Patent Application
20060255301
The present invention relates generally to electronic flushometer valves. More particularly, the present invention relates to sensor plates including manual override mechanisms for use with electronic flushometer valves.
In the past several years, a number of different types of flushometer valve systems have been introduced into the marketplace. Many of these flushometer systems, while including an infrared or similar automatic detection mechanism, also include an electronic manual override, push button system by which a user can manually actuate the flushometer in the event that additional actuations are desired by the user.
Most conventional push buttons in flushometer systems are relatively small in size, often are not visible or obvious to a user, and require a significant amount of dexterity on the user's part in order to be actuated. In many instances, this requires that a person use his or her index finger in order to actuate the button. Because of this relative difficulty, many people do not use the push button systems, even if the automated mechanism is not actuated after use. Additionally, flushometer systems with manual override mechanism are also frequently installed in areas for persons with disabilities, and such people may have significant difficulty in actuation of such a relatively small push button.
All of the above problems are also sometimes compounded due to the location of such manual override buttons. In many instances, the push button is in close proximity to the flushometer valve and related components, potentially blocking access to the button. Lastly, conventional push button systems also often require a relatively high degree of force for activation, which can make actuation difficult for handicapped persons.
Many of the conventional systems discussed above require a relatively small push button due to the positioning of the sensor switch in the devices. In these systems, the sensor switch is not directly attached to the outside cover plate. As a result, actuation of certain portions of the cover plate will not have any effect upon the sensor switch, and therefore the flushometer may not be manually actuable if the wrong portion of the plate is pressed.
It would therefore be desirable to provide an improved manual activation mechanism that addresses the above-identified shortcomings, providing users with a larger activation area and also provide reliable actuation wherever depressed such that the device can be used by a wide variety of people with little difficulty, while also providing for simple installation and assembly.
The present invention provides for an improved push button system for actuating a flushometer valve. When a user desires to actuate the flushometer system, he or she presses an override plate to which a sensor switch is directly coupled. The override plate is hingedly connected to a sensor bracket. The movement of the override plate relative to the sensor bracket urges the sensor switch against a bumper, which causes an electrical signal to be transmitted to a solenoid system which actuates the flushometer.
With the present invention, the user is provided with a relatively large area for actuating the switch. In contrast to conventional flushometer systems, the direct coupling of the sensor switch to the override plate permits the user to press virtually any region on the override plate in order to manually actuate the flushometer. The present invention also results in a reduced amount of button travel and is aesthetically superior to a conventional system that requires visible attachment fasteners. Furthermore, the sensor switch and the electrical connections are all shielded from direct water contact. A system incorporating the present invention is easy to install and can also compensate for minor rough-in errors. The present invention can be incorporated into a wide variety of flushometer systems, including both closet and urinal systems that may or may not have an associated automated sensing mechanism.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention, together with the organization and manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements have like numerals throughout the several drawings described below.
As shown in
The sensor bracket 140 also includes a manual sensor switch 143 on a bottom portion thereof. A plurality of wires 160 lead from the manual sensor switch 143 to the solenoid assembly 106 and electrical supply. A sensor mounting plate 144 is coupled at a bottom portion thereof to the actuator cover plate 134 by a mounting screw 146. This coupling is only used for retaining purposes. The sensor mounting plate 144 is also coupled to the wall on the side opposite the actuator cover plate 134.
The sensor mounting plate 144 also houses a bumper 148 within a receiving region 150 in a bottom portion thereof. The bumper 148 is positioned to come into selective contact with the manual sensor switch 143 which is movable between a first position and a second position. When in the first position (at rest), the bumper 148 is in slight contact with the manual sensor switch 143, as shown in
As best seen in
In one embodiment of the invention, the automatic sensor switch 138 comprises an infrared detection mechanism. The infrared detection mechanism is used to detect when an individual is no longer using the toilet associated with the closet flushometer system 100. However, it should be noted that the present invention can also be used without an infrared detection mechanism. When a user steps away from the closet flushometer system 100 including an infrared sensor mechanism, the automatic sensor switch 138 transmits an electrical signal to the coil 112 of the solenoid system 106. The energizing of the coil 112 causes a solenoid pole piece (not shown) to move within the solenoid shaft 120, opening the valve and permitting water to be released for flushing. The infrared sensor mechanism can also monitor when an individual enters the effective range of the mechanism. This information can be used to help prevent false flushing of the system.
The operation of an override according to the present invention is generally as follows. As shown in
By creating the hinge 158 between the sensor bracket 140 and the sensor mounting plate 144, the user can create the necessary contact by pushing virtually any portion of the actuator cover plate 134, meaning that the user could potentially use his or her open hand, finger, elbow, or other item such as a cane to cause the actuation. This is in contrast to conventional systems, where a user must press a very specific portion of a plate or push button to cause the actuation.
The present invention as discussed herein can be incorporated into a wide variety of flushometer systems. For example, but without limitation, the manual actuation system of the present invention can be incorporated into electronic flushometer systems that include virtually any type of automatic activation system, as well as flushometer systems that include no automatic activation mechanism at all. The present invention can be incorporated into both closet flushometer systems and urinal flushometer systems.
The foregoing description of embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the present invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the present invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
