BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a toilet flush system according to the invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toilet flush system shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 shows a front partial cut-away view of the toilet flush system shown in FIG. 1, but with a first flush valve in an open configuration.
FIG. 4 shows a front partial cut-away view of the toilet flush system shown in FIG. 1, but with a second flush valve in an open configuration.
FIG. 5 is a front partial cut-away view of a toilet flush system showing an optional flap device.
FIG. 6 shows a dual flush adapter having a different shape from the dual flush adapter shown in FIGS. 1 through 5.
FIG. 7A shows a partial cutaway top view of first and second handles according to the invention.
FIG. 7B shows a top sectional view of the first and second handles of FIG. 7A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to a toilet flush system having two flush valves (first and second flush valves), wherein the flush valves are arranged to provide a short or long flush. The toilet flush system of the invention is denoted generally by the numeral “100” and derivatives thereof are denoted with alpha-numeric labels such as 100a and 100b.
Referring to the FIGURES in general, the toilet flush system 100 comprises a handle system 110, and a dual flush adapter 120. The dual flush adapter 120 includes first 140 and second 160 flush valves, and adapter outlet 180. In normal use, the adapter outlet 180 communicates with a toilet tank outlet TTO. The flush valves 140 and 160 are arranged to provide a short or long flush. The first and second flush valves 140 and 160 are independently movable between an open position and a closed position. The first and second flush valves 140 and 160 are operably coupled to a first handle 240 and a second handle 260, respectively. First 240 and second 260 handles form part of a handle system 110.
The handle system 110 comprises first and second handles 240 and 260. The first and second handles 240 and 260 rotate independently of each other about a common axis of rotation 280. The first and second handles 240 and 260 are operably connected to the first and second flush valves 140 and 160, respectively. Rotating the first handle 240 opens the first flush valve 140 to provide a long flush. Rotating the second handle 260 about opens the second flush valve 160 to provide a short flush. It is expected that the human user will use the short flush for the purpose of flushing-away liquid waste (urine) and the long flush for dealing with solid waste (fecal matter) or a mixture of liquid/solid waste.
FIG. 1 shows an environmental, perspective view of one embodiment of the flush system 100 installed inside a toilet tank TT.
Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, which show a first embodiment of the present invention, of which FIG. 1 shows an environmental, perspective view of one embodiment of the flush system 100 installed inside a toilet tank TT; the toilet tank TT is a typical toilet tank having side walls, an overflow pipe OP, and a toilet tank outlet TTO. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the flush system 100 according to the invention.
Still referring to FIGS. 1 through 5 of which FIG. 3 shows the toilet flush system 100 fitted inside a toilet tank TT. The toilet flush system includes a handle system 110, and a dual flush adapter 120. The dual flush adapter 120 has a hollow interior 122 (shown in FIG. 5). The dual flush adapter 120 defines first 124 and second 126 apertures and an adapter outlet 180. The dual flush adapter 120 further comprises first 140 and second 160 flush valves. The first 140 and second 160 flush valves reversibly seal the first 124 and second 126 apertures, respectively.
Still referring to FIG. 2, the first aperture 124 is located proximal to the adapter outlet 180 and below the second aperture 126. Any suitable means can be used to mate the adapter outlet 180 to the inside of the toilet tank outlet TTO. For example, any suitable water resistant seal or adhesive can be used to provide a watertight joint.
Still referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the first and second flush valves 140 and 160 are in fluid communication with the adapter outlet (180). Thus, if either (or both) of the flush valves 140 and 160 are opened, water in the toilet tank TT would, under the influence of gravity, flow through the dual flush adapter 120 and exit through the adapter outlet 180.
Still referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the first flush valve 140 and second flush valve 160 are arranged such that when the toilet flush system 100 is in use, the first 140 and second 160 flush valves provide a long flush and a short flush, respectively. The first 140 and second 160 flush valves are independently movable between an open position and a closed position and are in fluid communication with the adapter outlet 180.
Still referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the handle system 110 comprises a first handle 240 and a second handle 260. The first 240 and second 260 handles are arranged such that they rotate independently of each other about a common axis of rotation 280. The first 240 and second 260 handles are respectively operably connected to the first 140 and second 160 flush valves. Rotating the first handle 240 opens the first flush valve 140 to provide a long flush, and rotating the second handle 260 opens the second flush valve 260 to provide a short flush.
Any suitable means can be used to operably connect the first 240 and second 260 handles to the first 140 and second 160 flush valves. For example, first and second chains can operably connect the first and second handles 240 and 260 to the first and second flush valves 140 and 160, respectively. Alternatively, a combination of chains and elongated members, as shown in FIG. 3, can be used to operably connect the first and second handles 240 and 260 to the first and second flush valves 140 and 160.
Still referring to FIGS. 1 through 5 and FIG. 3 in particular, the first handle 240 is connected to the first flush valve 140 by means of elongated member 142 coupled to a chain 144, and the second handle 260 is connected to the second flush valve 160 by means of elongated member 146 coupled to a chain 148.
An optional flap 300 can be located inside the dual flush adapter 120 as shown in FIG. 5. The optional flap 300 is designed to resistantly direct water from whichever flush valve 140 or 160 is open to the adapter outlet 180 and thence to the toilet tank outlet TTO. The flap 300 may incorporate a biased spring hinge 320, which ensures the flap 300 can resist water flow in an undesired direction; for example, when the lower flush valve 140 is open water, the flap 300 helps prevent water backing up towards the upper flush valve 160 thereby directing tank water W to the adapter outlet 180 and thence into the toilet tank outlet TTO.
The exact shape of the dual flush adapter 120 can vary without detracting from the spirit of the invention as exemplified in FIG. 6 where the adapter 120 adopts a general L shaped configuration.
Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the first handle 240 handle defines first 400 and second 420 opposite ends, and the second handle 260 handle defines first 440 and second 460 opposite ends. The second end 460 of the second handle includes a hollow bore 480 that encompasses the common axis of rotation 280. The second end 420 of the first handle 240 is connected to a shaft 500 that fits inside bore 480 such that the first handle 240 rotates through an arc independently of the second handle 260. The shaft 500 (and hence first handle 240) is shown operably connected to the elongated member 142. The second handle 260 is operably connected to elongated member 146.
The first and second handles 240 and 260 are operably connected to the first 140 and second 160 flush valves such that rotating the first handle 240 opens the first flush valve 140 and rotating the second handle 260 opens the second flush valve 160. Opening the first flush valve 140 allows a long flush and opening the second flush valve 160 allows a short flush.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or as shown in the attached figures, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the attached claims.
Patent Application
20080022443
