits within a lower overflow tube section 70.
Lower overflow tube section 70 of the depicted embodiment is integral with upper outflow tube section 20, and may include a locking collar 72 for fixing the position of upper overflow tube section 68 relative to lower overflow tube section 70. A toilet bowl refill tube 74 (or other suitable device) may be threaded into overflow tube 24 for refilling the toilet bowl after a flush, or may be placed elsewhere in the toilet tank.
Upper overflow tube section 68 may initially be provided with extra length to extend into lower outflow tube section 16. This extra length may facilitate the conversion of modular valve system 10 between single flush-volume and dual flush-volume configurations, as it may allow for the use of a longer overflow tube in a single flush-volume configuration for taller, narrower toilet tanks. However, the extra length of upper overflow tube section 68 may also be cut off (or otherwise removed from) the upper overflow tube section, as indicated at 68E in
Where a single-volume flush system is desired, upper overflow tube section 68 may be placed directly in lower outflow tube section 16, without the use of upper outflow tube section 20. This is depicted in
A second embodiment of a modular valve assembly according to the present invention is shown generally at 110 in
Offset overflow tube 124 is formed from an upper overflow tube section 168 slidably coupled to a lower overflow tube section 170. This allows the height of overflow tube 124 to be adjusted, and thus permits the overflow tube height to be changed to compensate for changes in the height of the low volume flush valve, or to change the maximum water level in the toilet tank. A locking collar 172 may be provided to allow upper overflow tube section 168 to be fixed in position relative to lower overflow tube section 170. A pair of arms 166 may be provided on overflow tube section 120 as a location for the attachment of low volume flush valve 122. A refill tube 174 for refilling the toilet bowl after a flush may be attached to upper overflow tube section 168.
Positioning overflow tube 124 in an offset position also may allow the overflow tube to have a greater range of adjustability than if it were positioned directly over upper outflow tube section 120. In the embodiment shown in
As with the embodiment of
Base 214 is configured to couple modular valve assembly 210 to the bottom 40 of toilet tank 12 and to pass water out of the toilet tank. In the depicted embodiment, base 214 takes the form of a spud, but it will be appreciated that base 214 may have any other suitable configuration. Base 214 includes a threaded portion 230 that fits through toilet tank outflow hole 43, and is secured to bottom 40 of toilet tank 12 with a nut 232. The connection may be sealed with a gasket 234.
Base 214 also includes an upper surface 236 that forms part of the high volume flush valve. In the depicted embodiment, upper surface 236 is a flat surface configured to form a watertight seal with a gasket 238 situated on lower outflow tube section 216. The high volume flush valve is opened by separating gasket 238 from upper surface 236 of base 214, permitting water to drain from toilet tank 12 through the base. The gasket and upper surface are separated by pulling upwardly on a ring 239 attached to upper outflow tube section 218, thus lifting column structure 211 along guide 213.
Alternatively, base 214 upper section may include commonly used configuration including an annular groove that extends peripherally of the body portion in close proximity to its axially upper rim. The annular groove supports a cantilevered diaphragm which extends radially outwardly therefrom to present a surface for seating lower section of outflow tube section 216. Similarly, the upper end of tube section 218 may be formed with an annular groove that extends peripherally of tube section 218 in close proximity to its axially upper end. The groove supports a cantilevered diaphragm which extends radially outwardly therefrom to present a surface against which the lower end of cap piece 220 seats.
Alternatively, outflow tube 216 lower tube section, and cap piece 220 lower tube like structure may include commonly used configuration including unobstructed tube end surface configured to form a water tight seal with coupled diaphragm part of alternative commonly used base 214.
As described above, guide 213 extends upwardly from base 214 and guides the movement of column structure 211 when the lower outflow tube section is raised or lowered. Guide 213 may have any suitable configuration. In the depicted embodiment, guide 213 is formed from four upwardly-extending ribs 240 arranged in a cross-like configuration, but may have any other suitable configuration. Guide 213 may also include a series of holes or raised portions 241 to reduce the noise of water flowing down guide 213 as the toilet bowl is refilled after flushing.
Lower outflow tube section 216 includes a ring 242 that surrounds guide 213 to hold column structure 211 centered on guide 213. Ring 242 is attached to the inside of lower outflow tube section 216 with one or more plastic spacers 244, and travels along guide 213 as lower outflow tube section 216 is moved up or down to open or close the high volume flush valve, respectively. Modular valve assembly 210 may have as many rings 242 as desired for guiding lower outflow tube section 216 (and upper outflow tube section 218) along guide 213. Two rings 242 are shown in the depicted embodiment.
Lower outflow tube section 216 also includes a float 246. Float 246 is formed from a hollowed, air-containing chamber surrounding lower outflow tube section 216. When the high-volume valve is opened, float 246 holds the high-volume valve open until the water drains to the level of upper surface 236 of base 214. One or more small holes 247 may be formed in the bottom of float 246 to allow for the equalization of pressure between the float and the outside atmosphere. Holes 247 open into the hollow interior of lower outflow tube section 216 so that any water that may get inside of float 246 will drain out of the toilet tank.
To prevent premature water by-pass between smaller size 1.6 gpf tank toilet flush valve components and base 214 during tank filling process, lower outflow tube section 216 and tube section 219 incuding float 246 and cap piece 220 including float 256 and overflow tube 222 are of sufficient weight to keep the flush valve assembly in sealed contact with base 214 during the first stage of filling the tank and until outflow tube suction overcomes flotation buoyancy of the float valve. One of many methods for adding weight would be accomplished by including additional material during injection molding of the flush valve components, beyond that needed for fabrication of the components. Another would be attaching appropriate external weight pieces following manufacture, and in any desired configuration.
Similar in operation to the high volume flush valve, the low volume flush valve of modular valve assembly 210 is formed from the junction of upper outflow tube section 218 and cap section 220. The seal of the low volume flush valve is formed between the top surface 250 of upper outflow tube section 218 and a gasket 252 attached to the bottom of cap section 220. Separating gasket 252 from top surface 250 lifts cap section 220 along guide 213, and thus opens the high volume valve. A chain attachment ring 254 is disposed on cap section 220 to allow the attachment of a chain or wand so that cap section 220 may be lifted with wand 26, or another suitable mechanism. A float 256 formed in cap section 220 holds the low volume flush valve open until water drains to the level of top surface 250. One or more small holes 257 may be provided to allow the pressure within float 256 to equalize with the outside atmosphere.
Alternatively, to limit height of the flush valve assembly for purpose of limiting single flush-volume evacuated toilet tank, guide 213 including guide height altering tube stop cap 268 or optional guide extension part shall be of a height not exceeding that needed for limiting single flush volume to the particular volume required.
To allow the volume of the high-volume flush to be adjusted, upper outflow tube section 218 is adjustably coupled to the upper portion of lower outflow tube section 216. Lower outflow tube section 216 and upper outflow tube section 218 may be adjustably coupled in any desired manner. For example, the upper portion of lower outflow tube section 216 and the lower portion of upper outflow tube section 218 may have complementary threads so that the height of the upper outflow tube section may be adjusted by turning the upper outflow tube section. In the depicted embodiment, however, upper outflow tube section 218 is slidably coupled to lower outflow tube section. A suitable locking device, such as a worm drive clamp 258, may be used to fix upper outflow tube section 218 in position relative to lower outflow tube section 216. Alternatively, chemical fixation, e.g. gluing, may be employed to fix upper outflow tube 216 and lower outflow tube 218 in a selected relative axial position and prevent subsequent adjustment that could lead to excessive water useag.
Alternatively, to change guide height for the purpose of limiting height of flush valve assembly and thereby limit single flush volume, guide 213 may include guide height altering tube stop cap piece 268.
As shown in
To prevent guide 213 from being used for purposes other than intended water savings, dual and single flush volume valve assemblies, intended for EP Act mandated 1.6 gpf toilets, and retrofit 3.5 gpf and other volume toilets, guide 213 diameter may be configured so as to interoperably accept slidingly coupled modular interchangeable water saving dual flush volume and alternative water saving single flush volume flush valve assemblies. Thus, a user wishing to change from a single flush volume valve assembly to a dual flush volume valve assembly may remove the single flush volume valve assembly from guide 213 and replace it with a dual flush volume valve assembly, and similarly a user wishing to change from a dual flush volume valve assembly to a single flush volume valve assembly may remove the dual flush volume valve assembly from guide 213 and replace it with a single flush volume valve assembly.
Overflow tube 222 is attached to the top portion of cap section 220, and may have any suitable design for allowing excess water to drain from toilet tank 12. For example, overflow tube 222 may have a fixed height relative to cap section 220. In the depicted embodiment, however, overflow tube 222 has an adjustable height. This allows the height of the overflow tube to be adjusted to compensate for adjustments in the height of the low volume flush valve, and also to allow the maximum water level in the toilet tank to be adjusted.
Overflow tube 222 is formed from a lower overflow tube section 260 slidably coupled to an upper overflow tube section 262. Lower overflow tube section 260 of the depicted embodiment is formed from a molded tubular inner section of cap section 220, but may also be formed from a separate tubular piece. Lower overflow tube section 260 preferably has a diameter that closely fits guide 213 so that guide 213 holds cap section 220 centered over upper outflow tube section 218 and lower outflow tube section 216. Upper overflow tube section 262 fits snugly within, or outside of, the inner diameter of lower overflow tube section 260 so that it may be slid upward or downward relative to the lower overflow tube section to adjust the height of overflow tube 222. A locking device, such as a worm drive clamp 266 (or any other suitable device), may be used to fix the height of upper overflow tube section 262 relative to lower overflow tube section 260.
To prevent cap piece 220 from being moved above the top of guide 213, guide 213 includes a stop 268 with a greater diameter than the diameter of upper overflow tube section 262. Stop 268 may be attached to guide 213 in any suitable manner. In the depicted embodiment, cap 268 is connected to guide 213 with a threaded connection.
Stop 268 may include a refill hole 270 configured to accept a toilet bowl refill line. In the depicted embodiment, guide 213 also includes a refill tube 272 extending downwardly from refill hole 270 past the level of top surface 250 of upper outflow tube section 218. This helps to prevent water flowing through refill hole 270 from compromising the integrity of the seal of the low volume flush valve.
Many types of flush mechanisms may be used to operate a toilet valve assembly according to the present invention. For example, a double handle system may be used, in which each outflow valve is operated by a separate handle.
The construction of flush mechanism 310 is shown in detail in
Handle 28 is fixed to one end of a hollow rotatable member 322 that extends through bushing 318. A flush wand 26 is attached to the other end of hollow rotatable member 322 with a screw 325, or other suitable fastener. Thus, pushing handle 28 downwardly causes flush wand 26 to rotate upwardly and pull open any valves connected to the flush wand.
As described earlier and shown in
To prevent handle 28 from rotating fully and opening the high volume flush valve during ordinary use, flush mechanism 310 may include a high-volume flush control. The high-volume flush control typically has at least two possible states: a first state in which the opening of the high volume flush valve is prevented, and a second state in which the opening of the high volume flush valve is enabled. The first state will typically be the default state of the flush mechanism. Thus, a userEs reflexive pushing of handle 28 will result in a low-volume flush. In contrast, the user generally must make a cognitive step in order to operate the high-volume flush. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the high-volume flush control prevents handle 28 from rotating far enough to open the high volume flush valve unless button 34 is depressed while pushing on handle 28.
The high-volume flush control includes a slidable member 326 extending through the interior of wand rotation tube 322. Button 34 is disposed on one end of slidable member 326, and a wand rotation stop 328 is disposed on the other end. When button 34 is not depressed, wand rotation stop 328 extends snugly over the top of flush wand 26. This is the first state of the high-volume flush control of flush mechanism 310. The top surface 330 of flush wand 26 is flat, causing wand rotation stop 328 to rotate when the flush wand is rotated. When button 34 is depressed, however, wand rotation stop 328 is pushed away from top surface 330 of flush wand 26. Thus, slidable member 326 thus is not rotated with the wand. This is the second state of the high-volume flush control of flush mechanism 310. A spring 332 may be disposed around wand rotation lock shaft 326 to bias wand rotation stop 328 into the first state by pushing against the outside of the toilet tank.
The rotational travel path of flush wand 26 is limited by two appendages on locking mechanism 320. First, locking mechanism 320 has a wand rest support 334 that holds flush wand 26 in the rest position when handle 28 is not being operated. Second, locking mechanism 320 has a wand rotation stopping member 336. Wand rotation stopping member 336 is configured to be a barrier to the rotation of flush wand 26 past the point at which the low volume flush valve is opened, unless button 34 is depressed. As described above and illustrated in
In contrast, when button 34 is depressed, wand rotation stop 328 is disengaged from flush wand 26, and does not turn with the wand. It thus does not contact wand rotation stopping member 336 as handle 28 is pushed, and does not stop rotation of flush wand 26. This is shown in
Furthermore, flush mechanism 410 also has a high-volume flush control. The high-volume flush control includes a slidable member 420 that extends through the hollow interior of rotatable member 412. A wand rotation stop 422 is attached to one end of slidable member 420, and a button 424 may be attached to the other end of the slidable member. Button 424 may be pressed to move wand rotation stop 422 from its first state, positioned over first flush wand 418, to its second state, in which it is not positioned over first flush wand 418. For a more secure fit, slidable member 420 may include raised portions or flutings 425 to mate with complementary flutings 427 within button 424.
Unlike flush mechanism 310, however, flush mechanism 410 includes a second flush wand 426 to open the high volume flush valve. Second flush wand 426 is mounted to an extension 428 of slidable member 420, which may include flutings 430 to hold second flush wand 426 more securely. Second flush wand is lifted by a lifting member 432 disposed on first flush wand 418 that extends outwardly from the first flush wand. Thus, second flush wand is lifted when first flush wand is lifted by manipulation of handle 416. Lifting member 432 of the depicted embodiment has an elongate, generally flat shape, but it will be appreciated that any other lifting member may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The use of lifting member 432 helps to increase the velocity of the water exiting the toilet tank during a high volume flush, as water flowing through the low volume flush valve may be able to reach a higher velocity due to its longer fall through the lower outflow tube section, and thus may increase the overall momentum of the water flowing out of the toilet tank. Furthermore, the opening of the low volume flush valve along with the high volume flush valve during a high-volume flush may help to eliminate air within the lower and upper outflow tube sections during a high-volume flush. This may help to improve the smooth flow of water out of the toilet tank during a high-volume flush. It will be appreciated that any other suitable mechanism for opening the low volume flush valve and the high volume flush valve at the same time may be used. For example, both the low volume flush valve and the high volume flush valve may be attached to the high volume flush wand via separate cords or chains.
Operation of flush mechanism 410 is similar to that of flush mechanism 310. Depressing handle 416 when wand rotation stop 422 is in the first state causes the wand rotation stop 422 to contact a stopping member 438, thus preventing the high volume flush valve from being opened. However, when button 424 is depressed, moving wand rotation stop 422 into its second state, the wand rotation stop does not rotate with handle 416, thus permitting the handle to be turned sufficiently far to open the high volume flush valve. A spring 440 may be provided to bias button 424 outwardly, and thus to bias wand rotation stop 422 into the first state. Also, an elastic cord 434 may be attached between wand rest support 436 and either low volume flush wand 418, high volume flush wand 426, or both flush wands to bring the flush wands down to the rest position after a flush is completed. Indicator symbols 442 may be molded into, printed on, or otherwise provided on handle 416, button 424, and/or flush wands 418 and 426 to indicate which flush wands are controlled by the handle and button. The indicator symbols also may indicate which flush handle is used to flush which type of waste. For example, liquid waste is often referred to as “number one” by many people, and especially children, while solid waste is often referred to as “number two.” Where handle 416 and button 424 have the indicator symbols shown in
However, unlike flush mechanisms 310 and 410, flush mechanism 510 includes a wand rotation engagement bracket 522 attached to a button 524 coupled to the end of slidable member 520. Wand rotation engagement bracket 522 is configured to engage a complementary raised portion 526 on rotatable member 514 to cause slidable member 520 to turn with rotatable member 514 when button 524 is depressed and handle 516 is pushed.
As with the other embodiments described above, flush mechanism 510 has two states. In the first state, when button 524 is not pushed inwardly by a user, wand rotation bracket 522 does not engage raised portion 526 on rotatable member 514 when handle 516 is depressed. Thus, slidable member 520 is not turned with rotatable member 514. However, in the second state, when button 524 is depressed, raised portion 526 engages wand rotation engagement bracket 522 when handle 516 is depressed. This causes slidable member 520 to turn with handle 516, thus lifting high volume flush wand 528 and causing the high volume flush valve to be opened. A spring 530 may be included between button 524 and rotatable member 514 to bias wand rotation engagement bracket 522 into the first state. Also, an elastic cord 532 may be attached to high volume flush wand 528 and another part of flush mechanism, such as a wand rest support 534, to return the high-volume flush to its rest position once the flush is finished.
However, the high-volume flush control of flush mechanism 610 operates differently from those of the embodiments described above. Wherein the high-volume flush controls of flush mechanisms 310, 410 and 510 are changed between states by pushing a button, flush mechanism 610 is changed between states by pulling slidable member 620 outwardly. The high volume flush valve may then be opened by turning slidable member 620.
To prevent the high volume flush valve from being opened when in the first state, bushing 614 includes a flange 622 with a depression 624. Depression 624 is configured to receive a complementary extension 626 disposed on an outer cap piece 628, which is attached to the end of slidable member 620.
The operation of flush mechanism 610 is as follows. Low volume flush wand 618 may be opened simply by pushing on handle 616. High volume flush wand 630, however, may not be opened simply by turning cap piece 628. When in the first state, extension 626 is positioned within depression 624, preventing cap piece 628 from being turned. Therefore, cap piece 628 must first be pulled outwardly, and then turned, to lift high volume flush wand 630. A spring 632 may be included to bias cap piece 628 into the first state, and elastic cords 634 and 636 may be included to pull high volume flush wand 630 and low volume flush wand 618, respectively, to their rest positions after use. Also, handles may have a numerical (or other) code to depict visually the correspondence between a selected handle and its associated flush valve. In the depicted embodiment, handle 616 and wand 618 each include a number “1”, shown at 635 and 635′, respectively. Similarly, cap piece 628 and wand 630 each include a number “2”, shown at 637 and 637′, respectively.
A lifting member 640 for communicating motion between high volume flush wand 630 and low volume flush wand 618 may be provided if desired. In the depicted embodiment, lifting member 640 is fixed to low volume flush wand 618, and extends over high volume flush wand 630. When low volume flush wand 618 is lifted, lifting member 640 does not affect high volume flush wand 618. However, when high volume flush wand 630 is lifted, the high volume flush wand 630 lifts lifting member 640, which in turn lifts low volume flush wand 618. This causes the low volume flush valve to open whenever the high volume flush valve is opened, and may help to decrease the amount of time necessary to empty the toilet tank.
Cap piece 628 may have any suitable shape. For example, cap piece 628 may have a flat configuration with a generally round circumference, or may have a shape like a traditional toilet handle. However, in the depicted embodiment, cap piece 628 includes a contoured extension 638 with a downwardly-curved perimeter configured generally to fit the shape of a finger of a user. In the depicted embodiment, contoured extension 638 is positioned such that a user pulls upwardly on the contoured extension to actuate a high-volume flush, and thus may be more awkward to use than handle 616. This may make it less likely that a user will use the high-volume flush for situations in which it is not needed. However, it will be appreciated that contoured extension 638 may be placed in any other desired position on handle 616.
The handle 916 and cap piece 928 of
Flush mechanism 710 also includes an elongate member 720 extending through the hollow interior of rotatable member 714. Unlike the corresponding piece in the prior embodiments, however, elongate member 714 is not slidable through the hollow interior of rotatable member 714. Instead, elongate member 720 is independently rotatable.
Unlike many of the other flush mechanisms described above, flush mechanism 710 provides a modular configuration dual flush handle assembly which may be independently assembled and used firstly for single flush valve operation and thereafter converted to a dual flush handle assembly for dual flush valve operation, or vice versa.
A high volume flush wand 722 is attached to one end of elongate member 720, and a high volume flush handle 724 is attached to the other end. High volume flush handle 724 has a shape configured to be somewhat more awkward to use than low volume flush handle 716. Therefore, when a user reflexively operates flush mechanism 710, the user will typically push on low volume flush handle 716. Likewise, when the user desires a high-volume flush, the user must cognitively decide to operate the somewhat more awkward high volume flush handle 724. This may be sufficient to prevent the user from flushing a full toilet tank of water in the absence of a decision that a high-volume flush is needed.
Pullable member 812 is connected to low volume flush valve 22 with a first, longer connector 816, and to high volume flush valve 18 with a second, shorter connector 818. Thus, as pullable member 812 is pulled upwardly, shorter connector 818 opens low volume flush valve 22 before longer connector 816 is able to open high volume flush valve 18.
To prevent the inadvertent opening of high volume flush valve 18, flush mechanism 810 also includes a high-volume flush control having a movable blocking member 820. Blocking member 820 is configured to have both a blocking position, corresponding to a first state of the high-volume flush control, and a retracted position, corresponding to a second state of the high-volume flush control. The blocking position is configured to prevent pullable member 812 from being pulled sufficiently far to open high volume flush valve 18 unless it is moved to the retracted position.
Blocking member 820 may have any suitable configuration. In the depicted embodiment, blocking member 820 takes the form of a lever mounted to the interior of pullable member 812 with a pivot 822. Blocking member 820 is attached to pivot 822 at a location approximately midway between the ends of blocking member 820, but may be attached at any other suitable point.
One end of blocking member 820 extends outwardly from the interior of pullable member 812 through a slot 824, and the other end is coupled to one end of an actuating member 826. Actuating member 826 is also coupled to a button 828 positioned at the top of pullable member 812. Button 828 may be depressed by a user to move actuating member 826 downward, which in turn pushes on the end of blocking member 820, causing the protruding end of blocking member 820 to pivot and retract through slot 824 into the interior of pullable member 812. A biasing element such as a spring 829 may be included to bias blocking member 820 into the blocking position.
The operation of flush mechanism 810 is illustrated in
Referring next to
Lower outflow tube section 1006 also includes a generally upright portion 1018 configured to accept the insertion of an overflow tube assembly 1020. Overflow tube assembly 1020 includes a lower overflow tube section 1022 configured to fit snugly within the inner diameter of upright portion 1018 of lower outflow tube section 1006. The height of lower overflow tube section 1022 may be adjusted by sliding lower overflow tube section 1022 into our out of lower outflow tube section 1006, and may be fixed in a desired position via locking collar 1026.
Overflow tube assembly 1020 also includes an upper overflow tube section 1028. Upper overflow tube section 1028 is configured to fit within lower overflow tube section 1022, and to be slidably adjustable with respect to the lower overflow tube section to provide an additional measure of adjustability for the height of the overflow tube assembly. In the depicted embodiment, upper overflow tube section 1028 is configured to fit snugly within a top portion of lower overflow tube section 1022, and may be secured in a desired position with a locking collar 1030. However, it will be appreciated that upper overflow tube section 1028 may have any suitable diameter, and may be secured in place via any suitable mechanism.
Valve assembly 1000 may be converted to a dual flush valve assembly simply by removing overflow tube assembly 1020 from lower outflow tube section 1006, and replacing the overflow tube assembly with an upper outflow tube section having a low volume flush valve. Examples of suitable upper outflow tube sections include, but are not limited to, upper outflow tube sections 20 of
Valve assembly 1110 also includes a base 1122 configured to couple the valve assembly to the bottom of the toilet tank and to pass water out of the toilet tank. Furthermore, a guide 1117 extends upwardly from base 1122 to guide cap section 1116 when it is lifted to discharge water from the toilet tank.
Lower outflow tube section 1112 is similar in appearance and function to the lower outflow tube section of the embodiment of
Lower outflow tube section 1112 also includes a side tube 1132 extending away from upright portion 1130. Side tube 1132 connects high volume flush valve 1118 to upright portion 1130. As with the embodiment of
In contrast to high volume flush valve 1118, low volume flush valve 1120 is similar in appearance and function to the low volume flush valve of the embodiment of
As with the embodiment of
To prevent water from overflowing the toilet tank, outflow valve assembly 1110 also has an overflow tube 1144. The height of overflow tube 1144 may be configured to be adjustable so that it may be changed to compensate for changes in the height of the low volume flush valve, and also to allow the maximum water level in the toilet tank to be adjusted. Overflow tube 1144 is formed from a lower overflow tube section 1146 slidably coupled to an upper overflow tube section 1148. The outer diameter of upper overflow tube section 1148 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of lower overflow tube section 1146, and thus fits within the lower overflow tube section in a telescopic manner. A locking device, such as a worm drive clamp 1150, may be used to fix the height of upper overflow tube section 1148 relative to lower overflow tube section 1146. Alternatively, upper overflow tube section 1148 may also be configured to fit around the outside of lower overflow tube section 1146 in a telescopic manner.
As mentioned above,
It will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted to the particular embodiments that have been described, and that variations may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims and equivalents thereof. Unless the context indicates otherwise, a reference in a claim to the number of instances of an element, be it a reference to one instance or more than one instance, requires at least the stated number of instances of the element but is not intended to exclude from the scope of the claim a structure or method having more instances of that element than stated.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/115,859 filed Apr. 26, 2005, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/679,219 filed Oct. 2, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/304,309 filed Nov. 25, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part of PCT Application No. PCT/US02/01824 filed Jan. 18, 2002, which claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/957,812 filed Sep. 20, 2001, and from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/765,690 filed Jan. 19, 2001, the entire disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10679219 | Oct 2003 | US |
| Child | 11115859 | Apr 2005 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11115859 | Apr 2005 | US |
| Child | 11255684 | Oct 2005 | US |
| Parent | 10304309 | Nov 2002 | US |
| Child | 10679219 | Oct 2003 | US |
| Parent | PCT/US02/01824 | Jan 2002 | US |
| Child | 10304309 | Nov 2002 | US |
