Toilet Flush Mechanism for Dementia Patients

Abstract

A toilet flush mechanism comprising a tubular conduit for a long flexible element which translates within conduit and connects a toilet flapper valve to a grip handle or chain pull which is located at an inconspicuous location outside the toilet tank for the purpose of preventing flushing by toddlers or individuals with dementia.

Description

BACKGROUND

Prior Art

The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant:

U.S. Patents
	Pat. No.	Kind Code	Issue Date	Patentee
	9,469,980	B2	2016 Oct. 18	Le et al
	4,319,368		1982 Mar. 16	Peters
	3,358,294		1967 Dec. 19	Nolan et al
	4,356,576		1982 Nov. 2	Gala

Background of Invention

Healthcare workers frequently deal with problems concerning the flush toilet when operated by patients/residents who have dementia or are otherwise mentally challenged, especially if they are ambulatory. In many cases, healthcare workers must monitor fecal output by documenting frequency, size, and consistency of bowel movements. Urine output is monitored for amount, color, and odor. Ambulatory patients who can flush the toilet make this monitoring difficult. Monitoring is not possible if a resident who cannot self-report or self-monitor flushes the toilet before the healthcare worker can document the output. This presents a problem in the administration of medication for constipation and diarrhea or for the diagnosis of illness.

One method of monitoring fecal output is to place a catch pan under the toilet seat. This has proven to be a less than satisfactory solution for several reasons. It increases the workload for the healthcare workers. Emptying and cleaning the pan is an unpleasant task. Some patients are reluctant to use a catch pan because of unfamiliarity, embarrassment, or confusion.

Serious health consequences can result if a resident/patient has had bowel movements that have not been documented. When the record incorrectly shows no bowel movements for several days, the standard procedure in most healthcare facilities would dictate the administration of laxatives. This can cause serious health consequences, especially in elderly or weakened patients who are not constipated or may, in fact, have diarrhea instead of constipation.

Another problem can arise when the healthcare provider is not aware that the patient has not had a bowel movement for several days. In this case, treatment for constipation may be delayed until there is a serious health issue. Urine monitoring can alert healthcare personnel to bladder infections and many other disorders.

Another problem involves demented or mentally challenged patients who attempt to flush inappropriate objects down the toilet. This can cause obstructions in the plumbing system that require major maintenance procedures to correct. Patients who flush certain medications or chemicals down the toilet can cause environmental damage. If volatile liquids such as solvents or fuels are flushed, they can cause explosions or toxic fumes in the sewer collection system that can injure workers or damage property.

Toddlers can also cause serious problems by flushing inappropriate items down the toilet. The utilization of this invention greatly reduces the possibility of this occurring. Parents with toddlers who think it would be fun to give rubber ducky a ride on the ‘swirling vortex’ will find this invention useful. This invention can quickly be installed on most toilets. It can just as quickly be uninstalled to convert back to the original toilet configuration when the child grows older and wiser.

Healthcare facilities will usually want to convert the toilet in a resident room between ‘restricted access’ and ‘open access’, depending upon the status of the current resident of the room.

Testing has proven that even most adults with normal mental and physical capacity are foiled by this invention when they have not been instructed on its use. The original flush handle is left in place on the toilet but rendered inoperable. When a person attempts to activate the flush using the inactivated original flush handle, they generally assume the toilet is inoperable and look no further for a flushing activator.

For all of the above reasons, a device that prevents certain patients/residents/toddlers from flushing the toilet can be beneficial. I have invented this device to address this problem.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention provides a method to flush a toilet with a ‘hidden’ chain-pull. The standard flush handle is rendered inoperable by simply disconnecting the chain that connects the activator arm of the flush handle to the flapper valve that discharges the tank water. In place of activation by the flush handle, a chain pull (5) is positioned in an inconspicuous location behind the back corner of the toilet tank. A chain tube (2) provides a conduit for chain (4) which translates within the chain tube to lift the flapper valve which activates the flush cycle.

The apparatus of my invention can be installed in a matter of minutes to a wide variety of toilet brands and styles. Likewise, the toilet can be returned to its original status in a matter of minutes.

By reference to the attached drawings and following description, the construction and functional principles of my invention will be described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view, looking downward into the toilet tank from an elevated angle with the tank lid removed showing the chain assembly for bypassing the handle on the toilet;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembled toilet with the tank lid in place showing positioning of the chain for access behind and to a side of the tank and showing the lever of the toilet disconnected from the flapper valve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The mechanism of the present invention is comprised as follows: a chain tube (2) formed with downward directed radius of approximately 90 degrees on each tube end, a mid-portion of said tube extended horizontally, with a first end position generally above the tank's flapper valve (9) position and the second end's radius positioned in the same plane as the first so that the opposed downward curve lies outboard of the rear corner of the toilet tank (1).

Chain tube (2) is supported on one end by the lip of the toilet tank, and the other end of the chain tube is supported by cross member support (7). Cross member support (7), in its preferred embodiment, is adjustable in length so that it will fit various size tanks. A weight (8) is attached to the flapper valve end of the ball chain, thereby retracting the chain after it has been pulled to initiate the flush cycle.

A chain stop (3) limits the retraction travel of said chain by contact with the outboard end of chain tube (2). A small, inconspicuous chain pull (5) is the preferred embodiment to provide a grip surface for the operator.

Spacers (6) provides the clearance necessary for chain tube (2) underneath the lid (23) of the toilet tank. As a preferred embodiment, the spacers are constructed of a firm foam material with a self adhesive strip which attaches it to the top rim of the toilet tank. Air exchange gaps (10) are provided to allow rapid air exchange as the water level in the tank drops during the flush cycle. Spacers (6) can be positioned closely to chain tube (2) near its outbound end so that the chain tube is captured in the correct position on the tank.

The construction of the present invention allows it to be sold as a kit which can be installed on a wide variety of toilets in a matter of minutes. Conversion back to the original configuration which utilizes the toilet's original flush handle also can be accomplished in a matter of minutes. The original flush handle can be left in place while the toilet is in operation with the hidden chain flush mechanism of my invention.

The components of this invention can be packaged in a small box or bubble pack. The chain can be pre-threaded into the chain tube with weight (8) attached on the flapper valve end of the chain. Chain stop (3), in one embodiment, is constructed of resilient material which clips to the chain in a manner that allows attachment at various locations along the chain. Other types of clips will work equally well as a chain stop to fulfill the function intended.

A typical installation of this invention is as follows. The toilet tank lid is removed to gain access. In some cases it may be advantageous to shut off the water supply to the toilet and drain the tank by activating the flush cycle. The chain that links the flush lever activation arm to the flapper valve is disconnected from the flapper valve. This chain can be left in the tank at a location where it will not interfere with the operation of the flapper valve or other components. The cross member support (7) with chain tube (2) attached by connector (11) is positioned in its proper location on the rim of toilet tank (1). Spacer (6) is attached to the rim of the toilet tank in a manner that allows gaps for chain tube (2) and air exchange gaps (10). Chain (4) is attached to flapper valve (9) and, if necessary, adjusted to its proper length by trimming or restricted placement of the tail end so that it does not interfere with the operation of the flapper valve or other components.

Weight (8) is attached to chain (4) at a location approximately midway between the flapper valve and the cross member support. Chain stop (3) can be clipped to the chain's outboard end at a location which prevents excess slack in the chain between the flapper valve and the inboard end of the chain tube. Another option is to forgo the chain stop at this location, thereby allowing chain pull (5) to act as a stop to prevent complete retraction of the chain into the chain tube, thus creating an even more inconspicuous flush activation mechanism. Finally, the tank cover is replaced and the toilet is returned to service.

When this invention is installed, the original flush handle (24) remains installed however the interior lever on the handle (24) is disconnected from the flapper valve (9). When an attempt is made to flush the toilet, the toilet handle will move but has no effect. However, an operator with knowledge of the conversion can reach behind the corner of the toilet and cycle the flush with a short pull on the pull chain. Once activated by a pull on the chain, the flush cycle is unchanged from the toilet's original operation.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

• 1 Toilet Tank 2 Chain Tube
• 3 Chain Stop 4 Chain
• 5 Chain-pull 6 Spacer
• 7 Cross Member Support 8 Weight
• 9 Flapper Valve 10 Air Exchange Gap
• 11 Connector 21 Toilet
• 23 Toilet Tank Lid 24 Toilet Tank Lever

Claims

1. A tubular conduit having longitudinal midsection of generally horizontal orientation, down-turned bends of approximately 90 degree radii on each outboard portion, each bend oriented in a plane common to the other; a flexible element encapsulated within and extending beyond each end of said tubular conduit, nutating within said tubular conduit; said tubular conduit attached to elongated support structure.

2. The flexible element of claim 1, wherein the flexible element is a chain encapsulated within and extending beyond each end of said tubular conduit, nutating within said tubular conduit.

3. The flexible element of claim 1, wherein the flexible element is composed of a thin elongated thread of plastic material, nutating within said tubular conduit.

4. The elongated support structure of claim 1, further comprising a first element which telescopes within the second element, thereby being adjustable in length, having connector as non-permanent attachment means for tubular conduit of claim 1, outboard portions of each element bent downward, thereby capturing rim portion of toilet tank to prevent lateral movement relative to toilet tank.

5. The flexible element of claim 1 further including a weight attached to the portion of said flexible element which extends externally from the inward portion of said chain tube, acting as a retractive force upon said flexible element.

6. The weight of claim 5, said weight having hollow central portion of a dimension accommodating the flexible element of claim 1 within said hollow central portion, a stop clip attachable to the flexible element, thereby limiting downward movement of weight relative to the flexible element.

7. A stop clip of claim 6 with detachable and attachable connection to the flexible element of claim 1, thereby restricting excessive retraction of said flexible element into tubular conduit of claim 1.

8. A stop clip of claim 6 made of circular flexible material having a slit the approximate length of the radius of said clip, said slot extending inward to a central small hole of a dimension which locks onto the flexible element of claim 2.

9. Spacer members lying upon a substantial portion of top rim of toilet tank, of height dimension adequate to provide clearance between toilet tank and toilet tank lid for tubular conduit of claim 1, and of length dimension which provides adequate clearance between said spacer members to create one or more air exchange gaps which allow unrestricted air movement.

10. Spacer members of claim 9 comprised of semi-rigid foam material.

11. Spacer members of claim 9 further including a self-adhesive layer coating one side of said spacer member.

12. A kit for constructing toilet flush mechanism comprising: A tubular conduit having longitudinal midsection of generally horizontal orientation with down-turned outboard portions of approximately 90 degree radii, each oriented in a plane common to the other; a flexible element encapsulated within and extending beyond said tubular conduit, nutating within said tubular conduit; elongated support structure for tubular conduit; spacer member material of continuous length, said material of foam composition, or similar material easily cut to length by installer, said material having self-adhesive surface on one side.

13. A toilet comprising: a tank providing a reservoir of water for flushing the toilet;a flapper valve positioned at the bottom of the tank and hinging between an open position allowing water to flow from the tank and a closed position blocking water from flowing from the tank so that the tank can fill with water;a handle affixed to a front surface of the tank and having a lever adaptable for opening the flapper valve by connecting the lever to the flapper valve but disconnected therefrom;a flexible tension member attached at a first end to the flapper valve to move the flapper valve from the closed position to the open position and having a second end extending out of the tank over a tank sidewall removed from the front surface of the tank; and guide members for conducting the flexible tension member upward from the flapper valve and laterally out over the tank sidewall under a tank lid.